Ideas

Greg Healan, a reflective former civil servant from Ireland, shares how Shannon Murray's Massey Lecture on Shakespeare's teachings sparked hope in his life and influenced his caregiving journey. Greer Johnston, a communications strategist and longtime listener, discusses how Astra Taylor's insights on insecurity and the Charter of the Forest reshaped her perspective during the pandemic, emphasizing the importance of collective rights and community solidarity. Their personal stories illustrate how ideas can profoundly impact our lives and decisions.

Tanya Talaga, an award-winning journalist and advocate for Indigenous issues, shares her experiences delivering thought-provoking Massey Lectures. She recounts how her powerful message resonated in Thunder Bay, with surprising audience reactions reshaping perceptions. Sally Armstrong, a dedicated journalist and human rights activist, discusses the impact of her talks on women’s rights groups in conflict zones like Afghanistan and China. Both guests reflect on the profound connection their lectures made with diverse audiences and how those interactions changed them.

Tiya Miles, a Harvard historian and the prize-winning author of "All That She Carried," shares her passion for liberation history in a captivating dialogue. She expresses her love for the host in a moment of heartfelt connection while discussing the powerful themes of memory and the lives of enslaved women. Listeners are moved by personal stories inspired by her work, including a potter in Australia and a Nova Scotia discussion group reflecting on the importance of history in human connection. Miles emphasizes the crucial role of storytelling in uncovering hidden narratives.

Joanna Oda, a public health physician influenced by a 2005 episode on traffic, shares how it shaped her view on upstream health solutions. She cleverly compares traffic solutions to obesity fixes, arguing against quick fixes. Gord Cunningham, a community development worker, explains how John's McKnight's ideas shifted his focus to asset-based community development, changing his career path. Young activist Gwen Allen recounts how attending Sally Armstrong's lecture spurred her to advocate for gender equality and public speaking, inspiring her peers.

Join Mir Hussain Mahdavi, a poet and cultural researcher, alongside Wolayat Tabassum Niroo, a Fulbright scholar focused on Afghan women's music, and talented musicians Wares Fazelyar and Sara Soroor. They discuss how music serves as a vital link to homeland for the Afghan diaspora, exploring themes of loss, resistance, and identity. From the power of traditional songs to the resilience of female musicians, the conversation touches on music's role in healing and community during times of conflict, creating a rich tapestry of memory and hope.

Ammar Azzouz, an architectural critic with firsthand experience of Syria's destruction, shares poignant memories of his hometown, Homs. Nasser Rabbat, an MIT professor, delves into the historical roots of urbicide and its impact on social diversity. Hiba Bou Akar and Nada Moumtaz explore Beirut's reconstruction after civil war, emphasizing how urban planning exacerbates territorial divides. Together, they discuss the long-term implications of urban destruction and the complex relationship between cities and their residents, highlighting both trauma and resilience.

Guests Rachel Kowalski, a pediatric emergency physician and fiction writer, and Joshna Maharaj, a food activist, explore the disconnection between hospitality and modern hospitals. They discuss how lack of comfort impacts patient dignity, while Carol Rawcliffe and Kevin Siena reveal medieval hospitals’ roots in care and community. Maureen Lux highlights the troubling history of segregated healthcare for Indigenous peoples. The conversation culminates in envisioning culturally safe spaces and healing food practices for all patients.

Elena Asayev, an archaeologist rethinking migration through ancient insights, David Goldstein, a literature professor delving into biblical hospitality, and Sandy Hilal, an architect championing community projects, come together to explore hospitality's impact on migration. They discuss ancient Greek conventions of guest-host relationships and their contemporary significance. The conversation also touches on the vulnerability of hospitality, the blurring of host-guest roles, and the potential for grassroots actions to redefine who gets to welcome whom.

At age 11, writer Andrew Lam fled Vietnam during the Fall of Saigon. Nearly 45 years later, he returned to a radically different city. He believes "you will be cursed with longing" if you continue to search for the feeling of home you had in the past.At a time when more people have been forcibly displaced from their homes than at any other time in history, IDEAS explores what it means to return home years — or decades — later. *This is the first episode in our five-part series, The Idea of Home, which originally aired on June 13, 2022.

In this thought-provoking discussion, Alex Neve, a seasoned human rights lawyer and advocate, challenges Canada's self-image as a human rights leader. He explores the urgent human costs of conflicts like Gaza and the systemic failures that undermine universal rights. Neve emphasizes the necessity to confront colonial legacies and Indigenous injustices, while advocating for a renewed agenda focused on universality and justice. He highlights the impact of global policy shifts on Canada and calls for proactive measures to champion rights and protect defenders for a more equitable future.