What happens when we stop seeing borders as lines on a map and start seeing how they live inside our language, schools, and assumptions? Inspired by Suzanne Alexa Maria Penola’s powerful poem, this episode explores how borders shape our sense of identity—and often erase it.

What does it mean to be "too ethnic" for your peers, and "not ethnic enough" for your parents?

What happens when "home" no longer feels like home? In this episode, we explore the emotional and psychological journey of returning to your country of origin after building a life abroad.

Why are immigrants voting Conservative in Canada? This episode of Canadian Salad dives into the history of Canada’s Liberal and Conservative parties, examines PM Mark Carney’s new immigration proposals, and unpacks how racialized communities navigate political systems that weren't built for them. Thoughtful, provocative, and grounded in lived experience.

Explore how Edward T. Hall’s theory of monochronic and polychronic time reveals deep cultural differences in how we view time, relationships, and productivity. This episode of Canadian Salad unpacks what Canada can learn from polychronic cultures — and why our time habits might need a cultural reset.

Happy May!! There are many exciting things about this month . . .more sun, flowers and the permission to do more things in your life (because the month told you 'You MAY . . . get it? No? Okay, we thought it was funny). But one thing this May brings us is the celebration of Asian Heritage Month. 

Let’s call it what it is: the word ‘expat’ is often just a softer label for privilege.

In this episode, we dig into the uncomfortable truth about how people with wealth, whiteness, and status are given one title, while others — arriving under nearly identical circumstances — are labeled ‘immigrants’, and carry the negative weight that word holds.

Love and marriage. Love and divorce. Separation can be painful as much as it can be healing. Join us as we take a cultural tour around the world exploring how different cultures view and handle divorce, highlighting how patriarchy, regardless of country, universally impacts women's experiences. 

Did you know Japanese shows like 'Grenadier' and 'Captain Majid' were not only popular through Asia but the Arab world as well? How? Why? How is it that cultures unlike each other found each other? And why didn't western cartoons land the same way?

A person holds the door open. You're thankful. What a nice gesture, a kind favour! For some, this gesture would merit a simple 'thank you' as you go on your way. But for others, this might be an opportunity to stand and talk with this friendly door opener and learn more about them. Welcome to a cultural tour of how favours are perceived and reciprocated across the globe.

He's called Canada the "nastiest country to deal with" and the "51st state". Trump's rhetoric is alarming - threats of annexation and assimilation by force. But if we are really honest, these threats are as old as Canada itself.

Black Canadian farmers are doing more than just growing food - they're creating culturally relevant foods that are local and sustainable for Afro-Carribbean communities. Innovation is the spirit of immigrants and we're excited to highlight the inspiring work of a Nigerian-born farmer Toyin Ajayi of British Columbia and explore the positive impact Black Canadian farmers are making.

“DEI is woke.” “It silences free speech.” “It’s Marxism in disguise.”  

We’ve all heard the backlash, but how much of it is based on facts? The debate around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) has been clouded by misinformation and fear-mongering. In this episode of Canadian Salad, we cut through the noise with Matt Tsang, co-founder and brand director at AndHumanity Marketing.  

Refugees are forced to pay for Canada's decisions. The recent immigration cuts also brought forward heavy-handed cuts to refugee applications and visitor visas. We won't deny that there are organizations within Canada committing fraud. But punishing people for other's terrible decisions isn't working - it's present day human collateral.

Black History Month. If we are honest, this month only exists because Black history has been all but untold in Canada. In this compelling episode of Canadian Salad, Andrea and Hostion are joined by two remarkable women, Cleia and Asiyah, to dive deep into their personal experiences as Black women in Canada.

What is it to be host? To welcome someone? Someone with a different background, culture, tradition, language and perspective? What would hospitality look like with a complete stranger? Can Canada reclaim it’s hospitality culture to immigrants and people from other cultures?

 I don't know about you, but the news in the world is overwhelming, scary and uncertain. With Trump's inhumane deportations in the south to the anti-immigrant rhetoric in Canada, there's only so much negative news that we can listen to. 

That's why it's time for some good news! In this engaging and uplifting and solo episode, Andrea will explore the remarkable journeys of immigrants in Canada who are carving out their new lives with resilience, determination and creativity.

From grey hairs to raisins, join us as we explore the culture of aging! We'll share personal anecdotes—like Hostion's eternal youthfulness and Andrea's grey hair pride —while we explore the complex layers behind ageism and respect for elders around the globe.

Universities are losing money. Some are closing. With IRCC rolling the dice in their cuts to international students, the impact has only just begun. Because Hostion and I came to Canada as international students, we feel the weight of this topic deeply  and that's why we have to talk about it.

"I'm rich and I can speak two languages" can often get the resounding "Wow!" Or the flattering "Impressive!" But when it comes to people from lower classes or those from the global majority, bilingualism is often looked down on - especially in our Western world. What is it about elevating the languages of the rich and judging the languages of the poor?