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.