Candid Conversations

Global Initiative is a podcast series that highlights individuals and organizations creating positive change around the world. The series explores initiatives in areas such as international development, education, human rights, and social justice. Each episode features an interview with an individual or organization to explore their work, the impact of their initiatives, and the challenges they face in creating meaningful and lasting change.

In this episode of Editor’s Pick of the Month, Fatima Bah sits down with Maia, August’s featured writer, to discuss her article, Hair from Where? The Influx of Iranian Hair and the Democratic Movement Crackdown. They explore the inspiration behind the article, Maia’s research and writing process, and the connections between Iranian human hair, women’s resistance, and the crackdown on protesters in Iran

In this episode of Editor’s Choice of the Month , Fatima Bah sits down with July’s featured writer, Sofia, to discuss her article on the Taliban’s new decree and its consequences for Afghan women and girls. Together, they explore the inspiration behind the story, the research process, and why this issue deserves global attention.

This episode of Candid Conversations explores the situation in Iran through the perspective of the Iranian diaspora. Maria Lecollinet speaks with Hoshyar Lahoorpoor about the realities beyond the headlines, examining how international narratives often simplify Iran into the Islamic Republic. Together, they discuss the events of January 8-9, the subsequent US–Israeli intervention, and the prospects for regime change and liberation, while reflecting on the role of European diplomacy and the broader implications for the Middle East.

n this episode of Candid Conversations, Isabel Qin speaks with Bart Édes, ISID Professor of Practice at McGill University. Together, they discuss the upcoming International Development Conference at the University of Ottawa on May 4, including its key themes and why it’s worth attending.To register, visit: https://dev.caidp-rpcdi.caThank you for listening.

Welcome back to another episode of Candid Conversations! In this episode, Yasmin Ahmed sits down with Spencer Clark to explore some of the most pressing questions surrounding AI regulation. Together, they discuss the balance between public use, environmental impact, and individual freedoms, while also introducing the emerging concept of “green AI” and what it could mean for the future. Spencer also shares key insights from his AI-focused articles written for Catalyst McGill, offering a thoughtful perspective on where this rapidly evolving field is headed.

Venezuela: A State Undone is Catalyst McGill’s first podcast mini-series, hosted by Alexandru Albu. Across three episodes, the series unpacks the deeper story behind Venezuela’s ongoing political crisis, shaped by years of instability, economic collapse, and mass migration.Featuring contributions from David Alejandro De Peña Barbosa, Andrea Iskandar, and Sebastian Ramirez, the podcast brings together both Venezuelan citizen perspectives and voices from the diaspora—an increasingly important lens as millions have been displaced in recent years.Thank you for listening to Episode Three, A Nation Reclaimed, the last installment of this miniseries.

Venezuela: A State Undone is Catalyst McGill’s first podcast mini-series, hosted by Alexandru Albu. Across three episodes, the series unpacks the deeper story behind Venezuela’s ongoing political crisis, shaped by years of instability, economic collapse, and geopolitical tension.Featuring contributions from Professor Juan Pablo Luna, the podcast brings together expert insight and Venezuelan perspectives to examine the forces driving political decision-making.Episode Two, Washington vs. Caracas, shifts focus to the logic behind U.S. involvement—exploring how state interests, strategic priorities, and political narratives shape American action toward Venezuela.Thank you for listening, and stay tuned for the final episode, coming next week.

Venezuela: A State Undone is Catalyst McGill’s first podcast mini-series, hosted by Alexandru Albu. Across three episodes, the series unpacks the deeper story behind Venezuela’s ongoing political crisis, shaped by years of instability, economic collapse, and mass migration. Featuring contributions from David Alejandro De Peña Barbosa, Andrea Iskandar, and Sebastian Ramirez, the podcast brings together Venezuelan perspectives through the diaspora—an increasingly important lens as millions have been displaced in recent years. Thank you for listening to Episode One, El Comandante’s Blueprint. Stay tuned for the next two episodes, released weekly.

In this episode of Candid Conversations, Fatima Bah speaks with Henry Maidoh and Shanna Coulanges from the Uhuru Journal at McGill University. Together, they explore Afrofuturism—what it is, why it matters, and how it shapes this year’s vision for the journal.