#022: My Son - "No War"

Anuj sits down with Captain Matthew Hoh, former US Marine and now Fellow with the Eisenhower Media Network. Matt's personal journey has literally moved through war, to trying to take on the machine of war making. While Matt is prominent as a writer, podcast and media guest for sharing his informed perspectives on current affairs, this conversation is a deeper look into Matt the man, and the personal journey that led him to be who he is today. Recorded in January 2025, this conversation captures many questions that we all should be asking ourselves about the state of the world, our perpensity for war, and what we can do to change the narrative of the future. EMN Associate Director Matthew Hoh had nearly twelve years experience with the US military and the wars overseas with the United States Marine Corps, Department of Defense and State Department. Matthew Hoh is the Associate Director of the Eisenhower Media Network. In 2009, Matthew Hoh resigned in protest from his post in Afghanistan with the State Department over the American escalation of the war. Prior to his assignment in Afghanistan, Matt took part in the American occupation of Iraq; first in 2004-2005 in Salah ad Din Province with a State Department reconstruction and governance team and then in 2006-2007 in Anbar Province as a Marine Corps company commander. When not deployed, Matt worked on Afghanistan and Iraq war policy and operations issues at the Pentagon and State Department from 2002-2008. From 2010-2024, Matt was affiliated with the Center for International Policy, first as a senior fellow and later as a senior fellow emeritus. He is a disabled veteran.Special Guest: Matthew Hoh.

Anuj sits down with Uzma Rizvi - an anthropological archaeologist to explore a fascinating journey through her field, and the history of one of the world's oldest civilizations, in the Indus Valley. Uzma shares many stories and insights into the way in which archaeologists study and piece together the past, and how she uniquely works with many contemporary disciplines to both understand the past, and also connect it to our present moment. Uzma also shares unique insights on how decolonization of the field and our use of certain ways of framing conversations are problematic and in need of reflection. Uzma shares her thoughts on the role technology, and in particular, AI, may play in the field of archaeology. Uzma and Anuj also reflect on the situation in Gaza in January 2024, and the place and practice of hope and our current moment in time. Dr. Uzma Z. Rizvi is an anthropological archaeologist, and currently a professor at the Pratt Institute. Uzma received a PhD in Anthropology from the University of Pennsylvania, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University. She specializes in the archaeology of the first cities, while teaching anthropology, ancient urbanism, new materialisms, critical heritage studies, decolonization/the postcolonial critique, and social practice. (source: https://www.pratt.edu/people/uzma-z-rizvi/)Special Guest: Uzma Rizvi.

Anuj sits down with Dr. Yasser Khan - a Canadian opthamologist who was among the first in the world to visit Gaza in the midst of the recent Israel-Hamas war, to help injured civilians and see the dire conditions first hand. Yasser shares his humbling experiences and perspectives on being a humanitarian, in one of the most important conversations yet on AwokenWord. Dr. Yasser Khan is an internationally renowned ophthalmic surgeon, humanitarian and entrepreneur. He is a leading ophthalmologist in oculoplastics, orbital and cataract surgery with over 20 years of experience. Dr. Khan is devoted to national and global humanitarian medical work. He is a founder and CEO of GIVE − Global Initiative for Vision and Eyecare. GIVE’s primary aim is to develop social and entrepreneurship solutions to empower local populations and treat blindness. He has worked in this capacity in over 40 different countries and in Northern Ontario with the indigenous communities. He is an associate Professor at McMaster University and the University of Toronto. He teaches cutting-edge and innovative surgical techniques to surgeons nationally and globally. In January 2024, Yasser was among the first few people in the world to travel to Gaza in the middle of the war to volunteer as a physician helping to save injured civilians.Special Guest: Dr. Yasser Khan.

Kicking off Season 3, Anuj sits with Dr. Jennifer Boger for an entirely different, human conversation on AI, technology and finding our way in an a rapidly accelerating future. Dr Jennifer Boger has an unrelenting passion to create technologies that are more sustainable and appropriate from multifaceted perspectives, such as the environment, society, and industry. She is the Chief Scientific Officer at ESG.AI, an Adjunct Professor in Systems Design Engineering at the University of Waterloo, and a Professional Engineer. Jennifer is adept at blending state-of-the art knowledge from computer science, engineering, and ethics to develop internationally renowned intelligent technologies. She is the co-founder of the concept of zero-effort technology and is spearheading the ‘Ethical by Design’ framework for supporting collaborative development of responsible technologies. She has given keynote presentations at several international conferences, is a board member on leading organisations and journals, and has authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications.Special Guest: Jennifer Boger.

A special episode where Anuj shares his reflections on 2023, ahead of another impromptu conversation with his son about AI ethics, and the struggle between good and bad.

Anuj sits down with Martin Ryan to discuss the moment in time we find ourselves in on the rapidly evolving landscape of AI. Nearly one year since the public launch of Chat GPT, AI has seen an unprecedented level of attention in the public conscience, along with unparalleled growth. Martin is innovation strategy and human-centered design leader with 15+ years of cross-sector and cross-domain experience. Leading from a place of sincere concern and regard for the interaction between humanity and technology, Martin helps organizations navigate through the ambiguous but disciplined process of designing what's next for the people, markets and societies they serve; while keeping the moral, ethical and social implications at the forefront. Anuj and Martin discuss the recent advancements in AI, and the sheer challenge of trying to regulate and govern a technology that is scaling in complexity beyond the pace we can handle. They explore the questions of shared values, the impact of break-neck paced technological advancement, the interplay with capitalism, and the coming shift of society as we give more and more of our intimate selves to technology. Special Guest: Martin Ryan.

A very special & humbling episode. This morning, Anuj cuddled in bed with his 9-year old son, and had the most human, humbling and honest conversation about the situation in that has broken out in Gaza & Israel since October 7, 2023, and what he wants for the world of tomorrow.

Anuj sat down with poet & author, Mugabi Byenkya. Audio of this conversation was thought lost, however resurrected in the end to share this wide sweeping dialogue. Mugabi shares key experiences from his life living around the world, how his parents gave him a foundation for strength, and what it's been like to move through life's challenges, adversities and triumphs. Anuj & Mugabi explore biases, assumptions and reflect on the role poetry and art have played in their lives. Mugabi's positivity (and laugh) are infectious, and his travels, both internally and in the world continue. Special Guest: Mugabi Byenkya.

Anuj and Shree Paradkar sit down for an unflinching conversation about race and self refection. Shree is a Toronto Star race and gender columnist, and the 2018-2019 recipient of the Atkinson Fellowship in Public Policy. Shree's writing takes on charged issues with a critical and unwaivering approach. Shree shares the role of Black feminism in her own journey, and the debt that we all owe to indigenous and black communities. Shree also raises the question of who defines the "norm" in society, and sheds light on how these challenging forces come into her world as a mother. Special Guest: Shree Paradkar.

Anuj is joined by G Yamazawa, in this conversation deep into the COVID19 pandemic. G Yamazawa is an innovative rapper, spoken word poet and hip hop artist. Originally out of Durham, North Carolina, G is now based in Los Angeles. G shares a lot about his life growing up, how hip hop entered his life, and the path that spoken word poetry opened up for him to find his own voice in the world of hip hop. Anuj and G unpack life in the US at the early stages of the COVID19 pandemic, as well as the worlds of artistry, social media, creativity and evolving as an artist. This is a fresh glimpse into the mind of a prolific artist.Special Guest: G Yamazawa.