PODCAST · news
Candid Conversations
by Catalyst McGill
Welcome to Catalyst McGill's International Development podcast. We speak to students and faculty in the world of international development studies, gaining perspective on global events.
Episodes
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Cultivating Change: Climate, Communities, Women and the Future of Development in Kenya
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...
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Editor’s Choice of August: Maia Sunnberg on Hair and Resistance in Iran
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,...
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Editor’s choice of July: Sofia Kaplan on Afghanistan’s Women and Girls
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…
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Iran – Beyond the Regime, Beyond the Headlines
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....
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Candid Conversations: Promoting the International Development Conference
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...
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Candid Conversations: Is AI Compatible with a Green Future
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...
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Venezuela: A State Undone – Episode 3: A Nation Reclaimed
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…
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Venezuela: A State Undone – Episode 2: Washington vs. Caracas
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...
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Venezuela: A State Undone – Episode 1: El Comandante's Blueprint
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…
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Candid Conversations: Reimagining the Future Through Afrofuturism
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.
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The Capsule Newsletter: Global Debrief 5
Welcome to Global Debrief, The Capsule Newsletter's podcast. In this fifth episode, Yasmin discusses stories featured in the Capsule issue of February, 2026.
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Candid Conversations: Moldova's 2025 Parliamentary Election
In this episode of Candid Conversations, Alex Albu speaks with Dr. Maria Popova of McGill University about Moldova’s 2025 parliamentary elections. Together, they explore the political landscape, democratic challenges, and what the upcoming vote could mean for Moldova’s path toward European...
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Editor's Choice: Oliver Scott Hansen and Gabriella Klimov
Check out our last cycle’s Editor’s Choice from Gabriella Klimov and Oliver Scott Hansen! Their article looks at Indonesia’s choice to move the capital city from Jakarta to Borneo from both geopolitical and environmental perspectives. The full article can be read on our website!
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The Capsule Newsletter: Global Debrief 4
Welcome to Global Debrief, The Capsule Newsletter's podcast. In this fourth episode, Alex discusses stories featured in the Capsule issue of November, 2025.
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The Capsule Newsletter: Global Debrief 3
Welcome to Global Debreif, The Capsule Newsletter's podcast. In this third episode, Alex discusses stories featured in the Capsule issue of October, 2025.
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Candid Conversations: The Paradox of Consuming Less
What happens when a movement built on buying less turns into a new form of performance? In this episode, Henley Evans and Yasmin Ahmed unpack the rise of the “underconsumption core” trend — from its roots in minimalist rebellion to its ironic reinvention as social media content. They explore how...
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Candid Conversations: The Role of Journalism in International Development
This episode of Candid Conversations features interviews with Justine Delangle and Katerina Ntretkas, co-editors-in-chief of Catalyst Journal, as they explore the crucial role of journalism in contemporary international development. This episode is produced by Henley Evans, with interviews...
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Candid Conversations: Energy Poverty
Although energy poverty is not widely discussed in international development, it significantly impacts individuals' potential and poses serious health risks. In this episode, Yasmin explores the definition and measurement of energy poverty, as well as examining Professor Mylene Riva's study of...
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The Capsule Newsletter: Global Debrief 2
Welcome to Global Debrief, The Capsule Newsletter’s podcast. In this second episode, Henley discusses stories featured in the Capsule issue of March 24, 2025. Instagram: @idssapublications Facebook: @CatalystMcGill Website: https://catalystmcgill.com The Maison by Blue Dot Sessions...
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The Capsule Newsletter: Global Debrief 1
Welcome to Global Debrief, The Capsule Newsletter’s podcast. In the first episode of this series, Henley examines some of the featured news stories from the Capsule issue of February 20, 2025. Instagram: @idssapublications Facebook: @CatalystMcGill Website: https://catalystmcgill.com The Maison…
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Candid Conversations: A Closer Look at the Quipu Project in Peru
Welcome to Candid Conversations, Catalyst McGill’s International Development Podcast. Today, Yasmin examines The Quipu Project, which presents the testimonies of the Indigenous women (and men) affected by Alberto Fujimori's forced sterilization programme launched in 1990 in Peru. These forced...
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Candid Conversations: Beef or Humanity?
Welcome back to Candid Conversations! On this episode, Henley and Maddy discuss the environmental impacts and sustainability of beef production given our growing population. Instagram: @idssapublications Facebook: @CatalystMcGill Website: https://catalystmcgill.com
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Candid Conversations: An Analysis of REDD+
On this episode of Candid Conversations, Henley and Alex discuss the effectiveness REDD+, a climate change initiative which aims to decrease emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries. Instagram: @idssapublications Facebook: @CatalystMcGill Website:...
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Candid Conversations: Student Activism in Bangladesh
By going in depth into the July 2024 Bangladesh student protest, Bhavya and Susan explore the rippling effects of student activism on social norms and public policy. Instagram: @idssapublications Facebook: @CatalystMcGill Website: https://catalystmcgill.com
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Interview of Sarah Beydoun: Heart4Heart President at McGill
In today's episode, we had the privilege of interviewing Sarah Beydoun, the dynamic president of McGill University's Heart for Heart Chapter. This remarkable organization is dedicated to shedding light on congenital heart diseases and mobilizing funds for life-saving surgeries for children in...
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Interview of Waleed Iqbal: US politics
On today's episode of Candid Conversations, we had the opportunity to interview one of Catalyst's article writers, Waleed Iqbal, to discuss current US politics. Waleed is a fourth-year Political Science and History student. Being a Pakistani who was born and raised in Saudi Arabia, his...
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Candid Conversations: Populations en Transition (Version Française)
Bienvenue dans Candid Conversations où nous explorons la dynamique complexe des changements démographiques. Dans notre dernier épisode "Populations en transition : Défis et opportunités", nous avons discuté des efforts de la France pour faire face à la baisse des taux de natalité, du dépassement…
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Candid Conversations: Populations in Transition
Welcome back to Candid Conversations where we explore the complex dynamics of demographic shifts. In our latest episode "Populations in Transition: Challenges and Opportunities,", we discussed France's efforts to address declining birth rates, India's surpassing of China in population, and the...
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Candid Conversations: “What a World of Difference a Little Foresight Could Make” with Professor Bart Édes
Welcome to Candid Conversations, Catalyst McGill’s International Development podcast. In this episode, we will talk to Professor Bart Édes about his new article “What a world of difference a little foresight could make” and his research on strategic foresight in international development...
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Candid Conversations: Current News from Haiti
Welcome to Candid Conversations, Catalyst McGill’s International Development podcast. On this podcast, we will explore current issues in international development around the world. This episode, we will be taking a deeper dive into the recent news of the United Nations’ approval of foreign...
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Candid Conversations Volume 4: Professor Sonia Laszlo
We spoke with Economics Professor Sonia Laszlo about her recent study on gender norms in Paraguay. We discuss the process of running a lab experiment and the findings of the working paper. We also discuss the significance and challenges of women's economic empowerment. Professor Sonia Laszlo is…
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Candid Conversations "How do we measure international development?"
Welcome back to the Candid Conversations podcast, supported by Catalyst McGill and the IDSSA. This week we're continuing with our series looking at the basics of development. On this episode we discuss how international development is measured and what steps the international community has taken…
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Candid Conversations "What is International Development"
Welcome to the Candid conversations podcast, supported by Catalyst McGill and the IDSSA. This semester we’re starting a series where we look at the basics of development. What is the past, present and future of international development? And how does it interact with our society? On this episode,...
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Candid Conversations Volume 3: Professor Sarah Turner
We spoke with Professor Sarah Turner about her ethnographic fieldwork in Southeast Asia. We discuss the significance of and challenges facing the informal labor economy, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on this market, and approaches and strategies to qualitative fieldwork and development...
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Candid Conversations Volume 2: Professor Manuel Balán
We spoke with Professor Manuel Balán about his research and work on democratic threats and corruption in Latin America. We discuss the variety of threats facing the region, centering Latin America within his research and the challenge of avoiding a deterministic process, the dynamics and...
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Candid Conversations Volume 1: Professor Jon Unruh
We spoke with Professor Jon Unruh about his research and work on post-conflict land and property rights. We discuss the dynamics of post-conflict land redistribution, government involvement in restitution, the role of UN peacekeeping troops, fieldwork experience, and the weaponization of land...
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Student Engagement Against Authoritarianism in Asia - Candid Track 2.1
We spoke with Pratik Mahajan and Kai Scott, two McGill students and organizers of the Week for Solidarity Against Authoritarianism in Asia. We discuss the motivation and inspiration behind the event series, the importance of student engagement against authoritarianism, and highlight the upcoming...
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COVID-19 Rollout for What
Juliana Malka is a second-year McGill Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Life Sciences. Her article "Canada's Approach to the COVID-19 Vaccine" touches upon the issues experienced during Canada's rollout. Juliana and Alex go deeper into what this means for education and the steps...
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Lesser of Two Evils Bop - Candid Track 1.4
Join Alex and guest Helia Mokhber for a discussion on the Biden presidency, recent attacks on Syria, and whether this is the lesser of two evils. Article link: https://catalystmcgill.com/the-lesser-of-two-evils-in-u-s-foreign-policy-biden-and-the-middle-east/ Facebook: @CatalystMcGill Instagram:...
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Agricultural Inequality Freestyle - Candid Track 1.3
Join us for episode 3 of the Candid podcast. Jasmine and Alex discuss the world of agricultural inequality, delving into methods to develop better societal and technological practices for increasing the involvement of women in agriculture. Article Link:...
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Peruvian Bebop - Candid Track 1.2
Join us for episode 2 of the Candid podcast. Ariana and Alex discuss the developing political environment of Peru, the overturn of three presidents in the span of two weeks, and the rise of protests globally in a fight for democracy and the people's choice. Article Link:...
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Eco-Adaptation Groove - Candid Track 1.1
Join our first Catalyst McGill podcast, Candid, for a discussion with Melanie and Alex about the climate change adaptation discourse. New episodes out weekly. We promise Alex gets less nervous. Article Link:...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Welcome to Catalyst McGill's International Development podcast. We speak to students and faculty in the world of international development studies, gaining perspective on global events.
HOSTED BY
Catalyst McGill
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Candid Conversations have?
Candid Conversations currently has 42 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Candid Conversations about?
Welcome to Catalyst McGill's International Development podcast. We speak to students and faculty in the world of international development studies, gaining perspective on global events.
How often does Candid Conversations release new episodes?
Candid Conversations has 42 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Candid Conversations?
You can listen to Candid Conversations on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Candid Conversations?
Candid Conversations is created and hosted by Catalyst McGill.
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