The Surrey Today Podcast
By Surrey604
The Surrey Today PodcastFeb 04, 2021
Indian Farmer's Protest, Bad Girl RiRi, Kangana Ranaut, and More
Varan and I given a recap on the last week of the Indian Farmer's protest, Rihanna's latest support for the protests, divisive comments by Kangana Ranaut, Diljit's ode to Rihanna, and more.
An Open Discussion on The Indian Farmer's Protest
In this episode, I brought on an old friend of mine, Varan Rakhra. Varan is a former professional Bhangra dancer and judge, and has a wealth of knowledge on both Punjabi culture and diaspora, and the agrarian crisis in India. In this episode, we discussed our opinions, and would love to hear what you think.
As a disclaimer, swear words are used in this episode, so it may be best suited for adults.
Standing With Indian Farmers - Support from Palestinian and American Farmers
In this podcast episode, Vin and I have a dialog with Dr. Harjit Singh Grewal and Amudi.
Dr. Harjit Singh Grewal is a professor at the University of Calgary, where he focuses on the Punjab region and Sikh religion. Amudi is a farmer in Washington State, where he owns and operates the Olive Branch Ranch. Amudi also comes from a family of Palestinian farmers, who have spent generations harvesting olives and raising livestock.
In this dialog, we discuss the plight of Indian farmers, and analyze the plight of Palestinian and North American farmers, in an effort to identify key similarities across these different groups. We ultimately try to analyze what has happened to all of these groups of farmers, to understand and predict what the future of Indian farmers might look like, if India's 3 newly passed agricultural bills are not re-written.
Please share this word with your friends, and any potential allies who can help support the Kisaan.
Why The Indian Farmer Protests Matter
This episode contains an interview with Dr. Harjit SIngh Grewal, which was a part of a broader 3 hour fundraising event.
In this episode, we share a pre-recorded interview we did with Dr. Harjit Singh Grewal. Dr. Grewal has a Ph. D in Asian studies from the University of Michigan. He is is currently a professor at the University of Calgary, where he focuses on Sikh studies. In this 90+ minute interview, Dr. Grewal dives deep into why farmers are protesting, the mandi system, the agriculture bills that have provoked protesters, and more.
Money was raised for the Indian protesters. The event was hosted by PlanEvents.ca, wih Pammy and Gurk from Coaches Don't Play, and DJ Heer. Thank you to our sponsors over at Chutney's Indian Grill,Rukus Avenue Radio, and Simply Bhangra.
Outdoor Adventure Recommendations and Tips for You and Your Family
In this episode, Jaclyn from Brave and Free Adventures inspires the lower mainland to head into the wilderness with their families. Below is a summary of what was discussed:
- How Jaclyn and her family got into the outdoors and started Brave and Free Adventures
- Tips for navigating the outdoors during COVID
- General trail etiquette
- Tips on what to pack when you're headed outdoors
- Outdoor destinations for the wet and cold weather
Follow Brave and Free Adventures on Instagram!
Keeping Kids Away From the Lifestyle of Drugs, Gangs, and Violence
In today's episode, law enforcement veteran Kal Dosanjh talks about how the Kids Play Foundation is working to build a better future for marginalized youth. Below is a high-level overview of what we discussed:
- The growing problem of marginalized youth getting into a lifestyle of drugs, gangs, and violence.
- The Vancouver Police Department's involvement in helping marginalized youth, prior to the establishment of the Kids Play Foundation.
- The birth of Kids Play Foundation, and specific examples of how they are guiding youth out of a life of crime, and into better futures. Examples include youth who went through the Kids Play Foundation programme, and ultimately became law enforcement and correctional officers.
As mentioned in the episode, below are the referenced links:
- Kids Play Foundation Site -https://kidsplayfoundation.com/
- Kal Dosanjh's Personal Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kal_dosanjh/?hl=en
An Interview with DJ Goddess
In tonight's episode, podcast host Kamran, had an amazing opportunity to interview DJ Goddess (a.k.a. Jessica Dhillon). We had a chance to hear about her origin story, her humble upbringings, and the work she put in to get to where she is now.
As promised in the episode, below are the links we mentioned in the episode.
DJ Goddess Website - https://www.djgoddess.com/
DJ Goddess Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/iamdjgoddess/?hl=en
Crown That Goddess - https://crownthatgoddess.com/
Fighting the Opioid Epidemic with Technology
In today's episode, we had a chance to interview Upkar Tatlay. Among many other things, Tatlay is the creator of the Overdose Intervention app. During our 30 minutes together, we discussed the following:
- Recent trends in the opioid epidemic, specifically how it is impacting people of all demographics and socio-economic backgrounds.
- The rise of fentantyl, and deadly fentanyl concoctions.
- The disproportionate impact of opioids on the South Asian community, and the South Asian community's struggle with confronting mental health and substance abuse.
- How the Overdose Intervention app provides a safe space for people to get the help they need, to prevent overdoses.
As mentioned on the podcast, both Upkar and the app can be found on the Overdose Intervention Website.
Being Black in Surrey, and Fighting Racial Inequity - An Interview w/ Anati of Daily Dose of Blackness
In this episode we brought on Anati from Daily Dose of Blackness. We discussed what it is like being Black in Surrey, racism in the school place, prejudices towards the Black community by other minority communities, and the importance of not letting the Black Lives Matter movement not becoming another social media fad.
Please give them a follow on Instagram over at https://www.instagram.com/daily.doseofblackness/.
Don't forget to donate to their cause by following https://www.dailydoseofblackness.com/donate.
Food Insecurity and Poverty in Surrey - A Talk w/ the Surrey Food Bank
In today's episode of the Surrey Today Podcast, we interviewed Executive Director Feezah Jaffer, about how the Surrey Food Bank has spent the last 37+ years giving back to the local community.
We discuss nuanced topics ranging from the impact poverty has on locals in the lower mainland B.C. area, to the ways that The Surrey Food Bank is helping individuals of lower socio-economic backgrounds, break themselves out of food insecurity and poverty. We also spent time discussing common misconceptions around clients of the food bank, in an effort to educate the general community on what the faces of food insecurity look like.
To seek help from the Surrey Food Bank, please visit https://www.surreyfoodbank.org/programs/.
To donate to the Surrey Food Bank, please visit https://www.surreyfoodbank.org/donors/.
To volunteer for the Surrey Food Bank, please visit https://www.surreyfoodbank.org/volunteers/.
Urban and Rural Farming w/The Olive Branch Ranch
In today's podcast episode, we had the opportunity to chat with Imad Ahmad, who is the owner of the Olive Branch Ranch. The Olive Branch Ranch is a farm that raises and distributes free-range chickens and livestock.
In this podcast, we talk about how he got into gardening in 2017, and how that has transformed into running a fully-fledged farming operation. We also chat about the effects that COVID19 and other pandemics, may have on food supplies.
Finally, we wrap up by discussing simple ways in which people can start growing their food, even if they do not have a yard to create a garden in.
Find the Olive Branch Ranch at www.theolivebranchranch.com.
DM Imad directly at instagram.com/theolivebranchranch
