Explore every episode of the podcast Planetary Conversations
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deirdre Nunan - A Canadian Physician working in Gaza - First published September 13, 2025 | 15 Sep 2025 | 01:02:06 | |
Dr. Deirdre Nunan has spent many years working with Doctors Without Borders and bringing her skill as an orthopedic surgeon to people in famine stricken and impoverished communities in countries around the world. Recently Dr. Nunan has spent time in the Gaza strip treating patients impacted by the war between Israel and Hamas. In this episode Dr. Nunan shares with Warren her experiences working alongside local physicians, in extremely difficult conditions, to try and save the lives of civilians injured by the weapons of war. | |||
| Jamie Kneen - MiningWatch Canada | 30 Jan 2026 | 00:59:39 | |
In this episode hear Warren's interview with Jamie Kneen, Outreach Coordinator and Canada Program Co-Lead for MiningWatch Canada. Jamie leads MiningWatch's work on mining policy advocacy and mining activity in western and northern Canada, leading policy reform and providing strategic and technical support to communities affected by mineral exploration and mining projects. Listen in on this insightful conversation on the impacts of mining in Canada, particularly on indigenous communities in the north. | |||
| Human Rights in BC - Kasari Govender and Laura Track | 24 Jan 2026 | 00:57:48 | |
Listen in on Warren's interview with Kasari Govender and Laura Track. Kasari Govender is the first independent B.C. Commissioner for Human Rights and is responsible for promoting and protecting human rights in our province through the Office of the Human Rights Commissioner. Laura Track is the Director of the Community Legal Assistance Societyâs Human Rights Clinic, as well as its Director of Education. She advocates on behalf of people who have experienced discrimination and assists complainants to navigate BCâs human rights process. | |||
| Paul Kershaw - Generation Squeeze | 13 Jan 2026 | 00:51:19 | |
Warren's guest is Dr. Paul Kershaw, an award-winning tenured professor at the University of British Columbia. Paul is a policy professor in the UBC School of Population and Public Health. He is the founder of Generation Squeeze, a non-profit organization that is the driving force behind advocacy for policy changes to support housing affordability, rent controls, taxes on empty homes, the recent $10/day daycare program across Canada, fair access to medical care, and generational equity. | |||
| Sara Kishawi - A Palestinian Activist in British Columbia - First published October 14, 2025 | 21 Oct 2025 | 00:53:31 | |
In this episode from October of 2025, Warren speaks with Sara Kishawi, a student activist and Gaza born resident of Nanaimo B.C. about her reactions and reflections on the war and recent ceasefire in the Gaza strip. | |||
| Mike Boudreau - Peace Builders | 03 Apr 2026 | 00:57:20 | |
On this show Warren's guest is Mike Boudreau, Engineer, businessman, Rotarian, member of PeaceBuilders.world and leader of the Peace and Pizza program in Salmon Arm. Warren and Mike talk about Mike's journey from Engineer to peace builder and to the practice of Buddhism. Mike's story is one of personal evolution and change, and finding ways to be at peace with one's self, and to bring peace to the world. | |||
| Darcia Narvaez - The Evolved Nest | 27 Mar 2026 | 00:53:09 | |
On this show Warren's guest is Darcia Narvaez, Professor of Psychology Emerita at the University of Notre Dam. Darcia has written extensively on issues of character, moral development, and human flourishing. She studies the effects of early life experience on sociality, morality and thriving. She hosts the website EvolvedNest.org which emphasizes the importance of nestedness for all ages in order to maintain wellbeing and compassionate morality. | |||
| Susan Blacklin - Water Justice | 20 Mar 2026 | 00:57:51 | |
This episode includes Warren's conversation with Susan Blacklin, the author of Water Confidential - Witnessing Justice Denied. In her book she shares stories of the fifteen years during which she observed the challenges in obtaining safe drinking water for Canadians in rural and First Nations communities. Her late ex-husband, Dr. Hans Peterson, developed a biological water treatment process for First Nations. She shares the indifference of Government and sometimes outright discrimination toward First Nations as they attempted to make safe drinking water a reality for their communities. Susan's new book is Water Justice - What You Don't Know Can Kill You. It will be released on World Water Day, March 22, 2026. | |||
| Luke Kemp - Goliath's Curse | 06 Mar 2026 | 00:55:24 | |
Listen in on Warren's conversation with Luke Kemp, Ph.D. author of Goliath's Curse. Luke is a research associate at the Centre for the Study of Existential Risk at the University of Cambridge. He has a background in human geography, international relations and economics, all of which he tutored or lectured in at the Australian National University. Luke is the author of the widely acclaimed book Goliath's Curse. Published in 2025, the book is a historical study of the collapse of human societies from the Bronze Age to the Modern era. | |||
| Guy LaChapelle - World Values Survey | 27 Feb 2026 | 00:58:48 | |
In this episode Warren talks with Guy LaChapelle about the World Values Survey. Guy is a tenured professor of Political Science at Concordia University in Montreal Canada. He was the Secretary General of the International Political Science Association (IPSA) from 2000-2020 and organized 10 World Congress around the world for the International Political Science Association. Guy will talk about the origins of the World Values Survey, some of the key aspects of the survey scope and content, and how the survey results are open access for all researchers and organizations around the world. | |||
| Dan Meakes - Social Disconnection and Isolation | 20 Feb 2026 | 00:56:46 | |
This episode includes Warren's interview with Dan Meakes, a local educator, pastor, farmer and facilitator of the EDSI program (Economic Disconnection and Social Isolation) in the Shuswap. Dan and Warren talk about the state of social isolation and economic disconnection in our communities and about ways to support individuals who experience these issues or are at risk of disconnection due to their socio-economic status, age or health challenges. | |||
| Mark Anielski - The Economics of Happiness | 17 Apr 2026 | 00:58:21 | |
In this episode Warren's guest is Economist Mark Anielski, author of The Economics of Happiness and developer of the integrated five-capitals accounting model for measuring and accounting for conditions of well-being in communities, businesses and nations. Mark and Warren will talk about Mark's journey into economics, the role of spirituality in human thriving, and his work to integrate concepts of well-being into our standard economic models. | |||
| Andrea Copland - Planetary Health Alliance | 10 Apr 2026 | 00:56:06 | |
This week Warren's guest is Andrea Copland, Digital Librarian at the Planetary Health Alliance and Librarian at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. Warren and Andrea will talk about her work to assist the Planetary Health Alliance to communicate the organization's research mission to the planetary health and global community. She is also a musician who uses her skills as an information professional to help the planet AND find new ways that music can be a vehicle for change and connection. | |||
| Julian Branch - Asbestos in our Water Pipes | 01 May 2026 | 00:57:56 | |
This week Warren's guest is Julian Branch, an award-winning journalist who spent many years in the business as a national correspondent with The Canadian Press. Following his time in journalism, Julian embarked on a second career in strategic communications, where he served as the Director of Communications for 3 provincial premiers. In his retirement Julian has pursued an issue few people know. Asbestos-cement fabricated water pipes deliver water to millions of people around the world including in Canada. Research shows the pipes have reached the end of their lives and are shedding fibres into the water. While the hazards of inhaling asbestos are well documented, there is still a debate regarding the hazards of ingested asbestos. Warren and Julian will discuss this issue and highlight the urgent actions that need to be taken for the health of every person impacted by asbestos contamination of our water. | |||
| Issues in Hospice and Palliative Care | 24 Apr 2026 | 00:58:40 | |
In this show Warren's guests are Salmon Arm residents Kathy DeMille, Jenae Pedersen RN, and Adele Preto MD (Rtd.). These ladies are all associated with the Shuswap Hospice Society and will talk with Warren about the history and value of palliative and hospice care in our area, and around the world. From the valiant work of clinical staff and volunteers in providing palliative and hospice care, to the challenges in finding resources and facilities to support our community, this conversation will offer insight into the world of end of life care and providing for loved ones through their final days. | |||
| Dr. Nicole Redvers - The Science of the Sacred | 15 May 2026 | 00:55:31 | |
This week Warren's guest is Dr. Nicole Redvers, a member of the Deninu K'ue First Nation Band and the first Dene licensed practicing naturopathic doctor in North America. Dr. Redvers is an Associate Professor, Western Research Chair, Director-Indigenous Planetary Health at Western University. She has traveled the globe, studying traditional medicine systems in various countries and working with Indigenous patients, helping to bridge the gap between traditional and modern medical systems. In addition, Dr. Redvers developed Northern Canada's only integrative medicine clinic from the ground up and co-founded the Arctic Indigenous Wellness Foundation (AIWF). Nicole is the author of The Science of the Sacred: Bridging Global Indigenous Medicine Systems and Modern Scientific Principles. Warren and Nicole will talk about her life and career experiences, and the state of Indigenous Health services in our country. | |||
| Kawartha Lakes - MuniciPAL AI | 08 May 2026 | 00:52:59 | |
This episode is Warren's conversation with Cheri Davidson and Kristy Guthrie. Cheri is the Manager of Communications and Marketing for the City of Kawartha Lakes, Ontario. She has teamed up with Kristy, founder of MuniciPAL AI, to bring artificial intelligence to City services making it easier for citizens to access local government services online. This is the first use of AI in this way in Canada. As a bonus, there may be a discussion about horses as well! Listen in to find out. | |||
| Sheryl Nestel - A Jewish Voice for Justice in Palestine | 29 May 2026 | 01:03:12 | |
In this show Warren's guest is Sheryl Nestel (PhD), a founding member of Independent Jewish Voices (IJV). She is the author of numerous refereed journal articles, book chapters and reports on race and racism in the health professions and the author of Obstructed Labour: Race and Gender in the Re-emergence of Midwifery (UBC Press, 2007). She recently completed a ground- breaking research project, Unveiling the Chilly Climate: The Suppression of Speech on Palestine in Canada written with Rowan Gaudet, which surveys the impact of harassment, intimidation and the suppression of speech on Palestine on faculty, students and activists in Canada. She serves on the steering committees of the Jewish Faculty Network and the International Jewish Collective for Justice in Palestine. | |||
| Alicia Ely Yamin - Defending Public Health | 22 May 2026 | 00:57:01 | |
This week Warrenâs guest is Alicia Ely Yamin (JD MPH PhD) who is a Lecturer on Law at Harvard Law School. Known globally for her trans-disciplinary work in relation to economic and social rights, reproductive justice, the right to health, and the intersections between development paradigms and human rights, Alicia Ely Yaminâs career has bridged academia and activism. She has lived in Latin America and East Africa for much of her professional life and worked with local advocacy organizations, including co-founding a program on health and human rights in the AsociaciĂłn Pro Derechos Humanos (Lima, Peru; 1999). Dr. Yamin is a Senior Adviser on Human Rights and Health Policy at the global health justice organization, Partners In Health, and is the Director of the Global Health and Rights Project at Harvard Law School. Alicia and Warren will talk about her life journey, international work, and research into maternal health programs and human rights standards and principles among national governments and international institutions. Listeners can learn more by going to DefendPublicHealth.org. | |||
| Julia Beatty - Shuswap Climate Action | 05 Jun 2026 | 00:59:51 | |
In this show Warren's guest is Julia Beatty, Chair of the Shuswap Climate Action Society. Julia is a retired Professional Biologist and founder of the SCAS. As Chair she leads programs to help members, subscribers and followers to be more aware of the impacts and solutions to the climate crisis, especially in and around the Shuswap. Warren and Julia will talk about the Society, Julia's experiences as a biologist and the "triple planetary crisis" - the three interlinked, core threats to humanity and Earth's ecosystems: climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. | |||