FO Podcasts

What does it actually mean to view a conflict through the lens of settler-colonialism? Join Editor at Large at Fair Observer, Ranjani Iyer Mohanty, as she speaks with Dr. Muhannad Ayyash, Professor of Sociology at Mount Royal University, to break down the mechanics of colonial power and state violence.  The conversation discusses the Israel-Palestine conflict through the lens of settler-colonialism, and takes a deep dive into how Canadians view this conflict, the Iran war and many other issues. They also look at the international implications of everything, and more.  Want to be involved in the conversation? Subscribe, share and discuss, and become a part of the Fair Observer community!

President Donald Trump is no stranger to suspicious activity in relation to his money. This issue is older than his presidency. Even back in his days as a businessman and TV personality, many such allegations came his way. As we reach the halfway point of Trump’s second term, some questions arise. How does he keep getting away with this? What’s the motive? Does a darker danger lie ahead? Fair Observer editor Casey Hermann joins the director of Foreign Policy in Focus, John Feffer, to take a deep dive into the roots of these pressing questions. The conversation explores Trump’s suspicious financial gains during his presidency, the business practices of the Trump family, the consequences of Trump’s actions, global reactions and more.  Want to be involved in the conversation? Subscribe, share and discuss, and become a part of the Fair Observer community!

2026 has been an eventful year for India. Exam leaks, economic pressures, floods, political tensions, and more. Through the thick of it all, Gen Z folks in India have begun the Cockroach Janta Party, a satirical parody of the right-wing ruling Bharatiya Janta Party. The movement is rapidly growing, gaining millions of followers within a matter of a couple of weeks. As the movement continues today, some questions begin to arise. How did this begin? What is the end goal of the movement? What can India and its government take away from this movement?   Fair Observer’s Editor-at-Large Ranjani Iyer Mohanty joins her husband and Global Social-Impact Leader & Former McKinsey Principal Barun Mohanty to take a deep dive at these loaded questions. The conversation covers the exam leaks, India’s education system, Gen Z India, how the movement came to be, and more.   Want to be involved in the conversation? Subscribe, share and discuss, and become a part of the Fair Observer community!

The pandemic killed the world of hiking, one of the world’s most beloved outdoor activities. In the years that followed, hiking came back even stronger than ever before. Despite its being around for hundreds of years, hiking still has been ever-evolving. How has hiking survived all this time? What do we enjoy about the wilderness? How are changing landscapes affecting our hiking? What challenges do we face hiking in unfamiliar territory, and what impact does our hiking have on the generations after us? Hiker Christine Gabriel joins Fair Observer’s Editor-at-Large Ranjani Iyer Mohanty to take a deep dive into these thought-provoking matters. The conversation offers a guide to hiking on trails in areas all across the world (such as Canada, Portugal, Spain, New Zealand and Turkey), the trails near one’s own home, hiking after COVID, how to start hiking, why hiking is so beloved and more!  As they discuss their journeys, they reminisce and discover the joys and impact that hiking makes on so many lives. Want to be involved in the conversation? Subscribe, share and discuss and become a part of the Fair Observer community!

Digital nationalism has been one of China’s most defining focuses in the last decade, influencing much of the globe. And yet, world discussions about China often ignore much of what’s going on behind the curtains. What is digital nationalism, and what can it tell us about modern day China and its future?  Author and Modern China Studies professor of Leiden University Florian Schneider joins Eminent Geopolitical Analyst Haruko Satoh to explore these subjects. The conversation examines the role online spaces play in the shaping of national identity, recent visa policy and more. As they discover China’s evolving role in the world and how digital nationalism plays into its evolution as a global powerhouse, a question arises: if China is neither the country its critics nor its supporters describe, what does the real China look like?