Citizen Reporter

Citizen Reporter

By Mark Fonseca RendeiroSociety & CultureNewsPlaces & Travel
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Citizen Reporter episodes

  • Colin D'Cruz: The Music of Goa

      Jazz, konkani, Portuguese, bollywood; these are just the tip of the iceberg when you start to examine the rich heritage of Goan music.  Colin D’Cruz is a one stop shop for music made in Goa. As a musician, producer, and record label, he’s got his ear to the ground when it comes to what sounds are coming out of Goa; yesterday, today and in the future. We went to visit him in the studio where we recorded this brief tour of Goan music.

      Songs used in this podcast (available via JazzGoa): 

      • Shubhangi Joshi – Kuch Na Kaho
      • Queenie Fernandes – Rupkar Tuzo
      • Nadia Dias – Cucurucu
      • Zezinho Fernandes – Eu Daria Minha Vida
      • Francis Lobo – Yours
      • Seby Ef – Eke Raatcho Mog
      • Joshua Costa – Bachata Blues
        • 36 min
      • Amin Sheikh: Growing Up Mumbai

          (Episode 488) Amin Sheikh grew up living on the streets of Mumbai, with all the horror and joy that only they can bring to a child with no one to turn to. Those streets might have eaten him alive, and they almost did- until someone came along and changed all that. A few someones in fact, who’s actions changed the direction of his life. His personal slogan, “I am because of you”, means exactly what it sounds like. If you’re reading this, listening to this, sharing in this experience, then he is in many ways – because of you.

          We sat in his Mumbai cafe-library, “From Bombay to Barcelona”, in a state of euphoria enjoying delicious food and drink. But what really makes everything taste better is getting to sit in the presence of such a passionate and loving human being. Today on the podcast, the story of Amin Sheikh, in his own words.

          This podcast is part of the “South of Mumbai” series, stories from India being recorded and produced all month on the road. If you’re enjoying, click here to show what its worth to you and help us pay for the planes, trains, autorickshaws, buses, dosas, paneers, lassi’s and massala chai’s. Seriously, for a small amount you help ensure we have chai to help keep us going.

          45 min
        • Break Down: The Struggle For Responsible Ship Recycling

            (Show #487) While global shipping is a massive and lucrative business that benefits people in so many ways, there is another side to it. Once the massive vessels need to be retired, they have to be broken down and their valueable materials recycled. Doing this using well equipped workers and proper facilities comes at a cost, and for decades, companies have been getting around that cost by sending their ships to parts of the world like India and Bangladesh where neither equipment nor proper facilities are required. Where no one is looking, and where toxic materials can be dumped and handled with minimal complaints. My guests on today’s program from the Brussels based NGO ShipBreaking Platform are among the most well informed and dedicated observers of this practice, advocated to stop harmful practices and push companies to act responsibily. A major challenge in an industry few people follow or feel able to influence, listen in and hear what is going on out there.

            Rust – photo by Michael Foley / Flickr CC-BY-ND 2.0

            Additional Link:

            • Danwatch on Maersk
            • From the archive: Health vs Jobs in Western India, with Dilip D’Souza (February 2006)
              • 0 min
            • The Most Pain Ever: Matthew Dons on Chemo and more

                Just over 2 weeks ago Matthew and I recorded our first podcast conversation in 5 years. 2 weeks ago he was getting himself mentally and physically prepared to take on chemo therapy, knowing it would be bad, but how bad would it get? 2 weeks of chemo therapy and its horrid side effects, today Matthew checks in to talk about how his daily struggle is progressing. We also talk about family, friends, the internet, gaming and how it all ties into this ongoing battle to live.

                • Go contribute to his cancer fund at Matthewdons.org
                • You can also watch his youtube updates
                  • 0 min
                • Support Our Friend Karamoon

                    Matthew Karamoon is a longtime friend of this podcast who over the years has contributed his observations on and off the air. This summer he learned that he is dying of cancer that is uncurable. In an effort to survive longer and have more time with his young family, he is persuing immune therapy that comes at a price tag he cannot afford. Therefore we as a community of friends and yes even strangers, are getting involved and helping Karamoon get the therapy he needs. On today’s program I talk about Karamoon and go back to moments where he has been on the program. The goal here is to get more support…  so if you’re reading or listening.. I’m talking to you.

                    Links for today’s show:

                    1. Most Important: Cancer Fund for Matthew on Gofundme
                    2. Japan Earthquake Podcasts Featuring Karamoon in March and April 2011
                    3. Karamoon’s Hope 6 Talk: “The Life and Times of Alan Turing”
                      4. 0 min
                    4. Beyond the Sharing Economy

                        The topic is unfortuantely overly discussed in an almost routine way in our world today: the sharing economy, the good that it does, who is in it, and who is against it. Yet even the definition of what is the sharing economy is pretty fuzzy. On today’s podcast the subject is the sharing economy and growth, what happens when these often interesting and beneficial services grow into global empires? Where does the human and society fit into this equation that is so focused on earning income by tapping into untapped resources in every day life?

                        Talk by Yochai Benkler “Challenges of the Sharing Economy” for the World Economic Forum

                        Comments by Bahairavi Desai on the Laura Flanders Show “Uber, Wal-mart on Wheels?”

                        Podcast Recommendations:

                        • Shampoo and Booze
                        • Radio Open Source
                        • Note to Self  
                          • 53 min
                        • Scavenging with Jay and Ryanne

                            Today on the program we’re scavenging in Amsterdam with Jay and Ryanne. Plus, a bonus appearance but the one and only Macdocman, as he discovers how the scavenger life works and marvels at the details.

                            Relevant Links for today’s scavenging adventure:

                            • Scavenger Life Podcast
                            • Shampoo and Booze Podcast
                              • 0 min
                            • End of Summer Update

                                Remember when I used to record podcasts about social issues with guests from around the world? Well this is not one of those. I do discuss issues, in addition to things that have been going on; journeys, etc. All this from the comfort of my new home while making a dam fine cup of chai. If you enjoy me talking about life and the world for about 40 minutes, give this one a listen. Also you may enjoy Kate’s ukulele songs from hacker camp a few weeks ago. Well worth a listen!

                                Important announcement: a live podcast event this September 27th in Amsterdam! Yes. I’m launching the Realities Podcast (website almost ready), a production of citizenreporter, carrying on the tradition of this program’s candid, human conversations, only this time they will be done live with an audience! And you can be in that audience, if you can make it to Amsterdam in the coming month. Read all about it and sign up if you can be there for this most historic event.

                                46 min
                              • From the Mountains in São Miguel, Azores

                                  São Miguel, the main island of the breathtaking Azores has been an adventure this summer, traveling in circles around the island from the highest peaks to the sea and back again. It is a place of incomparable beauty and beyond that, a people who have such a good hearted caring nature you dare not ask a small question unless you’re ready for the extensive information and help they’re going to insist on giving you. While the world watches as society changes in interesting and sometimes very painful ways in different parts of the world, here on the island things are as they have surely always been. Cows are grazing. Fish are jumping. Tourists taking pictures. Wash, Rinse, Repeat.

                                  What was I talking about? Oh yeah, I recorded this podcast on one of our last nights in the Azores on a trip that has taught me a lot and inspired some future journeys in the effort to experience and learn even more.

                                  0 min

                                About Citizen Reporter

                                From the publisher's feed

                                The podcast that listens to people around the world.