The Mosaic

The Mosaic continues with its series of conversations on North Korean defectors. Last week, we spoke with Freedom Speakers International (FSI) co-founders about the significance of teaching English and public speaking to the defectors. Now, we're speaking with two North Korean refugees, Myeonghee Kim and Nayoung Lee about their stories.

We discuss life under the regime, a famine that killed hundreds of thousands, the culture of fear in North Korea, and how they escaped. 

This episode of the Mosaic marks part 1 in a 3 part series featuring interviews with Freedom Speakers International (FSI), an organization based in South Korea that helps North Korean defectors by teaching them English. Some of them go on to do public speaking to advocate against the humanitarian issues in North Korea. In this episode, CHUO's Lauren Roulston and Arya Gunde speak with FSI's co-founders Eunkoo Lee and Casey Lartigue Jr. about their work and the importance of telling these refugees' stories. 

The Mosaic returns for a new season with a breakdown of this year's Panda game. Marcela Gonzalez walks us through the annual football tradition and how uOttawa kept it's winning-streak going. 

Then, Arya Gunde dives into the study of mycology with extensive interviews and research.

In today's episode of The Mosaic, we look ahead to Earth Day by telling listeners about Re4m's upcoming eco-market. We talk with Re4m's founder Heather Jeffery about local eco-friendly vendors and the work her design firm does to keep materials out of the landfill. 

Then, a conversation with Haitian turntablist, soundchemist, and electronic music producer Val Jeanty. We discuss the cultural influences of her work, particularly Haitian Vodou and her family's legacy of music in relation to Occide Jeanty. 

In this episode of The Mosaic, Marcela Gonzalez and Fathia Tijani bring you notes from the Ottawa Black Film Festival's insightful panels (1:15). They break highlight the various panelists' messages on the Black art scene in the capital and discuss the unique challenges faced by people of colour in the industry. 

Then, we look ahead to the Ottawa Black Business Expo coming up this weekend (18:18).

Also this weekend, Nigerian-American actor and singer will be performing in the capital. Cécile Tala walks us through the artist's career and music ahead of his performance in the Byward Market (19:24).

And then Bushra Ben Hamed brings us an in-depth film review of the classic 2015 movie, Spotlight (20:56).

Then we turn towards the 107th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge (23:21). We remember the battle and the sacrifices that were made on those days in Northern France. 

Lastly, we remind Ottawa School of Art members about the upcoming deadline for its portrait contest (27:08). The winner will receive a generous commission of $5,000 to create a portrait of Canadian astronaut and engineer, Colonel Chris Hadfield!

Starting off this episode, Arya Gunde brings us notes from The Centre for International Policy Studies' panel on The Peoples' Republic of China's assimilation policies in Tibet (1:09). He covers the democratic consequences and political unrest of cultural cleansing. 

Then, a conversation in the studio with local artist Ryan Mendoza, who's been cast to play Nicely-Nicely Johnson in the Lost Baggage Theatre Company's production of Guys and Dolls later this month (9:32). We discuss the influences in his career of music production and his journey into the Ottawa theatre scene. 

Finally, Marcela Gonzalez brings us an explanatory update on Canada's carbon tax issue (29:55). The climate policy has been criticized as a "dumpster fire," but today she clears some confusions. 

On today's episode, we hold a conversation with filmmaker Viveka Melki about human trafficking in Canada (1:39). She released a documentary called Trafficked Voices, in which she heard the stories of survivors and those affected. We speak about how human trafficking has evolved with time, her work on the film, and the important conversations that need to be had.

Then, we look ahead to the Ottawa Black Film Festival this weekend (29:59). We outline some of the events that are planned and walk listeners through the information they need to know.

And finally, James Brennan returns with an episode of Point of Skew (31:33). In his segments he usually examines media bias, but today he's speaking with professor Lauchlan Munro about Bhutan's Gross National Happiness index as a Point of Skew. 

(Photo credit: Melki Films)

Kicking off the show, Marcela Gonzalez and Fathia Tijani bring us coverage from the Ottawa School of Art's showcase celebrating its 145th anniversary (1:18).

Then, we speak with Carleton film studies professor Laura Horak about her upcoming screening of Cinema's First Nasty Women, a collection of silent-era films highlighting queerness, gender diversity, and racialized women's stories (10:30).

Finally, Marcela Gonzalez outlines Charlotte Cardin's recent performance in Ottawa (33:54). She brings you to the concert and outlines the star's path to securing a record-breaking amount of Juno Award nominations.

Photo credit: Richard Ackerman/Flickr