In this episode, Thenu chats with a final year medical student who lived through the 2003 SARS epidemic as a child in China. Now, at the height of the coronavirus global pandemic, they discuss what makes this crisis so different. How can we stay calm? Is it as bad as it seems? Can our world return to normal?

28 year old scientist, Mahesh Herath, recently discovered two extra solar planets (exoplanets) orbiting a distant star. Being the first Sri Lankan to do so, he is widely regarded to have put the small island nation on the map of space research. In this episode, Mahesh discusses his passions, discoveries and plans to make exoplanetary research accessible to youth and the wider public in Sri Lanka. 

Further links: 

Zooniverse (people-powered research platform)

Two temperate sub-Neptunes transiting the star EPIC 212737443 (Mahesh's discovery) 

Born and bred in Canada to Lebanese parents, Tina Monsef discusses her experiences and perceptions of identity. In doing so, this episode attempts to answer the question that many second generation immigrants dread.

“We’re all so different, but we all have a head, we have a heart, we feel. I’m not Canadian, I’m not Lebanese…I’m both, whether people like it or not”. 

Thenu sits down with Javi Moraleda to find out what makes America so great (and maybe not-so-great). A student at Columbia University, Javi discusses growing up in the United States, the education system, college culture and the 2020 election. 

What comes to mind when you think of Cambodia? 

A lively mother who mixes meditation and art was definitely not what Thenu pictured. This episode features local Battambang artist, Khchao Touch, discussing life, love and art. 

For more information on the Lotus Gallery: 

TripAdvisor 

Facebook 

“Are you scared?”

In this episode, Thenu chats to Max Lim, a medical student in Hong Kong.  With a front-row view of the current democracy protests, Max bravely tells the human story that exists within images of tear-gas and chaos.

Born and bred in Naples, Domitilla De Luca Bossa is well attuned to what outsiders think about her Italian city.  While the first thing that Thenu thought of was a delicious creamy mixture of chocolate, strawberry and vanilla ice-cream, Naples is also famous for something slightly more sinister: crime. Known for it's mafia-like violence, the city is home to many citizens who disagree with this generalised vision of their home. Domi and Thenu sit down to discuss criminality, how it manifests and what she thinks is necessary to stop untrue ideas from spreading.

True-blue Aussie Isaiah Berris may only be 19-years-old, but has a thing or two to say about political polarisation around the world. While munching on some Tim Tams, Isaiah and Thenu discuss the fundamental nature of truth and how nationalism, tribalism and 'othering' inhibits us from understanding it. 

"If you're going to try and create change in dialogue, take people away from a radical position, they're not going to come away by force. They're not going to come away from that position via opposition. To change minds, we have to create a mutual relationship....establish trust and respect". 

Further links:

Daryl Davis TEDx: Why I, as a black man, attend KKK rallies

In this episode, Thenu sits down with Hamza Bensouda during his Ramadan fast. Born in Morocco, the sassy 20-year-old discusses his views on religion, language, and Islamic civilisation. What starts as intriguing insight into Moroccan food and poetry soon changes into a nuanced commentary on identity, stereotyping and how ‘traditions’ change throughout time. 

Further links:

Ramadan

Iftar

Chimamanda Adichie (Nigerian novelist) 

Arrival Movie

What exactly is this about?

Thenu describes the chance encounter in Ireland that led to the creation of the World Views Podcast.