Podcast appearances and mentions of asia they

In the season 10 premiere of the Courage My Friends podcast series, we are pleased to welcome back journalist, author and director of the Tricontinental Institute for Social Research, Vijay Prashad and professor of International Relations at St. Thomas University, Shaun Narine.  We discuss the recent US military attack on Venezuela and the abduction of President Nicolas Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores, the Trump administration's new National Security Strategy (the so-called "Donroe Doctrine") and what this means for Canada, and how all of this is connected to the decline of US hegemony, the rise of Asia and the West's shift into hyper-imperialism. Speaking on the US National Security Strategy or the "Donroe Doctrine", Narine says: "They're actually saying, look, the Western Hemisphere is ours … And I think in a lot of ways, the Venezuela situation was an easy sort of first pass at asserting this …'Let's go in. Let's take out Maduro. And let's send the message to the entire region"... And of course, the message was received.And if I'm reading this correctly, and from Canada, they're making good on the threat that no country in the Western Hemisphere can do anything that the United States finds to be objectionable." On hyper-imperialism, Prashad explains: "The United States and its European partners … hollowed out the manufacturing. Hollowed out science and technology. Hollowed out the universities … and find suddenly the center of gravity of the world economy shifting to Asia … They've lost the source of power they used to have over raw materials, over finance, over science and technology. But two sources of power remain. One of them is military power … The other source of power is the power of information … And they use it pretty effectively to try to dampen other powers. But there are contradictions." About today's guests:  Vijay Prashad is an Indian historian and journalist. Prashad is the author of forty books, including Washington Bullets, Red Star Over the Third World, The Darker Nations: A People's History of the Third World, The Poorer Nations: A Possible History of the Global South, and The Withdrawal: Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, and the Fragility of U.S. Power. His most recent book, with Grieve Chelwa, is How the International Monetary Fund Suffocates Africa (Johannesburg: Inkani Books, 2026). Prashad is director of Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research and chief correspondent for Globetrotter. He is an editor at LeftWord Books (New Delhi), at Inkani Books (Johannesburg), and at La Trocha (Chile). He has appeared in two films – Shadow World (2016) and Two Meetings (2017). Shaun Narine is a professor of International Relations at St. Thomas University in Fredericton. He specializes in studying institutions in the Asia Pacific but has also written and commented on Canadian and US foreign policy and great power politics, including the rise of China.                                  Transcript of this episode can be accessed at georgebrown.ca/TommyDouglasInstitute or here.  Image: Vijay Prashad, Shaun Narine  / Used with permission. Music: Ang Kahora. Lynne, Bjorn. Rights Purchased.  Intro Voices: Ashley Booth (Podcast Announcer); Bob Luker (Tommy)  Courage My Friends Podcast Organizing Committee: Chandra Budhu, Ashley Booth, Resh Budhu.  Produced by: Resh Budhu, The Tommy Douglas Institute of Labour and Social Justice and Breanne Doyle, rabble.ca.  Host: Resh Budhu.

March 3 was World Wildlife Day, a day to celebrate and raise awareness about plants and animals that also share our planet. Conservation isn't just for one day. It's something that we all can take part in every day. Quinn Heist, Environmental Education Specialist with the Bureau of State Parks shared the importance of conservation. Quinn: Yeah, so World Wildlife Day was created on the anniversary of the passing of CITES, which is the Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species. So, it was a day that was created after that to kind of, you know, mark the importance of wildlife and, you know, the flora and fauna that we share the planet with and, to talk about the importance of conserving them. Asia: So, Quinn, like we said, conservation it's important and it should matter to every person. How does it impact our daily lives? Quinn: It's important not only because plants and animals have intrinsic value, they deserve to be here just because we share the planet with them and they have just as much right to the planet as we do, but also ecological value. They provide ecological services to us. Can you imagine how hard it would be for farmers to pollinate all of their plants if they didn't have bees to pollinate them for them? Do you know, trees provide runoff assistance? So, when it rains, it doesn't take all of our soil, and you know into the rivers you know we have our roots from our trees that you know slowdown that water and provide you know storm mitigation which is really important. Conservation is just something that we need to do to maintain our planet and to you know make sure it's okay for the future. Asia: They need us as much as we need them. Pennsylvania has a rich variety of plants and animals. What are some of the unique species that people may not realize that's here in our state? Quinn: The wildlife of Pennsylvania is great, and its wildlife is so cool and I'm so into it because it changes seasonally, right? Right now, it's the spring, so we have Woodcock that are doing their sky dances, so you can go out and see their mating rituals where the male Woodcock, you know, tries to attract a mate. We have vernal pools, so all of the amphibians are, you know, making their down there to give birth, to lay eggs. For the future of amphibian kind. We have so many awesome things, a variety of mammal species, you know, bobcats are super awesome, black bears, so many things that are out there to explore if you just get out into nature, state parks, or even just your backyard, right? There's some awesome wildlife, even in urban environments, opossums and raccoons and fun things running around to see and to experience. Listen to the podcast to hear the full conversation. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How did McCall and Producer Butterz spend their holiday weekend? What do they think about trees? And how is AJ doing in Asia?? They discuss EVERYTHING in the After Show podcast. 

８月は、この６年間に配信した207本の「やさしい英語会話」よりエピソードを厳選し、毎回４本分を濃縮してお届けします。ナチュラルスピードの会話を、スクリプトとともにお楽しみください。ウェブ上で元のエピソードを検索して、解説を聞くこともできます。 第３回の今回のテーマは"Which Is Better?"。スーパーマンvsバットマン、カープvsタイガースなど、それぞれのファン同士が意見を戦わせる会話を選びました。さて、あなたはどちらがお好き...? Image credit: PublicDomainPictures via Pixabay Public Domain CC0. Download MP3 スマートフォン用（テスト中） （8:31　8.3MB　中級〜上級）1. やさしい英語会話 (15) Comics: Superman or Batman? M: Superman. W: Batman. M: Superman! W: Batman! M: Come on now. How can you pick that powerless loser over the strongest man in the Universe? W: How can you pick such a boring emotionless person over the suave Dark Knight? M: Oh really? Well for one Superman is actually super. He didn't buy his powers. W: Well, what Batman lacks in Brawn he has in brain. Anyone can be born with superpowers. It takes a real man to make his own ones. M: Oh yea? Well Superman can fly. W: Batman has the Batwing Jet. M: He can run really fast. W: Why run when you can drive? M: Well, Superman has x-ray vision, ice breath, and many other abilities… W: That I'm sure Batman has, with his brain, figured out how to manipulate and use as a weapon. Face it: Batman is just a lot cooler than Superman. M: I know one thing that Batman doesn't have that Superman does. W: And what would that be? M: Lois Lane. W: He doesn't need a Lois Lane. M: I'm surprised he has used his brain to make a beautiful woman for himself yet. (Written by Tijan Nicholson) 2. やさしい英語会話 (32) Classical or Rock? W: Hi, Tom. What's up? M: Hey, What's up, Yoko? W: Did you get my message yesterday? M: Yeah, I got it! Sorry, I didn't call you back last night. I checked the message in the middle of the night. So, what was that about? W: It's OK. Don't worry. It wasn't urgent. It was just about a concert. M: A concert? W: Yeah, you know Shiori, right? She gave me two concert tickets, and I was wondering if you'd like to come with me. M: Sounds nice. What kind of concert is it? Rock? R&B? W: Sorry, but it's classical music. The Tokyo Philharmonic is coming to Hiroshima next week! M: Uh… I think I'll pass on it. Sorry. Actually, I'm no big fan of classical music…. I mean I fall asleep halfway through classical concerts! W: OK, OK. But think of it this way: you told me that you were really feeling stressed out the other day, right? I heard that classical music is really good at reducing tension and creating inner calm. I think that concert would help you to reduce the stress. M: I see, but thank you anyway, Yoko. I'll pass on the classical music. Ah, I wish that concert was rock! W: Rock? You like rock music that much? M: Yeah!! I love rock music!! Oh, it's darn cool. Everyone loves rock! Don't you? W: Uh…no thanks. I'm no big fan of rock music. It's just… loud. They're just… shouting, and there's no important message. There's no reason to listen to rock music. M: What? You kidding me, Yoko? Rock is fantastic! Rock's the real music! They're singing what we young people like. They're singing about the heart! W: But rock has a bad influence on young people, don't you think? M: That's ancient history, Yoko. No one's thinking that way any more. [sigh] By the way, have you ever listened to rock music? W: Um……no. M: Unbelievable! Hey, why don't you give this CD a try? Then talk about rock music, OK? I think you'll like it! W: OK, thanks. Now, Tom…. Have you decided to go to the classical music concert next week? M: Oh, dear… (Written by Saori Nakanishi) 3. やさしい英語会話 (25) Partying or Studying? M: Hey, Vickie, what are ya gonna do tonight? W: Well, I think I’m gonna study in the library. M: You’re kidding! You wanna study on a Friday night?? Oh, no, no… Vickie, you should relax. You study too much! Let’s go to a club and dance! W: Oh, I'm really sorry, Adam…I can’t. M: OK. I guess that’s a traditional Asian students’ life! W: Yeah, a traditional Asian students’ life! And, I see that you guys like to party! M: Yeah, we go to parties almost every weekend; and we almost always go to a club, too. There’re fewer clubs in Japan and far fewer parties. When I first came to Japan, it really was culture-shock; I just can’t bear this kind of boring life. W: Really? To tell you the truth, I’ve never been to a bar before! Only bad students go bars in China. M: Bad students? Ridiculous, what kind of students are bad students? Hmm… Maybe bars and clubs in Australia are different from those in Asia? They’re not as bad as you think. They’re actually a lot of fun. W: I see. M: I think you should go to clubs or bars once. You should experience the atmosphere there. It's so relaxing! W: Yeah, OK, but maybe some time… M: Oh, so you won't change your mind about tonight, no matter what I say, huh? I’m so sad that I think I’m going to cry! W: Please don't be sad, Adam. I promise I’ll go with you next time. M: Haha, I’m only joking! Hey, typical Asian girl: you’d better study a lot in the library! W: Haha! Yes, sir! (Written by Sun Guangna (Ruby)) 4. やさしい英語会話 (175) Which Team Is Better: The Carp or The Tigers? Situation: A Carp fan and a Tigers fan are about to watch a game in Hiroshima. W: Oh, it's so fun to be here! I really like Mazda Stadium. M: Hey! Who's that guy? He looks pretty important. W: Oh, that's Kenta Maeda! He's a great pitcher! We call him Maeken. I love him! He's got an array of pitches: a fastball, a slider, a changeup, and a curve! M: Yeah, I've heard of him. Are there any other good Carp pitchers? W: I think Takeru Imamura is really good. M: Who's he? I don't know much about him. W: Well…he's a good pitcher, and they say that he'll be a great pitcher in the future. His best pitches are his fastball and slider. But he also throws a forkball about 8% of the time! M: Wow, Tomoko. I see you really, really like baseball and the Carp! But, you know, the Hanshin Tigers are better. W: Oh, really? Are there any good pitchers on the Tigers this year? M: Hmm…I think Atsushi Nomi is a good pitcher. He was on Japan's national team in the World Baseball Classic. W: Hmm… I don't know much about him. M: Really? Boy, you only know about the Carp! Nomi's a great relief pitcher. He's really good at saving games. I watched the game last night, and Nomi was doing a great job. W: But I still like Maeken better. I'm really happy to see him pitching in this game. And we're sitting super-near him! We can see him really close up! M: I still think the Tigers have better pitching and hitting. Also, the atmosphere around the Tigers is really good this year. I hope that the Tigers win it all! W: No way! I'm sure the Carp will win everything this year! The team has a lot of young players. Also they're trying a lot of new things. People say that the Carp have not been champions for a long time, and it's impossible for them to be champions. But I don't believe a word of that! I'm sure that the Carp will win the Japan Series! M: Hey! The game's beginning. Here we go! W: Go Carp Go! M: Come on, Tigers! (Written by Kaho Yasuda)

８月は、この６年間に配信した207本の「やさしい英語会話」よりエピソードを厳選し、毎回４本分を濃縮してお届けします。ナチュラルスピードの会話を、スクリプトとともにお楽しみください。ウェブ上で元のエピソードを検索して、解説を聞くこともできます。 第３回の今回のテーマは"Which Is Better?"。スーパーマンvsバットマン、カープvsタイガースなど、それぞれのファン同士が意見を戦わせる会話を選びました。さて、あなたはどちらがお好き...? Image credit: PublicDomainPictures via Pixabay Public Domain CC0. Download MP3 スマートフォン用（テスト中） （8:31　8.3MB　中級〜上級）1. やさしい英語会話 (15) Comics: Superman or Batman? M: Superman. W: Batman. M: Superman! W: Batman! M: Come on now. How can you pick that powerless loser over the strongest man in the Universe? W: How can you pick such a boring emotionless person over the suave Dark Knight? M: Oh really? Well for one Superman is actually super. He didn't buy his powers. W: Well, what Batman lacks in Brawn he has in brain. Anyone can be born with superpowers. It takes a real man to make his own ones. M: Oh yea? Well Superman can fly. W: Batman has the Batwing Jet. M: He can run really fast. W: Why run when you can drive? M: Well, Superman has x-ray vision, ice breath, and many other abilities… W: That I'm sure Batman has, with his brain, figured out how to manipulate and use as a weapon. Face it: Batman is just a lot cooler than Superman. M: I know one thing that Batman doesn't have that Superman does. W: And what would that be? M: Lois Lane. W: He doesn't need a Lois Lane. M: I'm surprised he has used his brain to make a beautiful woman for himself yet. (Written by Tijan Nicholson) 2. やさしい英語会話 (32) Classical or Rock? W: Hi, Tom. What's up? M: Hey, What's up, Yoko? W: Did you get my message yesterday? M: Yeah, I got it! Sorry, I didn't call you back last night. I checked the message in the middle of the night. So, what was that about? W: It's OK. Don't worry. It wasn't urgent. It was just about a concert. M: A concert? W: Yeah, you know Shiori, right? She gave me two concert tickets, and I was wondering if you'd like to come with me. M: Sounds nice. What kind of concert is it? Rock? R&B? W: Sorry, but it's classical music. The Tokyo Philharmonic is coming to Hiroshima next week! M: Uh… I think I'll pass on it. Sorry. Actually, I'm no big fan of classical music…. I mean I fall asleep halfway through classical concerts! W: OK, OK. But think of it this way: you told me that you were really feeling stressed out the other day, right? I heard that classical music is really good at reducing tension and creating inner calm. I think that concert would help you to reduce the stress. M: I see, but thank you anyway, Yoko. I'll pass on the classical music. Ah, I wish that concert was rock! W: Rock? You like rock music that much? M: Yeah!! I love rock music!! Oh, it's darn cool. Everyone loves rock! Don't you? W: Uh…no thanks. I'm no big fan of rock music. It's just… loud. They're just… shouting, and there's no important message. There's no reason to listen to rock music. M: What? You kidding me, Yoko? Rock is fantastic! Rock's the real music! They're singing what we young people like. They're singing about the heart! W: But rock has a bad influence on young people, don't you think? M: That's ancient history, Yoko. No one's thinking that way any more. [sigh] By the way, have you ever listened to rock music? W: Um……no. M: Unbelievable! Hey, why don't you give this CD a try? Then talk about rock music, OK? I think you'll like it! W: OK, thanks. Now, Tom…. Have you decided to go to the classical music concert next week? M: Oh, dear… (Written by Saori Nakanishi) 3. やさしい英語会話 (25) Partying or Studying? M: Hey, Vickie, what are ya gonna do tonight? W: Well, I think I’m gonna study in the library. M: You’re kidding! You wanna study on a Friday night?? Oh, no, no… Vickie, you should relax. You study too much! Let’s go to a club and dance! W: Oh, I'm really sorry, Adam…I can’t. M: OK. I guess that’s a traditional Asian students’ life! W: Yeah, a traditional Asian students’ life! And, I see that you guys like to party! M: Yeah, we go to parties almost every weekend; and we almost always go to a club, too. There’re fewer clubs in Japan and far fewer parties. When I first came to Japan, it really was culture-shock; I just can’t bear this kind of boring life. W: Really? To tell you the truth, I’ve never been to a bar before! Only bad students go bars in China. M: Bad students? Ridiculous, what kind of students are bad students? Hmm… Maybe bars and clubs in Australia are different from those in Asia? They’re not as bad as you think. They’re actually a lot of fun. W: I see. M: I think you should go to clubs or bars once. You should experience the atmosphere there. It's so relaxing! W: Yeah, OK, but maybe some time… M: Oh, so you won't change your mind about tonight, no matter what I say, huh? I’m so sad that I think I’m going to cry! W: Please don't be sad, Adam. I promise I’ll go with you next time. M: Haha, I’m only joking! Hey, typical Asian girl: you’d better study a lot in the library! W: Haha! Yes, sir! (Written by Sun Guangna (Ruby)) 4. やさしい英語会話 (175) Which Team Is Better: The Carp or The Tigers? Situation: A Carp fan and a Tigers fan are about to watch a game in Hiroshima. W: Oh, it's so fun to be here! I really like Mazda Stadium. M: Hey! Who's that guy? He looks pretty important. W: Oh, that's Kenta Maeda! He's a great pitcher! We call him Maeken. I love him! He's got an array of pitches: a fastball, a slider, a changeup, and a curve! M: Yeah, I've heard of him. Are there any other good Carp pitchers? W: I think Takeru Imamura is really good. M: Who's he? I don't know much about him. W: Well…he's a good pitcher, and they say that he'll be a great pitcher in the future. His best pitches are his fastball and slider. But he also throws a forkball about 8% of the time! M: Wow, Tomoko. I see you really, really like baseball and the Carp! But, you know, the Hanshin Tigers are better. W: Oh, really? Are there any good pitchers on the Tigers this year? M: Hmm…I think Atsushi Nomi is a good pitcher. He was on Japan's national team in the World Baseball Classic. W: Hmm… I don't know much about him. M: Really? Boy, you only know about the Carp! Nomi's a great relief pitcher. He's really good at saving games. I watched the game last night, and Nomi was doing a great job. W: But I still like Maeken better. I'm really happy to see him pitching in this game. And we're sitting super-near him! We can see him really close up! M: I still think the Tigers have better pitching and hitting. Also, the atmosphere around the Tigers is really good this year. I hope that the Tigers win it all! W: No way! I'm sure the Carp will win everything this year! The team has a lot of young players. Also they're trying a lot of new things. People say that the Carp have not been champions for a long time, and it's impossible for them to be champions. But I don't believe a word of that! I'm sure that the Carp will win the Japan Series! M: Hey! The game's beginning. Here we go! W: Go Carp Go! M: Come on, Tigers! (Written by Kaho Yasuda)

４月は新入生歓迎会などパーティの多い時期ですね。勉強もパーティも楽しい学生生活には欠かせないものですが、大学生の考え方は国によってさまざまのようです。 今回登場するのは、パーティが好きで好きでたまらない男の子と、バーやクラブなどで遊んだこともなくひたすら勉強に明け暮れている女の子です。二人はそれぞれどこの国から来たのでしょうか。 Download MP3 （14:04　8.1MB　初級～中級）*** Script *** M: Hey, Vickie, what are ya gonna do tonight? W: Well, I think I’m gonna study in the library. M: You’re kidding! You wanna study on a Friday night?? Oh, no, no… Vickie, you should relax. You study too much! Let’s go to a club and dance! W: Oh, I'm really sorry, Adam…I can’t. M: OK. I guess that’s a traditional Asian students’ life! W: Yeah, a traditional Asian students’ life! And, I see that you guys like to party! M: Yeah, we go to parties almost every weekend; and we almost always go to a club, too. There’re fewer clubs in Japan and far fewer parties. When I first came to Japan, it really was culture-shock; I just can’t bear this kind of boring life. W: Really? To tell you the truth, I’ve never been to a bar before! Only bad students go bars in China. M: Bad students? Ridiculous, what kind of students are bad students? Hmm… Maybe bars and clubs in Australia are different from those in Asia? They’re not as bad as you think. They’re actually a lot of fun. W: I see. M: I think you should go to clubs or bars once. You should experience the atmosphere there. It's so relaxing! W: Yeah, OK, but maybe some time… M: Oh, so you won't change your mind about tonight, no matter what I say, huh? I’m so sad that I think I’m going to cry! W: Please don't be sad, Adam. I promise I’ll go with you next time. M: Haha, I’m only joking! Hey, typical Asian girl: you’d better study a lot in the library! W: Haha! Yes, sir! (Written by Sun Guangna (Ruby))

４月は新入生歓迎会などパーティの多い時期ですね。勉強もパーティも楽しい学生生活には欠かせないものですが、大学生の考え方は国によってさまざまのようです。 今回登場するのは、パーティが好きで好きでたまらない男の子と、バーやクラブなどで遊んだこともなくひたすら勉強に明け暮れている女の子です。二人はそれぞれどこの国から来たのでしょうか。 Download MP3 （14:04　8.1MB　初級～中級）*** Script *** M: Hey, Vickie, what are ya gonna do tonight? W: Well, I think I’m gonna study in the library. M: You’re kidding! You wanna study on a Friday night?? Oh, no, no… Vickie, you should relax. You study too much! Let’s go to a club and dance! W: Oh, I'm really sorry, Adam…I can’t. M: OK. I guess that’s a traditional Asian students’ life! W: Yeah, a traditional Asian students’ life! And, I see that you guys like to party! M: Yeah, we go to parties almost every weekend; and we almost always go to a club, too. There’re fewer clubs in Japan and far fewer parties. When I first came to Japan, it really was culture-shock; I just can’t bear this kind of boring life. W: Really? To tell you the truth, I’ve never been to a bar before! Only bad students go bars in China. M: Bad students? Ridiculous, what kind of students are bad students? Hmm… Maybe bars and clubs in Australia are different from those in Asia? They’re not as bad as you think. They’re actually a lot of fun. W: I see. M: I think you should go to clubs or bars once. You should experience the atmosphere there. It's so relaxing! W: Yeah, OK, but maybe some time… M: Oh, so you won't change your mind about tonight, no matter what I say, huh? I’m so sad that I think I’m going to cry! W: Please don't be sad, Adam. I promise I’ll go with you next time. M: Haha, I’m only joking! Hey, typical Asian girl: you’d better study a lot in the library! W: Haha! Yes, sir! (Written by Sun Guangna (Ruby))