The Walrus Podcasts

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Channel • 18 Shows

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Updated 17/12/2025

SEASON 5 TRAILER

Season 5 Teaser

New host. New format. Now on video. Welcome to the relaunch of This Being Human, the Aga Khan Museum’s podcast about Muslim art, global cultures and how we’re all connected. This season, new host Mai Habib talks with inspiring artists, writers, designers, and creators from across the Muslim world and beyond. Subscribe on YouTube so you don't miss a single video episode. The Museum wishes to thank Nadir and Shabin Mohamed for their founding support of This Being Human. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S5 Trailer

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1 min
27/01/2025

Episode 1: Flight

With the rise of the Nazi regime of Adolf Hitler in Germany, destruction comes quickly for a prominent and respected Jewish family, the Kuppenheims. Members of the family are murdered, exiled or chased into hiding. Some eighty years later, Canadian novelist Timothy Taylor inherits a ten thousand page archive of diaries, letters, photographs and other documents kept by his grandfather and begins to piece together the story of his family’s Holocaust legacy. Travelling to Germany to meet with historians and other experts, Timothy unpacks his grandfather Felix’s fate, from the fallout of the antisemitic Nuremberg Laws, to his long and improbable path of escape from Nazi Germany, through the Soviet Union and Japan, and finally to Ecuador. The voice of Felix Kuppenheim is provided by Jonas Osmann. The Hidden Holocaust Papers: Survival. Exile. Return. is a production of The Walrus Lab in partnership with the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre. It's presented by Timothy Taylor. The Executive Producers are Anthony Cantor and Timothy Taylor. Anthony Cantor is the showrunner. Written by Timothy Taylor and Anthony Cantor. Co-produced and edited by Eric Anderson and Sean Prpick. Technical Production, Sound Engineering and Design, and Music Supervision by Rob Julius Janson. Research and translation by Joel Pinsker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

27/01/2025

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1hr 6min
03/02/2025

Episode 2: Dictatorship 101

While his grandfather managed to flee Nazi Germany in 1940 and make it to safety in Ecuador, Timothy’s half-Jewish mother and his gentile grandmother were unable to escape. Timothy turns to his archive to discover what those years were like for them. His mother, Ursula, who was only ten years old when her father fled, bravely writes of her family’s Jewish history in a school assignment, which Timothy is able to read and discuss with experts. He also learns that when German children were sent to the countryside to avoid Allied bombings, Ursula went along despite having to keep her Mischling status a secret. Timothy learns from experts and from his mother’s own account about the desperate hardships of hiding in plain sight. He also discovers the shocking fallout when his mother’s secret identity is discovered. The voice of Ursula Kuppenheim is provided by Hanna Feldhaus Kent. The Hidden Holocaust Papers: Survival. Exile. Return. is a production of The Walrus Lab in partnership with the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre. It's presented by Timothy Taylor. The Executive Producers are Anthony Cantor and Timothy Taylor. Anthony Cantor is the showrunner. Written by Timothy Taylor and Anthony Cantor. Co-produced and edited by Eric Anderson and Sean Prpick. Technical Production, Sound Engineering and Design, and Music Supervision by Rob Julius Janson. Research and translation by Joel Pinsker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

03/02/2025

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1hr 6min
24/09/2024

Gardens of the Soul: Emma Clark on the Sacred Art of Islamic Gardens

In this episode of This Being Human we sit down with Emma Clark, an expert in Islamic garden design, to explore her journey from a childhood surrounded by English gardens to her spiritual awakening through Islamic art and Sufism. Emma reflects on her time at the Royal College of Art, where she studied under the renowned Keith Critchlow, who introduced her to the beauty and meaning within Islamic art. She discusses how Sufism became her path to Islam, how it transformed her understanding of beauty and the natural world, and how she uses her designs to reflect paradise on Earth. Learn more about Emma’s work and her philosophy of garden design at emma-clark.com To fill out our listener survey, go to agakhanmuseum.org/tbhsurvey. If you enjoyed this episode and want to learn more, go to agakhanmuseum.org/thisbeinghuman. The Museum wishes to thank Nadir and Shabin Mohamed for their founding support of This Being Human. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

24/09/2024

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27 min
24/02/2025

Episode 6: Live from Vancouver

Hannah Marazzi, Executive Director of the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre, introduces an intimate evening of conversation and reflection hosted by Timothy Taylor and recorded live on February 13th, 2025, at the Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre at the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver. Timothy speaks about the podcast, his family's experiences and the broader meaning of these stories with three guests: Mariette Doduck, a Holocaust survivor and co-founder of the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre; David Bercovici-Artieda, an Ecuadorian-Jewish filmmaker who now calls Vancouver Island home; and Shelagh Genuis, Timothy's sister who first brought him the boxes of family documents that became the source material for The Hidden Holocaust Papers. Then, Timothy and Showrunner/Co-Executive Producer Anthony Cantor share some behind-the-scenes insights into the making of this series. Questions from the live audience round out the evening. This live episode was directed by Eric Anderson. Will Howie served as Technical Producer and Sound Engineer. Justin Brown was the Live Mix Engineer. The Venue Crew Lead and Lighting Operator was Emily Trepanier. The Hidden Holocaust Papers: Survival. Exile. Return. is a production of The Walrus Lab in partnership with the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre. It's presented by Timothy Taylor. The Executive Producers are Anthony Cantor and Timothy Taylor. Anthony Cantor is the showrunner. Written by Timothy Taylor and Anthony Cantor. Co-produced and edited by Eric Anderson and Sean Prpick. Technical Production, Sound Engineering and Design, and Music Supervision by Rob Julius Janson. Research and translation by Joel Pinsker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

24/02/2025

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1hr 31min
03/02/2025

Episode 3: Going Underground

Ursula’s situation grows much more dangerous in 1944, when the Nazis move to round up Mischlinge like her. Timothy learns that his mother went into hiding on rural farms and scours the archive for clues to the exact locations. Through photographs, he identifies a man who seems to have played a role in protecting Ursula. Tracking down this man’s granddaughter provides an emotional breakthrough, and, remarkably, her family’s photo albums contain pictures of Ursula from 1944. Timothy pieces together clues that lead to the town of Delbrück, where he speaks with a local historian, standing on the very spot where the 1944 photographs of his mother were taken. Through these discussions, another local man is identified who helped Jews hide from Nazis. In a second shock discovery, Timothy learns that that man’s grandson still runs the family jewellery store, and that he has some tantalizing information for Timothy. Timothy has traced his mother’s survival to the very moment she went into hiding. But at this point, the trail seems to have gone cold. Timothy speaks to a survivor who can shed light on his mother’s time underground. Following the story to the immediate post-war period, Timothy learns that Ursula’s experience of liberation was accompanied by its own tribulations. The voices of Ursula Kuppenheim and Charlotte Knobloch are provided by Hanna Feldhaus Kent. The Hidden Holocaust Papers: Survival. Exile. Return. is a production of The Walrus Lab in partnership with the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre. It's presented by Timothy Taylor. The Executive Producers are Anthony Cantor and Timothy Taylor. Anthony Cantor is the showrunner. Written by Timothy Taylor and Anthony Cantor. Co-produced and edited by Eric Anderson and Sean Prpick. Technical Production, Sound Engineering and Design, and Music Supervision by Rob Julius Janson. Research and translation by Joel Pinsker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

03/02/2025

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1hr 15min
05/03/2025

Promises Unkept: Treaty 8 and the Battle for Indigenous Rights

125 years after the signing of Treaty 8, many of the promises made to Canada's northern First Nations remain unfulfilled. In this episode, we explore the history, impact, and ongoing struggles surrounding one of Canada’s largest treaties. Charmaine Willier-Larsen, a descendant of a Treaty 8 signatory, shares how reconnecting with her heritage led her to create the Bannock n Bed, a cultural inn just two kilometres where the treaty was signed on Lesser Slave Lake in 1899. We also hear from Grand Chief Trevor Mercredi of Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta, who breaks down the treaty’s original promises, the systemic barriers that persist, and the fight to uphold Indigenous rights. To read the episode transcripts in French and English, and to learn more about historic Canadian milestones, please visit thewalrus.ca/canadianheritage. This podcast receives funding from The Government of Canada and is produced by The Walrus Lab. Check out the French counterpart podcast, Voyages dans l'histoire canadienne. -- Au-delà des promesses : Le traité numéro 8 et les droits des peuples autochtones Plus de 125 ans après la signature du traité numéro 8, de nombreuses promesses faites aux Premières Nations du Nord demeurent toujours non tenues. Dans cet épisode, nous plongeons dans l’histoire, l’impact et les défis persistants liés à l’un des traités les plus significatifs du Canada. Charmaine Willier-Larsen, descendante d'un des signataires du traité numéro 8, nous raconte comment cet héritage l’a inspirée à fonder The Bannock n Bed, une auberge culturelle située à seulement deux kilomètres du site où le traité a été signé, près du Petit lac des Esclaves en 1899. Nous accueillons également le grand chef Trevor Mercredi, des Premières Nations du traité numéro 8 de l'Alberta, qui revient sur les promesses faites dans le traité, les obstacles systémiques toujours présents et la lutte pour faire respecter les droits des peuples autochtones. Pour lire les transcriptions des épisodes en français et en anglais, et pour en savoir plus sur les jalons historiques canadiens, veuillez visiter le site thewalrus.ca/canadianheritage. Ce balado reçoit des fonds du gouvernement du Canada et est produit par The Walrus Lab. Découvrez le balado en français, Voyages dans l'histoire canadienne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

05/03/2025

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31 min
28 APR

Manifesting Light: Designing the Aga Khan Museum

Before the Aga Khan Museum became a landmark in Toronto, it started with a letter about light. In this episode of This Being Human, host Mai Habib sits down with principal architect Gary Kamemoto, who led the Museum’s design alongside the late Fumihiko Maki. He shares how that single idea—light—shaped everything, from the building’s geometry and materials to the way you move through the space. Along the way, you get a closer look at the thinking behind the Aga Khan Museum’s architecture, and how it draws on Islamic design and ideas of pluralism to create something that feels both timeless and distinctly contemporary. Gary also gets into the details you’d likely miss on a first visit: patterns that shift with the sun, geometry hiding in plain sight, and a subtle architectural tribute woven into the building itself—details that, once you know they’re there, change how you see it. *The Museum wishes to thank Nadir and Shabin Mohamed for their founding support of This Being Human.* Links & Resources: This was just one example of Muslim art that sparked curiosity and a great conversation. There is so much more to see at the Aga Khan Museum. Support the museum's vision to impact lives and contribute to more inclusive and peaceful societies. Go to agakhanmuseum.org to plan your visit or make a donation.Read more from Gary Kamemoto on the partnership between Maki and Associates and the AKDNCheck out this episode in full video. Key Moments [0:10] Introduction to This Being Human and the Aga Khan Museum as an architectural masterpiece [1:16] Gary Kamemoto on his background and navigating identity between cultures [3:46] The origin story: from the Delegation Building to the museum project [6:58] Working with His Highness the Aga Khan as a patron of architecture [8:56] The “letter about light” as an unconventional design brief [11:37] Reimagining the 17-acre site: why the garden—not the building—became central [18:38] Pluralism as process: translating philosophy into physical space [23:20] Designing for discovery: how the museum reveals itself over time [27:42] Hidden details: symbolism, geometry, and the significance of the number seven [31:18] Closing reflections on legacy, collaboration, and the museum’s ongoing life Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

28 Apr

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32 min
31/12/2025

Honouring Lives: The Art of Eulogies and Obituaries

In this episode of Sorry For Your Loss, we explore how we speak about the dead—and why it matters. From traditional newspaper tributes to personal videos and self-written obits, the way we honour people after they’re gone is changing. First, Denise and John hear about the art of writing and delivering eulogies from Reverend Dr. Brent Hawkes, who was Senior Pastor at the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto for over 40 years. Then, longtime Globe & Mail obituary writer and author Sandra Martin joins Denise in conversation to unpack what makes a good obituary, how to find the right words in the face of loss, and why these tributes can be just as meaningful for the living as they are for the dead. Links & Resources Visit the Mount Pleasant Group website for more information and resourcesA Good Death: Making The Most of Our Final Choices by Sandra MartinGreat Canadian Lives: A Cultural History of Modern Canada through the Art of the Obit by Sandra Martin Please note that the opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily represent the views or beliefs of Mount Pleasant Group. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

31/12/2025

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39 min
10/02/2025

Episode 4: Unrequited Love

Having traced his grandparents’ and mother’s journeys from Germany to Ecuador, Timothy considers the German-Jewish family history that gave rise to both the Kuppenheims’ success and to their persecution. He begins with the archive’s oldest record, dating from 1813. This document allows him to unpack the groundbreaking career of his great-great-great-grandfather, and also to situate his ancestor in a moment of profound change for German Jews. Continuing in this vein, Timothy visits a collector of the work of his great-great-grandfather, a legendary jeweller. He then considers the tragedy of his great grandparents, visiting the sites of their successes and learning how it all came crashing down. A trip to Heidelberg to learn about his great uncle’s experience of antisemitism gives Timothy an idea for bringing his family’s story full circle. The voice of Ursula Kuppenheim is provided by Hanna Feldhaus Kent. The Hidden Holocaust Papers: Survival. Exile. Return. is a production of The Walrus Lab in partnership with the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre. It's presented by Timothy Taylor. The Executive Producers are Anthony Cantor and Timothy Taylor. Anthony Cantor is the showrunner. Written by Timothy Taylor and Anthony Cantor. Co-produced and edited by Eric Anderson and Sean Prpick. Technical Production, Sound Engineering and Design, and Music Supervision by Rob Julius Janson. Research and translation by Joel Pinsker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

10/02/2025

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1hr 12min

The Walrus Podcasts are an extension of our award-winning storytelling, so whether it’s a look at those moments that change your life forever, an analysis of our unique political system, or a trip to one of the most amazing locations in Canada, The Walrus Podcasts have your ears covered.