Podcasts

In our first episode, our hosts Kim Langen and Nathan Langen, interview Mian Imran Masood, former provincial Minister of Education Punjab, Pakistan. Imran is the architect of one of the world’s biggest educational reforms that was adopted by several countries around the world. He reveals some of the biggest challenges faced, and the impact he made in the public education sector of Pakistan.

This week Kim Langen and Nathan Langen, interview Julie Song, a former NY teacher, who while teaching at a public school during the week, launched her first education program in Brooklyn, NY – a “learn-through-play” language immersion class on the weekends. Within a few short months, the program became a raving success among parents and students.

Encouraged and emboldened by the experience, Julie went on to complete her studies at Teachers College, Columbia University and then operate a learning center in South Korea. In Asia, she founded a Success Academy that helps students discover, experience and unleash their inner potentials as innovators. She returned to her roots in Silicon Valley to launch GATSVI to help students learn 21st century core skills through entrepreneurship and innovation. In 2019 summer, she coordinated a pre-collegiate research and innovation program at University of California, Irvine.

To find out more about GATSVI and GATI visit: https://www.gatsvi.org/

In this episode, Kim Langen and Nathan Langen speak to Bushra Ansari, a living legend of television and film from Pakistan. Bushra started as a child actor and is widely known for her iconic roles spanning decades (in both drama and comedy), singing and writing for television. She speaks about her early life, the importance of having focus and self-belief, and the constant re-invention, evolution and growth of her work. Bushra also shares how she has dedicated a major part of her life to use her fame for charitable causes around the world.

In this episode, hosts Kim Langen and Nathan Langen interview Mushtaq Chhapra. In 2010 in Qatar, Chhapra and TCF were one of the six recipients of the WISE Awards — international plaudits that recognized him as a champion of peace and a symbol of hope. For his work with TCF, he was also awarded the Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship in 2013 and is a recipient of a lifetime achievement award from the Canada Pakistan Business Council (CPBC). Chhapra is also a member of the Clinton Global Initiative and a Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneur.

In this episode, hosts Kim Langen and Nathan Langen interview Devon Jones, who for over 2 decades taught at Brookview Middle School and also in a central capacity as a special project teacher at the Toronto District School Board (TDSB). Working with some of Toronto’s racialized and marginalized students at Brookview Middle School, in the Jane and Finch area, Jones strives to show his students “how to make smart choices, how to be civically engaged (and) how to be part of the larger social fabric.”

In 2007, Jones co-founded the Youth Association for Academics, Athletics and Character Education (YAAACE), a social enterprise developed to help marginalized and poor youth through “year-round comprehensive programming and activities.” It now helps about 600 kids annually. The program was founded primarily to create a viable alternative to guns, drugs, and gangs. Devon Jones is an Educator, Community Developer and Youth advocate and his work have been highlighted in the Toronto Star, National Post, and the CBC. He currently resides in Toronto with his family.

In this episode, hosts Kim Langen and Nathan Langen interview Tai Poole, a self professed “frustrated” 8th grader who is always searching for answers. A student at Spirit of Math since grade 3, Tai represented Canada twice at the World Mathematical Olympiad in Seoul and Beijing, and is an accomplished pianist and a dedicated swimmer. Born in Vietnam, Tai moved to Canada when he was three years old and has remained a world traveler with an insatiable curiosity. His podcast, “Tai Asks Why”, is currently recording its third season, and will be out late 2020 on CBC Podcasts.

In this episode, hosts Kim Langen and Nathan Langen speak to Phibby Otaala, the Ugandan Ambassador to Kenya, a humanitarian and a strong driving force for education and social uplift in her community. Phibby traces her journey from humble beginnings, being born in a slum near the Ugandan and Kenyan border and how hope, grit and determination helped her overcome adversity. Her charity Helping Hands is deeply involved in social welfare and education. Discover the alarming situation in Phibby’s community brought on by COVID-19 and what you can do to help.

In this episode, our hosts Kim Langen and Nathan Langen speak to Alvin Brown, CEO and founder of The Centre of Healing and Peak Performance. Discover Alvin’s fascinating journey and how, against all odds, he has become one of the most successful health, wellness and peak performance practitioners in North America. Alvin will be sharing some of the tools he used on his own personal journey of success.