A new podcast at the University of Toronto Scarborough is inviting students to slow down and think more carefully. The Agora, launched by the Association of Philosophy Students (APS), is a student-led initiative that brings philosophical discussion into a format that’s accessible, engaging, and timely. Rather than offering answers, it opens up questions—about ethics, technology, art, and the shape of our shared world.
Named after the ancient Greek gathering place for public discourse, the Agora is designed to be a space for conversation and reflection. Hosted and produced by UTSC undergraduate Samuella Ojo, a double major in political science and philosophy, the podcast features interviews with philosophy faculty on topics that resonate both within and beyond the classroom. Recent episodes have explored the ethics of AI-generated art, genetic screening, and the philosophy of love.
“I wanted it to appeal not just to philosophy students, but to any student who would like to hear more from an expert,” Ojo explains. “Even one day, maybe to the world.”
Ojo herself did not start her undergraduate degree with the aim to focus on philosophy. When she first stumbled into a Biomedical Ethics course taught by Eric Mathison, she didn’t expect it to change her academic trajectory. “It hooked me,” she remembers with fondness; “it made me want to take more philosophy courses.” What began as a detour from her original plan to study psychology soon became a passion—and eventually led to a new platform in the form of the Agora.
The podcast emerged as part of a broader effort to revitalize the APS and community within UTSC’s Philosophy Department. Alongside APS in-person events like Philoso-Teas and essay discussions, the Agora offers a new way to engage with philosophical ideas—one that meets students where they are—whether on a walk, a commute, or between classes. “There are a lot of students that maybe couldn’t make it to a gathering in person,” Ojo says. “They find this podcast online, and they can still feel connected to the APS and their community.”
Episodes are released every two weeks and are available on Spotify and other major platforms. The format is simple: Ojo researches each guest, selects a topic based on their area of expertise, drafts questions, and records the conversation via Zoom. She edits the audio using Audacity and uploads the final product to a podcasting platform. “It’s pretty straightforward,” she says, though the work behind the scenes is anything but.
The response has been enthusiastic. “Honestly, the response has been kind of overwhelming,” Ojo admits. “Everyone has been very open and welcoming—and just happy for the podcast itself.”
The podcast host and her APS collaborators stress the Agora’s commitment to clarity and community. In a time when public discourse often appears fragmented and reactive, they hope the podcast will offer a space for sustained, thoughtful engagement. “No matter what’s going on in the world, it affects you. A decision in Burundi could affect the food you eat in Canada,” Ojo knows. She adds, “So it’s important to have a community of thinkers and ideas where you can discuss matters with other people.”
The podcast also serves as a quiet rebuttal to the misinformation that circulates online. “That’s why I find it important to invite experts and philosophy teachers who are currently thinking on matters,” Ojo says. “There’s a lot of misinformation that is being spread.”
Looking ahead, the Agora forms just one part of a larger vision. Ojo and the APS plan to expand their outreach through a YouTube channel featuring student-led discussions on topics like war, history, and ethics. “I want to bring the APS to the students,” she says. “It’s something fresh.”
For now, The Agora is a welcome addition to the UTSC and Philosophy communities—a space for listening, learning, and thinking together.
🎧 Listen to the Agora on Spotify
📣 Follow the APS on Instagram: @utsc_aps
📬 Want to get involved or suggest a topic? DM the APS on Instagram.
