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The Cassandra Blanco Podcast

The Cassandra Blanco Podcast

By: Cassandra Blanco
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Join Cassandra Blanco for conversations with others related to/through the lens of the Catholic faith.

© 2025 The Cassandra Blanco Podcast
Christianity Spirituality
Episodes
  • Vibram 5 Fingers Barefoot Shoes Pros & Cons (Not Sponsored) | Episode 51
    Jul 28 2025

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    Timestamps:
    0:00- Introduction & Disclaimer
    1:13- Pro 1: Flexibility of Movement of Feet
    1:33- Pro 2: Toe Separation & Space
    1:59- Pro 3: Snug
    2:05- Pro 4: High Quality & Well Built
    2:24- Pro 5: Don't Have to Wear Socks
    2:30- Con 1: They Get Hot
    2:52- More Time Consuming to Put On
    3:24- Outro

    Wearing Barefoot Shoes Video: https://youtu.be/cisxTtMCrQM?si=L_Xv_DlbP8YfZgt0

    Music by Oleksii Holubiev

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    4 mins
  • Pakistan’s Christians | Islamic Blasphemy Laws, Forced Conversions, Girls Raped | Faraz Pervaiz | Ep. 50
    Jul 14 2025

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    *Note: Faraz’s computer died around minute 12 of the interview, which is why the interview jumps from the middle of his personal history into the middle of Pakistan’s history.

    Faraz Pervaiz is a Pakistani Christian human rights defender and outspoken critic of religious extremism. He is internationally known for his work exposing the persecution of religious minorities in Pakistan and for advocating secular, democratic values. Due to his activism, Faraz has become one of the most heavily persecuted Christian dissidents in the country’s history, targeted not only by the Pakistani state but also by extremist groups. He is currently living in exile and faces an ongoing threat to his life.

    Timestamps:
    0:00- Introduction
    2:45- Faraz Began Criticizing Govt. of Pakistan in 2014
    3:50- Facebook/Youtube/X Accounts Terminated at request of Pakistan’s Government
    7:09- Blasphemy Accusations & Head Bounties Against Faraz
    11:56- Pakistani’s History & Christians Have Been Under Persecution Since Pakistan’s Found
    14:31- Blasphemy Law Explanation
    15:49- Asia Blasphemy Case
    16:10- Lazar Nazir Masih Blasphemy Case
    16:22- Abdul Ali Blasphemy Case
    16:35- Qamar David Blasphemy Case
    17:07- Jarnawala 100’s Houses Burned Down
    17:59- Shanti Nagar Massacre
    18:13- Gorja, Christians Burned Alive
    18:38- Joseph Colony Christian Homes Burned Down
    18:50- Peshawar Suicide Bombers in Churches
    18:59- Shehzad & Shama Burned Alive
    19:30- Blasphemy Laws Needs No Evidence
    22:15- Religious Minorities in Pakistan
    25:31- How Someone Can Get Accused of Blasphemy
    30:29- Jamiat-e-Talaba, TLP, Blasphemy Business Gang
    34:12- Forced Conversions, Girls Abducted, R*ped, Converted to Islam, Christians Treated as Second Class Citizens
    37:40 - Outro

    Music by Oleksii Holubiev

    X, Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin: @CassandraMTB⁩
    Website: www.cassandrablanco.com
    Support my Work: https://www.cassandrablanco.com/support-my-work

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    38 mins
  • Nicaragua’s Christians Persecuted by Ortega Regime with Felix Maradiaga | Episode 49
    Jun 30 2025

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    Félix Maradiaga is a prominent figure in Central America known for his expertise in nonviolent resistance and democracy building. As a human rights advocate and thought leader in nonviolent resistance strategy, he is widely recognized as one of the leading voices within the Nicaraguan democratic opposition. Maradiaga currently serves as the President of the Foundation for the Freedom of Nicaragua. Additionally, he has initiated the international campaign EndArbitraryDetention.org to raise awareness about the predicament of political detainees all over the world.

    During the widespread protests against the Daniel Ortega regime in 2018, he faced numerous criminal charges and smear campaigns. In July 2021, he was arbitrarily arrested after announcing his intentions to run for president. He was then sent to a maximum-security prison, where he endured inhumane conditions for 21 months. However, in February 2023, he and 221 other political prisoners were expelled to the United States after the regime revoked their Nicaraguan nationality and confiscated their assets.

    Félix is a co-author of various books and over a hundred articles and essays. His work primarily focuses on the decay of democracy in Latin America and the collaboration of autocratic regimes worldwide. Félix has a BA in Political Science (Suma Cum Laude). He pursued his graduate studies from Harvard (MPA with honors) and the University of Barcelona (M.Eng) and was selected as a Yale World Fellow (2008). Recognizing his courageous efforts, 25 international human rights organizations gathered in Geneva in 2023 to honor him with the Geneva Summit Courage Award.

    Timestamps:
    0:00- Introduction
    3:05- 1979 Fall of Somosa Regime, Sandinistas Took Control
    5:01- Coming to the USA
    6:07- Contra War Was Over, Felix Returned to Nicaragua at 15
    8:52- Becoming Secretary General of the Ministry of Defense
    10:11- 1990, Nicaragua Had Free & Fair Elections
    11:27- 2007, Sandinistas Came Back Into Power
    12:07- Graduate Work, Private Consulting About Geopolitics, Traveling to 55 Countries
    14:00- 2016, Becoming Head of Institute for Strategic Studies & Public Policy
    15:21- Difference Between Dictatorships & Democracy
    21:00- 2018, Organizing Elections
    23:00- Felix in Solitary Confinement for 21 Months & 2 Assassination Attempts
    26:10- 222 Prisoners Expelled to USA
    29:07- Daniel Ortega & Rosario Murillo
    30:55- Governments Who Support Ortega Regime, Government Repression
    36:28- 2018, Protests and Regime Killed 400 People
    42:35- Breakdown of Christian Denominations
    43:51- Ortega Regime Has Always Gone After the Catholic Church
    47:45- Bishops, Priests, Religious Sisters Jailed/Expelled from Country
    51:34- Evangelical Christians are also Persecuted
    53:15- Police State, Police Officer Placed at Every Mass
    56:50- Where to Find Felix’s Work
    1:00:50- Outro

    Music by Oleksii Holubiev

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    1 hr and 1 min
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