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Artwork for Colombia Calling

Colombia Calling - The English Voice in Colombia

Richard McColl
Colombia
Gustavo Petro
Venezuela
Boyacá
Tourism
Latin America
Segovia
Organized Crime
Colombia Risk Analysis
Peace Process
Cartagena
Gaitanistas
Gringo Tuesdays
Cali
Sustainable Tourism
Illegal Mining
Cundinamarca
Insight Crime
Colombian Presidential Elections
Chile

Colombia Calling is your first stop for everything you ever wanted to know about Colombia. Colombia Calling is hosted by Anglo Canadian transplant to Colombia, Richard McColl and the Colombia Briefing is reported by journalist Emily Hart. Tune in for politics, news, reviews, travel and culture stories, all related to Colombia.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes101Founded13 years ago
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NewsSociety & CulturePlaces & TravelNews Commentary

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Artwork for Colombia Calling

Latest Episodes

This episode of the Colombia Calling podcast explores the complex relationship between Canadian mining interests and Colombia's post-conflict landscape, highlighting historical conflicts, foreign influence, and human rights issues. We speak to Lital ... more

Explore how Boris Spiwak, CEO of Qash, is transforming Latin America's financial landscape with US dollar accounts using blockchain technology. Discover the impact of stablecoins, regulatory compliance, and the rapid growth in digital financial servi... more

Colonel John Blashford-Snell is a renowned former British Army officer, explorer, and author, celebrated for his extensive expeditions around the globe. With over 100 expeditions under his belt, he founded Operation Raleigh and the Scientific Explora... more

Colombia is emerging as a prime destination for incentive travel, with its rich culture, stunning landscapes, and diverse activities. Think about the possibilities available in Bogota: • **Culinary Tours**: Employees can indulge in Colombia's vibran... more

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Recent Guests

Lital Khaikin
Freelance journalist and writer based in Montreal; focuses on mining, environment, conflict and human rights
Freelance journalist
Episode: 613: The Hidden History of Canadian Extractivism in Colombia
Boris Spiwak
CEO and Co-founder of Qash (Cache.ai/qash.ai)
Qash (Cache)
Episode: 612: Revolutionising Latin America's Fintech: The Qash Story
John Blashford-Snell
Colonel, former British Army officer, explorer and author; founder of Operation Raleigh and the Scientific Exploration Society
Scientific Exploration Society; Operation Raleigh
Episode: 611: A Conversation with Colonel John Blashford-Snell, explorer and author
Dr. Paul McAleer
Academic focusing on Waiu/Wayuu culture and language
University of Yorkshire (UK) / independent researcher
Episode: 606: Unveiling the Wayuu Culture: Language, Traditions, and Modern Challenges
Mae Star
Guest on the episode, traveler who homeschools on the road
Travel family
Episode: 604: Traveling to Colombia with Kids: A Family's Adventure
Alex Diamond
Assistant Professor of Sociology at Oklahoma State University
Oklahoma State University
Episode: 602: Governing the Excluded: Insights from Briceño, Colombia
Eric Stone
Journalist, photographer, and writer specializing in Bogotá's graffiti.
Episode: 599: The Art of Rebellion in Bogotá
Jessica M. Lepler
Associate Professor of History at the University of New Hampshire
University of New Hampshire
Episode: 598: The Quest for the Nicaragua Canal: A Historical Perspective
Vanessa Forero
Musician, co-author of 'The Girl with No Name', daughter of Marina Chapman
Episode: 597: My Mother Was Raised by Monkeys in Colombia: A conversation with musician Vanessa Forero

Host

Richard McColl
Host of Colombia Calling, a passionate commentator on Colombian culture, politics, and society.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 169 ratings
  • Exemplary podcasting

    Going from strength to strength, the team behind Colombia Calling should be proud of the immense legacy this incredibly long-running English language series has achieved thus far. As a Briton partnered with a Boyacense, it has kept me tethered to current Colombian affairs, culture, political, societal matters, history, and so much more to do with this most wondrous land. No stone left unturned! Will continue to listen and support for a long time.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cartier 4 Everyone
    United Kingdom6 months ago
  • A great, informative listen

    As a Brit born to a Colombian mother, I love listening to all regarding this most wonderful of countries that I love and yearn for. It’s great to hear through the perspectives of ex pats who give an unbiased and unadulterated view that I find difficult to get from Colombian’s who are understandably defensive of their nation and dare I say it, a bit prejudiced at times. Really well presented, great range of guests

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Emvpr
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Libertas

    Amazing interview with Libertas International. Those guys are from my home state!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Wyoming-cowboy
    United States2 years ago
  • Topical and informative

    Every week something to keep you up to date and really informative local news.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Challengedbybanks
    United Kingdom3 years ago
  • Medellin episode

    I was REALLY looking forward to the episode on Medellín but this dude couldn’t even pronounce the name of the city correctly and it absolutely drove me MAD the entire time.

    If you’re going to put yourself forward as an “expert” on Colombia, at least take the time to learn how to pronounce the names of its cities correctly.

    SERIOUSLY. 😤 its Medellín not whatever the hell he was saying

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Bratstone
    Canada3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many feel a strong connection to their Colombian roots or interests in the country, valuing the informative and timely updates.
Listeners appreciate the diverse range of topics covered, from politics to cultural insights, providing a holistic view of Colombia.
The host is frequently praised for his knowledge and engaging presentation style, making complex issues accessible.
Some feedback highlights concerns regarding specific episode execution, such as pronunciation errors, impacting listener experience. Overall, the podcast maintains a strong reputation for quality content.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

613: The Hidden History of Canadian Extractivism in Colombia
Q: What is happening now in May 2026, especially with the Colombian elections and the energy transition?
The discussion centers on the political shift toward center options, debates about security guarantees for communities, and the tension between Petro's environmental commitments and ongoing extractive expansion, including how private Canadian interests fit into the transition plan and regional development in Putumayo.
613: The Hidden History of Canadian Extractivism in Colombia
Q: What can be done from Canada to improve accountability and awareness of these issues?
She describes mechanisms like CORE and the Voices at Risk guidelines, notes their limitations (e.g., CORE's lack of enforcement and vacancies in leadership), and calls for stronger action by diplomats, independent oversight, and better media coverage to highlight abuses and ensure accountability for Canadian corporate actors abroad.
613: The Hidden History of Canadian Extractivism in Colombia
Q: Can you give us a little bit of background of the interests here?
Lital outlines the roots of conflict in Colombia and explains how the current critical minerals push intersects with a history of foreign investment and extractivism, particularly focusing on Canadian actors and the role of policy reforms that opened land for mining while weakening protections.
611: A Conversation with Colonel John Blashford-Snell, explorer and author
Q: How did you manage the human and logistical challenges when the vehicles got stuck and equipment failed?
We improvised with a mix of military logistics, using a smaller light vehicle (Hillbilly), enlisting a dedicated Royal Engineers team, recruiting local Panamanian ponies for supply transport, and eventually employing a second-hand Land Rover to carve a path ahead, with airlifted parts and spare axles parachuted in as needed.
611: A Conversation with Colonel John Blashford-Snell, explorer and author
Q: What motivated you to undertake such a monumental crossing through the Darien Gap?
The motivation came from a long-standing interest in connecting the Alaska-to-Cape Horn concept with a realistic push for a Pan-American Highway, plus the chance to test logistics, technology (Range Rovers), and teamwork in one of the world's most challenging jungles, all while engaging scientific and local communities to preserve rather than exploit the environment.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Colombia Calling

What is Colombia Calling about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content explores the multifaceted aspects of Colombian life, touching on politics, culture, history, and current events. Episodes frequently feature in-depth discussions with experts across various fields, including sociology, journalism, art, and historical analysis. This conversational format allows for a rich exploration of complex topics, such as the impacts of drug trafficking, environmental issues, and social justice in Colombia. Unique to this content is its ability to weave personal stories with broader societal trends, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of Colombia's challenges and evolving identity. A particularly engaging facet is the blend of local insights from both Colombian nationals and expats, contri... more

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To see how many followers or subscribers Colombia Calling has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Colombia Calling?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Colombia Calling:

1. The Ezra Klein Show
2. The New Yorker Radio Hour
3. The Daily
4. Making Sense with Sam Harris
5. Today, Explained

How many episodes of Colombia Calling are there?

Colombia Calling launched 13 years ago and published 101 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Colombia Calling?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on Colombia Calling?

Recent guests on Colombia Calling include:

1. Lital Khaikin
2. Boris Spiwak
3. John Blashford-Snell
4. Dr. Paul McAleer
5. Mae Star
6. Alex Diamond
7. Eric Stone
8. Jessica M. Lepler

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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