The F-35 decision is made — so why is Saab still lobbying? Richard Shimooka cuts through the noise and explains why the Swedish Gripen jet can’t compete on cost or capability. With Canada part of the F-35 development consortium, any deviation now would be a costly political move, not a strategic one. Plus: a deeper look at the idea of a NATO defense investment bank, and why it’s less about war profiteering and more about solving critical gaps in funding for military innovation. Shimooka explains how modern procurement works, why private capital is reluctant to invest in defense, and what a remilitarized world economy could look like. GUEST:Richard Shimooka
Six seconds of creativity. No AI. No filters. That’s the pitch behind Devine — a revival of the original Vine concept that once ruled the internet. But in a landscape now dominated by TikTok’s scroll-and-sell culture, does Devine stand a chance? Ryan O'Donnell explains what made Vine special, why it failed, and whether this new version can capture that lightning again. From nostalgic Vine compilations to blunt realities about monetization, this episode explores the evolution of online video culture — and whether we’ve lost our appetite for fun that isn’t trying to sell us something. GUEST:Ryan O'Donnell
To eat well in Canada, a family of four now needs nearly $17,000 a year. Dr. Sylvain Charlebois breaks down new numbers from the Canadian Food Sentiment Index, showing just how much the grocery landscape has changed. Loyalty is gone, trust is shaky, and couponing is out — shoppers want savings now, or they go elsewhere. From the emotional shift in grocery experiences to rising volatility in beef, chicken, and produce, this episode explains what’s really driving price perceptions — and what policymakers must target to restore stability and dignity to the food system. GUEST:Dr. Sylvain Charlebois@foodprofessor
When MPs are hiding behind curtains to fake a budget abstention, it’s not strategy — it’s cowardice. Rob Breakenridge joins to dissect how Parliament’s latest farce mirrors a scene from the Wizard of Oz — but without the charm. From performative politics to outright deception, Canadians are left asking: who’s really pulling the levers? Rob also tackles Alberta’s plan for public-private doctor crossover and its controversial use of the notwithstanding clause. With constitutional battles brewing and federal transfer dollars at risk, this episode is a snapshot of political dysfunction coast to coast. GUEST:Rob Breakenridgerobbreakenridge.ca
Part 1 Earth to Massey Hall: Chris Hadfield’s Night of WonderFrom commanding the International Space Station to staging a one‑night‑only performance at Massey Hall, Chris Hadfield brings a unique mix of science, art and optimism. In this episode, he opens up about what it means to bring space‑faring perspective to everyday life, and why his upcoming show “Generator” matters now more than ever. Discover how he turned extraordinary experiences into everyday inspiration — and how you can too. Part 2 The Real Gravity of Space: Chris Hadfield on Mortality & 30,000 DaysChris Hadfield returns to Earth with a different kind of mission: helping others live on purpose. In this raw segment, the former astronaut and bestselling author shares how space forced him to reexamine relationships, time and dreams. The question that changed everything? “If everything goes perfectly from here, what would that even look like?” GUEST:Chris Hadfieldchrishadfield.ca
It shattered expectations — and a bank account. Lorraine Sommerfeld returns with a wild case of a $22,250 sunroof replacement that exposes how modern cars are built for style, not service. From panoramic glass that can’t be repaired to parts that are too specific for the aftermarket, car design has quietly shifted into something deeply disposable. Lorraine breaks down why cars are now “Duplo,” not Lego — made from oversized parts that can’t be swapped or fixed. Plus: what’s really driving insurance hikes, why right-to-repair laws matter, and how manufacturers escape accountability for design failures. Weld it shut or pay the price. GUEST:Lorraine Sommerfeld
1998 was more than just another year — it was a cultural turning point. With memories of the Spice Girls’ MuchMusic takeover, Toronto’s downtown nightlife, and the low-tech intimacy of Speakers Corner, Ed Conroy returns to trace the energy of a time before digital dominance. Along the way, he reveals how The Truman Show’s iconic director character was modeled on a Canadian media icon and reflects on why gathering places like 299 Queen Street (Much Music) made media magic — and why we still miss them. GUEST:Ed Conroy@retorontarioretrontario.com
Part 1 | Richard Crouse - Why 4,000 Iconic Interviews Vanished — And What Remains What happens when a generation’s worth of Hollywood interviews disappears overnight? Richard Crouse shares the bittersweet reality behind losing over 4,000 tapes from his long-running TV show, revealing how decades of entertainment history were wiped away — and what he's doing to preserve what’s left. Inside, Crouse reflects on the evolution of his podcast archive, the challenges of media preservation, and why curating by curiosity still matters. From Alice Cooper and Elvis Costello to an upcoming chat with Will Arnett, he offers a peek behind the mic. Plus, they cover Bridget Jones’s new statue, the politics of public art, and a lawsuit over the name "Swim Shady." Discover what’s lost, what’s saved, and what it all means for the future of cultural memory. Part 2 | Booze and Reviews: Wicked for Good: Big Performances, Bold Cocktails, and a 5-Hour Movie Experience Is a five-hour movie ever worth it? Richard Crouse returns with a take on Wicked for Good, the second half of one of the most ambitious musical adaptations in years. While the runtime may be massive, Crouse argues the payoff — especially from Ariana Grande’s surprising performance — might just be worth the sit. Alongside his review, Richard blends his signature “booze and reviews” with a cocktail lineup straight from the Emerald City: sugar-rimmed ruby drinks, pop rock fizz, and bright green martinis to match the fantasy. Plus, a few fun facts about forgotten liqueurs and what happens when your bottle of Galliano collects dust for a decade. A movie conversation that’s equal parts critique, nostalgia, and mixology. GUEST:Richard Crouserichardcrouse.ca
Part 1: Behind the Curtain: Oz, Optics & Ottawa’s Political TheatreWhat do Conservative MPs hiding from a vote and the Wizard of Oz have in common? More than you'd think. This week, Jamie Ellerton and Lindsay Broadhead join Shane Hewitt for a spirited breakdown of Ottawa’s latest budget drama—complete with theatrical metaphors, sharp critiques, and a few unexpected laughs. From dancing on YouTube to drawing parallels between political optics and flying monkeys, the conversation veers from playful to pointed. Ellerton calls out party posturing, Broadhead defends the budget’s deeper work, and Hewitt holds everyone to account. Through it all, they ask: if everyone’s playing politics, who’s actually leading? Part 2: Cash-for-Votes, Cursive, and the Curtain in Canadian PoliticsIs corruption getting more blatant—or just more boring? Shane Hewitt sits down with Jamie Ellerton and Lindsay Broadhead to unpack a week where Canadian headlines felt like they were written by a satire generator. A Liberal leadership scandal in Quebec sparks big questions about trust, shortcuts, and whether political ambition still means something. Ellerton defends the majority of good-faith politicians while acknowledging how campaigns invite chaos. Broadhead sees the slow erosion of trust but holds space for optimism. And Shane, naturally, compares it all to Stranger Things portals and Oz-like illusions. Add in a Canada Post crisis and a cursive debate, and you’ve got a conversation that’s insightful, weirdly relatable, and sharper than a ruby slipper heel. GUEST: Jamie Ellertonconaptus.com Lindsay Broadheadbroadheadcomms.ca Originally aired on 2025-11-19
Stranger Things draws from real experiments darker than the show itself. Dr. Lee Kuhnle of The Uncover Up podcast reveals how 1980s Cold War paranoia birthed CIA programs like MKUltra and Stargate — testing LSD, mind control, and psychic spying, with chilling consequences. Some victims never recovered. Some files were destroyed. Some truths are still unknown. Unpack the Canadian connection to CIA torture experiments, the military’s attempt to weaponize clairvoyance, and how the fictional Dr. Brenner eerily mirrors real-life figures. It’s not about fueling paranoia — it’s about exposing what actually happened, and what stories get left out of history. GUEST:Dr. Lee Kuhnle@theuncoverup Originally aired on 2025-11-19
What happens when you remove Donald Trump’s voice from a Donald Trump speech? Chaos. Comedy. Confusion. Shane and Ryan test this viral trend live on the air, stripping the delivery from a recent Trump rant and reading it word-for-word—no impressions, just raw text. The result? A surreal journey through bathroom water restrictions, soggy dishwashers, and filet-o-fish complaints with all the grammatical acrobatics left exposed. Whether you find it funny, baffling, or bizarrely poetic, this moment delivers pure political theatre without the actor. Plus, bonus banter on Diet Coke devotion, McDonald’s metaphors, and the ghost of a fired speechwriter. Originally aired on 2025-11-19
A surprising shift is happening: Gen Z, the most digitally connected and culturally skeptical generation, is quietly rediscovering faith. But not in the way previous generations did. Shane Hewitt speaks with mental health educator and speaker Calissa Ngozi about the rise of spiritual curiosity among young adults—and what it says about modern loneliness, leadership gaps, and the need for belonging. They unpack how church spaces are changing, what “faith” looks like beyond four walls, and whether this trend is part of a broader rejection of chaos and culture wars. From sweatpants in pews to social media soul-searching, this conversation explores the deeper need for connection, meaning, and mental health tools in a noisy world. GUEST:Calissa NgoziOriginally aired on 2025-11-19
Stranger Things might be fiction, but the inspiration behind it is anything but. From government mind control programs to interdimensional portals and Cold War paranoia, Shane Hewitt and Ryan dig into how the hit Netflix series draws on decades of real-world conspiracy lore. They unpack the wild truths behind MK Ultra, the Montauk Project, and the government’s history of weaponized experimentation—and ask: could a show like this shape how we think about conspiracy today? From pop culture to classified files, this is a conversation about what we believe, why we believe it, and what Stranger Things actually says about us. Originally aired on 2025-11-19
What happens when AI use becomes mandatory at work—and you’re punished for not using it enough? Greg Fish joins Shane Hewitt to break down the corporate AI arms race, where performance reviews now hinge on how often you prompt a bot. It’s not just tech hype. It’s a restructuring of how we work, why we work, and whether humans still fit into the loop. Fish unpacks the obsession with automation among executives, the pressure to conform to rigid systems, and what it really means when your creativity is just feeding a machine. They compare modern workplaces to feudal towns and Soviet-era make-work factories—and ask: are we sleepwalking into a world where productivity replaces purpose? GUEST: Greg Fishcyberpunksurvivalguide.com Originally aired on 2025-11-19
Amazon has declared war on dollar stores — and your neighborhood shops may be next. Tony Chapman joins to break down “Amazon Hall,” the retail giant’s latest move to dominate the discount market with under-$25 impulse buys. But behind the flash deals lies a bigger question: are we trading away real-world retail, community, and sustainability for convenience? From Black Friday manipulations to algorithm-fueled shopping urges, this episode pulls back the curtain on modern marketing tricks and the creeping cultural cost of getting what you want fast. GUEST:Tony Chapmanchatterthatmatters.ca Originally aired on 2025-11-19
One man. Four pairs of broken dollar-store glasses. Zero FIFA tickets. Bob Addison returns with a festive survival story straight out of suburban Canada — complete with decorating disasters, a sidelined wife nursing three fractured ribs, and a World Cup ticket-buying attempt that nearly broke the internet (and his patience). From the pressure of neighborhood light displays post-Diwali to a failed mission to secure cheap seats at BC Place, this episode captures the beautiful madness of the holiday season. Plus: the unforgettable snow-covered “Icicle Kick” from Canada’s soccer championship, and Bob’s backup plan to see real World Cup action in Seattle. GUEST:Bob Addison@riobobbo Originally aired on 2025-11-19
Most men say “I’m fine” when they’re anything but. In this episode, Todd Minerson of Movember Canada unpacks the silence behind that small lie — and what it takes to break through. From epic bike rides in the rain to hot wing contests and polar dips, Canadians are finding creative ways to talk about men's health. But underneath the fun is something heavier: unspoken struggles, emotional isolation, and a cultural script that teaches men not to ask for help. Todd and Shane talk about real change — not just moustaches, but mindsets. Learn why open-ended questions matter, how to spot “heavy boots,” and what being a “salty activist” really means. Discover how Movember is helping men rewrite the story of masculinity — one honest conversation at a time. GUEST:Todd Minersonhttp://movember.com Originally aired on 2025-11-18
Waking up should be simple. But for most, it’s not. This solo episode tackles the hidden habits that shape our mornings—and quietly shape our lives. Shane Hewitt shares what he’s learned from exhaustion, reflection, and observing his own first thoughts of the day. From checking email out of fear to chasing someone else’s version of “success,” this isn’t just about sleep. It’s about reclaiming your mornings before they’re hijacked. Expect honesty, insight, and one surprisingly helpful nerdy sleep tip. Originally aired on 2025-11-17
Good News Tuesday kicks off with an ironic twist: a rundown of the most stolen cars in Canada. But there’s more beneath the headlines. Shane Hewitt challenges how we frame stats and flips the script on what “good” news really means. In between laughs, lessons, and a little car envy, this episode reminds us that gratitude can start small—like still owning your 2006 Sierra. Plus, the science of joy, the power of perspective, and why even not bad” counts as good news on the right kind of Tuesday. Originally aired on 2025-11-18
It’s not just feel-good fluff—Good News Tuesday is built on the idea that shared wins change mindsets. Shane Hewitt, Ryan O’Donnell, and David Hunter mix laughs and light with stories that span wedding proposals, beard oil deliveries, and a stunning Magic: The Gathering card collab. But at its heart, this episode is about compassion: a Sudbury woman finds shelter after homelessness, thanks to community care. Whether it’s personal, playful, or profound, the message is clear—good news matters more than ever. Originally aired on 2025-11-18