The Big Story

Democrats and Republicans are clashing south of the border, and it’s led to a government shutdown.The two parties are locked in a dispute over health care funding, but the standoff has also led to federal services being suspended, workers not getting paid, funding for “blue” states being cut, and a flurry of memes and AI videos that have been described as racist.Host Cormac Mac Sweeney speaks with NBC News Senior Washington Editor Sarah Mimms about the cause of the shut down, the impact on Americans, how long this may last, and what problems this could cause for Canadian travelers and businesses. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

From balancing busy schedules to shifting interests, managing friendships as an adult can sometimes feel like a task. Throw in the pandemic’s impact on social interactions and managing conversations around divisive politics…and you have a recipe for strained relationships (perhaps even before they start).Host Melanie Ng speaks with clinical psychologist Dr. Loren Soeiro about how to take inventory of your friendships in order to make more meaningful connections. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

The European Union recently banned the sale and use of Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide - also known as TPO - for its alleged reproductive toxicant qualities. Most gel nail polishes contain TPO, as it's the key ingredient to ensure a shiny finish after hardening following exposure to UV light.However, Canada has yet to take any similar action, considering its risk-based model for product regulation. But if the writing is on the wall about TPO's dangers, what is stopping Health Canada from taking a proactive stance on reproductive safety?Host Maria Kestane speaks to Miriam Diamond, a professor in the department of earth sciences & The School of the Environment at the University of Toronto to discuss the different regulatory approaches between the EU and Canada, and how Canadians can make their own informed choices on the treatments they pay for. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

Today, Canadians from coast to coast will confront the dark legacy of residential schools and honour the children who never came home. But on this National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, there are demands for more than just reflection.Indigenous communities are at a critical point in relations with Prime Minister Mark Carney over new legislation that fast-tracks big energy and infrastructure projects, calling into focus Indigenous sovereignty and whether the country is moving backwards on the long road of reconciliation.Host Caryn Ceolin speaks with Assembly of First Nations Yukon Regional Chief Kluane Adamek about what reconciliation looks like in an era of global uncertainty, and how Canadians can meaningfully carry this work forward well beyond one day. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

It's a feeling you only want to feel once - the panic of suspecting an abrupt light flash as you're driving, only to receive a ticket in the mail a few weeks later with a picture of your car next to an owed-amount for speeding. Well, it's a feeling Ontarians soon won't be feeling ever again.Premier Ford plans to put pen to paper on his dislike for speed enforcement cameras, announcing last week his government's incoming legislation to ban them in a fight against what he calls a 'cash-grab', after the fact safety tool. Instead, he's investing to help municipalities implement speed bumps, round abouts and other traffic-calming measures. But it's a move that's garnered as much support as it has pushback, with groups pleading with Ford to think twice before canning a tool that saves lives and makes drivers think twice before using their heavy foot. Host Maria Kestane speaks to Benjamin Wolfe, assistant professor of psychology at the University of Toronto, and Co-Director of the Applied Perception and Psychophysics Laboratory to discuss what the changes in road safety measures could look like, and how driver behaviour is influenced way before someone gets in their car and turns the key. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

A recent report from the University of Ottawa shows 22 out of the 34 municipalities in Ontario were given failing grades in regards to taxes and red tape restrictions surrounding development acceleration.And unfortunately, Toronto seems to be wearing that 'F' right on its sleeve, reporting under 120 new condo sales in the month of August - a number that hasn't been that low in decades.And with the federal government making legislation to increase not just more housing, but affordable housing, how can we reignite builds?Host Mike Eppel speaks to Residential Construction Council of Ontario President Richard Lyall to get the answers.Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy? We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need. Email us at: rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com. Thank you for listening! We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

This week, from a White House lectern and televised to the world, President Donald Trump gave an explicit warning to America’s pregnant women: Tylenol use during pregnancy could lead to autism.The claim is contradicted by decades of scientific research that has not conclusively demonstrated a causal link.It’s alarmed health experts who say Trump’s comments also amplify an entrenched prejudice around women’s pain, with real-life consequences.Host Caryn Ceolin speaks with Sabina Vohra-Miller, a Doctor of Public Health candidate and expert in clinical pharmacology, about how unproven medical advice from the highest levels of government can actively endanger women’s health. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

Prime Minister Mark Carney joined several key allies this week at the United Nations General Assembly in adding their names to the list of countries recognizing Palestinian statehood. The move is an attempt to increase pressure toward a two state solution amid the war between Israel and Hamas.Will recognition help lead to a two state solution, will it embolden Hamas, and can Canada do more to hasten a ceasefire? Host Cormac Mac Sweeney speaks with Colin Robertson, a former Canadian diplomat who served at the U.N., to get the answers. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel has returned to television screens, but concerns linger over whether free speech in America is under threat.Kimmel’s short-lived suspension, which followed a thinly-veiled threat from a top Trump official, was viewed by many as the latest example of government censorship.Even before Kimmel went dark, a government crackdown aimed at silencing the president’s critics was already underway, igniting a firestorm of debate about one of America’s most sacred civil liberties.Host Caryn Ceolin speaks with Eugene Volokh, Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, to discuss the Trump administration's power to limit what people can say, and why free speech everywhere is vulnerable. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

A flotilla of ships has set sail from the western end of the Mediterranean to the Gaza Strip, where a devastating war has destroyed much of the Palestinian territory. The ships hope to transport food, water and medicine, in defiance of Israel’s naval blockade of the Gaza Strip.But the flotilla is unlikely to reach its destination. Nearly all attempts to deliver aid to Gaza by sea have been intercepted by Israeli forces. Compounding fears of possible violence, one of the Gaza-bound vessels taking part in this latest mission was struck by a suspected drone earlier this month while docked in Tunisia.Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Toronto-based pro-Palestinian activist Zaheera Soomar from her boat in the Mediterranean, about the mission to deliver aid to Gaza, and why she’s willing to risk her life to do it. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

The Bank of Canada has cut interest rates for the first time since March, and just a few hours later - on the same day - the U-S Federal Reserve followed suit with its first cut this year.It comes with both economies struggling, but that’s where the similarities end.The two central banks have very different mandates, and while trade uncertainty has made the job tricky on both sides of the border, two distinct but connected stories continue to play out.There are also concerns about Canada's real estate market - and how interest rates could impact access to affordable housing.Host Kris McCusker speaks to Randall Bartlett, Deputy Chief Economist at Desjardins Group, about both decisions, the thinking behind the cuts, and what might be coming next. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

Enjoy this special feed drop of Bite Back with Abbey Sharp. In today’s episode of Bite Back with Abbey Sharp, I’m joined by Canadian actor, podcaster, and cystic fibrosis advocate Jeremie Saunders, host of the hit show SickBoy. Building on his lived experience with CF, Jeremie has built a platform that breaks stigma and opens up real conversations about what it means to live well with chronic illness. Together, we talk about the disorienting reality of rapid body changes — whether from medication, illness, or simply moving through different stages of life — and how to navigate these shifts with compassion and grace. This conversation goes beyond chronic disease, offering lessons that resonate with anyone who’s ever struggled with body image, identity, or change.Here’s a run down of what we discussed in today’s episode:IntroductionLife With Cystic FibrosisFood Challenges With Cystic FibrosisTrikafta and the Metabolic ShiftBecoming a Stranger in Your Own BodyBody Changes, CF, and the Rise of #SkinnyTokDiet Culture Temptations and Disordered EatingWhen Wellness Culture Gets It WrongWhy “Natural” Isn’t a Moral FlexHumour as a Tool for Coping With Chronic IllnessSelf-Compassion Through Body ChangesGratitude, Growth, and Moving ForwardCheck in with today’s amazing guest:Podcast: SickboyInstagram: @jeremiesaundersYoutube: /sickboymediaDisclaimer: The content in this episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is never a substitute for medical advice. If you’re struggling with with your mental or physical health, please work one on one with a health care provider.If you have heard yourself in our discussion today, and are looking for support, contact the free NEDIC helpline at 1-866-NEDIC-20 or go to eatingdisorderhope.com.🥤 Check out my 2-in-1 Plant Based Probiotic Protein Powder, neue theory at www.neuetheory.com or @neuetheory and use my promo code BITEBACK20 to get 20% off your order!Don’t forget to Please subscribe on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts and leave us a review! It really helps us out.✉️ SUBSCRIBE TO MY NEWSLETTERS ⤵️Neue Theory newsletterAbbey's Kitchen newsletter🥞 FREE HUNGER CRUSHING COMBO™ E-BOOK!💪🏼 FREE PROTEIN 101 E-BOOK!📱 Follow me!Instagram: @abbeyskitchenTikTok: @abbeyskitchenYouTube: @AbbeysKitchenMy blog, Abbey’s Kitchen www.abbeyskitchen.comMy book, The Mindful Glow Cookbook affiliate link: https://amzn.to/3NoHtvfIf you liked this podcast, please like, follow, and leave a review with your thoughts and let me know who you want me to discuss next! We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

One by one, companies are mandating their employees to kiss their hybrid work-from-home model goodbye and head back into the office. But what once was before the pandemic rocked society's work-life balance, is no longer, and companies need to take the extra mile to ensure their offices pose as a productive workspace for their employees to thrive in.Host of In This Economy!? Mike Eppel speaks to Sarah Bramley, Senior VP, Workplace Advisory for Colliers Canada. She co-authored a recent report that detailed the relationship between a great office space and increased productivity. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

To post-secondary or to not post-secondary?The back and forth for almost 40% of Canadians who feel unsure whether or not higher education is worth their time and money. A recent Ipsos survey for CourseCompare, a data-based platform on Canadian post-secondary information, revealed that their Gen Z respondents felt the most confused about the value of post-secondary education, with 46% saying they were unsure about what good a degree or diploma could do for them. And besides the numbers, an overall pendulum swing in sentiment towards higher education is also driving uncertainty towards staying in school. Couple that with high tuition prices, changing student visa legislation, and AI's role, and the pendulum just keeps on swinging. Host Pooja Handa speaks to Robert Furtado, the CEO of CourseCompare to discuss their Return on Education index, a database that categorizes which degrees and diplomas give you the best return on investment. The two also talk about what skills you need to protect yourself from the current volatile job market.You can learn more about CourseCompare here:https://www.coursecompare.ca/https://www.coursecompare.ca/roe-index/ We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

It’s been a busy start to the fall sitting of Parliament.Ahead of the end of its first week back, long-time minister Chrystia Freeland announced she decided to leave her cabinet post at Transport, while the Prime Minister announced her appointment as a new special envoy to Ukraine. Meanwhile the Ottawa confirmed its budget will be coming November 4th, with a substantial deficit attached.Host Cormac Mac Sweeney speaks with Tyler Meredith, a former economic advisor to the government, about Freeland’s departure and legacy, and what to expect in the delayed fiscal plan. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

There are growing calls from some federal and provincial politicians for the Carney government to abolish Canada’s temporary foreign worker program, claiming companies are using the it to find cheaper labour. The push came after the job numbers for August showed tens of thousands of losses and a high unemployment rate for young Canadians.But the government is pushing back, saying TFW use is in significant decline and the program is needed. So what’s really happening with Canada’s job market and are foreign workers to blame?Host Cormac Mac Sweeney speaks with McGill economics professor Fabian Lange to find out.  We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

The denouncement of political violence has never been louder than right now in America, but the gap that positions itself between the country's opposing political ideologies has simultaneously never been wider. In the wake of Charlie Kirk's death, Americans and the world at large, have become reminded, once again, just how severe the reality of political violence has become. Death threats towards politicians, the notorious acts of January 6, and calculated assassinations of influential public figures - to name a few. But what about Canada? How sensitive are we to political violence? And what can be done to further distance our reality from that of America's?Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Justin Ling, a freelance journalist and author of the Bug-eyed and Shameless newsletter to do a pulse check of where things stand on this side of the border, and how Canadians can take matters into their own hands to prevent further widening the political polarization gap. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

Federal politicians are back in their seats in the House of Commons today, to kick start the fall sitting of Parliament.It's expected to be a jam packed agenda for the next few months, as the federal government continues to try and stickhandle the tariff war with the US, put together a balancing act budget, releases a new housing plan, and unveils new trade and climate strategies. All this as the opposition parties sort out lingering leadership questions.Host Cormac Mac Sweeney speaks with Mount Royal University political scientist Lori Williams who breaks down the challenges and political risks facing the Carney government. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

The name Terry Fox is synonymous with courage, perseverance and promise. After losing his leg at just 18 years old, his run across Canada inspired generations to come – and to date, has raised over $900 million for cancer research. His journey was deeply rooted in wanting to do more, by raising awareness and to help others see strength, not weakness. These same sentiments were true for George Hincks and Marshall McDougall, two Canadian men who both had a leg amputated as a result of injuries sustained in World War I. Their hike across our nation is a story you may not have heard - but once you do, you will never forget.Host Melanie Ng speaks with Eric Story, the author of a feature about George Hincks and Marshall McDougall. Eric is an adjunct professor at Wilfrid Laurier University and a postdoctoral fellow at Western University. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

One of Earth's closest planetary neighbours could be harbouring life of its own.That's the finding concluded from what a rock sample, collected by NASA's Perseverance Mars rover, obtained during its time out there. Researchers say that a biosignature was potentially found within the sample, indicating a sign of past or current life on the planet.Host Cormac Mac Sweeney speaks to Dr. Mariek Schmidt, a professor at Brock University, and one of the several Canadian researches a part of NASA's team to discuss how her and the team made the discovery, and how it compares to how life on our planet began. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter