The Big Story

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 Big Story partners with NewsRadio to break down the biggest stories in politics in 2024.  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 Big Story partners with NewsRadio for a look back at some of the biggest stories of 2024.   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

If it feels like your kids are bleeding you dry, there's evidence that it's actually true.   A new story in the Walrus suggests the average amount to raise 2 kids until they're 17 is $293,000, even more if the kids attend post-secondary.  Host Kris McCusker is speaking with the writer of the piece in the Walrus, Chantal Braganza.    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 was a volatile year for the Canadian economy.  Host Mike Eppel speaks with Doug Porter, Chief Economist at BMO about what predictions came true this year and what Canadians can expect in 2025.   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 year for Toronto mayor Olivia Chow.  Host Momin Qureshi sits down with Chow at Toronto City Hall to talk about some of the challenges this year and what's expected for residents in Canada's biggest city in 2025.   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

Superstar Taylor Swift had 9 sold out shows in Canada this year and while some Swifties were able to snag tickets via Ticketmaster, others weren't so lucky.   Many opted to take the third-party route and ended up spending outrageous amounts of money for a chance to see the show.   Is there a better way to buy concert tickets?   On this episode of the Big Story we talk to Shannon Mckarney from Etobicoke, Ontario who's started a petition on Change.org calling for the regulation of ticket re-selling. 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

NewsRadio's national talk show host Rob Snow sits down with leader of the Official Opposition, Pierre Poilievre, about the dramatic week in Canadian politics and what comes 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

We're looking into our crystal ball here at the Big Story and looking at some of the economic trends, both positive and negative, that will dominate in Canada in 2025.   Host Kris McCusker speaks to Shannon Terrell and Clay Jarvis at NerdWallet Canada about what they’re watching going forward and how Canadians can put themselves in the best position to thrive next year.    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

What a week in Canadian politics!    From a stunning resignation, to a tonne of speculation about the future of Justin Trudeau, there's a lot to talk about.  Host Mike Eppel is breaking down a historic week with Darryl Bricker, the Global CEO of Ipsos Public affairs and digging in about what comes 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

In the weeks since United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was gunned down on the street in Manhattan, the public’s reaction has become a major part of the story. While some condemn the killing of an innocent man, many are publicly celebrating the shooter’s act of violence. Why are so many Americans unfazed by the targeted killing of a CEO? Host David Smith speaks with Ali Breland, staff writer for The Atlantic, who has been writing about the public’s treatment of alleged killer Luigi Mangione.  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 was chaos in the nation’s capital on Monday as Parliament Hill was rocked by the sudden resignation of federal finance minister Chrystia Freeland.  What does this latest high profile resignation mean for the Trudeau government’s future?Host David Smith speaks with Garry Keller, former advisor to prime minister Stephen Harper and Vice President at Strategy Corp. 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, the government will be unveiling its fall fiscal update - what should Canadians be expecting?   And are the Liberals trying to spend their way to re-election?   Host Cormac Mac Sweeney with Tyler Meredith, Senior Fellow, Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy.  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 new study suggests 74% of Canadian professionals are looking to change jobs.In this economy, is now a good time? Is the grass always greener?Host Mike Eppel speaks with Martin Fox, Managing Director at Robert Walters Canada.  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

Over the past few years, homeless encampments have become a fixture in every major city across Canada. Governments of all stripes have been grappling with the best approach to dealing with them. Is it best to clear out encampments, and push the people living there into the shelter system? Or is it better to take a hands off approach, and accommodate encampments as best as possible? In the province of Ontario, the Ford Government has taken the drastic step of tabling legislation to give municipalities more power to evict people living on public land, and shield authorities from lawsuits afterwards. Is that a step in the wrong direction? Host David Smith speaks with Tim Richter, CEO of the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness, about why governments are struggling to effectively deal with chronic homelessness.Over the past few years, homeless encampments have become a fixture in every major city across Canada. Governments of all stripes have been grappling with the best approach to dealing with them. Is it best to clear out encampments, and push the people living there into the shelter system? Or is it better to take a hands off approach, and accommodate encampments as best as possible? In the province of Ontario, the Ford Government has taken the drastic step of tabling legislation to give municipalities more power to evict people living on public land, and shield authorities from lawsuits afterwards. Is that a step in the wrong direction? Host David Smith speaks with Tim Richter, CEO of the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness, about why governments are struggling to effectively deal with chronic homelessness. 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 jumbo cut expected by the Bank of Canada actually happened - but what does it mean for you?  Host Kris McCusker speaks with Senior Economist Jules Boudreau at Mackenzie Investments about his concerns for the Canadian economy – and why he thinks interest rates will need to move lower. 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

After 50 years of the oppressive Assad regime, the people of Syria will get a new government. In just two weeks, rebel forces swept through the country and took control of the capital of Damascus. Now, the hard work of nation building begins. Can a new regime heal a traumatized country and usher in an era of peace and prosperity for the long-suffering Syrian people? Host David Smith speaks with Professor Elliot Tepper, Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University, about what’s next for the country. 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

While inflation may have cooled in Canada this year, the price of groceries is still increasing faster than before the pandemic. According to the 2025 Canadian Food Price Report, families can expect to pay $800 more for food next year than they did this year.But it's not all bad news - there are some savings to be had!  Host David Smith speaks with report author Sylvain Charlebois, head of the Agrifood Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University, about the outlook for Canadians struggling to fill the fridge on a budget. 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

Taking a flight can be expensive, and you could be facing new fees in the new year.  Air Canada has announced new charges for passengers picking their lowest fare option, so if you want to bring a carry on bag, or pick your seat, then you’ll have additional charges.  The federal government says it's disappointed by this news, but hasn’t said what action it will take.  Host Cormac Mac Sweeney speaks with John Gradek, an aviation management lecturer at McGill University about why airlines are charging you more, what options the government has, and whether increased competition in the airline industry can bring you some airfare relief.  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

Times are tough for many Canadians - and maybe spending money you don't have doesn't fit into your plans this year. Or maybe you want the money you do spend on gifts to be put to good use. Lisa Hannam is the Editor in Chief at MoneySense.ca. She speaks to host Kris McCusker about how to have an awkward conversation if you don't want to buy gifts this year - and would rather focus on what's really important. 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