Trailblazers and Troublemakers

Andrew Douglas, managing editor of Frank Magazine, discusses the publication's place in the Nova Scotia media landscape and its coverage of last year's mass shooting. Check out Frank Magazine here: https://www.frankmagazine.ca/. Read host Scott Costen's March 2020 salute to Frank: https://scottdcosten.wordpress.com/2020/03/19/13/. Follow the podcast on Twitter: @TrailTroublePod. Email the podcast at trailtroublepod@gmail.com. Creative commons music courtesy of www.audionautix.com.

Communist Party of Canada leader Elizabeth Rowley discusses her political career and the CPC's past, present and future. Email the podcast: trailtroublepod@gmail.com. Follow the podcast on Twitter: @TrailTroublePod. Creative commons music courtesy of www.audionautix.com.

Matthew Green, NDP Member of Parliament for Hamilton Centre, talks about his life, political career and the constituency he represents. Follow the podcast on Twitter @TrailTroublePod. Email the podcast at trailtroublepod@gmail.com. Creative commons music courtesy of www.audionautix.com.

Host Scott Costen speaks with Aaron J. Leonard about his new book, The Folk Singers and the Bureau: The FBI, the Folk Artists and the Suppression of the Communist Party, USA -- 1939-1956. Visit www.aaronleonard.net to order the book and read Aaron's other work. Creative commons music by www.audionautix.com. Follow the podcast on Twitter: @TrailTroublePod. Email the podcast: trailtroublepod@gmail.com

Jay Semko is a Canadian music trailblazer.  As a member of the Northern Pikes, he's had a platinum album, multiple gold records, and songs that appeared on the Billboard charts. The band, which still records and performs, has toured North America numerous times and helped put Saskatchewan on the rock and roll map. Jay's solo albums and compositions for television and movies have garnered critical praise and multiple award nominations. For more information about Jay, his career and work, visit his website www.jaysemko.com. Follow our podcast on Twitter @TrailTroublePod and email us at trailtroublepod@gmail.com

Our guest is history professor, political activist and talk radio host Stuart Parker, who recently stepped down as leader of the BC Ecosocialists following accusations he made transphobic remarks. Stuart discusses the recent controversy, recounts his political journey from leader of the BC Greens to head of the BC Ecosocialists, and offers some analysis on the provincial election. Stuart tells host Scott Costen he'll be devoting more time to the Los Altos Institute. Follow our podcast on Twitter: @TrailTroublePod Email us: trailtroublepod@gmail.com

Denied her language and culture, and rejected by her local journalism school, Maureen Googoo persevered to have a trailblazing career with the Chronicle Herald, CBC News and APTN. She is now the publisher and editor of the Indigenous news site www.kukukwes.com. Scott speaks to Maureen about her life, career and current work covering the ongoing dispute between Indigenous and non-Indigenous fishermen in Nova Scotia.

Simon Black, an award-winning labour studies professor, high-profile activist, and prolific freelance writer reflects on the development of his socialist beliefs, his academic career, and the advocacy group Labour Against the Arms Trade. He also discusses current labour issues and the shifting political loyalties of working-class voters. Follow the podcast on Twitter: @TrailTroublePod. Email the podcast at trailtroublepod@gmail.com. Creative commons music courtesy of www.audionautix.com.

Author, activist, journalist, and broadcaster Judy Rebick joins the podcast to discuss her groundbreaking career in left-wing politics, media, and the women’s rights movement. Follow the podcast on Twitter: @TrailTroublePod. Email the podcast at trailtroublepod@gmail.com. Creative commons music courtesy of www.audionautix.com.

Jodi Brown joins the podcast to discuss her work as an anti-poverty advocate, public housing watchdog, and executive director of the Nova Scotians Helping Nova Scotians Association. She also talks about provincial politics and an upcoming community event in Spryfield. Follow the podcast on Twitter: @TrailTroublePod. Email the podcast at trailtroublepod@gmail.com. Creative commons music courtesy of www.audionautix.com.

Green MP Jenica Atwin discusses her historic electoral breakthrough in Fredericton, the work she's been doing in Parliament, and the issues that matter to her constituents. She also talks about ruffling feathers inside the Green Party of Canada with her recent Twitter comments about violence in the Middle East. Follow the podcast on Twitter: @TrailTroublePod. Email the podcast at trailtroublepod@gmail.com. Creative commons music courtesy of www.audionautix.com.

Award-winning journalist and author Stephen Kimber discusses his career, the state of Canadian media, writing about Cuba, and his latest book 'Alexa! Changing the Face of Canadian Politics'. Follow the podcast on Twitter: @TrailTroublePod. Email the podcast at trailtroublepod@gmail.com. Creative commons music courtesy of www.audionautix.com.

Montreal-based authors and activists Bianca Mugyenyi and Yves Engler discuss the work of the Canadian Foreign Policy Institute. They also reflect on their personal backgrounds, their writing, the importance of internationalism, and the value of political disruptions.  Follow the podcast on Twitter: @TrailTroublePod. Email the podcast at trailtroublepod@gmail.com. Creative commons music courtesy of www.audionautix.com.

Researcher and academic Anthony Fenton joins the podcast to discuss the relationship between Canada and Saudi Arabia. He sheds light on some interesting new developments and the ongoing sale of Canadian-made armoured vehicles and weapons to Riyadh.  Follow the podcast on Twitter: @TrailTroublePod. Email the podcast at trailtroublepod@gmail.com. Creative commons music courtesy of www.audionautix.com.

Author, academic and lawyer Philip Slayton discusses his latest book, Nothing Left to Lose: An Impolite Report on the State of Freedom in Canada. He also talks about COVID-related public health orders and his community involvement in Port Medway, Nova Scotia. Follow the podcast on Twitter: @TrailTroublePod. Email the podcast at trailtroublepod@gmail.com. Creative commons music courtesy of www.audionautix.com.

Political activist and 2019 federal NDP candidate Dirka Prout discusses her upbringing in Trinidad and Tobago, her trailblazing career in geotechnical engineering and the socio-economic issues facing residents of London, Ontario. Follow the podcast on Twitter: @TrailTroublePod. Email the podcast at trailtroublepod@gmail.com. Creative commons music courtesy of www.audionautix.com.

Canadian rock legend Art Bergmann joins Scott to discuss his new single Christo Fascists and forthcoming album Late Stage Empire Dementia. Art also talks about his life and career and the North American political scene. Find Art online at www.artbergmann.com and buy his music at www.porterhouserecords.com. Follow the podcast on Twitter: @TrailTroublePod or email us at trailtroublepod@gmail.com