The Decibel

Stephanie Levitz, a senior reporter from The Globe and Mail, dives into the rapidly changing landscape of Canadian politics after a tumultuous 2025. She discusses Justin Trudeau's resignation and Mark Carney's ascent to Liberal leader, dissecting the paths to a potential majority for Carney. Levitz highlights the possibility of Conservative defections, the complexities of inter-provincial pipeline politics, and the diplomatic challenges with the U.S. Each party faces unique hurdles, making the race for 2026 crucial.

Joe Castaldo, a technology reporter for The Globe and Mail, delves into the repercussions of generative AI on critical thinking in education. He discusses a KPMG survey revealing that over 70% of Canadians use AI for schoolwork, raising concerns among educators about declining engagement and critical thinking skills. Castaldo elaborates on a study linking high AI usage to lower thinking scores, and explores how this reliance impacts student confidence. He also suggests effective strategies for integrating AI in learning while preserving essential skills.

Jennifer Yang, a health sciences reporter, narrates the harrowing journey of Maryam Fatima, born with hemimegalencephaly, a condition causing severe seizures. Muzna Nafees, Maryam's mother, shares intimate details of her daughter's struggles, from hitching breaths to relentless seizures. Dr. Prakash Muthusamy, a neurointerventionist, explains the groundbreaking endovascular embolic hemispherectomy procedure that saved Maryam's life. The emotional discussions reveal the critical decisions families face in desperate medical situations.

Rebecca Tucker, Deputy arts editor at The Globe and Mail, and Josh O'Kane, arts reporter, discuss the creation of a list of 101 essential Canadian albums, emphasizing music's role in shaping national identity. Singer-songwriter Joel Plaskett shares how Joni Mitchell's 'Blue' influences his work, while Tamara Lindeman of The Weather Station reflects on Jennifer Castle's album that shaped her songwriting. The conversation explores overlooked artists, CanCon policies, and the diverse experience of Canadian music, revealing its impact on culture.

Marcia Lederman, a Globe colleague, shares her heartwarming story about adopting a kitten named Lucy, brought into her life unexpectedly. Another guest, the owner of Big Guy, recounts adopting an older orange cat who made a remarkable recovery from a feral existence. The podcast highlights how these pets, from kittens to senior cats, arrive during pivotal times, transforming lives and becoming beloved family members. These touching, personal tales create a warm celebration of the companionship pets bring, especially during the holiday season.

Zosia Bielski, The Globe and Mail's insightful time-use reporter, dives into why our perception of time can feel skewed. She explores how hustle culture and stress distort our experience, noting that Canadians have felt the most time-pressured in decades. Zosia connects busyness language to this feeling, discusses the impact of screen time and the pandemic on our sense of time, and suggests ways to reclaim it through novelty, nature, and mindfulness. Grief's expansion of time also reveals how we can learn to value everyday moments.

Kelly Nestruck, a television critic at The Globe and Mail, joins to unravel the surprising success of the Canadian series Heated Rivalry, a love story between two male hockey players. He discusses why the show resonates widely, especially with American audiences, and highlights its unique portrayal of sexuality driven by physical chemistry. Nestruck also explores the appeal to straight women and the show's handling of homophobia. He argues that this success showcases the potential for Canadian narratives in the global market.

Steven Chase, a senior parliamentary reporter at The Globe and Mail, dives deep into the case of Matthew Robar, a Canadian military officer charged with espionage. He discusses Robar's background, his alleged leaks of sensitive information to Ukraine, and the legal implications under Canadian law. Chase explores motivations behind the actions, the potential risk to Canada's security, and the resulting strain on Canada-Ukraine relations. He also highlights concerns about oversight in military intelligence and outlines the next steps in the legal process.

Sarah Bartnicka, a freelance journalist for The Globe and Mail, dives into the booming trend of medical tourism among Canadians. She explores why people are seeking treatments abroad, from cosmetic surgeries to joint replacements, often driven by long wait times and cost savings. Sarah highlights key destinations like Turkey for hair transplants and Mexico for dental work, revealing substantial price differences. However, she also warns of the risks involved, including variable care standards and emergency costs, urging thorough vetting of clinics before travel.

In this insightful discussion, David Shribman, executive editor emeritus of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, shares his experiences covering the Tree of Life shooting and the ongoing impact of antisemitic violence. He explores the historical patterns of such attacks globally, reflecting on community solidarity in the wake of tragedy and how Pittsburgh’s response can offer lessons for Sydney after the recent Bondi Beach shooting. Shribman emphasizes the vital role of governments in combating antisemitism and reflects on the profound symbolism of Hanukkah amidst these challenges.