

The Decibel
The Globe and Mail
Context is everything. Join us Monday to Friday for a Canadian daily news podcast from The Globe and Mail. Explore a story shaping our world, in conversation with reporters, experts, and the people at the centre of the news.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 25, 2024 • 21min
A new Canada-U.S. border crossing and Windsor’s economic boom
The Globe's national science reporter Ivan Semeniuk discusses the Gordie Howe International Bridge, detailing its economic impact, construction challenges, and the benefits it brings to Windsor's economic growth. The bridge symbolizes the strong Canada-U.S. relationship and revitalizes the Detroit Windsor corridor.

Jun 24, 2024 • 22min
How to make friends as an adult
Zosia Bielski, a national reporter, discusses the challenges of making friends as an adult in a digital age. The podcast explores using apps and speed dating events for platonic connections. It also highlights the importance of maintaining friendships for mental well-being and delves into gender differences in forming relationships.

Jun 21, 2024 • 34min
Introducing ‘Lately’: The Globe and Mail’s business and tech podcast
Author and Polaris Award-winning artist Cadence Weapon discusses the impact of streaming algorithms, ticket prices, and AI invasion on the music industry. He delves into challenges faced by artists, decline in concert ticket sales, and the nostalgia of music production in the early 2000s. The podcast explores tech influence on artistic expression, industry challenges, and the need for support and advocacy for artists in a changing landscape.

Jun 20, 2024 • 23min
Why Elon Musk’s $50 billion payday scandal matters
David Milstead, a reporter and columnist, discusses why executives receive massive paydays even if they fail to meet company targets. The podcast explores the controversies surrounding Elon Musk's $50 billion payday and the implications for Canadian companies. It also delves into CEO compensation structures, accountability in bonus plans, and shareholder influence on executive pay.

Jun 19, 2024 • 23min
AI hype vs. AI reality
Joe Castaldo, The Globe’s Report on Business reporter, discusses the challenges of AI products, testing models, the discrepancies between AI hype and reality, and the necessity of resetting expectations for Generative AI in the tech industry.

Jun 18, 2024 • 26min
Climate change, migration and Menaka’s epic birding day
Menaka Raman-Wilms, Rachel Levy-McLaughlin, and Marcus Gee explore the impact of climate change on bird migration at Point Pelee National Park. They witness the challenges faced by birds due to shifting conditions and declining populations. The episode highlights the significance of diverse habitats and conservation efforts to revive endangered bird species.

Jun 17, 2024 • 25min
The fallout from a law school’s pro-Palestinian letter
Robyn Doolittle, The Globe's corporate law reporter, discusses the crisis at a law school following a pro-Palestinian letter. The fallout includes lost funding and job opportunities, sparking division and controversy within the school. Students and faculty navigate political tensions, while the school faces backlash and scrutiny from the legal community.

Jun 14, 2024 • 21min
The elite soldiers behind the major battles for Ukraine: Part Two
Senior international correspondent, Mark MacKinnon, discusses the critical role elite Ukrainian soldiers played in defending Kharkiv, the toll of fighting on them, and how they cope with their experiences. The episode explores the soldiers' emotional struggles, their risky missions, and the disappointment of Western military expectations.

Jun 13, 2024 • 25min
The elite soldiers behind the major battles for Ukraine: Part One
Journalist Mark MacKinnon shares gripping accounts of the elite Ukrainian soldiers behind major battles like Kyiv and Mariupol. They discuss daring rescues in Afghanistan, building trust with soldiers using code names, defending critical airports during the invasion, and the valor and sacrifices of soldiers like Markus and Azar.

Jun 12, 2024 • 22min
Maternity care and midwives in Canada’s health labour shortage
Former health reporter Carly Weeks discusses the importance of midwives in Canada's healthcare system, their role in childbirth, challenges they face with recognition and pay equity, and innovative programs to integrate midwives into the healthcare system to address staff shortages and improve access to care.