Hub Podcasts
Hub Media Canada
Welcome to Hub Podcasts, the audio version of the big ideas and in-depth conversations found at TheHub.ca, Canada's fastest growing digital news outlet with half a million people engaging weekly with our content.
Hub Dialogues features The Hub's editor-at-large Sean Speer and managing editor Harrison Lowman engaged in longform conversations with leading thinkers on the big issues and ideas shaping the public conversation.
In Conversation with David Frum features the insights and analysis of leading author, journalist, and thinker David Frum, who weighs in every second Friday on global and Canadian news events.
The news cycle never slows down and neither does Hub Hits. Each day we provide you with quick hits on topical stories, big issues and important voices appearing in The Hub.
Every week, editor-at-large Sean Speer is joined by David Coletto, CEO of Abacus Data, and Amanda Galbraith, principal at Oyster Group, to dig into the drama and strategy of Canadian politics. Topics range from the issues dominating headlines, the communications battles behind the scenes, to the trends shaping parties, leaders, and voters. Some weeks, they'll focus on the hot story in Ottawa.
The Hub's media criticism podcast Full Press looks at how the media in Canada is covering the major stories of the day. Full press is hosted by The Hub's managing editor Harrison Lowman, and features journalist Tara Henley, and veteran news media executive Peter Menzies.
Hub Headlines features audio versions of the best analysis published daily in The Hub. Enjoy listening to original and provocative takes on the issues that matter while you are on the go.
Each Friday, The Hub Roundtable features Hub co-founders Rudyard Griffiths' and Sean Speer's take on the big political and economic stories making the news.
Hub Dialogues features The Hub's editor-at-large Sean Speer and managing editor Harrison Lowman engaged in longform conversations with leading thinkers on the big issues and ideas shaping the public conversation.
In Conversation with David Frum features the insights and analysis of leading author, journalist, and thinker David Frum, who weighs in every second Friday on global and Canadian news events.
The news cycle never slows down and neither does Hub Hits. Each day we provide you with quick hits on topical stories, big issues and important voices appearing in The Hub.
Every week, editor-at-large Sean Speer is joined by David Coletto, CEO of Abacus Data, and Amanda Galbraith, principal at Oyster Group, to dig into the drama and strategy of Canadian politics. Topics range from the issues dominating headlines, the communications battles behind the scenes, to the trends shaping parties, leaders, and voters. Some weeks, they'll focus on the hot story in Ottawa.
The Hub's media criticism podcast Full Press looks at how the media in Canada is covering the major stories of the day. Full press is hosted by The Hub's managing editor Harrison Lowman, and features journalist Tara Henley, and veteran news media executive Peter Menzies.
Hub Headlines features audio versions of the best analysis published daily in The Hub. Enjoy listening to original and provocative takes on the issues that matter while you are on the go.
Each Friday, The Hub Roundtable features Hub co-founders Rudyard Griffiths' and Sean Speer's take on the big political and economic stories making the news.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 18, 2025 • 13min
You ain't special, Canada
Hub Headlines features audio versions of the best commentaries and analysis published daily in The Hub. Enjoy listening to original and provocative takes on the issues that matter while you are on the go. 0:30 - You ain't special, Canada, by Howard Anglin 6:03 - The real reason to be upset by the Toronto International Film Festival scandal, by Ian Cooper This program is narrated by automated voices. To get full-length editions of each instalment of Hub Headlines and other great perks, subscribe to the Hub for only $1 a week: https://thehub.ca/join/hero/ The Hub's podcast channel is sponsored this month by Airbnb. To learn more about how Airbnb is helping, not hurting Canada's economy, visit Airbnb.ca/closerlook. Subscribe to The Hub's podcast feed to get all our best content: https://tinyurl.com/3a7zpd7e (Apple) https://tinyurl.com/y8akmfn7 (Spotify) Watch The Hub on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHubCanada Get a FREE 3-month trial membership for our premium podcast content: https://thehub.ca/free-trial/ The Hub on X: https://x.com/thehubcanada?lang=en CREDITS: Alisha Rao – Producer & Sound Editor
Aug 15, 2025 • 20min
Canada back in China's sights and the TIFF debacle
Rudyard Griffiths and Sean Speer discuss China's announcement of another round of tariffs on Canadian canola exports and what it signals about the inherent risks for Canada in today's great power competition between China and the United States. On the back half of the show, they shift to the controversy surrounding the Toronto International Film Festival's withdrawal of a Canadian documentary on the October 7th attacks, and what this controversy says about broader issues of free speech and discrimination, as well as the dependency of government funding from cultural institutions. The Hub's podcast channel is sponsored this month by Airbnb. To learn more about how Airbnb is helping, not hurting Canada's economy, visit Airbnb.ca/closerlook. To get full-length editions of each instalment of the Hub Roundtable and other great perks, subscribe to the Hub for only $1 a week: https://thehub.ca/join/hero/ The Hub is Canada's fastest growing independent digital news outlet. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to get our latest videos: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHubCanada Subscribe to The Hub's podcast feed to get our best content when you are on the go: https://tinyurl.com/3a7zpd7e (Apple) https://tinyurl.com/y8akmfn7 (Spotify) Want more Hub? Get a FREE 3-month trial membership on us: https://thehub.ca/free-trial/ Follow The Hub on X: https://x.com/thehubcanada?lang=en CREDITS: Amal Attar-Guzman - Producer & Editor Rudyard Griffiths and Sean Speer - Hosts To contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts email support@thehub.ca
Aug 15, 2025 • 31min
How Indigenous leadership is shaping Canada's global energy opportunity
Karen Ogen, CEO of the First Nations Natural Gas Alliance and a former elected Chief of the Wet'suwet'en First Nation, discusses the changing role of Indigenous communities in Canada's resource economy, her leadership during the controversial Coastal GasLink project, and the growing global demand for Canadian LNG, especially for countries like China and Japan. This episode was made possible by Energy for a Secure Future and the generosity of viewers like you. Donate today. The Hub is Canada's fastest growing independent digital news outlet. Subscribe to The Hub's podcast feed to get our best content when you are on the go: https://tinyurl.com/3a7zpd7e (Apple) https://tinyurl.com/y8akmfn7 (Spotify) Want more Hub? Get a FREE 3-month trial membership on us: https://thehub.ca/free-trial/ Follow The Hub on X: https://x.com/thehubcanada?lang=en CREDITS: Elia Gross - Producer and Editor Sean Speer - Host To contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts email support@thehub.ca
Aug 15, 2025 • 16min
Why RFK Jr. scrapping mRNA vaccine funding is a major missed opportunity
Last week, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert Kennedy Jr. announced his department was scrapping $500 million in mRNA vaccine research funding. Canadian infectious disease specialist and University of Toronto professor Allison McGeer joins the program to explain why she thinks RFK Jr.'s belief system is flawed when it comes to vaccines, and the enormous potential of mRNA technology for treating cancer and autoimmune diseases. The news cycle never slows down and neither does Hub Hits. Each day we provide you with quick hits on topical stories, big issues, and important voices appearing in The Hub, taped live. The Hub's podcast channel is sponsored this month by Airbnb. To learn more about how Airbnb is helping, not hurting Canada's economy, visit Airbnb.ca/closerlook. The Hub is Canada's fastest-growing independent digital news outlet. Subscribe to The Hub's podcast feed to get all our best content: https://tinyurl.com/3a7zpd7e (Apple) https://tinyurl.com/y8akmfn7 (Spotify) Watch a video version on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHubCanada Want more Hub? Get a FREE 3-month trial membership on us: https://thehub.ca/free-trial/ Follow The Hub on X: https://x.com/thehubcanada?lang=en CREDITS: Amal Attar-Guzman - Producer Elia Gross - Sound Editor Sean Speer - Host
Aug 15, 2025 • 19min
Canadians' basic rights are being trampled under excessive safetyism
Hub Headlines features audio versions of the best commentaries and analysis published daily in The Hub. Enjoy listening to original and provocative takes on the issues that matter while you are on the go. 1:34 - Canadians' basic rights are being trampled under excessive safetyism, by Joanna Baron 11:28 - Trump forced out thousands of top NASA scientists. Canada should hire them before others do, by Aiden Muscovitch This program is narrated by automated voices. To get full-length editions of each instalment of Hub Headlines and other great perks, subscribe to the Hub for only $1 a week: https://thehub.ca/join/hero/ The Hub's podcast channel is sponsored this month by Airbnb. To learn more about how Airbnb is helping, not hurting Canada's economy, visit Airbnb.ca/closerlook. Subscribe to The Hub's podcast feed to get all our best content: https://tinyurl.com/3a7zpd7e (Apple) https://tinyurl.com/y8akmfn7 (Spotify) Watch The Hub on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHubCanada Get a FREE 3-month trial membership for our premium podcast content: https://thehub.ca/free-trial/ The Hub on X: https://x.com/thehubcanada?lang=en CREDITS: Alisha Rao – Producer & Sound Editor To contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, email support@thehub.ca
Aug 14, 2025 • 16min
Air Canada strike: What Canadians flying need to know about possible flight cancellations
Ian Lee, a Professor at the Sprott School of Business, offers a deep dive into the looming Air Canada strike and its implications for travelers. He discusses the lack of competition in Canada's airline sector, dominated by Air Canada and WestJet, and how this affects pricing and union negotiations. Lee also explores potential government interventions and the historical context of labor disputes in transportation. The conversation raises important questions about the need for deregulation to benefit consumers and enhance airline services across Canada.
Aug 14, 2025 • 10min
The Carney government needs to kickstart a housing boom—and fast
The discussion emphasizes the urgent need for the Carney government to jumpstart a housing boom in Canada, spotlighting the shortcomings of current short-term rental regulations and innovative financing solutions for builders. It also delves into the challenges of balancing rapid housing production with effective technology. Additionally, the debate on lowering the voting age in Canada is scrutinized, advocating for alignment of voting rights with adult responsibilities while suggesting the inclusion of younger voters in local elections to foster civic engagement.
Aug 13, 2025 • 27min
Why China is tariffing Canada: Canola industry under attack
Bill Hawkins, an advisor at the Canada-ASEAN Business Council and former chief of staff to Canada's international trade minister, shares his insights on China's aggressive tariffs on Canadian canola. He discusses how these tariffs reflect deeper trade tensions, particularly influenced by the U.S.-Canada trade disputes. Bill highlights the strategic implications for Canada’s trade policies and the need for a rethink in light of changing global dynamics. The conversation also touches on the intricate web of international trade relationships affecting Canada’s economy.
Aug 13, 2025 • 22min
Has Israel completely lost the media war?
The discussion dives into whether Israel's ground strategies in Gaza are overshadowed by its struggles in media representation. Journalists face grave risks while reporting amidst conflict, influencing public perception. The podcast critiques the biased nature of Western media and the challenges of verifying information during wartime. Additionally, it highlights the impact of propaganda and the role of social media in shaping narratives, ultimately urging listeners to be cautious about government statements and media portrayals.
Aug 13, 2025 • 22min
Canada is a liability on the world stage—how can we change that?
In this engaging discussion, Sean Speer, The Hub's editor-at-large, dives into Canada's changing role on the global stage. He argues that the country has shifted from a leader to a liability, yet transformation is possible. Speer critiques economic nationalism, highlighting its potential pitfalls and the conflicts between free market principles and strategic competitiveness. The conversation also touches on the urgent need to bolster Canada's defense capabilities and the importance of a united approach with the U.S. for both security and economic stability.
