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 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 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
Sep 4, 2025 • 19min
The end of U.S. unipolarity and the NDP’s existential crisis
David Frum, a leading author and journalist, shares insights on the recent meeting between global leaders Putin, Xi, and Modi, highlighting its implications for geopolitics and the decline of U.S. unipolarity. The conversation dives into Canada's strategic position in this shifting landscape, particularly its complex ties with India amid rising tensions and democratic concerns. Frum also addresses the existential crisis of the New Democratic Party, discussing the potential shifts it could trigger in Canadian politics as global power dynamics evolve.
Sep 4, 2025 • 12min
Carney talks austerity. What does this mean for the upcoming federal budget?
Rudyard Griffiths and Sean Speer delve into Prime Minister Mark Carney's austerity rhetoric ahead of Canada's federal budget. They discuss the challenges of implementing spending cuts when much of the budget is protected. The duo examines the contradiction of advocating austerity while facing a $92 billion deficit. They explore whether this language is aimed more at international markets than domestic audiences, highlighting the complexities of balancing political messages with practical fiscal realities.
Sep 4, 2025 • 35min
The 'Canadianization' of the oilsands: A story of ownership, identity, and power
Will Lacey, a former energy executive and economic writer, shares his insights on the evolution of Alberta's oilsands. He recounts a controversial moment in Parliament sparked by his pro-oil t-shirt, discussing the divided perceptions of the oil and gas industry across Canada. Lacey explores the shift in ownership dynamics toward Canadian companies and the financial benefits for Alberta. He also highlights the Pathways Alliance's efforts in carbon capture and the importance of balancing economic viability with environmental sustainability in the energy sector.
Sep 4, 2025 • 11min
Poilievre’s call to scrap the temporary foreign worker program is a good first step
Alexander Brown, a contributor to Project Ontario and director with the National Citizens Coalition, discusses the call to scrap Canada’s temporary foreign worker program. He argues this move could safeguard opportunities for young Canadians and address the exploitation of foreign labor. The conversation turns to Canada’s burgeoning private space industry, highlighting the trial and tribulation of the country’s push for a privately funded rocket launch, drawing comparisons to SpaceX’s achievements. Brown offers provocative insights into these pressing national issues.
Sep 3, 2025 • 38min
Sharren Haskel on how Canada recognizing Palestine only emboldens Hamas
Sharren Haskel, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Israel and a former veterinarian from Toronto, shares her journey into Israeli politics. She emphasizes how Canada's recognition of Palestinian statehood complicates peace efforts and empowers Hamas. Haskel discusses the need for strong global coalitions to combat radical jihadism and reflects on the influence of media narratives on public perceptions. She also highlights her commitment to supporting persecuted communities and advocates for women's liberation in the Middle East.
Sep 3, 2025 • 10min
Dictator unity: What Xi, Putin, and Kim Jong Un's parade means for Canada
The podcast dissects a dramatic military parade where Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong-un showcased their alliance, signaling a shift in global power dynamics. They discuss the implications for Canadian foreign policy in a world moving towards authoritarian blocs. The conversation highlights Kim's unexpected role in this trio and the growing challenges to Western democracy. The discussion also reflects on globalization's complexities and calls for a united Western response to counter China's assertive ambitions.
Sep 3, 2025 • 13min
On energy, Carney is talking the talk but not walking the walk
David Polansky, a Toronto-based writer and research fellow known for his insights on Canada’s healthcare system, tackles pressing issues in this discussion. He critiques the current state of Canada's healthcare, shedding light on systemic failures and the expert class's reluctance to reform. Polansky contrasts elite narratives with everyday experiences, discussing how disconnection with citizens affects key policies like immigration. He also highlights the Canadian Energy Minister's ambitious energy goals, questioning the balance between ethics and investment.
Sep 2, 2025 • 13min
Why Xi, Putin, and Modi's chummy China summit is so consequential for geopolitics
A recent summit in China has set the stage for a major geopolitical shift, showcasing a warm embrace among Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, and Narendra Modi. This gathering signals a fracture into two power blocs, with India's pivot away from U.S. influence being particularly noteworthy. The discussion delves into the implications of U.S. foreign policy on global alliances, as well as the challenges of remaining non-aligned in a dynamically changing world. Navigating a multipolar landscape is becoming increasingly complex, with these nations redefining their roles on the international stage.
Sep 2, 2025 • 11min
Canada’s immigration policy must address the growing number of students who don’t speak English or French
Danella Aichele, a former teacher with the Calgary Board of Education, argues that Canada’s immigration policies must consider students who don’t speak English or French. She emphasizes the urgent need for educational support tailored to these newcomers for better integration. Aichele also discusses how collaboration between federal and provincial governments can improve ESL programs. Additionally, she critiques Canada’s diminishing role on the global stage, calling for a renewed focus on balancing its domestic policies with international responsibilities.
Sep 1, 2025 • 41min
Marc J. Dunkelman on the death of progress and how to revive It
Marc J. Dunkelman, a fellow at Brown University’s Watson Institute, delves into the bureaucratic challenges stifling U.S. progress in his analysis of modern governance. He argues that well-meaning progressive policies have led to a 'vetocracy' that hampers innovation. Dunkelman explores historical perspectives on governance, highlighting contrasting philosophies of Hamilton and Jefferson. He also stresses the need for effective decision-making and advocates for collaboration on pressing issues like the housing crisis to bridge political divides.
