The Paul Wells Show

The book Rogers v Rogers takes us into the messy succession drama inside one of Canada’s biggest companies, Rogers Communications. It features family members fighting in public, two competing boards, and even actor Brian Cox from HBO's Succession. The book’s author, Alexandra Posadzki, takes us behind the scenes of a company trying to find its footing after the death of their founder, all while navigating a high-stakes business deal. This episode originally aired on March 20th, 2024  

Shannon Proudfoot, a Globe and Mail political feature writer, shares her insights on summer reads alongside Scott Reid, a former communications director turned political analyst known for his quieter demeanor, and Donovan Woods, a Juno-winning singer-songwriter fresh off tour. They discuss their current reads, from political memoirs to childhood favorites, spotlighting Richard Ben Kramer's 'What It Takes' and the intriguing life of Prime Minister Mackenzie King. Their passionate exchanges celebrate the joy of literature and its lasting impact.

New York Times writer Max Fisher talks about his book, The Chaos Machine: The Inside Story of How Social Media Rewired Our Minds And Our World. Relying on international reporting, leaked corporate documents and social science, he lays out the case that the problem with social media is not just about amplifying the wrong messages; it’s that social networks are designed to bring out the worst in everyone.  This episode originally aired on November 2nd, 2022.

Singer-songwriter Sarah Slean talks about Joni Mitchell’s enduring influence on music and women in the arts, as she prepares to perform orchestral versions of Mitchell’s songs with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Audio sources: Glenn Gould, Joni Mitchell, Sarah Slean This episode originally aired on October 5th, 2022

Timothy Garton Ash has chronicled some of the biggest moments in European history for over 40 years. In his new book, Homelands: A Personal History of Europe, he offers a history of postwar Europe, told through personal memoir. He talks to Paul about the future of Europe, the war in Ukraine, advising George W. Bush on how to think about the European Union, having Victor Orbán as a student, and why these days, his main concern is about the United States. This episode was recorded at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. It originally aired on October 11th, 2023

Friday Night Lights author Buzz Bissinger joins Paul to talk about his storied career and his new book, The Mosquito Bowl: A Game of Life and Death in World War II. He also discusses ghostwriting Caitlyn Jenner’s memoir, why he left Twitter, his time at Vanity Fair, and why he’s considering leaving the US. Thank you to Perfect Books in Ottawa for hosting this conversation. This episode was originally published February 8th, 2023.

How do people like Stephen Sondheim, Sofia Coppola or David Simon create something from nothing? And what are the threads that tie their work together with making a cookbook or a cartoon? Former New York Magazine and New York Times Magazine editor Adam Moss talked to dozens of creative people to find out how they do it. In his new book, The Work of Art, artists from a wide range of mediums break down the process behind a single piece, sharing sketches, outlines and rejected attempts they worked through along the way.  This episode was originally published May 15, 2024

As Canada’s Ambassador to the UN, Bob Rae is not afraid to speak his mind, even when it’s not clear whether the government stands behind him. In this episode, he talks about the role of the UN in an age of mounting skepticism towards global institutions, his reputation for being outspoken, and dealing with the "cascade of crises" taking place around the world. He also challenges Paul on a column he wrote in 2020, questioning Rae’s appointment to his current job. This episode originally aired on October 26, 2022.

Ben Woodfinden, former communications director for Pierre Poilievre, shares his insights on the shifting tides of Canadian conservatism. He defends the party's recent electoral strategy and emphasizes the need for a strong, inclusive populist message to attract diverse demographics. Woodfinden also discusses the media landscape's evolution, including the transition from traditional outlets to social media for voter engagement. He highlights pressing issues like affordable housing and the complexities of coalition building to ensure future success.

Taylor Owen, an expert in policy and technology from McGill’s Centre for Media, and Rachel Samson from the Institute for Research on Public Policy dive into the complexities of citizen engagement in shaping government policy. They discuss who influences government decisions, highlighting the vital roles of think tanks and media. The conversation turns critical as they dissect the effectiveness of parliamentary committees and the changing trust dynamics in media. Insights on navigating government consultations reveal the need for diverse voices and the challenges of effective communication in policy development.