The Paul Wells Show

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.

k.d. lang reflects on her four decade-long musical career, which may have reached its end. “All music tends towards silence and I have to honour the silence,” she tells Paul in an open and wide-ranging conversation in Calgary. We originally released this episode in March, 2023.

Today, we're sharing an episode from our friends at the podcast WONK, which Paul appeared on this week. Paul talks to host Amanda Lang about some surprising shifts in the wake of the federal election, including an easing of the 'ever-deepening animosity' that’s become a trademark of politics, evidence of a common understanding of what's good for Canada and why we should be grateful Trump isn’t better at his job. 

Join Andrew Bevan, former national campaign director for the Liberal Party, Gerald Butts, senior advisor to the Carney campaign, and Conservative MP Scott Aitchison as they dissect the recent Canadian election. They share insights on leadership challenges within the Liberal Party and the importance of strategic collaboration in addressing economic pressures. Aitchison reflects on the need for the Conservative Party to prioritize affordability, while all three discuss the urgent call for diverse representation in politics, blending serious topics with a touch of humor.

With less than a week left until election day, Paul calls up a few colleagues to talk about what we’ve learned and what will come next. They also talk about how politicians have changed their relationship to the press.   Our panel this week features political journalists Vassy Kapelos, Hélène Buzzetti and Steve Murphy.    Season 3 of the Paul Wells Show is supported by McGill University's Max Bell School of Public Policy.