CANADALAND

It's the holidays and we are re-running a classic episode of Off The Record this week.Here at Canadaland it can often seem like just one shitty story after another. But it’s not just one more shitty story to round out the year. Nope. This is also a tale of hope, dreams, and IUDs. Every year Canadaland searches for and hires two fellows. Two new audio journalists who join us here and work with us for months to produce their first long form professional audio documentaries. This past year Mia Johnson and Leora Scherzer joined us. They created two wonderful stories on the subjects of human composting and IUDs. Leora and Mia are now living their journalistic dreams as both were hired by media outlets once they finished up at Canadaland.Today we brought Mia and Leora back into our studio to talk about what they learnt while they were here, what was good about the experience, what could be better. And with an eye to the future we also want to let you all know we’ll soon be searching for our new recruits for 2026!Host: Sam KonnertCredits: Tristan Capacchione (Producer), Tony Wang (Executive Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)Guests: Jesse Brown, Noor Azrieh, Mia Johnson, Leora SchertzerPhoto: Tony WangAdditional music by Audio NetworkFurther Listening:#1084 Waste Management: Sh*t’s Complicated — CANADALAND#1022 The Painful Truth About IUDs — CANADALANDPlus, check out our Mia and Leora’s work since leaving Canadaland!Leora:Hypnosis over anesthesia? Why patients in Quebec are choosing alternative pain management — Montreal GazettePizza revolution: The rise of Montreal’s new slice scene — Montreal GazetteWest Island mayors say ‘far-right’ extremist influenced Montreal to stop fluoridating water — Montreal GazetteMia:Ontario law could spell doom for turtles in Toronto’s wetlands — Frequency NewsTDSB cancels Grade 9 enrolment for special needs school — Frequency NewsNature’s calling but the city of Toronto isn’t picking up the phone — Frequency NewsSponsors: oxio: Head over to https://canadaland.oxio.ca and use code CANADALAND for your first month free! CAMH: CAMH is building better mental health care for everyone to ensure no one is left behind. Visit camh.ca/canadaland to make a donation.Squarespace: Check out Squarespace.com/canadaland for a free trial, and when you’re ready to launch use code canadaland to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.Can’t get enough Canadaland? Follow @Canadaland_Podcasts on Instagram for clips, announcements, explainers and more.If you value this podcast, support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch at our store, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marilyn Harris, former spouse of psychiatrist Lawrence Pazder, shares the wrenching impact of Pazder's work on the infamous book Michelle Remembers. Cheryl Proby Ostman, sister of Michelle Smith, offers a personal glimpse into their family dynamics and the fear stemming from their father's alcoholism. Together, they reveal how the book's disturbing claims and the ensuing Satanic Panic shattered lives, highlighting the troubling intersections of trauma, belief, and familial betrayal.

Unwrap intriguing insights as guests explore the complexities of secret Chinese police stations in Canada and the downfall of the One BC party. The discussion dives into Danielle Smith's French challenges and the perplexing story behind the famous Napalm Girl photo. Hear about the staggering fact that bots now constitute half of web traffic, and the surprising economic success of Trans Mountain. It's a lively exchange of overlooked stories that gets you thinking about politics, media, and technology!

Dive into a whirlwind of Canadian politics as Noor and Sam highlight the year's pivotal moments. From Trudeau's unexpected resignation to Mark Carney's surprising rise and the viral 'Elbows up' slogan, each segment is packed with intrigue. Election chaos, memorable gaffes, and the surreal starts of parliamentary sessions keep the energy high. Immigration debates heat up while Alberta's separatist sentiments stir trouble. They wrap it all with reflections on cultural phenomena, legislative agendas, and what lies ahead in 2024.

Darren Fung, a film and TV composer and founder of Stinky Rice Studios, Erica Procunier, a seasoned score composer, and Adrian Ellis, a specialist in factual entertainment, dive into the intriguing world of musical scoring. They reveal how composers shape emotional responses in media, share their personal journeys into composition, and discuss the delicate balance between melodrama and subtlety. The trio also explores cultural authenticity in scoring and the choices behind instrumentation that evoke specific feelings, emphasizing the power of music in storytelling.

Rahim Mohamed, a National Post columnist and expert on Canadian politics and defense, dives into the weighty decision Canada faces between the F-35 and Saab's Gripen E. He highlights how this choice represents a crucial test of Canada's independence from American influence. The discussion also touches on Sweden's diplomatic efforts, military interoperability with the U.S., and the implications of defense spending on national sovereignty. Moreover, they critically assess the media's ability to cover these complex defense issues and laughably critique a costly chatbot that frequently delivers incorrect information.

Rahim Mohamed, a political reporter from the National Post, delves into the shaky state of Pierre Poilievre's leadership. They discuss recent defections to the Liberals and the implications for Conservative dynamics. Mohamed analyzes Poilievre's challenges in Ottawa, his combative persona compared to potential rivals, and the dissatisfaction among party insiders. Polling data reveals declining support, raising questions about the upcoming leadership review. Despite this, Mohamed argues there's no clear successor on the horizon, making Poilievre's position complicated but not yet doomed.

In a striking conversation, Ben Rowswell, a former Canadian ambassador to Venezuela and now a consultant, delves into the U.S. military's aggressive maneuvers near Venezuela. He questions the U.S.'s claims of fighting drug trafficking while highlighting Canada's cautious stance. Rowswell warns that Trump's national security strategy could jeopardize Canadian sovereignty. He argues against military intervention, advocating for a coalition of democracies to support Venezuela's self-determination. Plus, an amusing political update with Michael Ma's floor-crossing antics adds a lighter touch.

The mystery of who drugged the cast and crew of the blockbuster Titanic is Hollywood lore. In 1996 James Cameron shot part of Titanic in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, when someone dumped PCP into the clam chowder the team was sharing on the last night of shooting. Over 50 people ended up in hospital. There was a police investigation but the case was never solved. Over the decades theories as to who and why have sprouted. These range from disgruntled caterers to vengeful bikers to insurance scams.Canadaland decided to take up the case and look for the answer: who spiked the Titanic chowder?Host: Jesse BrownCredits: Julian Abraham (Reporter), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), Caleb Thompson (Mixing & Mastering) max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)Additional Writing and Production from Rick Courtney.Fact checking by max collinsAdditional music by Audio NetworkMore information:Further Reading:“Grips are doing wheelies in wheelchairs” - VarietyJames Cameron Recalls the Night the Titanic Crew Were Spiked with PCP - CBCJames Cameron on CBC’s The Q - VideoSponsors: MUBI: To stream great cinema at home, you can try MUBI free for 30 days at mubi.com/canadaland.BetterHelp: Visit https://BetterHelp.com/canadaland today to get 10% off your first month.Douglas: Douglas is giving our listeners a FREE Sleep Bundle with each mattress purchase. Get the sheets, pillows, mattress and pillow protectors FREE with your Douglas purchase today. Visit douglas.ca/canadaland to claim this offerCan’t get enough Canadaland? Follow @Canadaland_Podcasts on Instagram for clips, announcements, explainers and more.If you value this podcast, support us! You’ll get premium access to all our shows ad free, including early releases and bonus content. You’ll also get our exclusive newsletter, discounts on merch at our store, tickets to our live and virtual events, and more than anything, you’ll be a part of the solution to Canada’s journalism crisis, you’ll be keeping our work free and accessible to everybody. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan Wong, a veteran journalist and author known for her insights on Canadian affairs, dives into the heated debate surrounding Bill C-9. They explore the implications of removing the religious exemption in hate speech laws and the challenges of enforcing these laws in reality. The conversation touches on the political maneuvering between the Liberals and the Bloc Quebecois, as well as issues like targeting harassment in specific communities. Wong also reflects on broader societal trends, such as the shift in food culture reported by the NY Times.