In This Economy?!
Real people with real problems get realistic solutions
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Episodes (98)
Ep 110 – Economic uncertainty amid a global crisis: what happens next?
The war in the Middle East has pushed global markets into turmoil, throwing early forecasts right out the window.
And even before this crisis began, Canada was already on a shaky trajectory, with the biggest economic risk expected to come from upcoming trade negotiations with the United States.
Host Mike Eppel speaks to Dr. Eric Kam, professor of economics at Toronto Metropolitan University, to discuss the challenges facing policymakers right now—and, more importantly, what Canada needs to do to finally break out of the boom‑and‑bust cycle tied to global energy markets.
1 days ago • 24m 26s
Ep 109 – Are companies using AI as an excuse to lay you off?
Just three months in, and 2026 is already being coined as the 'Year of the Layoff', with companies blaming AI for letting chunks of their workforce go.
But is tech really replacing workers — or just being used as a convenient excuse?
Host Mike Eppel speaks to Ben Shiller, Brandeis University economist and associate professor, and author of 'A.I. Economics: How Technology Transforms Jobs, Markets, Life, and Our Future'. The two discuss the fears of a shrinking white‑collar job market, the realities of AI’s impact, and why your future job security may depend on the sector you choose.
16 days ago • 24m 11s
Ep 108 – How can young Canadians get a head start on saving for retirement?
Times are tough for many Canadians, and for young Canadians, it may sometimes seem next to impossible to make ends meet.
A survey from IG Wealth Management shows the landscape for young people is changing because employee pension plans are disappearing – which means the need to save more.
Host Kris McCusker speaks to Aurèle Courcelles, Vice-President of Tax and Estate Planning about how to get the process started – and why an expert could be key to your success.
23 days ago • 17m 30s
Ep 107 – Is Canada's motorcycle market impacted by Trump's trade war?
There's been a big focus on how Canada’s auto industry has been dealing with the trade upheaval with the U.S., but what about the motorcycle market? And with spring (hopefully) around the corner, Canadian motorcycle enthusiasts are curious about the state of the market.
Host Mike Eppel speaks to Landon French, President and CEO of Moto Canada, ahead of the Toronto Motorcycle and Powersport Show. The two discuss whether or not motorcycles are subject to tariffs, how the market has been affected by the trade disruption, and what trends Canada’s tourism sector is observing.
30 days ago • 19m 20s
Ep 106 – Are restaurants thriving?! In this economy?!
Canadian restaurant operators could be in for another rough year – thanks to uncertainty around trade with the U-S and higher food costs – along with a few other factors.
And the industry, which has been struggling for years, is important to the country’s economy. But the numbers are not trending in the right direction.
Hope is not lost.
Host Kris McCusker takes a closer look at a report from Restaurants Canada with the President and CEO, Kelly Higginson.
36 days ago • 16m 4s
Ep 105 – Canada's economic slump: how did we get here?
The Bank of Canada has described what happened to the economy in 2025 as a shift away from normal trade relations with the United States and elevated uncertainty for households and businesses.
While Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem has said what happens with the economy this year—and for interest rates—will be determined by the upcoming USMCA trade talks, today's guest argues there are much larger structural issues where you could argue the economy is already in a recession and needs dramatic policy changes by the federal government.
Host Mike Eppel speaks to David Rosenberg, President and Founder, Rosenberg Research to discuss their predictions on the Canadian dollar and interest rates.
44 days ago • 32m 7s
Ep 104 – Do loyalty programs still pay off? Breaking down changes for Canadian consumers
One of the original travel rewards programs in the Canadian market is getting a major rebrand.
Air Miles, which has been around since 1992, will soon be called Blue Rewards, as owner BMO refreshes the brand to highlight that it’s about more than just travel. At the same time, a longtime Air Miles partner, Shell, is making a move of its own—joining the Scene+ program operated by Scotiabank.
Host Mike Eppel speaks to Patrick Sojka, founder of RewardsCanada.ca which is a Canadian loyalty rewards database, to break down what these changes mean for consumers, and take a broader look at the more than 180 loyalty brands competing for Canadians’ attention.
51 days ago • 20m 59s
Ep 102 – In the market for a new ride? Prepare to spend big!
If you're in the market for a new truck or car, you might face sticker shock!
The average price for a new vehicle in the Canadian market is now more than $60,000, and used vehicle prices are on the rise, too. So what options are you left with if you're looking for a new ride but can't afford the inflated price tag? How do tariffs play into the list price? And how will Prime Minister Mark Carney's trade deal with China affect the EV market?
Host Mike Eppel speaks to Barish Arkurek, VP Insights and intelligence for Autotader.ca, to discuss what consumers can expect.
58 days ago • 25m 44s
Ep 101 – How to invest during geopolitical volatility
The headlines just two weeks into 2026 haven't fallen short of anything abysmal, especially centered around the happenings of US President Donald Trump. And although geopolitical uncertainty usually doesn't help the markets, Canadian stocks have continued to see record highs.
Host Mike Eppel speaks to Andrew Pyle, senior investment advisor and senior portfolio manager at CIBC Wood Gundy to discuss the dos and don'ts of investing during volatile times.
65 days ago • 19m 33s
Ep 100 – Deal or no Deal? How U.S. Trade talks will determine Canada's 2026 economy
2025 was no walk in the park for investors, homeowners, or the ordinary Canadian alike on the economic front, and a little over a week into 2026, and it seems like this year isn't looking any better.
Host Mike Eppel speaks to James McCann, Senior Economist at Edward Jones to discuss what Canadians can expect from ongoing trade talks between Canada and the US, how the arrest of Venezuela's President, Nicolas Maduro, will affect Canada's oil sector, and potential interest decisions from the Bank of Canada.
72 days ago • 18m 55s
About the show
Real people with real problems get realistic solutions. Your guide to understanding an unpredictable economy.
Are you stressed out about your finances? Feel like the odds are stacked against you? We are too. It feels like we should be able to afford all of these things as adults — a house, a car, raising children...even just a social life— but so many of us simply find it out of reach. How did the economy find itself here? Why are things the way they are? And how can we make it work anyway?
Each week, we take one of your problems and bring it straight to the experts. We find out how we ended up in this mess, and what you can do to achieve your personal goals. The economy might be unpredictable, but your success doesn’t have to be
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