The Paikin Podcast

Walter Russell Mead joins Steve to discuss America’s 250th anniversary, how “we’re in an uncharted world with a man who doesn’t believe in charts,” Trump’s political genius, how he sees drama as the core of power, not achievement, and a possible successor to Trump. They also discuss Trump’s foreign policy, whether there is a Trump doctrine, the unpredictability and chaos in which he operates, the rise of asymmetrical warfare, the Iran war, Trump’s relationship with Putin, and how Mead compares them to two mafia guys.

In our third edition of “Paik’s Takes,” Steve is joined by The Big Story’s Caryn Ceolin to discuss why Steve thinks soccer is boring, whether the World Cup was worth it for Canada, why Steve thinks municipal politics should be capturing more of our attention, including the race for Toronto mayor, and Caryn’s take that America’s next Democratic presidential candidate will not run on a platform of free trade. They then answer a wide range of listener and viewer comments and questions: - Steve’s greatest political disappointment? - Canada joining the EU? - Gavin Newsom and the 2028 Democratic nomination - American influence on Canadian politics - National unity over climate change? - Is net zero 2050 still a thing? - The scourge of modern dating?

Stephen Marche, host of the Gloves Off podcast, joins Steve to discuss Canada-U.S. relations, how Canada is making its way through the “mess” south of the border, the weakening of American power worldwide, and his optimism for Canada’s ability to navigate the Trump era. They also discuss America’s “Doomsday Clock,” authoritarianism on the right and left, whether the Supreme Court is creating an “imperial presidency,” whether America can go back to normal, the divide between “Old Canada” and “New Canada,” and the decline of authoritarianism worldwide,

James Scongack, COO and Executive Vice President at Bruce Power, joins Steve for a sponsored piece of content in partnership with Bruce Power to discuss the history of nuclear power, when the nuclear era began in this province, the nuclear accidents at Chernobyl and Fukushima, what impact that had here in Canada, Germany’s response to Fukushima and the decision to entirely phase out nuclear power in the country. They then discuss “energy tribalism,” the role of natural gas, the need for a mix of different energy source, getting the grid to net-zero, the future of nuclear power, Bruce Power’s C project, small modular reactors, Ontario’s role in providing medical isotopes and how energy could factor in to the on-going CUSMA negotiations with Trump.

The Everything Political panel with former MPs Martha Hall Findlay and Tony Clement discusses the campaign to restore 24 Sussex Drive, if it should be torn down entirely, and if it’s an embarrassment to Canada. They also discuss the federal government’s plan to buy condos in B.C. that developers can’t sell in the hope of turning them into affordable housing, if this is a good idea, the blowback to it, and then take some “letters to the editor,” including one letter on whether Carney is an out-of-touch international elite and another from a listener who feels a “sense of confidence that Canada is being represented by someone with the experience, intellect, and emotional maturity required for this moment.”

“I’ve fought Putin for 17 years.” Bill Browder, head of the Global Magnitsky Justice campaign, joins Steve to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine, how Russia is now incurring eight men killed or seriously wounded for every one lost by Ukraine, whether Russia is losing the war, Putin’s recent statement that he wants to negotiate, and why Browder thinks Putin would rather watch Russia burn than admit he can’t win the war. They also discuss how Putin may become a “drowning man,” how he could react if cornered, how Ukrainian attacks on oil refineries are shifting support for the war in Russia, whether Trump’s new world order is a win for Putin and Russia, European security, the Global Magnitsky Act, and Russia’s recent sanctions on Browder’s teenage son.

Let’s review this, shall we? The United States and Israel decided to unilaterally attack Iran. There were a number of justifications for the attack: stopping Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, deterring Iran’s ability to export terrorism, punishing the Iranian regime after it killed tens of thousands of its own citizens, having greater control over shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, enhancing Israel’s security from its most dangerous neighbour, and if they got really lucky, precipitating regime change. Has any of that happened? What has, in fact, been achieved? Janice Stein breaks it all down on this episode of World on Edge.

Harvey Brownstone’s “life story is one of the most astonishing you’ll ever encounter.” He joins the pod to discuss his book, Without Prejudice: My Life as a Gay Judge, his early life, his traumatic experience coming out to his parents, being disowned, and living in poverty at Queen’s University. From there they discuss his early years as a lawyer, the homophobia and hate he experienced, how levity can sometimes be the best response, becoming Canada’s first openly gay judge, and the upcoming movie about his life.

The Everything Political panel with former MPs Martha Hall Findlay and Tony Clement discusses “Carney infatuation syndrome,” if the honeymoon will ever end, rumours that Carney may stand down after one term, the G7 summit, if the “strands” of a new world order are being woven, and Canada’s “conscious uncoupling” from the United States. They also discuss the World Cup, the corruption of FIFA, and the usual round of “Good on Yas.”

In our second edition of a monthly segment, Steve is joined by “the most difficult man to introduce in Canada,” Bob Rae, to discuss Trump’s negotiating style, how we’ve “seen this movie before,” and if America First doesn’t mean America alone. They then discuss the deal with Iran, how it is not a victory for Trump, the diverging interests of Israel and America, the possibility that Netanyahu may step down and not run for another term, and the expansion of the Billy Bishop Airport.