The Missing Middle Podcast

They debate whether boycotting U.S. goods is symbolic patriotism or an unaffordable luxury for younger Canadians. Polling and generational divides frame why older people favor buying American-free products while Millennials and Gen Z face affordability pressures. A car-buying story about a Canada-assembled vehicle sparks discussion on ethical shopping as a status signal. The conversation probes politics, travel judgment, and economic strain.

They unpack why rising incomes and low unemployment still leave many feeling strapped. The conversation highlights hidden costs like housing, childcare and tech that became necessities. They explore hedonic adjustments, the two-income trap and how nostalgia skews our view of past prosperity. The segment connects modern pressures to visible downward mobility for younger generations.

They explore why making friends gets harder as school ends and how familiar hangouts have vanished. They trace the fall of malls and bowling alleys, zoning rules that block walkable pubs and cafés, and how rising land costs changed business models. They debate whether online communities can replace nearby meeting spots and offer practical tactics for finding people and rebuilding local social life.

A deep dive into why low unemployment can hide a frozen job market. Shortages of hires, scarce vacancies, and rising EI claims make job searches stretch on. The conversation explores how employers gain the upper hand amid global uncertainty and how housing, regulation, and competition shape opportunities for young and transitioning workers.

Reece Martin, international transit commentator and creator of RM Transit who speaks from experience as a parent and accessibility advocate. He and the hosts unpack why Canadian transit often leaves families stranded, from broken elevators and narrow doors to stroller struggles and unreliable buses. They also discuss practical fixes like design changes and free fares for kids to make transit usable for parents.

They dig into why housing unaffordability pushes young people toward meme stocks, crypto and sports betting. They explore how gamified apps and social media blur investing and gambling. They discuss why young men take the biggest swings and how financial nihilism makes big bets feel rational. They close by debating regulation, education and fixing housing affordability.

A deep dive into data showing a recent 13% drop in entry-level jobs in AI‑exposed fields. They map which roles are vulnerable and which sectors, like trades and healthcare, may remain resilient. The conversation also covers why older workers seem to fare better and what skills, training and policy changes could help young people break into the workforce.

A look at how the old starter-home ladder has collapsed and why small condos no longer lead to larger family homes. They discuss how trapped condo owners can’t generate the equity to move up. The conversation links housing failure to lower birth rates, limited careers, and broader economic consequences. It also critiques policy that ignores the second-time buyer problem and calls for family-sized housing solutions.

A revisit of a 1996 book that seemed to foresee Canada’s housing, labor, and policy troubles. They explore how aging baby boomers reshaped the housing market and created demand for home health care. The conversation links immigration choices, taxation debates, and seniors housing to today’s generational imbalances. Short takes on where predictions hit and where they missed.

They unpack why homeownership for under-40s has collapsed and how federal policy plays a bigger role than people think. They explain why family-sized homes have declined while “dog-crate” condos proliferate. They explore how immigration, taxes, development charges, and investors push prices up. They outline federal levers to encourage downsizing seniors, curb investor demand, and steer supports toward new supply.