Hub Podcasts
Hub Canada Media
Welcome to Hub Podcasts, the audio version of the big ideas and in-depth conversations found at TheHub.ca, Canada's fastest growing digital news outlet with half a million people engaging weekly with our content. Hub Dialogues features The Hub's editor-at-large Sean Speer and managing editor Harrison Lowman engaged in longform conversations with leading thinkers on the big issues and ideas shaping the public conversation. In Conversation with David Frum features the insights and analysis of leading author, journalist, and thinker David Frum, who weighs in monthly on global and Canadian news events. The news cycle never slows down and neither does Hub Hits. Each day we provide you with quick hits on topical stories, big issues and important voices appearing in The Hub. Every week, editor-at-large Sean Speer is joined by David Coletto, CEO of Abacus Data, and Amanda Galbraith, principal at Oyster Group, to dig into the drama and strategy of Canadian politics. Topics range from the issues dominating headlines, the communications battles behind the scenes, to the trends shaping parties, leaders, and voters. Some weeks, they'll focus on the hot story in Ottawa. The Hub's media criticism podcast Full Press looks at how the media in Canada is covering the major stories of the day. Full press is hosted by The Hub's managing editor Harrison Lowman, and features journalist Tara Henley, and veteran news media executive Peter Menzies. Hub Headlines features audio versions of the best analysis published daily in The Hub. Enjoy listening to original and provocative takes on the issues that matter while you are on the go. Each Friday, The Hub Roundtable features Hub co-founders Rudyard Griffiths' and Sean Speer's take on the big political and economic stories making the news. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 4, 2026 • 9min
Why the Liberals are cheering for a weak but enduring NDP—and why the CPC should be paying attention
Hub Headlines features audio versions of the best commentaries and analysis published daily in The Hub. Enjoy listening to original and provocative takes on the issues that matter while you are on the go.0:27 - Why the Liberals are cheering for a weak but enduring NDP—and why the CPC should be paying attention, by Sean SpeerThis program is narrated by automated voices. To get full-length editions of popular Hub podcasts and other great perks, subscribe to the Hub for only $2 a week: https://thehub.ca/join/hero/Subscribe to The Hub's podcast feed to get all our best content:https://tinyurl.com/3a7zpd7e (Apple)https://tinyurl.com/y8akmfn7 (Spotify)Watch The Hub on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHubCanadaThe Hub on X: https://x.com/thehubcanada?lang=enCREDITS:Alisha Rao – Producer & Editor Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 3, 2026 • 21min
One year of Trump tariffs: Why 'Liberation' Day failed
Rudyard Griffiths and Sean Speer discuss the one-year anniversary of President Trump's "Liberation Day" tariffs and their impact on Canada-U.S. relations. They examine whether the tariff strategy achieved its stated goals of boosting U.S. manufacturing and reducing trade deficits. They also discuss the geopolitical implications of Trump's approach, and debate Canada's negotiation strategy for CUSMA.In the second half, they explore how new NDP leader Avi Lewis might reshape Canadian politics and affect Conservative electoral prospects.You can read Joseph Steinberg's analysis "One year of Trump’s tariffs—are they working? Here’s what the numbers say," here: https://thehub.ca/2026/04/01/one-year-of-trumps-tariffs-are-they-working-heres-what-the-numbers-are-saying/If you are enjoying the free version of the Hub Roundtable, subscribe to become a Hub Hero or Fellow to access the full version every week: https://thehub.ca/join/The Hub is Canada’s fastest growing independent digital news outlet.Subscribe to The Hub's podcast feed to get our best content when you are on the go:https://tinyurl.com/3a7zpd7e (Apple)https://tinyurl.com/y8akmfn7 (Spotify)Follow The Hub on X: https://x.com/thehubcanada?lang=enCREDITS:Amal Attar-Guzman - Producer and EditorRudyard Griffiths and Sean Speer - Hosts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 3, 2026 • 14min
Canadians are leaving at record levels. Can anyone solve it?
Hub Headlines features audio versions of the best commentaries and analysis published daily in The Hub. Enjoy listening to original and provocative takes on the issues that matter while you are on the go.0:20 - Canadians are leaving the country at record levels. Can anyone solve this pressing problem?, by Charles Lammam7:59 - Was the Air Canada CEO turfed for his lack of French—or for something more concerning?, by Art KorpachThis program is narrated by automated voices. To get full-length editions of popular Hub podcasts and other great perks, subscribe to the Hub for only $2 a week: https://thehub.ca/join/hero/Subscribe to The Hub's podcast feed to get all our best content:https://tinyurl.com/3a7zpd7e (Apple)https://tinyurl.com/y8akmfn7 (Spotify)Watch The Hub on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHubCanadaThe Hub on X: https://x.com/thehubcanada?lang=enCREDITS:Alisha Rao – Producer & Editor Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 2, 2026 • 25min
Could Avi Lewis save the NDP?
In this episode of Hub Politics, Amanda Galbraith, co-founder and president of Oyster Group, and David Coletto, founder and chair of Abacus Data, join Sean Speer to discuss Avi Lewis' NDP leadership victory and its implications for his party and Canadian politics. They debate whether Lewis' radical positioning could reshape progressive politics or marginalize the party further, examining his potential to galvanize new voters versus reconnecting with traditional NDP supporters. In the second half, they discuss Pierre Poilievre's opposition to the Toronto-Montreal high-speed rail project, exploring whether it signals a broader ideological divide with the Carney government over state-led versus private sector economic growth.If you are enjoying the free version of Hub Politics, subscribe to become a Hub Hero or Fellow to access the full version every week: https://thehub.ca/join/The Hub is Canada's fastest growing independent digital news outlet.Subscribe to The Hub's podcast feed to get our best content when you are on the go:https://tinyurl.com/3a7zpd7e (Apple)https://tinyurl.com/y8akmfn7 (Spotify)Follow The Hub on X: https://x.com/thehubcanada?lang=enCREDITS:Amal Attar-Guzman - ProducerAlisha Rao - EditorSean Speer - Host Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 2, 2026 • 17min
The Iran War’s ripple effects: Are oil prices set to keep surging?
Peter Tertzakian of Studio.Energy and Susan Bell of Rystad Energy examine the escalating Iran conflict and its impact on global energy markets, including the fallout from U.S. President Donald Trump’s televised live address offering no clear roadmap to ending the war. They discuss the longer-term implications of the uncertain timeline, how it strengthens the business case for Canadian LNG, and the paradox of countries turning back to coal even as they race to expand renewable energy. They then explore regional price variations, potential demand destruction, and the broader implications for food security and the global economy.The Hub is Canada's fastest growing independent digital news outlet.Subscribe to The Hub's podcast feed to get all our best content:https://tinyurl.com/3a7zpd7e (Apple)https://tinyurl.com/y8akmfn7 (Spotify)Watch a video version on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHubCanadaFollow The Hub on X: https://x.com/thehubcanada?lang=enCREDITS:Amal Attar-Guzman - ProducerAlisha Rao - EditorFalice Chin - HostLeo Correa/AP Photo - Photo Credit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 2, 2026 • 28min
Trump is giving media his phone number—most accessible president ever?
Full Press asks whether the media is hounding Prime Minister enough over his soft stances on China, questions if Trump is the most media accessible president in history, and figures out how one Ottawa journalist went from being a bureau chief to an Uber driver.The Hub is Canada's fastest growing independent digital news outlet.Subscribe to The Hub's podcast feed to get all our best content:https://tinyurl.com/3a7zpd7e (Apple)https://tinyurl.com/y8akmfn7 (Spotify)Watch a video version on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHubCanadaFollow The Hub on X: https://x.com/thehubcanada?lang=enCREDITS:Amal Attar-Guzman - ProducerAlisha Rao - EditorHarrison Lowman - Host Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 2, 2026 • 18min
One year of Trump’s tariffs—are they working?
A deep dive into the first year of major tariff changes and how they reshaped global trade patterns. Discussion of uneven tariff impacts that disrupted supply chains and shifted sourcing away from China. Examination of effects on Canadian exports and why the trade deficit and manufacturing jobs did not rebound. A critique of vague policing rhetoric and calls for concrete accountability and security measures.
Apr 1, 2026 • 42min
Jennifer Keesmaat on the case for going all in on modern methods of construction
Jennifer Keesmaat, former chief city planner of Toronto and president and CEO of Collecdev Markee, argues that Canada’s housing crisis is a systemic failure requiring structural transformation—not incremental reform. She highlights modern construction methods, including modular housing, cross-laminated timber, and AI-integrated design, as key to building at the speed and scale needed. Keesmaat also explains why coordinated reform across governments, capital markets, and supply chains is essential to making factory-built housing a core part of Canada’s housing system.This episode is presented in partnership with ATCO Structures.The Hub is Canada’s fastest growing independent digital news outlet.Subscribe to The Hub’s podcast feed to get all our best content:https://tinyurl.com/3a7zpd7e (Apple)https://tinyurl.com/y8akmfn7 (Spotify)Watch a video version on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHubCanadaFollow The Hub on X: https://x.com/thehubcanada?lang=enCREDITS:Elia Gross - Producer and EditorSean Speer - Host Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 1, 2026 • 16min
Should Canada risk lives clearing the Strait of Hormuz?
Rudyard Griffiths and Sean Speer debate Canada's potential involvement in reopening the Strait of Hormuz following Foreign Minister Anita Anand's visit to Saudi Arabia. They examine whether Canadian participation would serve national interests or merely act as clean up after Trump's actions in the Middle East. They challenge the Carney government's approach to foreign policy, questioning Canada's willingness to support authoritarian Gulf states with troubling human rights records, while seemingly abandoning traditional Canadian values in international relations.The Hub is Canada's fastest growing independent digital news outlet.Subscribe to The Hub's podcast feed to get all our best content:https://tinyurl.com/3a7zpd7e (Apple)https://tinyurl.com/y8akmfn7 (Spotify)Watch a video version on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHubCanadaFollow The Hub on X: https://x.com/thehubcanada?lang=enCREDITS:Amal Attar-Guzman - ProducerAlisha Rao - EditorRudyard Griffiths and Sean Speer - HostsRafiq Maqbool/AP Photo - Photo Credit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 31, 2026 • 40min
Why Canada's investment problem runs deeper than red tape
Mike Holden, VP of policy and chief economist, and Alicia Planincic, director of policy & economics, both at the Business Council of Alberta, discuss why Canada has become one of the most difficult places in the developed world to get things built. They explore how our regulatory system has evolved into a maze of overlapping jurisdictions, endless consultations, and political uncertainty that's driving investment abroad. They also offer solutions—from reforming the Impact Assessment Act to creating clear accountability measures for regulations. This episode is presented in partnership with the Business Council of Alberta. The Hub is Canada's fastest growing independent digital news outlet. Subscribe to The Hub's podcast feed to get all our best content: https://tinyurl.com/3a7zpd7e (Apple) https://tinyurl.com/y8akmfn7 (Spotify) Watch a video version on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHubCanada Follow The Hub on X: https://x.com/thehubcanada?lang=en CREDITS: Elia Gross - Producer & Editor Sean Speer - Host Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
