Front Burner

Ukraine President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, pleads for weapons and discusses Ukraine's dire situation in its war against Russia, the future of U.S. funding, Zelensky's slipping popularity, criticisms of Ukraine's political direction and rise of censorship, and tension within the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Last week at COP28, the Canadian government announced a concrete limit on CO2 emissions from oil and gas, sparking criticism from all sides. The podcast explores the cap's implications, speed of decline, industry responses, and conservative reactions, shedding light on Canada's climate targets and challenges.

Gilbert King, Eric Benson, and Carole Fisher discuss fascinating true crime stories, including the secrets of Nexium, a dangerous self-help group. They explore Sarah's personal journey, uncover fashion industry's dark secrets, and reflect on the success and impact of podcasting.

Nearly 7 million profiles were accessed in the 23andMe breach. The breach included usernames, passwords, photos, relatives, and DNA details. Experts discuss the risks of sharing genetic information. Genetic databases have collaborated with law enforcement. Concerns exist regarding the use of genetic information for law enforcement and health insurance.

The podcast discusses the shifting US stance on Israel's actions in Gaza and the strain in the US-Israel relationship. It delves into Israel's military strategy, the risk of civilian suffering, and differing positions on the post-war situation in Gaza. The podcast also explores the complex history of the US-Israel relationship and provides updates on the worsening conditions in Gaza.

Ongoing controversy surrounding Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family, families of opioid victims split on settlement, ruling's impact on immunity in corporate settlements, Boy Scouts and Catholic Church support Purdue deal, challenging fairness of settlement in Supreme Court

An employee of the Indian government is accused of conspiring to assassinate a Sikh state movement member. The indictment sheds light on a murder in Surrey, BC. The podcast discusses the connection between the foiled plot and the murder, as well as the strained Canada-India relationship. It also explores the differences in handling the plot between the US and Canada and the tensions and skepticism surrounding India's inquiry.

Ron Butler, a mortgage broker, discusses the potential mortgage crisis in Canada due to rising interest rates. He explores the impact on mortgage renewals, concerns about recouping costs, limitations of the Canada Mortgage Charter, and the effects of interest rates on the housing market.

Alfred Hermida, digital media scholar and professor at the UBC School of Journalism, discusses the agreement between Google and the Canadian government on the Online News Act. The podcast explores implications for Meta, the potential impact on the news industry and distribution of funds, and the significance of Google's 100 million dollar investment in the news industry.

Hanna Evenson, a rescue worker, and Ragga Agustsdottir, co-founder of Lava Show Iceland, discuss the challenges and benefits of living in a hotbed of volcanic activity. Topics include seismic activity in Iceland, displacement of Grindavik, rescue efforts for pets, and effects on infrastructure and geothermal operations.