The Big Story

Stephen Maher, an insightful author and journalist specializing in political analysis, joins the discussion on national sovereignty in the era of Trump. He highlights how Trump's actions threaten the post-World War II order, raising alarms about the U.S.'s moral and legal stance. Maher examines the implications of the Greenland situation, the military capabilities of the U.S. and Canada, and challenges facing NATO. He advocates for Canadian investments in Arctic defense while predicting that the threat of invasion will remain contained.

James McCann, a Senior Economist at Edward Jones, shares insights on the turbulent economic outlook for Canada in 2026. He analyzes how U.S.-Canada trade talks will shape the future, and the implications of Venezuela's oil situation on Canadian energy. McCann discusses the cautious approach to diversify energy markets and the impacts of potential interest rate decisions from the Bank of Canada. He also offers investment strategies uniquely suited for Canadians, including sectors like gold, AI, and mid-caps.

Glen McGregor, a political correspondent for CityNews with keen insights into Canadian politics, dives into the complexities of global chaos. He discusses Prime Minister Mark Carney's measured response to the U.S. raid in Venezuela and its repercussions on Canada's oil sector. The episode explores tensions around Trump's Greenland comments and the potential impact on Canadian sovereignty. Glen also evaluates Carney's impending trip to China, focusing on tariff negotiations and trade disputes, making for a riveting conversation about Canada's role in an unstable world.

John Gradek, an aviation expert and McGill University professor with nearly five decades in the industry, dives into the challenges plaguing Canadian air travel. He reminisces about the golden age of airline service before deregulation led to cost-cutting and declining quality. Gradek highlights systemic failures like rising passenger frustration and ineffective enforcement of existing protection laws. Advocating for financial penalties on airlines and loosening foreign ownership limits, he envisions a revitalized aviation sector that can restore consumer confidence.

In this insightful discussion, Dr. Younes Alila, a forest hydrology expert from UBC, unpacks the escalating flood crisis in British Columbia. He highlights that climate change isn't the sole culprit, with land use practices like clear-cut logging significantly exacerbating flood risks. Alila explains how clear-cutting accelerates runoff and encourages a shift to more sustainable logging methods. He emphasizes the need for better regulation and centralized policy to manage flood risks effectively while calling for science-driven solutions to inform future land-use decisions.

Aaron Ettinger, a political science professor at Carleton University, dives deep into the legacy of the January 6 Capitol attack. He shares his personal impressions and explores how misinformation fuels ongoing political strife. Ettinger discusses the MAGA base's potential support for Trump's foreign policy, particularly regarding Venezuela. He also raises concerns about authoritarianism and the risk of future political violence. As the midterms approach, he warns Republicans of vulnerabilities and stresses the need to reckon with the lessons of January 6.

In this discussion, Dr. Joss Reimer, former Chief Medical Officer for Winnipeg and past president of the Canadian Medical Association, dives into the unusual severity of this year's flu season. She explains how viral mutations and lower vaccination rates contribute to the current crisis. Dr. Reimer stresses the importance of Canadian healthcare diversifying its research partnerships and underscores the need for citizens to stay vigilant with preventive measures. With the U.S. pulling out of WHO, she highlights the urgency of enhancing local surveillance efforts to protect public health.

Abbey Sharp, a registered dietitian and host of the Bite Back podcast, dives into diet trends we should leave behind as we move into 2026. She discusses the problematic 'skinny talk' on TikTok and its harmful effects on body image. Abbey tackles the controversial GLP-1 drugs, discussing their medical benefits and risks. She critiques extreme biohacking as a rebranded form of diet culture and highlights the importance of protein while warning against misleading high-protein products. Prepare for a reality check on what's trending in nutrition!

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow reflects on her tenure and future plans. With a rich background in public service, she discusses key issues like affordability, highlighting fare stability for the TTC and grocery savings for families. Chow addresses the challenges faced during a February snowstorm and outlines improvements for future responses. Her relationship with Premier Doug Ford is candidly explored, emphasizing collaboration. Looking ahead, she focuses on accelerating affordable housing and shares insights on the Eglinton Crosstown LRT timeline. Personal touches reveal her holiday plans and love for skiing.

Happy Holidays from Frequency Podcast Network! This week we'll be joined by the Friends of Frequency (FOF). This week, we are doing a retrospective on the year's best and wildest pop culture stories, dissecting the celebrity stories that continue to live rent-free in our minds (Diddy's trial and Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau's love story), dish on the music we couldn't get enough of (Lily Allen's West End Girl, obviously), the movies that moved us, and the TV series we adored (Yes, Sadaf opines beautifully about The Pitt). Lean in, grab your glass of wine, and let our hot takes keep you warm over your winter break! We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky