

The Paikin Podcast
Epicentre Media
Facts are facts but every issue has multiple sides, and Steve Paikin wants to hear them all. From Canadian politics to seismic global changes to signature one-on-one interviews and redline debates on the most hot-button issues, The Paikin Podcast helps you understand the world today, with balance and context.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 16, 2025 • 1h 2min
Bob Rae: Is Canada Entering an Orwellian World?
Bob Rae recently stepped down as Canada’s ambassador to the United Nations. He joins Steve to discuss his five years at the UN, how America has left “the democracy club,” the Orwellian world Canada is entering, and the danger and uncertainty of this geopolitical era.They also consider the Israel-Gaza war, Canada’s decision to recognize Palestine, the Russia-Ukraine War, dealing with the Trump administration, his dispute with China over their persecution of ethnic Muslim Uighurs, and what’s next for the former Ontario Premier, Liberal Party of Canada leader, and ambassador to the UN. Follow The Paikin Podcast: YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@ThePaikinPodcastX: x.com/ThePaikinPodINSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thepaikinpodcastBLUESKY: bsky.app/profile/thepaikinpodcast.bsky.socialEmail us at: thepaikinpodcast@gmail.com
Support us: patreon.com/thepaikinpodcast Follow The Paikin Podcast: YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/@ThePaikinPodcastSPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/1OhwznCIUEA11lZGcNIM4h?si=b5d73bc7c3a041b7X: x.com/ThePaikinPodINSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thepaikinpodcastBLUESKY: bsky.app/profile/thepaikinpodcast.bsky.social Email us at: thepaikinpodcast@gmail.com

Dec 11, 2025 • 51min
World on Edge: Will Russia Win the Ukraine War?
Janice Stein, a leading scholar in international relations and founding director of the Munk School, teams up with Paul Grod, president of the Ukrainian World Congress, to delve into the complexities of the Ukraine war. They discuss the resilience of the Ukrainian population, Putin's growing empowerment, and the stark realities of Russian public support for the war. Their analysis touches on the ineffective peace negotiations and the pivotal role of U.S. mediation strategy, all while highlighting daily life in Ukraine under siege.

10 snips
Dec 8, 2025 • 54min
Cait Alexander: Why Canada Needs Bail Reform
Cait Alexander, an actress and survivor of intimate partner violence, shares her harrowing journey and transformation into an activist for bail reform in Canada. She discusses the brutal assault she endured and how the justice system's inefficiencies allowed her attacker to remain free on bail. Cait reflects on the emotional aftermath, the chilling experience of stalking, and her advocacy efforts, including meetings with politicians and a call for more robust survivor protections. Her story underscores the urgent need for reform in the Canadian legal system.

Dec 4, 2025 • 42min
Everything Political: Carney’s Pipeline, Guilbeault's Gone, & Canada’s New Climate Consensus
Martha Hall Findlay, a former MP and Liberal leadership contender, teams up with Tony Clement, a former Conservative cabinet minister, for a lively political discussion. They dissect Steven Guilbeault's recent resignation, analyzing its impact on cabinet stability. The duo debates whether Carney's government is leaning conservative and tackles public sentiment on climate change. They also assess the risks and prospects of the new Alberta pipeline MOU, scrutinizing Canada's climate leadership amidst shifting global energy trends.

8 snips
Dec 1, 2025 • 29min
Freddie Highmore & David Shore: How to Build an Authentic Autistic Character
Freddie Highmore, renowned for his role as Dr. Shaun Murphy in The Good Doctor, and David Shore, creator of both The Good Doctor and House, delve into the complexities of portraying an autistic character authentically. They share insights on their creative collaboration, emphasizing Shaun’s individuality rather than fitting into a stereotype. Discussions range from Freddie’s initial hesitations to accept the role, to the significance of minute details that enhance character depth, and the potential for a crossover with House.

Nov 27, 2025 • 28min
Armine Yalnizyan & Kaylie Tiessen: Are Canadian Workers in Peril?
Economists Armine Yalnizyan and Kaylie Tiessen join Steve for a live taping at the CSA conference to discuss the budget, if it addresses the economic needs of Canadians, the growing threat to Canadian workers, upskilling, the service sector, the crisis in the “care” economy that comprises 36% of the GDP, the growth of private equity in the care economy, Canada’s industrial strategy, and why we need to realize we are in a state of economic war. Follow The Paikin Podcast: YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@ThePaikinPodcastX: x.com/ThePaikinPodINSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thepaikinpodcastBLUESKY: bsky.app/profile/thepaikinpodcast.bsky.socialEmail us at: thepaikinpodcast@gmail.com
Support us: patreon.com/thepaikinpodcast Follow The Paikin Podcast: YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/@ThePaikinPodcastSPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/1OhwznCIUEA11lZGcNIM4h?si=b5d73bc7c3a041b7X: x.com/ThePaikinPodINSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thepaikinpodcastBLUESKY: bsky.app/profile/thepaikinpodcast.bsky.social Email us at: thepaikinpodcast@gmail.com

10 snips
Nov 24, 2025 • 32min
Playing "House": Hugh Laurie & House Creator David Shore Look Back
Hugh Laurie, the award-winning actor known for his role as Dr. Gregory House, surprises David Shore, the creator of the series. They discuss the early days of casting and their creative rapport, revealing that House was inspired by Shore's own worldview. Laurie shares amusing anecdotes about perfecting the American accent and the intense competition for the role. They reflect on the memorable character's nuances and their lasting friendship after 177 episodes, ultimately preferring the show's legacy over any potential film adaptation.

Nov 20, 2025 • 49min
Everything Political: The Strange Tale of Carney’s First Budget
David Moscrop joins the Everything Political panel with former MPs Martha Hall Findlay and Tony Clement to discuss the federal budget, if they thought it might not pass, if this budget was truly "transformational," how exactly this government can simultaneously "invest more" and "spend less," the "energizer bunny" Minister François-Philippe Champagne, and the usual "Good On Ya" round highlighting a politician from the past couple weeks.Follow The Paikin Podcast: YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@ThePaikinPodcastX: x.com/ThePaikinPodINSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thepaikinpodcastBLUESKY: bsky.app/profile/thepaikinpodcast.bsky.socialEmail us at: thepaikinpodcast@gmail.com
Support us: patreon.com/thepaikinpodcast Follow The Paikin Podcast: YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/@ThePaikinPodcastSPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/1OhwznCIUEA11lZGcNIM4h?si=b5d73bc7c3a041b7X: x.com/ThePaikinPodINSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thepaikinpodcastBLUESKY: bsky.app/profile/thepaikinpodcast.bsky.social Email us at: thepaikinpodcast@gmail.com

Nov 17, 2025 • 60min
Minister François-Philippe Champagne: Will His Budget “Transform” Canada?
Canada’s Minister of Finance François-Philippe Champagne joins Steve to discuss the budget, if it was truly “transformational,” if it was an “elbows up” budget, how to deal with Donald Trump, why they didn’t cut taxes on all new home purchases, if this budget favors older people at the expense of younger folks, why they didn’t scale back the old age supplement, and how to keep auto plants in Canada. They also look at the curious case of a budget speech mentioning immigration numerous times, how Champagne wants to “take back control” of immigration, and how to build big things again.And, finally, they discuss Champagne’s mentor and friend, Jean Chrétien, why Champagne entered politics, and what makes a good politician. Follow The Paikin Podcast: YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@ThePaikinPodcastX: x.com/ThePaikinPodINSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thepaikinpodcastBLUESKY: bsky.app/profile/thepaikinpodcast.bsky.socialEmail us at: thepaikinpodcast@gmail.com
Support us: patreon.com/thepaikinpodcast Follow The Paikin Podcast: YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/@ThePaikinPodcastSPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/1OhwznCIUEA11lZGcNIM4h?si=b5d73bc7c3a041b7X: x.com/ThePaikinPodINSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thepaikinpodcastBLUESKY: bsky.app/profile/thepaikinpodcast.bsky.social Email us at: thepaikinpodcast@gmail.com

Nov 15, 2025 • 49min
Justice Rosalie Abella: From a Displaced Persons Camp to the Supreme Court of Canada
Steve goes back to school. In this case to a Canadian Studies class at Harvard where he interviewed Justice Rosalie Abella about her early life, being born in a displaced persons camp in post-WWII Europe in 1946, how she knew at a very young age she wanted to be a lawyer, the difference between the Supreme Courts in Canada and the United States, originalism versus a “living tree” interpretation of constitutions, and how we should understand just what exactly is happening in the US Supreme Court in 2025. Follow The Paikin Podcast: YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@ThePaikinPodcastX: x.com/ThePaikinPodINSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thepaikinpodcastBLUESKY: bsky.app/profile/thepaikinpodcast.bsky.socialEmail us at: thepaikinpodcast@gmail.com
Support us: patreon.com/thepaikinpodcast Follow The Paikin Podcast: YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/@ThePaikinPodcastSPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/1OhwznCIUEA11lZGcNIM4h?si=b5d73bc7c3a041b7X: x.com/ThePaikinPodINSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thepaikinpodcastBLUESKY: bsky.app/profile/thepaikinpodcast.bsky.social Email us at: thepaikinpodcast@gmail.com


