Ballot Babes

Patty Wiens & Sam Beiko
  • 5.0 (11)
  • Politics
  • Weekly

Two Winnipeg women, Patty Wiens and Sam Beiko, talk about why engaging in local politics is crucial for your community and give you practical advice on how you can make your voice heard. This podcast is for anyone who wants to understand the importance of local governance and its impact on daily life. Located in Winnipeg, but relevant everywhere.

  1. 5d ago

    Episode 27 - Election Recap - Unslept & Spicy

    Time to wrap up Season 1 and tell you our very biased opinion on the result of the Winnipeg civic election of 2026. Thank you for your support so far and to continue supporting us, please go to BallotBabes.com and click on the Patreon link.  In this episode of Ballot Babes, we recap the recent Winnipeg Civic Election, discussing the surprising impact of newcomer Noah Redden, the role of media coverage, and the importance of voter engagement. We analyze the election results, highlighting the new councillors elected and the challenges faced by candidates. We need continued community involvement and vigilance in holding elected officials accountable as they look ahead to future elections.  It’s not time to relax, it’s time to engage! Get involved, pay attention to city council meetings and hold your newly elected city councillor to task! Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Overview of the Election Recap 03:08 The Mayoral Race and Noah Redden's Impact 05:55 Media Coverage and Its Influence on Elections 09:01 Voter Engagement and the Importance of Participation 12:01 The Role of Money in Political Campaigns 14:46 Analyzing Election Results and New Councillors 18:00 Community Engagement and Future Elections 20:50 Reflections on Candidates and Campaign Strategies 24:01 Final Thoughts and Looking Ahead 33:22 Community Insights and New Council Members 36:02 Unexpected Election Outcomes 39:40 Campaign Strategies and Community Engagement 43:00 Hopeful Changes in Local Governance 49:46 Accountability and Future Expectations 52:33 Community Connection and Voter Engagement Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: COWWK4X6OJLUIAWF

  2. Oct 26

    Episode 26 - From the Mouths of Babes and Erna Buffie

    This episode has been edited. Sometimes the perimenopausal rage hag inside of us shouldn't say out loud all the things she thinks. This is it, friends, the very last episode of Ballot Babes and here we are with Erna Buffie, author of Out on a Limb and so much more, to tell you how to vote! Of course you don’t have to follow our advice, but if you don’t, we get to say, “I told you so!” We have plans for this podcast and we tell you all about it here, so go to ballotbabes.com and please continue to support us. In today’s episode, we go ward by ward and explain the pros and cons of almost each and every candidate, but really, we are biased and we’re not afraid to say it. This election really matters, so more than ever before, please take your babe to vote! Chapters 00:00 Post-election plans: monthly episodes and a Ballot Babes book club 03:40 Why this election feels different: five open council seats 06:58 Waverley West 10:57 Transcona 13:02 St. Vital and St. Norbert 17:29 St. James 21:30 St. Boniface 25:49 River Heights-Fort Garry 28:42Point Douglas 32:00 Old Kildonan and North Kildonan 36:25 Mynarski and Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry  38:40 Elmwood-East Kildonan 41:18 Daniel McIntyre 44:41 Charleswood-Westwood-Tuxedo 51:42 Mayoral race, progressive council, and citywide priorities 57:06 Why the panel is encouraged by Noah Redden 01:00:14 Closing reflections and a final call to vote Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: D6MSPHACGDRPNGNH

  3. Oct 24

    Episode 25 - Michael Redhead Champagne

    Things are heating up, my friends, and we’re nearly there! There are only 4 days left before you have your last chance to cast your vote in Winnipeg’s Civic Election. We know you’re paying attention and we think that we’re making a difference. The City of Winnipeg’s official instagram just reported a massive increase in the advance polls, up by 22% from 2022, and we are taking credit for it. Also in the news, a brand new poll shows Noah Redden had the largest increase of all candidates, going from 4% of undecided voters, to 14% of decided voters, tying him at 3rd in the mayoral race. This is great news, because we know that with a little more nudging, we can get you to come on out and turn 14 into 40 or even 50%! We also want to send a huge shout out and congratulations to everyone running intense, creative and overall amazing campaigns against some deep seated incumbents. A special shout out to our personal favorite North Kildonan candidate, Orvie Dingwall, the fabulous Natalie Smith in Minarsky, Tyler Crichton in St James, and Lora Meseman in Transcona. To all our other friends also running in open wards, we are thinking of you as you head into the last few days of your campaign. Let’s do this thing, Winnipeg. You get one chance on October 28, so don’t waste it! Links: Ballot Babes: ballotbabes.com Michael Redhead Champagne: https://www.michaelredheadchampagne.com/

  4. Oct 23

    Episode 24 - Noah Redden for Mayor of Winnipeg - Town Hall

    Check out Noah's website and go vote for him! https://www.noahredden.ca/ This is the cleaned up and edited version of the Town Hall! Enjoy it then take your babe to vote! Thank you to all who sent in your questions, we love you all! Let's go and make history in Winnipeg Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: VG6G9LRRBDC3HZ0M

  5. Oct 19

    Episode 23 - Cindy Gilroy (We're Almost There)!

    There’s a lot going on today! Make sure you go to ballotbabes.com, send us a voice memo, a question or sign up to be a Patreon supporter. In today’s episode we talk with Daniel McIntyre councillor, Cindy Gilroy about her superhero origin story and what her plans are for the future of her ward, should she get re-elected. We need more women like councillor Gilroy, who look at prioritizing climate change mitigation, active transportation and more transit funding. Thank you for your time, Cindy, we’re big fans! Links: How to find out what ward you’re in. https://www.winnipeg.ca/city-governance/wards-elections/2026-election  Noah’s Livestream link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjTOVKYqUko Noah’s petition: https://c.org/2DV2hhhNgx  Bylaws regarding public signs https://www.winnipeg.ca/city-governance/wards-elections/2026-election/information-candidates/campaign-signage  Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: XIFUCESOGZPG3HWE

  6. Oct 12

    Episode 22 - Winnipeg's Dream Book - the Alternative Municipal Budget

    Oh we're throwing shade again and we're not ashamed. So make sure you go to ballotbabes.com and click on the Patreon Link to support us for as little as $5/month. In today’s episode we discuss the hardship or being a woman running for council, or even just supporting a woman running for council.  We also get to talk about what it would be like if we got to set the city budget. We speak with Molly McCracken from Policy Alternatives about Winnipeg’s Alternative Municipal Budget. Oh it’s not boring, it’s actually super exciting.  Here are the resources we mentioned in the episode https://www.policyalternatives.ca/news-research/weaving-a-better-winnipeg-2026-alternative-municipal-budget/ People’s Climate Mandate: https://www.climatereality.ca/peoples-climate-mandate  Manitoba Library Association’s Election Tool Kit: https://mla.mb.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Elections-Toolkit-2026-EN.pdf Anatomy of a Pothole https://www.anatomyofapothole.ca/about-tluc/ Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: WFW5I6WT0QJ3RQYQ

  7. Oct 9

    Episode 21 - Louise May for St Norbert/Seine River

    Go to Ballotbabes.com to support us on Patreon, send us a question or a voice memo. In today’s episode, we talk about what incumbents have not signed the Trees Pledge. Why is that important? Listen up and find out! You’ll also meet Louise May, who was involved in saving the LeMay Forest and who is running for the second time. A lot has changed and Louise tells us all about it. Trees Pledge: https://treespleasewinnipeg.com/election-action-2026/#pledged  Louise May: https://www.louisemay.ca/ Support this podcast at ballotbabes.com  Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: TWHFJKKLENWKTIDV

  8. Sep 27

    Episode 20 - Orvie Dingwall for North Kildonan

    Go to Ballotbabes.com to support us on Patreon, send us a question or a voice memo. The big day is here! You finally get to meet the candidate that I’m supporting right here in North Kildonan, Orvie Dingwall. Orvie bares it all in this episode and talks about her motivation to run for city councillor here in North Kildonan, Winnipeg. Orvie comes with a lengthy resume, a history of union work, a Librarian at the faculty of medicine at the University of Manitoba, an artistic swimmer and a musician at her community band. Orvie’s plan for North Kildonan includes families, community spaces, empathy, better transit, more options for transportation and much much more. I hope you enjoy this episode.   Oh and come have a voting date with us on the first day of advance voting at City Hall on October 5th at 12:15 PM. Links: Orvie Dingwall for North Kildonan: orvie.ca Ballot Babes: ballotbabes.com

See All (27)

5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Two Winnipeg women, Patty Wiens and Sam Beiko, talk about why engaging in local politics is crucial for your community and give you practical advice on how you can make your voice heard. This podcast is for anyone who wants to understand the importance of local governance and its impact on daily life. Located in Winnipeg, but relevant everywhere.

Information

  • Creator
    Patty Wiens & Sam Beiko
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Patty Wiens & Sam Beiko
  • Show Website
    Ballot Babes

You Might Also Like