604 episodes

An in-depth look at the issues, culture and personalities shaping Canada today.

The Big Story The Big Story+

    • News
    • 4.3 • 1.7K Ratings

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An in-depth look at the issues, culture and personalities shaping Canada today.

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

    Hosting a Party?! In This Economy?!

    Hosting a Party?! In This Economy?!

    The Big Story has been telling the stories that matter to Canadians for over five years, and through all of our coverage, one thing has become abundantly clear: A growing percent of the population can't afford to live basic, comfortable lives — and they want answers. In Frequency's newest show, In This Economy?! Jordan attempts to get to the bottom of how we got to this point, and share tips for how to achieve your goals despite living in a time of extreme economic uncertainty. Enjoy!

    ------------------------------------------------------

    Sal is getting ready to host family and friends for the holidays but is worried about how much food, drinks and gifts will cost this year.

    Jordan talks to retail analyst, Bruce Winder, to breakdown the cost of hosting and find creative ways to save. Then, he talks to financial expert, Kelley Keehn, about how to handle tricky money conversations with your guests.

    Do you have a money problem? Call us and leave a message at 416-935-5935. Or email us at hello@itepod.ca. You can also find us on Instagram and TikTok @InThisEconomyPod. Don't forget to leave a call-back number, so we can get in touch.

    • 34 min
    How Spotify Wrapped its hands around the music industry, and us

    How Spotify Wrapped its hands around the music industry, and us

    Most of you probably at least glanced at it. And many of you were excited and eager to share your Spotify Wrapped details with your friends and followers. After all, isn't that the whole point? To show off your musical taste, connect with others who share it and provide free marketing for a streaming behemoth?

    Spotify's Wrapped is the biggest and most popular of algorithmically created personal year-end lists, but it isn't alone. Why do these things always suck us in? How has Spotify managed to convince us to pay them, instead of the artists we love directly? And if Spotify is getting all our money, why isn't it turning much of a profit?

    GUEST: Kelsey McKinney, reporter and writer at Defector, host of Normal Gossip

    • 22 min
    The past, present and future of birth control

    The past, present and future of birth control

    "The pill" has been around for more than 60 years now. And while it changed society, sparked a sexual revolution and helped reshape the workforce ... it still kind of sucks for a lot of people who take it. The past six decades have seen incredible medical advancements, but somehow hormonal birth control remains the go-to for a lot of people who menstruate—even though we keep discovering new side effects even today.

    Why hasn't the pill gotten much better over six decades? Why haven't better alternatives come to market? What is possible in the world of birth control and science pushes further? And why, despite promising research, is there still no proper birth control for men?

    GUEST: Nicole Schmidt, writing in The Walrus

    • 19 min
    Can Alberta just refuse to follow federal regulations?

    Can Alberta just refuse to follow federal regulations?

    Alberta Premier Danielle Smith doesn't think the federal government's proposed clean energy regulations are fair, and last year she gave herself the tool she needs to fight them. The Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act is designed to allow the province to refuse to enforce specific federal laws or policies "that violate the jurisdictional rights of Alberta."

    Of course, the act hasn't been tested in court, and it's difficult to know if Smith is doing this because she intends to fight these regulations all the way, or as a bargaining chip, since Ottawa has not officially confirmed the specifics of the regulations. Either way, the use of the act sets a precedent that the country should be watching closely on every issue that divides federal and provincial governments...

    GUEST: Rod Nickel, Reporter, Reuters, covering energy, agriculture and politics in Western Canada, focusing on energy transition

    • 20 min
    Will carbon capture save the climate, or just let us keep burning fuel?

    Will carbon capture save the climate, or just let us keep burning fuel?

    Very soon, Canada will introduce legislation to offer massive tax credits for projects that include a significant amount of carbon capture. In theory, this is a good way to make sure new projects don't add much in emissions. But in practice, most carbon capture projects are used to allow us to keep harvesting fossil fuels, which will then be burned somewhere else, adding to emissions in Canada and beyond.

    What is carbon capture technology and how does it work? Could it be a powerful tool to help us cut emissions? Why is it mostly used by fossil fuel companies? And why does so much of the discussion of saving the planet these days feel like haggling over bookkeeping?

    GUEST: Dr. Emily Eaton, professor, Department of Geography & Environmental Studies, University of Regina

    • 20 min
    Are we witnessing the end of retirement?

    Are we witnessing the end of retirement?

    The concept of retirement used to be a few years at the end of your life, between when you stopped working and when you died. But the average lifespan kept increasing, while the retirement age stayed at 65. Now Canadians believe they'll need $1/7 million to retire in comfort, and most of the 1,000 people retiring each day in this country don't have it.

    When you combine that with the economic turmoil, high interest rates and increasing cost of living, the savings they do have aren't stretching as far as expected, either. So many "retirees" are going back to work. How did we end up here? And given what we've learned about aging recently, is working during "retirement" really a bad outcome?

    GUEST: Cathrin Bradbury, formerly "retired" journalist, writing in The Walrus

    • 25 min

Customer Reviews

4.3 out of 5
1.7K Ratings

1.7K Ratings

Eagle Andersen ,

Quality Canadian Content

One of my go-to podcasts if I’m commuting or cooking. Love seeing independent Canadian news at a time where Canadian news is struggling. They typically bring on informed guests and the conversations are always welcomed! Also, I sent in a story idea and they actually did a show related to it! Super cool to see them listening to their audience. Keep it up!

カタカナディアン ,

MAiD story on Oct 31st

I really liked how this episode made it clear that MAiD is a careful, well-considered process that is not out to kill people at the drop of a hat.

Too many people today leap to conclusions based on emotions and shallow thinking. Most thoughtful answers to important questions include the phrase “it depends”.

yaoxingkibo ,

Good job!

I like your broadcast

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