The Munk Debates Podcast

Munk Foundation / iHeartRadio
  • 4.3 (191)
  • Arts
  • Updated Weekly

The Munk Debate podcasts is home to two of the most popular Canadian current affairs podcasts: Friday Focus with Janice Gross Stein and Munk Dialogues with Andrew Coyne Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 1d ago

    Be it Resolved, this is America's golden age

    This special episode features the full Munk Debate on Trump's America, held before a live audience of 3,000 at Toronto's Roy Thomson Hall in May 2025. The debate resolution was: Be it Resolved, this is America's golden age Arguing in favour of the motion was the political consultant, pollster and senior counselor to President Trump during his first term in office, Kellyanne Conway. Her debate partner was the President of the right-wing think tank the Heritage Foundation, and the architect of Project 2025, Kevin Roberts. Arguing against the motion was the New York Times columnist, podcaster, bestselling author, and one of America’s most influential commentators, Ezra Klein. His debate partner was Ben Rhodes, who served as President Obama’s senior advisor and is the co-host of the popular current affairs podcast Pod Save the World. Become a Munk Donor ($50 annually) to get 72-hour advanced access to the full length editions of Friday Focus and Munk Dialogues. Go to www.munkdebates.com to sign up. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Be it Resolved, this is America's golden age

  2. 5d ago

    Munk Dialogue with Andrew Coyne: Trump undermines his own party and the crisis of Canadian conservatism

    Rudyard and Andrew unpack President Trump's speech last night, in which he cast doubt on the integrity of U.S. elections and alleged foreign interference ahead of the midterms. Will this strategy backfire by depressing Republican turnout? And how far might Trump go in attempting to shape the outcome in November? In the second half of the show (for paid subscribers), Rudyard and Andrew are joined by special guest Sean Speer to reflect on the state of conservatism in Canada. Andrew argues that too many Conservatives have substituted outrage and attitude for serious policy ideas—a symptom of a movement that has lost confidence in its purpose. He also delivers a blunt message to those who have grown pessimistic about the Conservative cause. What kind of leader does the party need to restore energy, direction, and confidence to its base? Become a Munk Donor ($50 annually) to get 72-hour advanced access to the full length editions of Friday Focus and Munk Dialogues. Go to www.munkdebates.com to sign up. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Munk Dialogue with Andrew Coyne: Trump undermines his own party and the crisis of Canadian conservatism

  3. Jul 13

    Be it Resolved the capitalist system is broken, it's time to try something different

    This special episode features the full Munk Debate on Capitalism, held before a live audience of 3,000 at Toronto's Roy Thomson Hall in November 2019. The debate resolution was: Be it Resolved the capitalist system is broken, it's time to try something different Arguing in favour of the resolution was Katrina vanden Heuvel, publisher of The Nation and a Washington Post columnist. Her debate partner was the economist, academic, author, and former finance minister of Greece Yanis Varoufakis. Arguing against the resolution was Arthur Brooks, Harvard professor and bestselling author of The Conservative Heart: How to Build a Fairer, Happier, and More Prosperous America. He was joined by former New York Times columnist, political commentator, and bestselling author, David Brooks. Become a Munk Donor ($50 annually) to get 72-hour advanced access to the full length editions of Friday Focus and Munk Dialogues. Go to www.munkdebates.com to sign up. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Be it Resolved the capitalist system is broken, it's time to try something different

  4. Jul 10

    Munk Dialogue with Andrew Coyne: the Iran-U.S. ceasefire unravels and Alberta pulls ahead while Ontario and Quebec fall behind

    What should we make of this week's NATO summit in Ankara? If it doesn't end with the U.S. withdrawing from NATO, should it be considered a success? Meanwhile, the U.S. and Iran resumed strikes just weeks after signing a memorandum of understanding. Andrew argues that Trump was warned about the risks of cutting a deal with Iran. The ceasefire is unraveling because there was never a real agreement—it merely bought a few weeks of respite. Iran now holds the upper hand, and there is no easy way out of this dilemma. In the second half of the show, Rudyard and Andrew turn to Canadian politics, specifically Alberta's announcement of a new pipeline and Meta's investment in a major data centre in the province. Why is Alberta capitalizing on this moment while Central Canada is falling behind? As Ontario and Quebec face a manufacturing exodus to the United States, what extraordinary measures are needed to make Canada a more attractive destination for investment? And does Ottawa have a serious plan to address the challenges facing the country's manufacturing sector?  Become a Munk Donor ($50 annually) to get 72-hour advanced access to the full length editions of Friday Focus and Munk Dialogues. Go to www.munkdebates.com to sign up. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Munk Dialogue with Andrew Coyne: the Iran-U.S. ceasefire unravels and Alberta pulls ahead while Ontario and Quebec fall behind

  5. Jul 6

    Be it resolved, it is in Israel’s interest to support a two-state solution

    This special episode features the full Munk Debate on the Two-State Solution, held before a live audience of 3,000 at Toronto's Meridian Hall in December 2025. The debate resolution was: Be it resolved, it is in Israel’s interest to support a two-state solution Arguing in favour of the resolution was former Israeli prime minister, finance minister, and mayor of Jerusalem, Ehud Olmert. His debate partner was Tzipi Livni, who served as Israel's justice and foreign minister and the country's chief peace negotiator in 2008 and 2014. Arguing against the resolution was the celebrated historian, former Israeli ambassador to the United States and deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Office, Michael Oren. His debate partner was Ayelet Shaked, who most recently served as Israel's justice minister and minister of the interior. Become a Munk Donor ($50 annually) to get 72-hour advanced access to the full length editions of Friday Focus and Munk Dialogues. Go to www.munkdebates.com to sign up. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Be it resolved, it is in Israel’s interest to support a two-state solution

  6. Jul 3

    Munk Dialogue with Andrew Coyne: The American Experiment at 250 and Canada's pipeline gamble

    What would America's Founding Fathers make of the state of U.S. politics as the nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of its independence? The constitutional rules they established to guide the republic and safeguard it against monarchical or dictatorial rule are being tested by President Trump, whose conduct has exposed potential weaknesses in the system. Andrew argues that America's checks and balances ultimately depend on everyone—from all three branches of government, and especially the commander-in-chief—respecting both the letter and the spirit of the Constitution. Twenty-five years from now, will America still be the democratic republic we know today? In the second half of the show, Rudyard and Andrew examine the Canadian government's announcement that it will build a new, government-funded 1,000-kilometre oil pipeline from Alberta to British Columbia. The decision to press ahead despite the environmental concerns that have long plagued similar projects underscores just how politically important this pipeline has become—for both Western Canada and Ottawa. Should Canadians be concerned that it will be built by a federal Crown corporation? And how can the government hope to keep costs under control when the proposed route appears so technically complex? Become a Munk Donor ($50 annually) to get 72-hour advanced access to the full length editions of Friday Focus and Munk Dialogues. Go to www.munkdebates.com to sign up. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Munk Dialogue with Andrew Coyne: The American Experiment at 250 and Canada's pipeline gamble

  7. Jun 26

    Friday Focus: Iran tests America's resolve and anti-Zionism becomes a winning strategy in New York

    Programming note: Friday Focus will be taking a summer break. We will be back with new episodes starting September 11 (and, of course, if any serious news breaks over the summer!). Janice and Rudyard begin by unpacking an IRGC attack on a tanker transiting the Strait of Hormuz, exposing a fundamental divide between Washington and Tehran over freedom of navigation. While the U.S. insists on open access without fees or restrictions, Iran views the waterway as a source of leverage. If the two sides cannot bridge that gap, what hope is there of resolving the far more consequential nuclear dispute? Iran sees a U.S. president who makes a lot of threats but does not have the resolve to make good on them. In the second half, the conversation turns to Israel’s waning international support and the growing political potency of anti-Zionism. Following a string of primary victories in New York by candidates sharply critical of Israel, Rudyard and Janice ask whether opposition to the Israeli state is becoming a defining electoral issue, particularly among younger voters. They explore the claim that for figures like Zohran Mamdani, Palestine is a central political cause, and consider why anti-Zionist—and at times antisemitic—rhetoric is generating such traction across parts of both the political left and right, and whether that trend can be reversed. Become a Munk Donor ($50 annually) to get 72-hour advanced access to the full length editions of Friday Focus and Munk Dialogues. Go to www.munkdebates.com to sign up. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Friday Focus: Iran tests America's resolve and anti-Zionism becomes a winning strategy in New York

  8. Jun 23

    Munk Dialogue with Andrew Coyne: Trump loses his bargaining power and has Mark Carney's “elbows up” promise delivered?

    Iranians appear to be enjoying maximum leverage over the Trump administration. The argument goes that Trump had to act as he did to avoid severe risks to the global economy—an outcome that raises questions about the limits of his “master dealmaker” image. Why is JD Vance positioning himself as the deal’s chief cheerleader, exposing himself to sustained political scrutiny? And how are figures like Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin likely interpreting these developments? For some, it may signal a setback for American credibility and global leadership. In the second half of the show, Rudyard and Andrew turn to domestic politics. As the House of Commons prepares to break for the summer, they assess the Prime Minister’s performance over his first 14 months in office. Having set high expectations during the campaign—including an “elbows up” approach to Donald Trump—has Mark Carney's government delivered policies that meet the moment? Become a Munk Donor ($50 annually) to get 72-hour advanced access to the full length editions of Friday Focus and Munk Dialogues. Go to www.munkdebates.com to sign up. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Munk Dialogue with Andrew Coyne: Trump loses his bargaining power and has Mark Carney's “elbows up” promise delivered?
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4.3
out of 5
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About

The Munk Debate podcasts is home to two of the most popular Canadian current affairs podcasts: Friday Focus with Janice Gross Stein and Munk Dialogues with Andrew Coyne Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Munk Foundation / iHeartRadio
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    584
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Antica Productions and Bell Media
  • Show Website
    The Munk Debates Podcast

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