Ballot Babes

Patty Wiens & Sam Beiko
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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. 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

  2. Sep 23

    Episode 19 - Emma Durand-Wood for Elmwood/East Kildonan

    To support this podcast, please go to ballotbabes.com and click on the Patreon link. You can help us cover our costs for as little as $5 per month.  In today’s show, we cover both ends of the political spectrum, from the morally incorruptible, Councillor Emma-Durand Wood to the morally indefensible Russ Wyatt, who after having three charges against him still chose to stand for re-election.  Councillor Emma Durand-Wood’s road to City Hall was paved in community activism. She talks openly about the challenges faced by new city councillors, trying to understand the workings of the job.  Emma explains her approach to community engagement and policy work, the impact of social media on political campaigns and her decision to abstain. She highlights key projects in her ward, including school playgrounds and food security programs, and the community’s requests for traffic calming and road safety initiatives.  Emma’s campaign website: https://www.teamemma.ca/  Our City Our Podcast, Sherwood from City Clerks: https://podcast.winnipeg.ca/s2/10  List of all nominated candidates:  https://www.winnipeg.ca/city-governance/wards-elections/2026-election/information-voters/candidates  Our website: ballotbabes.com  Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: PRSR3EBACYIU63CF

  3. Sep 17

    Episode 18 - Noah Redden for Winnipeg Mayor

    To support this podcast, please go to ballotbabes.com and click on the Patreon link. You can help us cover our costs for as little as $5 per month. In today’s show, we are talking to a mayoral candidate, Noah Redden, and we will discuss some questions that came in about school trustees, but they came in too late for us to actually ask them, so I’ll ask them on here and hope that our school trustee friends will call in and give us their answers. I also have part 2 of your election volunteering homework coming up in today’s episode. To send us your questions or comments or to leave us a voice memo, please go to ballotbabes.com and click on the appropriate links. Noah’s website is https://www.noahredden.ca/  Our ride to La Broquerie is featured on my blog at https://www.pattybikes.com/blog/a-weekend-in-la-broquerie-manitoba  Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: WAKI0GOWCARUXEYM Chapters 00:00 Introduction and personal update from Patty Wiens 03:05 Controversy over hate signs and candidate accountability 09:21 Interview with mayoral candidate Noah Redden 12:21 Noah's love for Winnipeg's culture and music 14:30 Noah's musical hobbies and community involvement 15:17 Noah's background and decision to run for mayor 16:31 The process of becoming a candidate and motivation 19:20 Door knocking experiences and voter interactions 22:00 Campaign strategies and social media use 25:37 Key issues from door knocking: safety and community concerns 29:18 Platform priorities: public transit and urban infrastructure 33:54 Addressing homelessness and addiction with compassion 38:09 Urban development ideas: pedestrian streets and bike infrastructure 43:19 Housing, urban sprawl, and sustainable growth 45:22 Vision for a better city and innovative ideas 47:21 Concerns about AI and technology in politics 48:37 Commitment to authenticity and grassroots campaigning 50:29 Anticipation of working with city council and community leaders 52:50 Support from diverse community members and campaign dedication 54:35 Encouragement for future candidates and authentic leadership

  4. Sep 5

    Episode 17 - What are school trustees anyway?

    Go to http://ballotbabes.com to support our podcast, ask us a question or send us a voice memo! In this episode, we discuss the role of school trustees, their responsibilities, and the importance of voting for them. We also explore the experiences of current school trustees and their motivations for running for the position. The conversation delves into What's the workload, community engagement, and the unique aspects of school divisions and budgets? Where do your school taxes go? Resources: City of Winnipeg's list of registered candidates: https://www.winnipeg.ca/city-governance/wards-elections/2026-election/information-voters/registered-candidates#panel-registered-only-rivereasttransconaschooldivision Ian's website: www.ianwalker.ca Samantha's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samantha4ward1/

  5. Aug 28

    Episode 16 - Jeff Palmer for Fort Rouge/East Fort Garry

    Have you ever wanted to be part of a pyramid scheme? Well, do we have good news for you! Today is the launch of our brand new Ballot Box Pyramid Scheme, where we all win a Winnipeg Worth Living in if you just tell two other friends to vote! More details in this episode.  Go to ballotbabes.com to support our podcast, ask us a question or send us a voice memo! In this episode, Jeff Palmer, candidate for Fort Rouge, East Fort Garry, shares his extensive experience in city planning, his motivations for running for city council, and his vision for Winnipeg's future. We discuss urban development, social issues, and collaborative governance. Check out Jeff Palmer’s website at https://www.votejeffpalmer.ca/  Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: WRYYZI5LHS4Z8Z2F

  6. Aug 21

    Episode 15 - Sara MacArthur for River Heights/Fort Garry

    To sponsor the podcast, please go to patreon.com/herproblem or ballotbabes.com. We'd love to hear your feedback about the show, or your city councillor, the mayor, ANYTHING! Today's episode features an interview with Sara MacArthur, a candidate running for the ward seat of River Heights Fort Garry. Sara has spent over 20 years developing her resume and becoming more and more engaged in her community and now she’s ready to take a seat in the City Hall chambers! I hope you enjoy this episode and consider donating to Sara’s campaign or ANY of the political candidates that reflect your values! Get engaged, find out more and make sure to tell your babe to vote on October 28! Links: Sara’s website: https://saramacarthur.com/ Sara’s Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/saramacarthur/  Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: OCTLDWI7RHKUQXQT

  7. Aug 14

    Episode 14 - Tyler Crichton for St James

    To support this podcast head over to patreon.com/herproblem. Go to ballotbabes.com and send us some feedback about your current councillor. In today’s episode we review your feedback and talk to Tyler Crichton, city councillor candidate for St James in Winnipeg. Tyler’s vision for a St James that is community minded has 6 pillars. Watch the episode to find out more and head over to https://www.tylerforstjames.ca/  Here are some of the previous interviews with other candidates. Lora Meseman for Transcona: https://youtu.be/5bn7dXIpRnY?si=glAg-3sDjpYRLBz- Natalie Smith for Minarski: https://youtu.be/yt14p8jTYqo?si=mocSTKAiwxLbAc51  Natalie Smith for Minarski - https://natalie-for-mynarski.solidarity.tech/ Lora Meseman for Transcona - https://www.lora4transcona.ca/  Tyler Crichton for St James -  https://www.tylerforstjames.ca/  Ballot Babes - ballotbabes.com Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: F0NKIJTGTXVABUQ3

  8. Aug 8

    Episode 13 - Transcona has a Babe and shocking shake-ups in Election News!

    Go to ballotbabes.com and support our podcast, participate in our survey about your city councillor or send us a voice memo! Election season is getting near and we put city hall, transit, housing, and the dog park fight under the microscope - then Transcona candidate Lora Meseman shows up with the kind of grounded, community-first vision voters are hungry for. If you too are biased toward a livable Winnipeg, this episode is for you. Patty and Sam kick things off with their unapologetically biased take on civic politics, why labor endorsements matter, and what Sherri Rollins' decision to drop out says about the power dynamics at City Hall.  Then Lora Meseman joins the show for a candid, wide-ranging conversation about what Transcona actually needs right now. A longtime community builder and executive director of the General Council of Winnipeg Community Centers, Laura talks about decades of volunteering, raising her family in the ward, and why this is the right time to step up. She shares what she is hearing on the trail, why safe streets, green space, infrastructure, and aging in place all belong in the same conversation. Lora brings a practical, neighborhood-level perspective to some of the biggest questions in Winnipeg politics: how to build without paving over what people love, how to serve newcomers and longtime residents alike, and how to make sure public investment actually improves daily life. Essential listening if you want to understand the local election beyond the lawn signs, the outrage posts, and the headlines. If you're trying to decide who deserves your vote - or how to help a candidate you believe in - this conversation gives you a smarter, more hopeful place to start. Resources Patty’s Book: That’ll Never Work Here by Patty Wiens pattybikes.com  Sam Beiko: https://www.smbeiko.com/ Lora Meseman: https://www.lora4transcona.ca/  Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: QBCSKMOV1M20KZAV

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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
    20
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Patty Wiens & Sam Beiko
  • Show Website
    Ballot Babes

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