The Strategists

Stephen Carter, Zain Velji
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Professional unprofessional strategists Stephen Carter, Zain Velji, and Shannon Phillips break down the news of the day. Not just what’s happening, but how it’s being played. Policy is one thing. Politics is another. The show dissects the strategy behind the headlines: what governments are doing, why it matters, and the political incentives driving every move. They don't tell you what to think. They make you harder to spin. Originally hosted with Corey Hogan (now inside the machine), The Strategists now anchors a growing podcast network: •⁠ ⁠The Strategists — weekly strategy, sharp takes, and questionable professionalism •⁠ ⁠Ministry of Podcasts — Corey Hogan reports from inside Parliament •⁠ ⁠Balance of Power — Annalise Klingbeil, Shannon Phillips, and Leah Ward bring a distinct lens to power and politics Described as “shockingly insightful” and “sports talk radio for politics.” Not sponsored by Flair Airlines. Get bonus episodes and more at strategistspatreon.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Balance of Power: Does Anything Matter?

    20 HR AGO

    Balance of Power: Does Anything Matter?

    In a political moment where lines are blurring and power is shifting, what actually matters anymore? This week on Balance of Power, Shannon Phillips, Leah Ward, and Annalise Klingbeil dig into the growing trend of floor crossing. They talk about what it says about political values and whether consistency still counts in modern politics. From party loyalty to power plays, they unpack how decisions are really being made and who they’re serving. Then: a rapid-fire round on housing, space exploration, and the moments shaping the conversation right now. Plus: our new segment, Quarterly Report, where the hosts share the small things keeping them grounded in chaotic times. Welcome to Balance of Power. Have a comment or idea? Email us at suggestionbox@balanceofpowerpod.ca Join the Strategists Podcast Network Patreon for ad-free episodes and access to our exclusive Discord: https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    49 min

  2. 3 DAYS AGO

    Episode 4023: Not an Easy Pick

    Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips talk about who should be Canada’s next Governor General and what that choice is really about. What does the job actually require in this moment? What does any of this tell us about the state of the country right now? And did Strategists Media Corp really arrange a retreat in Mexico and just not tell Carter? Then for Patrons: Alberta, and what it means to actually meet the moment. When one side is willing to push, escalate, and set the terms, what is the opposition supposed to do in response? What does “finding the nerve” actually look like, and what happens when your instinct is to manage rather than confront? Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord. https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod You can also watch our episodes on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    37 min
  3. Balance of Power: Legacy, Loss, and a New NDP

    1 APR

    Balance of Power: Legacy, Loss, and a New NDP

    What happens when a leadership win sparks tension inside the party? This week on Balance of Power, Shannon Phillips, Leah Ward and Shannon Greer reflect on the legacy of Stephen Lewis, unpack the implications of Avi Lewis’s decisive leadership win, and dig into what it all means for New Democrats across the country. First: legacy and loss. The panel reflects on Stephen Lewis’ impact on Canadian politics, the NDP movement, and the organizing culture that still shapes campaigns today. Then: the new leader. What does Avi Lewis’ win signal about where the federal NDP is headed? From shifts in labour relationships to a more populist policy approach, the hosts break down the opportunities, and risks, of this moment. Plus: Saskatchewan NDP leader Carla Beck joins the show to talk about affordability, energy policy, and the realities of building a government-in-waiting. From a healthcare system pushed to the brink, to rising costs and soaring power bills, and the challenge of connecting policy to people’s day-to-day lives on the Prairies. “Legacy, Leadership, and What It Means to Be an Effective Opposition” Welcome to Balance of Power. Have a comment or idea? email us: suggestionbox@balanceofpowerpod.ca Guest MLA Carla Beck, Leader of the Saskatchewan NDP https://www.ndpcaucus.sk.ca/carlabeck Guest Host Shannon Greer https://www.newwestpublicaffairs.ca/shannon-greer Mentioned in this episode Stephen Lewis' Eulogy for Jack Layton https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/1.1715421 The Stephen Lewis Foundation https://stephenlewisfoundation.org/ Stephen Lewis GOTV Speech https://www.facebook.com/reel/2076947419829035 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    58 min

  4. 31 MAR

    Episode 4022: Avi Lewis vs Everyone

    Zain Velji, Shannon Phillips, and Stephen Carter talk about Avi Lewis’s leadership win and the immediate political shockwaves across the country. They dive into how provincial NDP leaders are reacting, what this means for party unity, and whether this is a reset or a rupture. They also revisit Alberta gerrymandering from last week’s Patreon exclusive episode and the strategy behind it. Who handled Avi Lewis’s moment the best? What’s actually going on with Alberta’s boundaries fight, and who benefits? And how does Wab Kinew keep getting away with it? Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line. Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord. https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod Watch full episodes and clips on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 5min
  5. Balance of Power: Liberation in the Streets, Kettleballs in the Sheets

    25 MAR

    Balance of Power: Liberation in the Streets, Kettleballs in the Sheets

    Is this about rights or strategy? This week on Balance of Power, Annalise Klingbeil, Leah Ward and Shannon Phillips talk kettlebells (kettleballs?) before digging into the politics behind the latest waves of anti-trans policy in Canada and what it reveals about how governments choose to fight. First: the framing. How “parental rights” moved from the margins to the centre of the debate and who it is actually for. Is this persuasion? Base mobilization? Or something else entirely? Then: the shift from clinical care to political conflict. What happens when decisions that used to sit with doctors, patients, and families get pulled into legislatures, and why that shift matters. Plus: the limits of the Charter. If governments are willing to test or override legal protections, what does that mean for how these fights play out going forward? And finally: if the courts are not enough, what options are left and what does an effective political response actually look like? Strategy, framing, legal limits, and what happens when politics moves faster than institutions. Welcome to Balance of Power. Have a comment or idea? email us: suggestionbox@balanceofpowerpod.ca Correction: Around 51:55 where Leah mentions the Alberta case before the courts, it is actualy the Saskatchewan challenge before the Supreme Court. Alberta had applied as an intervenor. As of recording Alberta's challenge is currently at the appeal stage. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 5min

  6. 24 MAR

    Episode 4020: Carter Polls Ahead

    Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips dive into the most important poll in Canadian political history. They break down what name ID actually means and what this poll is really measuring. Then they pivot to the real game: golden cats, free Saudi planes, and how political scandals actually get built and stick. What does this poll actually tell us about polling, attention, and political relevance? Why do some stories take off while others need a push to build momentum? And how many defamation suits is producer Haxim quietly preventing? Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line. Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord. https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod You can also watch our episodes on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    45 min
  7. Balance of Power: The Politics of the Scoop

    18 MAR

    Balance of Power: The Politics of the Scoop

    Big news. Serious business. No press conference. Just a leak. This week on Balance of Power, Annalise Klingbeil, Leah Ward and Shannon Phillips dig into how this actually works. Government wants something out there. Not a scrum. Not a pile of questions. Their version. First. So it shows up in a column. A scoop. Headline already pointed where they want it. Why do it this way? What do they get out of it? And why does it still work? Then it gets into the weeds. Carbon pricing. Credits. Markets. How it’s supposed to work. How it actually works. Shannon Phillips walks through it. Why some companies are sitting on credits. Why the price isn’t what people think it is. And why this is heading for a fight with Ottawa. Policy is one thing. The story is another. Have a comment or idea? email us: suggestionbox@balanceofpowerpod.ca Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus Strategists episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord. https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    47 min

  8. 16 MAR

    Episode 4018: Zohran McPhillips

    Shannon Phillips and Stephen Carter dive into the latest NDP leadership drama after Avi Lewis finds himself at the centre of a resurfaced clip mocking Shannon’s time as Alberta’s environment minister. What started as an old video quickly turns into a conversation about factional politics inside the NDP, leadership style, and what happens when activists try to run political parties. Is Avi Lewis trying to build a movement—or just impersonate one? Why does the “Zohran model” work in New York but struggle to translate to Canadian politics? And at what point does Carter’s haircut become a national unity issue? Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line. Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord. https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod You can also watch our episodes on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    49 min
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About

Professional unprofessional strategists Stephen Carter, Zain Velji, and Shannon Phillips break down the news of the day. Not just what’s happening, but how it’s being played. Policy is one thing. Politics is another. The show dissects the strategy behind the headlines: what governments are doing, why it matters, and the political incentives driving every move. They don't tell you what to think. They make you harder to spin. Originally hosted with Corey Hogan (now inside the machine), The Strategists now anchors a growing podcast network: •⁠ ⁠The Strategists — weekly strategy, sharp takes, and questionable professionalism •⁠ ⁠Ministry of Podcasts — Corey Hogan reports from inside Parliament •⁠ ⁠Balance of Power — Annalise Klingbeil, Shannon Phillips, and Leah Ward bring a distinct lens to power and politics Described as “shockingly insightful” and “sports talk radio for politics.” Not sponsored by Flair Airlines. Get bonus episodes and more at strategistspatreon.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Stephen Carter, Zain Velji
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    89
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2015-2026 The Strategists Media Corporation
  • Show Website
    The Strategists

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