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. 2d ago

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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/

  8. 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

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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
    23
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Patty Wiens & Sam Beiko
  • Show Website
    Ballot Babes

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