On The Brian Crombie Radio Hour, a wide-ranging and provocative conversation about Canada’s place in a rapidly fragmenting world — and what may have changed after Mark Carney’s speech at Davos. Brian is joined by Murray Simser to explore what Simser calls a post-Carney moment in Canadian thinking: a shift away from cautious middle-power assumptions toward a clearer recognition of Canada as a $3-trillion economy with real leverage — if it chooses to use it. The discussion examines:

• 🌍 What Carney’s Davos remarks signal about Canada’s willingness to selectively decouple from U.S. dominance
• 🇨🇦 Why the “middle power” label may be a comforting myth that limits Canadian ambition
• 💰 Whether Canada could withstand serious trade disruption with the United States — and what economic independence would actually require
• ⚡ Alberta’s energy frustration, separatist sentiment, and why pipelines are ultimately a federal sovereignty question
• 🧭 Canada’s historical near-misses — moments when independence and unity were far from guaranteed
• 📱 Why social media platforms now rival governments in real power — and the implications for democratic legitimacy
• 🌱 Why the global system itself may need to be re-architected to address climate, trade, and institutional trust

This is not a conversation about nationalism or nostalgia. It’s about agency — whether Canada is prepared to say no, assert its economic independence, and act with confidence in a world where old alliances and assumptions no longer hold.

On The Brian Crombie Radio Hour, three distinct conversations come together around one quiet but powerful thread: how we listen, how we belong, and what happens when people stop being seen. In the opening segment, Brian reflects on the philosophy behind his interviewing style — why real insight comes from patience, space, and allowing guests to move beyond rehearsed answers into their deeper “signature story.” In a media culture driven by speed and certainty, this is a case for slowing down — and why thoughtful listening matters more than ever. Next, the show takes an unexpected turn with a lively and thoughtful discussion on whether Canada should join the Eurovision Song Contest. Joined by historian Dean Vuletic, the conversation explores Eurovision as more than entertainment — a cultural and political institution that reveals how nations express identity, belonging, and soft power on a global stage. The program closes with a commentary on invisibility — not being criticized or opposed, but simply not being noticed. It examines how quiet reliability is often mistaken for replaceability, why organizations reward visibility over value, and why people rarely leave loudly — they disengage quietly. Three conversations.

One shared question.
What does it mean to truly be heard — and seen?

Is Mississauga drifting… or ready to decide? On this Thursday’s Brian Crombie Radio Hour, Brian examines what’s happening beneath the surface in Canada’s sixth-largest city. Rising property taxes, a frozen housing market, growing crime concerns — nothing is collapsing, but nothing seems to be moving forward either. The first half features a rebroadcast of Brian’s conversation with Nokha Dakroub of The Radical Centre Podcast, exploring the subtle pressures and quiet failures that shape cities. In the second half, Brian lays out a clear, actionable five-point strategy to renew Mississauga:

• 🚆 Transit — all-day, two-way, frequent GO Train service on the Milton–Mississauga line
• 🏗️ Housing — eliminate development fees for two years, streamline approvals, and cut red tape
• 💰 Taxes — zero-based budgeting, expenditure control, and increases no greater than inflation
• 🚓 Public Safety — fully fund Peel Police with measurable accountability
• 🌳 Vision — actionable plans for Riverwood, Britannia Farms, One Port Street, and downtown Mississauga

This isn’t ideology — it’s about competence, priorities, and whether Mississauga is ready to act.

How do leaders make good decisions when certainty is impossible and distractions are everywhere? On this Wednesday’s Brian Crombie Radio Hour, Brian sits down with Sam Sivarajan, author of The Uncertainty Edge, to explore practical, evidence-based approaches to leadership, judgment, and decision-making in an age of doubt. They discuss:

• 🧠 Why waiting for certainty is often the biggest leadership mistake
• ⚖️ The difference between confidence and conviction — and why conviction drives results
• 🏭 Lessons from Andy Grove “firing himself” at Intel on adaptive leadership
• 📱 How algorithms and the attention economy distort judgment and encourage impulsive decisions
• 🧭 Why disciplined processes outweigh motivation or personality in real-world leadership
• 🌱 The crucial role of character, reflection, and ethical decision-making

This isn’t about leadership slogans or hustle culture — it’s about thinking clearly, deciding responsibly, and acting with conviction when the path forward isn’t obvious.

Is Canada prepared for a United States that treats trade, tariffs, and even ridicule as instruments of power? On this Tuesday’s Brian Crombie Radio Hour, Brian is joined by Drew Fagan, Professor at U of T’s Munk School, Visiting Professor at Yale, and former Head of Policy Planning at Global Affairs Canada, for a sobering conversation about strategy, leverage, and national survival. They explore:

• 🇺🇸 How tariffs, threats, and even nicknames are used as political tools
• 📉 Why Canada’s economic size is now weaponized in U.S. negotiations
• 📦 Whether global free trade was an anomaly and the return of mercantilism
• ⚠️ What extreme tariff threats really signal
• 🌏 The China factor and the risks of strategic autonomy
• 🧭 Whether Canada is still playing the U.S. game effectively

This isn’t about panic — it’s about preparation, clarity, and understanding how Canada can protect its sovereignty in a world where rules no longer safeguard smaller players.

On The Brian Crombie Radio Hour, Rick Anderson, Senior Fellow at the C.D. Howe Institute and principal at e4 Strategies, joins the conversation to challenge Canada’s assumptions about trade, energy, and its relationship with the United States. In a global landscape where protectionism, technological competition, and geopolitical shifts are the new normal, Canada can no longer rely on the “risk-free status quo.” Rick and Brian discuss:

• Why the global trade order is fragmenting, not expanding
• How Trump-era U.S. policies continue to reshape Canadian strategy
• The urgent need for trade diversification toward Europe and Asia
• Canada’s lag in offshore wind and renewable energy development
• The vital role of Indigenous partnerships in economic sovereignty
• Moving beyond performative compliance to real national strategy

A grounded, unsentimental look at the choices Canada must make to secure its economic and geopolitical future.

on The Brian Crombie Radio Hour, Brian sits down with Nizar Ladak, author of The Power of Scars: My Journey from Refugee to CEO, for a compelling conversation about resilience, leadership, and meaning. From fleeing Idi Amin’s Uganda to confronting racism and professional setbacks, Nizar’s journey demonstrates how life’s scars can become sources of strength. They discuss:

• How early hardship shaped leadership resilience
• Transforming scars into superpowers
• Navigating senior roles while facing systemic challenges
• Rebuilding identity after loss of power
• What true resilience looks like under pressure

A deeply human story of endurance, growth, and dignity — this episode goes beyond slogans to explore how adversity can forge exceptional leadership.

on The Brian Crombie Radio Hour, Brian speaks with Karl Moore, Associate Professor at McGill University and co-author of We Are All We Amberverts, about the future of leadership in a complex world. Karl challenges the old introvert/extrovert framework, showing that the most effective leaders today are amberverts — those who can flex between listening and leading, reflection and engagement, without compromising authenticity. In this conversation, they explore:

• Why traditional charismatic, extroverted leadership is no longer enough
• The science of personality, adaptability, and situational leadership
• Stretching behaviors without becoming inauthentic
• Reverse mentoring and learning across generations
• Why humility and listening have become leadership superpowers

A practical, evidence-based discussion on how leaders can thrive in uncertainty, complexity, and change.

On The Brian Crombie Radio Hour, Brian sits down with Susan Pinker, psychologist and bestselling author of The Village Effect, to discuss the science of human connection and why face-to-face interaction is critical for health, resilience, and longevity. In this evidence-based conversation, they explore:

• Why digital connection can’t replace real-life interaction
• How the pandemic intensified loneliness, especially among young people
• The hidden health costs of social isolation
• Lessons from long-living, tightly connected communities
• Why fostering meaningful, in-person relationships is more urgent than ever

A practical, insightful discussion on belonging, connection, and the power of human presence.

On The Brian Crombie Radio Hour, Peter Copeland of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute joins the conversation to discuss why Canada may need an immigration reset. From integration and social cohesion to skill-based migration and long-term productivity, Peter breaks down why the current model — focused on scale and symbolism — is quietly straining housing, trust, and social systems. Topics include:

• Why immigration numbers matter as much as policy
• Skill-based migration vs. symbolic diversity
• Integration, acculturation, and social trust
• Lessons from Europe on successful integration
• Why ignoring these issues fuels backlash

This isn’t anti-immigration — it’s a thoughtful conversation about sustainability, cohesion, and honest policy planning.