Brian interviews Christian Leuprecht. Christian is the Class of 1965 Professor in Leadership, Department of Political Science and Economics, Royal Military College; Director, Institute of Intergovernmental Relations, School of Policy Studies, Queen’s University. Christian Leuprecht talks about his op ed “Let’s reassure our American neighbours that Canada has their back” discussing “Mr. Trump’s threat of tariffs in exchange for concessions on illegal migration, narcotics enforcement, and organized crime.”

Brian interviews Richard Lyall. Richard, President of RESCON, the Residential Construction Council of Ontario, is a prolific writer, speaker and commentator on what has and is going wrong. He feels that taxes and development fees adding hip to 36% of the cost of housing; red tape, unneeded zoning and building regulations that add up to the longest approval delays in the world; are some of the causes of our crisis. He calls for change, and quick. Richard Lyall talks about what he sees as our housing and vision crisis in the GTA and Canada as we look to 2025.

Brian interviews Ayelet Tsabari. Ayelet is an Israeli-Canadian author celebrated for her vivid storytelling and exploration of identity, belonging, and cultural displacement. Born in Israel in 1973 to a Yemeni Jewish family, her work reflects her heritage and experiences as an immigrant in Canada. The stories delve into the lives of Israeli characters navigating themes of love, war, family, and identity. Tsabari’s writing is known for its emotional depth, vivid imagery, and nuanced portrayal of the immigrant experience. She highlights Mizrahi Jewish identity, gender, and cultural hybridity, capturing the tension and richness of life between worlds. Initially writing in Hebrew, she transitioned to English, achieving international acclaim for her compelling and relatable narratives. She talks about her gorgeous novel, “Songs for the Broken Hearted”.

Brian interviews John Lorinc. John is a Toronto freelance journalist, editor and ghost-writer. He specializes in cities, climate and technology. Lorinc has contributed to numerous national and local publications including The Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star, Spacing Magazine, Walrus, Canadian Business, Reader's Digest, and the New York Times. He delves into why transit projects, like those by Metrolinx, are so costly and slow to complete. A University of Toronto Cities study highlights "soft costs," such as consultant fees, as a primary reason for these inflated expenses. The discussion also critiques the Triple-P model and the need to reconsider approaches like InfraOntario. This examination raises crucial questions about improving efficiency and accountability in transit infrastructure development.

Brian interviews Zein Almoghraby. Zein is the Director of International Programs at Journalists for Human Rights. After studying law, Almoghraby started his professional life as a legal aide to Syrian human rights advocacy before moving on to media development, working as program coordinator at the Center for Defending Freedom of Journalists (CDFJ) in Amman, Jordan. Zein Almoghraby talks about what’s going on currently in Syria.

Brian interviews Sébastien Dallaire. Sébastien serves as the Executive Vice President at Léger, Canada's largest independent market research and analytics firm. With over 25 years of experience in public opinion research, he is recognized as one of Canada's leading experts in understanding citizens' and voters' attitudes and behaviors. He has covered Quebec provincial election nights on CTV since 2014 and is a regular commentator on provincial and national media outlets. After the Bloc Québécois federally, and the Parti Québécois provincially, were thought to be on their deathbeds in 2011 and 2018 respectively, they are both back on top of voting intentions in Quebec. What does it mean for Quebec and Canada? Are we about to embark on another wild referendum ride?

Brian interviews  Jeff Mahon. Jeff is Director of StrategyCorp’s Geopolitical and International Business Advisory. He is also an Executive in Residence at the Canada West Foundation. Prior to this he served as Deputy Director at Global Affairs Canada’s China Division, was Nunavut’s Chief Negotiator for the Canadian Free Trade Agreement negotiations, and ran his own import and export brokerage company. Jeff Mahon talks about the Canadian economy and several articles he has written about Canada as we are reckoning with big changes in the world. This is important because Canada’s economy is dependent on trade and international developments are shaping/limiting options available to us.

Brian interviews Julie Salverson. Julie is a Canadian author, playwright, and academic known for her exploration of storytelling, trauma, and resilience. Her forthcoming book, A Necessary Distance: Confessions of a Scriptwriter's Daughter, blends memoir with historical investigation, focusing on her father, George Salverson, a renowned Canadian scriptwriter who contributed significantly to early radio and television. The book is described as a "detective story," tracing George Salverson's life through his personal notebooks and records. Julie uncovers fragments of her father’s experiences, including his upbringing among poor Icelandic immigrants, the influence of his Governor General's Award-winning mother, and the challenges of working in early Canadian media.

Brian interviews Kalynn Borland. Kalynn is a dynamic mortgage agent with a truly unique background. Before stepping into the world of finance and real estate, Kalynn spent years traveling the globe, working on luxury yachts and private jets. This fascinating prior experience not only gave her a worldly perspective but also a deep understanding of luxury markets and the needs of high-net-worth individuals. In our conversation, Kalynn shares her insights on the mortgage market, offering her expectations on interest rates and trends. We discuss whether people are actively buying homes in the current climate and how factors like rate terms—short vs. long—are influencing decisions. Kalynn also provides valuable advice for specific groups like condo buyers, shedding light on what’s happening in this segment of the market.

Brian interviews Siobhan Chirico. Siobhan, a registered psychotherapist based in Burlington, Ontario, specializes in supporting children and families. She is also a respected educator, well-known for her dedication to reshaping how people understand children’s emotional health and well-being. Siobhan is passionate about making the latest research on child development accessible and engaging, helping parents and educators embrace these insights in practical, often whimsical ways. A key part of her work includes teaching Self-Regulated Learning, equipping families and schools with tools to better understand and guide children's behavior. She discusses these themes in her book, "Managing Meltdowns and Challenging Behaviour", a valuable resource for families seeking effective solutions.

Then, Brian is joined by Matthew Wiseman, a student, who asks Brian some questions about his career.