Should Canada invest in guns (defence)? Or butter (schools, roads, hospitals)? Military spending is already way up in this country, and is expected to keep rising. Host Paul Haavardsrud discusses the implications of this with Eugene Lang at Queen's University. Plus, the phrase "hot girl walk" is trademarked in Canada. Yes, really. We look at the growing appeal of trademarking viral phrases. We also examine how the relationship between Scholastic, a for-profit U.S. company, and Canadian schools became so unshakeable.

Sure, if you compare our economies based on GDP per capita. But is GDP per capita the best way to measure our standard of living? From donuts to chia seeds, we explore why so many products have their own national day on the calendar. Plus, is putting all your hard-earned cash into a house really the best decision for you? We explore the case for renting versus buying.

The price of services, like haircuts, is climbing, but the price of some goods, like microwaves, is dropping. So what gives? Something called the Baumol effect. Also, we look at the growing popularity of "admin parties," and ask if being yourself at work can be a career-killer when Paul Haavardsrud speaks to Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, author of Don't Be Yourself: Why Authenticity is Overrated.

Many see critical minerals as an untapped resource and major economic opportunity for Canada. But could their real value be more strategic than economic? Plus, we explain how all the weird food ends up at HomeSense and Winners, and look at what's behind the resurgence of old-school film cameras.

Today's tech billionaires are rich in a way the world has never seen, and they're not shy about flaunting the power that comes with it. It has some people asking: "Should there even be billionaires?" Plus, we ask if braces are the new midlife motorcycle and explore the long, and sometimes hilarious, history of corporate blunders. 

Back in the day, bike thieves could snip through cheap cable locks, but they were stymied by the more expensive U-locks. Then, one power tool came along and changed everything. Also, why more women are travelling solo and and why many of us are just one "turning point moment" away from chucking it all and quitting our jobs.

There's more than one way to save, so why not try something new? Like an "unbreakable piggy bank"? Plus, how much do Canadians need to save to enjoy retirement? We explore why we over-value the things we save, and hear from a money coach who says if you want to save big you've got to think big, and stop feeling guilty about buying those daily lattes.

AI agents can do all sorts of tasks for us — including shopping — but how do we know the bots are working for us, and not the company that made them? Plus, we ask if 99 cent price tags are finally being phased out, and make the case for why we might be in the golden age of free TV. So let's enjoy it while it lasts.

Thousands of Canadians have launched GoFundMe campaigns this year, asking for help with everyday expenses. But, as more of us struggle with the cost of living, is crowdfunding the best way to keep up? Also, just how much does it cost small towns to maintain giant roadside attractions? And we ask: what does the rise of Elon Musk, the world's first trillionaire, say about capitalism in the 21st century? Paul Haavardsrud speaks to Quinn Slobodian, co-author of Muskism: A Guide for the Perplexed.

Canada's free trade deal is up for renegotiation and the stakes are high. More than 70 per cent of our exports head south. So does Canada need to play tough at the CUSMA table? Also, we hear from small businesses across the country about their hopes and worries for trade talks and take a closer look at Canada's sacred cow: supply management.