The Munsinger Affair traces its roots to the Cold War era when the Western world was gripped by ideological tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union. In the midst of this international climate, the Canadian government, led by Prime Minister John Diefenbaker, faced an unexpected storm that would test its integrity and leadership. In 1961, Gerda Munsinger, a German immigrant, and former call girl, came to public attention as allegations of espionage, prostitution, and potential compromise of national security emerged.

On this episode, we’re covering the King-Byng Affair, also known as the King-Byng Wing Ding which I kind of like better. The King-Byng affair involved Prime Minister William Lion Mackenzie King and Governor General, Julian Byng. Have you ever wondered what the heck the governor-general does? Or what the longest-serving Prime Minister in Canada got up to over the course of his tenure? Well, I’ve got answers! More scandal! More illicit activity! And even more drunken follies!

It’s 1867 and Sir John A. Macdonald has just been named Canada’s first Prime Minister! He is a builder of nations! A unifier of Provinces! And he is in a lot of trouble for potential acts of collusion while simply trying to broker a fancy transcontinental railway to the Pacific Coast. Will he succeed? Will he go to jail? Will the railway get built? What a cliffhanger!

Join me as we explore Canada’s first major political scandal as a freshly minted, lil’ bébé of a country!

On June 4, 1965, Rene Castellani ascended the iconic BOWMAC sign on West Broadway for CKNW’s “Guy in the Sky” promotional campaign. While Rene spent 8 days sleeping in a station wagon, his wife, Esther, lay dying in the hospital. Join me as I explore the case of Esther Castellani’s murder by White Spot milkshake.

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Are you even Canadian if you don’t know the lyrics to Hello Time Bomb? Jokes. But there was a time when Matthew Good Band was everywhere and during that time Matt Good garnered quite the reputation. Join me as I explore the rise of Matthew Good Band and look at what happened after their break up.

Please note that this episode does contain a splash of profanity as well as some difficult topics.

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Who knew a small 83-hectare Island off the coast of British Columbia could hold such a dark past? Join me as we explore how leprosy and the rise of racism in BC led to the exile of Chinese Canadians to D’Arcy Island.

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Few locations in BC conjure up as much mystery and curiosity as Riverview Hospital and neighbouring Colony Farm. At well over 100 years old, Riverview’s history is long and, at times, quite dark. Join me as I explore both Riverview’s rise as one of the most prolific mental health facilities in North America and its eventual downfall.

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How are Gabriola Mansion, Maxine’s Beauty Parlour, and prohibition all connected? By way of secret tunnels of course! Join me as we explore the secret history of “Blue Blood Alley” and the tunnels that connected Vancouver’s elite to the bootleggers of English Bay.

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Click here to learn more about the history of the Vancouver Art Gallery

In 1907, General Alexander Duncan McRae moved his family to Vancouver and built a sprawling 20,000 sqft mansion in Shaughnessy Heights. Hycroft was home to some of the best parties the city had ever seen but was it also home to Scottish nursemaid Janet Smith’s murder? Join me as we explore the dark history of one of Vancouver’s most elite neighbourhoods.

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In 1931, the North Shore changed forever as the Lions Gate Bridge connected the downtown core to the districts of North and West Vancouver. Join me as we explore the history of one of Vancouver’s best-known landmarks and dig deep into the discrimination that came with it.

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