The Debaters

This week, it’s a grocery grudge match when we ask: Are shopping carts superior to baskets? Matt Wright is ready to push his argument for shopping carts, but Jan Caruana brings a well-handled rebuttal in favour of baskets. Next, does nothing beat an invitation to the cottage? Laurie Elliott has her bags packed, but Tamara Shevon is ready to leave cottage life behind.

Featuring: Matt Wright, Jan Caruana, Laurie Elliott, and Tamara Shevon.

On this week’s new episode, London’s calling, when we pit London, Ontario against London, England. Ron Sparks says Canada's London is a city after his own heart, but Arthur Simeon believes the British version is better. Then, we’re deciding if Facebook Marketplace is the best place to buy and sell. Graham Chittenden gives this platform a five-star rating, but Kaitlin Shuvera refuses to use Meta’s marketplace.

Featuring: Ron Sparks, Arthur Simeon, Graham Chittenden, and Kaitlin Shuvera.

This Mother’s Day weekend, we’re pitting parental holidays against each other. Dave Hemstad says Mother’s Day is the mother of all holidays, but Elvira Kurt believes Father’s Day is far superior. Next, we’re seeing if a coach is a make or break mentor. Emmanuel Lomuro claims coaches can change lives, but Patrick Dussault is tired of these trainers.

Featuring: Dave Hemstad, Elvira Kurt, Emmanuel Lomuro, and Patrick Dussault.

The Big Five answers the most pressing question of our time: what are the “Big 5” of any given category? Not the best 5. Not the top 5. Not anyone’s favourite 5. But objectively, the Big 5. In each episode, Donovan Woods, Tom Power, and a celebrity guest tackle new topics and debate things like: what are the Big 5 farm animals? Types of hats? Slang terms for “butt”? Ways to cook a potato? Guys named Paul? Guests in this season include Vivek Shraya, Jordan Canning, William Prince, Lindsay Ell, Elamin Abdelmahmoud and more!

More episodes of The Big Five are available wherever you get your podcasts, and here: https://link.mgln.ai/TB5xTD

In this week’s all-you-can-laugh episode, we’re asking if table service is better than a buffet. Simon Rakoff serves up his best jokes in support of table service but Wassim El-Mounzer is ready to make us believe in buffets. Then, does Toronto offer the best quality of life? Juno award-winner Adam Christie says yes, his city CN Towers above the rest, but Clare Belford thinks the “T-Dot” has lost the plot.

Featuring: Simon Rakoff, Wassim El-Mounzer, Adam Christie, and Clare Belford.

This week, we’re covering a topic from A to Gen Z. Do millennials win the parenting prize? Levi McCachen says millennials have totally won parenting, but Simon King says other generations do it better. Next, it’s rain versus shine. Charles Haycock says rain rules, but Katie-Ellen Humphries is ready to argue her position with a sunny disposition.

Featuring: Levi McCachen, Simon King, Charles Haycock, and Katie-Ellen Humphries.

Prepare to be floored! This week, we’re deciding if carpet conquers hardwood. Jan Caruana’s on a roll when she argues in favour of carpet, but Sean Cullen says wood floors are best, plank you very much! Then, from London, Ontario, home of Western University, we’re asking: does nothing beat living in a university town? Courtney Gilmour's in-tuition says yes, but Rob Bebenek believes it’s better to live far away from any campus.

Featuring: Jan Caruana, Sean Cullen, Courtney Gilmour, and Rob Bebenek.

Is avoiding scammers mission imposter-ble? Craig Fay argues that it’s easy to fall for a scam these days, but Elvira Kurt is a born skeptic. Next, we’re talking book clubs. Martha Chaves says they’re a novel idea, but Kyle Brownrigg refuses to join the club.

Featuring: Craig Fay, Elvira Kurt, Martha Chaves, and Kyle Brownrigg.

Is quiet something to treasure? Yumi Nagashima believes in the sanctity of silence, but Charlie Demers is ready to make some noise against that notion. Then, we’re deciding if a smoothie is meal-worthy. Katie-Ellen Humphries is prepared to do some smooth-talking, but Gavin Clarkson refuses to blend.

Featuring: Yumi Nagashima, Charlie Demers, Katie-Ellen Humphries, and Gavin Clarkson.

This week, we’re in London, Ontario, aka “The Forest City” and we’re asking if trees are overrated. Dave Hemstad says yes, it’s time to fir-get our forest friends, but Jon Steinberg believes he’s barking up the wrong tree. Then, we talk about the pros and cons of praise. Kate Davis disapproves of excess approval but Faris Hytiaa is ready to rave about recognition.

Featuring: Dave Hemstad, Jon Steinberg, Kate Davis, and Faris Hytiaa.