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The Speak Easy Podcast evokes the spirit of fearless conversation and honest debate. Like the hidden bars of the Prohibition era, this podcast creates a space for unfiltered political discourse – where ideas flow freely, perspectives clash respectfully, and nothing is off the table. With co-hosts Robert Peace and Josh Vierimaa offering both seasoned insight and fresh perspective, The Speak Easy invites listeners into a conversation that is as bold as it is accessible.

Episode 7 06/25 – The Rise of Right-Wing Populism in the West

As the western world experiences a rise in right-wing populism, a political ideology blending right-wing politics with populist rhetoric and images in opposition to the establishment, the movement claims to be the best choice representing the common folk. The Speak Easy explores the trend where right-wing populists aim to defend a national culture, identity, and economy against attacks by outsiders.

Robert Peace is a longtime political strategist, media producer, and community advocate based in Sault Ste. Marie. With decades of experience advising leaders, running campaigns, and building grassroots initiatives, he brings sharp insights and a deep understanding of politics at every level.

Josh Vierimaa is an 18-year-old political consultant and rising voice in Canadian conservatism. As a strategist for both provincial and federal Conservative campaigns in Sault Ste. Marie, founder of the Conservative Youth at Algoma University and President of the Students’ Union, Josh brings sharp political instincts, a deep love of history, and a fresh generational perspective to The Speak Easy podcast.

Date:13 June 2025 .

Pride Month, sometimes specified as LGBTQ Pride Month held in June, is a month-long observance dedicated to the celebration of LGBTQ pride, commemorating the contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer culture and community. In communities small and large, from coast to coast to coast, thousands will celebrate, speak out, dance, march and learn. The ladies have a session on the events of the Pride celebration.

Date:13 June 2025 .

Todd “FLEET-O” Fleet has been a life long artist, creative and avid auto enthusiast and restorer. He has been creating private and commissioned artwork and tinkering with cars since he could hold a crayon and turn a wrench!

FLEET-O spent most of his early artistic career creating works and exhibitions for various regional and international automotive shows, clubs and clients. While still creating his art, he spent the majority of his career (18+ years) in the broader arts, culture and heritage sector as an exhibit designer/builder, museum curator and municipal arts and culture coordinator. Check CV/Bio section for more info!

Artist’s Statement:

Lighting Fires, Burning Tires! “Creature of the Wheel” represents the renewal of my personal artistic and creative fires. My subject matter acts as a perfect metaphor and parallel to my own artistic journey. As many of the subjects featured in these works were once kaleidoscopic, brightly clad and powerful dream machines with the ability to create impactful, lasting life experiences and grant personal freedom to their owners; and which over time, as the necessities and pursuits of familiar lives grew these machines often found themselves shut away in the dark recesses of garages and barns, occasionally to be looked at with thoughts of “someday”. And like these long dormant avatars, to be later, rediscovered by their owners and resurrected, restored, modified by time and experience – better than new – to roll into the light once more!”

Featured Music: Dynowaves Theme Music: MAN FEELINGS

Date:11 June 2025 .

Sheena Smith is an Author, Speaker and Dream Builder Coach. She loves meeting others and enjoys helping individuals to be inspired to live the life of their dreams. She believes in living a fulfilling, adventurous and happy life despite life’s setbacks and challenges. Her coaching focus is mind, body and spirit centered.

“Life Simply Put” is an Award Winner and Best Seller. It is a mother’s view on 18 Simple Words for an Abundant Life. You will be inspired to dream big, laugh often and live a life full of adventure and truth. May you always give and get respect and know that you matter!

In 2013, her book was awarded a Gold Seal for Literary Excellence awarded by Trafford Publishing. The cover has been redesigned to carry the seal of recognition for her literary accomplishment of receiving a positive review from the US Review of Books.

Sheena Smith has been a special education assistant for over 20 years and has raised four children, including two children with special needs. She knows the challenges children face daily both at home and within the educational system.

Visit: facebook.com/sheenas2

“Every page is a delight to contemplate.”

Date:10 June 2025 .

S2.E12: COMMUNICATION

To live in this world is not possible without the exchange of information or news, what we call communication. Communication happens in several ways, most commonly in a verbal or non-verbal fashion, often in a visual manner. Maria, with Fidgal, communicate other ways to exchange thoughts and information. Let’s open the lines.

THE NEW NORMAL PODCAST – Maria Iuliano with Fidgal

Maria guides a successful business called Fidgal, named after Maria’s guardian angel. They met when Maria was 5 years old.

Maria is a Peace Therapist, graduated with Honours in Peace and Conflict Studies from Sault College of Applied Arts and Technology. With this knowledge, along with her expertise in the afterlife and her ability to see auras, Maria helps others find and create peace in their lives.

Visit: fidgal.com

“Miscommunication is not living in the moment to communicate.”

Date:9 June 2025 .

On ‘IDENTITY’ from Michael Yurich, he reveals how the songs emerged, the work in crafting them and the influences that sparked them. In the end, each song breathes with its own story of the blues.

It is safe to say that Michael Yurich is a road warrior. He was first introduced to music through his family’s Croatian roots, at family events, gatherings and community festivals. As a teenager, already having learned guitar and keyboards, he traveled to the Toronto bar scene and discovered the blues, particularly that of Domenic Troiano. His life changed. From there and since, he has played in numerous bands in various places around the world, from Toronto and Sarnia in Southern Ontario, to Detroit and area, to the Canadian west to places in Alberta and British Columbia, as well as extensive time in South Korea. His attachment to his hometown of Sault Ste. Marie remained throughout all the travels, and is home base these days.

Yurich has always dedicated himself to the music and to the craft of songwriting. That passion he claims has never subsided, and today he finds himself getting up everyday and writing songs, coming up with melody and tinkering with lyrics, practicing guitar and keys, always looking for new sounds and ways to express the music.

“If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way.”

Date:7 June 2025 .

June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, an opportunity to learn about the unique cultures, traditions and experiences of First Nations, Inuit and Métis. It’s a time to honour the stories, achievements and resilience of Indigenous Peoples, who have lived on this land since time immemorial and whose presence continues to impact the evolving Canada. (Artwork by Zoey Wood-Salomon)

Date:6 June 2025 .

Frank Belleau, of Garden River First Nations, is a man of many talents with an especially deep spiritual connection to baaga’adowewin, lacrosse in the English language, a game that is traced back almost 1,000 years. Native oral traditions tell us that lacrosse was first played between birds and mammals, that the sport was a gift from the Creator to be used for enjoyment and as medicine, and beyond serving as a ritual ceremony lacrosse was often used to settle disagreements between tribes.

Painting by: George Catlin

 “Lacrosse is part of that story of our creation, of our identity, of who we are, so, when we play the game, we always say that there’s a simultaneous game going on in Sky World and our ancestors are playing with us.”

Date:5 June 2025 .

S2.E11: CODEPENDENCY

Where one person enables another person’s self-destructive tendencies (such as addiction, poor mental health, immaturity, irresponsibility, or under-achievement) and/or undermines the other person’s relationship. Maria’ with Fidgal, empathize and share their teachings.

THE NEW NORMAL PODCAST – Maria Iuliano with Fidgal

Maria guides a successful business called Fidgal, named after Maria’s guardian angel. They met when Maria was 5 years old.

Maria is a Peace Therapist, graduated with Honours in Peace and Conflict Studies from Sault College of Applied Arts and Technology. With this knowledge, along with her expertise in the afterlife and her ability to see auras, Maria helps others find and create peace in their lives.

Visit: fidgal.com

“The truth is setting you up for VICTORY, the lies are keeping you a victim.”

Date:3 June 2025 .

E1: LUCIA LAFORD

Wiisaakwide Nini (Sweet Bear Heart Man) – John Eric Laford (Oct. 21, 1954 – Nov. 16, 2021) was an internationally renowned world famous artist and professor. He was instrumental in many Indigenous movements and he was spiritually connected to the Anishinaabe way of life. John was a very respected elder in the Indigenous community and was a pipe carrier and a language keeper.

The first episode of Nish Corner. Podcast hostess Biidaa Bin Migiwizi – Dawn Eagle (Adrienne Beaupre) welcomes Waawaaskone Kwe – Bringer of Lightning Woman (Lucia Laford) as a guest. Lucia is the daughter of John Laford. The conversation starts with Nish Corner, a space where family and friends and all peoples gather to share stories and express themselves in a welcoming and trusting environment. We learn that John Laford was the driving force behind the simple gathering place that came to be known as Nish Corner. Lucia reflects on her father’s life and art and how the lessons he imparted upon her are influencing her daily journey and the career path she has chosen, one as an artist and teacher.

Date:2 June 2025 .