Many journalists and commentators are leaving the mainstream media to start new enterprises of their own. It’s not for the faint of heart, but audiences are responding. Politics in Alberta provides a steady stream of content for podcasts and online news sites. This week was no exception. Kathleen Petty talks to three media rebels who made the leap to independence and the freedom that comes with it. Ryan Jespersen hosts Real Talk, Jen Gerson started The Line and Dave Cournoyer is with Daveberta.

Sun columnist Rick Bell used that term to describe the bumpy ride Alberta’s premier and his UCP are getting after an air travel controversy over the holidays. A minister and several UCP MLAs and staffers left the country despite months of government pleas to avoid non-essential travel. When CBC broke the first story, Albertans were furious. Jason Kenney took responsibility at a news conference on New Year’s Day, but that didn’t quell the rage. A few days later, the premier acknowledged the anger and accepted the resignation of his minister, stripped the MLAs of committee posts and fired his chief of staff. Host Kathleen Petty looks at whether there’s more turbulence ahead for Kenney with her guests Sun columnist Rick Bell, pollster Janet Brown of Janet Brown Opinion Research and political scientist Jared Wesley of the University of Alberta.

The federal government has released its updated climate plan with higher carbon taxes and more details on the Clean Fuel Standard. Some energy economists call it bold, while environmentalists say it’s not enough. Some conservative premiers see it as an invasion into their jurisdiction that will cause economic damage. Kathleen Petty takes a closer look with energy economist Andrew Leach, energy policy analyst and author David Yager and columnist Kelly Cryderman of the Globe and Mail.

Rising COVID-19 cases and deaths have led to more severe restrictions in the western provinces - measures Manitoba and Alberta premiers had resisted until now. New polls show they may have waited too long. Pallister and Kenney are the least popular pandemic premiers, and lag far behind their neighbours in Saskatchewan and B.C.. Kathleen Petty finds out why with Shachi Kurl, president of the Angus Reid Institute, political scientist Christopher Adams of the University of Manitoba, and political strategist and communications specialist Corey Hogan of The Strategists podcast.

Ralph Klein's favourite mythical Alberta couple are causing headaches for Jason Kenney. Despite spiking COVID-19 cases and deaths, and news the province is planning indoor field hospitals, today's versions of Martha and Henry are showing up at anti-mask rallies and demanding their personal freedom. Meanwhile, the premier’s support continues to drop according to recent polls. Guest host Jim Brown explores what’s going on with Ken Boessenkool, a senior research fellow at the CD Howe Institute, (and the author of an article about Martha and Henry 2.0 @the_lineca,) pollster Janet Brown, founder of Janet Brown Opinion Research, and political strategist Zain Velji of Northweather, and host of The Strategists podcast.

Alberta’s premier is defending his response to the second wave of the pandemic amidst growing criticism and news of tension with the chief medical officer of health. Jason Kenney declared a state of emergency but said he would not bow to political pressure or ideology and lock down the economy. This on the same day the province released a financial update reflecting Alberta’s economic crisis. Kathleen Petty assesses the government’s approach with two economists: Trevor Tombe and Lindsay Tedds of the University of Calgary, and political scientist Jared Wesley of the University of Alberta.

Alberta’s premier is coping with spiking COVID-19 cases, deepening economic turmoil and more unfavorable polls. Instead of changing course, Jason Kenney is doubling down on his anti-Trudeau, pro-pipeline rhetoric, and resisting tougher measures to fight the pandemic in favor of “personal responsibility.” Kathleen Petty examines what’s driving Kenney’s strategy with political scientist Duane Bratt of Mount Royal University, energy reporter Emma Graney of the Globe and Mail and Macleans columnist Jason Markusoff.

Some doctors in western Canada are calling for lockdowns or short-term “circuit breakers” to stop the spike in COVID-19 cases. But the premiers of Alberta and Saskatchewan say they favor voluntary measures over strict rules. After trying that approach, Manitoba is now enforcing bans on social gatherings, non-essential shopping, and gym and salon visits. B.C. is threatening similar measures if case numbers don’t slow down. Guest host Jim Brown looks at how the provinces are handling COVID-19 and whether politics is playing a role. His guests are Globe and Mail health columnist Andre Picard, University of Manitoba associate professor and former chief medical officer of health Dr. Joel Kettner, and political strategist Melissa Caouette of the Canadian Strategy Group.

New research suggests more than half of Albertans believe the province’s best days are behind it. It’s one of several themes that emerged in a new survey from the Common Ground research initiative at the University of Alberta. Political scientist Jared Wesley at the U of A discusses his data and the parallels with the U.S. election results, with Mount Royal University political scientist Duane Bratt and host Kathleen Petty.

The results of the British Columbia and Saskatchewan elections during the pandemic are historic, with implications far beyond their boundaries. B.C. voters have given NDP leader John Horgan a second term with more NDP MLAs than ever before. In Saskatchewan Scott Moe has continued his Saskatchewan Party’s streak with a fourth consecutive win. Geographically, Alberta is in the middle, but politically premier Jason Kenney is strongly aligned to Moe. Kathleen Petty looks at the implications of these elections with three journalists: Vancouver Sun provincial affairs columnist Vaughn Palmer, Murray Mandryk, political columnist for the Regina Leader-Post and Saskatoon StarPhoenix, and Kelly Cryderman, a reporter and columnist with the Globe and Mail.