Best Brian Howe Podcasts (2025)

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Holiday Celebrations with Julia Howe 29:18

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6d ago29:18

29:18

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful." – Norman Vincent Peale. In this holiday episode, Host Julia explores what the season really feels like for teenagers: balancing stress, shifting family dynamics, and the pressure to enjoy a "magical" time of year, while learning how to make the holi…

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If Canada Moves Too Slowly on Stablecoins, Here’s What’s at Risk 20:48

9d ago20:48

20:48

Canada can’t fall behind in the digital currency revolution. We famously adopted the bank machine before the US, and outpace most countries in digital adoption. On this episode of the C.D. Howe Institute Podcast, senior policy analyst Peter MacKenzie and fellow-in-residence Mark Zelmer tell host Michael Hainsworth why Stablecoin isn’t just a crypto…

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Exploring the Existence of God 33:48

13d ago33:48

33:48

"If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent Him." Voltaire Does asking whether God exists help teens think about bigger questions like what gives life meaning? What makes something right or wrong? Who or what do I look to when I'm trying to understand my purpose, my identity, my relationships, or the challenges? Host Hanna talks about th…

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Why Major Projects Take So Long to Build in Canada - And How to Fix It 20:26

14d ago20:26

20:26

Canada needs new infrastructure fast – but major projects still take years or decades. Why? Host Michael Hainsworth speaks with economist David Jones about what’s slowing us down and how projects under the Building Canada Act could speed things up.

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EP11: It's the Bob Geldof Edition - plus Nick Drake, Gary Numan and the Beatles 57:08

16d ago57:08

57:08

Send us a text Bob Geldof is this month's guest editor of Record Collector Magazine. In this episode of the Needlepoint podcast, hosts Paul Lester and Daryl Easlea spill the beans on the Christmas edition of the magazine with some cheeky revelations. They explore the significance of 1981 in music history, discuss seismic singles from the 70s, and r…

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EP283: America's First Serial Killer H.H. Holmes 58:55

23d ago58:55

58:55

Step inside the chilling world of Dr. H. H. Holmes, the suave con man, medical fraudster, and architect of America’s most infamous “Murder Castle.” In this Early Release episode, we peel back the polished veneer Holmes wore so well to expose the predator beneath. Aman who turned charm into a weapon, bodies into profit, and opportunity into terror.F…

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What Canadians Don’t Know About Canada Post’s Billion-Dollar Problem with Glen Hodgson 20:52

22d ago20:52

20:52

It may be safe to mail Christmas cards again, but what will Canada's posties deliver in 2026? The Institute's Glen Hodgson on how to bring-down the billion dollar cost of delivering mail from coast to coast to coast.

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EP282: The Sleepover That Never Ended 30:01

1M ago30:01

30:01

On a warm summer morning in Calgary, a family home sat strangely still—a sense of unease settling over the quiet suburban street. Five-year-old Nathan O’Brien had spent the night at his grandparents’ house, a place that had always been a sanctuary of comfort and routine. But when his mother arrived the next day, nothing was as it should have been. …

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Thanksgiving and Gratitude 21:21

1M ago21:21

21:21

"When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed."— Maya Angelou A family-friendly Thanksgiving program with host Kirpa and her cousins Milan and Jatin as they celebrate gratitude, food, music, travel, and joy. Thanksgiving is a time of connection, a time to apologize, and forgive. Kirpa advises that life doesn't need to be perfe…

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Should Canada Scrap the Electric Vehicle Mandate? Brian Livingston Makes the Case 20:31

1M ago20:31

20:31

Pull the plug on the Zero Emissions Vehicle mandate until we’ve got clarity on trade. That’s the advice from industry watcher Brian Livingston. The Institute’s fellow-in-residence has crunched the numbers and warns hundreds of thousands of Canadians won’t be able to buy the car they need. Want more insights like this? Subscribe to our newsletter fo…

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How Teens Preserve Their Culture 33:31

1M ago33:31

33:31

"If we are to preserve culture, we must continue to create it." by Johan Huizinga Culture is not only about connecting the past to the present, but it is also a way we form our identity; it is a part of the puzzle in our lives. Host Julia and reporter Milan discuss the importance of studying culture and keeping one's heritage and culture alive. Mil…

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Why Low and Middle-Income Canadians Can’t Get the Financial Advice They Need 14:59

1M ago14:59

14:59

About a third of Canadians are taking financial advice from “finfluencers”. Golfdale Consulting’s Gary Edwards warns that this is a recipe for disaster for a demographic that can’t afford to gamble with their retirement funds. He offers two solutions.

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EP10: It's 1980 - My Bloody Valentine, Steve Howe and Elton John Rock the World 55:04

2M ago55:04

55:04

Send us a text In this episode of Needlepoint, Paul Lester and Daryl Easlea delve into the rich tapestry of rock music, focusing on the year 1980 and its significant albums. The electric guitar is under the spotlight, as Paul and Daryl discuss the influence of iconic artists like My Bloody Valentine and Steve Howe, the resurgence of 80s bands, and …

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Preparing for College Applications 11:38

2M ago11:38

11:38

" The future belongs to those who prepare for it today." - Malcolm X Although college applications can be stressful, there are small steps to take to make the process feel less overwhelming! Host Diya walks you through actions that will help you fill out successful applications to colleges that will be best suited to your life preferences. Stay org…

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EP281: Harry Thaw - The First 'Trial Of The Century' 40:12

2M ago40:12

40:12

Before O.J., before Menendez, before every “trial of the century” that would follow—there was Harry K. Thaw. The millionaire playboy who gunned down famed architect Stanford White in front of hundreds of witnesses at Madison Square Garden. His crime? Passion. Jealousy. Madness. Or maybe all three. In this Crimes & Consequences episode, we take you …

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Budget 2025 with Bill Robson: What Canadians Need to Know 22:41

2M ago22:41

22:41

Canada does not have a credible fiscal plan. After Ottawa revealed the details of its “sea change” budget, the Institute’s Bill Robson explains why Mark Carney’s first budget in the age of Trump fails to get a passing grade.

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Teens and Gun Control 16:21

2M ago16:21

16:21

On August 5th, 2012, when Express Yourself!™ teen, was a toddler, he, his brother, and his mother stopped for three minutes at a gas station on their way to their Sikh temple. Those three minutes saved their lives as a gunman began a mass shooting. Today, host Kirpa and reporter Milan discuss gun control and what teens think about it. There are an …

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Canada's Innovation Crisis and Solutions Explained in 20 Minutes with Professor Catherine Beaudry 22:35

2M ago22:35

22:35

Think Canada has a productivity problem? Polytechnique Montreal’s Catherine Beaudry connects the dots between productivity, innovation, and one of the country’s other big issues: scaling-up small businesses.

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EP280: Blood on Sutton Place 33:27

2M ago33:27

33:27

It started as just another night in Manhattan — a birthday party, a few drinks, the blur of city lights against the windows of a luxury high-rise on East 59th Street. The kind of place where people go to forget their real lives for a few hours… or to pretend they’re someone else entirely.But by the next morning, one of those party guests would be m…

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EP279: The Slender Man Stabbing 33:39

2M ago33:39

33:39

In 2014, two 12-year-old girls lured their best friend into the woods during a sleepover… and stabbed her 19 times to prove their loyalty to Slender Man—a fictional internet character created on Creepypasta.This horrifying true crime case shocked the world. How did 6th graders become attempted murderers? Why did they believe Slender Man was REAL? A…

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EP09: Jarvis Cocker's Record Collection Revealed 50:18

2M ago50:18

50:18

Send us a text Jarvis Cocker's record collection and its significance is the focus of this episode of Needlepoint, as hosts Paul Lester and Daryl Easlea delve into the rich tapestry of rock music once again. They explore the evolution of Pulp, the influence of artists like Scott Walker, and the cultural impact of soundtracks. The conversation also …

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How Teens Have Grit 20:30

2M ago20:30

20:30

"I've learned you are never too small to make a difference." Greta Thunberg With college deadlines looming and pressure mounting, this week's broadcast turns inward, toward the grit it takes to be a teenager in a world obsessed with perfection. Host Julia opens the show with a commentary on the myth of effortless success, breaking down how real gri…

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EP278: What the Camera Found 41:17

3M ago41:17

41:17

Today, we travel to the Czech Republic, to a quiet town that once seemed ordinary. Behind closed doors, however, a nightmare was unfolding—one so disturbing it shocked not only the local community but the entire world. It began with the discovery of a hidden camera feed, a glimpse into a household where innocence was shattered and cruelty thrived. …

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Human Rights for Women and Girls 31:49

3M ago31:49

31:49

"I know nothing of man's rights, or woman's rights; human rights are all that I recognize." Sarah Moore Grimke With global conflict rising, human rights violations demand attention, especially abuses against women and girls. Host Julia begins the broadcast with an investigation of "The Myth of the Perfect Victim". She asks, "Why do we know Gabby Pe…

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Ultra-Processed Foods 28:59

3M ago28:59

28:59

"Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are." – Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin Host Julia and reporter Hanna tackle the topic that we chew on every day: ultra-processed foods. Hanna asks if it is ethical to sell food that is unhealthy just to maximize profits at the expense of our long-term well-being. What is the price of health? Whose …

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EP277: The Murder Of Holly Bobo 46:11

3M ago46:11

46:11

In April 2011, 20-year-old nursing student Holly Bobo vanished from the quiet town of Parsons, Tennessee, after being seen walking into the woods near her home. What followed was one of the most massive and heartbreaking manhunts in Tennessee history. For years, investigators struggled to piece together what had happened, while Holly’s family and c…

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Are Teens Affected by Climate Change? 21:55

3M ago21:55

21:55

"Climate change is the most severe problem that we are facing today, more serious even than the threat of terrorism." - Anonymous The answer is YES! Host Keerthi starts off the show with this message: "We are concerned. You know why? Because we live here! You can't just order a new planet from Amazon Prime." The concern is real. Studies show that o…

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EP08: The 200 Most Collectable Records of All Time 52:14

3M ago52:14

52:14

Send us a text Michael Jackson, Nick Drake, The Sex Pistols and Charli XCX all get a mention in this episode of the Needlepoint podcast - along with some lesser known names who've taken the hosts by fancy. Music aficionados Paul Lester and Daryl Easlea delve into the world of collectible records, exploring the nuances of rarity, value, and the musi…

6M ago25:02

25:02

"In 1919, when the world was grounded by war and pandemic, a few brave souls looked up—and dared to fly into history." – inspired by The Big Hop by David Rooney In 1919, in Newfoundland, four teams of aviators raced to be the first to fly, non-stop, across the Atlantic. Only one team, after a death-defying flight, made it to Ireland. Host Saanvi Ph…