Best Fireside Chat Club Of Canada Podcasts (2025)

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#83 - Alberta 11:29

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3d ago11:29

11:29

Geography lesson today. Get your notebooks out! This week, I begin a look at Canada's provinces and territories. This week, it's Alberta. Remember, you can check out links about anything I mention during the show – https://whorpole.ca If you do have any questions, or is there something that you would like me to talk about? I encourage you to contac…

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#82 - SS Noronic 20:04

10d ago20:04

20:04

Another week, another fire. Thirty-seven years after the Titanic struck an iceberg and sunk in the North-Atlantic ocean, Toronto experienced it's own, deadly, preventable tragedy. This week, I take a look at Canada's Worst Marine Disaster – the SS Noronic. Remember, you can check out links about anything I mention during the show – https://whorpole…

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#81 - The Great Toronto Fire of 1904 15:43

17d ago15:43

15:43

Hello everyone! Canada, as I see it is back after a summer hiatus. The third season (yeah, that's what I'm calling it) begins as I take a look at the Great Toronto Fire. Many of the fire rules and regulations in place today, were enacted due to this event. Join me, as I take you through the events of that evening in mid-April 1904. Remember, you ca…

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#80 - 2025 Canadian Federal Election 26:04

5M ago26:04

26:04

Wow...haven't we just had a week. There's certainly a lot to talk about. I've also got a bit of news of my own. Join me for my longest podcast to date, as I explore the 2025 Canadian Federal Election. Remember, you can check out links about anything I mention during the show – https://whorpole.ca If you do have any questions, or is there something …

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#79 - Bill Barilko 15:51

5M ago15:51

15:51

Keeping with the spirit of the season (Hockey playoffs and such)... Today's story is about a player who many of you may not heard of before... Toronto Maple Leaf defenceman Bill Barilko. Remember, you can check out links about anything I mention during the show – whorpole.ca Go to my website – whorpole.ca for the links I refer to in this episode. I…

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#78 - James Doohan 20:58

5M ago20:58

20:58

This week's subject probably lands in the, “did you know” category. AND, not only is the person I'm speaking about this week Canadian, he quite literally bled red and white. He wasn't just an actor, he gave his all, ALL of the time. James Doohan. Lieutenant Commander Montgomery Scott. A Canadian, through-and-through. Remember, you can check out lin…

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#77 - William Shatner 21:04

5M ago21:04

21:04

A chance encounter. And here I am – ready to talk about perhaps one of the first Canadian Actors I ever knew of. Come, listen with me, as I explore the life of William Shatner. Remember, you can check out links about anything I mention during the show – whorpole.ca Go to my website – whorpole.ca for the links I refer to in this episode. If you do h…

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#76 - The Band 11:32

6M ago11:32

11:32

This week I'm going to talk a little about not just ANY band...THE BAND. From being the back-up to one of Canada's most famous American singers, to sharing the stage at the Rock and Roll Hall of fame with some of the most well-known musicians. Remember, you can check out links about anything I mention during the show – whorpole.ca Go to my website …

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#75 - Second Annual Mixed Bag 12:08

6M ago12:08

12:08

Remember when I did this last year? Had a show of random facts? Neither did I – I had to look it up. That's why I make copious notes. Well, I remembered that I did it..my memory isn't THAT bad. Thanks for joining me on this week's podcast. Be sure to tell everyone about the podcast. There are only two places in the world where it hasn't been heard,…

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#74 - Baseball 18:21

6M ago18:21

18:21

It's spring! Baseball spring-training is done, and it is now time to get to the the real deal! Join me as I look at Canada's teams, and a little bit of history of the game. Remember, you can check out links about anything I mention during the show – whorpole.ca Go to my website – whorpole.ca for the links I refer to in this episode. If you do have …

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#73 - Canadian Prime Ministers 11:56

6M ago11:56

11:56

Canadian Prime Ministers. We have a new one. Find out about the history of Canada's highest political office. I'm answering several questions that must be burning a hole in your mind. Go to my website – whorpole.ca for the links I refer to in this episode. If you do have any questions, or is there something that you would like me to talk about? I e…

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#72 - Misinformation, Attacks and Re-birth 16:33

7M ago16:33

16:33

I'm tired. There was a nano-second, when I considered whether or not I could/would keep doing this. I am forever encountering those who are looking for a short-cut, and I am seemingly always “on”. Yet they keep trying to ice-skate uphill. Then a switch flipped. I know what I am doing. I know that I am patriotic. I know that I do enjoy doing this. S…

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#71 - Maple Syrup 12:50

7M ago12:50

12:50

Maple Syrup. It's time to stock up. AND plan your trip now to see how this ambrosia is made. Check out https://ontariomaple.com/ and find out where you can go to get this uniquely Canadian experience. This week I'm talking about how it's made, AND I have a little bit of news on what's been happening in Ontario. I'd like to know how you're listening…

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#70 - The Stanley Cup 15:38

7M ago15:38

15:38

The Stanley Cup. You may recognize the name, and even know what it is, and who it is awarded to. But did you know that today is the 132nd anniversary of the first time that the cup was awarded? Join me as I look into the history of the most recognizable trophy in the history of professional sports. Find out more about the cup, and see photos of it'…

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#69 - Flag Day 14:26

7M ago14:26

14:26

February 15, 1965 That was the day, 60 years ago that the newly-christened Canadian Flag, “The Maple Leaf” was flown for the first time on Parliament Hill, in Ottawa Ontario. Join me as I look into the history of one of the most recognizable flags in the world. Check out the ceremony that took place on that day here: https://www.nfb.ca/film/februar…

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#68 - Comedy and the "rule of three" 12:40

8M ago12:40

12:40

Numbers can be large – 20 trillion. Numbers can be small – 1 Numbers can be scary – a lot of buildings used to avoid “having” a 13th floor. And numbers can be funny. What number is funny? Three. Three is a number often used in comedy circles...or comedy triangles, or even comedy tetrahedrons. Join me as I look into “the rule of three”, and a Canadi…

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#67 - Travelling Through The Tangents of Time 15:07

8M ago15:07

15:07

This week is just filled with alliterative Canadian facts, tangents and humour. Join me as we begin to ramp up to my birthday month, and throw out a whole bunch of funny spaghetti at the wall and see what sticks. I'd like to know how you're listening to me. Are you using Podbean's app? Do you listen from my site (whorpole.ca)? Or do you use one of …

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#66 - Trivial Pursuit 9:51

8M ago9:51

9:51

This week, a subject near to my heart...the pursuit of all things trivial. Or perhaps I should just say, Trivial Pursuit. When this game came out, I fell in love. I thought...”finally, a game that wasn't Monopoly”, It has grown to be popular the world over, and often the definitive answer to, “who did what and when?” This week, I have another frien…

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#65 - Winnie The Pooh 16:51

8M ago16:51

16:51

You may be thinking, what does Winnie The Pooh have to do with Canada? Well, after talking about both sides of my family over the last month or so – I'm here to give you Pooh's lineage – and to do so, I have invited my wife Caroline to help dig into it. Join us as we look into HIS family tree! I'd like to know how you're listening to me. Are you us…

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#64 - Canadian Elections 21:12

9M ago21:12

21:12

Today class, please turn your textbooks to the page on Canadian Elections. We will likely be experiencing one, and that is just that, an experience, before we hit summer. Here is what you have to expect over the next few weeks, and how it works. I'd like to know how you're listening to me. Are you using Podbean's app? Do you listen from my site (wh…

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#63 - The Whorpole Family 20:02

9M ago20:02

20:02

And now, you are about to get the REST of the story. Last week, I spoke of my mother's side of the family – this week, it's my father's side. And, although not as deep in data – it does have quite a few stories and tangents. Of COURSE it has tangents – do you forget who you are listening to? After hearing today's podcast, you'll have a deeper under…

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#62 - The Mifflin Family 16:39

9M ago16:39

16:39

You might recognize the name featured on this week's show. You may know it from television. You may know it from history. You may know it from...me... Here is just a taste of the family that made me...me... Check out more at https://mifflin.ca I'd like to know how you're listening to me. Are you using Podbean's app? Do you listen from my site (whor…

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#61 - Québec 16:39

9M ago16:39

16:39

This episode is about Canada's largest province. We took a bus tour to Québec to experience some of their European Christmas markets. It was a wonderful experience, and I would absolutely encourage you to check it out. And, as an added bonus, there's a bit of a history lesson. The best part? There is no exam after the show. I'd like to know how you…

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#60 - The CN Tower 14:13

9M ago14:13

14:13

When my wife Caroline was just out of college, and looking for a job, her mother said to "aim high". It didn't take long before she returned home with a job offer from the CN Tower restaurant, the "Top of Toronto". Caroline turned to her mother and said..."is this high enough for you?" True story. To this day, it remains the definitive landmark on …

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#59 - Jolly Jumpers 10:00

10M ago10:00

10:00

The joint is jumping around here this week. We've got Greeting Card shows, Cookie Exchanges, family get-togethers, and of course those pesky little things we call our day-to-day jobs. So this week, what better than to talk about than a Canadian invention, Jolly Jumpers! I'd like to know how you're listening to me. Are you using Podbean's app? Do yo…

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#58 - Frozen Foods 14:24

10M ago14:24

14:24

New month. New voices. Catching up. Chatting with friends. Bundling up, because it's colder! And since it's colder, let's talk about Frozen Foods! I'd like to know how you're listening to me. Are you using Podbean's app? Do you listen from my site (whorpole.ca)? Or do you use one of the many podcast platforms that you can listen to this podcast on.…

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#57 - Glad Tidings 12:54

10M ago12:54

12:54

I'm not going to say much about this week's podcast. Suffice to say, you're just going to have to listen! It will all come together in the end. I'd like to know how you're listening to me. Are you using Podbean's app? Do you listen from my site (whorpole.ca)? Or do you use one of the many podcast platforms that you can listen to this podcast on. I …

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#56 - The C.F.L. 14:05

10M ago14:05

14:05

It's Grey Cup Sunday – and so what more fitting than to talk about the CFL? Tune in and listen to a guy who doesn't have a sports-related bone in his body, talk about football! The show is recorded this week – but hope to get back to doing another live show soon. I'd like to know how you're listening to me. Are you using Podbean's app? Do you liste…

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#55 - Freedom 55, and other random thoughts 17:26

11M ago17:26

17:26

This isn't live anymore, but it was on Sunday Nov 10 at 11am. Here it is, warts and all. And yes, I get it, the title really doesn't have anything to do with what I talked about (other than the random stuff - but that's just me, and you knew that when you signed up for this)! Let me know if you'd like to hear more live shows. Who knows? Maybe it ca…

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#54 - The Standard Time Hat Trick Spectacular 11:07

11M ago11:07

11:07

So many things going on this week. We've made the switch back to standard time, which means we've miraculously gained an hour of sleep (which we will all lose again on March 9th next year). This show completes one year of me doing this podcast. Next week, we celebrate. I take on three subjects this week – you'll just have to listen to find out what…

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#53 - The CBC 13:55

11M ago13:55

13:55

I don't think that you even have to be Canadian to know what today's subject is about. There ARE plenty of ways that CBC could be interpreted... If you're a doctor, it's a Complete Blood Count If you're a student, it's the Columbia Basin College in Pasco, Washington and if you're a mechanic, it is Cornering Brake Control. But you would most likely …

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#52 - Pablum 10:07

11M ago10:07

10:07

This week, I’m talking about, not only a Canadian first, but something that started a whole industry. Pablum seems like a nondescript name, but the idea was something that makes me think, “why hadn’t anyone thought of this before?” These days, baby formula is kept under lock and key at a lot of retailers. So, it's kind of a big thing, eh? Find out …

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#51 - Terry Fox 11:05

12M ago11:05

11:05

I don't think the person this week, needs much, if any explanation. Terry Fox. I think he had to be the first person of my generation that I remember who “made a mark”. Sure, there were other “events” that created headlines, etc - but this was a person who chose to do something, and who caught the attention of millions of people, just so that he co…

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#50 - Numbers 10:55

12M ago10:55

10:55

Numbers. Sometimes they just don't add up. And sometimes they just weren't meant to – sometimes a number is just a number. This week, I have a whole bucket-full for you to listen to me talk about. In the right order, they could be winning lottery numbers! You're welcome. I'd like to know how you're listening to me. Are you using Podbean's app? Do y…

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#49 - Orange Shirt Day 9:32

12M ago9:32

9:32

And now that we've been firmly back in Canada for a week, it was only right that the weariness that we gained on the trip, should now catch up to us. Join me this week, as I recuperate from a cold, for an “extra-low” voice edition of Canada, as I see it. This week I'm looking at Orange Shirt Day, also known as the Day of Truth and Reconciliation. I…

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#48 - Standard Time 11:13

1y ago11:13

11:13

On this first day of fall, the Autumnal Equinox, the day that the Sun crosses what we call the celestial equator, an imaginary extension of Earth's equator into space...I'm going to look at something that is man-made – something we use to help mark the smaller bits of our seasons, our months, our weeks...even our days...the concept known as Standar…

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#47 - Getting there, and learning on the way 11:21

1y ago11:21

11:21

As Robert Burns said, “The best laid plans of mice and men, often go awry.” He wrote that in 1785, but it could have as easily been written after watching us trying to get across the border a couple of weeks ago! The trip to see my kids and grandkids and celebrate the wedding of one of my daughters was actually though a great success, and we had a …

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#46 - Lawn sprinklers 8:14

1y ago8:14

8:14

We're a few weeks before the autumnal equinox, so I'm just getting this subject in before the horn sounds...lawn sprinklers. It's also a special time for my family. Join me as I fill you in on how we got those automatic lawn waterers, and what has changed in my life. I'm getting a little thin on voices to introduce the show. I could really use some…

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#45 - The green ink used in printing US greenbacks 9:39

1y ago9:39

9:39

While going through the “Canadian points” that were on my t-shirt, I would occasionally come across ones that were DEFINITELY not Canadian. I'm sure that whoever created the shirt would just throw in some filler, thinking “hey, no one will notice”. Well, James noticed. I did write about them in my essays, but you really don't need me to talk about …

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#44 - The Automatic Foghorn 8:21

1y ago8:21

8:21

Fortunately, I keep my shows numbered, so I can keep track of them. This week, show #44, is about The Automatic Foghorn. Join me, as I talk about the low frequency sounds that help keep our ships safe. I'm getting a little thin on voices. I could really use some help! If YOU want to be a part of MY podcast, send me a recording of you saying, “This …

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#43 - First past the post 8:03

1y ago8:03

8:03

Sometimes, it's not a matter of just being the first person to do something, you have to TELL them that you are, and be able to prove it. I have a couple of stories to tell – and they're both about being the first. Canadians aren't necessarily the pushiest about “being number 1” - but we do make sure that can back it up. I'm getting a little thin o…

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#42 - East Coast Rules! 9:45

1y ago9:45

9:45

Last week it was Ontario. This week I'm moving eastward! Join me as I take a look at a couple of subjects brought to you by a couple of people from Canada's east coast. Remember a couple of weeks ago, when I said I had a new voice? This week, it's here. I am getting a little thin on voices. I could really use some help! If YOU want to be a part of …

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#41 - Ontario 15:36

1y ago15:36

15:36

Happy Simcoe Day Weekend! Simcoe Day is all about Ontario, and so it makes sense that Ontario should be the subject matter of the podcast. I have spoken about the province I live in before, but it was thanks to a request that I received from a listener that I expand on what I said, and it is this person who introduces the show. It's a busy day toda…

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#40 - Washing machines 10:15

1y ago10:15

10:15

WOW. Things are moving. This week saw a 500% increase in my weekly downloads. I'm seeing people listen in countries all over the world – and it's really exciting. I've got a couple of subjects that couldn't be more different. The one that gave the title to this week's podcast came from an essay I wrote back in August of 2020. I also got another voi…

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#39 - First Nations history in Ontario 13:59

1y ago13:59

13:59

Moving on up, and out in the world! Today, I am expanding on a subject that I spoke about a few weeks ago – AND it is due to someone who asked me about it from halfway around the world! This week, I look at the history of the First Nations people in the land we call Ontario. And of course, this opens up a library of books – quite literally. Please …

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#38 - McIntosh apples 8:08

1y ago8:08

8:08

I have a couple of important points to touch on this week. One is the obvious – it's in the title. The other is concerning the person introducing the show this week. Andrew Dundas is fighting a life battle with ALS – it is a disease that progressively paralyzes people because the brain is no longer able to communicate with the muscles of the body. …

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#37 - Weather, history and Christmas in July 12:48

1y ago12:48

12:48

Weather, history and Christmas in July. (And yayyy, it looks like there will not be a problem uploading from the cottage!) Welcome to what purports to be summer in Canada. We have our days – it gets up to 30C – and MAY hit 40C (without the heat index!) But there are also those unsettled days where we can have sweater weather, umbrella weather, and …

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#36 - Canada Day! 10:28

1y ago10:28

10:28

Canada Day! Listen to me tell the story about how this podcast got started. I'd like to know how you're listening to me. Are you using Podbean's app? Do you listen from my site (whorpole.ca)? Or do you use one of the many podcast platforms that you can listen to this podcast on. I encourage you to contact me at [email protected] – and let me kno…

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#35 - Totem poles and land acknowledgement 12:07

1+ y ago12:07

12:07

This week is a little different. Usually, my main subject makes up the bulk of the podcast, but for this episode, my tangent becomes the body. Both are equally important – both are there to educate and both are there to tell stories. I'd like to know how you're listening to me. Are you using Podbean's app? Do you listen from my site (whorpole.ca)? …

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#34 - Donald Sutherland 5:41

1+ y ago5:41

5:41

Tonight, I take a look at the life of Donald Sutherland, who passed away today, June 20, 2024. I'd like to know how you're listening to me. Are you using Podbean's app? Do you listen from my site (whorpole.ca)? Or do you use one of the many podcast platforms that you can listen to this podcast on. I encourage you to contact me at AsISeeIt@whorpole.…