Best Bob Macpherson Podcasts (2025)

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#196- Bob Sterns & Virginia Bennett 1:09:28

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9h ago1:09:28

1:09:28

As we wrap up our tour to the Minnesota Iron Range, Mining Minds had the opportunity to sit down with Bob Sterns and Virginia Bennett of US Steel Minntac for a raw and insightful conversation about life, mining, and community in Minnesota’s Iron Range. From Bob’s deep-rooted family history in mining to Virginia’s journey from military brat to analy…

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#55 Paige MacPherson: Smartphones, Canadian Education Performance, and School Choice 1:06:48

17m ago1:06:48

1:06:48

Canada is libertarian on cell phones in classrooms and statist on school choice (in most provinces). We get a poor return on investment when it comes to education in Canada. Our math and reading scores are several years behind (even before Covid). Students are distracted by over 100 messages on their cellphones each day. And teachers cannot control…

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#54 Étienne-Alexander Beauregard - Gen-Z Conservatism & Anti Civilization: Why Our Societies Collapse From Within 57:41

1d ago57:41

57:41

Gen Z sits at the cusp of major change in conservatism. Young people do not feel a warmth and longing for Reagan or Thatcher. Sure, they value freedom, but they also what to know where the guardrails stand. Étienne-Alexandre speaks clearly for a new generation of non-left thinkers. He asks what might be the role of conservatism in the near future. …

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#195- IRRR & IMA: Ida Rukavina & Kristen Vake 59:10

6d ago59:10

59:10

What does pride, legacy, and the future of mining look like on Minnesota’s Iron Range? In this episode, we sit down with Ida Rukavinia, Commissioner of the Department of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation, and Kristen Vake, Executive Director of the Iron Mining Association of Minnesota, to dig deep into the history, culture, and future of mini…

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#53 Tristin Hopper: Extremism in Canadian Universities and review of his book, "Don't be Canada" 48:17

6d ago48:17

48:17

Once again, Canadian university professors show their extremism in response to Charlie Kirk, a mirror of their praise for Oct 7. Professors shape opinion; they shape culture. Do we want the kind of culture they promote? Turning to his book, Tristin argues that Canada's world-famous policy failures are self-inflicted. He believes we could recover, i…

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#52 Josh Lewis: Conservatism, Saving Elephants, Populism, Donald Trump, and Economic Morality 1:09:50

8d ago1:09:50

1:09:50

Josh Lewis is a traditional conservative who has worked in 'government' in America, has served in retail politics, and has interviewed hundreds of leading thinkers in American conservatism. Josh has a unique ability to bridge the gap between politics and life, philosophy and culture. His developed his skill comes from a deep discomfort with what he…

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#51 Reflecting on Charlie Kirk. Are we tired of being bullied? 22:53

13d ago22:53

22:53

I couldn't stay silent and sane. Once again, the AI summary is scarily accurate, so I will let is stand. Let me know what you think. Shawn AI Summary: Responding to Tragedy: Honouring Charlie Kirk & Challenging Silence In this deeply reflective episode of Concepts, host Shawn Whatley breaks from his usual avoidance of current events to address a tu…

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#50 George Nash: The Conservative Intellectual Movement 1:09:54

15d ago1:09:54

1:09:54

If you find conservatism confusing, you are not alone! Dr. George Nash has spent 50 years explaining all the strands that weave together into the collection of ideas we call conservatism. The AI summary is surprisingly good, so I will simply point out the book links below: The Conservative Intellectual Movement in America since 1945 Russel Kirk's C…

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#194- US Steel: Michael Bakk & Chrissy Bartovich 1:17:27

21d ago1:17:27

1:17:27

In this special episode of the Mining Minds Podcast, we sit down at U.S. Steel Minntac with Mike Bakk, Director of Facilities Excellence, and Chrissy Bartovich, Senior Director of Environmental. From humble beginnings to leading major projects that shape the future of steelmaking, Mike and Crissy share their personal journeys, leadership lessons, a…

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#49 Yuval Levin: Unity, Citizenship, and American Constitutionalism 1:03:00

22d ago1:03:00

1:03:00

How can we live together when we don't t all think alike? Are there nothing but power struggles, or is there a better way? Dr. Yuval Levin explains that we don't need to disagree less; we need to learn to disagree better. Unity does not mean unanimity. We should be hopeful, not simply optimistic. Yuval has spent several decades trying to persuade c…

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#48 Nico Lagan: Political Orphans, Masculinity, and Faith 1:08:01

29d ago1:08:01

1:08:01

The non-left in Canada includes an interesting and often overlooked group. They promote a mix of exercise, martial arts, masculinity, self defence, freedom, self sufficiency, honour, Christianity, and more. This group baffles academics and exasperates leftists. Both left and right seeks to dismiss and minimize their impact. But they represent a lar…

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#193- Iron Range: Matt & Julie Lucas 1:17:20

30d ago1:17:20

1:17:20

In this episode of Mining Minds, we sit down with Matt and Julie Lucas at their home on Minnesota’s historic Iron Range. From growing up in Hibbing and Chisholm to careers in environmental consulting, mining operations, and advocacy, Matt and Julie share their personal journeys that reflect the resilience and determination of the mining industry. M…

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#47 Andy Crooks: Moral Courage and the Heart of Conservatism 1:10:51

1M ago1:10:51

1:10:51

Andy captures the heart of conservatism unlike anything I've found elsewhere. He has lived it. He embodies it. And he welcomes others to enjoy it. Andy Crooks spelled out what's at stake for Canada, and he explained what we must do to save it. Stark, fun, inspirational, and tragic. I can't think of a better embodiment of the heart an soul of conser…

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#192- Iron Range: Darleen Gargano & Talia Sandys 1:09:00

1M ago1:09:00

1:09:00

Overlooking iconic Hibbing Taconite Mining Operation in Minnesota, Mining Minds had the opportunity to speak with two remarkable women whose stories capture the history and heart of mining in the state. First, we’re joined by Talia Sandys, Communications and Engagement Director for Mining Minnesota, who has been our guide through the region’s rich …

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#46 Marco Navarro-Genie: Red Toryism, Canadian Identity, and the Role of Conservatism 1:08:19

1M ago1:08:19

1:08:19

Marco packages powerful barbs in (slightly) softened academic polish. It makes his writing and speaking fun to consume and hard to forget. Do check out his Substack https://substack.com/@navarrogenie Looking forward to hearing what you think! Thanks again! AI summary: Special guest Dr. Marco Navarro-Genie, VP of Research at Frontier Center for Publ…

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#191- Iron Range: Dean DeBeltz 1:10:54

2M ago1:10:54

1:10:54

Get ready for one of our most unforgettable episodes yet—recorded on a pontoon boat floating on Fall Lake, at the edge of the iconic Boundary Waters in Minnesota! This isn’t just another podcast; it’s a full-circle conversation with Dean DeBeltz, a third-generation Iron Ranger, passionate outdoorsman, and Vice President of External Relations & Proj…

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#45 Sean Walsh: The Hard Problem of Consciousness, AI, and Conservatism 53:48

2M ago53:48

53:48

Sean has a PhD in the philosophy of artificial intelligence. He writes well and thinks deeply. He's also experienced more grit than the average academic. This was not a light discussion, but I think you will find it well worth your time. Articles mentioned: Wandering Thoughts Artificial, human and angelic intelligence Sean is Associate Editor of Co…

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#190- Iron Range: Rory Oberhelman & Johnny Eloranta 42:59

2M ago42:59

42:59

In this special on-location episode, Mining Minds travels to the heart of Minnesota’s Iron Range to sit down with Rory Oberhelman, Senior Project Coordinator, and Johnny Eloranta, Community Relations Advisor at New Range Copper Nickel. Broadcasting from the iconic nickel room, the conversation dives into the history, pride, and promise of mining in…

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#44 Tristan Rogers: Conservatism Past and Present--A Philosophical Introduction 1:06:32

2M ago1:06:32

1:06:32

Tristan and I discuss his new book on conservatism. It is fun and deep and convoluted...you will love it. The AI summary (below) chunks out the main sections. Books and articles mentioned: Conservatism Past and Present: A philosophical introduction, by Tristan Rogers https://amzn.to/4lYHPbC England: An Elegy, by Roger Scruton https://amzn.to/4lMKkO…

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#189- Workforce Development Panel Discussion 1:44:50

2M ago1:44:50

1:44:50

The mining industry stands at a crossroads. With a rapidly aging workforce, persistent misconceptions, and the growing demand for innovation, the need to reshape how we attract, develop, and retain talent has never been more urgent. In this powerful panel edition of the Mining Minds Podcast, we bring together six influential leaders from across the…

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#43 Brian Day: The Fight for Canadian Healthcare | A 30-Year Battle for Patient Rights 1:07:55

2M ago1:07:55

1:07:55

Dr. Brian Day has spent decades fighting for patients' rights. He trained during an era of no wait times and doctors competing to provide care for patients. People find this hard to believe, and system planners find it horrifying. Canadian medicare was once the envy of the world. Today, countries try to avoid creating 'Canada-like' results. Dr. Day…

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#42 Nathan Pinkoski: Actually Existing Postliberalism 1:01:22

2M ago1:01:22

1:01:22

A quiet revolution occurred in the 1990s. Our institutions shifted. The global war on terror solidified the shift and obliterated the distinction between public and private, which was once a feature of liberalism. The fusion of public and private represents a new era of actually existing postliberalism. https://firstthings.com/actually-existing-pos…

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#41 Rebecca Vachon: Canada's Rapid Expansion of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD)/Euthanasia 50:44

3M ago50:44

50:44

Canada has the fastest growing assisted dying program in the world. Medical Assistance in Dying (passive and active euthanasia) is now tied as Canada's 5th leading cause of death. We tackle loneliness and social isolation, individualism, and (briefly) social response to suffering. Not a light episode, but a crucial topic to discuss. Thanks for chec…

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#188- Elko Replenish Med Spa 2:06:39

3M ago2:06:39

2:06:39

In this episode of the podcast Mining Minds sits down with two remarkable women reshaping the health and wellness landscape: Melissa Montalvo and Josie Cervantes of Elko Replenish Med Spa. Together, they reveal how their professional experiences—from ER trauma to urgent care frustrations—sparked a vision: to create a space that not only heals but e…

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#40 Happy Canada Day! What is Canada? What are we celebrating? 6:19

3M ago6:19

6:19

Short recording for Canada Day. I hope you find (or found) time to enjoy the day and reflect on what we are celebrating. Canada is young: many Canadians alive now are more than 1/2 as old as Canada itself. Given its youth, what exactly is Canada? What aspects do we hope to pass on to our children and grandchildren? Whatever Canada is it must be "pl…

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#39 Adam Swart: CEO Crowds on Demand. Paid Protesters a Moral and Political Dilemma? 54:10

3M ago54:10

54:10

I had a friendly debate with Adam Swart, CEO of Crowds on Demand, the largest protest company in America. He ran circles around me having clearly argued almost all my points many times before. He called out my hypocrisy at being intolerant of paying protesters while being ok with all the other money that flows around inside politics. Adam forced me…

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#38 Ryan Alford: Seven Absolute Rights and necessary limits on government 1:00:29

3M ago1:00:29

1:00:29

Our legal history will shock you. It has more tradition than libertarians can stomach and more anti-government sentiment than conservatives can tolerate. Dr. Alford explains why we need both more history and more enthusiasm to put government in its place. He ends with a message of hope for rescuing Canada. Seven Absolute Rights: Recovering the Hist…

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#187- Trampus Cook 3:04:10

3M ago3:04:10

3:04:10

In this episode of the Mining Minds Podcast, we sit down with Trampus Cook, Regional Director for RAM Enterprise Inc., whose journey through the mining world is as rich and layered as the ore bodies he’s helped uncover. A fourth-generation miner and cowboy at heart, Trampus takes us through his early days jacklegging in narrow veins of California g…

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#37 Daniel Pitt: The essence of conservatism from Burke to Scruton. 1:00:22

3M ago1:00:22

1:00:22

I got a chance to visit with Dr. Dan Pitt, co-author of Intellectual Conservatism: From Burke to Scruton. We focussed on a chapter he wrote which offers a brilliant rubric for understanding conservatism -- one of the best I've seen. Dr. Pitt offers an attractive view beyond the status-quo liberalism in which all political parties operate, for the m…

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#186- WIM: Jessica Scanlan 1:54:53

4M ago1:54:53

1:54:53

In our final episode from the 2025 Women in Mining Conference, we’re joined by the passionate, bold, and trailblazing Jessica Scanlan—geological engineer, social media influencer, and founder of Mine Life Media. Jessica shares her unique path from a small-town girl in handmade dresses to becoming a respected voice in the mining industry. We dive in…

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#36 Ferenc Hörcher (Hungary) on Intellectual Conservatism from Burke to Scruton 53:21

4M ago53:21

53:21

Conservatives are often suspicious of intellectuals and for good reason. Novel ideas dreamt up by radical intellectuals have caused enormous suffering over the past 200 years. But Conservative parties cannot survive without intellectual substance. European conservatism doesn't suffer from the North American tendency to confuse conservatism with cla…

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#35 Peter Copeland: The politics of Pope Leo XIV. What can we expect from the new pope? 51:27

4M ago51:27

51:27

Pope Leo's election garnered far more interest than usual. We are in a time of great change. People are paying attention. The Pope shapes public opinion, and people are eager to know what Pope Leo might say. I asked Peter all the most provocative political questions I could imagine. What might the Pope think about resource development, immigration,…

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#34 David Livingstone: Radical Conservatives, postmodernism, and D'Arcy McGee on Canada's Founding 1:03:35

4M ago1:03:35

1:03:35

Dr. Livingstone worries about postmodernism destroying Truth. I worry about about postmodernism destroying history as a way to understand the present. David says we need universals to resist postmoderns. I say we should fear universals lest the postmoderns inflict us with their 'values'. In this episode we resolve the debate (sort of). Thanks for w…

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#185- WIM: Margaret Hinton & Paige Courtney 1:00:02

4M ago1:00:02

1:00:02

Recorded on-site at the 2025 Women in Mining National Conference in San Antonio, this episode brings authentic, unfiltered stories from two rising voices in the mining world—Margaret Hinton and Paige Courtney. With backgrounds as diverse as cotton farming and competitive athletics to engineering and financial investigations, Margaret and Paige dive…

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#33 John von Heyking on political friendship, pro-Hamas protests, and the future of Canada. 53:27

4M ago53:27

53:27

Can a country survive if we aren't united about common fundamental matters? Pro-Hamas protests block streets in Toronto. They have even forced ambulances to turn around. This has really bothered me. Aside from basic procedural solutions -- keeping a lane open for emergency vehicles or having police enforce the law -- can we solve the deeper, existe…

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#32 Mark Carney and Justin Trudeau are universalists. Donald Trump is not. What is universalism? 19:12

4M ago19:12

19:12

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Justin Trudeau are universalists. Donald Trump is a (rare) politician who, for the most part, doesn't seem to be a universalist. Universalism is an essential concept to help us understand modern politics. It's a core pillar of liberalism, but many 'conservatives' are universalists also. AI Summary Understanding Univer…

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#184- WIM: Jennie Davis 59:41

4M ago59:41

59:41

Mining Minds is recording again from San Antionio for the Annual Women in Mining Conference—and in this powerful episode, we sit down with Jennie (Rice) Davis, a trailblazer whose mining journey redefines perseverance, grit, and growth. Starting as a janitor at just 18, Jennie carved her way through the industry—hauling rock in 777s, navigating ear…

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#31 Simplifying liberalism. Start with individuals. 17:24

4M ago17:24

17:24

Go ask a professor for a simple definition of liberalism or conservatism. If they are honest, they won't give you a short answer. These terms are super complex. But we need somewhere to start. In this short segment, I offer a place to start talking about liberalism: a theory with 4 pillars. The first pillar we discuss is individualism. We will disc…

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#183- Patti Haye 2:15:08

5M ago2:15:08

2:15:08

In this heartfelt and humor-filled episode, Mining Minds sits down with the unforgettable Patti Haye — mother, grandmother, storyteller, and true pioneer of family life. At 87 years young, Patti takes us on a powerful journey through her life growing up post World War II, navigating early motherhood, and supporting a family through decades of cross…

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#30 Geoff Russ -- Hope for Canada vs progressive internationalism 46:27

5M ago46:27

46:27

Geoff stands out as a new kind of writer on the non-left. He offers hope that embraces Canada's past without repudiation -- truly rare these days Thanks for listening! AI Summary Shawn interviews Geoff Russ, a Vancouver-based writer, about the evolving concept of Canadian nationalism and identity. They discuss the need for newcomers to understand t…

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#182- WIM: Kimberly Myhre and Alexia Carver 1:02:50

5M ago1:02:50

1:02:50

Join Mining Minds on location at the Women in Mining 2025 National Conference in San Antonio, Texas, as we sit down with two dynamic women shaping the future of mining—Kimberly Myhre and Alexia Carver. Sponsoring the trip were Arnold Machinery and Gold West Fire and Safety, this special episode dives deep into the real-world experiences of women at…

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#29 Grant Havers on Leo Strauss, Conservatism, and Modern Political Issues 1:02:08

5M ago1:02:08

1:02:08

This episode goes deep into the philosophy of Leo Strauss and the modern Conservative movement by looking at Professor Haver's book on Strauss and Ango-American democracy. I got too excited with the discussion and stopped paying attention to the recording quality. It's less than I would have hoped, but the content Grant shares is excellent. I offer…

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#181- JD Sundseth 1:55:04

5M ago1:55:04

1:55:04

In this episode of Mining Minds, we sit down with JD Sundseth—owner of Mountain States Mine Development and Reclamation LLC. JD takes us on a candid journey through his life: from a small-town kid in Spring Creek, Nevada, to a tire-slinging high schooler at Les Schwab, to operating heavy equipment in remote mountain terrain. He opens up about start…

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#28 Jodi Bruhn: Political Myths, the non-left voter, and COVID fallout 1:06:40

5M ago1:06:40

1:06:40

Professor Bruhn is a unique thinker. She calls herself someone of the 'non-left'. Her advocacy on indigenous issues does not rest on the more common progressive principles. I hope you enjoy the episode! AI summary: In this episode, Shawn dives into Canadian political thought with Dr. Jodi Bruhn. They explore topics such as the conservatism of Pierr…

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#27 Ted Morton: The Charter Revolution & Conservative Politics 54:57

5M ago54:57

54:57

Ted Morton offers a perspective you cannot find anywhere else in Canada. He's an academic, turned politician, returned academic from Alberta. If you want to understand Canadian politics, you simply have to spend time digging into Alberta. Ted has a great sense of humour and seems to love chatting about the thorniest political issues. He jokes that …

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#26 Another short introduction. Why would an MD bother with politics? 4:36

5M ago4:36

4:36

Our lives are shaped by the political systems in which we live. When our country starts to struggle, we need to revisit the ideas that animate the programs and structures around us. In just under 5 minutes, I explain why we need to focus on political ideas now, and why philosophical conservatism offers a (paradoxically) new and fresh way to think. …

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#25 Ginny Roth on Political Myths, Biggest Election Misses, Trump, and Canada's Future 45:29

5M ago45:29

45:29

Ginny returns to answer common Canadian myths and misconceptions, as well as offering analysis on the upcoming election. We start out with four familiar comments or questions: Is the Conservative Party uncaring, especially about people in need? Will Pierre Poilievre end up spending as much as Mark Carney? The CBC is Canadian. Isn't it a trusted sou…

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#24 Jeremy Geddert: Canadian Nationalism & George Grant 1:01:16

5M ago1:01:16

1:01:16

Canadian Conservatism, National Identity, & Critique of Post-Colonialism In this episode, Shawn interviews Professor Jeremy Geddert about George Grant, renowned Canadian philosopher and author of 'Lament for a Nation'. They delve into Grant's critique of the Laurentian elite, his perspectives on Canadian nationalism, conservatism, and his critique …

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#23 Sean Speer: High Stakes Politics & Challenges for Canada's Next Prime Minister 34:57

5M ago34:57

34:57

Sean Speer, Editor at Large at The Hub, paints a stressful (dire?) picture of what faces the next prime minister. The need to secure a stable economic and security agreement with the United States may, paradoxically, compromise the Prime Minister’s political future. They might not be able to secure an agreement that any Canadians will like. What wi…

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#22 Preston Manning: The Origins and Impact of Canadian Populism 49:22

5M ago49:22

49:22

Preston Manning knows populism like no one else. He says Western Canada might have the most experience with populist movements and governments worldwide. United Farmers’ Associations, Social Credit, CCF, and Reform — they all shared a bottom-up, grassroots energy fuelled by frustration over disdain from elites and inattentive government. Having spe…