Best Empty Set Entertainment Podcasts (2025)

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SLAY Episode 103: Dragon's Mom 41:17

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3h ago41:17

41:17

Linc, Billy, and the huge suit of black armor controlled by Magda and holding the unconscious Mercutio are in transit, heading to Alnwick, England, where they will meet Dante Oganov, Faceless, and Cray-Cray Bray—let the heist begin. Meanwhile, Gary Satyr is faced with two critical tasks — acquiring Mercutio’s ransom money and tracking down Lincoln …

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Who picks the next Dalai Lama? Why China and Tibet are at odds 10:50

1d ago10:50

10:50

As the Dalai Lama turns 90, the question of who will succeed him is reigniting tensions between Tibet and China. We speak with Sherap Therchin of the Canada-Tibet Committee about why this could lead to two rival Dalai Lamas—and what that means for Tibetan identity, faith, and global politics.

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Two moms, two wild fires, one shared grief 18:02

1d ago18:02

18:02

When wildfires rip through towns, the smoke may eventually clear, but the trauma lingers. This morning, we hear from two women whose lives were upended by wildfires. Brooke Kindel lost her home in Denare Beach, Saskatchewan just weeks before giving birth. Meghan Fandrich lived through the fire that destroyed most of Lytton, B.C. in 2021 including h…

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History at the Calgary Stampede: Women rope their way in 11:23

1d ago11:23

11:23

The Calgary Stampede is making history. For the first time in 45 years, a new event has been added: ladies breakaway roping. We speak with world champion Shelby Boisjoli-Meged about what it means to compete on her home turf, and why equal pay and representation in rodeo matter more than ever.

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Order of Canada: Honouring a life in diplomacy 24:32

2d ago24:32

24:32

Two long-serving Canadian diplomats — Don Campbell and Alex Bugailiskis — have been named to the Order of Canada. Campbell helped negotiate the first North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), while Bugailiskis served as ambassador to countries including Syria, Cuba and Italy, and played a key role in the resettlement of Syrian refugees. They ref…

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How deep does extremism run in Canada’s Armed Forces? 19:23

2d ago19:23

19:23

Two members of the Canadian Armed Forces are among four men facing charges over a plot to violently seize land in Quebec. The RCMP has laid terrorism-related charges alleging that the men amassed a large cache of weapons, motivated by anti-government ideology. We speak to Jessica Davis, a former CSIS analyst, about what we know so far — and what qu…

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Alberta’s pro-Canada forces fight back against separatism 19:18

3d ago19:18

19:18

As calls for Alberta to separate from Canada get louder, pro-Canada forces are pushing back. Former Alberta Deputy Premier Thomas Lukaszuk has launched a referendum campaign against separatism – asking Albertans: “Do you agree Alberta should remain in Canada?” We speak with him about why Alberta should stay part of Canada. Then, political scientist…

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Why John Green is obsessed with tuberculosis 24:11

3d ago24:11

24:11

Tuberculosis is entirely curable and yet also the deadliest infectious disease in the world. That paradox has fascinated John Green, the popular YouTuber and author of The Fault in Our Stars, ever since he met a boy called Henry at a TB hospital in Sierra Leone. Green's new book, Everything is Tuberculosis, tells Henry’s story and asks why this dis…

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191: Demanded GF Stop Mentioning Her Ex & Changed Son's Name in Secret 👶✏️AITA? | Reddit Stories | Ep 191 1:02:41

4d ago1:02:41

1:02:41

Stop waiting—find and book a top-rated doctor instantly today with zocdoc.com/clp - Episode 191 w/ Madi, Brandon, and Sam 0:00 Sj and Sam reunion soon 4:35 AITA For Silently Changing My Son's Name After My Brother and SIL Gave My Nephew The Name Too 6:43 Response 12:12 Top Comment 15:48 AITA For Asking My GF To Stop Playfully Comparing Me to Her Ex…

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DEEP CUTS Episode 58: Audible’s Anti-Trust Case 42:54

5d ago42:54

42:54

Is Audible creating a healthy marketplace or a monopoly where indie authors struggle to make a living? CD Reiss, an independent author, sued Audible last year, saying it violated antitrust law by charging higher distribution fees for independent and self-published writers who do not choose Audible-exclusive distribution. Last month, a federal judge…

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Meet the newest members of the Order of Canada 25:15

4d ago25:15

25:15

Two Canadians honoured for a lifetime of service. Cheryl Forchuk is a mental health nurse and researcher whose work has changed how Canada understands homelessness, tracing its roots to system failures and pushing for solutions grounded in dignity and data. Mike Stevens is a renowned harmonica player whose music has taken him to remote Indigenous c…

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How close is a ceasefire in Gaza? 19:25

4d ago19:25

19:25

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in Washington this week and U.S. President Donald Trump says a Gaza ceasefire could be just days away. Meanwhile on the ground, aid workers say urgent action is needed to address the humanitarian crisis. We hear from Akram Saeed, a father living in a refugee camp in Khan Younis, who says every day is a s…

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Why Farmers Are Nervous About Canada’s Next Trade Move 19:13

5d ago19:13

19:13

Farmers on both sides of the border are watching closely as Canada and the U.S. continue trade talks. With Canada backing off its digital services tax, some are asking: is supply management next? That’s the system that controls how much milk, eggs and poultry Canadian farmers can produce and guarantees a set price for what they sell. We hear from a…

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Why isn’t ‘enough’ spelled ‘enuf’? The absurdity of English spelling 24:32

5d ago24:32

24:32

Everyone has certain words they struggle to spell, whether it’s stumbling on silent letters in words like “doubt,” or words like “fuchsia,” that just look very different from how they sound. In his new book Enough is Enuf: Our Failed Attempts to Make English Eezier to Spell, Gabe Henry looks at how spelling reformers have long tried — and failed — …

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SLAY Episode 102: New Phone, Who Dis 37:18

7d ago37:18

37:18

It’s time for Linc, Billy, and the huge suit of armor controlled by Magda and containing a drugged-up Mercutio to transit to Alnwick, England, for their caper to retrieve a piece of Calista’s soul. The other members of the team—Dante Oganov, Cray-Cray Bray, and the shapeshifter known as “Faceless” await. Meanwhile, the bounty hunter Icepick, who wa…

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It’s complicated for Canadian-US dual citizens right now 19:18

8d ago19:18

19:18

It’s the Fourth of July, but for some people with ties to both Canada and the U.S., the day feels more conflicted than celebratory. As relations between the two countries sour, dual citizens and cross-border families are finding it harder to navigate their identities. We speak to three people who share what it’s like to live between two countries t…

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52 countries in 52 weeks? What one man saw on a whirlwind trip 24:13

8d ago24:13

24:13

In the depths of the pandemic, CBC reporter Justin McElroy hatched a plan to see as much of the world as possible. He ended up visiting 52 countries in 52 weeks, and now he’s back to share some of the amazing things he saw — and ate! — and what he learned by stepping out of his comfort zone.

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Squad up! Is interprovincial trade happening ? 19:03

9d ago19:03

19:03

Ottawa says it’s done its part in removing federal exceptions to make interprovincial trade easier. But with most of the barriers still in provincial hands, we speak to Ryan Mallough from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, about the federal government’s actions and whether they’re enough and Ryan Manucha, a research fellow at the CD H…

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Summer’s here and the time is right for… “kidrotting”? 24:26

9d ago24:26

24:26

This summer, some parents are opting out of the packed schedules, the summer camps, and little leagues and instead are saying yes to slower days at home. Amil Niazi, a columnist for The Cut, shares how she’s embracing an unscheduled, unstructured summer — sometimes called “kidrotting.” And child psychologist Janine Hubbard explains why letting kids…

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Why Gen Z's jobless rate should matter to everyone 19:27

10d ago19:27

19:27

More young Canadians are out of work than at any point in decades–excluding during the COVID-19 pandemic. The youth unemployment rate is now more than 14 per cent and for students returning to school this fall the anxiety of the world to come after school is daunting. We hear from two Gen Z job seekers about the emotional toll of a stagnant job mar…

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What's a divorce registry and why are more people using them? 23:50

10d ago23:50

23:50

Divorce is costly — legally, emotionally, and financially. That’s why more people are using divorce registries – a list of things your friends and families can buy to help you start your post-divorce life. We talk to a woman who turned to friends and family to furnish a new life after splitting with her partner, and hear from the co-founder of a di…

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190: Wife Emptied Accounts & Left w/ Updates + Skipped Father’s Day as Payback🎉😒Ep. 190 | Reddit Stories 2:26:42

11d ago2:26:42

2:26:42

Episode 190 w/ Sj (Part 1), Jill (Part 2), Madi, Brandon, and Sam - Part 1 0:00 Unsolved Mysteries w/ Sj 6:09 My Wife Abandoned Me 2 Months Ago To Find Herself 10:38 Response 17:43 Brandon's Question of The Episode 20:03 Edits & Top Comments & Response 32:45 Update 37:42 Response 41:29 Update 2 49:19 Response Part 2 57:58 Forget AI- Jill Is Taking …

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Bob McDonald: Science, Survival, and Self-Doubt 24:14

12d ago24:14

24:14

Quirks and Quarks host Bob McDonald says people are often surprised to learn he’s a university dropout — a fact that’s contributed to the impostor syndrome he’s felt for a large part of his life. In his memoir Just Say Yes, Bob McDonald charts his path from an unhappy and sometimes abusive home to Canada's foremost explainer of all things scientifi…

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Cattle Sold, Crops Failing: Inside Saskatchewan’s Drought Crisis 19:35

13d ago19:35

19:35

Farmers' livelihoods are at stake in Saskatchewan in the middle of a historic drought. It’s been a while since Saskatchewan saw steady rainfall – and conditions are pushing some farmers to the edge. Ranchers are facing choices about whether to sell off cattle or take on more debt. We hear from two prairie farmers about the impact drought is having …

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SLAY Episode 101: Duct Tape 42:15

13d ago42:15

42:15

Lincoln’s leg wound hasn’t healed, yet he’s gunning for the gang to head for the Alnwick Poison Gardens before Callista realizes the reason for Mercutio’s abduction. Will he push too hard, too soon? As for Callista, she wants answers. She thinks Icepick might be the culprit. She demanded the bounty hunter’s presence at her club – how will his secon…

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DEEP CUTS Episode 57: Rob and Scott Celebrate 100 Episodes of SLAY! 28:18

15d ago28:18

28:18

SLAY started as a Scott Sigler joint. A dozen episodes in Scott called in reinforcements, in the form of one Rob Otto. This episode, they celebrate the touchstone of 100 episodes with us! Deep Cuts is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs Produced by Steve Riekeberg Production Assistance by Allie Press Copyright 2025 by Empty Set Entertainment Rob…

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How Police Busted a Lululemon Theft Ring 16:29

16d ago16:29

16:29

Yoga pants and stolen goods. Court documents obtained by CBC reveal a suspected organized crime ring behind a wave of high-value thefts from Lululemon stores across British Columbia. CBC journalist Jason Proctor breaks down how police tracked down the suspects.

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Fluoride set to flow again in Calgary Water 7:44

16d ago7:44

7:44

Fluoride is returning to Calgary’s drinking water. The city removed it more than a decade ago, but after a public vote and years of planning, it's back. A city councilor who once voted against fluoride explains why he’s changed his mind.

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Venetians protest Bezos’ billionaire wedding 19:19

16d ago19:19

19:19

Jeff Bezos is getting married in Venice, but not everyone is celebrating. As A-list guests gather, activists and locals are protesting what they see as a city being rented out to the ultra-wealthy. We hear from a protester with “No Space for Bezos,” and from a former luxury wedding planner who now writes about class and culture.…

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The hippie trail trip that changed Rick Steve’s life 24:09

17d ago24:09

24:09

Rick Steves had his first puff of a joint in Afghanistan while he was travelling the Hippie Trail in 1978, the overland route from Istanbul to Kathmandu. The travel writer and entrepreneur talks to Matt Galloway about how that trip made him think about the world differently — and why he says others should seek out mind-expanding travel, too.…

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Where does Iran’s nuclear program stand now? 19:13

17d ago19:13

19:13

A fragile ceasefire is in place between Israel and Iran — but where does this leave Iran’s nuclear program? U.S. President Donald Trump is confident the program is destroyed but some intelligence reports suggest only setbacks. We speak with nuclear policy expert James Acton about what happens now.

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DEEP CUTS Episode 56: A’s Brother Jude Joins Us for a Chat! 32:58

17d ago32:58

32:58

This year’s StokerCon was in Stamford, Connecticut, which is just up the road from where A grew up! A’s brother Jude joined us for the livestream. Deep Cuts is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs Produced by Steve Riekeberg Production Assistance by Allie Press Copyright 2025 by Empty Set Entertainment Guys, my brother Jude is the best. We should…