Best Matthew Blackburn Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 408: Reform after the Hockey Canada verdict 27:29

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2h ago27:29

27:29

There's still anger and unrest in London and all over the country after the verdict in the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial. Even beyond just the verdict - which most legal experts understood - the way the trial went and the lack of systemic control for organizations like Hockey Canada and the NHL remain question. ANOVA and London abused Women's …

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Episode 407: Bank of Canada Deputy Governor Rhys Mendes 18:41

8h ago18:41

18:41

Rhys Mendes, Deputy Governor of the Bank of Canada, was in London this week and made some time to come chat with Craig on the podcast. They discussed ongoing concerns about tariffs and how they may impact the local economy, whether Canada has avoided a recession and whether we could see further interest rate cuts in 2026. The Craig Needles Podcast …

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Clara A. B. Joseph, "India's Non-violent Freedom Struggle: The Thomas Christians (1599-1799)" (Routledge, 2023) 37:46

8h ago37:46

37:46

India's Nonviolent Freedom Struggle focuses on the Thomas Christians, a group of Christians in South India who waged a nonviolent struggle against European colonization during the politically volatile period of 1599-1799. India's Non-violent Freedom Struggle: The Thomas Christians (1599-1799) (Routledge, 2023) has three related objectives and uniqu…

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What Kaprizov's massive extension means for the NHL 1:29:08

2d ago1:29:08

1:29:08

The Kirill Kaprizov saga came to an end after the Russian superstar signed the richest contract in the league's history. We discuss what it means for the Minnesota Wild and how it'll affect stars like Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel who are in line for big paydays. Plus, we discuss the Luke Hughes extension in New Jersey, some fascinating quotes fro…

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Subah Dayal, "Between Household and State: The Mughal Frontier and the Politics of Circulation in Peninsular India" (U California Press, 2024) 40:55

3d ago40:55

40:55

Dr. Subha Dayal recently joined the New Books Network to discuss her new work Between Household and State: The Mughal Frontier and the Politics of Circulation in Peninsular India (U California Press, 2024). Her book makes a crucial intervention by moving beyond conventional dynastic narratives of the Mughal past to emphasize the role of elite house…

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The Enlightenment is racist (and why) | Kehinde Andrews 20:38

4d ago20:38

20:38

The Enlightenment has faced a lot of criticism in recent years - its defenders and detractors often come head to head, scrambling to articulate its ultimate value or lack thereof to contemporary society. This podcast contributes to this wider debate and question facing all those interested in philosophy and politics: Are Enlightenment ideas salvage…

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Kolby Hanson, "Ordinary Rebels: Rank-And-File Militants Between War and Peace" (Oxford UP, 2025) 42:26

6d ago42:26

42:26

In Ordinary Rebels: Rank-And-File Militants Between War and Peace (Oxford University Press, 2025), Kolby Hanson argues that these periods of state toleration do not simply change armed groups' behavior, but fundamentally transform the organizations themselves by shaping who takes up arms and which leaders they follow. This book draws on a set of in…

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Episode 406: Friday Round Table with Frances Moore, Jeff Preston and Matthew Newton-Reid 48:53

4d ago48:53

48:53

The City of London had an update on the Whole of Community response this week and it actually is helping! Good news! But, there's a lot more people who need help, so how can we increase capacity? Craig breaks down that story with advocate Frances Moore, Dr. Jeff Preston and former TVDSB trustee Matthew Newton-Reid - while also looking at the progre…

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Gen Z Uprising: Youth, Protest and Political Change in Nepal 32:56

4d ago32:56

32:56

In early September 2025, Nepal witnessed an extraordinary week of upheaval that many now refer to as the ‘five-day revolution’. Within the span of a single week, youth-led ‘Gen Z’ protests spread across Kathmandu and other major cities, the prime minister and his government resigned, the army intervened, parliament was dissolved, and Nepal’s new (a…

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Kenneth R. Valpey, "Yoga and Animal Ethics" (Palgrave Macmillan, 2025) 43:42

5d ago43:42

43:42

This open access book, Yoga and Animal Ethics (Palgrave Macmillan, 2025) offers a comprehensive understanding of yoga theory and practice as it bears on several dimensions of animal-related ethical reflection and action. "Yoga" has become a household word in recent decades and, increasingly, has drawn physical yoga practitioners to explore its phil…

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Checking in on the NHL preseason 1:14:49

9d ago1:14:49

1:14:49

Nikita Zadorov hit scored a walk-off OT winner, we've gotten our first looks at new jerseys from the Bruins, Rangers & Oilers and the Predators & Sharks had some interesting banner behavior. We discuss all that and more, including the trailer for Season 2 of the Amazon 'Faceoff' series. BUY OUR MERCH: https://store.allcitynetwork.com/collections/wh…

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Ep78 — Into The Black (A Discussion of Dark Beer) 1:00:56

9d ago1:00:56

1:00:56

If you’re anything like me, you might have noticed that a certain dark beer has slowly but surely become the most ubiquitous beer in the UK. I am of course talking about Guinness. Now the most popular beer in the country (by value) it feels almost impossible to escape the gravity created by The Black Stuff. Many of the smaller breweries I speak to—…

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Episode 405: Fixing London-Middlesex Community Housing 48:30

8d ago48:30

48:30

London-Middlesex Community Housing has a lot of problems. Buildings that are falling apart. Pest infestations. Plumbing issues. But - are those things getting better? Is the organization turning a corner - even if they're staring down more than $100-million in repair bills? Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis and Ward 1 Councillor Hadleigh McAlister both sit …

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Episode 404: Friday Round Table with Kelly Elliott, Mojdeh Azad and Carol Dyck 52:43

11d ago52:43

52:43

On this week's Friday Round Table, Craig is joined by former Thames Centre Deputy Mayor Kelly Elliott, organizational consultant Mojdeh Azad and former Green Party candidate Carol Dyck to breakdown the week's top stories. They look at the misogynistic graffiti found in northwest London and analyze the way politicians and police have reacted to it -…

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Debaditya Bhattacharya, "The Indian University: A Critical History" (Orient BlackSwan, 2025) 58:45

15d ago58:45

58:45

Is there such a thing as an ‘Indian university’? Is there an ‘idea’ of an Indian university? Were universities in India living and breathing products of the soil, or were they conceptual imports from a colonial heritage? What is the relationship between universities in India and the ‘publics’ that have inhabited or are alienated by them? More point…

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Episode 403: Is London Transit getting better? 27:09

12d ago27:09

27:09

Six months after the London Transit commissioners were unceremoniously removed by council - is bus service in this city any better? Ward 11 councillor Skylar Franke, who is also the chai of the commission now, joins Craig for an update on where transit is in the city, how they hope to improve and what the future of the commission may look like. The…

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What is going on with Kirill Kaprizov? 1:11:49

16d ago1:11:49

1:11:49

Kirill Kaprizov and the Minnesota Wild have been the center of conversation after reports the the Russian forward turned down a potentially record-breaking NHL contract. We discuss latest with that situation and where Kaprizov could head next if he doesn't sign an extension with Minnesota. Plus, we talk jersey updates, Miller being named captain in…

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The struggle for the good life | Massimo Pigliucci on ancient philosophy for the modern era 29:29

18d ago29:29

29:29

We all want to live the good life. But how many of us can claim to be truly content? Join philosopher and evolutionary biologist Massimo Pigliucci as he argues that pleasure, character, and a healthy dose of doubt, form the basis of the good life, and that purpose in life is crucial to realising our potential. Massimo Pigliucci is a renowned philos…

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Episode 402: Friday Round Table with Chris Moss, Ryan Gauss and Steve Cordes 1:00:09

18d ago1:00:09

1:00:09

Craig welcomed London Cares Executive Director Chris Moss, political insider Ryan Gauss and former YOU CEO Steve Cordes to the studio to talk about the week's top issues. They tackle some developments in the homelessness space - including how the homelessness hubs are working and the ongoing issues with the building at Queen's and Adelaide. Then, t…

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Psychedelics and the structure of reality | Julian Baggini, Eileen Hall, and James Rucker 46:51

22d ago46:51

46:51

Truth, delusion and psychedelic reality Do psychedelics reveal hidden layers of reality, or are we simply tripping? Psychedelics are back in the cultural zeitgeist, this time as a treatment for mental health issues. However, critics argue that psychedelics only work by replacing mental illness with a distorted view of reality - but, is this an accu…

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Episode 401: London Hydro CEO Ysni Semsedini on the grid and the future 24:53

20d ago24:53

24:53

Ysni Semsedini, about a year into his role as CEO at London Hydro, joined Craig on the podcast to talk about his time on the job so far, your hydro bill, the city's grid, their affiliates and the future of the organization. The Craig Needles Podcast is brought you by Downtown London and the Covent Garden Market.…

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Unpacking the Hughes, Crosby & McDavid buzz 1:53:27

23d ago1:53:27

1:53:27

Jack and Quinn Hughes want to play together, Connor McDavid still doesn't have an extension with the Edmonton Oilers and Sidney Crosby continues to deny that he wants out of Pittsburgh. We discuss the latest around all three storylines and rank which ones we're most tired of hearing about. Plus, we react to Dustin Wolf's big extension with the Calg…

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The unconscious mind: Is the unconscious real? 48:58

24d ago48:58

48:58

The unconscious has become a well-known feature of our human lived experience since Freud. We often refer to unwanted impulses, suppressed thoughts, unconscious desires, and the like. But what IS the unconscious? Is it just an easy excuse for our behaviour? Or is it a necessary piece of what it means to be human? Join our diverse and rich panel as …

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Episode 400: Friday Round Table with Cheryl Miller, Roger Caranci and Devin Munro 47:37

27d ago47:37

47:37

It's the 400th episode of The Craig Needles Podcast! Craig welcomes former London city councillors Cheryl Miller and Roger Caranci to the studio, as well as political insider Devin Munro to talk about the week's top stories. They go over the brewing federal battle over the temporary foreign workers program and why the Carney Liberal clearly have a …

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Sam Dalrymple, "Shattered Lands: Five Partitions and the Making of Modern Asia" (William Collins, 2025) 53:25

27d ago53:25

53:25

Partition—the rapid, uncoordinated, and bloody split between India and Pakistan after the Second World War—remains the central event of South Asian history. But 1947 wasn’t the only partition, according to historian and filmmaker Sam Dalrymple. Sam, in his book Shattered Lands: Five Partitions and the Making of Modern Asia (William Collins, 2025), …

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Matthew Bowser, "Containing Decolonization: British Imperialism and the Politics of Race in Late Colonial Burma" (Manchester UP, 2025) 1:02:44

26d ago1:02:44

1:02:44

In Containing Decolonization: British Imperialism and the Politics of Race in Late Colonial Burma (Manchester University Press, 2025), historian Matthew Bowser examines British imperialism in late colonial Burma (from roughly 1929 to 1948) to study how imperialists attempted to protect their strategic and economic interests after decolonization: th…

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Ruth Perini, "Varaha Upanishad: The Path to Supreme Knowledge" (2025) 30:29

30d ago30:29

30:29

This conversation examines the newly published translation of the Varāha Upaniṣad, a lesser-known but deeply transformative scripture from the Kṛṣṇa‑Yajurveda, composed between the 13th and 16th centuries CE and spanning 249 verses. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! http…

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The Carolina Hurricanes have done it again 1:28:50

1M ago1:28:50

1:28:50

The Carolina Hurricanes revealed new away uniforms and (surprise!) everyone hates them! We discuss the jerseys and why it seems the Canes can never get their branding right. Plus we talk about updates on Connor McDavid's contract situation with the Edmonton Oilers and what it means if 97 enters his walk year without an extension. We also discuss th…

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David McNally, "Slavery and Capitalism: A New Marxist History" (U California Press, 2025) 43:05

30d ago43:05

43:05

David McNally's Slavery and Capitalism: A New Marxist History (U California Press, 2025)presents the first systematic Marxist account of the capitalist character of Atlantic slavery. McNally argues that enslaved labour within the plantation system constituted capitalist commodity production, and crucially, reframes the resistance of enslaved people…

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Episode 399: Shmuel Farhi 51:58

29d ago51:58

51:58

Well-known and infamous-to-some London property owner Shmuel Farhi joined Craig on the podcast for a wide ranging conversation. They tackle Farhi's purchase of Westmount Mall, why he builds far more in other communities than he does in London, his proposal to move London City Hall, separating some facts from some fiction and more. Craig also shares…

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A landscape of consciousness | Robert Lawrence Kuhn and Hilary Lawson 41:19

1M ago41:19

41:19

Will we ever reach a conclusive, agreed-upon theory of consciousness? Over the millennia of recorded history, countless stories, theories, and arguments have emerged to explain the origins of consciousness. And yet, here we are in 2025 - post-Plato, post-Descartes, post-scientific revolution - and still we don't understand the phenomenon of conscio…

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Robert Ivermee, "Glorious Failure: The Forgotten History of French Imperialism in India" (Oxford UP, 2025) 55:54

1M ago55:54

55:54

This is a powerful new account of a chapter in history that is crucial to understand, yet often overlooked. For 150 years, from the reign of Louis XIV to the downfall of Napoleon, France was an aggressive imperial power in South Asia, driven by the pursuit of greatness and riches. Through their East India company and state, the French established a…

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Ep77 — Will Evans of Manchester Union Brewery 46:08

1M ago46:08

46:08

Let’s begin the description of this episode with a mea culpa. In February 2025 I visited the Trading Route, a new venue from the people behind Manchester Union Brewery, and Manchester restaurants Trof, and Stow. One of the main reasons I was excited to go was because Manchester Union co-founder Will Evans had appeared in an Instagram video advertis…

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Laura Murphy, "Freedomville: The Story of a 21st-Century Slave Revolt" (Columbia Global Reports, 2021) 44:03

1M ago44:03

44:03

A celebrated revolution brought freedom to a group of enslaved people in northern India. Or did it? Millions of people around the world today are enslaved; nearly eight million of them live in India, more than anywhere else. Freedomville: The Story of a 21st-Century Slave Revolt (Columbia Global Reports, 2021) by Dr. Laura Murphy is the story of a …

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Episode 398: Friday Round Table with Scott Collyer, Mojdeh Azad and Jared Zaifman 52:32

1M ago52:32

52:32

Last Friday Round Table of the summer! Craig welcomed political insider Scott Collyer, organizational consultant Mojdeh Azad and London Home Builders Association CEO Jared Zaifman to the Covent Garden Market Studio to breakdown the issues of the week. They start with the state of public housing in the City of London. It is not good. A piece in the …

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Will psychedelics revolutionize mental health treatment? | Matthew Johnson, Shayla Love, and Kevin Sabet 49:34

1M ago49:34

49:34

The psychedelic revolution Will LSD, Psilocybin, MDMA, and Ketamine treatments live up to the hype? For decades, psychedelics were derided as dangerous recreational drugs; now many claim they have the potential to revolutionise the treatment of mental health. With hundreds of clinical trials now taking place, the psychedelic therapeutic market is p…

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Maan Barua, "Plantation Worlds" (Duke UP, 2024) 58:49

1M ago58:49

58:49

In Plantation Worlds (Duke UP, 2024), Maan Barua interrogates debates on planetary transformations through the histories and ecologies of plantations. Drawing on long-term research spanning fifteen years, Barua presents a unique ethnography attentive to the lives of both people and elephants amid tea plantations in the Indian state of Assam. In the…

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08/24/25: Jeff Nickell, "With Absence Comes Lessons" 19:37

1M ago19:37

19:37

By Southport Congregational Church, Southport, CT

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08/24/2025: Jeff Nickell Preaching (Full Service) 45:40

1M ago45:40

45:40

By Southport Congregational Church, Southport, CT

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A Ukrainian Translation of the Devi Mahatmya 1:03:54

1M ago1:03:54

1:03:54

In this episode, Dr. Raj Balkaran speaks with art historian and curator Alisa Lozhkina about her groundbreaking Ukrainian translation of the Devī Māhātmya—the first ever in the language. They explore the inspiration behind this bold project, the text’s unique reception in the Ukrainian cultural and spiritual landscape, and broader reflections on th…

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Faisal Chaudhry, "South Asia, the British Empire, and the Rise of Classical Legal Thought: Toward a Historical Ontology of the Law" (Oxford UP, 2024) 1:16:49

1M ago1:16:49

1:16:49

South Asia, the British Empire, and the Rise of Classical Legal Thought: Toward a Historical Ontology of the Law (Oxford UP, 2024) considers the legal history of colonial rule in South Asia from 1757 to the early 20th century. It traces a shift in the conceptualization of sovereignty, land control, and adjudicatory rectification, arguing that under…

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Wrapping up the NHL offseason 2:34:20

1M ago2:34:20

2:34:20

As the NHL season gets closer, we begin to wrap up the offseason by discussing the national TV schedule, preseason projections and why there was less movement than expected. Plus, we recap everything happening in North America as DJ returns from Italy. 0:00 Welcome to What Chaos! 24:50 Pete complains about shorts 33:20 News updates 45:00 DJ back fr…

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Episode 397: United Way pushes for more affordable housing 23:19

1M ago23:19

23:19

The United Way has released their Built for Good report and it's ambitious. They want to spend more than $60-billion to bring new affordable homes online, prevent homes from deteriorating, and keep people in the places they're living now. The CEO of United Way Elgin-Middlesex, Kelly Ziegner, joined Craig on the podcast to breakdown the report. What…

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The illusion of separation | Jessica Frazier on the Monism of Hindu philosophy 24:39

1M ago24:39

24:39

Indian philosophy and the search for unity In our everyday lives we act as though we are all separate individuals, but is this really the case? Jessica Frazer argues that reality is ultimately unified, and that this shift in perspective can change the way we live our lives. It can help you lose your isolated ego and escape feelings of alienation fr…

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08/17/2025: Seminarian Julie Beck, "Finding God in the Silence" 15:15

1M ago15:15

15:15

By Southport Congregational Church, Southport, CT

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08/17/2025: Seminarian Julie Beck Preaching (Full Service) 45:36

1M ago45:36

45:36

By Southport Congregational Church, Southport, CT

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Episode 396: Friday Round Table with Jennifer Dunn, Nathan Caranci and Jeremy McCall 58:19

1M ago58:19

58:19

Summer is winding down! Craig was joined at the Covent Garden Market Studio by London Abused Women's Centre Executive Director Jennifer Dunn, political insider Nathan Caranci and community organizer Jeremy McCall for the second last round table of August. The group tackles stories like the provincial government openly musing about eliminating elect…

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Robert Cribb et al., "Detention Camps in Asia: The Conditions of Confinement in Modern Asian History" (Brill, 2022) 1:08:04

1M ago1:08:04

1:08:04

Why have Asian states - colonial and independent - imprisoned people on a massive scale in detention camps? How have detainees experienced the long months and years of captivity? And what does the creation of camps and the segregation of people in them mean for society as a whole? Detention Camps in Asia: The Conditions of Confinement in Modern Asi…

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Vinay Lal, "Gandhi, Truth, and Nonviolence: The Politics of Engagement in Post-Truth Times" (Oxford UP, 2025) 1:08:31

1M ago1:08:31

1:08:31

The anthology presents a diverse array of essays delving into Gandhi's political activities, ethical beliefs, and philosophical stance. Distinguished Gandhian scholars contribute to this collection, setting it apart from similar compilations by focusing not just on Gandhi's impact or the debate over his relevance, but on maintaining his bold ethica…

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Episode 395: Time to break up the TVDSB? 20:44

1M ago20:44

20:44

Is the Thames Valley District School Board too big? Is it time to separate London's schools from the ones in Oxford and Elgin Counties? The Warden of Oxford County thinks to. Marcus Ryan joins Craig to talk about his ideas and how they've been received by politicians at the municipal and provincial levels. The Craig Needles Podcast is brought to yo…