Best The Hello Calgary Podcast Podcasts (2025)

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S05E02 - "A Sonic Revolution with Poems, Pours and Voices That Won't Be Silenced" 22:44

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4h ago22:44

22:44

Prophet, Infectious and Easy have solicited new writers for the show. With a renewed focus on the recent AI revolution, the boys don their rebellion caps and take their kill shot at the Death Star.

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Danielle Smith on Carney, Kirk and pipelines 29:04

1 minute ago29:04

29:04

Today, a wide-ranging interview with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. She talks to host Jayme Poisson about Alberta’s future in light of the Carney government’s push to fast track major projects, arguing that energy development is an issue of national unity for her constituents. Smith also responds to the controversy around her potential use of the …

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The era of meme shooters is here 29:02

3d ago29:02

29:02

Memes have been written on weapons, quoted in manifestos, and cited by young attackers as the inspiration for acts of mass violence. It's a phenomenon that springs from groups of disaffected people communicating on the web through a convoluted language of impenetrable memes and irony. Utah Governor Spencer Cox has said about the 22-year-old man cha…

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Politics! Farewell Freeland, hello mega-projects 25:24

1d ago25:24

25:24

For the first time since June, MPs returned to the House of Commons to decide the path of Canada’s future. And just a few days into the fall session, it’s already looking like a busy season. After more than a decade in politics, Chrystia Freeland announced she is calling it quits. Pierre Poilievre and Mark Carney faced off for the first time in que…

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Can Canada’s housing minister make homes cheaper? 28:36

3d ago28:36

28:36

The Liberal government has launched its $13-billion agency called “Build Canada Homes” which Prime Minister Mark Carney says will supercharge housing construction across the country. Today, Housing Minister Gregor Robertson talks to host Jayme Poisson about Canada’s housing affordability crisis, how the Liberal government is meeting the challenges …

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The return of political violence 31:36

24h ago31:36

31:36

Following the assassination of Charlie Kirk we're joined by Bruce Hoffman, a Senior Fellow for counter terrorism and homeland security at the Council for Foreign Relations. He helps us understand the history of assassinations, the connections between violent rhetoric and incidents of material violence, and the online meme-world that communicates mo…

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Donald Trump’s war on drug cartels 26:56

40m ago26:56

26:56

Donald Trump has declared a war on drug cartels. He’s wielded the flow of narcotics, namely fentanyl, into the U.S. as one of the major reasons behind aspects of his global trade war. He’s added a number of cartels to the foreign terrorist organisations list. And last month, the Trump administration stepped things up by quietly signing a Pentagon d…

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Fear, fury and Charlie Kirk’s killing 28:05

3d ago28:05

28:05

American conservative media figure and activist Charlie Kirk was one of the most prominent young voices of the American right. The founder of Turning Point USA, a close ally of Donald Trump, and a figure who helped shape the culture and pipeline of the MAGA movement. On Wednesday, he was shot at one of his trademark campus debate events at Utah Val…

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Will Trump declare ‘war’ on Chicago? 30:50

9d ago30:50

30:50

As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal forces into Chicago — a city he’s referred to as the ‘murder capital’ of the world — we have a look at Trump’s long standing focus on Chicago, and how the city became a favourite metaphor in conservative politics. This month, Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to send federal forces into Chica…

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Politics! Carney government ramps up 23:12

9m ago23:12

23:12

This coming Monday, MPs return to Ottawa for Parliament’s fall session, with the health of Canada’s economy front and centre. Last Friday, Prime Minister Carney unveiled a new set of measures designed, he says, to make Canada’s economy more resilient in the face of persistent U.S. tariffs. We also now have a leaked list of the major infrastructure …

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Does Canada have a violent crime problem? 29:57

12h ago29:57

29:57

Over the last few weeks, horrific crimes have dominated headlines across the country. There was a father of four who was killed after at least three suspects broke into his home in Vaughan, Ontario. There was a mass stabbing attack on Hollow Water First Nation, just north of Winnipeg. The suspect had been out on bail. Last weekend in Edmonton, a wo…

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Is it over for Quebec’s François Legault? 23:34

1d ago23:34

23:34

Quebec has introduced a new bill that would ban prayer in public spaces. It’s the latest in a series of recent moves by the province to reinforce Quebec’s secularist values. It comes as Premier François Legault is embroiled in a spending scandal and polls that show he’s the least popular provincial leader in the country. Will falling back on Quebec…

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‘Queen of Canada’ cult leader arrested 32:07

4d ago32:07

32:07

On Wednesday, 16 people — including Romana Didulo, the cult leader known as the “Queen of Canada” — were arrested in the tiny Saskatchewan village of Richmound. RCMP released them the following day, but then re-arrested two unidentified individuals. Didulo and her followers have been holed up in a decommissioned school there for two years. Their pr…

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The Alberta book ban saga 26:10

5d ago26:10

26:10

Late last week - a list of over 200 books, set to be removed from Edmonton school libraries by October made the rounds online. It was in response to an order set out by Alberta’s education ministry in July to take books with sexually explicit content from the shelves. This applied from kindergarten to Grade 12. On that list? Award-winning works lik…

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What UNICEF saw in Gaza 38:55

6d ago38:55

38:55

Today on the show, James Elder is here. James is UNICEF’s global spokesperson, and he has made five trips to Gaza since the October attacks documenting what UNICEF has called a “war on children.” He joins us less than two weeks after a UN backed body officially designated the hunger crisis in Gaza a famine, one that the UN’s relief chief Tom Fletch…

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Brazil stares down Trump and Bolsonaro 26:47

18d ago26:47

26:47

In a trial entering its final phase, former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro stands accused of attempting to stage a coup, leading an armed criminal organisation, and plotting to have the country’s current president and a Supreme Court justice killed. In response Bolsonaro ally U.S. President Donald Trump slapped Brazil with steep 50% tariffs and…

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The threat next door: How NATO’s newest members are preparing to defend against Russia (via The House) 46:39

15d ago46:39

46:39

NATO’s secretary general has warned Russia could launch an attack on the alliance within the next five years. Talk to NATO’s two newest members, Finland and Sweden, and they’ll tell you preparation involves a lot more than just boosting military spending. As Canada seeks to strengthen ties with both countries, what can we learn from our newest NATO…

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Season 5 Episode 1 - Talk On The Rocks "On Alcohol" 53:29

11d ago53:29

53:29

The Prophet Esau, Infectious and Easy Evan do a deep dive into Alcohol while sipping London Mules in the heat of summer. As long time residents of this great city of Calgary, the boys debut the fifth season by talking about the best places to drink in town, including (by type): Cocktails @ Proof, Major Toms, Shelter Wine @ AVITUS wine bar, Missy's …

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Is the International Criminal Court’s future in peril? 28:15

11d ago28:15

28:15

Last week, the U.S. released another round of sanctions against officials at the International Criminal Court, including a Canadian judge. They’re the latest in a string of attacks from the Trump administration this year, after the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gall…

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Season 4 Episode 14 - Fire and Wine "On Death" (part 2) 35:40

19d ago35:40

35:40

The boys continue the facade of starting a new season, as they seemingly deal with the end of everything they once knew. Easy Evan gives a reading of The Day Lady Died by Frank O'Hara, prompting conversation of those distinct moments in life that you remember in great detail because of some life altering event.…

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Trump, the Smithsonian, and the battle over U.S. history 32:18

12d ago32:18

32:18

American history has always been contested, but recent decisions by U.S. President Donald Trump to reshape the way it’s taught and remembered have put museums, schools, and memorials squarely in the crosshairs. Earlier this year, Trump passed an executive order that called for the removal of what he referred to as “divisive, race-centered ideology”…

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Season 4 Episode 13 - Fire and Wine "On Death" 46:41

25d ago46:41

46:41

The PIDLLP crew lament the death of life and society as we knew growing up. Selections of poetry are read including Japanese Death Poems written by Zen Monks and Haiku Poets on the verge of death. The boys discuss rebirth, regrowth, and postulate what the phoenix that rises from the ashes will look like.…

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Politics! Carney's report card, Poilievre's return 25:08

13d ago25:08

25:08

Prime Minister Mark Carney campaigned on big promises and bold action to save a country in crisis. It's now been more than 100 days since his cabinet was sworn in, but details and tangible results are still thin on the ground. How much of a runway does he have to start delivering on his promises on things like national infrastructure, housing, and …

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Season 4 Episode 12 - St. Paddy's Day Special (part 2) 57:50

21d ago57:50

57:50

The boys are being true Calgarians and discussing our beloved Flames and the eternal question "to tank or not to tank?". They reminisce about one of the best communities in Calgary that Infectious and the Prophet once grew up and lived in; Kensington. Finally, the boys get heated talking about Wayne Gretzky and his importance to Canada and connecti…

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Young people can't find jobs. Is Canada's economy in trouble? 21:25

14d ago21:25

21:25

The unemployment rate for Canadians between 15 and 24 is at 15 percent, the highest it's been since 2010, not including the pandemic. Why can't young people find a job? And how do these numbers fit into the wider health of our economy at the moment? Economist and Atkinson Fellow on the Future of Workers Armine Yalnizyan is on the show to talk about…

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Season 4 Episode 11 - The St. Paddy's Day Special 1:02:44

27d ago1:02:44

1:02:44

The PIDLLP crew is joined by regular guest Mom three days prior to St. Patrick's day. They discuss movies, specifically Bong Joon Ho's classic film Parasite and the less classic but more controversial Okja. The boys also discuss a recent situation that threatened to expose their true identities, and how they plan to maintain their anonymity during …

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Israel defies global outcry over Gaza City, West Bank 25:40

26d ago25:40

25:40

Airstrikes and tanks continued pounding the outskirts of Gaza City over the weekend, as Israel’s plans to seize the strip’s largest urban centre continued. A much bigger operation, widely condemned by the international community, could begin within days or weeks. This is all happening as the world’s leading authority on food crises is saying that G…

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Season 4 Episode 10 - F*ck America 45:58

28d ago45:58

45:58

The Prophet and Easy crash out about the state of the economy, politics, and the state of world. Infectious provides a calming voice of reason in the chaos that erupts.

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Season 4 Episode 9 - Fire and Wine "Annual Wine Tasting" 42:25

29d ago42:25

42:25

The PIDLLP crew celebrate the Christmas season by conducting their annual wine taste test. Easy Evan is seeking redemption from last year's debacle, with nine new and old world wines to sample and identify. Happy holidays! (note: the actual clinking of glasses, banter and sipping has been edited out for the purposes of the public podcast)…

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Season 4 Episode 8 - Poetry and Flow Part 3 51:20

1M ago51:20

51:20

Dr J and the Crew keep on keeping on about streaming, commercialism and the lost art of indie film hunting. This episode includes; impromptu judged poetry readings, Evan gets fomo when nature calls, and a debate over whether popularity and commercialization can ruin the written word. Follow us down this stream of consciousness as we go against the …

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Escape, immortality, AI: Silicon Valley's blueprint for the future 33:35

18d ago33:35

33:35

Elon Musk wants a million people living on Mars within 20 years. Jeff Bezos imagines a trillion humans in space, living in a constellation of space stations the size of major cities within a few generations. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, is preparing for a future where rogue AI could destroy civilization, and is stockpiling land, gas masks, and gold i…

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Season 4 Episode 7 - Poetry and Flow Part 2 42:09

1M ago42:09

42:09

The PIDLLP boys plus Dr J delve deeper into the topic of "flow", discussing flow in poetry, music and sports. They debate whether published spoken word can be read in the voice of the author or if some voices are off limits to reader. Listen up, settle in and go with the flow.

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How Christian Zionism became a key force in U.S. politics 38:59

27d ago38:59

38:59

Christian Zionism — the belief that the modern state of Israel fulfills biblical prophecy — has existed as a theological concept for well over a century. But in the past couple decades its political power and influence in the United States has surged, with many of Donald Trump's closest political allies among its adherents. Today we're taking a loo…

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Season 4 Episode 6 - Poetry and Flow featuring Doctor J and the PIDLLP crew 1:01:37

1M ago1:01:37

1:01:37

The PIDLLP Crew is joined by Doctor J in a discussion about poetry and the concept of flow. What is flow? Is it innate, can it be developed? Who has the sickest flow in poetry and in music? Can flow be quantified or formulated? The Doctor is Real In, but before we begin, 5 cents please.

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Are Canadian summers as we knew them over? 30:59

28d ago30:59

30:59

This summer is on track to being the second-worst wildfire season in Canadian history. It started earlier than usual with emergencies declared in the spring in Manitoba and Saskatchewan and is hitting locales that aren't typically fire-prone like Vancouver Island and Atlantic Canada. Meanwhile, fires from neighbouring provinces gave parts of southe…

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Season 4 Episode 5 - The Preeminent Poetry Podcast (Part 5) 1:08:26

1M ago1:08:26

1:08:26

The boys break down the "tells" of AI in generating original poetry. The self-described "chefs" finally enjoy the long awaited poem from "Furious Cooking" by Maureen Seaton, read by Infectious.

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Is Trump any closer to ending the war in Ukraine? 24:51

1M ago24:51

24:51

Over the last few days, US President Donald Trump has hosted a series of high-stakes talks to further the effort to end the war in Ukraine. First, on Friday, there was the summit in Alaska — Russian president Vladimir Putin’s first time in the US in nearly 20 years. Then on Monday, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at the White House f…

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Season 4 Episode 4 - The Preeminent Poetry Podcast (Part 4) 44:21

1M ago44:21

44:21

The poetry conversation veers to the topic of haikus and rhyme, with each podcaster taking a stance on the value of brevity and matching lines. Infectious gives us a reading sample of the rhyming poem he recalled from his childhood "The Cremation of Sam McGee" by Robert W. Service.

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What the Air Canada strike is really about 27:02

25d ago27:02

27:02

It was a chaotic weekend for anyone flying with Air Canada. The airline canceled hundreds of flights after 10,000 flight attendants walked off the job. Less than 12 hours later, federal jobs minister Patty Hajdu had ordered them back to work — but the union took the unusual step of defying that order and continuing the strike. The main sticking poi…

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Season 4 Episode 3 - The Preeminent Poetry Podcast (Part 3) 44:08

1M ago44:08

44:08

The PIDLLP crew debate the merits of rhyming in poetry and music. While enjoying the unofficial chips of the HC podcast, the boys discuss the inclusion of gluten in specific flavours of Doritos and how sweet chili heat is a heartbreaker for all celiacs.

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Season 4 Episode 2 - The Preeminent Poetry Podcast (Part 2) 35:04

1M ago35:04

35:04

In the spirit of the name of this episode, Infectious reads Good Bones by Maggie Smith. In response, Easy Evan reads Buen Esqueleto by Natalie Scenters-Zapico.

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Season 4 Episode 1 - The Preeminent Poetry Podcast feat. The OG PIDLLP Crew 57:02

1M ago57:02

57:02

The original 3 PIDLLP co-hosts are back, here to talk about what originally brought us here to hear all those seasons ago; poetry. We're gonna talk about “the email”, the recent swell of the poetry scene in Calgary, and obviously have a few poem readings.

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Can Carney move fast enough on affordable housing? 27:42

25d ago27:42

27:42

This week, Canada's housing department released a document with more details on the Liberal government's plans to scale up affordable housing in the country. It's now seeking feedback from the public about it. Back in March, Prime Minister Carney vowed that his government would double the number of homes built annually in Canada to nearly half a mi…

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Season 3 Episode 16 - The Originels (Part 3) 40:44

1M ago40:44

40:44

The second act of the now much acclaimed original hit play THE ORIGINELS, read by The Collective. This is followed with a debrief and analysis that led to defining changes in the final draft that debuted to rave reviews in Calgary just this past spring. Enjoy!

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Season 3 Episode 15 - The Originels (part 2) 1:03:11

1M ago1:03:11

1:03:11

The Collective bring this original play to life with their voice talents and character interpretations. Enjoy the first half of the Originels.

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Season 3 Episode 14 - The Originels 30:09

1M ago30:09

30:09

Join members of the PIDLLP and LA Riots Crews as they come to form The Collective for the inaugural read through of the original script THE ORIGINELS. This read through was performed on Thursday August 17, 2023 in the outdoor studio in the sweltering heat of summer. The Prophet Esau, Easy Evan, Q Jr, and Sabrina Corinna voice all of the characters …

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The killing of Gaza’s journalists 34:31

1M ago34:31

34:31

Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has become the deadliest conflict for journalists in recent history. Among those killed was Anas Al-Sharif — one of the last remaining reporters in Northern Gaza, and one of the most recognizable media voices in the strip. In July, the Committee to Protect Journalists said that the public smear campaign against hi…

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Season 3 Episode 13 - Christmas Wine Tasting (Part 2: The Aftermath) 1:02:45

1M ago1:02:45

1:02:45

The PIDLLP boys answer questions about Christmas. Half-cut on merriment and cheer, they share their fondest memories and favourite things about the season.

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Season 3 Episode 12 - The Annual Christmas Wine Tasting 46:50

1M ago46:50

46:50

The PIDLLP crew are sampling wines in a similar but more civilized manner than last year's event, with dire consequences for the loser of this year's competition. Implementing a new wine scoring system, they attempt to blindly identify each sample to determine whether Easy Evan is the self-professed Wine Connoisseur he claims to be or if Peller's C…

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Why has Trump taken over D.C.? 26:13

1M ago26:13

26:13

National Guard troops descended on Washington D.C. after U.S. President Donald Trump vowed on Monday to take back the nation's capital and clear the streets of what he calls "crime, bloodshed, bedlam and squalor". It comes after the President spent the better part of the last week taking aim at D.C.'s leadership, homeless population and how crime t…