Explain It To Jamie

This week, we're talking about the Mueller report? Is it the smoking gun that's going to topple Trump's presidency like a frail house of cards, or is it just an overhyped bunch of nonsense that people pinned too many of their hopes on? As always, if you like the show you can support us by donating to our Patreon at www.patreon.com/explainittojamie. Your support makes a huge difference to us!

We're back after a brief hiatus, and we're wading STRAIGHT back into the fray with a full explanation of the idiotic scandal that Canadian media can't get enough of! What is it? Who did the bad thing? Why has everyone conveniently forgotten the extremely bad crimes the company did in the first place? If you want to support the show, check out our Patreon at www.patreon.com/explainittojamie. Patrons get exclusive bonus content including bonus episodes!

It's a very special episode of the show...because Richard's not on it! This week Jamie was off in London, England, where he was joined by finance whiz/improvisational heavyweight Dylan Emery and learned a little about Behavioural Finance! What is it? Doesn't everyone always spend their money rationally all of the time? Why can't I ever seem to pay my credit card bill all the way off?? As always, you can support us by contributing to our Patreon! Patreon subscribers get exclusive content like bonus episodes, topic feedback, and more. Check it out at www.patreon.com/explainittojamie

This week, Jamie wants to know about Bernie Sanders! Who is he? Why do people care about him? Can the OLDEST MAN ON EARTH really become PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES? As always, you can support our show by subscribing to our Patreon at www.patreon.com/explainittojamie. Subscribers get lots of perks, including bonus episodes every week!

*There were a few issues with Richard's mic this week so please forgive the occasional quiet bit of audio* This week on the show, we're talking about BILLIONAIRES! How big a number is a billion? Is there a chance that billionaires deserve all their money? Are they secretly hoarding all of their wealth so that they can rule over the rest of us in the post-climate apocalyptic thunderdome? As always, you can support our show by contributing to our patreon at www.patreon.com/explainittojamie. Patreon subscribers get all kinds of perks including inside access to future subjects, and a bonus episode every week! On this week's bonus episode, we dive into the newspapers to help figure out what's happening in Venezuela with Juan Guaido and Nicolas Maduro! Check it out and subscribe!

We're not dead, we had to delay this episode because Jamie was off in San Jose doing whatever it is you do in San Jose! This week, we're talking about two media stories that made us feel crazy: The Gillette Ad and the smirking MAGA teen. What's even real and what's not? Does a symbol need to be true to be powerful? Will we always be angry, forever?? As always, you can support us by subscribing to our Patreon at www.patreon.com/explainittojamie. Subscribers receive great perks like bonus episodes, topic input, and more!

This week, Jamie wants to know about pipelines! Why is there always so much drama around building them? What's going on at the Unist'ot'en camp in BC? If you take a bath in oil, will your country have a good economy? If you'd like to help the Unist'ot'en camp directly, you can donate to their legal fund by visiting https://unistoten.camp/support-us/donate/ As always, you can support us by contributing to our Patreon at www.patreon.com/explainittojamie

This week, Jamie wants to know about the US government shutdown! Why does this seem to happen so often? Who is affected? Is Donald Trump alone at this very moment, wandering the empty halls of the White House like a sad version of Kevin from Home Alone? (Yes) As always, you can support us on Patreon by going to www.patreon.com/explainittojamie! Patrons get access to a bonus episode every week, and a bunch of other perks!

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! Richard and Jamie are back after a glorious holiday with friends, family, fat, and sugar! And guess what? We got you something! A FREE BONUS EPISODE! This episode was so good, our guests were so awesome, and our conversation was so meaningful, we decided that it would be a shame to keep it restricted solely to our Patreon Subscribers (https://www.patreon.com/explainittojamie) and to deprive you lovely people the pleasure of listening! Also, it gives you the chance to see the kind of content you're potentially missing out on every week.   On this week’s amazing bonus episode we’re joined once again by Lana Cuthbertson and Kory Mathewson, this time to talk about gender parity in politics! We cover Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, what barriers women face in running for office, and how people like Lana help encourage more women to run! You can learn more about Lana’s work at parityyeg.ca/ This episode and much more like it are available to our Patreon Subscribers. If you want access to this and more weekly content, check us out at https://www.patreon.com/explainittojamie.

This week, we are joined by Kory Mathewson and Lana Cuthbertson to talk about AI! Do they spell a future where no one has to work? Will they take over humanity and rule us as tyrants? Why can't it ever read the writing correctly on my cheques when I try to deposit them using the photo deposit thing??? As always, you can support us on Patreon by checking out www.patreon.com/explainittojamie! This week's Patron bonus episode, Lana and Kory join us again to talk about Gender Parity in politics! You don't want to miss it!

This week, Richard got in over his head and is deciding to split what was supposed to be a simple episode on "China" into multiple episodes! Our first instalment is about Confucianism! What is it, actually? Do you have to do everything your dad tells you? Is Confucius even his real name?! Our bonus episode for Patreon subscribers this week will be about France's Gilet Jaune (Yellow Vest) protests! If you want to hear it, or you want to support our work then please check out www.patreon.com/explainittojamie

This week, Jamie wants to know about Prison Abolition! Can we just...get rid of prisons? What's wrong with our current prisons? What if the real prison...is society, man?! If you like the show, please take the time to share it with a friend! You can also support us at www.patreon.com/explainittojamie. Subscribers at Tier 2 and up also get an exclusive bonus episode every week released on Thursdays! This week's bonus episode will be on the results of the US midterm elections! We reference a few of our other episodes in this one. Here are some handy links! What is Neoliberalism?: https://explainittojamie.com/2017/08/20/episode-28-will-someone-please-define-neoliberalism-feat-anthony-macmahon-and-thomas-mckechnie/ Indigenous Issues: What is the Truth and Reconciliation Report?: https://explainittojamie.com/2017/07/23/episode-24-what-is-the-truth-and-reconciliation-report-feat-jacqui-and-hunter-cardinal/ Canada 150 Roundtable: https://explainittojamie.com/2017/07/01/episode-22-riff-raff-on-canada-150-feat-hunter-cardinal-anthony-macmahon-and-thomas-mckechnie/ What's Happening at Standing Rock?: https://explainittojamie.com/2017/02/19/episode-4-whats-happening-at-standing-rock-featuring-hunter-cardinal/

This week, we welcome back the king of guest appearances, Anthony MacMahon to talk about Ontario's Premier, Doug Ford! What does he want? Where is he taking Ontario? Which Ford brother was better at football? We also have a special preview of our new bonus episode content! This Thursday we're going to be releasing a special weekly episode for tier 2 and up subscribers on our Patreon account. Our first topic is a Brexit update! Check out www.patreon.com/explainittojamie to subscribe so you don't miss any content!

This week, Jamie wants to learn about Elon Musk! Where did he come from? Is he our greatest hero, or our worst villain? Are we destined to become his techno-slaves? If you like the show and want to support us, please check out our new Patreon page at www.patreon.com/explainittojamie! Every little bit of help you can give us makes a big difference. Next week, we will be launching bonus episodes every week for out $5 and up monthly subscribers, so make sure to subscribe if you want to receive all of our episodes!

This week, Jamie wants to know about Saudi Arabia! What's it's deal? How many princes does it have, exactly? Is it too soon to make a joke about Jamal Khashoggi? (Oh god we hope not). We're also super excited to announce the launch of our Patreon page! If you like our show and want to support us, please consider donating a few dollars a month. There are lots of perks available for subscribers, and every little bit helps! Check it out at: https://www.patreon.com/explainittojamie

This week, we're talking about Jair Bolsonaro and Brazil's recent presidential election! Who is he? What has he promised? Wait, he said WHAT?? Also, we're excited to announce that our Patreon page is now live! If you enjoy the show and you'd like to support us, subscribing to our Patreon is a great way to help us out with the costs of running the show. You can subscribe for as little as $2 a month, and it really does make a difference! Check it out at: https://www.patreon.com/explainittojamie You can also see our new youtube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCboACxVY1mmtxzqZY8L5QnA

We're back! After our 11-month hiatus, we're picking up right where we left off with a primer on the upcoming US Midterm Elections! Who will win? Is there any light at the end of the tunnel? Won't someone please think of the children???

For our last episode of season one of Explain It To Jamie, we talk about Puerto Rico! Are they part of the US or not? Why did hurricane Maria hit them so hard? How much debt could a debt bet get if a debt bet can't abet debt? We're taking a break over the next few months to do some travelling and work on the next season of the podcast. If you liked this season please do share it around, and we'll be back with season two in early 2018!

This week, we dive into the weedy world of NAFTA! What is a tariff? Why is everyone mad at Mexico? If I agree with something that Donald Trump says, does that make me a bad person?

Jamie's away this week so our episode is a little leaner than normal! This week, we delve into the recent NDP leadership election and talk about the man of the hour: Jagmeet Singh! Who is he? What does he believe? Is Canada gonna go from being a country that's secretly racist to a country that's outwardly racist?

This week we try to shed some light on the intricacies of the Israel-Palestine conflict? Why are they fighting? What makes finding a peace agreement so difficult? Why is talking about this topic so scary?

This week, we dive into the wacky world of the United Nations. What is it for? How does it actually function? Why does Canada care sooooo much about the Suez Canal Crisis when other countries would really rather not think about it?

This week we return to the incredibly depressing world of the tiny particles making our air thicker to present: climate change part 2! What are countries trying to do to solve it? Is it gonna work? Is "cloud brightening" something you do on the internet??? THE ANSWERS LIE WITHIN!

This week we're crazy excited to welcome Steph Baptist back on the show to help us feel less weird about our dangly bits and the feelings they make us feel! We unpack some issues in which the law and sex meet including consent, sex work, and sexual assault legislation. Let's learn about the birds and the bees and the legal definition of consent! (Note: this episode was public for about 3 minutes with a bad audio track. If you hear big gaps of silence, delete the episode and re-download it and it should work!)

This week, we bring you the first of our series of episodes on CLIMATE CHANGE! (**thunder sound effect**) What horrors of science are causing it? (**lightning crash**) How bad will it truly be for humanity? (**sound of a thousand squealing pigs**) Are Oil Companies Really That Bad? (**a man farts into a tuba**)

This week, Jamie wants to take a trip down memory lane and reminisce about all those poor souls who have departed the Trump Administration before their time. Who are they? Why were they fired? What if the REAL American Health Care Act was the friends we made along the way?

This week we want to take an... intimate and personal look at Canada's Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau. What's his deal? What does he really believe? Did his mom bang Mick Jagger? DOES HE LIKE ME BACK???

This week, Jamie wants to know about Rebel Media. Who are they, and why do they hate Muslims so much? Are they all secretly Nazis? Will Ezra Levant sue us just for writing his name here?

This week, we delve into the exciting world everyone's favourite hegemonic global ideology: Neoliberalism! What is it? Why does everyone have so much trouble defining it? If Galen Weston loses $158 million dollars and no one gives a shit about it, is he still a dingus?

This week, Jamie and Richard take a figurative trip to North Korea! How did it end up the way it is now? Are they really seriously about nuking Guam? How is Donald Trump gonna get out of this pickle he's found himself in??

This week, Jamie and Richard delve into the saga of Omar Khadr. Who is he? What are the actual facts about his case? Why have so many of our "more-ignored" relatives seem to have lost their goddamn minds every time they talk about him?

This week, Jamie wants to know about America's political parties! Who are they? What do they want with us all? Why do donkeys and elephants hate each other so much?

In Episode 24, we unpack the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report. Why is it important? What does it tell us about the future? Were the fathers of confederation reeeaaally that racist? (yes) We're also super pleased to welcome third-time guest Hunter Cardinal alongside his brilliant sister Jacqui! We're also still recording over skype and working out some audio kinks so here's a brief FAQ for this episode: Q: Why do the voices go all robot-y sometimes? A: Hunter and Jacqui didn't record with headphones so when they're talking and we interject something you hear it out of their speakers! It's just a few "um"s and "yeah"s. Q: There are people talking sometimes in the background. Was Richard recording in the side room of a party? Was he in a sort-of quiet room talking about the Truth and Reconciliation commission report when there was a literal party happening? A: Yes.

This week, we're switching up our form! Jamie became sort of obsessed with this week's topic and so he's going to be explaining who Edward Snowden is to Richard! What kind of information did Snowden leak? What's going to happen to him? Does the government have all of my sexy pics (almost certainly yes).

This week on the show we take a break from our normal topic-based educational programming to bring you a roundtable jam on Canada's 150th anniversary. How did we celebrate? Did you see the huge inflatable duck? Is anyone out there NOT thinking of a horrible genocide right now? We're so happy to welcome back to the show Hunter Cardinal from Episode 4, and Anthony MacMahon and Thomas McKechnie from Episode 15! If you haven't yet listened to those episodes then what are you waiting for??!?!?!???!?

This week we dive into one of our most-requested topics: The Brexit! What's the EU? Will Britain be able to leave it without destroying itself?Is British chocolate really chocolate at all? We are so pleased to welcome Ruth Bratt and Adam Meggido from Showstoppers on the show this week! It was a privilege to have them regale us with tales from inside the Brexit.

In this week's bonus episode we re-visit the UK election! Who won? Who lost? Which of the two northern Irish parties hold the balance of power, and is that a good thing or a terrifying thing?

We're back not a moment too soon to dig into the tale of Canada's founding! We may not have had a passionate revolutionary war, but we did have 32 white male lawyers drinking champagne together arguing about railroads! Listen and re-learn everything you forgot 9 minutes after your Social Studies 11 final!

There's no episode this week because Richard's on vacation! We will resume our normal episode schedule next week with an episode about CONFEDERATION! Laissez les bon temps rouler, y'all!

This week, Jamie wants to know about impeachment! What is it? How does a president get impeached? Have presidents been impeached before? Did they...did they sort of like it? Were they...very naughty presidents? Big thanks to our listener Joseph Joey T for suggesting this topic on twitter, and to our listeners who sent questions in ahead of time: Tracy, Evan, Tom, and Vince! We'll ask for questions in advance of episodes from time to time so be sure to check in with us on Twitter @ExplainJamie or at our facebook page to stay up to date!

This week we're super excited to bring back the ALT-RIGHT SAFARI! This time around we have a couple of real doozies, including some terrible advice for men about how to be friends with other men, a bizarre tendency of Donald Trump supporters to defend anyone at all if it helps them hate muslims, and the single worst proposition for modern US politics we've ever heard! You don't want to miss the wonders that await you on...the ALT-RIGHT SAFARI!

This week we are extremely excited to welcome sexual health maven Steph Baptist back on to the show! Join us as we unpack some of the terrible lessons that we learned in middle school about how all of our bits squish together! Yuck, am I right?

In this week's bonus episode, we dig in to the upcoming British election. Tune in to learn who's running, what the main issues are, and why everyone says that the Prime Minister wants to put a tax on dementia! NOTE: We had to reupload this episode because Richard was a dummy and made a mistake with the theme song volume at the end! Thanks to all who pointed out his shameful mistake.

This week, Jamie wants to learn more about the news stories he's heard about Chechnya persecuting gay men. Why are they being targeted? Where is Chechnya? Does its president have an instagram I can check out?

This week's bonus episode is a double dip on the French Election and the last minute firing of FBI director James Comey! Plus, what are Richard and Jamie having for lunch?? You can find the supercut of Jamie saying "wow" on our facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/ExplainItToJamie/

This week we tackle a topic requested by one of our listeners and explain what the heck is going on in Venezuela. Why are there huge protests? What the hell is the exchange rate there? Why is the media so concerned about if people can buy diapers or not? We're also super happy to welcome theatre artist Ximena Huizi on to the show this week! She actually lived through this history and can describe it a lot better than google can, just sayin'. If you're looking for a way you can help those afflicted by the crisis in Venezuela, the gofundme campaign that we talk about in the episode can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/envio-de-insumos-protestas-vzla. Every bit helps so don't be shy!

In this week's bonus episode, we learn a little bit about the Obamacare repeal and replacement bill that passed Congress last week. SPOILER ALERT: this bill sucks. We also did a sneaksies and recorded it the same day that we had Anthony MacMahon and Thomas McKechnie on for the Communism episode so there are BONUS GUESTS as well!

This week, Jamie and Richard learn about Communism! Who is Karl Marx? Are there still communist countries? Did we learn all we needed to know about communism in middle school? We are incredibly excited to welcome longtime friends of the show Anthony MacMahon and Thomas McKechnie on as our guests! They've been a huge part of making this podcast happen and now we're thrilled to have their voices on the show and their beards in our studio.

In Episode 14, we talk about the Canadian government's plan to legalize marijuana! Will society collapse? Who gets to sell it? If a cop kisses you and you taste like weed, can they make you take a blood test? The answers await within!

We interrupt our regular schedule of bonus episodes to bring you a mini-episode on the 2017 French presidential election! Is a Macron something you buy at a bakery? Is Melenchon a kind of music? I thought the French word for pen was "stylo", why am I hearing so much about "Le Pen" now? Don't be caught snoozing when this election explodes back into the headlines on Sunday, May 7: listen to our primer and your friends will call you a regular old Frenchy...French...information....knower.

In this Very Special Episode of Explain it To Jamie, the boys take off their Politics Hats and put on their Sexual Education Berets! We are extremely excited to welcome sexual health counsellor Stephanie Baptist on to the show to help us iron out all of the misconceptions about our genitals we've carried around since puberty. This is the first episode of a three-part series that we'll be continuing in the coming months, so please do leave us a comment or email us at explainittojamie@gmail.com if you have a question or something sex-related you'd like us to cover in the future!