The Big Story

A few months ago, COVID variant NB.1.8.1 wasn't making headlines. However, after first being detected in China in January, reported cases have risen drastically. As of mid-May, the variant had reached 10.7% of global reported COVID-19 cases, according to the World Health Organization. The strain, given the nickname ‘razor blade throat', after some who fell ill described a painfully sore throat as one of the symptoms – but how serious is this variant and are the current vaccines effective against it? Host Melanie Ng speaks with infectious diseases specialist, Dr. Isaac Bogoch, about the latest COVID strain, as well as an overview of travel-related, seasonal viruses and infections heading into the summer months.We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca  Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

From the EU to NATO, the Prime Minister is focused on two defence fronts this week. A new partnership with the European Union could overhaul our approach to military purchases at a time the Carney government is looking to end our reliance on the US. At the same time Canada and other NATO countries are facing pressure from the US to massively increase our defence spending by more than doubling our goal from 2% of GDP to 5%. Host Cormac Mac Sweeney speaks with Canada's former Chief of Defence Staff about the federal government changing the approach to our armed forces, whether we can hit the new target, and if the United States will continue on in the military alliance.We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca  Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

Canada is on track to see the worst wildfire season since 2023. Millions of hectares of land scorched, thousands displaced and the smoke creating air quality warnings. So how bad can it get? Should we be paying closer attention to the bigger picture? Host Melanie Ng speaks with Dr. Lisa Patel, a paediatrician at Stanford Medicine Children's Health hospital in San Francisco and Executive Director for the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca  Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

In a newly released study, Canada's Competition Bureau says there is a way to lower the cost of plane tickets and give Canadians more flight options. The Bureau suggests changing the rules around foreign ownership, which is currently capped in this country, leading to what it says is weak competition and therefore, an impediment to lower prices. Host Cormac Mac Sweeney talks about the new report with Brad Callaghan, Associate Deputy Commissioner at the Competition Bureau of Canada. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

Housing affordability is a buzz word lately but how likely is it that it will actually become reality?Actual action on the issue has been really slow and housing starts aren't running at a pace that's it would need to be from a supply standpoint to make a meaningful difference.So what are the issues? What are the barriers to fixing this serious problem?Host Mike Eppel talks to Jordan Thomson, Director , Infrastructure Advisory at K-P-M-G Canada. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

It was one of Carney's shiny campaign promises with a deadline of Canada Day, but the way Parliament has hit the ground running on it has various groups across the country sounding the alarm.Bill C-5, 'An Act to enact the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act and the Building Canada Act', is the Liberal government's latest effort to breakdown any barriers to interprovincial trade in light of Trump's tariffs. However, several Indigenous, environmentalist, and other underrepresented Canadian groups are speaking out against the speed at which it's being passed, and the lack of power their voices have in the process. Host Maria Kestane speaks to Sonia Aslam, 1130 NewsRadio Vancouver journalist about what these groups are calling on the Carney government to do, and the potential outcomes that could arise if Bill C-5 gets passed by July 1. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

There is a new war in the Middle East.Israel and Iran have been trading missile strikes as Israel seeks to bring an end to Iran's nuclear program.There are huge implications for regional and global security, as the world waits to see whether the U.S. will intervene.Host David Smith speaks with Professor Elliot Tepper, distinguished senior fellow at the Norman Patterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University in Ottawa. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

The opening date for a long suffering transit project in Toronto is a running joke across the GTA. The Eglinton L-R-T, a 25 stop above ground transit line, was set to open back in 2020. Since then, it's been continually pushed back because of a number of legal and construction issues. The cost ballooned from $5 billion dollars to $13 billion dollars, and dozens of businesses have shut down, blaming the impact from the years of construction. Although it's expected the L-R-T will start running September, there is no firm opening date although the project reached a critical milestone this week. Host Richard Southern talks about the project with CityNews journalist Nick Westoll. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

It was already an eventful day at the G7 before we learned last night that U.S. president Donald Trump was leaving early.The White House says he was returning home because of what's happening in the Middle East, as the conflict between Israel and Iran enters day 5. In terms of what was accomplished today, there's word of potential trade deal between Canada and the U.S. to be worked out in the next 30 days. How did Carney do at his first G7 as PM? And what else happened behind the scenes? Host Mark Day speaks to our Parliament Hill reporter Cormac Mac Sweeney who's covering the G7 in Alberta about all of today's developments before Trump returned to Washington. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

The Carney government has announced a plan to massively increase Canada's defense budget. The plan will see Canada meet NATO's 2% of GDP spending target by the end of the year. Why now?After decades of underspending, Canada's allies are demanding we step up as the world looks to reduce reliance on the US for security.Host David Smith speaks with Canadian defense expert Richard Shimooka about what's in the Carney defense plan, and how Canada fits into the wider global security picture. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

On this weekend listen, we're re-visiting a story from March about a topic that just won't go away - how much social media is too much? Research out of the University of British Columbia shows there's a way to manage your mental health while staying up to date on your favourite apps.Host Melanie Ng speaks with lead study author and psychology professor at UBC, Amori Mikami, about their findings.More info: pearl.psych.ubc.ca We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

On Sunday, world leaders of some of the top democratic economies in the world will gather in Alberta for the G7 summit, to discuss everything from the war in Ukraine, to trade to wildfires.But what will be achieved at the meeting? Will U.S. president Donald Trump create drama like the last time he was on Canadian soil, and what should we make of the controversial decision to invite the leaders of India and Saudi Arabia?Host Cormac Mac Sweeney speaks with John Kirton, a University of Toronto Professor Emeritus and the head of the G7 research group., who's been to almost every G7 since 1988.You can follow Cormac's reporting live from Kananaskis on the G7 by listening to 1130 NewsRadio in Vancouver, 660 NewsRadio in Calgary, 570 NewsRadio in Kitchener, 680 NewsRadio in Toronto and 95.7 NewsRadio in Halifax or visiting citynews.ca. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

It is one of the worst airline disasters in decades in India. On Thursday, an Air India passenger plane bound for London, England, crashed minutes after takeoff. 242 people were onboard, including one Canadian, a woman from the Toronto area. Officials confirming only one surviving passenger at this point. On the ground, dozens more casualties after the plane crashed into a residential area and burst into flames near the airport in Ahmedabad. Host Melanie Ng speaks with aviation expert John Gradek about early indications of what may have went wrong and next steps in the investigation. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

Today's Big Story is about the economy and the potential impact to Canada from Trump's so-called "Big Beautiful Bill". The bill could potentially have implications for Canadian investors and pension plans. Host Mike Eppel breaks down what it all means with guest Stephen Johnston, Director of Asset Management for Omnigence. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

The biggest break-up of 2025 is already in the books. After less than a year – the very public bromance between the U.S. president and the world's richest man blew up in front of our eyes. And it all played out in real time on social media. Just this morning, Elon Musk admitted that some of his posts may have gone too far. Donald Trump and Elon Musk have both softened their tones since the implosion but many are wondering what happens next. Host Kris McCusker spoke to Dr. Antoine Panaïoti, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Toronto Metropolitan University about the clash between two alpha males - what it was really about – and what it might mean ahead of midterms in the U.S. next year. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

There's an uproar in Ontario about a just passed law that the government claims will speed up critical infrastructure and resource projects. However, critics including Indigenous groups are calling it a "land grab".Bill 5 gives the government the ability to exempt companies from laws in order to build faster.Host Richard Southern talks to Sol Mamakwa, the only Indigenous member of the Ontario legislature, about the bill and what happens next. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

It's an age old question - how do you ensure your kids grow up to be successful?A new book by an award-winning New York Times journalist tries to answer it. Susan Dominus details six compelling stories in "The Family Dynamic" which uncovers how both parents and siblings help shape individual success. Host Gurdeep Ahluwalia speaks to author Susan Dominus about her research and how her own family dynamic helped shape her. ============================================You can read more about Susan and her book "The Family Dynamic" here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/624531/the-family-dynamic-by-susan-dominus/ You can follow Susan on X: @susandominus We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

We are revisiting this episode of The Big Story from March, as we learned this week, an infant died this week in Southwestern Ontario, who was born premature and infected with measles. In a statement, Dr. Kieran Moore said the infant contracted the virus before birth from their mother, who had not received the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.However it's important added that while measles may have been a contributing factor in both the premature birth and death, the infant also faced “other serious medical complications unrelated to the virus.”Officials are still calling it a "preventable crisis". The highly contagious viral infection was considered eliminated in 1998 in Canada and in 2000 in the U.S., but a number of factors have contributed to its recent resurgence.Host Melanie Ng speaks with Sabina Vohra-Miller, @unambiguousscience, a Doctor of Public Health candidate and expert in clinical pharmacology and toxicology, about this issue. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

Interest rates weren't cut this week. Why? Well, it's complicated. The Bank of Canada didn't give borrowers a break when it set policy on Wednesday, as Tiff Macklem cited the need to wait for more data points. The word "uncertainty" is being thrown around, although ironically, the economy was actually stronger in the first quarter than forecast. Host Mike Eppel speaks to experts about the lack of a cut and what that means for the market, home buyers and home owners. Guests: Claire Fan, Senior Economist, Royal Bank of Canada Phil Soper, President Royal LePage We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca  Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

It's a mystery in Nova Scotia that's gained attention across the country. This week marked one month since the disappearance of 6 year old Lilly Sullivan and her 4 year other brother Jack.The kids were reported missing by their stepdad and mother on the morning of May 2nd. RCMP in Nova Scotia immediately launched a missing persons' investigation and in the days that followed, numerous searches of the area were carried out, but the children still haven't been found.The case is being watched by people across the country as there are more questions than answers.Where are the Sullivan kids? Host Dan Ahlstrand speaks with citynews.ca writer Natasha O'Neill, who's been following the case.You can find continued coverage of the story at: https://halifax.citynews.ca/. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

Prime Minister Mark Carney held his first meeting with Premiers since the election and by most accounts it was a big success, with Ontario's Doug Ford claiming it was the best in 10 years.The 14 leaders discussed the federal plan to fast track nation building projects and despite some rhetoric in advance of the gathering, even Alberta was encouraged about the path ahead. But will a new pipeline become a reality, can premiers expect federal funds to match their projects, was it a mistake to not have Indigenous leaders at the table, and what may be the challenges ahead? Host Cormac Mac Sweeney tries to get answers and insight from former Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

Ukraine has shocked the world by carrying out a daring attack on Russian bomber planes thousands of kilometres inside enemy territory.It's a feat that would have been unimaginable before the war. Now, Ukraine has shown it has the capabilities to take its fight directly to its much more powerful foe.What will Vladimir Putin do now? And what does it mean for hopes of peace negotiations?Host David Smith speaks with security expert Marcus Kolga about the latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine war. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

We've all seen it: the coach constantly yelling at their team, the parent trying to coach on the sidelines…and the kid in the middle of it all. Youth sports can bring out the best in people, but it can also be a breeding ground for toxic behaviour. Host Melanie Ng speaks with Playball Ambassador with the MLB and author of Coach Ballgame, James Lowe, about how focusing on the RIGHT approach to sports can make a world of difference.You can learn more about James' work on his Instagram: @coachballgame. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

A whirlwind trip for King Charles, in his first visit to Canada as a sitting monarch, is being viewed by some as a success.It was a show of support amid annexation talk by the U.S. president but it also served as a benefit to the King.Host Kris McCusker speaks to Carolyn Harris - Historian, Author and Royal Commentator - about how it compares with other royal visits - and why the timing is so relevant. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

For years, we've been programmed to view hustle culture as the norm, and one's ability to navigate it as the definition of success.Throw parenthood into the equation and you've got the recipe for a juggling act that is always being judged. So what happens when people, specifically mothers, take a purposeful pause from their traditional career path to focus on other priorities like family or personal growth?In this episode of The Big Story, host Melanie Ng speaks with the founder and CEO of Mother Untitled and author of the new book “The Power Pause”, Neha Ruch @neha_ruch. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

For just the third time in our country's history, a sitting monarch delivered the speech from the throne. On a brief royal visit, King Charles addressed Canadians to lay out the priorities of the new Carney government. The theme was clear, asserting Canada's independence and charting a path to end our reliance on the U.S. But did it hit the mark? Will the Prime Minister hit roadblocks with his ambitious plan? Host Cormac Mac Sweeney speaks with Lori Williams, a political scientist at Mount Royal University in Calgary. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

If you suffer from seasonal allergies, and you've noticed things are getting worse – you're not imagining it.Scientists say things have gotten worse around the world for a variety of reasons – and unless something is done – it could become dangerous for some.And those without allergies could even face challenges.Host Kris McCusker speaks to BBC Science and Features journalist, Amanda Ruggeri, about the in-depth piece she wrote on the issue, discussing how allergy sufferers can improve their circumstances and how climate change plays a role in it all.You can read the story here: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20250410-how-climate-driven-thunderstorms-supercharge-pollen-allergies Photo credit: (CREDIT: SEBASTIAN SMIT/FREEIMAGES.COM) We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

A new study out of the Stanford University School of Medicine showed that older adults who received the shingles vaccine were 20% less likely to develop dementia over the next seven years than those who didn't receive the vaccine. But what does this mean in terms of finding a tried and true cure to dementia, and who's more at risk than others? Host Pooja Handa speaks to Sabina Vohra-Miller, founder of Unambiguous Science, about the study's findings and what it for the future of the disease. You can find the study here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08800-x You can read more about Sabina's work here: https://www.instagram.com/unambiguousscience/We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca  Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

The pandemic was a boom time in the cottage industry. As people decamped out of the city, the prices for cottages skyrocketed.However, in this softened real estate market, it's not easy to hold on to two homes, and that's becoming more obvious with the amount of cottages currently on the market.Host Mike Eppel digs into cottage life with Kingsley Ma, area VP of Re/Max Canada. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

A deep run into the second round of the playoffs once again ended in game 7 heartbreak for Toronto Maple Leafs fans. Big Story hosts Cormac Mac Sweeney, Gurdeep Ahluwalia, Alex Bloomfield and Kris McCusker got together in a bit of a therapy session this week to chat about their favourite team and where they go from here. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

It used to be a place to find what you need and when you want it...but now, the internet has transcended into a playground of ads, cookies and algorithms. But why? Who made it that way? And when did things take such a sharp turn in the wrong direction? Host Gurdeep Ahluwalia speaks to Cory Doctorow, author and host of the CBC podcast 'Understood: Who Broke the Internet' on who's pockets are being lined at the expense of our experience on the internet, and what how users can fight back against what he calls the 'enshitification' of the web. You can find more on the CBC series below: It's not you — the internet really does suck. Novelist, blogger and noted internet commentator Cory Doctorow explains what happened to the internet and why you're tormented by ads, bots, algorithms, AI slop and so many pop-ups. Spoiler alert: it wasn't an accident. In Understood: Who Broke the Internet, Doctorow gets into the decisions made by powerful people that got us here, and most importantly, how we fix it. Understood is an anthology podcast that takes you out of the daily news cycle and inside the events, people, and cultural moments you want to know more about. Over a handful of episodes, each season unfolds as a story, hosted by a well-connected reporter, and rooted in journalism you can trust. Driven by insight and fueled by curiosity…The stories of our time: Understood. More episodes of Understood are available at: https://link.mgln.ai/g2ug4r We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca  Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

Without skipping a beat, Sean 'Diddy' Combs pleaded not guilty to the five federal charges he was hit with in September of 2024. However, the evidence that pours out into the courtroom day after day during his criminal New York trial, continues to work towards an unrepairable, dramatic shift in identity for the now-disgraced rap mogul. With several testimonies still to be heard and evidence to be presented, the racketeering and sex trafficking charges Diddy is facing have the real possibility of putting him behind bars for the rest of his life. Host Maria Kestane speaks to 1010 WINS New York reporter, Juliet Papa, about where Diddy's criminal trial stands week 2, and what it's like both inside and outside the Manhattan courthouse throughout the latest chapter of the music industry's scandal history book.We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca  Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

The union representing Canada's postal workers has served strike notice to Canada Post, meaning 55-thousand employees at the crown corporation could walk off the job on Friday. Unless a last minute deal is reached, it will be the second time in roughly 6 months that Canadians will lose access to our national postal service. Small and medium sized businesses are bracing for impact, with the last job action costing them a lot of cash in lost business and more expensive shipping alternatives. Host Cormac Mac Sweeney speaks with Jasmin Guenette, VP of National Affairs at the Canadian Federation of Independent Business about the impact a postal strike would have, how Canada Post needs to change, and what the federal government can do in the event of a strike. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

A warning to our listeners: this episode includes description and discussion of sexual assault. Please take care.Another stunning development in the sexual assault trial of five former world junior hockey players - a second jury is dismissed and the trial now moving forward with a judge alone. Before that, graphic details shared in the courtroom by the complainant, referred to as E.M, recounting a night at a hotel room in 2018.Host Melanie Ng speaks with CityNews journalist Michelle Mackey, who has been watching what has been happening both inside and outside of the courtroom. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

After Honda announced it is hitting pause on a $15 billion investment in electric vehicle production in Canada, questions are swirling about three other major EV projects in line for billions of dollars in public subsidies. With Trump's tariffs and overall economic uncertainty, how realistic is it the Canadian auto sector will transition to nearly all-electric production by 2035?Host David Smith speaks with Tim Dimopoulos, publisher of Automotive News Canada, about the outlook for the dream of a made-in-Canada EV supply chain. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

A big week on the budget front, for multiple reasons.Not only did Ontario release a budget that aims to get the province through the trade war, we learned that the new Liberal government will NOT be releasing a spring document.Host of "In This Economy" Mike Eppel digs into the consequences of all the budget news this week and has a sneak peek on what the Bank of Canada might do next. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

Today on The Big Story - we're debriefing, big time.Hosts David Smith, Kris McCusker and Cormac Mac Sweeney get together to chat about Prime Minister Carney's choice of cabinet and the fallout from a mixed week on the job.Join us for "The Big Debrief", a weekly examination of the news events of the week, as seen through the eyes of the people reporting on them. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

It's been a rough few weeks at the airport in New Jersey after two radar and radio outages - but there's a lot more to the story.The acting administrator with the U-S Federal Aviation Administration says travel into Newark is safe.But it's not the only issue with air travel in the U-S this year, which might have some travelers concerned ahead of the summer travel season.Host Kris McCusker speaks to George Ferguson - Senior Aerospace, Defense & Airline analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence – about what's been happening, how it gets fixed and who is to blame. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

Has the White House gone completely "pay for play"? While experts debate the ethics of U.S. President Donald Trump's latest actions including accepting a plane from Qatar, others are watching his foray into cryptocurrency closely. While many in the space have called for more regulation of crypto, "Trump coin" is causing issues for those trying to build cryptocurrencies as a legitimate financial instrument.Host Mike Eppel discusses this with Erica Pimental, Assistant Professor at the Smith School of Business at Queen's University. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

Canada's unemployment rate remained relatively stable for the month of April, sitting at 6.9%. But the rate for youth unemployment jumped to its highest figure in the past two decades excluding pandemic figures, now sitting at a little more than 15%. And as companies continue to strategize how to stay afloat among tariffs, more specifically, who they can get rid of and who they have to keep around, the term 'last hired, first hired' enters the chat. Host Maria Kestane speaks to Emily Durham, career coach and host of the Straight Shooter Recruiter podcast, on how to enter, move through, exit and gracefully re-enter the workforce in a time of bottom line uncertainty thanks to a global trade war.We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca  Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

You can't always see it but plastic is everywhere. So much so – that it's now in our rain and it's there because of humans. It's almost as worrisome as acid rain was in the 1970s – an issue that is no longer a major concern. Host Kris McCusker speaks to Benji Jones, Environmental Correspondent at Vox in New York, about how pervasive plastic has become – and what you can do to mitigate your exposure. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca  Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

Tomorrow Prime Minister Mark Carney will be unveiling his first cabinet since receiving a minority mandate from voters 2 weeks ago. The decisions will not be easy, as Carney has to navigate regional representation, a leaner inner circle, and a trade war with the U.S. that hangs over every federal decision. So who stays and who may get promoted?Host Cormac Mac Sweeney is speaking about the delicate art of cabinet making with Marci Surkes, Chief Strategy Officer at The Compass Rose Group, and a former Executive Director of Policy and Cabinet Affairs to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter