The Big Story

Enjoy this special feed drop of our sister show "In This Economy?!" A new survey from Angus Reid says most Canadians use social media--- and don't enjoy their experience. Privacy remains one of the top concerns, as a handful of companies have a near-monopoly on the most commonly used platforms. And with governments only just starting to talk about regulating social media for teens, are we as a society ready for the tidal wave that will be when AI is fully integrated? Host Mike Eppel speaks with Professor Richard Lachman from the RTA school of media at Toronto Metropolitan University to discuss what Ottawa can do and what Canadians could expect. 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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: Prime Minister Mark Carney is meeting with Quebec's new premier today, Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen is reflecting on his Artemis II mission with his crewmates as they readjust to life on earth, Canada Post is moving forward with its plan to end door-to-door delivery, Canadian bishops are speaking out about Trump's recent AI posts depicting him as Jesus, and how can Canadians help a NEET? 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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Ever heard of a NEET? Someone who's not educated, employed or training. According to a 2025 Statistics Canada report, 11% of the country's youth are NEET, with Black, Chinese and highly-educated immigrants being disproportionately affected. Host Maria Kestane speaks to Linda Nazareth, economist, futurist and host of the Work in the Future podcast to discuss how NEETs have long-term impacts on Canada's economy and how we can support young folks through this transitionary period. Linda discusses more in her new book The End of Entry-Level Jobs: How AI, Demographics, and Economic Pressure Are Rewriting the Talent Pipeline, which will be out later this 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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: The federal government is responding after a Canadian was killed in Lebanon, Health Canada has approved a needle-free treatment for allergies, a social media ban for kids could soon be in place, the Artemis II crew speaks to reporters, and more on the supplement market. 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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Why does it feel like everyone's a fitness influencer these days?! Posting workout videos without science-based advice is one thing, but promoting supplements that aren't only mislabeled but sometimes not even legally on the market is another. And it's more common than you think. Host Maria Kestane speaks to Rohil Daliwal, an associate researcher at Mass General Brigham to discuss the highly-saturated and barely-regulated workout supplement market. 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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: Conservative leadership is now being called into question after a series of floor crossings in the House of Commons, a new drug to fight pancreatic cancer is into global trials, a new report shows Ontario high schoolers' attendance is lagging despite new legislation proposed by the Ford government, and what will Carney change with a majority government? 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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

After a trio of by-elections across Ontario and Quebec, Prime Minister Mark Carney has secured a majority government with 174 seats in the House of Commons. The transition comes after a handful of opposition of MPs - including 4 from the Conservative caucus - crossed the floor to join Carney's liberals. Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Lori Turnbull, Political Science professor from Dalhousie University, to discuss Carney's approach to party politics, whether or not Canadians will feel any change in the aftermath, and how Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre could harness this moment for his own benefit. 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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: The Liberals suspend federal fuel excise taxes, in-person negotiations will reportedly continue in the Iran war, Global Affairs says an Ontario man has been killed in Lebanon, the wealth gap is widening, and why is Trump fighting the Pope? 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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

An AI-generated image of US President Trump depicted as Jesus and an anti-Pope Leo rant on Truth Social has made shockwaves throughout America's Christian community - even for its Republican and far-right members. Host Maria Kestane speaks to André Gagné, a professor and the Chair of the Department of Theological Studies at Concordia University to break down why Trump has made the Pope his latest target, how the Trump administration has mobilized the Christian faith to justify its agenda, and whether or not religious members of his base are drawing the line. 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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: more on three federal byelections across Canada today, Trump's new tactic with the Iran war and putting pressure on the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. president's criticism of Pope Leo, Quebec's governing party has chosen a new leader, Hungarian voters have ousted Viktor Orban, and the Artemis Two crew is beginning to debrief their mission. 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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Just a year after its original deadline, Canada has finally met its NATO spending target of 2% of its GDP, including investing billions in recruitment and modernizing infrastructure. Our eyes are now set on the 2035 target of 5%, which Ottawa committed to following pressure from US President Trump last year. While Canadians are feeling supportive of the government beefing up national security during this geopolitical moment, the reality of the paying the bill will fall on the shoulders of Canadians. Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Colin Busby, director of policy engagement at the CD Howe Institute to break down what options Ottawa has to finance the sustainability of its NATO spending. 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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Enjoy this special feed drop from our sister show 'In This Economy?!' The majority of Canadian mortgages are up for renewal this year, marking one of the most significant mortgage renewal periods in decades. And while some payments may be going down, most are likely to go up, meaning it might be time to make some adjustments to your household finances. Host Kris McCusker is speaking with Alana Riley, Head of Mortgage, Banking, and Insurance at IG Wealth Management about what this renewal might mean for you, and how what you can do if you're mortgage ends up taking an even bigger bite out of your finances. 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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: The Artemis II crew returns home, Canada's economy added 14-thousand jobs last month, questions are being raised about a surprise speech from the U.S. first lady, Health Canada is warning about the effects of unauthorized anti-aging or weight-loss drugs, and the Liberals have an open-door policy problem. 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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Here we go again! Yet another Conservative MP - one who's had a stronghold on her riding for more than a decade - has crossed the floor into the Liberal caucus. Marilyn Gladu was welcomed with open arms by Prime Minister Mark Carney on Wednesday morning. But some are critical of just how open his arms were to this particular crosser, someone who's been a vocal critic of vaccination mandates, abortion rights, and the banning of conversion therapy. Host Maria Kestane speaks to Elizabeth McCallion, a political scientist at the University of Toronto to break down whether it's time for the Liberals to draw lines on who's allowed into their party, and the disconnect between grassroot supports of Pierre Poilievre and the people who represent him in Parliament. 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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: The Mark Carney Liberals are just one seat away from forming a majority government. the Artemis II crew speaks to the Prime Minister, an update on an arrest in the Pearson gold heist, and Canadians are weighing in on their travel plans. 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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

A barely-existent ceasefire, and the paralysis of hundreds of ships. The state of the Iran - US Israel war remains muggy, even a day after the three agreed to a two-week ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. It comes after US President Trump threatened to wipe out 'an entire civilization' if the strait wasn't opened. And although things seemed to have reached a calming point, Iran once again closed the shipping passage after Israel reportedly fired strikes into Lebanon. Host Caryn Ceolin speak to Jack Cunningham, an expert in international relations at the University of Toronto to discuss how the US could initiate a substantive wrap-up of the conflict, how the conflict has only bolstered Iran's power, and how Trump's words have weakened global perception of the US. 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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: Some of Trump's opponents are openly questioning whether his cabinet should remove him from office, Carney is set to speak with a Canadian astronaut, another Conservative MP crosses the floor to join the Liberals, advance voter turnout ahead of federal byelections next week, and the demise of Pam Bondi. 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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

More than a year after US President Trump curated what he believed was the perfect Cabinet, he's done away with two major figures within his administration, the latest being Attorney General, Pam Bondi. She was recently ousted and moved to what Trump calls an 'important' role in the private sector. Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Peter Shane, an expert of US constitutional law and professor at New York University to discuss reasons behind Trump's staffing changes, his need for loyalty over merit, and how Bondi's politicization of the Department of Justice costed her her position. 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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: The Artemis II crew is headed back to Earth after making history, nine Canadian miners have been found dead, a deadly attack in Istanbul, and a high-stakes federal byelection is less than a week away. 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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

The Artemis II timeline has marked its halfway point, with its four astronauts - including Canadian Jeremy Hansen - now officially having gone the farthest any human has ever been from Earth at more than 400,000 kilometers away. They've also undergone a lunar flyby, orbiting around the moon to make observations and complete 10 science objectives. Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Olivier Lamarre, a robotics engineer at NordSpace, to discuss the mission's timeline and goals, the impacts of Canadian talent and intelligence towards aerospace milestones, and what could be next for Canada's impact on intel on the moon. You can track the mission's timeline here: https://www.nasa.gov/ 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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: The Artemis II crew fly around the Moon, early voting is underway in federal by-elections that could give the Liberals a majority government, a community and country mark eight years since the Humboldt Broncos crash, Savannah Guthrie returns to Today, and is it time for Canada to toughen up its social media laws for youth? 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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

A jury in Los Angeles found that media giants Meta and YouTube were liable for designing their apps in a way that hooked young users in an addictive manner. It came right after a similar ruling in New Mexico, which found Meta is harming children's mental health and safety. Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Arturo Bejar, a former security executive at Meta who turned into a whistleblower after his very own daughter was subjected to sexual online harassment. The two discuss whether or not these media giants are following through with their commitment to protect children, and what this case could mean for the dozens across North America. 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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Enjoy this special feed drop from our sister show 'In This Economy?!' It's been a chaotic Q1 to say the least. Between all the Truth Social posts from US President Trump and his geopolitical stunts across the world - the markets have taken a hit. It's led to big slumps from record highs for tech stocks, and the run-up to record highs for the energy sector. Host Mike Eppel speaks to Colin White, CEO & portfolio manager, and Josh Sheluk, CIO & portfolio manager at Verecan Capital Management for a recap of the Canadian economy throughout Q1. 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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

A recent report from Statistics Canada found that Canadians' functional health is on the decline, especially so for younger folks. Functional health has to do with our ability to perform everyday bodily functions - like see, hear, move, and feel. And according to the report, the decline in functional health is directly related to a lack of emotional health among younger Canadians. Host Catherine Jette speaks to Dr. Louis Hugo Francescutti, a physician and professor at the School of Public Health in Alberta to break down the study's findings, what Canadians can do on their own to improve their functional health, and how big of an alarm bell this should raise to 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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: World leaders meet to discuss the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, Deloitte's spring economic outlook, Poilievre makes an announcement, and does Canada need to rethink its Emergencies Act? 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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

It was a moment in Canadian history that the former Federal Government believed was due for sweeping powers. More than four years and two rounds of court reviews later, enacting the Emergencies Act maybe wasn't the right choice. Or if it was, Ottawa wasn't sufficient at proving why at the time. Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Paul Daly, Chair in Administrative Law and Governance at the University of Ottawa, to discuss the threshold the courts believe Ottawa missed back in 2022, why the new Liberal government is still fighting for the Trudeau era, and whether or not Canada is due for a revamp of the Emergencies Act. 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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: Trump's primetime address, rising cost of gas, pay-hike for federal workers, Stephen Lewis has died, and Canada is torn over the notwithstanding clause. 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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Quebec's secularism law, Bill 21, prohibits certain public servants from wearing religious symbols while on the job. It was passed in 2019 with a pre-emptive use of the notwithstanding law - a section of the Charter that protects legislation from court intervention if the legislation goes against other freedoms. Last week, the Supreme Court heard arguments on how provinces should apply the notwithstanding clause, and whether or not its application should be subject to review after the fact. Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to journalist Max Fawcett to discuss the historical context of the clause, what legal challenges come with Bill 21, and potential outcomes from the Supreme Court's decision. 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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: Day 32 of the war in Iran, a royal visit to the U.S., mail delivery changes coming, the colorectal cancer screening age lowers for one province, and has Ontario lost its way with colleges? 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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Decades ago, Ontario's colleges operated with a goal of improving local economies and regional communities. Now, Premier Doug Ford claims if you're not in a highly-skilled field, the baskets you're looking to weave are no where to be found. With cuts to OSAP on the provincial level, and caps to student visas on the federal level, the mission of our colleges have seemed to have shifted towards keeping the lights on with as little investment as possible. Host Maria Kestane speaks to Dr. Emilda Thavaratnam, an educator at Centennial College. She authored an article called 'Ontario's colleges were founded to serve local and regional needs — have we forgotten that?'. The two discuss how the college system's ethos has shifted from locally-driven to profit-yielding, and how the province's most vulnerable are falling between the cracks. 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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: Avi Lewis is the new federal NDP leader, the war in Iran enters its 5th week, TSA agents in the U.S. may get paid for the first time in weeks, and a NASA mission is ready to go. 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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

After leading the party to it's worst ever result, Jagmeet Singh resigned as NDP leader. Now, nearly one year after the election that reduced the party to just six seats, New Democrats have elected the leader who will have the daunting task of rebuilding and rebranding. Host Caryn Ceolin speaks with former Hamilton Centre NDP MP Matthew Green, who was one of many NDP politicians who lost their seats in 2025, about where the new leader wants to take the party, and what they need to do win back the hearts and minds of Canadians. 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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Enjoy this special feed drop of our sister show 'In This Economy?!'. Just three months in, and 2026 is already being coined as the 'Year of the Layoff', with companies blaming AI for letting chunks of their workforce go. But is tech really replacing workers — or just being used as a convenient excuse? Host Mike Eppel speaks to Ben Shiller, Brandeis University economist and associate professor, and author of 'A.I. Economics: How Technology Transforms Jobs, Markets, Life, and Our Future'. The two discuss the fears of a shrinking white‑collar job market, the realities of AI's impact, and why your future job security may depend on the sector you choose. 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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Enjoy this special feed drop of our sister show 'In This Economy?!' It's known as “the singles tax” – an extra amount that solo earners pay to go through life without a partner. In some cases it can be punitive, and it's prompted many Canadians to get creative. Host Kris McCusker speaks to financial journalist and author Renée Sylvestre-Williams about her book “The Singles Tax: No Nonsense Financial Advice for Solo Earners,” which can be found at your favourite book store. 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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: The bodies of two pilots who died in this week's crash in New York have been repatriated to Canada, long lines at U.S. airports should soon dissipate, NDP convention begins in Winnipeg as members prepare to pick a new leader, Earth Hour this weekend, and can Canada get a grip on its tipping culture? 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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Tipping-- it's one of those things everyone has an opinion on, and that opinion is normally shaped by what side of it you're on. And the number of services you're expected to tip for-- and the suggested tips on machines-- seem to be going up. So it comes as little surprise that a new H&R Block survey found 67% of Canadians think tipping culture has gone too far. Host Maria Kestane speaks to Dr. Wayne Smith, the Director of the Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Research at Toronto Metropolitan University, to discuss Canada's tipping history, and how our culture has gotten to this point. 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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: Canada's met a critical alliance commitment for the first time since the 90's, the Air Canada plane wreck at LaGuardia is being moved to a hangar for more analysis, former Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro is set to appear in court, and how did Lebanon get dragged into the Middle East conflict? 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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

It's a war between Israel, the US and Iran...but how did Lebanon get dragged into it? Its militia group, Hezbollah, is a loyal proxy of the Iranian regime, placing tens of millions of Lebanese citizens at risk in the name of loyalty to its top financier and ally. More than 1000 people have been killed, and more than a million have been displaced. Earlier this week Israel's Defence Minister said his country plans on annexing a large portion of southern Lebanon for security purposes, a move Canada denounced. Host Maria Kestane speaks to Aurel Braun, a political science and international relations professor at the University of Toronto to discuss the Lebanese government's complex relationship with Hezbollah, how Canada and other NATO countries could help the government dismantle the militia, and what comes next for its civilians. 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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

The investigation into the deadly Air Canada plane crash continues, the airline's CEO has been summoned to Ottawa, new urgency to reach a deal and pay TSA workers, and a social media app shuts down. 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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

It's unsure when exactly the war in the Middle East will come to an end - even the White House seems to be conflicted on a timeline, but one thing for certain is the impact Canadians are feeling to their wallets. Gas prices continue to fluctuate, with no real stabilization in sight. But the question is, for a country that's rich in domestic oil, why are our prices so dependent on the state of the Strait of Hormuz? Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Heather Exner-Pirot, Director of energy and natural resources and environment at the Macdonald Laurier Institute to discuss Canada's pipeline infrastructure challenges, the geopolitical significance of the Hormuz, and whether or not Canadians will be getting a reprieve at the pumps anytime soon. 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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: Two pilots killed in the Air Canada Jazz plane crash in New York have been identified, TSA security lines in the U.S. continue, most Canadians say they are satisfied with how the government handled the COVID-19 pandemic, and police in Vancouver say a woman fell asleep behind the wheel of a self-driving vehicle 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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

A pair of Air Canada pilots were killed as a result of a crash between the plane they were landing at New York's La Guardia airport and a fire truck on one of the runways. And as investigators piece together what led to the crash, the public can't help but try and make sense of what happened with the audio recording of the air traffic controller. This unfolds as more than a dozen airports across the country make space for ICE agents to accompany them at security checkpoints, as a partial government shutdown brings TSA to a slug, and as a result, the rest of the country. Host Maria Kestane speaks to Karl Moore, aviation expert and associate professor at McGill University to discuss the state of air travel across the US, what Canadians need to know amid the DHS shutdown, and how the both the US and Canada need to beef up their air traffic control roster. 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 @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky