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Hosted by Colin Robertson
431 episodes with Colin Robertson
191 episodes with Colin Robertson
8 episodes with Colin Robertson
3 episodes with Colin Robertson
7 episodes with Colin Robertson
2 episodes with Colin Robertson
2 episodes with Colin Robertson
2 episodes with Colin Robertson
On this episode of #TheGlobalExchange, Colin Robertson sits down with Jeremy Kinsman and John Negroponte to talk about trade and international diplomacy in a rapidly changing world in the context of the renewal, revision or repudiation of the North American trade agreement – CUSMA, USMCA or T-MEC. // Participants' bios: - Jeremy Kinsman served as Canada's ambassador to Russia, high commissioner to the UK, ambassador to Italy and ambassador to the European Union. He is a Distinguished Fellow of the Canadian International Council - John D. Negroponte is a United States career diplomat and national security official, former Director of National Intelligence, and former United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations // Host bio: Colin Robertson is a former diplomat and Senior Advisor to the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. // Reading Recommendations: - "The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny: A Novel", by Kiran Desai: https://www.amazon.ca/Loneliness-Sonia-Sunny-Novel/dp/0307401219 - "London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City and a Family's Search for Truth", by Patrick Radden Keefe: https://www.amazon.ca/London-Falling-Mysterious-Gilded-Familys-ebook/dp/B0FGZW9SZN - "Iran's Grand Strategy: A Political History", by Vali Nasr: https://www.amazon.ca/Irans-Grand-Strategy-Political-History/dp/0691268924 // Music Credit: Drew Phillips | Producer: Judy Alomari // Release date: June 03, 2026
On this episode of #TheGlobalExchange, Colin Robertson sits down with John Parisella and Bruce Stokes to talk about Canada-US relations as we commence formal negotiations over the renewal, revision or repudiation of the North American trade agreement – CUSMA, USMCA or T-MEC. // Participants' bios: - John Parisella served as Chief of Staff to Quebec Premiers Robert Bourassa and Jean Charest and then as Quebec Delegate General in New York City. - Bruce Stokes is Visiting Senior Fellow at the German Marshall Fund and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. // Host bio: Colin Robertson is a former diplomat and Senior Advisor to the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. // Reading Recommendations: - "The Spanish Civil War" by Hugh Thomas - "Team of Rivals" by Doris Goodwin // Music Credit: Drew Phillips | Producer: Jordyn Carroll // Release date: June 04, 2026
On this episode of #TheGlobalExchange, Colin Robertson sits down with Gordon Venner and Jon Allen to discuss what is happening in the Middle East – Iran, Israel, Palestine - and its implications for Canada. // Participants' bios: - Gordon Venner is former Ambassador to Iran and Associate Deputy Minister of Defence. - Jon Allen is former Ambassador to Israel and Spain, and a Senior Fellow at the Bill Graham Centre for Contemporary International History at the University of Toronto. // Host bio: Colin Robertson is a former diplomat and Senior Advisor to the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. // Reading Recommendations: - "Barack Obama Considers His Role in the Age of Trump" by Peter Slevin // Music Credit: Drew Phillips | Producer: Jordyn Carroll // Release date: June 01, 2026
On this episode of #TheGlobalExchange, Colin Robertson sits down with Gordon Holden, Howard Balloch and Stewart Beck to the discuss the Xi-Trump Summit. // Participants' bios: Gordon Houlden is Director Emeritus of the China Institute, Professor of Political Science and Adjunct Professor of the Alberta School of Business at the University of Alberta.. Howard Balloch served as the Canadian Ambassador to China and then in the private sector in Beijing and Hong Kong. Stewart Beck served as the Canadian Consul General in Shanghai and San Francisco and High Commissioner to India before heading the Asia-Pacific Foundation. // Host bio: Colin Robertson is a former diplomat and Senior Advisor to the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. // Reading Recommendations: - "Apple in China" by Patrick Mcgee - "Coming Up Short" by Robert Reich -"Party of One: The Rise of Xi Jinping and China's Superpower Future" by Chun Han Wong // Music Credit: Drew Phillips | Producer: Jordyn Carroll // Release date: May 25, 2026
On this episode of #TheGlobalExchange, Colin Robertson sits down with Michael Ignatieff to discuss diplomacy and developments in Europe in aftermath of the Hungarian election. // Participants' bios: Michael Ignatieff is Rector Emeritus and Professor of History at Central European University. // Host bio: Colin Robertson is a former diplomat and Senior Advisor to the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. // Music Credit: Drew Phillips | Producer: Jordyn Carroll // Release date: May 15, 2026
On this episode of #TheGlobalExchange, Colin Robertson sits down with Jonathan Fried and Kevin Nealer to discuss the current state of CUSMA/USMCA/T-MEC. // Participants' bios: Jonathan Fried is a CGAI Fellow and former Ambassador to Japan and the World Trade Organization Canada, as well as Senior Foreign Policy Advisor to former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Kevin Nealer is a Principal at the Scowcroft Group and former member of President Barak Obama's President's Intelligence Advisory Board. // Host bio: Colin Robertson is a former diplomat and Senior Advisor to the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. // Reading Recommendations: - "The Pretender" by Jo Harkin // Music Credit: Drew Phillips | Producer: Jordyn Carroll // Release date: May 11, 2026
What happens when we slow down enough to really experience art? We visit a museum to discover how slow looking at art can cultivate awe, empathy, and a greater sense of connection in a distracted world.Summary: Art has the power to move us emotionally, physically, and socially—but only if we take the time to truly engage with it. As part of our Cities of Awe series, this episode of The Science of Happiness explores what happens when we slow down and really look at a piece of art. We visit the Nevada Museum of Art to look at the science and practice of slow looking—how it can deepen empathy, presence, and everyday meaning.How To Do This Practice: Choose One Piece and Commit to Staying With It: Pick a single artwork, photograph, object, or even a scene in nature. Set aside about 15 minutes and put away distractions—especially your phone. The goal is not to “figure it out,” but to stay present long enough for your experience to deepen. Spend Time Noticing the Form: For the first five minutes, focus only on what you see. Notice the shapes, textures, colors, lines, patterns, shadows, movement, or composition. Let your eyes wander slowly across the piece and observe details you might normally miss. Pay Attention to Your Emotional Response: For the next five minutes, shift inward. What feelings arise as you look? Curiosity, comfort, sadness, awe, tension, delight, nostalgia? Instead of labeling the experience as simply “I like it” or “I don't,” explore the full range of emotions and reactions that emerge. Let Your Mind Make Associations: For the last five minutes, allow the artwork to lead your thoughts elsewhere. What memories, people, places, or ideas come to mind? Does it remind you of something from your own life or spark questions about the world, history, or humanity? Follow the associations without judging them. Stay Open to Complexity and Discomfort: Some works may bring up conflicting or uncomfortable emotions. Rather than rushing past them, give yourself permission to sit with them. Read the full study here.Scroll down for a transcription of this episode.Today's Guests: COLIN ROBERTSON is the Senior Vice President of Education and Research at the Nevada Museum of Art. Learn more about Colin Robertson here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colinmrobertson/DR. ANJAN CHATTERJEE is a professor of Neurology, Psychology, and Architecture and the founding Director of the Penn Center for Neuroaesthetics. Learn more about Dr. Anjan Chatterjee here: https://tinyurl.com/yw2fs364Related Science of Happiness episodes:Cities of Awe Series: https://tinyurl.com/2vyhxvnyFollow us on Instagram: @ScienceOfHappinessPodWe'd love to hear about your experience with this practice! Share your thoughts at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod.Find us on Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aapHelp us share Happiness Break! Leave a 5-star review and share this link: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aapTranscription: https://tinyurl.com/5b5prh4t
On this episode of #TheGlobalExchange, Colin Robertson sits down with Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee and Richard Gimblett about the Battle of the Atlantic, Richard's new book, and future developments in the Royal Canadian Navy. // Participants' bios: Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee is the Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy Richard Gimblett is a former naval officer, scholar, historian and author of several books on Canadian Naval history // Host bio: Colin Robertson is a former diplomat and Senior Advisor to the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. // Reading Recommendations: - "Pirate of the Adriatic" by Sean Livingston - "Strategy Shelved" by Steve Wills - "Guardians of the North" by Richard Gimblett -"The New Lessons of the Battle of the Atlantic" by Colin Robertson // Music Credit: Drew Phillips | Producer: Jordyn Carroll // Release date: May 04, 2026
On this episode of #TheGlobalExchange, Colin Robertson sits down with Sabine Sparwasser and Roger Hilton to discuss Hungary's latest election, populism and Eastern Europe. // Participants' bios: Sabine Sparwasser is a CGAI Fellow, the Dean at Mercator Kolleg für internationale Aufgaben and is a former Ambassador of Germany to Canada. Roger Hilton is a CGAI Fellow and Media Presenter & Research Fellow at GLOBSEC. // Host bio: Colin Robertson is a former diplomat and Senior Advisor to the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. // Reading Recommendations: - "Death and the Penguin" by Andrey Kurkov - "The Museum of Innocence" by Orhan Pamuk // Music Credit: Drew Phillips | Producer: Jordyn Carroll // Release date: April 27, 2026
On this episode of #TheGlobalExchange, Colin Robertson sits down with Michael Pearson to discuss his latest book, "Private Letters, Public Matters: The Family Correspondence of Lester B Pearson", which looks at the letters between his grandfather, former Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson and his father, Diplomat Geoffrey Pearson. // Participants' bios: Michael Pearson is the grandson of former Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson and author of Private Letters, Public Matters // Host bio: Colin Robertson is a former diplomat and Senior Advisor to the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. // Reading Recommendations: - "Private Letters, Public Matters: The Family Correspondence of Lester B Pearson" by Michael Pearson - "The Innocent Canadian" by John Delacourt // Music Credit: Drew Phillips | Producer: Jordyn Carroll // Release date: April 20, 2026
On this episode of #TheGlobalExchange, Colin Robertson sits down with The Honourable Peter MacKay, The Honourable Jean Charest and Gary Doer to talk about Mark Carney's first year as the Prime Minister of Canada. // Participants' bios: The Honourable Peter MacKay is the former Minister of Defence, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Justice and Attorney Governor General of Canada The Honourable Jean Charest is the former Deputy Prime Minister and 29th Premier of Quebec Gary Doer is the former Canadian Ambassador to the United States and 20th Premier of Manitoba // Host bio: Colin Robertson is a former diplomat and Senior Advisor to the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. // Reading Recommendations: - "Breaking Point" by Darrell Bricker and John Ibbitson - "The Prime Ministers: Canada's Leaders and the Nation They Shaped" by J.D.M. Stewart - "De Gaulle Une Vie" by Jean-Luc Barré // Music Credit: Drew Phillips | Producer: Jordyn Carroll // Release date: April 13, 2026
On this episode of #TheGlobalExchange, Colin Robertson sits down with Peter Jones to discuss the ongoing components influencing Canada's relationship with the U.S. and what the future of trade might look like. // Participants' bios: Peter Jones is a professor in the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Ottawa. // Host bio: Colin Robertson is a former diplomat and Senior Advisor to the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. // Reading Recommendations: - Peter Jones in The Walrus Magazine - "The Company: The Rise And Fall Of The Hudson's Bay Empire" by Stephen Bown // Music Credit: Drew Phillips | Producer: Jordyn Carroll // Recording Date: March 30, 2026 Release date: April 07, 2026
On this episode of #TheGlobalExchange, Colin Robertson sits down with Adam Chapnick, Raymond Blake and Ian Brodie to discuss Mark Carney's first year as Prime Minister. // Participants' bios: Adam Chapnick is Professor of Defence Studies at the Canadian Forces College in Toronto and co-author of Canada First, Not Canada Alone: A History of Canadian Foreign Policy Ian Brodie is Professor of Political Science at the University of Calgary and Program Director for CGAI. Raymond Blake is Professor of History at the University of Regina and Winner of the 2025 Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing // Host bio: Colin Robertson is a former diplomat and Senior Advisor to the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. // Reading Recommendations: - "Ice War Diplomat" by Gary Smith - "Inside Snc-lavalin" by Lawrence Stevenson - "Renegotiating the Bargain" by Rob Currie-Wood // Music Credit: Drew Phillips | Producer: Jordyn Carroll // Recording Date: March 19, 2026 Release date: March 30, 2026
On this episode of #TheGlobalExchange, Colin Robertson sits down with Christopher Sands, Carlo Dade, Matthew Holmes and Laurence Herman to discuss Chris' latest publication, "United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement 2026: Review and déjà vu". // Participants' bios: Christopher Sands is the Director for the Centre of Canadian Studies at The Johns Hopkins University - Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). Carlo Dade is the Director of International Policy at the School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary. Matthew Holmes is Executive Vice President & Chief of Public Policy at Canadian Chamber of Commerce Lawrence Herman is Counsel, International Trade & Investment, Public Policy and Government Relations // Host bio: Colin Robertson is a former diplomat and Senior Advisor to the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. // Reading Recommendations: - "United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement 2026: Review and déjà vu" by Christopher Sands - "Reluctant Conquest" by Kathryn Lavelle - "Pachinko" by Min Jin Lee - "The Revolt of The Public" by Martin Hurri - "The Dollar a Year Men" by Allan Levine // Music Credit: Drew Phillips | Producer: Jordyn Carroll // Recording Date: March 10, 2026 Release date: March 23, 2026
On The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian is joined by Colin Robertson to examine Prime Minister Mark Carney's emerging foreign policy vision — sometimes called the “Davos Doctrine.”
On this episode of #TheGlobalExchange, Colin Robertson sits down with Andrew Rasiulis and `Paul Meyer to discuss Ukraine, Iran and what current events mean for Canada and world order. // Participants' bios: Andrew Rasiulis is a CGAI Fellow. He served in the Canadian Forces and then with the Department of National Defence responsible for Eastern Europe. Paul Meyer served as Canada's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN and the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva. He is a fellow in international security and adjunct Professor of International Studies at Simon Fraser University, and a Director of the Canadian Pugwash Group. // Host bio: Colin Robertson is a former diplomat and Senior Advisor to the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. // Reading Recommendations: - "The Ukraine War & the Eurasian World Order" by Glenn Diesen - "Great Power Diplomacy: The Skill of Statecraft from Attila the Hun to Kissinger" by A. Wess Mitchell // Music Credit: Drew Phillips | Producer: Jordyn Carroll // Recording Date: March 04, 2026 Release date: March 16, 2026
On this episode of #TheGlobalExchange, Colin Robertson sits down with Francisco Suarez Davila to discuss the current status of Canada-Mexico relations, where we are at with CUSMA and multilateralism in the new world. // Participants' bios: Francisco Suarez Davila is the former Mexican Ambassador to Canada // Host bio: Colin Robertson is a former diplomat and Senior Advisor to the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. // Reading Recommendations: // Music Credit: Drew Phillips | Producer: Jordyn Carroll // Recording Date: March 09, 2026 Release date: March 09, 2026
On this episode of #TheGlobalExchange, Colin Robertson sits down with Eva Cohen to discuss disaster response capacity in Canada, looking at Germany's Federal Agency for Technical Relief's model for a structured, volunteer-driven, and federally coordinated disaster response system. // Participants' bios: Eva Cohen is the Founder & President of Civil Protection Youth Canada (CPYC) // Host bio: Colin Robertson is a former diplomat and Senior Advisor to the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. // Reading Recommendations: - "A New Disaster Relief Approach for Canada: Citizen-Based Civil Protection" by Eva Cohen and Bettina Koschade // Music Credit: Drew Phillips | Producer: Jordyn Carroll // Recording Date: January 21, 2026 Release date: March 02, 2026
On this episode of #TheGlobalExchange, Colin Robertson sits down with Dr. Laura Dawson to discuss the operations of the Future Borders Coalition and CUSMA negotiations. // Participants' bios: Dr. Laura Dawson is the Executive Director of the Future Borders Coalition. // Host bio: Colin Robertson is a former diplomat and Senior Advisor to the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. // Reading Recommendations: - "The Winter Witch: A Novel" by Jennifer Chevalier // Music Credit: Drew Phillips | Producer: Jordyn Carroll // Recording Date: January 30, 2026 Release date: February 23, 2026
On this episode of #TheGlobalExchange, Colin Robertson sits down with The Honourable Bob Rae to discuss middle powers and multilateralism. // Participants' bios: The Honourable Bob Rae served at the former Premier of Ontario, leader of the Ontario New Democratic Party, and Interim Leader of the Liberal Party. From 2020-2025, he served as the Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations. // Host bio: Colin Robertson is a former diplomat and Senior Advisor to the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. // Reading Recommendations: - "The Paranoid Style in American Politics" by Richard Hofstadter // Music Credit: Drew Phillips | Producer: Jordyn Carroll // Recording Date: January 30, 2026 Release date: February 17, 2026
On this episode of #TheGlobalExchange, Colin Robertson sits down with The Honourable Kevin Lynch and Jim Mitchell about their book A New Blueprint for Government: Reshaping Power, the PMO and the Public Service. // Participants' bios: - The Honourable Kevin Lynch served as Deputy Minister of Industry, Deputy Minister of Finance, Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to Cabinet, later as vice chair of BMO Financial Group. - Jim Mitchell served as Assistant Secretary to the cabinet responsible for the machinery of government before founding the policy consulting firm Sussex Circle. // Host bio: Colin Robertson is a former diplomat and Senior Advisor to the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. // Reading Recommendations: - "A New Blueprint for Government: Reshaping Power, the PMO and the Public Service" by The Honourable Kevin Lynch and Jim Mitchell. - "The Dollar a Year Men" by Allan Levine - "The Daily" Podcast by The New York Times - "The Curse of Politics" Podcast - "Slow Horses" by Mick Herron // Music Credit: Drew Phillips | Producer: Jordyn Carroll // Recording Date: January 20, 2026 Release date: February 9, 2026
On this episode of #TheGlobalExchange, Colin Robertson sits down with Stewart Beck, Vina Nadjibulla, Ted Lipman and Hugh Stephens to discuss Prime Minister Carney's recent visit to China and it's implications for our relationship with China, the Indo-Pacific and Canadian foreign policy going forward. // Participants' bios: - Stewart Beck served as Canada's High Commissioner to India and is the former as President and CEO of the Asia Pacific Foundation. - Vina Nadjibulla is Vice-President, Research & Strategy at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada and an Adjunct Professor at the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs at the University of British Columbia. - Ted Lipman is a career foreign service officer with assignments in Beijing, Consul General in Shanghai and as our Ambassador to Korea. - Hugh Stephens served at Canadian missions in Hong Kong, Beijing, Islamabad and Seoul and as Head of Mission in Taipei. // Host bio: Colin Robertson is a former diplomat and Senior Advisor to the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. // Reading Recommendations: - "What Carney's China Trip Really Signalled" by Vina Nadjibulla - "Civilizations" by Laurent Binet - "Apple in China" by Patrick McGee - "How China Works" by Xiaohuan Lan - "He Did Not Conquer" by Madelaine Drohan // Music Credit: Drew Phillips | Producer: Jordyn Carroll // Recording Date: January 20, 2026 Release date: February 3, 2026
This week: Conservatives at a crossroads: We look at Pierre Poilievre's leadership review, and are the B.C. Conservatives choosing a premier-in-waiting or repeating the same internal fight? (1:19) B.C. caps power for AI as demand surges and a national grid plan looms. Energy Minister Adrian Dix drops by (17:20) As free trade talks with the U.S. restart, is Canada ready for a world without a referee? Former diplomat Colin Robertson joins us (34:11) Can the Metro Vancouver Board reform itself? (50:46) Could British Columbians see a federal and provincial election in 2026? The Agenda Panel with Richard Zussman and Margareta Dovgal weighs in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this episode of #TheGlobalExchange, Colin Robertson sits down with Mark Norman, Vincent Rigby, Howard Balloch and Paul Meyer to discuss NATO, Carney, Trump and Davos. // Participants' bios: - Mark Norman served as Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy and Vice Chief of the Defence Staff. - Howard Balloch is a career foreign service officer and former Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to China, Mongolia and North Korea. - Paul Meyer is a fellow in international security and adjunct Professor of International Studies at Simon Fraser University, and a Director of the Canadian Pugwash Group. - Vincent Rigby is Slater Family Professor of Practice at McGill's Max Bell School of Public Policy and former National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister. // Host bio: Colin Robertson is a former diplomat and Senior Advisor to the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. // Reading Recommendations: - "Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA" by Tim Weiner - "Quantum Of Menace" by Vaseem Khan - "The Mosquito: A Human History Of Our Deadliest Predator" by Timothy C. Winegard - "The Restless Wave" by James Stavridis // Music Credit: Drew Phillips | Producer: Jordyn Carroll // Recording Date: January 23, 2026 Release date: January 27, 2026
On this episode of #TheGlobalExchange, Colin Robertson sits down with Frank Graves to discuss the upcoming challenges facing Canada in 2026. // Participants' bios Frank Graves is a CGAI Fellow and President and CEO of EKOS Research Associates Inc. // Host bio: Colin Robertson is a former diplomat and Senior Advisor to the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. // Reading Recommendations: - "Nihilistic Times: Thinking with Max Weber" by Wendy Brown // Music Credit: Drew Phillips | Producer: Jordyn Carroll // Recording Date: January 15, 2026 Release date: January 19, 2026
On this episode of #TheGlobalExchange, Colin Robertson sits down with The Honourable Perrin Beatty and The Honourable John Manley to look at Canada, the world in 2026 and the world in 2026 in the context of the Carney government's foreign policy review. // Participants' bios - The Honourable Perrin Beatty is a former Minister of National Defence, former President and CEO of CBC and former President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. - The Honourable John Manley is a former Finance and Industry Minister and served as the eighth Deputy Prime Minister to Canada. // Host bio: Colin Robertson is a former diplomat and Senior Advisor to the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. // Reading Recommendations: - "Autocracy Inc." by Anne Applebaum - "He Did Not Conquer" by Madelaine Drohan - "James Madison" by Garry Wills - "Canada Rising: From Crisis to Renewal" by The Honourable Perrin Beatty and Fen Olser Hampson // Music Credit: Drew Phillips | Producer: Jordyn Carroll // Recording Date: January 12, 2026 Release date: January 13, 2026
For the first time in almost a decade, a Canadian Prime Minister has been invited to China this week. We hear why it matters to you with former Canadian diplomat Colin Robertson, as well as economist, Colin Mang.
On this episode of #TheGlobalExchange, Colin Robertson sits down with Dr. Ian Brodie and Darrell Bricker to discuss their takeaways from the Halifax Security Forum as they look into the coming year. Thank you to everyone who donated to us this Giving Tuesday, an important day for registered charities like the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. If you wish to support us, please click the link here: www.cgai.ca/support All donations will receive a 100% CRA charitable donation tax receipt. Thank you in advance for your consideration. // Participants' bios - Darrell Bricker is CEO at Ipsos Public Affairs and co-author of a new book, Breaking Point: The New Big Shifts Putting Canada at Risk. - Dr. Ian Brodie is the Program Director at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute and Professor at the University of Calgary. // Host bio: Colin Robertson is a former diplomat and Senior Advisor to the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. // Reading Recommendations: - "Breaking Point: The New Big Shifts Putting Canada at Risk" by Darrell Bricker and John Ibbitson -"Nation Maker: Sir John A. Macdonald: His Life, Our Times" by Richard J. Gwyn -"Why We Drive" by Matthew B. Crawford // Music Credit: Drew Phillips | Producer: Jordyn Carroll // Recording Date: January 05, 2026 Release date: January 06, 2026
Encore Episode. The U.S. Ambassador to Canada was in Banff yesterday for what turned out to be a tense conversation with former Canadian diplomat Colin Robertson. The ambassador, a seasoned American politician, and Robertson, no stranger to Canada-U.S. relations, went at it over some of the things that have been said between the two countries this year. Chantal Hebert and Bruce Anderson have lots to say about it all, too. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
On this episode of #TheGlobalExchange, Colin Robertson sits down with Julia Bentley and Phil Calvert to discuss the intricacies of Taiwan and China. Thank you to everyone who donated to us this Giving Tuesday, an important day for registered charities like the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. If you wish to support us, please click the link here: www.cgai.ca/support All donations will receive a 100% CRA charitable donation tax receipt. Thank you in advance for your consideration. // Participants' bios - Julia Bentley is a former Canadian diplomat who served in both Beijing and Taipei. She is affiliated with the University of Toronto, York and National Taiwan University, and the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. - Phil Calvert is a CGAI Fellow, former Canadian diplomat and Senior Fellow at the University of Alberta and Associate at the University of Victoria Center for Asia Pacific Initiatives. // Host bio: Colin Robertson is a former diplomat and Senior Advisor to the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. // Reading Recommendations: - "Reimagining China Studies: Taiwan as a Platform for Engaging with the Sinosphere" by Julia Bentley - "The Once and Future World Order: Why Global Civilization Will Survive the Decline of the West" by Amitav Acharya - "The Book of Swindles: Selections from a Late Ming Collection" translated by Christopher Rea and Bruce Rusk - "There are Rivers in the Sky" by Elif Shafak - "The Conscience of the Party" by Robert L. Suettinger // Music Credit: Drew Phillips | Producer: Jordyn Carroll // Recording Date: December 10, 2025 Release date: December 15, 2025
On this episode of #TheGlobalExchange, Colin Robertson sits down with Sofie Lilli Stoffel to discuss her latest study, "When Your Ally Turns Narcissistic: A Self-Help Manual for Europe Navigating Transatlantic Relations". Thank you to everyone who donated to us this Giving Tuesday, an important day for registered charities like the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. If you wish to support us, please click the link here: www.cgai.ca/support All donations will receive a 100% CRA charitable donation tax receipt. Thank you in advance for your consideration. // Participants' bios Sofie Lilli Stoffel is a research fellow with the Global Public Policy Institute in Berlin. // Host bio: Colin Robertson is a former diplomat and Senior Advisor to the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. // Reading Recommendations: - "When Your Ally Turns Narcissistic: A Self-Help Manual for Europe Navigating Transatlantic Relations" by Sofie Lilli Stoffel and Phillip Yorck Herzberg // Music Credit: Drew Phillips | Producer: Jordyn Carroll // Recording Date: December 10, 2025 Release date: December 11, 2025
Dr. Colin Robertson suggests we look at our lives on a day to day basis making sure that we are "earning our dopamine" in a way that creates long term benefits, mixing nature into our daily routine, and creating health that allows us to wake up painless.Some key takeaways from the conversation:Health, wellness, and fitness are fundamental building blocks of a life worth living, more important than financial wealthPhysical health enables people to fully experience life and create lasting memoriesThe gut is "the center of the human universe" - optimizing gut health has multiplying effects on all other aspects of healthNatural, unprocessed foods are essential for proper gut function and overall healthActive experiences in nature create deeper, more lasting neural connections than passive screen-based activitiesTesting gut health provides objective data to guide personalized health improvementsDr. Colin Robertson (Dr. Col) is an environmental physiologist with a PhD in Exercise Physiology who helps translate cutting-edge sport science into practical strategies for athletes, adventurers, and everyday health seekers. For more than two decades, he has helped shape health strategies and standards for organizations worldwide, including EuropeActive, UKactive, and the National Health Service. A specialist in human performance and sports science, he has coached and prepared global adventurers to tackle extraordinary challenges, from climbing Everest to rowing the Atlantic, and supported athletes in strength and conditioning across various sports, including rugby, wrestling, and wheelchair basketball, in national and international competitions. He is an accredited Strength and Conditioning Coach (UKSCA), accredited Kinanthropometrist, and a qualified Nutritionalist, blending elite-level sport science and clinical health research into practical lifestyle strategies. His research is widely published in peer-reviewed scientific journals, including co-authoring the notable Sleep and the Athlete: Narrative Review and 2021 Expert Consensus Recommendations (British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2021). He also co-hosts the Common Knowledge podcast, a go-to channel for useful and meaningful health and lifestyle information that is free and accessible to everyone. Zinzino is a global health tech company from Scandinavia, pioneering products and services in the health and wellness space for over two decades. Driving a new standard in personal health, the company's test-based, personalized nutrition approach provides tools for a healthier future by enabling individuals to take charge of their personal well-being through science-based insights and targeted solutions. Offerings include a portfolio of advanced at-home health tests and an extensive range of nutritional supplements scientifically proven to meet individual needs. Visit ConfidenceThroughHealth.com to find discounts to some of our favorite products.Follow me via All In Health and Wellness on Facebook or Instagram.Find my books on Amazon: No More Sugar Coating: Finding Your Happiness in a Crowded World and Confidence Through Health: Live the Healthy Lifestyle God DesignedProduction credit: Social Media Cowboys
On this episode of #TheGlobalExchange, Colin Robertson sits down with Raymond Blake to discuss his latest success, Canada's Prime Ministers and the Shaping of a National Identity. This coming Tuesday, 2nd December, is Giving Tuesday, an important day for registered charities like the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. If you wish to support us, please click the link here: www.cgai.ca/support All donations will receive a 100% CRA charitable donation tax receipt. Thank you in advance for your consideration. // Participants' bios Raymond Blake is an author and Professor of History at the University of Regina. // Host bio: Colin Robertson is a former diplomat and Senior Advisor to the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. // Reading Recommendations: - "Canada's Prime Ministers and the Shaping of a National Identity" by Raymond Blake Ballots and Brawls by Patrice Dutil - "The Coutts Diaries" by Ron Graham - "Times of Transformation" by Barbara J. Messamore // Music Credit: Drew Phillips | Producer: Jordyn Carroll // Recording Date: November 24, 2025 Release date: December 01, 2025
On this episode of #TheGlobalExchange, Colin Robertson sits down with Ken Frankel and Eric Miller to discuss the latest paper from the Canadian Council for the Americas paper, "Beyond the Build: A New Canadian Strategy for Latin America and the Caribbean". // Participants' bios - Ken Frankel is president of the Canadian Council for the Americas. - Eric Miller is a CGAI Fellow and President and CEO of Rideau Potomac // Host bio: Colin Robertson is a former diplomat and Senior Advisor to the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. // Reading Recommendations: - "Beyond the Build: A New Canadian Strategy for Latin America and the Caribbean" by the Canadian Council for the Americas - "There Are Rivers In The Sky" by Elif Shafak - "King of Kings" by Scott Anderson - "Frank" by Barney Frank // Music Credit: Drew Phillips | Producer: Jordyn Carroll // Recording Date: November 17, 2025 Release date: November 24, 2025
On this episode of #TheGlobalExchange, Colin Robertson sits down with John Meehan to discuss his recently released book, "Chrétien and the World", co-edited with Jack Cunningham. // Participants' bios John Meehan is director of the Bill Graham Centre for Contemporary International History at the University of Toronto's Trinity College, an affiliated faculty at the Munk School and a Senior Fellow of Massey College. // Host bio: Colin Robertson is a former diplomat and Senior Advisor to the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. // Reading Recommendations: - "Chrétien and the World" by Jack Cunningham and John Meehan - "Beaver and The Dragon" by Charles Burton - "The Coutts Diaries" by Ron Graham // Music Credit: Drew Phillips | Producer: Jordyn Carroll // Recording Date: November 17, 2025 Release date: November 17, 2025
On this episode of #TheGlobalExchange, Colin Robertson sits down with Ann Fitz-Gerald, Ben Rowswell, Guy St. Jacques, Thomas J. Timmins and Don McCutchan to discuss their takeaways from the 2025 Ditchley Conference. // Participants' bios - Ann Fitz-Gerald is a Professor of International Security and the Director of the Balsillie School of International Affairs in Waterloo, Canada - Ben Rowswell is a Principal with Catalyze4. He served as Ambassador to Venezuela and was an early architect of digital diplomacy in Global Affairs Canada - Guy St. Jacques is former Canadian Ambassador to China and Fellow at the China Institute of the University of Alberta - Thomas J. Timmins is the Leader of Gowling WLG's Canadian Energy Practice Don McCutchan is Partner and Policy Advisor with Gowling WLG // Host bio: Colin Robertson is a former diplomat and Senior Advisor to the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. // Reading Recommendations: - "The AI-Driven Leader: Harnessing AI to Make Faster, Smarter Decisions" by Geoff Woods - "Does the Elephant Dance?: Contemporary Indian Foreign Policy" by David Malone - "King of Kings" by Scott Anderson - "Sun Tzu's The Art of War Plus Its Amazing Secrets: The Keys to Strategy" by Sun Tau - "A School for Tomorrow" by Mark Dickinson - "How to Win an Information War" by Peter Pomerantsev // Music Credit: Drew Phillips | Producer: Jordyn Carroll // Recording Date: November 03, 2025 Release date: November 10, 2025
On this episode of #TheGlobalExchange, Colin Robertson sits Rosann Runte, Valerie La Traverse and Maggie Gorman Velez to discuss the intricacies of science and innovation diplomacy. // Participants' bios - Rosann Runt is Vice President, Corporate Affairs at the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada - Valerie La Traverse is President of Runte Associates and previously served as President of the Canada Foundation for Innovation - Maggie Gorman Velez is is Vice President, Strategy, Regions and Policy for the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) // Host bio: Colin Robertson is a former diplomat and Senior Advisor to the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. // Reading Recommendations: - "Think Again" by Adam Grant - "Shared Prosperity in a Fractured World: A New Economics for the Middle Class, the Global Poor, and Our Climate" by Dani Rodrik - "Collapse" by Jared Diamond - "Canadians Who Innovate: The Trailblazers and Ideas that Are Changing the World" by Roseann Runte // Music Credit: Drew Phillips | Producer: Jordyn Carroll // Recording Date: October 31, 2025 Release date: November 03, 2025
On this episode of #TheGlobalExchange, Colin Robertson sits down with Ben Collins to discuss his new book, The Irish Unity Dividend. // Participants' bios Ben Collins is a Belfast-based author and communications consultant and contributer to Policy Magazine. // Host bio: Colin Robertson is a former diplomat and Senior Advisor to the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. // Reading Recommendations: - "The Irish Unity Dividend" by Ben Collins "'The Irish Unity Dividend': The Pragmatic Case for a United Ireland" by Colin Robertson // Music Credit: Drew Phillips | Producer: Jordyn Carroll // Recording Date: October 22, 2025 Release date: October 27, 2025
On this episode of #TheGlobalExchange, Colin Robertson sits down with Gaston Barban, Daryl Copeland, Evan Potter and Bernie Etzinger to discuss the ins and outs of public diplomacy. // Participants' bios - Gaston Barban worked at Global Affairs Canada for 38 years and was the former High Commissioner to South Africa. - Daryl Copeland and has had a 30 year career at Global Affairs Canada. - Evan Potter is a CGAI Fellow and Associate Professor in the Communications Department at the University of Ottawa. - Bernie Etzinger was the Chief Communications and Outreach Officer at the Ottawa Hospital. // Host bio: Colin Robertson is a former diplomat and Senior Advisor to the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. // Reading Recommendations: - "Reputational Security" by Nicholas J. Cull - "Margaret Atwood Inc.: A Force Multiplier in Canadian Literary Diplomacy and Cultural Statecraft" by Evan Potter - "Zbig" by Edward Luce - "Held" by Anne Michaels "Cultural Diplomacy at the Front Stage of Canada's Foreign Policy" by the Senate of Canada // Music Credit: Drew Phillips | Producer: Jordyn Carroll // Recording Date: October 15, 2025 Release date: October 20, 2025
On this episode of #TheGlobalExchange, Colin Robertson sits down with Lauren Dobson-Hughes, Rosemary McCarney and Nicolas Moyer to discuss foreign aid and development assistance. // Participants' bios -Lauren Dobson-Hughes is Principal at LDH Consulting. - Rosemary McCarney is the Chair of the Board of the International Institute for Sustainable Development. - Nicolas Moyer is the CEO of CUSO International // Host bio: Colin Robertson is a former diplomat and Senior Advisor to the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. // Reading Recommendations: - "Chrétien and the World: Canadian Foreign Policy from 1993 to 2003" by Jack Cunningham and John Meehan // Music Credit: Drew Phillips | Producer: Jordyn Carroll // Recording Date: September 29, 2025 Release date: October 14, 2025
On this episode of #TheGlobalExchange, we make available the webinar CGAI held last week, Trump, Trade and Foreign Affairs. Featuring keynote speaker Bruce Stokes, and panelists Martha Hall Findlay, Louise Blais and Perrin Beatty PC OC, we discuss the ever-evolving relationship between the United States, Canada and the world. For Bruce's keynote, please see PowerPoint slides on our website! // Participants' bios - Bruce Stokes is Visiting Senior Fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the United States - Martha Hall Findlay is the Director of the School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary - Perrin Beatty PC OC is the former President & CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce - Louise Blais is former Ambassador to the United Nations and Consul to Atlanta // Host bio: Colin Robertson is a former diplomat and Senior Advisor to the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. // Reading Recommendations: - "The West Wing" TV Series - "Abundance" by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson - "The Fur Trade in Canada" by Harold Innis - "Charter and Supplemental Charter of The Hudson's Bay Company" by Hudson's Bay Company // Music Credit: Drew Phillips | Producer: Jordyn Carroll // Recording Date: October 01, 2025 Release date: October 06, 2025
On this episode of #TheGlobalExchange, Colin Robertson sits down with Charles Parton on Chinese leadership, threat assessments and the relationships China has with North America. // Participants' bios Charles Parton is James Cook Associate Fellow in Indo-Pacific Geopolitics at the Council on Geostrategy and a senior associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI). // Host bio: Colin Robertson is a former diplomat and Senior Advisor to the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. // Reading Recommendations: - "The China Business Conundrum: Ensure That "Win-Win" Doesn't Mean Western Companies Lose Twice" by Ken Wilcox // Music Credit: Drew Phillips | Producer: Jordyn Carroll // Recording Date: September 24, 2025 Release date: September 29, 2025
The U.S. Ambassador to Canada was in Banff yesterday for what turned out to be a tense conversation with former Canadian diplomat Colin Robertson. The ambassador, a seasoned American politician, and Robertson, no stranger to Canada-U.S. relations, went at it over some of the things that have been said between the two countries this year. Chantal Hebert and Bruce Anderson have lots to say about it all, too. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Prime Minister Mark Carney joined several key allies this week at the United Nations General Assembly in adding their names to the list of countries recognizing Palestinian statehood. The move is an attempt to increase pressure toward a two state solution amid the war between Israel and Hamas.Will recognition help lead to a two state solution, will it embolden Hamas, and can Canada do more to hasten a ceasefire? Host Cormac Mac Sweeney speaks with Colin Robertson, a former Canadian diplomat who served at the U.N., to get the answers. 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 episode of #TheGlobalExchange, Colin Robertson sits down with Carlo Dade and Graeme Clark to discuss the status of the Canada-Mexico trade relationship, following Prime Minister Carney's trip to Mexico. // Participants' bios - Carlo Dade is the Director of International Policy at the University of Calgary's School of Public Policy. - Graeme Clark is the former Canadian Ambassador to Mexico, as well as Peru and Bolivia. // Host bio: Colin Robertson is a former diplomat and Senior Advisor to the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. // Reading Recommendations: - "The Prince: The Rise and Fall of Justin Trudeau" by Stephen Maher - "Abundance" by Ezra Klein // Music Credit: Drew Phillips | Producer: Jordyn Carroll // Recording Date: September 22, 2025 Release date: September 22, 2025
On this episode of #TheGlobalExchange, Colin Robertson sits down with Richard Javad Heydarian to discuss the Philippines and it's increasingly tense maritime neighbourhood. // Participants' bios Richard Javad Heydarian is an Indo-Pacific scholar at the Asia-Pacific Foundation. // Host bio: Colin Robertson is a former diplomat and Senior Advisor to the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. // Reading Recommendations: - "The Wretched Of The Earth" by Frantz Fanon // Music Credit: Drew Phillips | Producer: Jordyn Carroll // Recording Date: September 12, 2025 Release date: September 15, 2025
On this episode of #TheGlobalExchange, Colin Robertson sits down with Philip Coggan to discuss his new book, "The Economic Consequences of Mr. Trump: What the Trade War Means for the World". // Participants' bios Philip Coggan is an economist and columnist for The Financial Times. // Host bio: Colin Robertson is a former diplomat and Senior Advisor to the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. // Reading Recommendations: - "The Economic Consequences of Mr. Trump: What the Trade War Means for the World" by Philip Coggan - "Donald Trump, World-Order Wrecking Ball: ‘The Economic Consequences of Mr. Trump'" by Colin Robertson - "Abundance" by Ezra Klein // Music Credit: Drew Phillips | Producer: Jordyn Carroll // Recording Date: September 03, 2025 Release date: September 08, 2025
Guest host Megan Williams speaks with senior economics lecturer Moshe Lander and Canadian Global Affairs Institute vice president Colin Robertson about Canada's options without a Trump trade deal in place, we reflect on the legacy of the atomic bombings of Japan with survivor and nuclear disarmament advocate Setsuko Thurlow, historian Garrett Graff and national security analyst Joe Cirincione, Canada's former ambassador to Israel Jon Allen and former adviser to the Palestine Liberation Organization Diana Buttu discuss Canada's plan to recognize Palestinian statehood, and automotive journalist Mark Richardson uncovers the stories that paved the Trans-Canada Highway.Discover more at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday
A.M. Edition for May 27. President Trump gives the European Union a reprieve on his threat to impose 50% tariffs on June 1 if a trade deal isn't reached. The WSJ's Kim Mackrael in Brussels talks us through the negotiations. Plus, Trump weighs sanctions against Russia as Moscow pummels Ukraine with drones and missiles. And Canada's new leader Mark Carney takes up the task of fixing the country's relationship with Trump. Former Canadian diplomat Colin Robertson previews King Charles's historic speech at the opening of parliament. Azhar Sukri hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Prime Minister Mark Carney has made his first trip to the White House to meet President Donald Trump, with Trump heaping praise on Carney. But the meeting wasn't all sunshine, as the two leaders clashed over trade positions and Trump's ongoing musings of making Canada the 51st state. Host Cormac Mac Sweeney breaks down the first face-to-face in the oval office with Colin Robertson, a former Canadian diplomat who also helped negotiate the first two trade deals between Canada and the U.S. They also discuss where negotiations may go from here, and the hard work that has to be done here at home to buffer our economy from further shocks.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
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