Latest podcasts

The Paul Wells Show

Veteran journalist Paul Wells interviews the leaders and thinkers tackling the world's big problems — war and peace, democracy and dictatorship, making governments and communities work. Paul draws on decades of experience as a reporter and columnist at Macleans, the Toronto Star and elsewhere to bring you smart, intimate conversations with newsmakers and people who deserve a higher profile.

  1. Beyond the Group of Seven: How women painted a different side of Canada

    Wednesday, March 1st 2023

    Judging from the Group of Seven’s paintings, you would think post-war Canada was nothing but empty wilderness. But the women artists of the period showed a different vision of the country, filled with cities, people and industry.
     
    Sarah Milroy is the Chief Curator for the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, which houses a vast collection of the Group of Seven’s work. She talks about how they have been working to expand the idea of Canadian art, to invite in the women and the Indigenous artists who are often overlooked.
     
    This episode was recorded live at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy.
     
    Uninvited: Canadian Women Artists in the Modern Moment will open on March 3rd at the National Gallery of Canada.
     

  2. A man in transit: What moves Andy Byford?

    Wednesday, February 22nd 2023

    Andy Byford has gained a reputation as the person to call when your public transit system is in crisis. In over three decades as a public servant, he has run transit systems in Toronto, New York and London, England. He talks about what makes a good transit system, a recent wave of violent crime, and his public battle with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.

  3. Does Marc Miller, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, have the toughest job in Ottawa?

    Wednesday, February 15th 2023

    The Trudeau Government has made a lot of promises about reconciliation. As the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Affairs, Marc Miller’s job is to follow through on them.In this live conversation, Minister Miller talks frankly about his successes and failures in the role. He also talks about his own background, including his childhood friendship with Justin Trudeau, his time in the military and learning to speak Mohawk.

    This episode was recorded live at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. 

  4. Buzz Bissinger and the American saga

    Wednesday, February 8th 2023

    Friday Night Lights author Buzz Bissinger joins Paul to talk about his storied career and his new book, The Mosquito Bowl: A Game of Life and Death in World War II. He also discusses ghostwriting Caitlyn Jenner’s memoir, why he left Twitter, his time at Vanity Fair, and why he’s considering leaving the US.
     
    Thank you to Perfect Books in Ottawa for hosting this conversation. 

  5. Historian Margaret MacMillan on the shift in global power

    Wednesday, February 1st 2023

    What can history tell us about the world we live in? Paul is joined by acclaimed historian Margaret MacMillan, author of books including Paris: 1919, Nixon in China and History’s People. They discuss some of the major events shaping the world today, including the war in Ukraine, the fallout of Brexit, Xi Jinping’s regime in China, and where Canada fits in to it all.
     
    This episode was recorded live at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. 

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