Best Dave Amp Ally Podcasts (2024)

1
PM Trudeau's NATO commitment is meaningless. It's just another announcement. 19:32

2d ago19:32

19:32

This week on Now and Next: The NATO Summit has wrapped up in Washington D.C. and Canada’s defence spending was a more than touchy subject. House Majority Leader Mike Johnson called Canada's lack of commitment "shameful". The minimum contribution for NATO members is 2% of GDP. Canada spends less than 1.4%. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canadian…

1
Going down with the political ship! Biden and Trudeau are headed for the iceberg. 57:08

9d ago57:08

57:08

This week on Now and Next: Lindsay Broadhead, Brad Ross, Anne Marie Aikins and Bob Reid join the roundtable. Calls for US President Joe Biden haven't slowed down. In fact, they're heating up a week after his disastrous debate performance. Justin Trudeau says he's "listening" to Canadians after his party's devastating defeat in the Toronto-St. Paul'…

1
It's too late for "the walk in the snow". Liberals are wandering in the wilderness with or without Trudeau. 31:08

16d ago31:08

31:08

This week on Now and Next: David Coletto, CEO and Founder of Abacus Data, joins the podcast to analyze the results from the By-election in the federal riding of St. Paul's. He says there's no way to consider this outcome as anything other than a crushing, if not shocking result from the Trudeau government. The Conservatives won the mid-town Toronto…

1
Calgary's water crisis is a #PoliticalFail. Toronto wilfully ignores history. And the federal capital gains tax prevents unwanted pregnancy. 53:43

23d ago53:43

53:43

This week on Now and Next - Story Studio Network's flagship podcast Our comms crew assembles! Lindsay Broadhead, Brad Ross, Anne Marie Aikins and Bob Reid join Dave Trafford at the Now and Next table to go hard and deep on stories that need more than just headlines. Calgary's water main break was predictable and preventable. But city council's wilf…

1
Russian cruise missiles are within range of Toronto as US allies ponder preparations for the possibility of a second Trump presidency 44:38

30d ago44:38

44:38

This week on Now and Next: The Russian Navy is parked mere miles off the coast of Florida. A frigate, a nuclear-powered submarine, an oil tanker and a rescue tug arrived in Havana harbour on June 12. RCAF veteran, retired Major General Scott Clancy - Leader, Author, Speaker, Mentor, Coach has a unique perspective on this. He served as Director of O…

1
Toronto couldn't afford a TTC Strike. Can the city afford a settlement? 48:51

1M ago48:51

48:51

This week on Now and Next: Our Comms Crew is assembled. Brad Ross spent a good portion of his comms career working for the TTC. Anne Marie Aikins has just recently retired from the provincial transit overlord - Metrolinx. And Lindsay Broadhead is the former Comms Chief at the City of Toronto. They all agree, a TTC strike would be sheer chaos for co…

1
Super Heroes make all of us stronger. We hear Quisha Wint's experience as a live organ donor. 37:58

1M ago37:58

37:58

This week on Now and Next: We explore Music, Recovery, and Community with musician, singer, songwriter Quisha Wint. Quisha is "one of Toronto’s sought-after session vocalists, currently living in the GTA, Quisha is a rising star in the tight-knit music industry thanks to her bright personality and strong emotive vocal abilities." But she's also a l…

1
Are we commoditizing cancer as a form of entertainment? 41:03

2M ago41:03

41:03

This week on Now and Next: Our veteran comms crew is back at the table! Lindsay Broadhead, Bob Reid, Anne Marie Aikins and Brad Ross join SSN Chief Executive Producer Dave Trafford. The series finale of The Good Doctor sparked a spirited conversation about the commoditization of cancer by big network, prime time television dramas. We've culturally …

1
We need to teach our kids the value of failure 47:37

2M ago47:37

47:37

This week on Now and Next: Rocco Rossi is the inaugural President and CEO of Shift 25 - a new movement "cultivate a BOLD and thriving Canada - teaching our kids "every failure is just feedback on the way to success." And Keith Currie, President of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture joins us to talk about the challenge of balancig the need for f…

1
Is the Toronto Police Service facing an integrity crisis? 41:37

2M ago41:37

41:37

This week on NOW and NEXT: We're excited to introduce an All-Star Roundtable including Lindsay Broadhead, Brad Ross, Anne Marie Aikins, and Bob Reid. They're all veteran Comms pros and they bring their considerable collective experience in war rooms, boardrooms, behind private and public sector podiums. In our inaugural sitdown: The Toronto Police …

1
The time has come to talk seriously about a Basic Guaranteed Income 32:37

2M ago32:37

32:37

This week on NOW and NEXT: We're joined by Sheila Regehr, Chair of Basic Income Network Canada and Jessie Golem, who is part of a class action lawsuit seeking $200 million in damages from the Ontario government. The lawsuit claims the government breached terms and conditions of a contract it entered with 4,000 low income Ontarians who qualified for…

1
What are we looking for in a Prime Minister? 39:05

3M ago39:05

39:05

This week on Now and Next: Abacus Data CEO David Coletto joins us to talk about his latest research. He wanted to know what Canadians are looking for in a prime minister. David says, "In our survey, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reigns as the premier party host, which might not come as a surprise given his charismatic and sociable public persona. H…

1
Has the Trudeau government weaponized poverty? 57:28

3M ago57:28

57:28

This week on NOW and NEXT: We go deep on two line items in the the federal budget. Legislated poverty is now a nationally funded program. The 2024 Trudeau budget threw pocket change at the Canada Disability Benefit and, in so doing, managed to add to the $80 billion annual cost of poverty in this country. The government's refusal to fully fund the …

1
The paper bag discussion at the LCBO misses the point - ENTIRELY! 43:21

3M ago43:21

43:21

This week on Now and Next: The Ford government in Ontario is patting itself on the back for forcing the Liquor Control Board of Ontario to reversing a ban on paper bags. The LCBO made the move in August 2023, claiming it was an environmental initiative aimed at saving our forests. Premier Ford says it's a matter of affordability for Ontarians. But …

1
Will the US be a more dangerous place if Donald Trump wins or if he loses in November? 37:45

3M ago37:45

37:45

We are seven months from election day in the United States and its outcome could prove to be the most significant since Abraham Lincoln was elected with less than 40% of the popular vote in 1860. Lincoln’s election is cited as the primary cause that triggered the US Civil War. With that in mind we ask the question: Will the United States be a safer…

1
Remembering the Honourable Roy McMurtry 37:42

4M ago37:42

37:42

In this episode of NOW and NEXT: A funeral was held this week for Roy McMurtry, the former Chief Justice of Ontario and Ontario's Attorney General in Bill Davis' government at Queen's Park. McMurtry at the age of 91 on March 18, 2024. I had the chance to interview the Chief Justice when he retired from the bench in 2007. We replay that sit down for…

1
Can we achieve Truth and Reconciliation in the Mining Industry? 53:31

4M ago53:31

53:31

This week on NOW and NEXT: We explore truth and reconciliation in the mining industry. It's a critical issue, especially when you consider how much mining in Canada is done on the traditional lands and territories of First Nations right across the country. Brandon Ringham, from Creative Fire, sat down with us at the PDAC confernece in Toronto. We'r…

1
Did Ottawa get it right with the Online Harm bill? 43:39

4M ago43:39

43:39

Today on NOW and NEXT: It's been a LONG TIME coming but the feds have finally tabled their legislation aimed at curbing online harm. That includes new measures to deal with hate speech and puts a major onus on the big tech companies to take responsibility for content posted on their platforms. Owen Charters is the President and CEO at BGC Canada. H…

1
If we need an EXTRA day every four years, could we add it to the summer months? 1:01:13

5M ago1:01:13

1:01:13

This week on NOW and NEXT We talk to Neil Hetherington, CEO at Daily Bread Food Bank in Toronto. Those of you who follow us here at Story Studio Network will know we've been working closely with Neil and his team producing The 2030 Project podcast series. The latest instalment was a limited series focussed on the Canada Disability Benefit. The long…

1
We're BACK! "Back on Track" is the theme of the week and did you know human trafficking is happening in plain view and close to home? 42:35

5M ago42:35

42:35

Welcome to NOW and NEXT - the flagship podcast at Story Studio Network.. It’s our weekly offering - the newest episodes will drop Thursdays! Stories, issues, problems and solutions that just don’t make the cut in the assignment meetings… But they’re stories, issues, problems and solutions that affect you, your family, your home, your job and your c…

1
What GOOD thing happened to you this week? We want to know! And we're making progress in reducing child poverty 26:47

7M ago26:47

26:47

Today on NOW and NEXT: We want to know what good thing happened to you this week? You can let us know via email (hello@storystudionetwork.com), on socials @davetrafford or, better yet, leave us a recorded message. You can leave us a RECORDED or TEXT message about anything you hear on the show. It's EASY. Click RECORD YOUR MESSAGE. Hit the RECORD bu…

1
A new UNICEF report says Canada is making progress when it comes to reducing child poverty 38:36

7M ago38:36

38:36

Today on NOW and NEXT: A new UNICEF report that ranks the UK as having the highest rate of child poverty among developed countries. Canada has made progress in reducing child poverty, but UNICEF Canada notes one in five children Canadian kids are living in poverty. The Canada Child Benefit is recognized as a successful program in reducing poverty, …

1
Can we transition from a fossil fuel based economy and avoid a climate catastrophe? 39:35

7M ago39:35

39:35

Today on NOW and NEXT: The Global Tipping Points Report was released today at COP28. It suggests the planet we call home is on the verge of five catastrophic climate tipping points. Professor Tim Lenton, from the University of Exeter's Global Systems Instiute, led the research team. Lenton says these tipping points "can trigger devastating domino e…

1
An inspiring story in this Season of Giving. How a Toronto mom got her family out of a gangs and guns neighbourhood. 35:28

7M ago35:28

35:28

Today on NOW and NEXT: We introduce you to a Toronto mom who had to teach her kids how to react to daylight shootings. Karen and her kids were living in Toronto Community Housing when she turned to Habitat for Humanity to get her family into a safe and stable community. We'll also meet Habitat volunteer and supporter Scott McGillivray. The HGTV per…

1
Does the Federal Fall Economic Statement do enough to address the housing crisis? 29:55

8M ago29:55

29:55

Today on NOW and NEXT: The Federal Fall Economic Statement was a collection of broad stroke promises including a commitment to invest billions into housing. It comes in the form of loans to support the construction of rental housing and support for non-profit, co-op, and public housing builds. Is it enough? REMINDER: You can now leave us a RECORDED…

1
The OpenAI drama is more than just fodder for a Netflix series 27:41

8M ago27:41

27:41

Today on NOW and NEXT: Ritesh Kotak, tech and cyber strategist joins the show to talk about the head spinning palace intrigue at OpenAI. In less than a week, Sam Altman went from being CEO, to out of work, to hired by Microsoft, to being re-hired by OpenAI and a whole new board being appointed to lead the company! REMINDER: You can now leave us a R…

1
Tribal politics has made liberalism meaningless 41:52

8M ago41:52

41:52

NEW: You can now leave us a RECORDED or TEXT message about anything you hear on the show. It's EASY. Click RECORD YOUR MESSAGE. Hit the RECORD button. Enter your name and email address so we can respond to your comment! Today on NOW and NEXT: We're joined by Ujwal Arkalgud, a cultural anthropologist and EVP at Lux Research. He's also the host and p…

1
The best Xi and Biden can do is agree to crack down on fentanyl? 28:49

8M ago28:49

28:49

NEW: You can now leave us a RECORDED or TEXT message about anything you hear on the show. It's EASY. Click here. Hit the RECORD button. Leave your message. Enter your name and email address so we can respond to your comment! Today on NOW and NEXT: David Schultz, professor of political science and US constitutional law at Hamiline University, is bac…

1
The Trudeau government's international student policy is creating more poverty in Canada 29:29

8M ago29:29

29:29

Today on NOW and NEXT: Daily Bread Food Bank CEO Neil Hetherington joins the show to talk about the latest "Who's Hungry Report". Spoiler Alert: The news is grim. 1 in 10 Torontonians rely on a food bank and the numbers are only to get worse until and unless three levels of government take real action to eliminate poverty. Neil tells says, "I was p…

1
It's a NOW and NEXT Roundtable with Barb DiGiulio and Bob Reid 34:01

8M ago34:01

34:01

Today on NOW and NEXT: It's a robust and wide-ranging Roundtable discussion with vetern broadcasters Barb DiGiulio and Bob Reid. Are we getting to complacent about the COVID boosters? Bad Boy's bankruptcy leaves customers holding bag. What does it say about the sports networks that they continue to be obsessed the Hallmark romcom that is the Taylor…

1
[SPECIAL] The Sky's No Limit - Women in Aviation 25:44

8M ago25:44

25:44

Join us for Part 3 of our Special Series this week - Pathway to the Stars. Over the course of November 7th-November 10th, 2022, we are exploring four stories of Canadian aviation innovation and history in partnership with the Royal Canadian Air Force Foundation. Today, we turn our storytelling lens on Women in Aviation. Brianna Ricketts holds Canad…

1
[SPECIAL] The Amelia Earhart Toronto connection 21:03

8M ago21:03

21:03

Join us for Part 2 in our Special Series this week - Pathway to the Stars. In this limited series, we explore some of the stories that are uniquely rooted in the history of the Royal Canadian Air Force and Canadian aviation. Welcome to Pathway to the Stars in partnership with the RCAF Foundation. Amelia Earhart is one of the best known women in avi…

1
[SPECIAL] Who was William Barker? Canada's most decorated serviceman 30:04

8M ago30:04

30:04

As we approach Remembrance Day, November 11th, here in Canada, we are called upon to acknowledge and honour the years of service our veterans have afforded this country and the sacrifices they made, often with their lives, to fulfill their mission of securing our borders and safety around the world. But it’s also an opportunity to celebrate the ric…

1
The Beatles "Final" song is "meh" with a bullet 35:05

9M ago35:05

35:05

Today on NOW and NEXT: Sure glad we didn't name this show NOW and THEN because the Beatle's "final" song,(released today) would have been bad for our brand! In this episode we bounce from the latest production from the "Get Back" sessions with the Beatles to the "Walk Back" sessions that are the tune of the day in Canadian politics. We're joined by…

1
What did we learn from 2023 wildfire season in Canada? 33:00

9M ago33:00

33:00

Today on NOW and NEXT: Canada has just experienced one of the most intense forest and wild fire seasons on record. By some counts, wildfires were the number one source of carbon emissions in Canada. Today, we feature - The Force of Fire - an episode from our Story Studio Network podcast, Canadian Forestry Can Save the World, originally published Ja…

1
100 stories celebrating 100 years of the Royal Canadian Air Force. 20:39

9M ago20:39

20:39

Today on NOW and NEXT: We're joined by the RCAF Foundation's founding CEO Jeremy Diamond. This week, the foundation launched its new coffee table book called Pathway to the Stars. It includes 100 stories about Canadian aviation and the RCAF to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force.…

1
"Don't call me a quitter!" Behind the scenes at Story Studio Network 26:57

9M ago26:57

26:57

Today on NOW and NEXT: We introduce you to our newest Story Studio Network production - The Fourth Draft, hosted by our CEO Erin Trafford. If Canadian media has a transparency problem, then this episode of The Fourth Draft is an attempt at solving it. Listen in to our first EAVESDROP episode, where you get to be a fly on the wall at one of our team…

1
Does antiquated computer coding put our financial institutions at risk? 38:16

9M ago38:16

38:16

Today on NOW and NEXT: October if Cyber Security Month, so we're taking the opportunity to feature a recent episode of 1 Click 2 Cyber Chaos. Host Kym Geddes asks whether we should be concerned to know the global financial sector is run on a legacy language that fewer and fewer coders can understand or write. What would happen if there were no code…

1
Can the Canada Disability Benefit really lift people out of poverty? 33:13

9M ago33:13

33:13

Today on NOW and NEXT: It's FEED DROP WEEK and today we feature a new limited series from The 2030 Project. After three years of consultations, legislative crafting, committee reviews, and political pushing and pulling in the House of Commons and in the Senate in Ottawa, the Canada Disability Benefit Act finally received royal assent on June 21st, …

1
Former Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne admits her government didn't do enough to support Ontarians living with disabilities 29:54

9M ago29:54

29:54

Today on NOW and NEXT: Former Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne is our guest and WE DON'T talk about the Greenbelt. But we do get her insights into how the premier stick handles scandals, and the fallout in the caucus. Wynne also talks about the need for all governments to pursue a workable national guaranteed income program. The former premier offere…

1
Podcasters are the MOST TRUSTED media personalities! And how can a natural disaster pose a cyber threat? 29:57

9M ago29:57

29:57

Today on NOW and NEXT: New research, admittedly paid for by a podcast company, finds podcasters and YouTubers are trusted most by audiences in the US. Check it out here. And we meet cyber security and IT specialist MarHubbard who will tell you catastrophic weather events pose a majoyr cyber security risk for you and your business.…

1
Reverend Michael Coren draws on his experience and offers insights into the Hamas terror attacks in Israel 34:37

9M ago34:37

34:37

Today on NOW and NEXT: Reverend Michael Coren joins the show to offer his analysis on the plight of the Palestinians in Gaza, the political pressures on the Israeli government and the unmitigated evil behind the Hamas terror attacks. Michael draws on his experience as a journalist and author who has covered and written extensively about the history…

1
How does the Ford government "Get 'er done" under the cloud of an RCMP investigation into the Greenbelt? 29:44

9M ago29:44

29:44

Today on NOW and NEXT: Laura Babcock, President of POWERGROUP Communications joins us to offer analysis on the latest developments in the Greenbelt scandal at Queen's Park. The RCMP has officially launched a criminal investigation into what the Auditor General called a "corrupt" process that led to the province's decision to remove protected lands …

1
How does the world respond to the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel? 34:43

9M ago34:43

34:43

Today on NOW and NEXT: We're joined by Phil Gurski, President and CEO Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting. He brings his 30-plus years of strategic analysis and international intelligence gathering to our discussion of the Hamas terror attacks on Israel and the likely quagmire of war that is escalating in the region. How much of the initial Hamas a…

1
Celebrating Caron Shepley. 33:17

10M ago33:17

33:17

Today on NOW and NEXT: I was deeply saddened this week to hear about the death of Caron Shepley. Caron was life partner and business partner to Barrie Shepley. Caron had been living with cancer for the past five years or so and, on this past Sunday, it got the best of her. Caron, Barrie and partner Sheldon Persad founded Personal Best in 1991 and t…

1
Excited to introduce the newest Trafford and introduce a new show from Story Studio Network 38:23

10M ago38:23

38:23

Today on NOW and NEXT: It's been a busy couple of days as we welcomed the newest member of the Trafford clan to the world. Elliot David Trafford joined humanity Monday evening and was the centre of all of our attention Tuesday, (so, I'm late posting this episode!) Our first visit was wonderful and fun to see Elliot meet his big brother James. Also …

1
A NOW and NEXT BONUS: On the Ledge - you Ontario politics podcast is BACK! 39:36

10M ago39:36

39:36

Today on NOW and NEXT: On The Ledge, you Ontario politics podcast is here for your listening enjoyment! Today, There's the Greenbelt. Then there's the Greenbelt. And, oh ya, the Greenbelt. Ford Nation might have wished it was a mere typo, but no! It seems the premier's team has messsaging issues and massaging issues - all laid bare this week as the…

1
The Greenbelt Dumpster Fire is fully involved! And meet Team Echo in North Bay! 30:36

10M ago30:36

30:36

Today on NOW and NEXT: Premier Doug Ford sort of resembles the Pig Pen character in the Peanuts cartoon. No matter how hard he tries to shake it, he's got this cloud hanging around him. In the premier's case, it's the political smog being spewed out by the Greenbelt scandal. That's not going away anytime soon. Word at Queen's Park is Ford's more th…

1
The Anthony Rota story makes international news but there's next to no local media coverage in his hometown. 48:18

10M ago48:18

48:18

Today on NOW and NEXT: Anthony Rota represents the community of North Bay in the House of Commons. He's been forced to resign as Speaker of the House because he not only invited, he honoured a Second World War Ukrainian veteran who served in a Nazi SS Division. But he story barely gets any local coverage. Why? Because there's barely any local media…

1
We're Back! What did I miss? Abacus Data CEO David Coletto has his finger on the political pulse in Canada 34:27

10M ago34:27

34:27

Today on NOW and NEXT: We're back in the saddle after some time off to celebrate my wife's retirement! We managed to extend our summer with some great weather, great food and great friends in Europe - all the while the Greenbelt lit a poltical fire around the Ford government, the federal Liberals appear to be in free fall in the polls, and our Hous…

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