Best Meredith Martin Podcasts (2024)

1
Why Single Stairways are Heaven for Homebuilding - Interview with Conrad Speckert 25:56

1d ago25:56

25:56

If you get deep enough into the conversation about the housing crisis, you're inevitably going to hear the words "single egress". A lot of people, especially in Canada, think that the country is too strict with its stairwell rules, which require multiple exits for almost every multi-storey apartment building. Conrad Speckert, intern architect at LG…

1
Encore: Jennifer Nettles Loves a Farmer 34:20

2d ago34:20

34:20

Jennifer Nettles was born and raised in rural South Georgia, where she got very involved in 4-H as a kid, a relationship that’s still a big part of her life. She went on to an extraordinary music career, winning a long list of Grammys, CMA Awards, and ACM Awards with Sugarland in the mid 2000s. By 2015, she’d started to work more in film and televi…

1
Should Politicians Encourage a Return to the Office? 17:09

8d ago17:09

17:09

In this discussion, Smart Prosperity Institute economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern discuss return-to-office plans and the role of politicians in helping local business districts survive. It explores the controversy surrounding the mayor of Toronto's push to get workers back to the office and the potential negative impacts on workers, t…

1
Tyler Florence Is Heating Up the Grill 40:28

9d ago40:28

40:28

Tyler Florence is a Southern chef and Food Network star who, after 16 previous cookbooks, is finally releasing one that focuses on his passion for grilling. Tyler has been working in restaurants since he was a teenager in Greenville, South Carolina. Since then he’s lived and worked in Charleston, New York City and, for more than a decade now, Calif…

1
Should Landlords Get Tax Breaks to Sell to their Tenants? 13:05

14d ago13:05

13:05

In this discussion, Smart Prosperity Institute economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern discuss the idea of a tax break for landlords in the UK who sell their homes to their tenants. They explore the potential impact of this policy and whether it could be applicable in Canada. They also discuss the broader housing crisis and the importance …

1
How Elevator Rules Cost Us Homes 26:54

15d ago26:54

26:54

In this discussion, Mike and Cara talk to Stephen Smith, executive director of the non-profit Center for Building in North America about how elevators and building codes have contributed to the housing crisis. Stephen describes how elevators in North America are much more expensive than in Europe due to size requirements, technical codes and standa…

1
The Indigo Girls Are Full of Gratitude 43:46

16d ago43:46

43:46

Since 1985, Emily Sailers and Amy Ray have been known as the Indigo Girls, and they’ve never once stopped making music or sharing their message of acceptance. The two met when they were kids in Decatur, Georgia,, and once they started playing together in high school, it didn’t take long for their unique sound to find an audience—first regionally, t…

1
Marlene Craig – LA Home Stager 27:01

22d ago27:01

27:01

Marlene Craig is Principal and Owner of The Arc Staging, a West Coast and East Coast staging company. With over 18 years experience in the furniture, design, and staging industry, the partners at Arc Staging create custom designed spaces for every client. Hear how important art is to a staged home, the most important and overlooked rooms in a home …

1
Are Landlords Greedier Than They Used to Be? 17:58

24d ago17:58

17:58

Here at the Missing Middle, we get a lot of great listener questions. In this episode, we answer one about whether landlords' expectations play a role in unaffordable rental prices. The conversation discusses the challenges faced by millennials and younger generations in Canada when it comes to homeownership and starting a family. It explores the i…

1
Kimberly Schlapman Loves a Whiskey Song 41:19

23d ago41:19

41:19

Kimberly Schlapman, a founding member of the band Little Big Town, has been a musician almost all her life. As a little girl she played piano alongside her mother at a Baptist church near where she grew up in Cornelia, Georgia, and even then people knew her voice was something special. Years later, on a choir camp bus when she was at Samford Univer…

1
Could Trudeau Crash the Housing Market? 20:18

1M ago20:18

20:18

Recently, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau commented that home prices couldn't drop because so many people rely on their home's value for their retirement. But could a prime minister stop a housing crash if he wanted to? In this discussion, Mike and Cara discuss the idea of how much control the federal government has over home prices. They examine the…

1
Brian Baumgartner Is Probably Smoking Something 41:21

1M ago41:21

41:21

Brian Baumgartner may be best known to many people, across at least a couple of generations, as Kevin from The Office, but there’s much more to the actor than his famous onscreen persona. Born and raised in Atlanta, Brian has a deep love for the South, a wicked sense of humor, an obsession with sports, and a successful podcast called Off the Beat. …

1
Does Owning a House Secure Your Retirement? 23:29

1M ago23:29

23:29

In this conversation Smart Prosperity Institute economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern talk to certified financial planner and founder of the New School of Finance Shannon Lee Simmons, about saving for retirement. Canada’s National Institute for Aging recently did a survey of 6,000 older Canadians to find out how they feel about the prosp…

1
Darius Rucker’s Wild Ride 24:59

1M ago24:59

24:59

Darius Rucker gained fame in 1994 when David Letterman heard his band, Hootie and the Blowfish, on a local radio station and insisted they play The Late Show later that week. The band’s debut album, cracked rear view, went on to sell over 20 million units worldwide and made them a household name. Despite all that success, Darius was always drawn to…

1
Could More Supply Crash the Housing Market? 17:35

2M ago17:35

17:35

In this discussion, Smart Prosperity Institute economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern read a viewer email from Atanas Georgiev of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, who is wondering about potential negative side effects of a deflationary housing market if there is a drastic increase in housing supply. They explore the definition of affordabili…

1
Pat Martin Is Fired Up About Barbecue 34:17

1M ago34:17

34:17

Pat Martin probably knows as much about whole hog barbecue as anyone in the world. Best known for his eponymous restaurant chain, Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint, he’s also the host of a new TV show on the Outdoor Channel called “Life of Fire,” cooking with barbecue legends and hearing their stories. Pat wasn’t always headed for a culinary career - at one…

1
If Condo Sales are Down, Why Aren’t Prices? 19:55

2M ago19:55

19:55

Housing starts in Canada are falling, particularly in Ontario, and the situation is even worse than predicted. The non-condo ownership market has seen a massive decline over the last 20 years, with high land prices and development charges making it unaffordable for buyers. Yet prices aren’t coming down. Mike Moffatt and Cara Stern discuss this chal…

1
The Rise of Scotty McCreery 29:32

2M ago29:32

29:32

Scotty McCreery burst onto the country music scene when he became the youngest male singer to ever win American Idol back in 2011, when he was just 17 years old. He grew up in Garner, North Carolina, just outside of Raleigh, where he developed his talent by singing and playing music at the local Baptist Church. Scotty talks with Sid about his new a…

1
Mark Hanauer – Fearless Portrait and Landscape Photographer 25:23

2M ago25:23

25:23

Mark Hanauer is a portrait and landscape photographer who moves seamlessly between multiple genres. He enjoys capturing the mystery, comedy, and beauty of the world around him through his camera. Hear how to love the process, find the beauty around you, and embrace surprises. Check out Mark’s photos at ArtDimensionsOnline.com…

1
Is Raising the Capital Gains Tax a Good Idea? 34:55

2M ago34:55

34:55

In this discussion, Smart Prosperity Institute economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern are joined by tax lawyer Bhuvana Rai with Mors Tribute and estate lawyer Birute Luksenaite with Portfolio Estate Law. They talk about the increase to the capital gains tax introduced by the government in the federal budget on April 16, 2024. They explain…

1
Craig Melvin Is a Proud Dad 33:32

2M ago33:32

33:32

TODAY Show co-host Craig Melvin has put a lot of thought into what it takes to be both a father and a son. His 2021 memoir, Pops: Learning to Be a Son and a Father, dealt with his experiences living with a dad who was an alcoholic and a gambling addict—and writing the book ultimately helped him salvage the relationship. At times emotional, Melvin a…

1
Could a Renter's Bill of Rights Actually Help? 12:48

2M ago12:48

12:48

The federal government of Canada is exploring ways to help renters, such as through the introduction of a Renter’s Bill of Rights. This conversation examines the government’s promises, and covers what impact they might have on renters and rental prices. It explores how price transparency affects the rental market and whether the government is doing…

1
Encore: Lauren Daigle’s Cajun Soul 41:24

2M ago41:24

41:24

Sid Evans, Editor-in-Chief of Southern Living Magazine, chats with Lauren Daigle, a musician who began her career as a Christian artist, but who’s more recently become a crossover sensation. Lauren Daigle grew up in Lafayette, Louisiana, where she enjoyed fishing with her dad, dancing to Cajun music with her grandparents, and rooting for LSU with h…

1
How Automatic Tax Filing Could Make Your Life Easier 16:21

2M ago16:21

16:21

In this discussion, Mike and Cara are joined by the executive director of Canadians for Tax Fairness Katrina Miller to discuss the benefits of automatic tax filing and how it can save people money. The conversation explores the concept of automatic tax filing, the groups that would benefit from it, the current status of its implementation in Canada…

1
The Castellows’ Family Traditions 27:40

2M ago27:40

27:40

The Castellows are three sisters—Eleanor, Lily, and Powell Balkcom—who started sharing their music on Instagram just a couple of years ago, and now they seem to be everywhere. Their newfound success has led them to a fast-moving career in Nashville and to the recent release of a new EP called A Little Goes a Long Way. With beautiful harmonies and l…

1
Grading the Federal Budget: Housing Policy and Capital Gains Tax 16:29

3M ago16:29

16:29

In this discussion, Smart Prosperity Institute economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern discuss the federal budget and its impact on housing. They cover new initiatives, such as opening up federal land for development and the deductibility of interest for tax reasons. They also discuss the government's commitment to building 2 million homes…

1
Alex Beheshti: What Happened to Ontario's Housing Ambition? 27:50

3M ago27:50

27:50

Guest: Alex Beheshti, Senior Consultant with Altus Group Economic Consulting specializing in urban planning policy analysis, municipal fee reviews, and fiscal impacts of development. In this conversation, Cara, Mike, and Alex discuss the latest housing bill from the Ontario PC government. They grade the bill and discuss its impact on housing supply…

1
Tyler Hubbard Is Trying to Be Strong 32:23

3M ago32:23

32:23

Tyler Hubbard was born and raised in Monroe, Georgia, where he grew up working in the garden with his family, competing in motocross races, and playing music at his church. He met his bandmate, Brian Kelley, at Belmont University in Nashville, and by 2012 Florida Georgia Line was one of the hottest acts in country music. These days, he’s entered a …

1
Why Trudeau is Bringing Back 30-Year Mortgages 11:44

3M ago11:44

11:44

In this conversation, economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern discuss the federal government's new plan to help first-time homebuyers by extending amortization periods on new homes. The conversation explores the reasons behind this decision and the potential impact on housing starts and prices, as well as why this is similar to a policy Mi…

1
Brady Smith – Tex-Mex Muralist, Illustrator, and Writer 27:28

3M ago27:28

27:28

Brady Smith is a painter, muralist, illustrator, writer, and actor who started out doodling and finds inspiration from his upbringing in Texas. He's published and illustrated several children's books and has had roles on Parks and Recreation and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Hear how to create something every single day, make people happy with…

1
Everyone Wants Rentals, but No One Wants Landlords 19:43

3M ago19:43

19:43

In this discussion, economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern about the great housing paradox: everyone wants landlords but no one wants landlords. Cara and Mike also discuss the different perspectives on who should own rental properties, including small-time landlords, big corporations, and government housing. The conversation also touches …

1
Emmy Russell Finds Her Voice 29:50

3M ago29:50

29:50

Emmy Russell was born in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, and grew up touring and performing with her grandmother, Loretta Lynn, as well as her mother, Patsy Lynn. She doesn’t sound much like the “Queen of Country,” but Emmy has a beautiful voice and plenty of talent as a songwriter. On an episode of American Idol earlier this spring, she wowed the judg…

1
Alex Bozikovic: Heritage Rules and the Housing Crisis 27:02

3M ago27:02

27:02

In this discussion, Mike Moffatt and Cara Stern discuss how heritage designation negatively impacts housing supply in Toronto. During this wide ranging conversation with Globe and Mail's architecture critic, Alex Bozikovic, they touch on the history of urban planning and how it intersects with heritage planning and urban design in unexpected ways. …

1
Jennifer Nettles Loves a Farmer 33:59

3M ago33:59

33:59

Jennifer Nettles was born and raised in rural South Georgia, where she got very involved in 4-H as a kid, a relationship that’s still a big part of her life. She went on to an extraordinary music career, winning a long list of Grammys, CMA Awards, and ACM Awards with Sugarland in the mid 2000s. By 2015, she’d started to work more in film and televi…

1
Ford, Fourplexes and the Free Market 13:43

3M ago13:43

13:43

In this discussion, Smart Prosperity Institute economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern discuss the recent revelation by Ontario Premier Doug Ford that he will be caving to NIMBY objections, and won’t be forcing municipalities to legalize fourplexes across the province. Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern Produced by Meredith Martin This po…

1
Marc Miller: How The Immigration Minister Plans To Cut Immigration 34:52

3M ago34:52

34:52

In this discussion, Smart Prosperity Institute economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern talk to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship of Canada, Marc Miller. Included in this wide ranging conversation is the recent announcement of new targets for temporary immigration, the need for a decrease in temporary residents, the reas…

1
Cedric Burnside Is Redefining the Blues 29:47

3M ago29:47

29:47

Cedric Burnside is the grandson of the famous bluesman R.L. Burnside, and he’s also a Grammy-winning artist who’s taking the genre into new territory. He started playing the drums when he was still in grade school, and by the age of 13 he was playing juke joints and traveling the country with his grandfather, whom he referred to as “Big Daddy.” Ced…

1
Sir Mark Elder 44:20

3M ago44:20

44:20

Tom Service talks to Sir Mark Elder about the legacy that he is leaving behind him after 24 years as Music Director at the Hallé Orchestra. He talks to Tom about Charles Hallé and his mission to set up an orchestra for all the people of Manchester, and how his ethos is still central to the orchestra today. Not only has mark Elder evolved the sound …

1
David Coletto: Why Millennials Broke Up with Trudeau 30:21

4M ago30:21

30:21

In this discussion, Smart Prosperity Institute economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern talk to Pollster David Coletto about the shifting priorities of millennials and the generational divides in financial stability and housing. He explains that younger Canadians are less likely to prioritize climate change compared to older Canadians. The …

1
Devon Allman’s Rock n Roll Story 38:01

4M ago38:01

38:01

Devon Allman grew up in Texas and Missouri, and didn’t meet his father, Gregg Allman, until he was a teenager. A simple letter brought the two of them together, and before long Devon was going on tour with the Allman Brothers Band—and getting to know his dad. In another twist of fate, he met his longtime collaborator Duane Betts, whose father, Dick…

1
Ellen Scobie – Photo-Based Artist and Sculptor 29:43

4M ago29:43

29:43

Ellen Scobie is a versatile artist who uses digital imagery and sculpture to explore the interconnectedness and interdependency of all lifeforms. She combines fragments of photographs into new compositions and also shapes clay into representations of the human body. Hear how she fell in love with these different types of art, how we can lift others…

1
How Parking Minimums Hinder Home Construction 13:48

4M ago13:48

13:48

In this discussion, Smart Prosperity Institute economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern discuss why parking minimums often require developers to allocate a fixed amount of land for parking, regardless of the actual demand for parking in a particular area. This can result in inefficient land use, with valuable urban space being underutilized…

1
Encore: Camila Alves McConaughey’s Texas Spirit 28:19

4M ago28:19

28:19

Camila Alves McConaughey may be best known for her connection to her famous husband, Matthew, but she has a career and a fan base of her own. After growing up in Brazil and then traveling the world as a model, she settled down to raise a family in Texas, a place that now feels very much like home. Not only has she co-founded the Just Keep Livin’ fo…

1
Aurora Orchestra's Winterreise, Kerry Andrew, and Women at the Piano 44:26

4M ago44:26

44:26

Tom Service talks to pianist and writer, Susan Tomes, about her new book Women and the Piano - a History in 50 Lives. Those lives include well-known names today, from Clara Schumann to Nina Simone, but also many women like Marianne Martinez who have been eclipsed from previous histories of pianists. Tom and Susan discuss how women went from being t…

1
How to Build 5.8 Million Homes by 2030 29:57

4M ago29:57

29:57

In this discussion, Smart Prosperity Institute economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern talk to Cherise Burda, Director of City Building Research and Innovation at Toronto Metropolitan University and a co-author with Mike of the Blueprint for More and Better Housing: How Federal, Provincial and Municipal Governments can Ensure We Build 5.8 …

1
How Central Banks Decide If Your Mortgage Goes Up 22:00

4M ago22:00

22:00

In this 22-minute discussion, Smart Prosperity Institute economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern talk to Scott Cameron, an economist formerly with the Parliamentary Budget Officer in Ottawa and now working in government in the Channel Islands. This conversation explores economic forecasting models and the Bank of Canada's transition to a n…

1
Charles Esten’s Long Road to Nashville 50:26

4M ago50:26

50:26

Charles Esten was born in Pennsylvania, but moved to Virginia with his mother and his sister after his parents divorced. After college, he played Buddy Holly in a long-running UK stage production before becoming a member of the casts for both the UK and US versions of Whose Line is it Anyway? Eventually, he landed a role on TV’s Nashville as troubl…

1
Joyce DiDonato, Caroline Potter on Boulez, Szymanowski's Harnasie 44:24

4M ago44:24

44:24

Presented by Tom Service. This week, Tom talks to the American mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato about her life in music, and her creative mission to challenge the status quo. From her work in refugee camps, to her long relationship with the maximum security prison SingSing in New York State, as well as in concert halls and opera stages, DiDonato confou…

1
Inflation, Interest Rates, and the Role of the Bank of Canada 18:27

4M ago18:27

18:27

In this conversation, Mike Moffatt and Cara Stern discuss inflation and the Bank of Canada's approach to managing it. They explore the factors that contribute to inflation, such as supply-side disruptions and demand-side spending. They also discuss the challenges of predicting and controlling inflation, as well as the potential impact of inflation …

1
Reece Martin: Canadians Pay Way Too Much to Build Transit 30:17

4M ago30:17

30:17

Smart Prosperity Institute economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern talk to transit expert Reece Martin about the challenges and issues surrounding transit development in Canada. He highlights the decline in the ability to deliver transit projects effectively, the high costs of building subways in Toronto and the impact of NIMBYism on trans…

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