This summer, the glamorization of divorce has reached its apex. There are divorce rings, divorce parties, divorce albums, and divorce memoirs — all portraying the act of walking away from a marriage as inherently empowering for women. But our guest on today’s program argues that so much of the current divorce discourse is just narcissism disguised …

It’s an election year in the United States. And so far, the media’s focus has not been on working people and what policies they want to see from their leadership. But our guest on today’s program has travelled across America interviewing working class voters — and she shares her insights on what the media is missing. Batya Ungar-Sargon is the opini…

Lean Out is back from our annual summer hiatus — and we have a special episode for you today. Many of you know that Tara wrote “The Trust Spiral,” the 2024 Massey Essay on the state of the media, a partnership between Massey College at the University of Toronto and the Literary Review of Canada. Before Lean Out went on summer break, Massey College …

Send us a Text Message. Join us as Dr. Shahana Alibhai shares her journey from physician to patient, battling postpartum OCD, anxiety, and depression, and advocating for a compassionate, empathetic approach to mental health in healthcare. Dr. Shahana Alibhai is a family physician and mental health expert, is renowned for her TEDx talk on "Emotional…

Send us a Text Message. Experience the vibrant celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day with a live recording from our Art Show Interview, where Carrielynn Victor brilliantly connects art, nature, and cultural heritage through ecosystem restoration, intergenerational connections, and storytelling. Carrielynn Victor is an artist, plant harvest…

Send us a Text Message. Can colonialism be morally justified? Nigel Biggar explores the distinctions between colonialism and colonization, motivations behind European expansion, Sir John A. Macdonald's legacy, and the ongoing impact on First Nations people, including the controversial claims of unmarked graves at Kamloops Residential School, while …

Send us a Text Message. Ever wondered how to effectively manage young staff in today's challenging job market? Join us as Stephen Yeung, a seasoned entrepreneur operating five McDonald's locations, shares his insights on fostering a positive workplace culture, bridging generational gaps, and maintaining a productive and respectful environment. Step…

Send us a Text Message. Jonathan Kay and Aaron Pete explore the balance between cultural sensitivity and open dialogue. The two focus on political correctness and Indigenous issues, delving into the history, language, and current debates surrounding these topics. Jonathan Kay is a Toronto-based editor for Quillette, a host of the Quillette podcast,…

If you follow Canadian politics, you know that Justin Trudeau’s political career is now looking uncertain. He’s been polling badly for months, as a series of crises have rocked the country, including the cost of living, the opioid crisis, the housing crisis, healthcare, runaway immigration, and foreign interference. Our guest on today’s program has…

Send us a Text Message. Bill Deresiewicz, a former Yale professor, and Aaron Pete discuss how liberal arts degrees impact personal development, the challenges in higher education, and the importance of diverse perspectives and mentors in building a democratic society. Support the Show. www.biggerthanmepodcast.com…

In times of war, civilians run from combat. But war reporters have the opposite reaction — they run toward it, putting themselves in danger to bear witness to these armed conflicts, and to try to make sense of our broken world. Our guest on today’s program spent years going to the frontlines, until one day, in June of 2020, the frontlines came to h…

Send us a Text Message. Kris Sims and Aaron Pete explore the real-life impacts of the carbon tax, scrutinize government rebates and exemptions, and evaluate the broader economic consequences, while also discussing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's financial strategies and Pierre Poilievre's perspectives on fiscal policy and accountability. Kris Sims,…

2020 was a turbulent year in American politics, and in the America media. The editor of The New York Times recently conceded that the paper went “too far” during that time and said that it is now working to pull itself back from such “excesses.” Our guest on the program today was at the paper during that period — and left to report critically on wh…

Send us a Text Message. Aaron Pete sits down with Colette Trudeau to discuss how to build strong teams, leadership strategies, and fostering a healthy workplace culture. They delve into Colette's deep connection to her Métis heritage and her passion for music, underscoring the importance of cultural awareness. Colette Trudeau is a Métis singer-song…

The failure of our elites to manage society has been a topic since at least the financial crash of 2008. But it is very much on the minds of many Canadians these days, as we face a series of cascading crises, from housing and opioids to the cost of living and heath care. A decade ago, our guest on today’s program wrote a searing indictment against …

Send us a Text Message. City councillor Michael Moses confront Indian Residential School denialism and discusses the book "Grave Error: How the Media Misled Us". He also talks about his work advocating for marginalized voices in Williams Lake, highlighting the crucial role of diverse perspectives in democratic governance and the ongoing dialogue on…

Canadian politics have hit new low point. According to a recent poll, 70 percent of Canadians now believe that everything is broken in this country — and 59 percent said they are angry about how the country is being managed. Our guest on the program today has a new book about our Prime Minister, and the chaotic times we live in. Paul Wells is a Can…

The Lean Out podcast has covered lots of books in recent years. We have never covered a poetry book. But all it took was one read of a striking new collection of poems for us to know that we had to have its author on the show. The Canadian writer Stephen Marche said it best when he described this collection: “Like supremely eloquent graffiti writte…

Send us a Text Message. Aiemann Zahabi reveals how to develop grit and determination, the spiritual and physical benefits of observing Ramadan, his impressive 4-fight winning streak in the UFC, and his latest endeavour with a new YouTube channel. Aiemann Zahabi is a Canadian bantamweight fighter in the UFC, celebrated for his string of early first-…

As regular readers of this Substack will know, this spring Tara has been writing the Massey Essay on the state of the media — a partnership between Massey College at the University of Toronto and the Literary Review of Canada. You can read it here. The annual essay honours the legacy of the long-time CBC producer Vincent Massey Tovell. This year’s …

As regular readers of this Substack will know, this spring Tara has been writing the Massey Essay on the state of the media — a partnership between Massey College at the University of Toronto and the Literary Review of Canada. You can read it here. The annual essay honours the legacy of the long-time CBC producer Vincent Massey Tovell. This year’s …

As regular readers of Tara's Substack will know, this spring she has been writing the Massey Essay on the state of the media — a partnership between Massey College at the University of Toronto and the Literary Review of Canada, where it’s published. The annual essay honours the legacy of the long-time CBC producer Vincent Massey Tovell. This year’s…

As regular readers of Tara's Substack will know, this spring she has been writing the Massey Essay on the state of the media — a partnership between Massey College at the University of Toronto and the Literary Review of Canada, where it’s published. The annual essay honours the legacy of the long-time CBC producer Vincent Massey Tovell. This year’s…

As regular readers of Tara's Substack will know, this spring she has been writing the Massey Essay on the state of the media — a partnership between Massey College at the University of Toronto and the Literary Review of Canada, where it’s published. The annual essay honours the legacy of the long-time CBC producer Vincent Massey Tovell. This year’s…

Send us a Text Message. Michael Geist delves into the troubling rise of antisemitism in Canada, highlighting the challenges Jewish students encounter in academia and its broader societal effects. He also scrutinizes the Online Harms Act, assessing its ability to curb online hate while maintaining free expression, all discussed alongside host Aaron …

As regular readers of Tara's Substack will know, this spring she has been writing the Massey Essay on the state of the media — a partnership between Massey College at the University of Toronto and the Literary Review of Canada, where it’s published. The annual essay honours the legacy of the long-time CBC producer Vincent Massey Tovell. This year’s…

As regular readers of Tara's Substack will know, this spring Tara has been writing the Massey Essay on the state of the media — a partnership between Massey College at the University of Toronto and the Literary Review of Canada, where it’s published. The annual essay honours the legacy of the long-time CBC producer Vincent Massey Tovell. This year’…

Send us a Text Message. Vin Jay offers guidance on crafting music that deeply connects with audiences, advising fellow artists on strategic releases, the significance of emotional authenticity in songs, and how producing high-quality music can significantly elevate an artist's career. Vin Jay, a dynamic hip-hop artist, captivates audiences with his…

Canada recently reached a grim milestone — the lowest fertility rate in recorded history. We are now well below population replacement, at 1.33 births per woman. Our guest on the show today has studied this crisis in family formation in the West. And he says we need to take a look at our culture. Tim Carney is a senior fellow at the American Enterp…

Send us a Text Message. Nancy Robertson takes us through her acting journey, highlighting her initial struggles leading up to her iconic role in Corner Gas. She delves into the show's unique chemistry and her own personal development in a conversation filled with nostalgia and laughs, hosted by Aaron Pete. Nancy Robertson, celebrated for her role a…

On the Lean Out podcast, we’ve spent much of the past year investigating the collapse of the news media and the decline in public trust. Tara's guest this week argues that the industry is at a crossroads, but media bosses are unwilling to meet the moment, and seem determined to continue on the same trajectory — even if it means the death of their i…

Send us a Text Message. Marking 150 episodes and four transformative years, this anniversary episode of 'Bigger Than Me' delves deep with mental health expert Kylie Bartel and features Dr. Chris Bertram's insights on the interplay of nature, trauma, and peak performance, highlighting our journey from resilience to growth. Tune in for a riveting liv…

In March of 2020, much of the world was in lockdown. The unprecedented pandemic response closed schools, shuttered businesses, and paused public events. My guest on today’s program says it is time to evaluate the measures that were taken and consider whether the harms outweighed the benefits. The UK charity that he leads research for has now launch…

Send us a Text Message. Discover the relentless spirit of UFC welterweight Mike Malott in our latest episode, where he reveals his journey from a hopeful youth to a seasoned fighter, emphasizing perseverance, support, and the art of rising after a fall, in a conversation with host Aaron Pete. Mike Malott, who initiated his martial arts training at …

When it comes to race relations, many of us were raised with the ethos expressed in the famed Martin Luther King Jr. quote calling on society to judge people by the content of their character instead of the colour of their skin. Western society has moved away from that ideal — and my guest on today’s program says it’s time we get back to it. Colema…

Canada is embroiled in a number of high-profile political scandals, and it’s a dispiriting moment for the country. This week, we’re taking a break from the news cycle, and instead contemplating the contributions of a famed Canadian — the late philosopher Marshall McLuhan — who, my guest on today’s program says, understood our time better than many …

Send us a Text Message. Chief Willie Sellers of Williams Lake First Nation discusses Indian Residential Schools, the harmony of cultural preservation with community advancement and reflects on his reconciliation efforts, in an enlightening interview with Aaron Pete. Willie Sellars, from Williams Lake, BC and a member of the Williams Lake First Nati…

It’s not unusual for well-heeled people to try to imagine what it might be like to grow up without money. But my guest on today’s program says it is uncommon for them to try to imagine what it might be like to grow up without a family. And his new book chronicles exactly that life — his childhood in foster care — but also, his journey from a workin…

Send us a Text Message. Join us as we explore Métis culture with Jean Teillet, an influential advocate and descendant of Louis Riel, who intertwines her legal expertise and artistic passion in championing Indigenous rights. In this conversation, Jean delves into the Métis' rich history, their fight for recognition, and how recent legal victories ar…

We hear a lot of grim predictions about the future of local news, both in the United States and in Canada. But my guests on today’s program are feeling optimistic. For their new book, the pair did a deep dive into innovative local and regional news startups across America, and they say these startups are changing the media landscape, one outlet at …

Send us a Text Message. Join Aaron Pete and Evan Solomon as they delve into the transformative role of media, exploring the evolution from the printing press to digital platforms, the power of narrative control, and the dynamics of Canadian political discourse, highlighting Solomon's transition from digital media pioneer to influential geopolitical…

On the Lean Out podcast, we’ve talked a lot about plummeting birth rates in the West, about high rates of unhappiness among modern women, about the loneliness epidemic in our society, and about the crisis unfolding among men, with large numbers of suicides and overdoses. Our guest on the program today says there’s a factor we should consider with e…

Send us a Text Message. Candace Malcolm, founder of True North Media, discusses independent media, politics, drug decriminalization, and gender representation, advocating for nuanced discourse on Indian Residential Schools and debating the topic with Aaron Pete. Candice Malcolm, an investigative journalist, best-selling author, and nationally syndi…

What does it take to speak out against orthodoxies in an age of outrage? This is something that our guest on today’s program has spent years contemplating, interviewing people from all walks of life who have managed to stick to their principles in the face of an online mobbing, and not back down. Katherine Brodsky is a Canadian writer and commentat…

Send us a Text Message. Sara Kuburic shares her journey of self-discovery, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, personal responsibility, and the impact of key questions on personal growth, while host Aaron Pete moves the conversation towards understanding the essence of living a fulfilling life. Dr. Sara Kuburic, also known as the @millenn…

Canada has, once again, made international headlines. The Federal Court has ruled the government’s invocation of the Emergencies Act, in response to the trucker protests, was illegal. My guest on today’s program argued during the crisis that the government had done something that it had no constitutional power to do — and he joins me on the program…

Send us a Text Message. Canadian journalist Vassy Kapelos joins Aaron Pete to discuss her path into journalism, passion for politics, the importance of balanced reporting, and her expertise in navigating challenging interviews with political figures. Vassy Kapelos, based in Ottawa, is currently hosting CTV's "Question Period," "Power Play," and the…

For decades now in Canada, there has been a bipartisan, pro-immigration consensus. But in recent weeks, we have watched that consensus fall apart. Our guest on today’s program has been covering this development in his columns for The Globe and Mail. He argues that it was the Liberal government that broke the consensus — and it must be the Liberals …

Send us a Text Message. Bingx shares his raw and harrowing journey to musical success with host Aaron Pete. From overcoming personal struggles with Tourette's, OCD, and addiction, to transforming these challenges into artistic strength. Bingx takes us on a walkthrough of his audio engineering techniques and shares key insights on the complexities o…

In Ontario, where Tara lives, schools were closed for 135 days during the pandemic. Both there and in the United States, there was very little critical media coverage on this unprecedented public policy. But our guest on today’s program was reporting on those left behind by school closures from the very beginning. Now, he’s covering an element of t…