Best Zain Velji Podcasts (2024)

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Episode 1299: Type 2 Budget 1:02:36

3d ago1:02:36

1:02:36

Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter dive into Jagmeet Singh and the NDP's threats to bring down the Liberals on Budget 2024 and the Liberal appeal to "generational fairness". Is Singh's sabre rattling good strategy? Are there risks in the Liberals driving a message on "generational fairness"? And is it fair to say that - while we don't know what day Zai…

1
Episode 1298: Blues Guy City 1:02:58

8d ago1:02:58

1:02:58

Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter discuss the 2024 federal budget and the expectation game the Liberals willingly set for themselves. Does the budget tell the story the Liberals want to tell? What happens if the Liberals don't get their heavily-telegraphed 5-point polling bump? And isn't The Strategists an example of a three-man monologue? Zain Velji,…

1
Episode 1296: April Fool's Gold 1:00:49

25d ago1:00:49

1:00:49

Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter discuss Liberal housing and school nutrition announcements, blockades on the Trans-Canada Highway and an Alberta NDP leadership race that is definitely over despite what Zain says. Are pre-budget announcements a good communications strategy? Do a new round of protests present Poilievre with risk - or opportunity? And …

1
Episode 1295: Elevator to hell 54:08

1M ago54:08

54:08

Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter discuss Liberal attacks on Pierre Poilievre's conservatives, Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek meeting with her petition antagonist and much more. Are attacks positioning Poilievre as an uncaring insider good strategy? Was Gondek going for a "West Wing" moment? And is it possible the gang actually already owns Strategists.ca…

1
Episode 1293: Julienne fries 1:05:44

1M ago1:05:44

1:05:44

Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter discuss the growing opposition to the carbon tax among progressive politicians, a motion on Palestine and a months-late rebuttal to Poilievre's housing video. Can the Prime Minister turn it around for the Liberals on the carbon tax? Did a wedge against the Liberals on Gaza turn into a wedge against the Conservatives? …

1
Episode 1291: The Royal We 53:35

1M ago53:35

53:35

Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter discuss Kate Middleton, institutional communications and crisis management at Kensington Palace. Why are the Prince and Princess of Wales breaking all of the rules of communications? Can the Royal Family win the game by not playing? Can other organizations learn anything from all of this? And has the great domain war …

1
You The People Article 4: Super Tuesday Preview Show 35:59

2M ago35:59

35:59

Stephen Carter and Corey Hogan talk two Trump-friendly decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court, Super Tuesday, the state of polling and what the actuarial tables say about being 81 years old. Come appreciate the equinox both as a metaphor and a thing that's happening later this month. Subscribe on Patreon: http://www.strategistspatreon.com See omnystud…

1
Episode 1289: Sell me this budget 1:08:56

2M ago1:08:56

1:08:56

Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter talk about candidates bragging about almost joining other parties before discussing Alberta's Budget - the sneaky austerity, how it's framed and the downstream consequences. Are there any good reasons for candidates to talk publicly about almost joining other parties? Did Danielle Smith get away with framing austerity…

1
Episode 1288: Immaculate contraception 1:01:46

2M ago1:01:46

1:01:46

Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter discuss the national pharmacare/national "pharmacare"/"national" pharmacare proposal as well as cultural voting blocs and Pierre Poilievre's stance on transgender rights. Is pharmacare a win for Jagmeet Singh? Has Pierre Poilievre fallen into a polling trap? And how does one book voyage on the "Noah's Ark of Drugs"? Z…

1
Episode 1286: The only poll that counts 1:24:57

2M ago1:24:57

1:24:57

Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter and Pollara Chief Strategy Officer Dan Arnold go over a 1500-person poll of Albertans on the Alberta NDP leadership race, trying to answer the question on everybody's mind: what it means for the Zain Velji for Leader campaign. How well known are the candidates with the general public? What does their membership sales …

1
Episode 1284: Tattoos and email services 1:17:28

2M ago1:17:28

1:17:28

Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter discuss recall efforts (using a petition to oust Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek) and leadership launches (using the Alberta NDP hopefuls). Is it time to "recall the recall"? Do air wars matter in leadership contests - or is it all about ground game? And will Kelce and Swift endorse one of the three NDP leadership hopefuls…

1
You The People Article 2: Abandon all hope, ye who podcast 32:26

3M ago32:26

32:26

Stephen Carter and Corey Hogan return to discuss the South Carolina Primary, the law applying to Presidents and an overly compliant Congress. Join them on a thirty-minute journey as they fret about the state of American democracy, which Corey promises they will do only once every four episodes. Subscribe on Patreon: http://www.strategistspatreon.co…

1
Episode 1283: You don't pick your family 1:02:55

3M ago1:02:55

1:02:55

Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter discuss the targeting of staff and advisors through the Liberals' new attacks on Jenni Byrne before talking about impending Alberta NDP campaign launches. Should Pierre Poilievre be held to account for the work of Jenni Byrne and Associates? How much do campaign launches matter? And did everybody appreciate the chill …

1
Episode 1282: Three rooms 1:17:25

3M ago1:17:25

1:17:25

Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter discuss the new Alberta transgender youth policies through the lens of three groups: Alberta NDP leadership hopefuls, Take Back Alberta and a non-profit with $50,000 to take a stand on this issue. Are the NDP walking into a UCP trap? Is this a time for a non-profit to act incrementally or revolutionarily? And what Wha…

1
Episode 1281: "Appointment" Viewing 1:03:15

3M ago1:03:15

1:03:15

Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter discuss the role of strategy in getting a Senate appointment, before a cross Canada checkup through "Fine, Fabulous, or F--ked". Was it a mistake for Danielle Smith to take the stage with Tucker Carlson? How are members of the Prime Minister's Office supposed to act online? And who's the Joey Chestnut of the Alberta N…

1
Episode 1280: Rules for rules 1:11:44

3M ago1:11:44

1:11:44

Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter discuss how the rules for leadership contests are set and how candidate camps should think about them and approach them. How are rules set? Are campaigns trying to get advantage or "level the playing field"? And this far past Stephen Carter's bedtime, can we trust anything that he says? Zain Velji, as always, picks th…

1
You The People Article 1: The Iowa Caucasus 51:26

3M ago51:26

51:26

The podcast-within-a-podcast, You The People, returns for a second season. We start, like all good American elections, with the Iowa Caucus and how it leads into New Hampshire. Corey Hogan, Stephen Carter and Stephen Carter's free ChatGPT account tackle the big questions like: Why Iowa? Where New Hampshire? When DeSantis? How Nikki Haley? And, of c…

1
Episode 1279: Sit there and be sad 1:04:41

3M ago1:04:41

1:04:41

Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter discuss electricity alerts in Alberta, the opportunities and perils of sponsored MP travel and preview the Iowa Republican Caucuses. Is the emergency alert asking Albertans to conserve power a "political Rorschach test"? Is sponsored travel the next big loophole in conflict of interest rules? And did Carter just "Jeb"…

1
Episode 1277: Holiday Spectacular 1:26:53

4M ago1:26:53

1:26:53

Break out the Karavaki and dress up in your finest sweaters and scarves because it's time again for The Strategists to unpack the year that was in their annual Holiday Spectacular. Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter talk about the best and the worst of the year, write political obituaries and talk about the year-to-come in this regular-length special. …

1
Episode 1275: Two Hours on the Alberta NDP Leadership Race 2:05:35

4M ago2:05:35

2:05:35

Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter go deep on the start of the still-unofficial Alberta NDP leadership race - the landscape, the rules, the perceived frontrunners - and what they need to do and the opportunities available to each of them. Did a column by CBC's Jason Markusoff putting all the open secrets out in public signal its launch? How should Sara…

1
Episode 1273: Government money 1:06:53

5M ago1:06:53

1:06:53

Corey Hogan and Zain Velji discuss the federal government's new dental plan, Liberal "negative ad" efforts and use a rumour about Rachel Notley stepping down as Alberta NDP leader as a jumping off point for a discussion of how a leader leaves and when they decide to do so. Should the NDP spend big to try to brand the dental plan as their own? Do ne…

1
5 Days of Strategists - Episode 1271: If you're explaining you're winning 1:10:07

5M ago1:10:07

1:10:07

It's the five days of Strategists! You, the non-paying listener get treated to five of our recent favourite paid episodes. See what you're missing and subscribe for as little as $6/month at: http://www.strategistspatreon.com Friday but Tuesday - Episode 1271: If you’re explaining, you’re winning Look, Pierre Poilievre's video on housing is the talk…

1
5 Days of Strategists - Episode 1097: Shibboleths 1:01:50

5M ago1:01:50

1:01:50

It's the five days of Strategists! You, the non-paying listener get treated to five of our recent favourite paid episodes. See what you're missing and subscribe for as little as $6/month at: http://www.strategistspatreon.com Thursday - Episode 1097: Shibboleths Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter talk about political party conventions - who they're for,…

1
5 Days of Strategists - SPECIAL EPISODE: Choosing leaders 54:54

5M ago54:54

54:54

It's the five days of Strategists! You, the non-paying listener get treated to five of our recent favourite paid episodes (okay, this one is from 2022). See what you're missing and subscribe for as little as $6/month at: http://www.strategistspatreon.com Wednesday - SPECIAL EPISODE - Choosing Leaders Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter talk about the sy…

1
5 Days of Strategists - Episode 1254: The best laid pension plans 52:27

5M ago52:27

52:27

It's the five days of Strategists! You, the non-paying listener get treated to five of our recent favourite paid episodes. See what you're missing and subscribe for as little as $6/month at: http://www.strategistspatreon.com Tuesday - Episode 1254 - The best laid pension plans Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter talk about Danielle Smith's play for an A…

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5 Days of Strategists - Episode 1268: Name Drop 1:10:41

5M ago1:10:41

1:10:41

It's the five days of Strategists! You, the non-paying listener get treated to five of our recent favourite paid episodes. See what you're missing and subscribe for as little as $6/month at: http://www.strategistspatreon.com Monday - Episode 1268 - Name Drop Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter deep diver on whether the Alberta NDP should consider a name…

1
Episode 1269: Market fit 1:05:40

5M ago1:05:40

1:05:40

Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter talk about the political strategy lessons to be gleaned from the weekend drama related to the ousting of OpenAI's CEO by its non-profit board. What does the weekend's events tell us about power dynamics generally? About leadership? And what are we supposed to make of Corey defending Suncor CEO Rich Kruger? Zain Velji,…

1
Episode 1267: Call Me Dave 1:07:51

5M ago1:07:51

1:07:51

Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter discuss David Cameron's appointment as UK Foreign Secretary, a poll that shows support for an Alberta Pension Plan up from 21% to 27% and an Ontario Liberal leadership pile-on. Was the win for Sunak that we aren't leading with Suella Braverman being fired? Do incremental increases in support for an Alberta Pension Pla…

1
Episode 1266: UCPConvention.com 1:10:44

6M ago1:10:44

1:10:44

Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter discuss the Alberta UCP convention before turning attention to the growing conversation that it's time for Justin Trudeau to step down as Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. Is Take Back Alberta Danielle Smith's biggest strength or biggest problem? Is there a path forward for Justin Trudeau that …

1
Episode 1264: The whole board 1:16:42

6M ago1:16:42

1:16:42

Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter discuss why politicians insist they don't look at the polls before diving deep into the Liberal's new carbon tax carve-out for heating oil. How did the Liberals end up here? How do they turn this seemingly one-off action into a coherent policy - and coherent political strategy? And are spoilers for Bulworth still spoi…

1
Episode 1262: Counterfeelings 1:11:10

6M ago1:11:10

1:11:10

Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter discuss the Ontario NDP caucus expelling Sarah Jama from their ranks, the MPs who signed a letter calling for ceasefire, the head of the Alberta Pension Plan panel expressing surprise at the pension analysis and much more in a supersized edition of "Fine, Fabulous, or F--ked". Will the Ontario NDP regret their decisio…

1
Episode 1960: Majority opinions 1:04:16

6M ago1:04:16

1:04:16

Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter discuss 5/7ths of the Supreme Court ruling against the Impact Assessment Act, 81% of the NDP endorsing Singh in his leadership review and the NDP convention's unanimous support to create a red line on the Supply and Confidence agreement. Has the Trudeau government been delivered a black eye by the Supreme Court? Shoul…

1
Episode 1258: Both feet 1:20:32

7M ago1:20:32

1:20:32

Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter discuss the Hamas terror attack and Canadian politicians response on the same. What is expected of a politician at a moment like this? Why did so many seem to have trouble landing the plane? And is peace-and-love Carter the result of medicine or intestinal problems? Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps…

1
PATREON SHOWCASE - Episode 1257: Ups and downs 1:12:02

7M ago1:12:02

1:12:02

Usually, these Patreon episodes cost money. But in the spirit of the season, enjoy this free one on us and also if you like us give us $6. Subscribe and access hundreds of back episodes at strategistspatreon.com PATREON SHOWCASE. Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter talk about the "cost of living politically", unpacking Pierre Poilievre's equivocating on…

1
Episode 1256: Cross Canada Checkdown 1:13:16

7M ago1:13:16

1:13:16

Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter go from coast (Alberta) to coast (Saskatchewan) to coast (Manitoba) in a classic Strategists' checkdown of the political doings across Canada. Does Alberta Premier Danielle Smith really expect Ontarians to #TellTheFeds? What's the strategy of the landfill-heavy compassion-light Manitoba PC closeout? And will the gang …

1
Episode 1255: All politics isn't local 1:18:53

7M ago1:18:53

1:18:53

Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter discuss how Pierre Poilievre should address the Alberta Pension Plan proposal before turning their attention to the domestic consequences of Zelensky's visit and an increasingly heated dispute with India. Does the Canadian consensus on support for Ukraine mean there's less political "upside" of a state visit? Where ar…

1
Episode 1253: Hold onto your Butts 1:09:56

7M ago1:09:56

1:09:56

Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter tackle a Liberal "potpourri", giving their takes on the caucus retreat, grocery CEO meeting - and what a profile on Katie Telford by Shannon Proudfoot reveals about the present and future of the Liberal Party. Are we seeing a strategic return of "Liberal kleptomania"? Can any strategist hope to break into the dynamic …

1
Episode 1098: Poilievre fit check 1:07:13

8M ago1:07:13

1:07:13

Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter give their assessments on the now-concluded Conservative Party of Canada convention and the state of Pierre Poilievre's leadership after one year in the job. Did we learn anything new from his convention speech? What will the Liberal war room be doing tomorrow? And - if you're Pierre - will this all have a happy endin…

1
Episode 1096: On accident 1:06:34

8M ago1:06:34

1:06:34

Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter use Steve Clark quitting as Ontario Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister to talk about the politics of resignations - when the help, when the hurt, and the rules that help you split the two cases apart - before turning their attention to the federal scene to give summer report cards to Trudeau, Poilievre and Singh. …

1
Episode 1094: An Expert Retreat 1:06:58

8M ago1:06:58

1:06:58

Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter talk about cabinet retreats - and how housing experts are feeding into Justin Trudeau's cabinet get-together in Charlottetown. How and why are experts deployed in cabinet retreats? Are the Liberals poised to do something big on housing? And should we be concerned that the goal is to get to the peak of "Mount Stupid"? …

1
Episode 1092: Bent noodles 1:03:58

8M ago1:03:58

1:03:58

Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter talk about the Government of Canada and Meta squaring up over wildfire news posts before switching to what politicians need to be doing during a climate emergency and a discussion of the evolving politics of climate change. Will Canadians side with the government over access to news posts in an emergency? Is the conse…

1
Episode 1090: Profile conspiracies 1:14:51

9M ago1:14:51

1:14:51

Zain Velji and Stephen Carter talk about whether staffers should allow themselves to be profiled, should politicians use stories of the day to build lists; should Annalise get better internet so she can hear our answers? All this and more! Subscribe on Patreon: http://www.strategistspatreon.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
Episode 1088: Sunny Ways 1:10:40

9M ago1:10:40

1:10:40

Zain Velji and Corey Hogan discuss continued reaction to Alberta's moratorium on wind and solar before turning their attention to the increasingly vocal discontent of Liberal MPs with the cabinet shuffle. Is Alberta Premier Danielle Smith feeling her way to a publicly acceptable answer? Was the cabinet shuffle doomed by bad communications advice? A…

1
Episode 1086: Chahal Cabal 1:00:47

9M ago1:00:47

1:00:47

Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter talk the Calgary Stampede's acceptance of liability and negligence for decades of sexual assault, Calgary Skyview MP George Chahal's fiery response to the same, the Ontario by-elections, post cabinet public sniping by Liberal MPs and much more in this July edition of "Fine, Fabulous or F--ked". Did George Chahal chann…

1
Episode 1084: X marks the shack 1:06:40

9M ago1:06:40

1:06:40

Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter talk about Twitter's "news", Poilievre's shack-shaming and Alberta's new donair overlord. How does a politician strike the balance between specificity and sensitivity? What is Elon Musk trying to do with "X"? And how many seats would a donair party get if an election were called tomorrow in Alberta? Zain Velji, as alw…

1
Episode 1083: Equal pay for Zain Velji 1:13:10

9M ago1:13:10

1:13:10

Stephen Carter and Zain Velji dive into the politics of sport, weighing the loss of Nike for Hockey Canada, and the momentum of women’s sports, starting with the Women’s World Cup. Pulling back the curtain on mandate letters, who’s involved, and do they even matter? Does Ryan Gosling rule Carter and Zain’s search bars? For the first time ever, Core…

1
Episode 1081: Patels and Poilievres 1:11:13

10M ago1:11:13

1:11:13

Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter unpack the politics of politicians reaching out to racialized communities and try to establish "new rules" for how politicians can be authentic, meaningful, constructive - and keep themselves from creating problems. What's the approach? What's the content of speeches? And will Zain getting the gang to create these new…

1
Episode 1080: The (Greatest Outdoor) Social Network (on Earth) 1:15:51

10M ago1:15:51

1:15:51

Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter discuss the politics of the Calgary Stampede - how much it matters (or doesn't) and how politicians and those looking to rub elbows with politicians get the most out of it. How does a newly appointed Minister build meaningful political capital? How does a group lobbying the government have their message break through …

1
Episode 1078: The eleventh hour 1:11:23

10M ago1:11:23

1:11:23

Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter discuss the Toronto mayoral election, how elections can change in the closing days and why they usually don't - as well as a grab bag of topics from the Online News Act to the value of debating a conspiracy theorist like RFK Junior. Why are endorsements in the Toronto Mayoral election happening so late? Should conspir…

1
Episode 1076: Alberta NNDP 1:12:26

10M ago1:12:26

1:12:26

Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter discuss the question on everybody (Zain's) mind: whereto from here from the Alberta NDP? What questions need to be addressed, in what order and how are the topics discussed in this party reform extravaganza. What needs to be resolved inside a leadership contest and what can be resolved outside of a leadership contest?…

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Zain Velji Podcasts

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