Patrick & Mackenzy

A Cultural History of Canada

Society EN ↓ 184 episodes

A bi-weekly discussion that critically (and flippantly) engages with the literature, culture, and people of this weird place known as Canada. Hosted by two English graduates, Patrick & Mackenzy. Sometimes features interviews with writers and academics. Featured on Feedspot's "35 Best Canada History Podcasts" (#18), "15 Best Cultural History Podcasts" (#7), and "30 Best History Podcasts For Students" (#10). Named best podcast of all time by their mothers!

Author

Patrick & Mackenzy

Category

Society

Latest episode

May 25, 2026

Where to listen?

Podcasts in the app Replaio Radio Coming soon

Podcasts are coming to the app soon. Install now and be the first to see a whole new take on podcasts

Get it on Google Play Install for free Android 5M+ downloads · 4.8 rating iOS soon

Episodes

Updates & Vibes 25.05.2026

Sorry for the delay. Is this anything? Who's to say...

121 - Italian-Canadians & 'Lives of the Saints' 13.04.2026

In which we discuss the cultural impacts of Italians on Canada and - due to time constraints - make a brief detour on Nino Ricci's Lives of the Saints . --- Support: Patreon ( https://www.patreon.com/historiacanadiana);  Paypal ( https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/historiacanadiana);  recommended reading ( https://historiacanadiana.wordpress.com/books/)

Betty Baxter: Outspoken Olympian 30.03.2026

In which Patrick talks to former Olympian and LGBTQ sports activist about her new memoir Outspoken: A Journey from Olympic Athlete to Activist. Find the book here or at your local bookstore . --- Support: Patreon ( https://www.patreon.com/historiacanadiana); Paypal ( https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/historiacanadiana); recommended reading ( https://historiacanadiana.wordpress.com/books/)

120 - On Women's Suffrage in Quebec 16.03.2026

For International Women's Day? --- Support: Patreon ( https://www.patreon.com/historiacanadiana);  Paypal ( https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/historiacanadiana);  recommended reading ( https://historiacanadiana.wordpress.com/books/)

Shirley Horn & Joanne Robertson on Writing a 'Residential School Story' 09.03.2026

In which Patrick talks to Shirley Horn and Joanne Robertson about their collaboration on the children's book, Shirley: An Indian Residential School Story - which is based on Horn's lived experiences at the school. Find the book here  or at  your local bookstore . --- Support: Patreon ( https://www.patreon.com/historiacanadiana);  Paypal ( https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/historiacanadiana);  recomm...

119 - Joy Kogawa's Obasan & Japanese Internment Camps 02.02.2026

In which, after a hiatus, your heroes return to discuss how the Canadian government locked up its own citizens (again) under the War Measures Act.

118 - Keeping the content machine going 15.12.2025

Giving you one last episode before the new year! Wherein we look back on the last year, both as a podcast and a country.

117 - Antisemitism and Earth & High Heaven 17.11.2025

In which we talk about antisemitism in Canada, with a brief segue into Gwethalyn Graham's novel Earth & High Heaven (1944). --- Sources/Further Reading Abella, Irving. None is Too Many, 1970. Graham, Gwethalyn. Earth and High Heaven, 1944. Moss, John. A Reader's Guide to the Canadian Novel , McClelland and Stewart, 1981 --- Support: Patreon ( https://www.patreon.com/historiacanadiana);  Paypal ( h...

116 - Theories of Canada's foundation 27.10.2025

Is this episode early for next week or late from last week? Who's to say... but it is about various theories that were offered in mid-twentieth century Canada about what was the most crucial aspect to its foundation was. Naturally, it devolves into discussing beavers. --- Support: Patreon ( https://www.patreon.com/historiacanadiana);  Paypal ( https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/historiacanadiana);  r...

115 - Norman Bethune 06.10.2025

In which Patrick rides solo for a brief overview of Norman Bethune's rock n' roll life. --- Further Readings Bock, Dennis. The Communist's Daughter , 2007. Tse-Tung, Mao. "In Memory of Norman Bethune." December 21, 1939.

"Letters to Kafka": A Conversation with Christine Estima 22.09.2025

In which I talk to writer Christine Estima about her debut novel, Letters to Kafka . The novel conjures the voice of Milena Jesenská, the absent interlocutor to Franz Kafka's posthumously published Letters to Milena, in a vivid portrayal of a stifled intellectual whose spirit and ambition outpace the role of women in her time. Find the book here  or at  your local bookstore . --- Support: Patreon...

114 - William Lyon Mackenzie King, Part 2 (ONE YEAR LATER!) 08.09.2025

After one year, we are hear to finish our exploration of the man who has widely been called the greatest PM of Canadian history. Of course we'll laugh at him! Cartoons referenced: Cartoon 1 Cartoon 2 Cartoon 3 Cartoon 4

Max Brault on an building an 'Accessible Canada' 11.08.2025

In which Patrick talks to Max Brault about The Race to the Starting Line , which details his public and private work as an accessibility activist, as well as his being one of the drivers of Canada's recent "Accessible Canada Act." You can find out more about Max and his book here! --- Support: Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/historiacanadiana); Paypal (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/historiacana...

113 - Superman! 28.07.2025

In which we talk about the creation of the Man of Steel and why he matters. --- Support: Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/historiacanadiana); Paypal (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/historiacanadiana)

112 - Reading & Discussing Clarke's "Whylah Falls" 14.07.2025

In which Patrick reads from and raves about George Elliott Clarke's Whylah Falls while Mack is away. --- Support: Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/historiacanadiana); Paypal (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/historiacanadiana) --- Further Readings Clarke, George Elliott.  Whylah Falls , Polestar Press, 1990.

111 - Howard O'Hagan's Tay John 30.06.2025

In which we discuss a largely forgotten early example of the Canadian modern/postmodern in Howard O'Hagan's 1939 novel, Tay John . Sorry for the delayed episode release, we all got caught up in other things.... --- Support: Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/historiacanadiana); Paypal (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/historiacanadiana) --- Further Readings O'Hagan, Howard.  Tay Tohn , New Canadian L...

Eve Lazarus on the Sinking of the Empress of Ireland 02.06.2025

A discussion with Eve Lazarus about her new book,  Beneath Dark Waters ! Find the book here  or at  your local bookstore . --- Support: Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/historiacanadiana); Paypal (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/historiacanadiana); recommended reading ( https://historiacanadiana.wordpress.com/books/)

110 - Something Fascist This Way Comes 19.05.2025

In which we discuss how fascism has generally played out in Canada and why right wing movements today are different, all while Mack battles sleep live on the pod. --- Support: Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/historiacanadiana); Paypal (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/historiacanadiana) --- Further Readings Allan, Ted. This Time A Better Earth , Les Presses de l'Université d'Ottawa/University of O...

Tim Falconer on Viola MacMillan & the Windfall Scandal 06.05.2025

An interview with Tim Falconer about his new book, Windfall ! Find the book here or at your local bookstore . --- Support: Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/historiacanadiana); Paypal (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/historiacanadiana); recommended reading ( https://historiacanadiana.wordpress.com/books/)

109 - Hector de Saint-Denys-Garneau 21.04.2025

In which we talk about one of the most influential poets in modern Quebec - who only published one collection in his lifetime! --- Support: Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/historiacanadiana); Paypal (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/historiacanadiana) --- Further Readings Garneau, Saint-Denys. Complete poems of Saint Denys Garneau, Oberon Press, 1975.

On Women's Legal Struggles in Canadian History (w/ Karin Wells) 14.04.2025

In which Patrick talks to Karin Wells about her new book  Women Who Woke Up the Law.  You can find the book here  or at your local bookstore ! --- Support: Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/historiacanadiana); Paypal (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/historiacanadiana); recommended reading ( https://historiacanadiana.wordpress.com/books/)

On Vancouver's First Lifeguard, Serafim 'Joe' Fortes (w/ Ruby Smith Díaz) 31.03.2025

In which Patrick talks to Ruby Smith Díaz  about her new book  Searching for Seraphim: The Life and Legacy of Serafim 'Joe' Fortes.  You can find the book here  or at your local bookstore ! --- Support: Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/historiacanadiana); Paypal (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/historiacanadiana); recommended reading ( https://historiacanadiana.wordpress.com/books/)

108 - Africville 24.03.2025

In which we overview the story of the Black Nova Scotia once known as Africville, as well as briefly discussing Jeffrey Colvin's novel  Africaville , which was inspired by the events. --- Support: Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/historiacanadiana); Paypal (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/historiacanadiana) --- Further Readings Colvin, Jeffrey. Africaville: A Novel , HarperCollins, 2019. McRae, Ma...

Invested in Crisis: A Conversation w/ Tom Fraser 10.03.2025

In which Patrick talks to Tom Fraser about his new book  Invested in Crisis: Public Sector Pensions Against the Future. You can find the book here or at your local bookstore ! --- Support: Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/historiacanadiana); Paypal (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/historiacanadiana); recommended reading ( https://historiacanadiana.wordpress.com/books/)

UNLOCKED Pop Canada #41 - On Tariffs & Booing Anthems 24.02.2025

In which we slowly unravel (you have been forewarned) as we talk about the absurdities of our contemporary relations to America... Check out our Patreon page for more episodes (that are slightly less stupid).

Listen to the A Cultural History of Canada podcast in Replaio

Radio and podcasts in one app - free, with no sign-up. Install today and do not miss the launch

Get it on Google Play

Replaio is not a podcast publisher; show names, artwork and audio belong to their authors and are distributed through public RSS feeds.