Brian Crombie Radio Hour

On this episode of The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian speaks with Emily Osborne of the Canadian Shield Institute about a growing issue that sits at the intersection of technology, economics, and national security: digital sovereignty. As more of Canada’s data — from government systems to private enterprises — is stored on foreign-owned infrastructure, the question becomes increasingly urgent: who reall...

On The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian is joined by Eric Sauvé to examine the escalating conflict involving Iran — and the deeper question of whether military action is being matched with clear political strategy. ⚖️ Part 1 — Tactical Success, Strategic Ambiguity We explore how early strikes were described as operationally effective, yet raise concerns about the absence of a clearly defined political en...

On The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian is joined by Lisa Baiton to examine Canada’s role in a rapidly changing global energy landscape. 🌍 Part 1 — Energy in a New Global Order We explore how geopolitical instability and shifting alliances are reshaping global energy markets, and why energy security has returned as a central pillar of national strategy. 🇨🇦 Part 2 — Canada’s Energy Position Canada is a m...

On The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian is joined by Andrew Hendry to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the workforce — and why the most important career skill may still be deeply human. 📞 Part 1 — The Return to Human Skills As automation accelerates, Andrew argues that foundational “old-school” skills are making a comeback: Cold calling Networking In-person communication Relationship bui...

On The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian is joined by Colin Robertson to examine Prime Minister Mark Carney’s emerging foreign policy vision — sometimes called the “Davos Doctrine.” 🌍 Part 1 — A New Internationalism We explore Carney’s global diplomatic approach and why some see him as Canada’s most internationalist leader since Lester B. Pearson, as traditional global institutions lose influence. 🤝 Par...

On The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian is joined by Edward Greenspon to examine whether Canada can reclaim its leadership role in an increasingly fragmented global order. 🌍 Part 1 — Canada as a Middle Power We explore why Canada’s global influence has declined, what its historical leadership in institutions like GATT and peacekeeping can teach us, and whether a renewed international role is still possi...

On The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian is joined by Mysterion the Mind Reader — Christopher Justin Doyle — one of Canada’s leading mentalists and psychological entertainers, seen on America’s Got Talent, Canada’s Got Talent, and Penn & Teller: Fool Us.   🧠 Part 1 — The Psychology of Mind Reading We explore how mentalism blends psychology, perception, and subtle cues to create the illusion of mind r...

On The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian is joined by Paul Smetanin to examine whether Ontario’s housing market is no longer in a normal cycle — but a structural break. 🏗 Part 1 — A Broken Cycle or Structural Shift? New analysis suggests the market disruption goes beyond a typical downturn: Housing starts could fall by 37% over five years Prices may still decline another 10–15% High borrowing costs and de...

On The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian is joined by John Ruffolo to examine what Canada must do to stay competitive in a rapidly changing world. As geopolitical tensions rise and AI accelerates disruption, Canada faces a critical choice: lead or fall behind. 🇨🇦 Part 1 — Sovereignty & Strategy Why Canada must rebuild manufacturing, diversify trade, and develop true digital sovereignty — with data and...

On this episode of The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian Crombie sits down with Peter Biro, founder of Democracy Think Tank and Senior Fellow at both the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights and Massey College, to unpack the complex legal, moral, and geopolitical questions surrounding the Iran conflict. From the limits of international law and pre-emptive self-defense to the moral and ideological inco...

On this episode of The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian Crombie speaks with Professor Michael Albrecht, a technology and energy expert, about a provocative question: Could Canada eventually align more closely with Europe — or even become part of the European Union? They examine shifting geopolitics, trade patterns, NATO’s evolving role, and Canada’s changing strategic identity. From transatlantic allianc...

On this International Women’s Day, Brian speaks with Professor Jacqueline Murray, PhD, FRSC, FRHistS, University Professor Emerita of History at the University of Guelph, about the fragility of women’s rights and the historical forces that shape gender equality. They explore: Historical roots: From biblical texts to Enlightenment philosophy, how ideas about gender shaped legal and social inequalit...

On this week’s Brian Crombie Hour, Brian speaks with Carolyn Whitzman, housing researcher and Adjunct Professor at the University of Toronto’s School of Cities, about Canada’s housing crisis and whether homelessness can be eliminated within a generation. They discuss: Government roles: Why federal targets, provincial regulations, and municipal approvals all matter. Supportive housing: Building 50,...

On this week’s Brian Crombie Hour, Brian speaks with Dr. Patrick James Christian, psychoanalytical anthropologist and former U.S. Army Special Forces officer, about the psychological dimensions of modern conflict and the Ukraine war. They explore: Psychological warfare: How civilian populations are targeted to weaken societal cohesion and morale. Mobilized identity: Russia’s recruitment strategies...

On this week’s Brian Crombie Hour, Brian speaks with Theo Argitis, Senior Vice President at the Business Council of Canada, about Canada’s sluggish economic growth and what it will take to reverse stagnation. They explore: Growth and investment: Why business investment is low, productivity is stagnant, and trade tensions are reshaping Canada’s economic landscape. Industrial strategy and state capa...

On this week’s The Brian Crombie Hour, Friday’s show dives into the real, unfiltered world of relationships — far beyond the curated, algorithm-driven version. Part 1 — Folklaur Chevrier on Modern Dating Brian talks with Folklaur Chevrier about navigating romance in today’s digital culture. They discuss: The gap between online personas and real-life presence Why authenticity can feel risky in a ca...

On this episode of The Brian Crombie Hour, Thursday’s show takes a hard look at Ontario’s housing market — and why what’s being called a “slowdown” may actually be a full-scale dislocation. Brian is joined by Richard Lyall, President of the Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON), to examine the economic consequences of inaction: 400,000 Ontarians could be left without homes by 2035 $...

On this episode of The Brian Crombie Hour, Wednesday’s show dives into two deep questions: Who are you really? And how much of what people see is performance? Part 1 — Dr. Thomas Verny: Navigating Psychotherapy Brian speaks with Dr. Thomas Verny about the complex world of therapy — from Freud and Jung to Gestalt and CBT — and what truly predicts success in psychotherapy. Topics include: How psycho...

This episode of The Brian Crombie Hour goes deeper than dating. It’s about trust. It’s about discernment. And it’s about what happens when connection and caution collide. Brian is joined by Tracy Lamourie and Dave Parkinson of the John Parkinson Family Foundation to unpack the rising sophistication of romance scams — particularly those targeting seniors around Valentine’s Day. From AI-generated fa...

This episode of The Brian Crombie Hour moves from personal reflection to economic reality to long-term national strategy. Brian opens with a simple word: ICE. On a recent flight from Toronto to Florida, de-icing caused a delay — a routine Canadian winter inconvenience. But in parts of the United States today, “ICE” means something very different: immigration enforcement, border tensions, and ident...

Join Brian Crombie for a candid and deeply insightful conversation with Camille Lawson, women’s health expert, hormone educator, and relationship counselor. Millions of couples experience changes in intimacy during midlife — but few talk about the real drivers: Hormonal shifts Chronic stress and elevated cortisol Sleep disruption Changing sexual desire Emotional misinterpretation Is loss of intima...

Join Brian Crombie for a timely conversation with Jaime Watt, Chairman and Founder of Navigator Ltd. and author of Director’s Crisis Playbook. In today’s world of instant scrutiny, viral amplification, and relentless stakeholder pressure, crises unfold faster than ever — and boards are increasingly in the spotlight. Jaime shares lessons from decades advising CEOs, boards, and political leaders thr...

Justice. Wrongful conviction. DNA science. And a case that still resonates across Canada. Brian is joined by Folklaur Chevrier, Executive Producer of The Christine Jessop Story, now streaming on Netflix after premiering as a Crave original. The series quickly rose to #2 on Netflix, reigniting national conversation around one of Canada’s most tragic and consequential criminal cases. In 1984, nine-y...