Concepts with Shawn Whatley

Professor Bruhn is a unique thinker. She calls herself someone of the 'non-left'. Her advocacy on indigenous issues does not rest on the more common progressive principles.  I hope you enjoy the episode! AI summary: In this episode, Shawn dives into Canadian political thought with Dr. Jodi Bruhn. They explore topics such as the conservatism of Pierre Poilievre, political and social myths that shap...

Ted Morton offers a perspective you cannot find anywhere else in Canada. He's an academic, turned politician, returned academic from Alberta.  If you want to understand Canadian politics, you simply have to spend time digging into Alberta. Ted has a great sense of humour and seems to love chatting about the thorniest political issues. He jokes that he doesn't have to worry about what he says now t...

Our lives are shaped by the political systems in which we live. When our country starts to struggle, we need to revisit the ideas that animate the programs and structures around us. In just under 5 minutes, I explain why we need to focus on political ideas now, and why philosophical conservatism offers a (paradoxically) new and fresh way to think. If you agree and think that this is a worthy quest...

Ginny returns to answer common Canadian myths and misconceptions, as well as offering analysis on the upcoming election.  We start out with four familiar comments or questions: Is the Conservative Party uncaring, especially about people in need? Will Pierre Poilievre end up spending as much as Mark Carney? The CBC is Canadian. Isn't it a trusted source for unbiased information? Carney is really no...

Canadian Conservatism, National Identity, & Critique of Post-Colonialism In this episode, Shawn interviews Professor Jeremy Geddert about George Grant, renowned Canadian philosopher and author of 'Lament for a Nation'. They delve into Grant's critique of the Laurentian elite, his perspectives on Canadian nationalism, conservatism, and his critique of contemporary progressive politics. Geddert...

Sean Speer, Editor at Large at The Hub, paints a stressful (dire?) picture of what faces the next prime minister. The need to secure a stable economic and security agreement with the United States may, paradoxically, compromise the Prime Minister’s political future. They might not be able to secure an agreement that any Canadians will like. What will America want in return for an improved trade re...

Preston Manning knows populism like no one else. He says Western Canada might have the most experience with populist movements and governments worldwide. United Farmers’ Associations, Social Credit, CCF, and Reform — they all shared a bottom-up, grassroots energy fuelled by frustration over disdain from elites and inattentive government. Having spent his life giving speeches and talking about Cana...

Arney Lange has applied his medical and military mind to a structured definition of conservatism that includes 7 different types along two axes. He said there are 3rd and 4th dimensional axes also, but he didn’t want to overwhelm me with details. He has found a way to package complex ideas in a format that most high-school students could manage. Order through his website or Amazon . AI summary and...

Roy has spent decades inside the belly of the Big Blue beast. He knows retail Canadian conservatism as well as anyone. Not only does he attend almost every conservative political conference, event, and lecture (including CPAC in the US), he also has photos of himself standing with more world leaders than most individual world leaders can boast! Including unique insights and experiences, Dr. Eappen...

I tried my best to disagree with Daniel. Doesn’t Quebec block pipelines to protect its cultural identity? How can Canadians pout about tariffs when we have major intra-provincial trade barriers? Why talk about making it easier to build homes without talking about a construction sector that seems built to protect itself and resist efficiency? In each case, Daniel corrected misconceptions with evide...

Was John Diefenbaker a buffoon or a great Canadian? He served as Canada’s 13th prime minister and spent 39 years in federal parliament, passing away at 83 while still in office. Bob Plamondon, author and historian, takes a second look at Diefenbaker’s legacy. No question, Diefenbaker was a complex, conflicted, and often tragic man. Many have found too little to like about him and have chosen to re...

This episode may not be what you want to hear. The Liberals will win in a landslide, and the NDP will lose everything to the Liberals, if current polling holds. The Liberals have convinced voters that this election is a referendum on President Trump, not Liberal leadership. The last ten years have been hard on Canadians. The Liberals are smart to maintain focus on a new threat. Candice Malcolm mix...

Book covers capture attention, not content. Everyone knows this, but we still judge books by their covers and YouTubers by their online presence. JJ McCullough is a young, hip, lighthearted YouTuber. His ‘cover’ grabs attention and forces you to look twice. Once hooked, JJ fascinates with clips, shots, and quips designed to keep you glued. All dazzle and no depth, you say? JJ’s video, Canada’s Con...

Mark gets things done. He’s written over 1000 columns, participated in nearly 100 research studies, and has published 6 books. He captures the zeitgeist of the centre-right over the last few decades. Definitely someone to follow! Books mentioned: The Victim Cult , 1867 Project Dr. Milke’s think tank: The Aristotle Foundation for Public Policy In this episode, Dr. Mark Milke discusses the importanc...

In this episode, political expert Brianna Morris discusses the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the impact of COVID-19 on political decisions, and the evolving meaning of conservatism in Canadian politics. She explores the balance between judicial and parliamentary supremacy, the role of government, and the need for a positive vision in conservative campaigns. Morris also shares insights into the c...

In this episode, host Shawn welcomes Bruce Pardy, a Professor of Law at Queen's University, as they delve into various political labels and philosophies within Canadian politics. They discuss the misalignment of political party names with their actual values and the definition of conservatism in Canada. Bruce critiques the underlying collectivism in conservative principles and emphasizes the impor...

In this deep and thought-provoking discussion, Shawn interviews Caylan Ford, a documentary filmmaker, writer, researcher, charter school founder, and former political candidate. They explore the moral responsibilities of individuals on all sides of the political spectrum. Caylan delves into the importance of guarding our souls against the moral perils of modern politics, the value of metaphysical...

Times always change, but our time is changing faster than usual. We live in a rare moment of revolution — a paradigm shift in culture, politics, economics … everything. As Ginny Roth said in episode #3, “Nothing is settled.” Since World War II, western countries have held a shared set of principles — a common operating system, if you will. Most people call it ‘liberal democracy’. It includes a lon...

In this episode, Dr. Chris Milburn, an emergency and family physician from Nova Scotia, shares his journey through medicine, public health, and politics. Dr. Milburn explains his evolution from a Green Party member to a vocal critic of expansive government regulations, recounting significant experiences including his firing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The dialogue touches on the challenges of mo...

In this episode, we discuss with Andrea Mrozek her new book on marriage titled ' I... Do? Why Marriage Still Matters. ' Andrea, a seasoned journalist and think tank expert, delves into the societal importance of marriage in today's secular, post-Christian society. We explore the strong link between marriage and fertility rates, the ongoing debate between the institutional and soulmate models of ma...

In this episode, I welcome Dr. John von Heyking, Chair of the Department of Political Science at the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, to discuss the meaning of conservatism in Canadian politics. The conversation delves into the 2013 Alberta floods as an example of community response, the evolving nature of conservative movements over recent decades, differing ideologies within conservatism, an...

In this insightful episode, Dr. Brian Lee Crowley, founder and executive director of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute , joins Shawn to discuss his books and the critical issues facing Canada's political and social landscape. Dr. Crowley delves into the themes of his book 'Gardeners vs. Designers' to outline the deeper fault lines in Canadian politics beyond party lines. He provides a detailed accou...

In this episode, we delve into the complexities of addiction, treatment, and the balance between agency and intervention with Dr. Regenstreif, a family physician and national expert on addiction medicine. Dr. Regenstreif shares her experiences from working in inner-city Hamilton to the Northwest Territories, discussing the history and impact of opioid prescribing, the rise of fentanyl, and effecti...

The Intersection of Pluralism, Conservatism, and Modern Society with Sean Speer In this insightful episode, we are joined by Sean Speer, a prominent lecturer at the Munk School of Public Policy and Editor at Large at The Hub , to explore the complex landscape of Canadian conservatism and its intersections with pluralism, liberalism, and modern societal challenges. Sean discusses the significance o...

In this episode, Shawn hosts Matt Bufton, co-founder and executive director of the Institute for Liberal Studies in Canada. They delve into common misconceptions about libertarianism, drug policy, political ideologies in Canadian politics, and the meaning of a social contract. Matt shares his views on the principles of liberty, spontaneous order, and the balance between personal freedom and societ...