FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH with Blake Melnick

Send us Fan Mail A severed arm on a Florida dock, a 1950s game show built on lies, a Civil War–era courtroom straining under fear, and a band that still sounds alive in the studio - our latest conversation tackles a common theme: what honesty costs and why it still matters. We jump from sun-baked noir vibe of Bad Monkey  to Robert Redford’s Quiz Show and The Conspirator, connecting the dots betwee...

Send us Fan Mail A plane held together by rope, bamboo,  shouldn’t fly—yet five men bet their lives that it would. We share the true story of RCAF pilot Rudy Mendizabel and a small Allied crew who scavenged two wrecked Lockheeds on a bombed-out Java airfield and built one improbable lifeline. With a cratered runway, engines shaking, and surrender orders closing in, they chose risk over captivity a...

Send us Fan Mail Canada consistently ranks near the bottom of global innovation indexes — despite world-class education, research, and talent. In Addressing Canada’s Innovation Paradox , I explore the reasons why. Drawing on insights from the Conference Board of Canada , Jim Balsillie , and the Council of Canadian Innovators , this episode exposes the roots of our productivity challenge: an outdat...

Send us Fan Mail What if your doctor knew everything about you—not just your medical history, but your genetics, lifestyle, environment, and social circumstances? Abbas Zavar, a physician and digital health leader with over 20 years of experience, believes this comprehensive approach is the key to fixing Canada's broken healthcare system. Our conversation dives deep into the crisis facing Can...

Send us Fan Mail Canada's healthcare system, once the crown jewel of our national identity, now faces an unprecedented crisis. Emergency rooms overflow with patients waiting hours for care, while millions struggle to find a family doctor. The healthcare professionals we depend on are burning out at alarming rates, caught in a system that seems increasingly unable to meet the complex needs of...

Send us Fan Mail This week on #ForWhatitsWorthwithBlakeMelnick,  Part 2 of #MakingSenseofitAll #AnneApplebaum and her essay #HistorywillJudgetheComplicit, explores the moral complexities of political complicity in times of crisis, examining individuals’ rationalizations for inaction. Through historical examples, we reflect on the quiet compromises made by leaders and their resulting implications f...

Send us Fan Mail What drives individuals to align with or resist oppressive regimes? #AnneApplebaum's compelling essay originally published in the #Atlantic in 2020 #HistoryWillJudgetheComplicit, digs into the complex motivations that underpin political behaviours, through the telling of stories from real people and real experiences. Through her writing we can begin to understand #DonaldTrump...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for an enlightening conversation with Edwin Morris, the trailblazing founder of Pioneer Knowledge Services, the first U.S. non-profit dedicated to advancing knowledge management among other non-profits.  Edward and I discuss the essential role of knowledge management in nonprofits, highlighting how it can enhance organizational effectiveness and innovation. Edwin Morris sh...

Send us Fan Mail Tony Marra joins us in an inspiring discussion on the convergence of running, mental health, and film making.  Tony's latest project, "Billy Runs Boston," beautifully captures the emotional and mental aspects of the sport. Drawing from his own experiences, he explores how running interweaves with personal struggles and triumphs, enriching the film's narrative w...

Send us Fan Mail Prepare to light up your imagination as we take you on a whimsically satirical journey back to the smoke-filled rooms of yore. Remember when a cloud of tobacco was synonymous with deep thought in university halls and spirited camaraderie in our favorite bars? We'll entertain the fantastical notion of reviving this golden era, complete with smoking dispensaries and safe smokin...

Send us Fan Mail When the chords of life strike a dissonant note, it's the art of music that can guide us back to harmony. The latest instalment of Pass the Jam, Part 2 of 'Lucky Time' , I'm joined by Douglas Cameron for the inaugural  "passing of the jam" to our next artist in residence, Tracy Jones. This episode offers a masterclass in dedication, from honing vocal...

Send us Fan Mail When Tracy Jones strums his guitar, it's not just about the notes—it's his life's story in the strings.  Tracy doesn't just play music; he lives it, breathing life into his songs while fostering thoughtful , personal reflection and a community spirit. This week's episode takes you on a sonic journey through the heart of Tracy's artistry. We navigate t...

Send us Fan Mail Well Happy New Year! For our first episode of 2024, we turn our attention to our music series #passthejam Over the past several months, the music of our current artist in residence,# DouglasCameron's has been a cornerstone of the show. Songs, like the soul-stirring "Doctor," underscored our episodes.  We were drawn into his tales where love wrestles with the shadows...

Send us Fan Mail Embark on a thought-provoking journey, as we continue our fascinating conversation with Eric Monteiro. We attempt to unravel the complex tapestry of AI, free will, and the human condition, offering insights that promise to challenge your perspectives on a future with generative AI. Our discussion spans the ethical quandaries of AI's impact on creativity and wealth distributio...

Send us Fan Mail What if our future was not just shaped by  human intelligence but also artificial intelligence? This week on "For What It's Worth", we explore one possible future in a world dependent on Generative AI as we sit down with Eric Monteiro, analytics expert, robotics engineer, and author, through the lens of his  science-based novel ALMA. We weave our way through Eric&ap...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever considered how intellectual inequality in education might be a root cause of socioeconomic disparity? Join us as we dive deep into this thought-provoking issue with our guest, John Mighton, the founder of Jump Math. We take a hard look at intellectual inequality, a hidden yet pervasive issue in our society, and discuss how promoting intellectual equality in schools c...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered why some people are naturally good at math while others struggle ? Get ready to debunk the myth of the 'math gene' as we chat with one of Canada's most distinguished innovators, John Mighton. A self-taught mathematician, John takes us on a fascinating journey from his diverse background in mathematics, literature and theatre, to his innovative approach...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to a new season of For What It's Worth that promises to be a whirlwind journey through the world of innovation, music, and social issues. Our first guest is John Mighton, whose contributions to the fields of Mathematics, Literature, Drama, Education and Social Entrepreneurship are nothing short of extraordinary. His charity organization JUMP Math  is changing how we c...

Send us Fan Mail As we are set to begin Season 5 of  #ForWhatitsworthwithBlakeMelnick, we figured it's time to update the show trailer for the benefit of our new listeners prior to the launch of  the new season.  The show began in June 2020 and oh what changes have occurred since that time ... The storming of the U.S. capitol; The impeachment of President Trump; The war in the Ukraine, and th...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to this week's episode of #ForWhatitsWorthwithBlakeMelnick, called #TakeFive, the final episode of Season 4 of the show. Thanks to all the wonderful guests we've had on the show this season -  #DrTomCarey #DrTerrySoleas #StephenCohos, #DrRuthBackstrom, #TomPowers and #SueSiri . And my special thanks to you, our listeners. I've said it before and I'll sa...

Send us Fan Mail This Week on #ForWhatitsWorthwithBlakeMelnick, our next instalment of #WhatWereWatchingReadingandListeningto on #TheSpaceinbetween. As in the past, I'm joined by my co-host, #CameronBrown to discuss our recommendations for what to watch; what to read, and what to listen to as the Summer draws to a close. We have some great picks for you - #TeskeyBrothers, #AlwaysattheCarlyle...

Send us Fan Mail This week on #ForWhatitsWorthwithBlakeMelnick,  the next installment in our series #ManyFacesofInnovation, #EyesWideOpen  - my interview with #SueSiri, Founder  and CEO of #IrisBooth. Often times good ideas "die on the vine" so to speak, because at the time the idea was conceived, there was no context to which it could be applied.  In some cases, the right context might...

Send us Fan Mail This week on #ForWhatitsWorthwithBlakeMelnick, the trailer for our up and coming episode, the next instalment in our series #TheManyFacesofInnovation, called #EyesWideOpen with my guest #SueSiri, Founder of #IrisBooth. Sometimes the opportunity for innovation is right in front of us. It's not necessarily an idea that's new to the world ...sometimes it's a better mou...

Send us Fan Mail This week on  #ForWhatitsWorthwithBlakeMelnick , part two of my interview with Dr. #RuthBackstrom author of #IgnitingaBoldNewDemocracy .  In part one, Dr. Backstrom and I discussed the context for change; the eroding belief that our democracy can provide for the needs of all our citizens.  In part two, we pick up from where we left off and focus our conversation on the impact of t...

Send us Fan Mail This week on #ForWhatitsWorhwithBlakeMelnick, Part 1 of my interview with Dr. #RuthBackstrom, author of the recently published book #IGNITINGABOLDNEWDEMOCRACY: Empowering Citizens Through Game-Changing Reforms.  In Part 1 of our interview, Dr. Backstrom discusses her background  and the motivation for wanting to write her book; The root causes of the dysfunctional state of Democra...