The Stratford Slice

May 5, 2026 marks the 81st anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands during the Second World War - a date with deep meaning in Stratford. During the war, Dutch troops trained here, while soldiers from the Perth Regiment played a vital role in the Netherlands’ liberation. These historic ties are commemorated through the ceremonial tulip garden along the Avon River - a gift from the Dutch gov...

After more than 40 years of delay, Stratford’s Grand Trunk site is at a critical turning point. With partial demolition on the table, historian Dean Robinson and architect Robert Ritz join Craig in a conversation that explores what should be preserved and whether the city is thinking boldly enough about its future.

In this episode, Diana Bishop - journalist, author, and granddaughter of First World War flying ace Billy Bishop opens up about the weight and wonder of inheriting a national legend. She reflects on family stories stitched with courage, controversy and myth, and how that lineage sparked her curiosity and influenced her career. Diana shares discoveries from researching her grandfather for a documen...

Craig sits down with two comedy legends — Dan Castellaneta, the Emmy Award–winning actor best known as the voice of Homer Simpson, and Michael Gellman, acclaimed Second City director and co-founder of Process Theatre. They reflect on their decades in comedy and explore the pressures on satire and free expression in the United States while celebrating Canada’s rich comedy legacy.  The conversation...

While Tom Patterson is credited with the vision for a Shakespearean theatre festival in Stratford, his inspiration came from his high school teacher Rose McQueen, who instilled in many of her students, a love for the classics.  Craig sits down with Robert McQueen, Laura Pogson and Rachel Kelleher, to discuss the campaign underway to recognize Rose McQueen's place in Stratford's history.

On this episode of the Stratford Slice, Craig is joined by Robert Ritz, Chair of the Stratford Rotary Dragon Boat Festival, and Kelan Herr, third generation owner of The Boathouse, to discuss the Avon River Crisis, how it happened, and what should happen next.

May is Asian Heritage Month, and Craig welcomes Justin Poy as his guest to discuss his efforts to combat racism through storytelling. Justin is a distinguished figure in Canada’s advertising and media industry, renowned for his pioneering work in multicultural marketing, particularly on behalf of the Chinese community.

In recognition of Earth Day, we present a runway preview of Stratford Trashion Week. Craig and co-host Joan Chapple, herself a talented  fashion and jewelry designer, chat with event founder Jessica Guy, and artist and clothing designer Claire Scott about how the environment and fashion are intertwined.

Craig’s guest on this episode of The Stratford Slice is Juno-nominated singer-songwriter and community music champion Dayna Manning. Interspersed with musical selections from Dayna’s catalogue, our conversation offers a revealing glimpse into a career highlighted by lucky coincidences, chance encounters and a life changing connection to Canada Day.

In this episode of The Stratford Slice Craig chats with Aaron Martin, Manager of the Stratford & District Chamber of Commerce, for a wide-ranging conversation about the local economic impact of the Trump tariffs on agriculture, manufacturing, and other key sectors. We also delve into Aaron’s entrepreneurial journey—from dairy farming and crafting water buffalo cheese to his latest venture laun...

In this episode of The Stratford Slice , Craig Thompson sits down with longtime arts champion Ron Dodson to explore Stratford’s vibrant cultural scene and its future. As co-founder of the Stratford Arts and Culture Collective and a member of the Grand Trunk Renewal Committee, Ron shares his vision for transforming the 18-acre former railway site in downtown Stratford into a dynamic neighbourhood t...

In this episode of The Stratford Slice , Craig sits down with architect and passionate community advocate Robert Ritz. From his roots growing up in Stratford to his ongoing work with the Rotary Club, Robert shares his vision for building a better city amid the challenges posed by the Canada–U.S. trade standoff. We dive into pressing issues like housing, smart urban planning, and the importance of...

Craig Thompson sits down with former Ontario cabinet minister John Wilkinson to dissect Canada’s strategic response to the U.S. tariff war. He shares his insights on Canada’s quest for sovereignty against a shifting geopolitical landscape, an imminent Canadian election and a fractured new world order.  

This episode takes a deep dive into Stratford’s evolving food and tourism culture.  Craig is joined by co-host Joanie Chapple for a lively discussion with Megan Jones, co-owner of The Starlight, and Executive Chef Yva Santini. We explore Stratford’s restaurant scene, the importance of community gathering spaces, and how the city’s hospitality industry differs from that of Toronto’s. Megan shares h...

During his five terms as Mayor of Stratford, Dan Mathieson oversaw a period of rapid economic growth in Southwestern Ontario - particularly in the automotive industry and its integration with our neighbouring state of Michigan.   Craig chats with Dan about the Canada-U.S. relationship and how we can best weather the storm that will continue to churn our trading relationship in the months and years...

To gain some insights into Donald Trump’s tariff and trade war with Canada, Craig chats with the Honourable Perrin Beatty, who, until August 2024, was President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.  Beatty has extensive experience in navigating the Canada - U.S. relationship, including serving in the cabinet of Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, in several portfolios includ...

On the doorstep of a provincial election, in which housing affordability will be one of the many critical issues, Craig chats with John Wolfe, a veteran of the real estate market, about the  current state of the housing market in Stratford and Southwestern Ontario and the shifting realities since the pandemic.

In a few short days, Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States. Craig Thompson chats with Roy Norton about the unfolding political and trade drama between the United States and Canada and the path forward.  Roy is no stranger to Canada - U.S. relations.  He spent his career in Canada’s foreign service with diplomatic postings to the Canadian Embassy in Washington D.C...

Synopsis:   As the traditional tourist season gets underway, Craig sits down with Zac Gribble, Executive Director of Destination Stratford to learn more about the trends reshaping the tourism economy.  Zac also shares his vision to develop a year-round multi-faceted visitor experience that encompasses arts, culture, culinary and sports.  

When people think of Stratford, they naturally think of culture and the arts.  Think again. Think Milk!  Believe it or not, Stratford is at the epicentre of Canada’s dairy industry. So it’s not surprising that this city is home to the annual Canadian Dairy XPO, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2024. Craig sits down with Jordon Underhill, founder of the Canadian Dairy XPO, and learns th...

Best-selling novelist Andrew Pyper has built a career on probing the psychological depths of his characters in a myriad of thrilling circumstances. Now his alter ego, Mason Coile, Pyper’s new pen name, is taking the narrative in a new direction blending science with the supernatural. Craig chats with the Stratford-born author about his career and where he finds the inspiration for his stories. and...

Growing up on his family’s dairy farm, Matthew Rae was hooked on news and politics from a young age. So when it came time to choose a career, he chose a path that he imagined would eventually take him into the world of foreign diplomacy and international affairs.  After years in the corridors of power in Vienna, Ottawa and Toronto, he is now front and centre on the political side as the MPP for Pe...

Mick Grogan is a British-born, Oxford-educated film and television director and writer who makes his home in Stratford, Ontario.  Throughout his 30+ year career, Mick has tackled a wide range of documentary subjects from history to crime to science fiction.  Craig Thompson sits down with Mick for a conversation about the appeal of documentaries and factual entertainment and how they reflect the st...

Brittlestar, otherwise known as Stewart Reynolds is a Stratford-based social media influencer, media commentator and author whose satirical, common-sense viral videos have more than 600 million views across various platforms. He sits down with Craig Thompson to discuss his new book Welcome to the Stupidpocalypse: Survival Tips for the Dumbageddon , a series of essays on the rise of technology and...

When your name is Rheo Thompson, most people associate you with the famous candy store that bears the same name.  But Rheo Thompson is also a real person.  Now retired, having sold the chocolate and candy business years ago, Rheo chats with Craig about how he got started in the chocolate and candy business and reflects on his decades-long career as Stratford’s ‘candyman’