Conservative Politics with Hugh Segal

Few understand conservatism in Canada as much as Hugh Segal. His public service includes serving as Chief of Staff to Ontario Premier Bill Davis and Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. Mr. Segal is also an author, former senator, and current principal at Massey College.

This episode is the flip side to my earlier discussion with Bob Rae. Whereas the conversation with Mr. Rae examined politics from the progressive point of view, this episode with Mr. Segal takes a look at politics from the perspective of a thoughtful conservative.

I hope you’ll enjoy as much as I did his insightful analysis on some of today’s most pressing issues, like climate change and trade, but also his personal stories about leadership, including a few anecdotes about Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau.

Progressive Politics with Bob Rae

Bob Rae has been a pillar of Canadian politics for over 40 years. Easily one of the most important Canadians of his generation, Ontario’s 21st Premier and former interim leader of the Liberal Party of Canada joins The Herle Burly for a discussion about progressive politics, but also to give his insights in to the forces changing society today. This episode is part one of a two-part discussion about progressive and conservative politics in Canada and around the world. The next episode will feature a conversation with the legendary Hugh Segal for a discussion about conservatism—past and present.

Political Year in Review with #ScottWatt

Nine months after three of us gathered on The Herle Burly, Scott Reid and Jaime Watt join me on the podcast for a raucous discussion about the most significant political events of the year. We’ll look back at the 2018 Ontario election and the first months of the Ford government, as well as how the political parties are positioned federally, and finally a review of Trump’s America. Join us for that conversation plus a new Herle Burly speed round as we wrap up the year. #ScottWatt

California Dreamin’: midterm reflections with California pollster, Ruth Bernstein

The morning after the midterm elections I sat down with veteran political pollster, Ruth Bernstein in Oakland, California. Ruth works out of the San Francisco Bay Area for clients across California, as well as Governors and Senators throughout the United States. Like me, Ruth got her start in polling because of her love for politics, but what’s clear is that Ruth Bernstein a fierce champion for seeing more women on the ballot and more women elected. Among her collection of San Francisco Giants bobble heads, Ruth hosted me in her office to talk about the midterms, Trump in 2020, and our shared profession of public opinion research.

Averell "Ace" Smith, US Democratic Party Strategist

Averell "Ace" Smith is one of the great American political strategists for Democratic Party candidates, including Hillary Clinton, Jerry Brown, Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris. Ace is best known for his work as an opposition researcher, but today he joins us to discuss his new book on Satchel Paige, The Pitcher and the Dictator, and of course, to reflect on the state of politics and what it will take to beat Trump in 2020.

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Dave Bidini

Dave Bidini—acclaimed journalist, author, and musician—joins The Herle Burly to explore his take on the rise of right-wing populism, local democracy, and the shifts in our culture today. Bidini, better known as a founding member of the Rheostatics, recently created a new, local, print newspaper in Toronto's West End called the West End Phoenix. A new book will also be released from Bidini later this year.

Trailer to Dave Bidini Episode

In a world where right-wing populism is reborn and classic rock is dying, a Canadian man rises so that Canadian stories might rise with him… an acclaimed journalist, an acclaimed author, a Gemini award winner. Dave Bidini of the Rheostatics and the West End Phoenix, speaks openly about democracy, local communities, and the roots of Canadian music. Coming to The Herle Burly podcast in just a few days.

Thomas Frank, author of Listen Liberal

Thomas Frank is the author of two of the most important books on American politics in the last decade. “What's the Matter with Kansas” explored why lower socioeconomic voters vote reliably Republican in certain jurisdictions in the United States and the role that culture plays in that decision. And then “Listen Liberal” released in 2016 outlines the issues with the Democratic Party and why—if the Republicans govern for the 1 percent—Democrats don't govern for the 99 percent. Thomas Frank joins us to talk about those books, income inequality, and working-class voters in American politics.

 

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SEASON TWO: Ontario PC leadership race with Watt and Reid

We’re back!

Welcome to season two of The Herle Burly, and boy, what a time to pick things up.

On our first episode back we’re talking about… what else, the Ontario PC leadership race.

In our first ever panel discussion, my dear friends Jaime Watt and Scott Reid join me to offer their insight on what could be the most bizarre story in Canadian politics today (if not ever).

Chuck Klosterman, Part 2 (revised audio)

(We have revised the audio file on this episode to correct an audio glitch) Welcome to part 2 of the conversation with New York Times bestselling author, Chuck Klosterman. From sports to music, Chuck is one of the most influential pop culture critics in North America today.

On this episode, Chuck debates a point Rob Bowman made on a previous episode of The Herle Burly. Chuck gives us his take on how many rock bands will ultimately be remembered and who those musicians will be when the history books are written.

Thanks for listening to our discussion about music and culture, and about what we can expect next from Chuck Klosterman.

Chuck Klosterman, Part 2

Welcome to part 2 of the conversation with New York Times bestselling author, Chuck Klosterman. From sports to music, Chuck is one of the most influential pop culture critics in North America today.

On this episode, Chuck debates a point Rob Bowman made on a previous episode of The Herle Burly. Chuck gives us his take on how many rock bands will ultimately be remembered and who those musicians will be when the history books are written.

Thanks for listening to our discussion about music and culture, and about what we can expect next from Chuck Klosterman.

Chuck Klosterman, Part 1

Chuck Klosterman is the New York Times bestselling author who is known for his focus on American culture, sports and music. His books include Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs; Eating the Dinosaur; Killing Yourself to Live; The Visible Man; and Fargo Rock City. Chuck’s essays and columns have been featured in GQ, The New York Times, Spin, The Washington Post, The Guardian, and Grantland.

Part 1 of our conversation is about the future of the NFL, Trump and American culture today, and the state of journalism in society.

I'm thrilled Chuck could join The Herle Burly via telephone from his home in Portland.

Rob Bowman, Part 2

Back again with Grammy award winner and world renowned musicologist, Rob Bowman.

On this episode, we will discuss The Rock and Rock Hall of Fame—who belongs and who doesn’t—and who will matter when the history of music is written 100 years from now.

But most of what we discuss on part 2 is the intersection of music and politics. Drawing from Rob’s expertise we’ll explore protest music from the sixties and seventies and what today’s sometimes ugly culture will mean for contemporary popular music.

Rob Bowman, Part 1

If you’ve seen the movie Almost Famous, my guest Rob Bowman lived the life of that teenage journalist. Rob would take days off during high school to interview band’s like Jefferson Airplane and Pink Floyd, then would return to class with stories for all his friends.

Rob Bowman is one of the world’s most recognized experts in popular music, travelling with bands, writing their liner notes, and being nominated for multiple Grammy awards.

Join us for part one where we’ll talk about the Beatles, the Stones, the Band, Elton John, and everything in between.

Robbie Robertson, Part 2

In my conversation with Robbie Robertson, we talked about a lot of different things – the history of The Band, politics and the Trump era, his indigenous background, music and discrimination in the US south in the 60’s – but it is when we were talking about music that he most came alive.  You can just tell that music still has the power to move and amaze him.  In Part 2, we are going to talk about how “somewhere down The Crazy River” came together, the connection to New Orleans that inspired Storyville, and what music and artists he is listening to now.  Join me for another 40 minutes under the spell of this genius.