Podcasts
WONK is the Public Policy Forum’s weekly podcast exploring the big policy questions shaping Canada’s future. Hosted by award-winning journalist Michael Serapio, the new season asks what it will take to build a more prosperous, resilient and ambitious country. Each episode brings leading voices into thoughtful, non-partisan conversations about investment, trade, major projects, health, Canada’s place in the world and more. Watch on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts. (What’s a WONK, you ask? We’ve got you covered.)
The fight to fix social media and protect children from online harms
On PPF’s WONK podcast, host Amanda Lang talks to Ava Smithing, advocacy director of the Young People’s Alliance, about social media algorithms, advice for parents and taking on tech platforms
What does major projects success look like?
On PPF’s podcast WONK, host Amanda Lang talks to Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson about Canada’s new energy ambitions and the challenges ahead.
Tiff Macklem on the search for economic stability
On PPF's WONK podcast, host Amanda Lang talks to the Bank of Canada governor about the ongoing impact of tariffs, affordability issues and the tough times ahead
The Canadian economy and the surprising case for optimism
On this episode of WONK, RBC Chief Economist Frances Donald talks to Amanda Lang about the 'fragmentation' of the economy and why Canada is at a 'turning point'
How to make sense of today’s reality-defying markets
On WONK, legendary investor Howard Marks talks to host Amanda Lang about optimism, fear and why America still attracts the most investment
Canada’s infrastructure problem: America
Building energy corridors and 'One Canadian Economy' won't be easy given Canada's deep north-south ties, argues political scientist Ian Bremmer on WONK
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Is Canada’s democracy falling apart?
On this episode of PPF's WONK podcast, host Amanda Lang talks to Andrew Coyne about the long decline of Canada's democratic process and what needs to happen to save it
How Canadian housing got so unaffordable
On WONK this week, Peter Gilgan discusses the forces driving up home prices, building in Canada vs. the U.S. and how to make more houses for less
The big risks now facing Canada and America
On WONK this week, top political scientist Ian Bremmer talks about America’s ‘dysfunctional democracy’ and how Canada lacks the infrastructure of a sovereign nation.
How to build Arctic sovereignty and Canada’s economy
On this episode of WONK, Agnico Eagle chairperson Sean Boyd talks about nation-building projects, building trust with Indigenous partners and working with the Canadian military
Inside the fight of Google’s life
On this episode of WONK, host Amanda Lang talks to Kent Walker, the president of global affairs at Google, about AI, regulation and the tech giant's 'most fundamental transformation'
The totally unregulated rise of agentic AI
On WONK this week, host Amanda Lang talks to Valérie Pisano, the head of MILA — Quebec AI Institute, about the risks of agentic AI and why it should be a public good
How Canada can get moving on nation-building projects
On this episode of WONK, host Amanda Lang talks to Jay Khosla and Yiota Kokkinos, authors of PPF's recent Build Big Things report, about Canada's pressing economic challenge
Jean Chrétien on the ongoing fight for national unity
On this episode of WONK, Canada's 20th prime minister talks to Amanda Lang about the benefits of Team Canada, Donald Trump and unhappy Albertans
How to build ‘one Canadian economy’
On this episode of WONK, economist Trevor Tombe talks to Amanda Lang about what it will take to finally kill interprovincial trade barriers — and who will win big