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Ministry of Podcasts: Episode 5
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Ministry of Podcasts: Episode 5
Be it resolved that the Minister of Podcasts, Stephen Carter, together with the Chair of Oral Questions, Zain Velji, do hereby call this sitting of The Ministry of Podcasts to order, notwithstanding heckling from the floor or ambient jackhammering.
Be it further resolved that the House shall receive evidence from the duly sworn Member of Parliament and Parliamentary Secretary, Corey Hogan, on matters including but not limited to:
The structural failure of Question Period and why 35 seconds is enough time for a slogan but not an answer,
The strange experience of attending a Conservative convention as a Liberal observer,
The risks of pretending separatism is just another wedge issue that will go away,
And the difference between winning the moment and accidentally torching the country.
And be it further noted that testimony was provided without central messaging, written talking points, or permission from anyone in authority, and was instead governed by lived experience, and a dangerous amount of strategic clarity.
Therefore be it finally resolved that this episode, while lacking a formal agenda, shall be entered into the record as a cautionary tale, a media briefing, and a reminder that short-term tactics age quickly, but constitutional consequences do not.
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Episode 1907: Cucks Who Don't Like It
44:14|Shannon Phillips and Stephen Carter discuss a Conservative movement that has decided it will not pivot, will not moderate, and absolutely does not care who hates it for that choice. What does it mean when a party re-ups the leader voters say they don't like, even after winning the argument on the issues? Is wrapping yourself in the flag a real political move or just vibes? And did Stephen Carter get something right even with his brain frozen? Stick around to the end to find out.Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspodYou can also watch our episodes on YouTube.https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspodEpisode 1906: Treason? Or Treason-Adjacent? - Teaser
14:28|Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips discuss Alberta separatism going international after reporting reveals meetings with U.S. officials, and what the different levels of government can, and shouldn't, do in response. How does a fringe movement become a foreign policy problem? What's the right move when separatist politics go too far? And does a producer organizing events without asking the hosts count as treason?Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspodYou can also watch our episodes on YouTube.https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspodEpisode 1905: The Federal Stress Test
52:13|Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips discuss a federal stress test unfolding on two fronts: The killing of a Minneapolis man by federal immigration agents and open U.S. interference in Alberta's separatism debate. What happens when American political actors start shaping domestic politics? Why isn't there a more serious political pushback in the US after another fatal federal law enforcement shooting? And is anyone even pretending this is normal anymore?Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspodYou can also watch our episodes on YouTube.https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspodAudio excerpt from "Unless You Are Free" by Ani DiFranco & Utah Phillips (Fellow Workers, Righteous Babe Records)Episode 1903: A New World Order, Whether We Like It or Not
58:51|Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips dive into Canada’s new world order as Mark Carney cuts a landmark trade deal with China and openly acknowledges that Washington is no longer a reliable partner. Stephen and Shannon break down what all of this means for Alberta separatism, NATO, and the future of Canadian sovereignty. Can Canada expand trade without selling out workers and Ontario auto jobs? Are Chinese EVs actually "spy cars," or is America now the bigger security risk? And if Carter is convinced he’ll need his bug-out plan, is that the strongest argument that we won’t? Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspodYou can also watch our episodes on YouTube.https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspodEpisode 1902: When a Petition Isn't a Movement
44:39|Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips dig into Alberta's latest separatist referendum push and ask the two questions that actually matter: is it inevitable, and is it likely? They break down the math behind the new 177,000-signature threshold, the organizational reality facing separatist groups, and why last summer's "Forever Canadian" petition may have been lightning in a bottle rather than a new normal.What political price does the UCP pay for flirting with separatism? Do pro-Canada forces need to organize again, or is ignoring the petition the smartest strategy? And if this thing somehow makes it to a referendum, which of the three hosts is least emotionally prepared to live through the campaign without yelling at strangers on the internet? Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspodYou can also watch our episodes on YouTube.https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspodEpisode 1901: Holiday Spectacular
01:03:03|Check the Orthodox Boxing Day deals, lower your expectations accordingly, and get ready as The Strategists unpack the year that was in the Flair Airlines* Better Late Than Never Holiday Spectacular. Stephen Carter, Shannon Phillips, and Annalise Klingbeil try to make sense of the last year in politics. From delayed responses and rare perfect landings to middle-seat nightmares, political rebirths and obituaries, Zain Velji keeps everybody in line.*not our sponsorJoin our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspodYou can also watch our episodes on YouTube.https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspodEpisode 1899: Schulz Resigns | What Does This Mean for Unity?
55:11|Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips talk about Rebecca Schulz’s sudden resignation from cabinet and what it signals about unity inside the UCP, and the country. They dive into the subtext of the resignation letter, whether this is about an oncoming referendum or possibly even an early election. Is this actually a problem for Danielle Smith or just another data point in a noisy political moment? What should we actually take from the Alberta Next panel? Signal? Noise? Or a roadmap to bigger trouble? And will Carter’s MP return his calls about getting his toilet to flush? Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspodYou can also watch our episodes on YouTube.https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod
Ministry of Podcasts: Episode 4
59:22|Be it resolved that the Minister of Podcasts, Stephen Carter, together with the Chair of Oral Questions, Zain Velji, do convene this sitting of The Ministry of Podcasts.Be it further resolved that the House shall hear testimony from the sworn Member of Parliament and Parliamentary Secretary, Corey Hogan, on matters pertaining to:The unintended lifecycle of political content in the outrage economy,The perils of attempting a pipeline gotcha with a motion that solves nothing,The difficulty of separating fact from fiction in a town that runs almost entirely on rumour,And the strategic advantage of naming the opposition play instead of reacting to it.Therefore be it finally resolved that this episode, having no formal agenda but much informal candour, stands as both a record of proceedings and an acknowledgement that a win is a win, even when it arrives with just 7.8% of the vote.