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The Paul Wells Show

Antica Productions•paulwells.substack.com
News
Politics
Veteran journalist Paul Wells interviews the leaders and thinkers tackling the world's big problems — war and peace, democracy and dictatorship, making governments and communities work. Paul draws on decades of experience as a reporter and columnist at Macleans, the Toronto Star and elsewhere to bring you smart, intimate conversations with newsmakers and people who deserve a higher profile. The Paul Wells Show is produced by Antica. Season 3 is supported by McGill University’s Max Bell School of Public Policy.
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Episodes

Grammy winner esperanza spalding on inspiration and collaboration

Grammy-winning bass player and singer esperanza spalding (she does not capitalize her first and last names) brought a jazz quartet to Ottawa recently to play with the National Arts Centre Orchestra. While she was here, she joined Paul onstage to talk about collaboration, avoiding the pitfalls of success at a young age, and working with legendary musician Wayne Shorter on his first opera.

Nov 23, 2022•45 min

Is there a business case for greening the economy?

As the UN’s Climate Change Conference takes place in Egypt, Paul talks to Susannah Pierce, President and Country Chair at Shell Canada, about the green energy transition. Susannah talks about how Shell intends to reach net zero, concerns around greenwashing, and why reducing the carbon tax may actually be bad for business.This episode was recorded live at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa.

Nov 16, 2022•42 min

Winnipeg’s new mayor Scott Gillingham talks about his plans to revitalize the city

In Winnipeg, problems like homelessness, addiction and crime have only been exacerbated by the pandemic. Their new mayor, Scott Gillingham, won the election with just 27.54% of the vote, on a promise to raise property taxes in order to revitalize the city. This week, Paul flies to Winnipeg to meet Gillingham and talk to him about solving big problems at a local level.

Nov 09, 2022•38 min

Author Max Fisher on the social media chaos machine

New York Times writer Max Fisher talks about his new book, The Chaos Machine: The Inside Story of How Social Media Rewired Our Minds And Our World. Relying on international reporting, leaked corporate documents and social science, he lays out the case that the problem with social media is not just about amplifying the wrong messages; it’s that social networks are designed to bring out the worst in everyone.

Nov 02, 2022•47 min

Bob Rae and the cascade of crises

As Canada’s Ambassador to the UN, Bob Rae is not afraid to speak his mind, even when it’s not clear whether the government stands behind him. In this episode, he talks about the role of the UN in an age of mounting skepticism towards global institutions, his reputation for being outspoken, and dealing with the "cascade of crises" taking place around the world. He also challenges Paul on a column he wrote in 2020, questioning Rae’s appointment to his current job. Please take five minutes to compl...

Oct 26, 2022•47 min

Dopesick author on hope and the future of the overdose crisis

Beth Macy is one of the leading chroniclers of crisis in the American heartland. Working in Roanoke, Virginia, she wrote Factory Man, an influential book about outsourcing in American industry. Then she wrote Dopesick, an account of the opioid overdose crisis. Dopesick became an award-winning TV series. Now Macy has written a sequel, Raising Lazarus, looking for hope and a path forward on overdoses. Please take five minutes to complete this podcast survey for a chance at a $100 gift card....

Oct 19, 2022•42 min

Life after COVID: WHO’s Peter A. Singer on the next threat

"We may be sick of the virus. It ain’t sick of us.” Dr. Peter A. Singer, Special Advisor to the Director General of the World Health Organization, joins Paul for a conversation about the state of the pandemic, the politicization of public health, and how to get the world back on track.This episode was recorded live at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. Please take five minutes to complete this podcast survey for a chance at a $100 gift card....

Oct 12, 2022•35 min

The symphonic Joni Mitchell with Sarah Slean

Singer-songwriter Sarah Slean talks about Joni Mitchell’s enduring influence on music and women in the arts. Slean also talks about the challenges of pursuing a music career in the digital age, and what's coming next for her.Slean will be performing orchestral versions of Mitchell’s songs with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra at the end of October. You can find more details here: https://www.vancouversymphony.ca/event/sarah-slean-a-joni-mitchell-tribute/ Audio sources: Glenn Gould, Joni Mitchell...

Oct 05, 2022•39 min

Jason Kenney, the Man the Right Left Behind

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney reflects on his surprise resignation, after he lost the votes of nearly half of his party. He talks about how COVID hardened the divides in the conservative movement, how Donald Trump has influenced Canadian politics, and the future of conservatism in Canada.

Sep 28, 2022•41 min

How the Invasion has Changed Ukraine, and how it’s Changing Canada

Roman Waschuk spent more than three decades in Canada’s foreign service, beginning in Moscow in the final years of the Soviet Union, and ending as Canada’s Ambassador to Ukraine from 2014 to 2018. He is currently Ukraine’s Business Ombudsman, a role he began shortly before the Russian invasion. He talks to Paul about how the invasion has changed Ukraine, how it’s changing Canada, and how it might yet change Russia. The Paul Wells Show is produced by ANTICA, in partnership with the National Arts ...

Sep 21, 2022•47 min

Biden's Man In Ottawa

"Until I came here, I'm not sure I understood the depth of the problem," says David L. Cohen, the new U.S. ambassador to Canada. Cohen is talking about the "breach of trust" between Canada and the United States in recent years, a mutual suspicion that skyrocketed during the Donald Trump presidency and hasn't recovered. Paul Wells talks to Cohen about restoring trust, working together on energy and climate, and how Cohen became the second-base coach for his son's T-ball league. The Paul Wells Sho...

Sep 14, 2022•40 min•Season 1Ep. 1
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