Big Headlines: Conflict intensifies in the Middle East as Iranians wonder what’s next for their country

Plus: The Federal NDP will choose a new leader, Canadians appear to be drinking less, and gold for Canada at the Paralympic games. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at [email protected]  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

In the immediate aftermath of the US-Israel strikes on Iran, Prime Minister Mark Carney came out with a declaration of support, which later developed into what he calls a 'regretful' position due to the lack of international order. So what exactly is Canada's position? And what would military involvement mean for Canada? Host Maria Kestane speaks with Dr. Alexander Salt, a post-doctoral fellow at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute to discuss Carney's developing messages towards the conflict in Iran, and how Canada could be dragged into the war as a result of Trump's 'plans'. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Enjoy this special feed drop of our two-part investigative series 'Before Morgentaler: Making It Legal'. On June 24, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the case that legalized abortion in the country in 1973. The decision shocked many around the world, and has had folks wondering: could this happen here, at home, in Canada? And what led up to this historic moment in the U.S.? What are the real and current issues facing the state of abortion in Canada, and how can we make a difference? This two-part mini series is hosted by Sarah Sahagian, a feminist podcaster, writer, and non-profit executive living in Toronto. Her byline has appeared in such outlets as The Washington Post, The National Post, The Toronto Star, Refinery29, Romper, and Scary Mommy. In her previous life, she was a gender studies academic who studied parenting and mother blame. Sarah is also the co-host of Frequency Podcast Network’s The Reheat. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Enjoy this special feed drop of our two-part investigative series 'Before Morgentaler Part One: Law Breakers'. This year marks the 38th anniversary of the Supreme Court of Canada’s Morgentaler Decision. That landmark decision decriminalized abortion across Canada and turned the courageous Dr. Henry Morgentaler into a household name. As pivotal a part of Canada’s abortion rights story as Dr. Morgentaler was, many of us are unfamiliar with the stories of woman-identified activists who fought alongside him to ensure people who didn’t want to be pregnant wouldn’t have to be. So, who were the women who fought for abortion rights – and even helped others access illegal abortions – before The Morgentaler Decision? This two-part miniseries introduces listeners to a few of those voices. Hosted by Sarah Sahagian, a feminist podcaster, writer, and non-profit executive living in Toronto. Her byline has appeared in such outlets as The Washington Post, The National Post, The Toronto Star, Refinery29, Romper, and Scary Mommy. In her previous life, she was a gender studies academic who studied parenting and mother blame. Sarah is also the co-host of Frequency Podcast Network’s The Reheat. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: Marking a full week of war in Iran, CUSMA negotiations resume, Kristi Noem's replacement, one year after Canada's oldest company filed for creditor protection, the Paralympic Winter Games kick off, and experts talk about Daylight Saving Time. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at [email protected]  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

This weekend, just like the early March weekend last year, and the year before, the clocks will spring forward an hour. Not only that, but also the age-old debate of whether or not we should ditch the time change will also reignite. Last week BC Premier David Eby announced his province's permanent change to daylight saving time, however, we've seen this movie playout before. And just as passionate as the public is to get rid of the switch, is equally how ecstatic they are to bring it back. Host Maria Kestane speaks to David Prerau, an expert in daylight saving time and author of 'Seize the Daylight: The Curious and Contentious Story of Daylight Saving Time'. They discuss the origin story of DST itself, the broader impacts of permanently making the switch, and the case for keeping the semi-annual clock change. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: an update on the war and the effort to get Canadians out of the Middle East, gas prices are up across Canada, how offsite classrooms could impact Tumbler Ridge survivors’ mental health, Britney Spears is arrested for DUI in California, and how are the Epstein files giving new life to conspiracy theories? We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at [email protected]  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

More than 3.5 million pages of Epstein-related documents have been released under the Trump administration, fanning the flames of online conspiracy theorists who are determined to pinpoint a reality the rest of us 'can't see'. Including believers of Pizzagate or Qanon. Another reality - one that majority of us can see - is the one where online conspiracy subcultures have made their way into the mainstream political discourse, heavily shaping how we make sense of politics, governance and power. Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Travis View, conspiracy theory researcher and host of the QAA podcast, to discuss how the release (and heavily redacted nature) of the Epstein files is giving new life to dangerous online social groups, and how Canadians can better make sense of what they're reading online. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: The US sinks an Iranian warship as America says more military action is coming, Pierre Poilievre goes on his own foreign mission to Europe, a new call for an inquest into the Tumbler Ridge shooting, the man responsible for the Humboldt Broncos bus crash could be deported, and why is Alberta blaming its identity crisis on immigrants? We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at [email protected]  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Note - episode audio has been edited since the original publication to remove a misnaming of Calgary Roughneck Radio. We regret the error. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith recently announced that come October, Albertans will vote on nine referendum questions. Most of them have to do with immigration - including making it more difficult for non-citizens to access healthcare, and giving provinces greater control over how many immigrants they let in. It comes as the province also deals with a separatist movement that would see Alberta leave Canada, another referendum question widely expected to be added later this year. Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Stephen Carter, veteran campaign manager in Alberta, and President of Decide Campaigns. They discuss the political motivations behind the referendum, the implications of immigration on Alberta's economy, and the rising sentiment of separatism. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky