Women of ABpoli

Episode 38: It's the end of political careers as we know it (and I feel fine)

Mark and Deirdre take a look at whether crises are good or bad for re-election; the U.S. and Saskatchewan head to the polls this fall, will it be an opportune time to force a federal election next spring? What about BC? And when did Doug Ford find his leadership legs?

Episode 37: Under Pressure

Ed Whittingham joins Deirdre and Mark to talk about the future of oil and gas post-Covid. Will we see more government money in Canadian energy? Some of us aren't sure there are many other options for the industry right now.

Episode 36: Every rose has its thorn

Robbie and Deirdre welcome the Wildrose back into the Alberta politi-sphere and take a look at how the current, and future, economic/health/social landscape might affect the election chances of a libertarian/separatist movement in the province.

Episode 35: Don't go away mad (just go away)

Mark and Deirdre over-simplify the first year of 26 cabinet ministers in the Alberta government - some should stay, some should get promoted and others should just go away (poo emoji).

2020 04 17 Max And Mark Final

Max Fawcett, former Oil Sands Magazine editor, climate change office communications staffer, and pundit joins Mark Taylor and Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean to talk about the future of political parties in Alberta. It's kind of inside baseball without throwing your colleagues under the bus - weird, I know.

Episode 33: The boys are back in town

The UCP's anniversary episode with Robbie Kreger-Smith and Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean

Episode 32: Failing Our Grandparents

We had to have this conversation. It's unpleasant, it's not humourous, but it's important. Mark Taylor and Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean

Don't stop thinkin' about tomorrow

It's not too soon to start talking about an economic recovery because it will happen - eventually. Professors Trevor Tombe and Blake Shaffer join Deirdre to talk about the economics of recovery, future planning and trying not to step on the toes of other sciences.

Ep30 - You're So Vain, You Probably Think This Podcast is About You

Ep30 - You're So Vain, You Probably Think This Podcast is About You by Robbie KS & Deirdre MacLean

Episode 29: Perfect Imperfection

Mark Taylor and Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean discuss messaging, media, and how the perfect imperfection of learning through a pandemic is fodder for click bait.

Episode 28: If it ain't broke, you can spend $1.5 billion

The next episode in our isolation series, Mark Taylor and Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean parse out the $1.5 billion dollar investment in TC Energy's pipeline and cross their fingers that the U.S. courts are ready to give approvals.

If it ain't broke, you can spend $1.5 billion

The next episode in our isolation series, Mark Taylor and Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean parse out the $1.5 billion dollar investment in TC Energy's pipeline and cross their fingers that the U.S. courts are ready to give approvals.

27: Missing you - empathy and accountability in politics

Mark Taylor and Deirdre ponder whether certain decisions being made stem from a lack of empathy or accountability (or both). Good times.

Episode 27: Missing you - empathy and accountability

Isolation series: Mark Taylor and Deirdre ponder whether it is a lack of accountability or empathy (or both) in some political decisions these days.

26: Ryan Reynolds Resurgence

Mark Taylor joins Deirdre for the start of the isolation series - there's still lots of politics to talk about - maybe more than usual - and who isn't talking about Ryan Reynolds? We could all use more RR. 

Episode 26 Ryan Reynolds Resurgence (and politics)

Mark Taylor joins the Political RnD podcast while Robbie vacations in his basement. Is everyone talking about Ryan Reynolds? Well we should be.

Episode 25: Two excited guys, a girl, and a podcast

UBC Vancouver School of Economics professor Kevin Milligan and legendary Alberta podcaster Stephen Cart (who's done other things) talk federal policy for income assistance during COVID-19

25: Two Excited Guys, A Girl, And a Podcast

Professor of Economics Kevin Milligan and legendary Alberta podcaster (who's done other things too) Stephen Carter discuss federal programs available through the Canadian government during the COVID pandemic

Ep24 - Good Thing Been Gone So Long

We are BAAAACK!!! We talk about the UCP winning their appeal of the Federal Carbon Tax in the Alberta Court of Appeals, and the decision of Teck to withdraw their approval of the Frontier Oilsands mine. And why did someone call the police on Deirdre?

Ep23 - The Hangover is Real

Ep22 - Electile Dysfunction

No, we didn't die, it just felt that way with this election campaign. We're back again with our highlights, lowlights, and a prediction of the outcomes and tricks and treats we can expect from the election today. 

Ep21 - (Bill) 21 May be Legal... But it's a Gamble

Deirdre and Robbie are joined by lawyers Ishat Reza and Humera Jabir to discuss Quebec's Bill 21 - the so-called "religious symbols" bill that restricts the wearing of religious symbols in Quebec's public sector.

Ep20 - Burn it to the Ground

A cabal of stale, pale, and male journalists share their thoughts on politics in Canada. Some hits, some miss, all entertaining. We look at the collection of five op-eds from the last week of August. 

Ep19 - You've Got It... The Right Stuff

The UCP Government has been using "expert" panels galore to inform some of its more contentious policy decisions. We dig into the details of why.

Ep18 - Born This Way

Robbie & Deirdre discuss the topic of conversion therapy which has been making news at all three levels of government recently. We discuss what the practice is, how it affects people, where it is being practiced, and why it's newsworthy, as well as responses by the federal, provincial, and municipal governments.

Ep17 - Karma Chameleon

Robbie & Deirdre go head to head on the Federal Ethics Commissioner's report on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's violation of the Conflict of Interest Act and look at whether he got it right, how PMJT could have escaped more unscathed, and what this means for the election. We also touch on partisan accountability and Charles Adler.

Ep15- Law & Disorder

Ep14- No Home Improvement

Jason Kenney promised to raise the level of decorum in the Legislature. So why are MLAs wearing earplugs during debates? He also promised to renew investor confidence, but we've seen him tear up numerous contracts, and cause a world-leading AI company to withhold investment in Calgary's downtown core.

Ep13- Everybody Loves Media

We discuss the role of traditional and new media in political discourse and why there may be an erosion of trust with mainstream media. We talk about two significant retractions from Global News and a massive lapse in truth from Calgary Herald columnist Rick Bell.

Ep11.4- Midday Oil

We discuss the re-re-approval of the TMX Pipeline and who wins and who loses with a look at the outcome from the perspective of environmentalists, the BC NDP, Prime Minister Trudeau, Alberta, Indigenous objectors, and the BC Green Party.

Ep11.3- My Chemical or Organic Romance

We discuss the proposal(s) for a national pharmacare plan, and Robbie makes a suggestion on how the Liberals could sell the pricey cost of implementation to the business crowd.

Ep11.2- Men Without Straws

We discuss the announcement by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of a single-use plastics ban and his response to a question as to what his family was doing to reduce their usage and the outlandish responses that followed.

Ep12 - Dirty Little Secret Identity - Neil Before Zod Interview

(Full Length) - We interview Twitter personality Neil Before Zod after he was doxxed by a Canadian publication for his online advocacy that some have described as a toxic sewer pipe and talk about his decision to disclose his identity, how he started his punditry, and why he started out anonymously. 

Ep11.1 - Rage Against Elections Canada

Deirdre & Robbie discuss the CPC campaign to discredit Elections Canada and what may be motivating their activities beyond a genuine concern for electoral integrity.

Ep10.3 - As The Legislature Spins Us Right Round

Deirdre & Robbie discuss some of the Bills brought forth in the recent week in the Alberta Legislature, talk about the Minister of Whatever, Jason Kenney's promise to bring back 55,000 jobs, and more!

Ep10.2 - If I Had 2 Billion Dollars

Robbie and Deirdre examine the lost revenue since the UCP took power in Alberta, and talk about the evolution of conservatism and fiscal responsibility in Alberta.

Ep10.1 - War, What is It Good For?

Deirdre & Robbie discuss Alberta's Energy War Room and what it's expecting to accomplish and what it needs to do to succeed. Spoiler alert: It's more about starting wars than finishing them.

Ep9 - Federal Politics Primer

Robbie has opinions about federal politics and he's not shy about sharing them in this podcast. Who has a God complex, which leader is a lame duck sitting, and who does he think will be the next Prime Minister of Canada? Listen in to find out all this and whether or not Deirdre's grass gets mowed.

8: Ep8 - Alberta's Throne Speech & Bills, Bills, Bills

Deirdre & Robbie discuss the first week of sitting of the new Legislature, including the Speech from the Throne, compare it to previous Throne Speeches from the NDP and the Peter Lougheed PCs, and talk about the first 3 government bills

7: Ep7 - Free Speech in Today's Political Climate

With news that governments in Ontario and Alberta may mandate the adoption of the so-called Chicago Principles on Free Speech, we discuss whether this makes sense for Canada, what the implications may be, and what might be done to ensure that free speech is protected without infringing on the rights of others.

6: Ep6 - Cabinet Picks & Ontario Trips

Ep 6 - Cabinet Picks & Ontario Trips by Robbie KS & Deirdre MacLean

5: Ep5 - Alberta Election Wrapup

We discuss the highlights and lowlights of the 2019 Alberta General Election, what to expect from the UCP and NDP in their new roles, and the path forward for the Alberta Party.

4: Ep4 - Court Cases, Friendly Fire, & Jobs Jobs Jobs!

We discuss the week 2/3 happenings in the Alberta Election including the application for a court injunction in the kamikaze campaign plot, the Mark Smith controversy and Charles Adler's interview with Jason Kenney, and talk about the expected future for Alberta jobs & economy.

3: Ep3 - Alberta Election Week 1 - Winners & Losers

We look at the first week of the Alberta Election and pick our hits and misses for platform policy announcements for the top 5 political parties.

2: Ep2 - Kamikaze? Kenneykaze? KamiKenney?

Political RnD Podcast Ep2 - Kamikaze? Kenneykaze? KamiKenney? by Robbie KS & Deirdre MacLean

1: Ep1 - Intro & Pre-Election Rumours and Rumbles

Robbie & Deirdre introduce themselves, talk about the podcast and what to expect from it, and examine current events and rumours in Alberta politics for the week ending March 17th, 2019.