RamsayWrites Mini-Casts
170 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 1 ratingBob Ramsay, the Toronto writer, has a unique take on the world that will have you saying: “Hmm...I never thought of it that way.” Twice a week, he tackles the political and personal issues of the day. Everything from craven politics and unchecked ambition, to secret sauces, bitter loss and fist-pumping redemption. They’re stories to live by – quirky, high-style, tear-jerking, funny ha-ha, sometimes funny peculiar. In fact, his blogs don’t walk down the sidewalk and browse in the windows. They sneak into alleyways and come out onto different worlds. Alex Brown narrates each mini-cast to bring it all to your ears and imagination. RamsayWrites mini-casts are written by Bob Ramsay, voice by Alex Brown, and produced/edited by Kyle Fulton.
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Episodes
Thin On The Ground
November 25, 2021 21:00 - 5 minutes - 5.44 MBIn this episode, Bob looks at what happened when unprecendented rains fell on British Columbia, and the federal government called in the military for help. But he also wonders if Canada's Search and Rescue Operations could be doing more. For more from Bob Ramsay, visit ramsayinc.com.
Obscure Sorrow
November 25, 2021 21:00 - 5 minutes - 5.21 MBBob wanders into "The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows" and uncovers some fantastic new words to add to his vocabulary, especially around human emotions. For more from Bob Ramsay, visit ramsayinc.com.
The Arts are Opening Up. We Should Too.
November 19, 2021 22:32 - 7 minutes - 6.62 MBAfter 20 months, Bob goes to a live symphony performace and celebrates the thrill of being there in person, but also wonders and worries about the future of big arts groups post pandemic. For more from Bob Ramsay, visit ramsayinc.com
The Banned Played On
November 18, 2021 21:45 - 6 minutes - 5.89 MBBob takes a look at two recent book banning situations by school boards - one in the U.S., and one in Canada, and comments on how and why they happened. For more from Bob Ramsay, visit ramsayinc.com
When Early Bloomers Work Late
November 11, 2021 21:00 - 7 minutes - 6.78 MBOn the 80th birthday of Bob's friend, Canadian visual storyteller and artist, David Blackwood, Bob looks at how David's most creative period of his life just seems to be starting. For more from Bob Ramsay, visit ramsayinc.com.
Global Warming, Meet Global Drinking
November 11, 2021 21:00 - 6 minutes - 5.77 MBIn this episode, Bob wonders if the treatment for alcoholics and addicts could be applied to break the world of its addition to fossil fuels. For more from Bob Ramsay, visit ramsayinc.com.
The Least I Could Do
November 05, 2021 20:00 - 6 minutes - 5.78 MBIn this episode, Bob marvels at the random and powerful coincidence that reconnects him with someone he credits saving his life 30 years ago. For more from Bob Ramsay, visit ramsayinc.com.
Life is short. Death is long. Take that vacation
November 03, 2021 21:00 - 5 minutes - 4.73 MBA new episode
Why Can't We Be More Like The Chinese
October 28, 2021 19:00 - 5 minutes - 5.35 MBBob takes a look at ways the Chinese government is helping moderate the screen time of schooolchildren, and other measures in the country around education and media consumption. For more from Bob Ramsay, visit ramsayinc.com.
Edward the Third
October 28, 2021 19:00 - 7 minutes - 7.21 MBIn this episode, Bob compare the current family succession drama playing out in the Rogers' boardroom to several Shakespearan plays and Greek myths. For more from Bob Ramsay, visit ramsayinc.com.
The Best of Healthcare. The Worst of Healthcare.
October 21, 2021 21:42 - 7 minutes - 7.26 MBIn this episode, Bob looks at the Canadian healthcare system and wonders if it could be even better through a shared federal-provincial funding program. For more from Bob Ramsay, visit ramsayinc.com.
There's No Denial Like Systemic Denial
October 21, 2021 21:42 - 6 minutes - 5.68 MBIn this episode, Bob looks at the systemic denial existing in both the Canadian military and the Roman Catholic Church, but offers a glimmer of hope for change. For more from Bob Ramsay, visit ramsayinc.com.
The News On Depression Isn't All That Depressing
October 14, 2021 19:00 - 7 minutes - 6.61 MBAfter Bob's heart surgery, he became depressed and found treatment with anti-depressants. In this episode he looks at other treatments showing promising results. For more from Bob Ramsay, visit ramsayinc.com.
Why No WiFi On The Subway?
October 14, 2021 19:00 - 8 minutes - 7.68 MBBob wonders why it is that in Toronto, rated one of the world's most livable cities, you can't get WiFi while on the subway. He offers a suggestion to do so. For more from Bob Ramsay, visit ramsayinc.com.
Depression: The Good, the Better, and The Ugly
October 07, 2021 19:50 - 6 minutes - 5.74 MBIn this episode, Bob puts his pen to depression, and a new treatment for severe depression that implants a neural pacemaker device in the brain. For more from Bob Ramsay, visit ramsayinc.com.
Hunters and Hunted
October 07, 2021 19:50 - 7 minutes - 6.83 MBBob looks at the revelations of The Pandora Papers and asks why tax evasion is tolerated by governments that end up costing its citizens billions? For more from Bob Ramsay, visit ramsayinc.com.
Books About Big Things
October 01, 2021 02:29 - 6 minutes - 5.97 MBIn this episode, Bob looks at the safe return of "the two Michaels" (Michael Kovring and Michael Spavor) to Canada after more than 1000 days in Chinese prison, and what that means to Chinese-Canadian political relations. For more from Bob Ramsay, visit ramsayinc.com.
Amusing Themselves to Death
October 01, 2021 02:21 - 6 minutes - 5.99 MBBob puts the spotlight on the province of Alberta and the rapid and dangerous rise in Covid cases brought about by the Premier's relaxing of public health protocols earlier in the summer. For more from Bob Ramsay, visit ramsayinc.com
Forced Feeding
September 24, 2021 14:49 - 6 minutes - 6.25 MBIn this episode, Bob aligns the idea of compulsory voting with compulsory "opt-in" programs for organ donation to increase participation rates of both. For more from Bob Ramsay, visit ramsayinc.com
How Will You Die?
September 24, 2021 14:46 - 8 minutes - 7.78 MBBob looks at poling firm Ipsos' "Perils of Perception" which explores the yawning gap between what is demonstrably true and what people think is true. Chief among the biggest mismatches of perception and reality is how people think they will die. For more from Bob Ramsay, visit ramsayinc.com.
Destination Television
September 16, 2021 14:10 - 7 minutes - 6.68 MBAfter watching 72 hours of a French television series, A French Village, Bob describes why it was so captivating, and makes some other recommendations for equally gripping, binge-worthy TV drama series. For more from Bob Ramsay, visit ramsayinc.com.
Terror Times Two
September 16, 2021 14:08 - 11 minutes - 10.6 MBIn today's episode, Bob recounts being in both New York on 9/11, and in Boston in 2013 when bombs exploded during the Boston Marathon. For more from Bob Ramsay, visit ramsayinc.com.
Five Royal Scandals
September 13, 2021 17:45 - 7 minutes - 6.42 MBRecently, the British Royal family finds itself embroiled in a number of scandals that are serious and damaging to the monarch. In this episode, Bob looks at the recent scandals and their impact.
The Good, The Baad, and The Lucky
September 13, 2021 17:44 - 7 minutes - 7.17 MBIn this episode, Bob looks at the similarities between the treatment of women in Afghanistan under Taliban rule, and the new Texas Heartbeat Act which forbids abortions after 6 weeks if a doctor detects a fetal heartbeat. For more from Bob Ramsay, visit ramsayinc.com.
Passport Please
September 13, 2021 17:44 - 6 minutes - 5.99 MBBob compares vaccine passports to the many existing passports we already hold - from the 19 childhood vaccines we received, to driver's license, to a health card. If everyone is OK with those, why the protests for vaccine passports?
Manufacturing Addiction
September 13, 2021 17:44 - 6 minutes - 6.39 MBMillions of people are addicted to drugs that are manufactured by pharmaceutical companies. Bob profiles two sources that examine the companies that produce them - Patrick Radden Keef'e "Empire of Pain", and Alex Gibney's documentary, "The Crime of the Century."
Vax or Die
September 13, 2021 17:44 - 7 minutes - 6.64 MBWhile on a summer road trip, Bob and Jean run headlong into a much less mask-wearing city and decide to leave town quickly, but not before Jean helps a very sick Covid patient.
A Woman's Work
September 13, 2021 17:43 - 7 minutes - 7.28 MBOn a trip to Afghanistan in 2009, Bob and Jean see for themselves the suppression and maltreatment of women, especially widows with orphans. For more from Bob Ramsay, visit ramsayinc.com.
Broke, In More Ways Than One
September 13, 2021 17:43 - 5 minutes - 5.41 MBThe Catholic Church in Canada owes millions to compensate for their role in the Residential Schools tragedy, yet despite being a wealthy organization, have neglected to pay their full tally. Bob looks at what they will have to do to pay up. For more from Bob Ramsay, visit ramsayinc.com
The Beautiful Game
September 13, 2021 17:42 - 7 minutes - 6.86 MBFresh off the Canadian women's soccer team gold medal win at the Tokyo Olympics, Bob takes a stand to support the creation of a pro women's soccer league in Canada. For more from Bob Ramsay, visit ramsayinc.com.
The Anti-Everything Inquiry
September 13, 2021 17:42 - 6 minutes - 6.12 MBAs the Alberta government spends millions to "fight misinformation related to oil and gas", Bob wonders if it will be the Premier (and not foreign actors) that will, in the long-run, be viewed as harmful to the province. For more from Bob Ramsay visit ramsayinc.com.
I'm the Best
September 13, 2021 17:41 - 6 minutes - 5.84 MBIf your company wants to win an award for something, there are other companies who help you find, and win, that something, somewhere. All for a price. Bob talks about how they do it. For more from Bob Ramsay visit ramsayinc.com.
Fake News. Real Death
September 13, 2021 17:40 - 6 minutes - 6.29 MBBob looks at the anti-vaxxer movement in the U.S., who is leading it, and how they reach their followers. For more from Bob Ramsay visit ramsayinc.com.
Vaccine Hesitants --and Lunatics
September 13, 2021 17:40 - 8 minutes - 7.52 MBThere are many reasons why people aren't getting vaccinated - Bob probes into some of those reasons. For more from Bob Ramsay visit ramsayinc.com.
Vaccine-nation
September 13, 2021 17:39 - 6 minutes - 6.21 MBThis blog looks at the parallels between the poorest, Republican states and the lower rates of vaccination and higher rates of hospitalization. For more from Bob Ramsay visit ramsayinc.com.
The Surly Bonds
September 13, 2021 17:39 - 5 minutes - 4.61 MBToday's blog looks at how the pandemic changed so much for people in terms of where and how they live and work, and what good WiFi means to untethering people from their offices. For more from Bob Ramsay visit ramsayinc.com.
Do You Feel Lucky?
September 13, 2021 17:38 - 8 minutes - 7.8 MBBob looks at the role of luck in everyone's life and says it's a very big factor in how things turn out for us. Here's a good story of how. For more from Bob Ramsay visit ramsayinc.com.
Cancelling Controversy
September 13, 2021 17:38 - 5 minutes - 5.32 MBIn today's blog, Bob looks at what three professors' new publication, "The Journal of Controversial Ideas" brings to the table for the discussion of, well, controversial ideas. For more from Bob Ramsay visit ramsayinc.com.
An iPhone for the Arts
September 13, 2021 17:37 - 6 minutes - 6.22 MBCould the British idea of a tax on smartphone purchases help fund the arts? Bob delves into that idea and other new ways of funding one of the hardest-hit sectors because of the pandemic. For more from Bob Ramsay visit ramsayinc.com.
Memory Loss and Memory Laws
September 13, 2021 17:37 - 6 minutes - 6.1 MBBob's commentary on the ongoing discovery of graves of thousands of children at Residential Schools means Canadians can no longer deny the horrendous nature of what occured in these places. For more from Bob Ramsay visit ramsayinc.com.
A New Take on Bad Bosses
September 13, 2021 16:30 - 5 minutes - 5.46 MBIn today's blog, Bob suggests that in addition to "Great CEO" lists, there should be "Bad CEO" lists to help prospective and current employees and investors decide if the companies they run are where they want to spend their time and money. For more from Bob Ramsay visit ramsayinc.com.
Don't Tax the Rich
September 13, 2021 16:29 - 6 minutes - 6.07 MBBob looks at the job of tax collector and why governments have been slow, or even lax, in prosecuting and convicting ultra-wealthy tax cheats. For more from Bob Ramsay visit ramsayinc.com.
Disown the Podium
September 13, 2021 16:29 - 5 minutes - 5.46 MBWhen a school board in Vancouver does away with its enriched and honours programs in math and science, Bob wonders if they are out of their mind? For more from Bob Ramsay visit ramsayinc.com.
Writing Like Crazy
September 13, 2021 16:27 - 5 minutes - 5.05 MBWhen Donald Trump announce he was "writing" his memoir, Bob decided to explore the ex-president's past books and who actually authored them. For more from Bob Ramsay visit ramsayinc.com.
A hole in 3
September 13, 2021 16:27 - 7 minutes - 6.51 MBIn this blog, Bob questions why some members of Canada's military never seem to "get it" with respect to tone-deaf words and deeds. For more from Bob Ramsay visit ramsayinc.com.
Re-Opening Meets Re-Awakening
September 13, 2021 16:27 - 6 minutes - 5.76 MBAs arts organizations re-open, they also have to ensure they are providing safe spaces and environments for employees of diverse backgrounds - Bob profiles the new contractual obligations becoming the norm. For more from Bob Ramsay visit ramsayinc.com.
Death by Civilization
September 13, 2021 16:27 - 6 minutes - 5.92 MBBob probes into Canada's Residential School tragedy and the discovery of hundreds of unmarked graves of children housed in those facilities and wonders - are there more? For more from Bob Ramsay visit ramsayinc.com.
Open the Arts!
September 13, 2021 16:26 - 6 minutes - 6.04 MBAgainst on-going challenges to opening, various arts organizations are finding creative ways to do so. Bob profiles a few of those finding their way to open, despite the ongoing restrictions of the pandemic. For more from Bob Ramsay visit ramsayinc.com.
Would You All Please Just Go Away?
September 13, 2021 16:26 - 5 minutes - 5.11 MBWhen tennis player Naomi Osaka withdrew from the French Open due to depression, supporters slammed the tournament's organizers for fining her. Bob records the shift in public support for mental health issues. For more from Bob Ramsay visit ramsayinc.com.
Feats of Clay
September 13, 2021 16:26 - 7 minutes - 6.63 MBWhen Bill and Melinda Gates announced the end of their 27-year marriage, it seemed to come as a surprise to some, but not all. Bob delves into ways technology can help dig into a person's past to decode our emotions and unpack our lies, and secret lives. For more from Bob Ramsay visit ramsayinc.com.