In this post-election episode of Red-Tory, Jesse Hirsh and Allan Gregg unpack the results of Canada’s federal election and ask what’s coming next—not just for Canada, but for the global order. The conversation explores the rare and potent opportunity now available: for Carney to assert Canada’s sovereignty and moral leadership by standing up to the authoritarian drift of Trump’s United States. Not just through diplomacy, but through the mobilization of public opinion, Carney could rally international resistance to rising tyranny.They also turn their attention to Pierre Poilievre’s uncertain future as Conservative leader. With his base increasingly shaped by radical elements and American-style extremism, Poilievre may prove too toxic to lead a credible opposition. Jesse argues that figures like Alberta Premier Danielle Smith represent a deeper rot—openly or covertly embracing the idea of U.S. annexation.The episode closes with a broader analysis of the growing urban-rural divide and how Canadian politics are being steadily reshaped in the image of American partisanship. As the country drifts toward a brittle two-party system, the question is no longer if Canada will resist American influence—but how.
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29: Election Day Realities and the Escalating Trade Wars
In this pivotal episode of Red-Tory, Jesse Hirsh and Allan Gregg gather on Canada's election day to reflect on the campaigns, the stakes, and the possible futures. They explore how both major parties have become trapped within closed feedback loops, with voters consuming parallel media ecosystems that create almost separate realities. For the Liberals, the dominant story was one of competence and stability against the chaos of Trump-era politics. For the Conservatives, it was about ending a decade of Liberal rule and channeling growing resentment toward Liberal policies.Jesse and Allan warn that if the Liberals secure a strong majority without commanding the popular vote, the Conservatives could spiral into conspiracy culture, further isolating themselves from mainstream narratives and undermining future democratic stability.The conversation then turns outward, addressing the intensifying global trade war between the U.S. and China. They argue that the U.S. is unprepared for the real-world consequences of its actions—whether it’s supply shortages, economic decline, or shrinking global influence. Could Canada chart a different path? Would a free trade agreement with China be possible—or tolerated by the U.S.? And could the U.S. even stop it if they tried?Tune in for a sharp, timely analysis of the fractures within Canadian democracy and the shifting tides of global power.
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28: Tariffs, Empty Shelves, and the Mirage of Mastery
In this episode, Jesse Hirsh and Allan Gregg unpack the unraveling of Trump’s so-called Liberation Day — a theatrical declaration of economic independence that has instead delivered confusion, chaos, and consequences. Tariffs, touted as a tool of strength, have mutated into instruments of disruption. We explore how incompetence, ignorance, and arrogance are combining to create a model of governance that can't comprehend the interdependence of global trade. The result? Not just price hikes — but empty shelves. And when the spin wears off, it’s the material absence that people remember.Turning north, we analyze the dynamics of the Canadian federal election. On one side, Carney courts credibility through the legacy media. On the other, Poilievre builds a parallel trust network, going straight to the people, bypassing traditional channels. But what happens when a leader loses, yet still commands belief? We consider a looming crisis of legitimacy, where the post-election debate may not be about competency vs. character — but competency vs. conspiracy.We close with a look at what a Carney-led Canada might do in response to ongoing U.S. economic instability. Expect strategic decoupling and new global partnerships — especially if the volatility south of the border continues.
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27: The Constitution vs. the President: Who’s Winning?
Is the American Constitution still worth the parchment it's printed on? In this explosive episode of Red-Tory, Jesse Hirsh and Allan Gregg are joined by Professor Tobias T. Gibson to confront the slow-motion legal collapse happening in real time.As the executive branch grabs more power, bulldozes over rights, and dares the judiciary to stop it, we ask: is the U.S. in a full-blown constitutional crisis? And if so, will the courts fight back—or fold?We dig into the administration’s hardline deportation campaigns, its crusade against academia, and its broader war on reason and evidence. Professor Gibson brings historical clarity and constitutional expertise to a conversation that cuts through the noise and lays bare the stakes.This isn’t just about law. It’s about whether the system built to check power can still function when power stops playing by the rules.
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26: Polling, Punditry, and the Politics of Collapse
In this episode of Red-Tory, Jesse Hirsh and Allan Gregg break down the two recent federal leaders' debates and reflect on what they reveal about the state of Canadian democracy. As the 2025 election unfolds, Canada appears to be sliding into a two-party system, shedding the diversity and nuance that once defined its political landscape.We explore how the very category of “politics” has become discredited over the past several decades—reduced to spectacle, stripped of substance, and hollowed out by cynicism. Meanwhile, polling has morphed into a form of technological determinism, shaping campaigns before ideas can take root, and acting more like market prediction than democratic engagement.What’s missing? Grand visions. Ambitious ideas. Narratives that inspire and mobilize. Jesse and Allan argue that without them, politics risks becoming a game no one wants to play—and that’s exactly what those in power want.
The Red Tory mission is to critically make sense of our world while having fun doing so. We’re committed to public education, sharing knowledge, and public policy debates. As researchers our current view is that nothing is sacred when so much is uncertain.
For most people, the world seems to be an increasingly chaotic and confusing place. That’s because it is.
In “Red-Tory,” Jesse Hirsh and Allan Gregg—two inquisitive friends from different generations—team up to untangle the chaos. With decades of experience analyzing, navigating, and explaining the intersection of technological and socio-political change, they bring sharp insights and a bit of humor to the news-driven topics shaping our lives.
The conversations are rooted in and riff off the two newsletters written by each co-host. Jesse’s “Future of Authority” identifies undercurrents behind current news that reflect his deep interest in and understanding of new theories and developments in technology and intelligence – ideas that are not widely known or covered by traditional media. Allan’s “Vanity and Learning” reflects on inflection points in politics and history over the last 70 years and how these trends resonate and continue to shape events to this day.
The effect is one of a techno-cultural anthropologist bringing his findings to an older guy, with an impressive resume and a continued love of learning, and together they explore the antecedents and evolution of popular (but often below-the-headline) trends.
Together, they connect the dots in an open-ended conversation or a two-on-one interview with guests who provide unique perspectives on the issues at hand.
With each episode, “Red-Tory” offers clarity, curiosity, and connection in a world where those qualities are increasingly rare. Tune in as Jesse and Allan make sense of the chaos—and have fun along the way.
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