The Strategists

Stephen Carter and Zain Velji try to figure out who is actually going to do something as Alberta’s political fights pile up. From referendum questions to separatism to electoral boundaries, they break down what’s happening, why it matters, and why the same small group of people seems to be carrying all of it. Is this a coordination problem or an activation problem? What role should the NDP actually play in the boundaries fight? And are we spending as much time fighting each other as the actual fight?

Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

You can email The Strategists at [email protected]

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Shannon Phillips is joined by producer Haxim to finally answer a critical question: what the hell is going on in the Strategists Discord? From “bread fridge” memes to full-on policy fights, they unpack how the community actually works and why it’s worth checking out.

Then Shannon and Zain turn to Alberta’s electoral boundary shakeup and the unprecedented move to hand map-drawing power to politicians themselves. What’s actually happening with this new process, and what game is being played underneath it? Does this change the outcome before a vote is even cast? And how long before Discord daddy Zain logs off for cigarettes and never comes back?

Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.
https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a moment where things feel like they’re slipping, what does control even look like?

This week on Balance of Power, Shannon Phillips, Leah Ward, and Annalise Klingbeil step into a rough stretch for the Conservatives and unpack what happens when a party starts to wobble. From by-election losses to internal pressure, they walk through how instability takes hold and what it really takes to stop it.

First: stopping the bleeding. What actually works when things start to slip? Is this about discipline, tone, or something deeper inside the operation?

Then: the reset question. What does a real reset look like and who has to change for it to land? Can you adjust the message without changing the messenger?

And finally: the long game. What does opposition look like when there’s no quick path back? How do you rebuild credibility, keep a team together, and plan for three years instead of three months?

Strategy, tone, internal pressure, and what it means to lead when things aren’t going your way.

Welcome to Balance of Power.

Have a comment or idea? Email us at [email protected]

Join the Strategists Podcast Network Patreon for ad-free episodes and access to our exclusive Discord:
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Mentioned in this episode:
Stand Up for Alberta’s Public Libraries
https://www.caplibraries.ca/stand-up-for-albertas-public-libraries
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Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips dive into Carter’s plan to use the Alberta Liberal Party as a campaign vehicle to fight the province’s referendum questions. What problem is this actually solving, and why does the rulebook point here? When does “following the rules” start to look like breaking them? And how many non-consensual partnerships is this actually going to take?

Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Get your tickets for the May 9th live show at https://strategistslive.ca/

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.
https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a political moment where lines are blurring and power is shifting, what actually matters anymore?

This week on Balance of Power, Shannon Phillips, Leah Ward, and Annalise Klingbeil dig into the growing trend of floor crossing. They talk about what it says about political values and whether consistency still counts in modern politics. From party loyalty to power plays, they unpack how decisions are really being made and who they’re serving.

Then: a rapid-fire round on housing, space exploration, and the moments shaping the conversation right now.

Plus: our new segment, Quarterly Report, where the hosts share the small things keeping them grounded in chaotic times.

Welcome to Balance of Power.

Have a comment or idea? Email us at [email protected]

Join the Strategists Podcast Network Patreon for ad-free episodes and access to our exclusive Discord:
https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.