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113 episodes

Episode 4043: The Money vs The Many
2026-07-22 | 51 mins.
Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips break down the emerging fight between moneyed interests and economic populists in the Democratic Party, and ask whether progressive candidates need broader coalitions, better slogans or simply better abs. Then they turn to Donald Trump’s latest tariff threats, Mark Carney’s restrained response and the premiers volunteering to play attack dog. Can economic populism work in Canada? Should Carney start treating Trump like the political villain Canadians already believe he is? And is Carter now pro-slogan, or just anti-admitting he was wrong?

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

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Episode 4042: How Not to Be Seen
2026-07-16 | 40 mins.
Stephen Carter and Zain Velji break down the politics of being seen, from Naheed Nenshi’s controversial Stampede photo with the Israeli ambassador to the staffers whose job is to keep politicians out of pictures they will later regret. Can a good body person save a leader from a bad photo op? Is Mark Carney’s new PMO structure a real change or just corporate jargon? And how much of an episode can be turned into an RBC Wealth Management ad before the sponsor asks for its money 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.
Episode 4040: The Ground Games
2026-07-06 | 54 mins.
Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips break down the latest referendum fundraising numbers and ask why conservative federalists seem to be getting out-organized by the separatists. Then they strategize what Corb Lund’s Water Not Coal campaign should do after its petition failed validation by Elections Alberta. Can the stay-in-Canada side turn scattered efforts into a real coalition? Should Water Not Coal fight the ruling in court, or in the court of public opinion? And with the Ground Games underway, who are the odds really favouring?

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.
Episode 4039: Amateur Lobbying Hour
2026-06-30 | 58 mins.
Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips break down Alberta’s increasingly murky referendum campaign, from the rules governing signs and fundraising to the power of writing questions designed to produce a preferred answer. What happens when everyone seems to be playing by a different set of rules? Can ordinary Albertans turn Stampede into amateur lobbying hour? And will Stephen Carter remember his best line long enough to use it at Stampede?

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.
Episode 4038: The War on Fun
2026-06-23 | 55 mins.
Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips dive into Alberta’s referendum campaigns, the NDP’s struggle to turn a pro-Canada message into partisan advantage, and the growing conservative pile-on against Calgary Mayor Jeremy Farkas over Stampede concert noise. Should party money ever be spent without asking people to vote for the party? Has Farkas become one of Alberta’s most effective opposition voices? And when the province decides fun is mandatory, how loud is loud enough?

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

Websites mentioned in this episode
https://coach.albertasvoice.ca
https://albertareferendumb2026.ca/
https://suddenlycanadian.ca/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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About The Strategists

Professional unprofessional strategists Stephen Carter, Zain Velji, and Shannon Phillips break down the news of the day. Not just what’s happening, but how it’s being played.Policy is one thing. Politics is another.The show dissects the strategy behind the headlines: what governments are doing, why it matters, and the political incentives driving every move. They don't tell you what to think. They make you harder to spin.Originally hosted with Corey Hogan (now inside the machine), The Strategists now anchors a growing podcast network:•⁠ ⁠The Strategists — weekly strategy, sharp takes, and questionable professionalism•⁠ ⁠Ministry of Podcasts — Corey Hogan reports from inside Parliament•⁠ ⁠Balance of Power — Annalise Klingbeil, Shannon Phillips, and Leah Ward bring a distinct lens to power and politicsDescribed as “shockingly insightful” and “sports talk radio for politics.”Not sponsored by Flair Airlines.Get bonus episodes and more at strategistspatreon.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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