Episodes

  • Friday Focus: Trump's territorial aspirations - Liberal leadership race
    Jan 10 2025

    Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates.

    The following is a sample of the Munk Debates’ weekly current affairs podcast, Friday Focus.

    Rudyard and Janice dissect Donald Trump's comments about territorial expansion in Greenland, the Panama Canal, and even Canada. Is this part of an America First agenda? And how should Canada respond to an incoming U.S. President that does not take well to smaller countries standing up for themselves? In the second half of the show Rudyard and Janice turn to the big news out of Ottawa this week: Justin Trudeau is stepping down as Prime Minister in March and proroguing Parliament until the party chooses a new leader. Who gets to vote in this contest? And why is Justin Trudeau sticking around during this process instead of stepping aside for an interim leader who is better equipped to take on the incoming Trump administration?

    To access full-length editions of the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a donor to the Munk Debates for as little as $25 annually, or $.50 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt.

    This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue.

    More information at www.munkdebates.com.

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    19 mins
  • Munk Debates 2025: big plans for the year ahead
    Jan 9 2025

    On this special edition of the Munk Debates podcast, host Rudyard Griffiths and managing director Ricki Gurwitz take listeners behind the scenes of our Munk Debate on anti-Zionism and explain the reasons behind cancellation of the autumn debate with RFK Jr. They also give a sneak peak into what to expect in 2025 with a revamped podcast and some exciting plans for our in person debates.

    The host of the Munk Debates is Rudyard Griffiths

    To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a Munk Member at https://munkdebates.com/membership

    Members receive access to our 15+ year library of great debates in HD video, a free Munk Debates book, newsletter and ticketing privileges at our live events.

    This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue - https://munkdebates.com/

    Senior Producer: Ricki Gurwitz

    Editor: Kieran Lynch

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    30 mins
  • Friday Focus: Trudeau's January and lone wolf terrorist attacks
    Jan 3 2025

    Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates.

    The following is a sample of the Munk Debates’ weekly current affairs podcast, Friday Focus.

    Rudyard and Janice talk about what to expect in Ottawa in January: Trudeau's support in caucus has collapsed, MPs are speaking out, and Justin Trudeau could be stepping down as early as next week. Will the Liberals opt to prorogue Parliament for a leadership race? And how will a new party leader fare against Pierre Pollievre in a general election? In the second half of the show Rudyard and Janice reflect on the recent lone wolf terrorist attacks at a German Christmas Market and on the streets of New Orleans. Why is it so hard to protect innocent people against these assaults?

    To access full-length editions of the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a donor to the Munk Debates for as little as $25 annually, or $.50 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt.

    This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue.

    More information at www.munkdebates.com.

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    16 mins
  • Friday Focus: A Year in Canadian Politics
    Dec 27 2024

    Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates.

    The following is a sample of the Munk Debates’ weekly current affairs podcast, Friday Focus.

    Rudyard and Janice discuss the latest political developments in Canada and look ahead to the big trends will dominate the headlines in 2025.

    To access full-length editions of the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a donor to the Munk Debates for as little as $25 annually, or $.50 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt.

    This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue.

    More information at www.munkdebates.com.

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    21 mins
  • Be it Resolved, history will be kind to Joe Biden
    Dec 24 2024

    “Together, we shall write an American story of hope, not fear” Joe Biden proclaimed as he took his oath of office in January 2021. His supporters argue that what the President was able to accomplish in four years is nothing short of remarkable. They point to his success at passing the largest infrastructure program since the 1950’s, expanding health care, enacting gun control legislation, and expanding NATO as incredible accomplishments that have cemented his legacy as a transformative president along the likes of FDR and Lyndon Johnson. To his detractors, Joe Biden will be remembered as an ineffective leader who presided over an era of hyperinflation, global instability, and mistrust in institutions. The effects of excessive federal spending, a disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, and an unprotected southern border will be felt for generations. And capping off his disastrous tenure with an unconditional pardon for his son severed the last threads of trust in government and added fuel to the growing fire of populist resentment.

    Arguing in favour of the resolution is Timothy Noah, staff writer at The New Republic

    Arguing against the resolution is Gil Troy, presidential historian and Distinguished Scholar of North American History at McGill University

    You can vote on who you think won this debate. Go to our website www.munkdebates.com to become a free member and cast your vote.

    The host of the Munk Debates is Rudyard Griffiths

    To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a Munk Member at https://munkdebates.com/membership

    Members receive access to our 15+ year library of great debates in HD video, a free Munk Debates book, newsletter and ticketing privileges at our live events.

    This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue - https://munkdebates.com/

    Senior Producer: Ricki Gurwitz

    Editor: Kieran Lynch

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    45 mins
  • Friday Focus: A crisis in Ottawa - Canada as the 51st state?
    Dec 20 2024

    Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates.

    The following is a sample of the Munk Debates’ weekly current affairs podcast, Friday Focus.

    Rudyard and Janice open the show with the surprising events out of Ottawa this week: finance minister Chrystia Freeland resigning in a blistering rebuke of the Prime Minister just hours before she was due to present the fall economic statement. What is next for the embattled Justin Trudeau? And what happens if the country is forced to wait through months of a liberal leadership race without a functioning government to face the existential challenges from the incoming Trump administration? In the second half of the show Rudyard and Janice talk about Trump's joke that Canada should become America's 51st state. Should Canadians take Trump's joke as a serious threat? Is this the beginning of a sinister plan to bring Canada into the US?

    To access full-length editions of the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a donor to the Munk Debates for as little as $25 annually, or $.50 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt.

    This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue.

    More information at www.munkdebates.com.

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    18 mins
  • Munk Dialogue with Stephen Moore: why Trump's tariff plans will benefit Americans
    Dec 18 2024

    Donald Trump’s plan to impose high tariffs on all goods coming into the US, including a 25% tax on items imported from Mexico and Canada, has leaders on both sides of the border on edge as they try to make sense of how these tariffs could impact their businesses and their economy.

    Stephen Moore is one of President Trump’s economic advisors and is rumoured to have a future role in his administration. He gives us a glimpse into what we can expect from Trump’s tariff agenda, the future of free trade in North America, and how he is advising the President to grow the economy in his second term.

    The host of this Munk Dialogue is Rudyard Griffiths

    Tweet your comments about this episode to @munkdebate or comment on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/munkdebates/

    To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a Munk Member at https://munkdebates.com/membership

    Members receive access to our 15+ year library of great debates in HD video, a free Munk Debates book, and ticketing privileges at our live events.

    This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue - https://munkdebates.com/

    Executive Producer: Ricki Gurwitz

    Editor: Kieran Lynch

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    33 mins
  • Friday Focus: Trump's tariff plan and Canada's soaring debt
    Dec 13 2024

    Friday Focus provides listeners with a focused, half-hour masterclass on the big issues, events and trends driving the news and current events. The show features Janice Gross Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and bestselling author, in conversation with Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates.

    The following is a sample of the Munk Debates’ weekly current affairs podcast, Friday Focus.

    Rudyard and Janice begin today's show reflecting on Justin Trudeau's relationship with the Trump administration. Why would he make public statements that provoke ire from our southern neighbours? And how should Trudeau respond to Trump's plan to impose tariffs on Canadians goods? In the second half of the show Rudyard and Janice talk about the grim financial outlook for Canada. With a ballooning debt how is the government going to be able to provide important services to Canadians? And how will government spending and employment growth coming primarily from the public sector handicap Canada's efforts to grow the economy? Some strong fiscal medicine might be what is required to remind us that we need to change course or risk a financial crisis.

    To access full-length editions of the Friday Focus podcast consider becoming a donor to the Munk Debates for as little as $25 annually, or $.50 per episode. Canadian donors receive a charitable tax receipt.

    This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue.

    More information at www.munkdebates.com.

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    17 mins