The Strategists

Canada’s sharpest political insiders break down power, strategy, and the people who actually run the country.

Public episode
Episode 1073: Comings and goings
June 9, 2023
The gang get together on Friday to record their thoughts on the Danielle Smith cabinet. They do that, but also get very distracted with the breaking news that David Johnston...
Public episode
Episode 1072: YIMBYs, NIMBYs and Anti-NIMBYs
June 8, 2023
Calgary City Council has had a wild couple of days. The gang unpacks some of the lessons - local, national and just about good strategy - that spill out of them. Plus - a...
Public episode
Episode 1071: The Rapporteur Special
June 5, 2023
Zain's back and provincial politics is back on the menu. We turn back to neglected news about David Johnston's special rapporteuring (including the hiring of crisis...
Public episode
Episode 1070: Stephen and Corey present Carter and Hogan in “Sincere reflection”
June 2, 2023
Zain and Annalise have left Stephen and Corey unattended. Now they can tell the world what they really think about the 2023 Alberta election and the quality of strategic advice...
Patreon episode
Episode 1069: Janet, I'd like to apologize
May 31, 2023
The gang start a series of reactions to the Alberta election by talking about the day after, unpacking just how differently things could have gone with only a few votes and...
Public episode
Episode 1068: In tears and in the toilet
May 29, 2023
In 24 hours it will all be over (probably/maybe). But let's talk about what we think it will be anyways, and dive into how campaign internals and voter modelling works while...
Public episode
Episode 1067: Fireworks
May 26, 2023
The gang talk a lot about Calgary-Glenmore and Calgary-Acadia, a bit about advance voting and inspire the next generation, which Stephen definitely does not slander. Where's...
Public episode
Episode 1066: And then there were ten
May 24, 2023
The gang get together to discuss the state of the Alberta election with six sleeps to go. Stephen Carter unveils his predictions. Corey Hogan defends the virtues of polls....
Public episode
Episode 1065: Toaster cake
May 23, 2023
The gang get together and do their best not to talk about the Alberta election - intermittently failing. How campaigns run against themselves in the last week, the virtues of...
Public episode
Episode 1064: Conflicting interests
May 19, 2023
It's debate night in Alberta. The gang assembles to unpack and process their thoughts in real time. They discuss the lines that worked, the strategies, the overall impressions...
Public episode
Episode 1063: Alberta's favourite threesome
May 17, 2023
The gang discuss the strategy, the research, the training and the considerations around preparing a candidate for a leaders' debate. Plus - the shocking endorsement of the...
Public episode
Episode 1062: Scarecrows and Lions
May 15, 2023
The gang take stock of the Alberta election and unpack the polls, the events, and everything from the effect of Mother's Day to whether it's now socially unacceptable to...
Public episode
Episode 1061: The Brett Andrew[s] [Radio] Hour
May 12, 2023
The gang celebrate the 1000th patron by dedicating a discussion of Donald Trump and China to their new best friend, Brett Andrews.Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter discuss Donald...
Public episode
Episode 1060: No Take Backsies
May 10, 2023
The gang celebrate Zain's crowning "Velji Rule" achievement, talk about the importance of keeping your head during stressful times as premier, and unpack the Take Back Alberta...
Public episode
Episode 1059: The Trolley Problem
May 8, 2023
The gang discuss the first week of the Alberta election campaign - one that started with a tax pledge and ended with a wildfire derailing business-as-usual - and unpack what...
Public episode
Episode 1058: Heir today, gone tomorrow
May 5, 2023
Zain, Corey and Stephen talk about the mini-media blitz by Mark Carney that has re-spurred conversations about his possible prime ministerial ambitions. And given we heard on a...
Public episode
Episode 1057: What about Bob?
May 3, 2023
The gang talk the first two days of the Alberta election - launches, Pawlowski verdict, Smith seemingly dodging the media and more.PATREON EXCLUSIVE. Corey Hogan and Stephen...
Public episode
Episode 1056: Auld Lang Sign
May 1, 2023
The gang convene after a weekend of sun and buying dirt to jump into what the day before the dropping of the writ looks like. Plus: one million metaphors collide.Corey Hogan...
Patreon episode
Episode 1055: Labour's love's lost
April 28, 2023
The gang talk go through a grab-bag of political issues that include A.I. generated ads, the muted response by opposition leaders on the VW battery plant and the CBC...
Public episode
Episode 1054: Billionaires and healthcare
April 26, 2023
The gang talk about Danielle Smith's ancient, long-ago, okay-22-months-ago health care positions and react to Calgary's council, Alberta's premier and YOUR CALGARY FLAMES...
Public episode
Episode 1053: Gradually, and then suddenly
April 24, 2023
With just one week to go before the dropping of the writ, the gang talk about the final preparations a campaign makes before getting into the big show. Plus: Stephen and Corey...
Public episode
Episode 1052: Bandwagon economics
April 21, 2023
The gang talk about the phenomenon of every politician being a sports fan at playoff time - often to embarrassing effect. Plus - the $13 billion battery plant gets debated from...
Public episode
Episode 1051: "Conversations. Boy, I don't know."
April 19, 2023
A campaign period has been officially declared in Alberta, and as required by The Strategists' corporate bylaws, the gang starts recording three times a week. Join the gang as...
Public episode
Episode 1050: Question. Period.
April 17, 2023
The Zain-free gang talk Twitter's ongoing war with media outlets, Danielle Smith's ongoing war with media outlets, the UCP's ongoing war with the UCP's reputation on health...