Advertise on podcast: Brian Crombie Radio Hour

on The Brian Crombie Radio Hour, Brian sits down with Nizar Ladak, author of The Power of Scars: My Journey from Refugee to CEO, for a compelling conversation about resilience, leadership, and meaning. From fleeing Idi Amin’s Uganda to confronting racism and professional setbacks, Nizar’s journey demonstrates how life’s scars can become sources of strength. They discuss:How early hardship shaped leadership resilienceTransforming scars into superpowersNavigating senior roles while facing systemic challengesRebuilding identity after loss of powerWhat true resilience looks like under pressureA deeply human story of endurance, growth, and dignity — this episode goes beyond slogans to explore how adversity can forge exceptional leadership.

on The Brian Crombie Radio Hour, Brian speaks with Karl Moore, Associate Professor at McGill University and co-author of We Are All We Amberverts, about the future of leadership in a complex world. Karl challenges the old introvert/extrovert framework, showing that the most effective leaders today are amberverts — those who can flex between listening and leading, reflection and engagement, without compromising authenticity. In this conversation, they explore: Why traditional charismatic, extroverted leadership is no longer enoughThe science of personality, adaptability, and situational leadershipStretching behaviors without becoming inauthenticReverse mentoring and learning across generationsWhy humility and listening have become leadership superpowersA practical, evidence-based discussion on how leaders can thrive in uncertainty, complexity, and change.

On The Brian Crombie Radio Hour, Brian sits down with Susan Pinker, psychologist and bestselling author of The Village Effect, to discuss the science of human connection and why face-to-face interaction is critical for health, resilience, and longevity. In this evidence-based conversation, they explore: Why digital connection can’t replace real-life interactionHow the pandemic intensified loneliness, especially among young peopleThe hidden health costs of social isolationLessons from long-living, tightly connected communitiesWhy fostering meaningful, in-person relationships is more urgent than everA practical, insightful discussion on belonging, connection, and the power of human presence.

On The Brian Crombie Radio Hour, Peter Copeland of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute joins the conversation to discuss why Canada may need an immigration reset. From integration and social cohesion to skill-based migration and long-term productivity, Peter breaks down why the current model — focused on scale and symbolism — is quietly straining housing, trust, and social systems. Topics include: Why immigration numbers matter as much as policySkill-based migration vs. symbolic diversityIntegration, acculturation, and social trustLessons from Europe on successful integrationWhy ignoring these issues fuels backlashThis isn’t anti-immigration — it’s a thoughtful conversation about sustainability, cohesion, and honest policy planning.

On The Brian Crombie Radio Hour, Julie Ellis, co-founder of Mabel’s Labels and author of Big Gorgeous Goals, joins the conversation to talk about ambition, reinvention, and what it really takes to build something meaningful. Julie left a corporate career in her early 30s to co-found Mabel’s Labels — a simple idea that grew into an 8-figure business and was eventually sold to an industry giant. She shares the lessons learned along the way, and what comes next after major success. In this episode, we explore: Why big goals should feel slightly uncomfortable — and why that’s a good thingThe difference between fleeting resolutions and life-changing goalsHow systems, processes, and the right people matter more than raw motivationWhat happens to identity after selling a successful companyWhy growth accelerates in the right communityNo hype, no empty motivation — just a grounded discussion about ambition, reinvention, and building something that lasts.

On this episode of The Brian Crombie Radio Hour, Brian is joined by Michelle Goldrick, founder of BOSS Health & Fitness, athlete, transformation coach, and speaker, for a raw and deeply human conversation about resilience, recovery, and redefining what it means to be strong. At 48, Michelle has survived breast cancer, a double mastectomy, hysterectomy, extreme hormone disruption, and a near-fatal cecal volvulus that required emergency surgery and the removal of two feet of her intestinal tract. Her doctors credit her baseline strength. Michelle credits her purpose. “Muscle saved my life,” she says — literally. Together, they explore how strength training became life insurance, why movement at any capacity can be medicine, the emotional toll of trauma and identity loss, and why women must rethink strength as preparation for life — not just appearance. Brian closes the show with his own commentary on Being Alive. This is a powerful conversation about muscle, mindset, and meaning — and how to rebuild when everything is stripped away.

As geopolitics reshapes trade, technology, and capital flows, Canada’s long-standing economic assumptions are being stress-tested — and exposed. On this episode of The Brian Crombie Radio Hour, Brian is joined by Patrick Leblond, associate professor and senior fellow specializing in trade, geopolitics, and economic sovereignty, for a critical examination of why Canada now needs a GIGA-scale response to a changing global order. Patrick explains how economic tools — trade policy, supply chains, data, technology, energy, and capital — are increasingly being weaponized by powerful states, marking a decisive break from the post-war rules-based system Canada built its prosperity on. Together, they explore why Canada’s deep dependence on the United States has shifted from advantage to vulnerability, what U.S. national security strategy means for Canadian firms, and why tariffs alone won’t protect sovereignty. This is not anti-American — it’s pro-Canadian realism. A serious conversation about industrial strategy, infrastructure, and what it will take for Canada to protect its interests in an era where economic power is geopolitical power.

On The Brian Crombie Radio Hour, Michael Schabas, one of the world’s most experienced rail and transportation experts, breaks down why Canada keeps failing to deliver high-speed rail — and what it would take to get it right. From the Toronto–Ottawa–Montreal–Quebec City corridor to station location, operating models, and the real economics of megaprojects, this conversation is a grounded, no-nonsense look at infrastructure as nation-building. Topics include: Why population density isn’t the main barrierLessons from European rail systemsHow high-speed rail can coexist with air travelWhat Canada must do to plan and execute successfullyIf you’ve ever wondered why France, Germany, and Japan can build world-class rail — and Canada can’t — this is a conversation worth hearing.

Global politics are entering a sharper, more dangerous phase — and Canada can’t afford to look away. On this episode of The Brian Crombie Radio Hour, Brian is joined by Joe Varner, Senior Fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute and former Deputy Director of the Conference of Defence Associations, for a clear-eyed examination of two critical geopolitical flashpoints: Venezuela and Iran. Joe explains why recent U.S. actions in Venezuela are not simply about regime change, but about countering growing influence from Russia, China, Cuba, and Iran in the Western Hemisphere. The conversation then turns to Iran, where Joe outlines why targeting the economic power of the Revolutionary Guard may be more effective than direct military confrontation. Together, they discuss: Why Venezuela has become a strategic battleground for global powersHow oil, legitimacy, and foreign interference sustain the Maduro regimeWhat the U.S. National Security Strategy means for the Western HemisphereWhy Iran’s Revolutionary Guard is the regime’s true center of gravityHow economic pressure is now a core national security toolWhy Canada risks geopolitical irrelevanceWhat Canada must rethink about defence, sovereignty, and Arctic securityThis is not abstract geopolitics — it’s a sober, realistic look at how power is being exercised today, and what it means for Canada’s future.

Brian Crombie is joined by Charles Burton, one of Canada’s most experienced China analysts and Senior Fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute. Burton draws on decades studying China–Canada relations — including time as a diplomat in Beijing — to offer a clear-eyed look at Canada’s shifting foreign policy and the risks embedded in its evolving ties with Beijing. We dive into Prime Minister Mark Carney’s recent visit to China, where a new strategic partnership was announced, including lowered tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and commitments on energy, agri-food and investment — a move that comes as Canada aims to diversify beyond reliance on the United States. As Canada’s exports to China remain a small fraction of its total compared with U.S. trade, Burton and Brian ask a hard question: Does closer alignment with China strengthen Canada — or expose it to greater economic, security, and moral risk? In this discussion, they explore: • Why China can be an unreliable trading partner and how economic coercion works • The risks of Chinese investment in critical infrastructure, technology and EV sectors • Data security, surveillance, and national-security vulnerabilities • How U.S. policy toward China affects Canada inevitably • Taiwan, Venezuela, and the broader global power struggle • Whether Canada is drifting away from a rules-based international order • Why partners like Japan, South Korea, and Northern Europe may be safer long-term allies This is not about ideology — it’s about realism in an increasingly transactional world, and what it means to protect Canadian sovereignty amidst great-power rivalry.

Brian is joined by Deb Lawless Miller, author of One Little Pill: The Chase, the Crash, the Choice, for a raw, honest, and deeply human conversation about addiction and recovery. Deb was a successful corporate professional whose recreational opioid use gradually became a daily dependency — costing her career, leading to legal trouble, and bringing her to a life-or-death crossroads. In this candid discussion, they explore: • 💊 How “one little pill” quietly became full-blown addiction • 🔄 The three phases Deb describes: the chase, the crash, and the choice • 🧠 Why addiction is a brain chemistry issue — not a moral failure • ⚖️ The moment she chose recovery over jail — and the path that followed • 🤝 The role of professional help, community, and the 12-step program • 🌱 How 21 years of sobriety became her greatest source of purpose This is not a sensational story — it’s a hopeful one about honesty, accountability, and the power of choosing differently.

on The Brian Crombie Radio Hour, Brian is joined by Tracy Lamourie — internationally recognized publicist, media strategist, and culture commentator — for a timely discussion on how Canadians are seeing the world differently in 2026. Tracy has recently appeared on the BBC, CBC The National, Newsweek, The Independent (UK), and major U.S. media outlets, weighing in on border travel, geopolitics, celebrity culture, media trust, and public attitudes. In this wide-ranging conversation, they explore: • 🇨🇦 Why fewer Canadians are crossing the U.S. border — and why it’s not just politics • 🛂 Security concerns, device searches, and changes in trust at the border • 🌍 How global audiences see Canada — and how Canadians see the U.S. • 🎭 The evolving nature of celebrity, fandom, and accountability • 📰 Why transparency and credibility matter more than ever in media and institutions • 👵 Tracy’s work on media literacy for seniors and upcoming Canadian projects This is a thoughtful conversation about trust, perception, identity, and the mechanics of soft power — both between countries and institutions.

On The Brian Crombie Radio Hour, Brian is joined by Richard Gold, Professor of Law at McGill University and one of Canada’s leading thinkers on innovation, intellectual property, and economic strategy. Professor Gold argues that Canada keeps getting innovation wrong — not because we lack talent, but because we keep trying to copy the U.S. Instead, Canada needs a mission-driven, Made-in-Canada innovation strategy. In this wide-ranging discussion, they explore: • 🇨🇦 Why Canada needs a strategy built for its own strengths • 🏛️ The critical role of government direction, not just market forces • 🧠 How innovation ecosystems matter more than isolated startups • 🏢 The importance of anchor companies and strong regional clusters • 🎮 Opportunities in gaming, AI, energy, and mining as dual-use innovation engines • 🎓 Why underfunded universities are quietly holding Canada back • 📉 What’s missing from the latest federal budget — and why focus matters more than slogans This is a serious conversation about productivity, sovereignty, social capital, and how Canada moves up the value chain in practice — not just in theory.

On this episode, Brian is joined by Matthew da Mota for a challenging and deeply provocative conversation about U.S. power, Canadian sovereignty, and the uncomfortable realities behind the so‑called “rules‑based international order.” Prompted by the recent U.S. raid in Venezuela — an extraordinary military operation that captured Nicolás Maduro and sparked global controversy — Matthew argues this isn’t a break from history, but a stark reminder of America’s enduring influence in the world. In this episode, we explore: • 🌎 Why American imperial power never disappeared — it simply evolved • 🇨🇦 How Canada’s economic sovereignty has been quietly eroded through trade, tariffs, and corporate pressure • ⚖️ The double standards the West applies to sovereignty in the Global South vs. NATO allies • 📜 The myth — and limits — of the post‑war rules‑based international order • 💻 Digital sovereignty, Big Tech, and why economic coercion now matters more than sheer military force • 🔗 The hard trade‑offs between economic integration with the U.S. and long‑term independence This is not an anti‑American rant — it’s a sober look at how power, dependency, and realism play out in a world where middle powers like Canada must think strategically to protect sovereignty and influence.

On The Brian Crombie Radio Hour, Brian is joined by Dr. Stephen R. Nagy, a professor of international relations and senior fellow with leading Canadian and global policy institutes, for a timely conversation on global power dynamics, Canada’s strategic choices, and how middle powers can navigate the shifting balance between the United States and China. We explore: • 🌍 Whether today’s global order is chaotic — or fundamentally bipolar, dominated by the U.S. and China • 🇨🇦 How Canada should navigate its partnership with Washington while managing tensions with Beijing • 🇺🇸 President Trump’s strategy of “curated chaos” — risk or opportunity? • 🇹🇼 Why Taiwan is not Venezuela — and why those comparisons matter • ❄️ The Arctic, technology, energy, and critical minerals as pillars of Canada–U.S. alignment • 🤝 Why disciplined diplomacy — not theatrics — may be Canada’s greatest asset right now This is a clear‑eyed, unsensational discussion about how power actually works — and what smart middle powers must do to remain relevant in a world marked by great‑power competition and evolving economic statecraft.