Explore every episode of the podcast Placeline Hamilton

Not everybody has 115 skeletons lying around in their office. But Dr. Megan Brickley does.

It’s OK. There’s a good reason.

The McMaster bioarcheology professor is studying the remains of people who were buried long, long ago to learn about their health and perhaps how and why they died. Think of it as CSI-1800s.

No, skeletons can’t provide all the answers but they can offer some.

And if you want to hear her talk more about this in person, check out this talk she's giving in town on Oct. 9

Paul Berton has been a journalist for four and a half decades, the past 15 years of that as editor-in-chief of The Hamilton Spectator.

This week, he retires.

All that time working in the trenches has given him a unique perspective on the media, how it operates and where it might be going.

In this episode of Placeline Hamilton, Berton talks about the future of newspapers, who qualifies as a journalist, media bias and the impact of social media on news — among other issues facing the industry and those who consume it.

Rob Cooper is the new councillor for Ward 8 after winning a byelection over 25 other candidates.

What did he hear as he went door to door talking to voters? 

"People aren't happy across the ward," he says.

On this episode of Placeline Hamilton, Cooper talks about his priorities - controlling spending, reducing crime, fixing roads and improving transit - as he gets set to be sworn in and take his place around the council table. He also chats about his political background and his belief he can work with all the other councillors.

He learns he has a celebrity doppelganger, too. 

Voters in Ward 8 have their work cut out for them sorting through 26 candidates to choose the one they prefer in the race to replace John Paul Danko. Assuming they show up at the polls, that is, which is never a sure thing in byelections. 

But this is an important choice for the city. And it's an important moment for the person who ultimately gets selected. Former city councillor Judi Partridge talks about both sides of the equation - the crucial nature of the position but also what the winner can expect. And it's not always pretty.

Hamilton taxpayers are about to get the next installment in their annual property tax increase saga. The past three years have seen hefty bumps. This year could actually be the largest hike of them all. 

Longtime city hall watcher and commentator John Best returns to Placeline Hamilton to chat about what's coming tax-wise, bylaws and the Jamesville housing development that's finally being removed.

The other day in The Hamilton Spectator, you might've read about a new documentary coming out this fall about Terry Fox based on more than 90 reels of long-lost footage that hasn't been seen almost since the days of the Marathon of Hope.

The director of the film is a Hamilton guy. Sean Menard has been quickly building a reputation as one of this country's leading documentary filmmakers. Which is a unique position to hold in a unique genre.

Why tell real stories when you can tell fictional ones with seemingly far more leeway to be creative? And what separates a great doc from a boring one? It all comes down to one word: Storytelling.

He tells his on this episode of Placeline Hamilton.

Unless the Hamilton Tiger-Cats make it to the Grey Cup, Labour Day is the most important game of the year around here. Longtime sports journalist (and Hamilton guy) Stephen Brunt joins Placeline Hamilton to talk about the team, the league, this game and a new behind-the-scenes series about the Ticats he's narrating.

Music can improve performance when running, bring memories back to people with dementia and even work in pain management. How can a bunch of notes have this kind of power? Music therapist Rachael Finnerty of McMaster University explains the magic.

On Aug. 14, 2024, 900CHML radio went off the air after 97 years of broadcasting to Hamilton. One year later, we catch up with former hosts Rick Zamperin and Shiona Thompson about the end of the station, what the community lost that day, and what is filling the gap.

When we learned that the city was on the hook for the $18.3-million cost of last year's cyber attack, people were upset. In part because the actions (or inactions) of city hall staff voided Hamilton's insurance police but mostly because that huge sum was now going to be passed on to the taxpayers. As it is every time the city messes up. Which, unfortunately, has happened more than a few times (and in spectacular ways) in recent years.

It didn't take much for Michael Sanderson to get his credentials to become a paramedic back in the 1970s. But for the 50-plus years since, the chief of Hamilton's paramedic service has been saving lives and seeing it all.

If it seemed like everyone and their mother were in the queue for Paul McCartney tickets when they went on sale last week, well, they might've been. The lines were long and if you got to the point where you could actually buy a ticket, the prices were steep. Is this what we should expect with most concerts here now or was this a one-off?

In recent months, two innocent bystanders have been killed when they were hit by wayward bullets. There have been other shootings that very nearly led to tragedy for those merely minding their own business. Is Hamilton - particularly the downtown - safe these days? We chat with Hamilton police Deputy Chief Ryan Diodati to get an answer.

When his dream job as president of the United States came with conditions he couldn't meet (like, being American) Graeme MacKay turned to the next best thing. Drawing politicians and skewering them with a brilliant wit as editorial cartoonist for The Hamilton Spectator. A gig that, as he explains, has become more-complicated in recent years.

Longtime journalist Steve Paikin's run as host of The Agenda has just ended as he moves on to pursue other interests. In this episode, he talks about the modern news industry, ways to inspire engagement with politics and which famous Hamiltonians he grew up with as a boy. 

What does the sale of Lime Ridge Mall mean for the future of the place? Maybe nothing. Maybe things stay as they were or get even better there. Maybe the plans for a massive development on the property that included condos and other housing press ahead. It matters because this story isn't just about shopping. There's a lot more to it than that.

Talk to people around town and there's a sense that Hamiltonians are getting increasingly frustrated with city hall. Their taxes continue to rise, but many of the problems facing Hamilton aren't being solved — or progress is very slow. Is the resulting criticism of council and city staff fair? Or has it become too much?

A few days from now, Burlington's Phil Pritchard will do what he's done for years and carry the Stanley Cup to centre ice to present to the new National Hockey League champion. But where did this tradition come from? What's the deal with the white gloves? And did he really spend time in a Finnish sauna with a Hall of Famer and the trophy?

It's been five years since the pandemic hit. Most of us have long since moved on and left it in the rearview mirror. But what about those who can't because they're suffering from what's called long COVID; symptoms and effects that last long after the initial virus passes? One of those people explains what life is like while dealing with it.

Twenty-five years ago this month, everyone around here - pretty much everywhere, really - got caught up in a new TV show called Survivor. It became the thing everyone talked about throughout the summer of 2000. It also changed TV. It opened the door to more reality shows and even affected how some scripted shows were filmed. A quarter-century after it became a phenomenon, eventual winner Richard Hatch talks about the game, its effects on our culture and its impact on him. 

Dave Bennett and his wife, Jane Wilcox, were at the airport on their way home from a lovely vacation in the Dominican Republic when he was pulled into a small room, accused of being a drug smuggler, arrested and thrown into a series of increasingly horrible jail cells. The next 71 days - until charges were dropped and he was able to return home to Burlington - were hell.

They pick up the story from there.

When Krispy Kreme opened a new location in Hamilton, some celebrated the arrival. Others took a stand against an American chain setting up shop in a town that has more than a few much-celebrated local dougnut shops at a time of tariffs and elbows up. Will the current political situation affect sales of a tasty treat? Host Scott Radley also explores how someone learns how to be an MP and wonders if this area's sports fans are truly cursed.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats' new general manager, Ted Goveia - the man entrusted with building a team that'll finally give this city a championship after more than a quarter century of waiting - has an intriguing story of how he found football and then how he worked his way through the system to get where he is today.

Detroit Red Wings defenceman (and Hamilton guy) Ben Chiarot talks about what it really feels like to block a shot in the Stanley Cup playoffs and explains the toll players pay to win. With Mother's Day approaching, renowned obstetrician Dr. Jean Chamberlain compares giving birth in Canada to doing so in many parts of the developing world. And  West-End Home Builders' Association CEO Mike Collins-Williams breaks down why Hamilton is so slow in the development process to build desperately needed new homes.

As patriotism is surging and people are gravitating to anything red and white, we chat to Dave Thomas who created one of the endearing symbols of Canada (Doug McKenzie of Bob and Doug fame). But the chat isn't just about comedy. The Dundas legend is heading to Ukraine on a humanitarian mission this week. Also in this episode, the recent trial of the murder of an OPP officer raises important questions about bail reform within the Canadian justice system. Defence lawyer Jeffrey Manishen explains.

The 2025 federal election has given us a minority Liberal government. It also delivered some huge surprises - especially in Hamilton Centre - and a whole lot of questions about what comes next here and across the country. 

Hamilton's John C. Munro International Airport is a massive success story for cargo but turning it into a top hub for pasenger travel has been a challenge. Can that change? Also, we talk about the idea of turning vacant office space into residences and explore whether Hamilton has a signature food.

Who would you put on the Mount Rushmore of Hamilton music? We get into that in our first episode of Placeline Hamilton. Also joining host Scott Radley is new speaker of the legislature, Donna Skelly, Spectator election editor Matthew Van Dongen and former councillor Judi Partridge talking about trust - or a lack of it - at city hall.

Placeline Hamilton explores issues about the city and stories of interest to those who call it home. Every week, Spectator columnist Scott Radley will dive into hot-button topics with newsmakers, explore stories with the reporters covering them, and chat with those who add to the fabric of this community. Whether it’s serious or lighthearted, Placeline Hamilton will keep you informed and engaged.

The first episode drops April 16, with new episodes every Wednesday. Listen to the trailer here and follow or subscribe at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music or wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.