Ship of Fools Podcast with host Steven Malkowich - Details, episodes & analysis

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Ship of Fools Podcast with host Steven Malkowich

Ship of Fools Podcast with Steven Malkowich

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Frequency: 1 episode/7d. Total Eps: 67

Welcome to Ship of Fools with host Steven Malkowich - Where Wit Meets Wisdom. Our title is ironic. Our intent is genuine. Hosted by Steven Malkowich, this podcast explores the limits of what we know. From culture and technology to belief systems and big questions, we seek clarity in the chaos of modern life. Whether you’re intellectually curious, spiritually skeptical, or just tired of surface-level noise — you’re welcome aboard. Follow us on all the social media channels or wherever you watch your podcasts. 🔔 New episodes weekly. Follow and join the conversation.

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https://www.shipoffools.ca/
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https://researchco.ca/
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https://www.losdoradoscanada.com/
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https://www.youtube.com/@shipoffoolspodcast
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BC Election 2026: What Were Voters Thinking? | Mario Canseco

Season 2 · Episode 41

Tuesday, October 27, 2026 • Duration 01:05:44

What were British Columbians really thinking before the 2026 elections — and what can the results tell us about the public mood?

With the BC Conservatives projected to form a majority government and Vancouver electing a new mayor, British Columbia's political landscape has changed dramatically.

Before the votes were cast, Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. and one of BC's best-known pollsters, joined Steven Malkowich on Ship of Fools for a candid conversation about political polling, voter behaviour, affordability and what politicians may be missing.

Mario takes us behind the numbers to explore:

Can election polls be trusted? How polling works and why results can be misleading.
What voters say vs. what they do: Why undecided voters can change the political picture.
Political promises and manufactured narratives: When campaigns make claims the research doesn't support.
Vancouver and Surrey politics: Voter turnout, fragmented races and what municipal leaders can actually deliver.
BC's affordability crisis: Housing, the cost of living and the contradiction between wanting cheaper homes and protecting property values.
Health care and childcare: What public-opinion research reveals about changing priorities.

Mario also shares surprising stories from his career, including a company that wanted polling results to support a claim it had already decided to make.

It's an insightful, occasionally humorous conversation about the people behind the polls, what Canadians really think and the issues shaping British Columbia.

Recording note: This conversation was recorded before the October 17 municipal elections and October 24 provincial election. The discussion reflects the pre-election political landscape, not a post-election analysis.

🎙️ Ship of Fools with Steven Malkowich

Where Wit Meets Wisdom.

New conversations every week exploring BC politics, Canadian life, culture, comedy and the people behind the headlines.

Follow Ship of Fools on Spotify so you never miss an episode.

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@shipoffoolspodcast

Learn more about Mario Canseco and Research Co.: https://researchco.ca/

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Can You Still Afford to Live in B.C.? | Thomas Davidoff on Housing, Prices & What Comes Next

Season 2 · Episode 40

Tuesday, October 20, 2026 • Duration 01:08:31

Can people still afford to live in B.C. — and what would actually make housing cheaper?

UBC Sauder economist Thomas Davidoff joins Steven Malkowich for a straight-talking conversation about why housing costs so much, what really drives prices, and the trade-offs nobody likes to talk about.

They get into land costs, zoning, housing supply, mortgage rates, immigration, foreign investment, property taxes and whether building more homes actually improves affordability. Pasted text

Thomas also tackles some of the questions people really want answered: Could B.C. home prices fall substantially? Has slower population growth helped bring rents and prices down? Who loses when housing becomes cheaper? And will younger generations still be able to own a home here? Pasted text

Thomas holds the Stanley Hamilton Professorship in Real Estate Finance at UBC Sauder and directs the UBC Centre for Urban Economics and Real Estate.

This is the first episode in a new Ship of Fools series focused on the issues people in B.C. actually care about.

Can I even live here anymore?

Ship of Fools Podcast with Steven Malkowich
Where Wit Meets Wisdom

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Is AI Going to Wreck Society? | Dr. Vered Shwartz on What Comes Next

Season 2 · Episode 39

Tuesday, October 13, 2026 • Duration 01:16:47

Is AI going to wreck society — or are we getting ahead of ourselves?

Dr. Vered Shwartz, Assistant Professor of Computer Science at UBC and a CIFAR AI Chair at the Vector Institute, joins Steven Malkowich on Ship of Fools for a plain-language conversation about where artificial intelligence is heading and how much we should trust it.

Vered’s research focuses on large language models, natural language processing, AI persuasion, commonsense reasoning, culturally competent AI and responsible AI in sensitive areas such as law and medicine.

This episode looks at what these systems can actually do, why they still make things up, how persuasive they can be, what changes when AI starts acting on our behalf, and what ordinary people should understand as AI becomes part of everyday life.

No computer-science degree required.

Just a practical conversation about one of the biggest technologies shaping the future — what it gets right, what it gets wrong, and what comes next.

Ship of Fools Podcast with Steven Malkowich
Where Wit Meets Wisdom

Follow the show on Spotify and watch the full episode on YouTube.

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Byron Bertram: The Man Behind Sergei Putinski, “The Russian Comic”

Season 2 · Episode 37

Tuesday, October 6, 2026 • Duration 57:23

For the first half of this episode, Vancouver comedian Byron Bertram is completely in character as Sergei Putinski — “The Russian Comic.”

Steven Malkowich plays the interview totally straight, as if Sergei has arrived in Vancouver on an official diplomatic mission from the world of Russian comedy.

Then, halfway through the conversation, everything changes.

Steven says, “Sergei, we need to talk to your handler.” The accent drops, the character disappears, and Byron Bertram finally joins the conversation as himself.

From there, they get into the craft behind Sergei — how the character was built, what a character can sometimes say that the comedian can’t, and what Byron has learned from more than 20 years performing stand-up around the world.

They also talk about performing in more than 30 countries, the Vancouver comedy scene, Byron’s Live From The Biltmore special, corporate gigs, London and New York rooms, accents, characters, and some of the best and worst shows of his career.

There’s also a sincere moment in the middle of all the absurdity: Steven is Ukrainian, Sergei is Russian — at least in character — and the two look into the camera with a simple message about wanting the war to end.

And before the episode is over, Sergei returns for a lightning round as Byron switches back and forth between both personalities.

Ship of Fools Podcast with Steven Malkowich
Where Wit Meets Wisdom

Follow Ship of Fools on Spotify and watch the full episode on YouTube.

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From Pro Football to City Hall: Dehara Thompson on Why She’s Running in Port Coquitlam

Season 2 · Episode 36

Tuesday, September 29, 2026 • Duration 01:00:12

What makes a former professional footballer decide to run for City Council?

Dehara Thompson joins Steven Malkowich on Ship of Fools for a wide-ranging conversation about sport, family, community leadership and why she has decided to run for Port Coquitlam City Council in the October 17 municipal election.

Before entering politics, Dehara played professionally with Newcastle United Women and built a long career in soccer, coaching and community development. She is now Executive Director of She Plays Sports Society and has also worked in youth sport, nonprofit leadership, school community involvement and major-event logistics.

The conversation starts with the person behind the campaign: her family background, the influence of two cultures growing up, the 1994 World Cup, and the path that eventually took her into professional football.

From there, Steven and Dehara talk about motherhood, community involvement, youth sport and what she believes those experiences taught her about leadership, budgets, facilities, volunteers and service.

Then the conversation shifts to Port Coquitlam.

Dehara explains why she is running as an independent, what she believes she would bring to council as a first-time candidate, and how she thinks about issues including housing, smart density, community safety, recreation, ageing infrastructure, mental health, addiction and fiscal responsibility. Her campaign emphasizes safe and active neighbourhoods, opportunity for youth and families, practical leadership, accountability and transparency.

And Steven asks one of the biggest questions facing every municipal election:

Why should people who usually skip local elections care enough to vote?

Port Coquitlam voters will elect six councillors on October 17, 2026, from a field that includes Dehara and 14 other council candidates.

Troy Van Vliet’s Plan for Surrey: Safety, Growth & Real Ownership

Season 2 · Episode 36

Thursday, September 24, 2026 • Duration 01:03:50

What would Troy Van Vliet actually do if he became Mayor of Surrey?

Surrey mayoral candidate Troy Van Vliet returns to Ship of Fools for Part Two of his conversation with Steven Malkowich. This time, they take a deeper look at the Surrey NOW platform and how Troy proposes to turn his campaign commitments into action at City Hall.

With Surrey's municipal election approaching on October 17, 2026, Steven asks Troy to explain the practical steps behind his five platform pillars: Safe Streets, Smart Growth, Strong Families, Real Ownership, and a City Hall That Delivers.

They begin with public safety, discussing extortion targeting local businesses, the Surrey Police Service, and what municipal government can realistically do to make neighbourhoods safer.

From there, the conversation turns to Surrey's rapid growth. How can the city keep up with demand for housing, schools, transportation and essential infrastructure? What needs to change in the development and permitting process? And where should Surrey's next generation of residents live?

Troy also explains his vision for stronger families and his Real Ownership proposal, which aims to create a pathway from renting to owning a home.

Finally, Steven presses him on accountability at City Hall. What would Troy prioritize in his first 100 days? How would his administration measure results? And how would he translate his private-sector experience into municipal leadership?

This episode explores the ideas, implementation challenges and decisions behind Troy Van Vliet's campaign for Mayor of Surrey.

In this episode:

Troy Van Vliet's five Surrey NOW platform pillars
Safe Streets: policing, extortion and public safety
Smart Growth: housing, infrastructure and permitting
Strong Families: schools, recreation and community services
Real Ownership: creating pathways to home ownership

Troy Van Vliet on Surrey Taxes, Housing & Public Safety | Election 2026

Season 2 · Episode 35

Tuesday, September 22, 2026 • Duration 01:09:44

Surrey mayoral candidate Troy Van Vliet joins Steven Malkowich on Ship of Fools for a detailed conversation about taxes, housing, public safety and what he believes needs to change at Surrey City Hall.

This first episode focuses on the hard questions behind the campaign promises.

Steven pushes Troy on his 0% tax increase pledge: how long would it last, what would have to be cut, and where would the savings come from?

They also break down Troy’s Real Ownership proposal and what a rent-to-own pathway could actually look like for a younger Surrey resident trying to get into the housing market.

From there, the conversation turns to some of Surrey’s most serious issues: extortion, policing, the toxic drug supply and public safety. Troy explains what he believes a mayor can realistically do and where municipal government has limits.

They also discuss schools, development, the pressures created by Surrey’s rapid growth, the experience Troy brings from the private sector, and the scrutiny that comes with running for mayor as a developer and first-time candidate.

With Surrey voters heading to the polls on October 17, this is a substantive look at the policies Troy Van Vliet is putting forward and the questions voters may want answered before making their decision.

In this episode:

Troy Van Vliet’s 0% tax increase pledge
City Hall spending and potential cuts
Housing affordability and Real Ownership
Surrey policing and public safety
Extortion targeting local businesses
The toxic drug supply
Surrey schools and infrastructure
Growth and development
Why Troy is running for mayor
What he says he would change at City Hall

Ship of Fools Podcast with Steven Malkowich
Where Wit Meets Wisdom

Dylan Kruger: The $8.5B Massey Tunnel, Delta’s Election & Why He Wants to Be Mayor

Season 2 · Episode 34

Tuesday, September 15, 2026 • Duration 01:02:35

Delta mayoral candidate Dylan Kruger joins Steven Malkowich on Ship of Fools ahead of the October 17 municipal election for a candid conversation about the future of Delta—and one of B.C.'s most controversial infrastructure projects.

At the centre of the discussion is the George Massey Tunnel replacement, now estimated at approximately $8.5 billion. Kruger has been one of its most vocal municipal critics, describing the escalating cost and handling of the project as a government “boondoggle” and calling for greater accountability.

But this conversation goes well beyond the tunnel.

Steven and Dylan talk about why municipal elections have such a direct impact on everyday life, the traffic and freight congestion Delta residents deal with, the contradiction between climate goals and vehicles idling for years at one of the region's worst bottlenecks, and what taxpayers should expect when major public projects dramatically exceed their original budgets.

They also look at the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant, another Metro Vancouver infrastructure project whose cost has climbed into the billions, and ask a larger question: Why do massive public projects keep becoming dramatically more expensive—and who is ultimately accountable?

Dylan also discusses his East Ladner roots, becoming Delta's youngest councillor when he was first elected in 2018, his decision to run for mayor with One Delta, and what he believes needs to change at Delta City Hall.

With Delta voters heading to the polls on October 17, 2026, this is a timely conversation about infrastructure, affordability, government spending and the direction of one of Metro Vancouver's fastest-changing communities.

In this episode:

Why Dylan Kruger is running for Mayor of Delta
The 2026 Delta municipal election
The $8.5-billion Massey Tunnel replacement
Traffic, trucks and congestion through the Massey corridor

Carl Valentine: From Oldham to Vancouver, the World Cup & a Soccer Legacy

Season 2 · Episode 33

Tuesday, September 8, 2026 • Duration 01:12:39

Carl Valentine came to Vancouver as a 20-year-old from Oldham in 1979 — and went on to become one of the most important figures in this city’s soccer history.

The Whitecaps and Canada Soccer legend joins Steven Malkowich for a fun, wide-ranging conversation about the career that took him from earning £16 a week in England to winning the 1979 Soccer Bowl, playing for West Brom, returning to Vancouver with the 86ers, winning four straight championships and representing Canada at the 1986 World Cup.

Carl talks about growing up around Manchester, watching George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton, moving across the world at 20, becoming Canadian, helping send Canada to its first World Cup, and what it was like walking onto the field in Mexico against France and Michel Platini.

They also get into what Canada’s 2026 World Cup run meant to him, how much soccer has grown in this country, his role with the Whitecaps today, and why the club still matters so much to Vancouver.

It’s a great conversation about soccer, opportunity, community and how a young player from Oldham became part of Vancouver’s identity.

🎙️ Guest: Carl Valentine
🎧 Host: Steven Malkowich
⚽ Vancouver Whitecaps & Canada Soccer legend

Ship of Fools Podcast — Where Wit Meets Wisdom.

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Canadians Don’t Understand America — And It’s Costing Us | Anil Hira

Season 2 · Episode 32

Tuesday, September 1, 2026 • Duration 58:11

SFU political science professor Anil Hira returns to Ship of Fools for a plain-English breakdown of how the American political system actually works — and why Canadians so often misunderstand it.

Who really holds the power in the United States? The president? Congress? The Senate? The courts? The states?

Anil draws on his years working in Washington, including time on Capitol Hill and at the U.S. State Department, to explain how decisions actually get made and why the system can look very different from Canada’s.

Steven and Anil also get into:

Trump and the current Canada-U.S. tariff fight
What a U.S. president can — and cannot — do on his own
Why Congress and the Senate matter so much
The role of the courts, states and local governments
Why the Electoral College confuses so many Canadians
What Canadians consistently get wrong about American politics
The upcoming U.S. midterms and why control of Congress matters
Anil’s book The Great Disruption and what Trump, Brexit and populism still tell us seven years later
Whether Canada is developing some of the same political pressures

This is not a political science lecture. It’s a practical conversation about Trump, tariffs, power and the American system Canadians hear about every day — but may not understand nearly as well as we think.

🎙️ Guest: Professor Anil Hira, Simon Fraser University
🎧 Host: Steven Malkowich

Ship of Fools Podcast — Where Wit Meets Wisdom.

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Ship of Fools Podcast with host Steven Malkowich - Details, episodes & analysis

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Ship of Fools Podcast with host Steven Malkowich - Details, episodes & analysis

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