Explore every episode of the podcast The Strategists

Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips break down Alberta’s new $4 million referendum advertising campaign, what the government’s creative says about its polling, and whether a massive spending advantage can actually overcome a muddled message. Does the government’s softer language on immigration reveal a strategic vulnerability? Can the opposition turn a David-versus-Goliath funding gap into an advantage? And has the live-show ticketing system become too confusing even for the people who created it?

Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

The Strategists Live:

Edmonton — October 13, 2026

strategistsliveshow.ca/calgary

Calgary — October 27, 2026

strategistsliveshow.ca/edmonton

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shannon Phillips and Leah Ward dive into Elections Alberta’s referendum headaches, the growing pressure around the province’s special-ballot process, and whether the agency is actually resourced to pull off one of the biggest votes in Canadian history. Is Elections Alberta undermining confidence in the referendum by mishandling basic details? At what point does an election agency have to pull the fire alarm and say it cannot guarantee the process without more resources? And has Shannon finally found the one thing more frustrating than Alberta politics: her printer?

Annalise Klingbeil, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips rank the people, politicians, and campaigners on Alberta’s stay-in-Canada side. Who is actually moving votes? Are the BC Conservatives about to split themselves into two parties? And has Carter replaced AFL tipping with referendum power rankings?

Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

LIVE SHOWS: October 13 in Edmonton at the Horowitz Events Centre, and October 27 in Calgary at the Bella Concert Hall. One before the referendum. One after. Tickets coming soon.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips break down Mark Carney’s response after Canada walks away from a trade deal with the United States, and what comes next when the relationship shifts from negotiation to trade war. Was this the exact moment Carney was hired for? How does Canada fight back? And can a great view really make up for the worst VRBO laundry room in Squamish?

Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shannon Phillips and Zain Velji talk about what the Alberta NDP should actually be doing this summer, from candidate recruitment and Calgary-Shaw to the referendum and rural opposition to AI data centres. Should the NDP run directly against separatism in Calgary-Shaw? Can listening to angry rural voters turn a local issue into an electoral opportunity? And how does Stephen Carter have time for an hour-long phone call but not enough time to record the podcast?

Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips talk about what happens when the strategist becomes the spokesperson, whether the political backroom still exists, and why Carter is discovering that dealing with the public may be the hardest part of running a campaign. Then they dig into the strange out-of-province donations flowing to the Alberta Republican Party and the loopholes that could allow even more money to move through Alberta politics without anyone knowing where it came from. How much money would it actually take to seriously disrupt the referendum? Is voter suppression a bigger risk than anyone wants to admit? And is Jason Kenney becoming a Conservative elder statesman, or quietly auditioning for Pierre Poilievre’s job?

Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips break down the increasingly crowded campaign to keep Alberta in Canada and ask whether anyone has the money or the nerve to run the air war the referendum may require. Then they strategize what the federal government, the NDP, organized labour and the various pro-Canada campaigns should actually be doing with just weeks left to reach voters. Can Canadian flags become a national unity organizing tool? Will No to the Nine hold together once voters start reading the individual questions? And has Carter finally escaped the same 2,000 people, or just ordered 4,000 signs for them?

Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Be it resolved that the Minister of Podcasts, Stephen Carter, together with the Chair of Oral Questions, Zain Velji, do hereby call this sitting of The Ministry of Podcasts to order, notwithstanding an abandoned first recording, an unexplained middle finger, and Zain Velji arriving without sufficient battery life or advance knowledge of his own schedule.

Be it further resolved that the House shall receive testimony from the duly elected Member of Parliament for Calgary Confederation on matters including but not limited to:

The rapidly escalating scandal over who may receive a Canadian flag, how many flags constitute a reasonable request, and whether declining an order for one hundred of them amounts to a betrayal of the country,

The strange campaign to keep Alberta in Canada, the patchwork of parties, MPs and third-party advertisers attempting to fill the space where an actual referendum campaign ought to be,

The daily reality of serving as a constituency MP, parliamentary secretary and the closest government representative to roughly two million people while navigating what an MP can promise, influence and actually deliver,

And the Calgary Stampede as a ten-day exercise in political endurance, including 71 events, 40 visiting Liberal MPs and one Prime Minister turning the city into the country’s largest informal caucus meeting.

Therefore be it finally resolved that this episode shall be entered into the record as a defence of Canadian unity, an account of the work that happens between the speeches and the cameras, and a reminder that public service requires equal measures of stamina, candour and access to a reliable supply of Canadian flags.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips break down the ways Mark Carney’s extended political honeymoon could finally come to an end, from a weakening economy and progressive defections to Liberal insider culture and the arrival of a shinier opponent. What happens if voters stop believing there is no deal to be made with Donald Trump and start blaming Carney for failing to make one? Can economic progressivism keep urban voters from drifting back to the NDP? And is Stephen Carter’s national basic income plan the bold political masterstroke nobody asked him to invent?

Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Support The Strategists Legal Defence Fund.

https://donate.thestrategists.ca

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips break down the emerging fight between moneyed interests and economic populists in the Democratic Party, and ask whether progressive candidates need broader coalitions, better slogans or simply better abs. Then they turn to Donald Trump’s latest tariff threats, Mark Carney’s restrained response and the premiers volunteering to play attack dog. Can economic populism work in Canada? Should Carney start treating Trump like the political villain Canadians already believe he is? And is Carter now pro-slogan, or just anti-admitting he was wrong?

Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Carter and Zain Velji break down the politics of being seen, from Naheed Nenshi’s controversial Stampede photo with the Israeli ambassador to the staffers whose job is to keep politicians out of pictures they will later regret. Can a good body person save a leader from a bad photo op? Is Mark Carney’s new PMO structure a real change or just corporate jargon? And how much of an episode can be turned into an RBC Wealth Management ad before the sponsor asks for its money back?

Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips break down the latest referendum fundraising numbers and ask why conservative federalists seem to be getting out-organized by the separatists. Then they strategize what Corb Lund’s Water Not Coal campaign should do after its petition failed validation by Elections Alberta. Can the stay-in-Canada side turn scattered efforts into a real coalition? Should Water Not Coal fight the ruling in court, or in the court of public opinion? And with the Ground Games underway, who are the odds really favouring?

Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips break down Alberta’s increasingly murky referendum campaign, from the rules governing signs and fundraising to the power of writing questions designed to produce a preferred answer. What happens when everyone seems to be playing by a different set of rules? Can ordinary Albertans turn Stampede into amateur lobbying hour? And will Stephen Carter remember his best line long enough to use it at Stampede?

Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips dive into Alberta’s referendum campaigns, the NDP’s struggle to turn a pro-Canada message into partisan advantage, and the growing conservative pile-on against Calgary Mayor Jeremy Farkas over Stampede concert noise. Should party money ever be spent without asking people to vote for the party? Has Farkas become one of Alberta’s most effective opposition voices? And when the province decides fun is mandatory, how loud is loud enough?

Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Websites mentioned in this episode

https://coach.albertasvoice.ca

https://albertareferendumb2026.ca/

https://suddenlycanadian.ca/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Carter and Zain Velji continue their live reaction to Carter’s appearance at The Walrus debate at the Canadian Vote Summit. As the conversation turns from democratic engagement to political reality, they unpack whether candidate debates still matter, why Question Period might be little more than political theatre, and what politicians actually learn from the process. Are democratic reforms solving real problems or chasing idealized outcomes? Is civility a moral virtue or a strategic choice? And can Stephen Carter make it through an entire democracy summit without calling someone the worst politician in Canadian history?

Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Carter and Zain Velji dive into Elections Alberta’s plan to recruit 60,000 workers and count 45 million ballots, and what that could mean for how referendum results are reported on election night. Could Alberta be headed for a separatist mirage where early returns tell the wrong story? Is Pierre Poilievre walking a tightrope that Stephen Harper never would have touched? And does Shannon Phillips have her flippy-floppies with her on a boat?

Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Listen to all the Strategists Podcast Network shows at

https://network.thestrategists.ca/

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips dive into the rapidly escalating Alberta separatism fight, the growing fractures inside the UCP, and whether Danielle Smith has finally pushed things too far. Are groups actually trying to stop separatism, or just positioning themselves to claim credit afterward? Have Alberta’s mayors become some of the most effective pro-Canada voices in the province? And why is it so hard to just get a normal Canadian flag lawn sign?

Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a moment when Prairie politics feels increasingly untethered from reality, what happens when governments start making generational decisions while chasing internal political pressure?

This week on Balance of Power, Leah Ward and Shannon Phillips are joined by Saskatchewan NDP MLA Aleana Young to unpack Saskatchewan’s stunning $26 billion coal gamble, the politics driving it, and why the fight over energy policy is becoming a proxy for something much bigger across Western Canada.

First: the coal bombshell. Aleana Young walks through the leaked SaskPower documents showing the true cost of rebuilding and operating Saskatchewan’s coal plants, why the government’s numbers kept changing, and how a plan sold as affordability could end up doubling power bills.

Then: governing for the base. From separatism to immigration rhetoric to attacks on institutions, the panel digs into what happens when premiers stop trying to persuade the broader public and start managing internal party pressure instead.

Plus, for Patreon Subscribers: Danielle Smith’s looming referendum speech. What arguments will she make, who will she blame, and how do governments chip away at trust in courts, institutions, and democratic norms while claiming to defend democracy itself?

Coal, courts, separatism, healthcare collapse, Prairie politics, and the risks of governments that seem increasingly adrift.

Welcome to Balance of Power.

Have a comment or idea? Email us at suggestionbox@balanceofpowerpod.ca

Join the Strategists Podcast Network Patreon for extended ad-free episodes and access to our exclusive Discord:

https://patreon.com/strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips remain at St. Andrew’s United Church for the second coming of their Edmonton live show, joined by Senator Paula Simons and a crowd that absolutely refuses to go home. They dig into the Alberta voter list leak, foreign interference, AI slopaganda, separatism, constitutional fights, and whether the province is sleepwalking into something much bigger than a referendum campaign.

Zain Velji, as always, lets YOU pick the questions and keeps everybody in line during the audience Q&A.

Originally recorded on May 9th, 2026

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a province where politics increasingly feels like performance, what happens when the people who understand the stage best start talking openly about persuasion, authenticity, and fear?

This week on Balance of Power, Annalise Klingbeil, Leah Ward, and Shannon Phillips unpack the politics of communication, the growing international fascination with Alberta separatism, and why the fight over Canada’s future may already be underway.

First: the Wab Kinew factor. Leah reports from the Canadian Labour Congress convention in Winnipeg, where both Naheed Nenshi and Wab Kinew delivered very different kinds of speeches, sparking a conversation about charisma, media training, authenticity, and whether great political communication can actually be taught.

Then: Alberta as spectacle. The panel digs into recent coverage from The Guardian, Toronto Star, and other international outlets examining Alberta separatism, voter data controversies, and the rise of grievance politics. Is this necessary scrutiny, dangerous mainstreaming, or another example of Alberta being flattened into caricature for outside audiences?

Plus: Jason Kenney’s return to the federalist fight. After a Calgary event on Canadian unity featuring Kenney and MP Cory Hogan, the hosts debate whether conservatives who helped fuel western alienation can now successfully contain it, what responsibility they carry for this moment, and whether fear itself might be necessary to motivate Albertans to act.

Media training, separatism, grievance politics, posture discourse, and the uncomfortable question of who still has the power to persuade.

Welcome to Balance of Power.

Have a comment or idea? Email us at suggestionbox@balanceofpowerpod.ca

Join the Strategists Podcast Network Patreon for ad-free episodes and access to our exclusive Discord:

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips take the stage live in Edmonton for Carter’s accountability episode on the Edmonton Accelerants, the million-dollar mayoral campaign that wasn’t, and what actually went wrong. Then they dig into Alberta’s coming referendum fights, the scramble to build campaigns against separatism and anti-immigration questions, and whether progressives are overthinking themselves into paralysis. What happens when nobody can reach an audience anymore? Is “just go do things” actually the strategy? And how many times can Carter publicly step on his own dick before it gets pitched as a political strategy?

Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a week where Alberta politics somehow got even messier, what happens when the process itself becomes the problem?

This week on Balance of Power, Annalise Klingbeil and Shannon Phillips dig into the escalating fallout from the alleged misuse of Alberta’s voters list, the separatist petition, and why a data leak involving nearly three million Albertans is about much more than privacy.

First: the list. Elections Alberta has sent hundreds of cease and desist letters, political names are being searched, and people with real safety concerns are left wondering who has their information and what they might do with it.

Then: the referendum question. If the petition process was built on allegedly unlawful access to voter data, can any referendum that follows be trusted? And who needs to step up to restore confidence before Albertans are asked to vote?

Plus: blame, agency, and the politics of “not my fault.” From Danielle Smith’s response to Arlene Dickinson’s viral post, Annalise and Shannon look at how responsibility gets shifted, how stories break through, and what ordinary Albertans can actually do next.

Voters lists, cease and desist letters, separatists, public trust, and what it means when the democratic process gets polluted.

Welcome to Balance of Power.

Have a comment or idea? Email us at suggestionbox@balanceofpowerpod.ca

Join the Strategists Podcast Network Patreon for ad-free episodes and access to our exclusive Discord:

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

Mentioned in this episode:

Arlene Dickinson's Instagram Carousel

https://www.instagram.com/p/DYAgKmqEpo0/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips talk about the Alberta Liberal Party rejecting Carter’s referendum campaign plan, and what that means for the fight against Alberta’s separatist and immigration questions. They also dig into the alleged leak and misuse of Alberta’s electors list, why voter data is so valuable, and why the story is about much more than a spreadsheet. What happens when a clever political workaround runs into a wall? How serious is it when the machinery of campaigns gets handed to people who were never supposed to have it? And can Zain get enough protein before Christ returns at the Edmonton live show?

Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Get your Live Show tickets at: http://www.strategistslive.com/

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Strategists are live in Edmonton on Saturday, May 9, and this is your reminder to get tickets before they’re gone.

Stephen Carter, Zain Velji, and Shannon Phillips will be at St. Andrews United Church for a two-act podcasting extravaganza.

Act One: The Strategists Live, with no special guests because apparently we like Calgary better.

Act Two: the accountability episode for Stephen Carter and Better Edmonton.

Doors open at 7:00

Get your tickets at strategistslive.com, strategistslive.ca, or thestrategistslive.com.

And if you need to book a flight, why not use thestrategistslive.ca to book through our non-consensual partner, Flair Airlines.

It’s not like you have playoff hockey to watch.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Carter, Shannon Phillips, and Producer Haxim talk about what happens when a weekend joke turns into a national political story. After Producer Haxim launches his satirical Alberta referendum site and “becomes a podcaster,” the crew breaks down why the government’s referendum campaign feels more like a persuasion machine than public education. They also dig into Carter’s Alberta Liberal Party referendum plan, and whether the rules were quietly changed to shut it down. Shannon Phillips discusses her article for Forward Weekly on how the Alberta NDP lost its advantage and how it might win it back. Is Alberta’s referendum fight really about the questions on the ballot? Can a political party raise money around an idea instead of a candidate? And how many headlines before Haxim starts asking for his own comms team?

Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Get your tickets for the May 9th live show at https://strategistslive.ca/

Mentioned in this episode:

Producer Haxim's Referendumb Site

https://albertareferendumb2026.ca

Shannon's Forward Weekly Article

https://archive.forwardweekly.ca/?issue=05

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If the problems keep getting worse, are we even solving the right one?

This week on Balance of Power, Annalise Klingbeil and Leah Ward take on a set of decisions that feel increasingly out of step with how people actually live. From time changes to family planning to public consultation, they walk through what happens when policy targets miss the mark.

First: daylight saving time. Alberta is moving toward making it permanent—but what does that actually mean for winter mornings, daily routines, and how people function? Is this about convenience, or are we ignoring what the research says?

Then: fertility in Alberta. A new report lays out the cost, access, and emotional toll of treatment, raising bigger questions about population growth, affordability, and what actually drives people’s decisions to have kids.

And finally: the Alberta Next survey. After a long fight to release the data, what do the responses actually show? And what’s the point of consultation if the outcome is already decided?

Policy, incentives, and what happens when we keep solving the wrong problem.

Welcome to Balance of Power.

Have a comment or idea? Email us at suggestionbox@balanceofpowerpod.ca

Join the Strategists Podcast Network Patreon for ad-free episodes and access to our exclusive Discord:

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Carter and Zain Velji try to figure out who is actually going to do something as Alberta’s political fights pile up. From referendum questions to separatism to electoral boundaries, they break down what’s happening, why it matters, and why the same small group of people seems to be carrying all of it. Is this a coordination problem or an activation problem? What role should the NDP actually play in the boundaries fight? And are we spending as much time fighting each other as the actual fight?

Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

You can email The Strategists at suggestionSbox@balanceofpowerpod.ca

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shannon Phillips is joined by producer Haxim to finally answer a critical question: what the hell is going on in the Strategists Discord? From “bread fridge” memes to full-on policy fights, they unpack how the community actually works and why it’s worth checking out.

Then Shannon and Zain turn to Alberta’s electoral boundary shakeup and the unprecedented move to hand map-drawing power to politicians themselves. What’s actually happening with this new process, and what game is being played underneath it? Does this change the outcome before a vote is even cast? And how long before Discord daddy Zain logs off for cigarettes and never comes back?

Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips dive into Carter’s plan to use the Alberta Liberal Party as a campaign vehicle to fight the province’s referendum questions. What problem is this actually solving, and why does the rulebook point here? When does “following the rules” start to look like breaking them? And how many non-consensual partnerships is this actually going to take?

Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Get your tickets for the May 9th live show at https://strategistslive.ca/

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips talk about who should be Canada’s next Governor General and what that choice is really about. What does the job actually require in this moment? What does any of this tell us about the state of the country right now? And did Strategists Media Corp really arrange a retreat in Mexico and just not tell Carter?

Then for Patrons: Alberta, and what it means to actually meet the moment. When one side is willing to push, escalate, and set the terms, what is the opposition supposed to do in response? What does “finding the nerve” actually look like, and what happens when your instinct is to manage rather than confront?

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zain Velji, Shannon Phillips, and Stephen Carter talk about Avi Lewis’s leadership win and the immediate political shockwaves across the country. They dive into how provincial NDP leaders are reacting, what this means for party unity, and whether this is a reset or a rupture. They also revisit Alberta gerrymandering from last week’s Patreon exclusive episode and the strategy behind it. Who handled Avi Lewis’s moment the best? What’s actually going on with Alberta’s boundaries fight, and who benefits? And how does Wab Kinew keep getting away with it?

Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

Watch full episodes and clips on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips dive into the most important poll in Canadian political history. They break down what name ID actually means and what this poll is really measuring. Then they pivot to the real game: golden cats, free Saudi planes, and how political scandals actually get built and stick. What does this poll actually tell us about polling, attention, and political relevance? Why do some stories take off while others need a push to build momentum? And how many defamation suits is producer Haxim quietly preventing?

Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shannon Phillips and Stephen Carter dive into the latest NDP leadership drama after Avi Lewis finds himself at the centre of a resurfaced clip mocking Shannon’s time as Alberta’s environment minister. What started as an old video quickly turns into a conversation about factional politics inside the NDP, leadership style, and what happens when activists try to run political parties. Is Avi Lewis trying to build a movement—or just impersonate one? Why does the “Zohran model” work in New York but struggle to translate to Canadian politics? And at what point does Carter’s haircut become a national unity issue?

Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips talk about a floor crossing that’s shaking up the political landscape and what it says about where things are heading. They also talk about how the move cost Avi Lewis an endorsement in the federal NDP leadership race and what it might mean for the campaign heading into the final stretch. And will Zain finally solve the growing crisis surrounding his basketball team?

Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

If you're female and would like to play basketball with Zain Velji for Leader, email playwithzain@zainforleader.ca

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 4016: Is the Alberta NDP’s Message Landing?

Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips dive into the growing conversation around the Alberta NDP’s strategy and whether Naheed Nenshi is breaking through with voters. They talk about polling, leader favourables, opposition tactics, and how an opposition actually builds momentum between elections. Is the NDP stuck in the mid-cycle doldrums or facing a real strategic problem? Should the party focus on energizing the base or targeting swing voters in Calgary? And at what point does Carter start invoicing the NDP?

Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips dive into Danielle Smith’s referendum gambit and the fight over Alberta’s immigration questions. What’s the smartest way to run a No campaign? Should the NDP lead the fight or stay in the background? And will Carter ever forgive Shannon for ranking Honeycrisp apples number one?

Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips talk about whether Mark Carney should go early, how opposition parties actually win a legislative session, and why Danielle Smith’s referendum fight might be exactly the battlefield the ANDP has to choose. Should Carney pull the trigger now? Is floor crossing “fine” when Pierre says it is? And how different would the trajectory of the nation be if Shannon had paid attention in those Olympic bid meetings?

Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Patreon teaser, Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips dive into Danielle Smith’s nine question referendum gambit and the politics of putting Alberta on the ballot. Is this a distraction, or the agenda? How are the questions framed to win? And will Carter ever see his daughter again?

Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips dive into Jeneroux’s decision to spend less time with his family by crossing the floor to the Liberals, rogue MP Jamil Jivani, and Danielle Smith’s looming televised address. Is Mark Carney quietly outplaying everyone? Is Poilievre losing control of his caucus? And what exactly is a banana plus one?

Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Patreon teaser, Stephen Carter and Zain Velji dive into whether looks still shape political destiny, unpack the machinery of campaign makeovers, and debate what “electable” means in 2026. They also turn to the quieter question of who really runs campaigns, and who gets paid to do it. Do voters want someone who looks like them, or someone just a notch better? Has the definition of electability changed? And did Shannon just seize the means of podcast production?

Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps Carter in line.

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shannon Phillips and Stephen Carter do a weekly separatist checkup and debate what responsibility political commentators, operatives, and public figures have in moments like this. From there the conversation turns south, literally, as they examine Jamil Jivani’s trip to Washington. Will there be a separation referendum regardless of how the signature drive ends? What did Jamil hope to accomplish by going rogue? And which halftime show did Carter actually watch?

Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shannon Phillips and Stephen Carter discuss a Conservative movement that has decided it will not pivot, will not moderate, and absolutely does not care who hates it for that choice. What does it mean when a party re-ups the leader voters say they don't like, even after winning the argument on the issues? Is wrapping yourself in the flag a real political move or just vibes? And did Stephen Carter get something right even with his brain frozen? Stick around to the end to find out.

Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips discuss Alberta separatism going international after reporting reveals meetings with U.S. officials, and what the different levels of government can, and shouldn't, do in response. How does a fringe movement become a foreign policy problem? What's the right move when separatist politics go too far? And does a producer organizing events without asking the hosts count as treason?

Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips discuss a federal stress test unfolding on two fronts: The killing of a Minneapolis man by federal immigration agents and open U.S. interference in Alberta's separatism debate. What happens when American political actors start shaping domestic politics? Why isn't there a more serious political pushback in the US after another fatal federal law enforcement shooting? And is anyone even pretending this is normal anymore?

Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Audio excerpt from "Unless You Are Free" by Ani DiFranco & Utah Phillips (Fellow Workers, Righteous Babe Records)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips dive into Canada’s new world order as Mark Carney cuts a landmark trade deal with China and openly acknowledges that Washington is no longer a reliable partner. Stephen and Shannon break down what all of this means for Alberta separatism, NATO, and the future of Canadian sovereignty. Can Canada expand trade without selling out workers and Ontario auto jobs? Are Chinese EVs actually "spy cars," or is America now the bigger security risk? And if Carter is convinced he’ll need his bug-out plan, is that the strongest argument that we won’t? Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips dig into Alberta's latest separatist referendum push and ask the two questions that actually matter: is it inevitable, and is it likely? They break down the math behind the new 177,000-signature threshold, the organizational reality facing separatist groups, and why last summer's "Forever Canadian" petition may have been lightning in a bottle rather than a new normal.

What political price does the UCP pay for flirting with separatism? Do pro-Canada forces need to organize again, or is ignoring the petition the smartest strategy? And if this thing somehow makes it to a referendum, which of the three hosts is least emotionally prepared to live through the campaign without yelling at strangers on the internet? Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Check the Orthodox Boxing Day deals, lower your expectations accordingly, and get ready as The Strategists unpack the year that was in the Flair Airlines* Better Late Than Never Holiday Spectacular. Stephen Carter, Shannon Phillips, and Annalise Klingbeil try to make sense of the last year in politics. From delayed responses and rare perfect landings to middle-seat nightmares, political rebirths and obituaries, Zain Velji keeps everybody in line.

*not our sponsor

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips talk about Rebecca Schulz’s sudden resignation from cabinet and what it signals about unity inside the UCP, and the country. They dive into the subtext of the resignation letter, whether this is about an oncoming referendum or possibly even an early election. Is this actually a problem for Danielle Smith or just another data point in a noisy political moment? What should we actually take from the Alberta Next panel? Signal? Noise? Or a roadmap to bigger trouble? And will Carter’s MP return his calls about getting his toilet to flush? Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips dig into the Conservatives' pipeline motion, the Liberal response, and why Ottawa is spending its time debating make-believe infrastructure. What's the real strategy behind a motion about a pipeline that doesn't exist? How should the Liberals handle a fight built entirely on hypotheticals? And is Manitoba ready for the unique brand of chaos that follows Carter everywhere? Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch our episodes on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zain Velji and Shannon Phillips dive into the weird, wonderful world of press-gallery comedy, from Don Davies’ viral self-roast to Pierre Poilievre’s carefully staged moment. How does the Press Gallery dinner work and does it still matter? What does "joyful negativity" look like in practice? And does the lack of "white noise" make the podcast any easier to listen to? Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line.

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to our exclusive Discord.

https://www.patreon.com/c/strategistspod

You can also watch this episode on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@strategistspod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.