The Paul Wells Show

Mar 05 2025 81 ep. 41 mins 341

The Paul Wells Show Podcast artwork

Veteran journalist Paul Wells interviews the leaders and thinkers tackling the world's big problems — war and peace, democracy and dictatorship, making governments and communities work. Paul draws on decades of experience as a reporter and columnist at Macleans, the Toronto Star and elsewhere to bring you smart, intimate conversations with newsmakers and people who deserve a higher profile. The Paul Wells Show is produced by Antica. Season 3 is supported by McGill University’s Max Bell School of Public Policy.

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A crisis of confidence in Canadian universities

Mar 05 2025 52 mins

Paul breaks down some of the major challenges facing higher education in Canada, including a lack of political will to invest in the sector. He is then joined by a panel of insiders for their takes on what to do about it. How are they handling this moment? What does the future look like? And how can universities make the case for their relevance in a changing world? The paneli

Ira Wells on book banning

Feb 26 2025 41 mins

Writer, professor and cousin-of-Paul Ira Wells was concerned about the rise of censorship coming from both sides of the political spectrum. So he wrote a book about it, diving into the history of people trying to control what you read. That book is called On Book Banning: Or, How the New Censorship Consensus Trivializes Art and Undermines Democracy. He talks to Paul about the perso

When Trump pushes, push back

Feb 19 2025 32 mins

Mark Norman believes an attack from the U.S. in not hypothetical. It’s already happening. And Canada’s lacking a strategy to respond. He first laid out his argument in an opinion piece for the National Post titled “Canada’s relationship with the U.S. can’t be saved.” He joins Paul to explain why he thinks we need to change our national mindset towards the U.S. M

The Panel: Poilievre's No-Pivot Pivot

Feb 14 2025 20 mins

The Conservative leader is planning a big rally in Ottawa this weekend. It follows a sustained slide in the polls. Can he change his message for a world of Donald Trump and Mark Carney? Does he even want to? Our Panel — Garry Keller, Allison Gifford, Marci Surkes — discusses all of this and more.

Jonathan Wilkinson, Energy Czar?

Feb 12 2025 31 mins

Jonathan Wilkinson has a lot going on. As the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, he holds a critical position in trade disputes with the U.S. He talks to Paul about dealing with the Trump administration, adapting Canada's energy strategy to a new reality, and the difficult decision not to run for Liberal leadership. Season 3 of The Paul Wells Show is sponsored by McGill Uni

Unready and out of step

Feb 05 2025 40 mins

Canada often seems "unready and out of step” with the world’s current challenges, according to the editors of a new book on foreign policy. With the rise of authoritarianism around the world and increasing hostility from the U.S., are we taking our place on the world stage seriously enough? Or does our foreign policy need an overhaul? Philippe Lagassé and Vincent Rigby are

When America attacks

Jan 29 2025 39 mins

Donald Trump’s return to power could have serious consequences for Canada. First, there’s the threat of tariffs. Then there’s that other thing about making us the 51st state. This week, we get two takes on the situation. First on the show, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith talks about why she opposes the threats to cut off energy exports to the U.S. in retaliation for tariffs. I

Branford Marsalis on music, America and the human brain

Jan 22 2025 47 mins

Saxophonist Branford Marsalis has won Grammys, played with artists including Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie and Sting, and was the leader of Jay Leno's house band. In recent years, he has also been scoring movies and playing more classical music. He dropped by Paul’s office while was in Ottawa to perform with the National Art Centre Orchestra. He talks about life on the road, hi

Exit interview: U.S. Ambassador David L. Cohen

Jan 15 2025 61 mins

U.S. Ambassador to Canada David L. Cohen gives a long and wide-ranging interview as his time in the role comes to an end. As Biden’s man in Ottawa, he was an important figure in trying to usher in a new era of Canada-U.S. cooperation. As he gets ready to head home to Philadelphia, Paul asks him about Biden’s mental acuity, Trump’s comeback, a potential trade war, Canada’s m

How did the Liberals get here?

Jan 08 2025 56 mins

On Monday, Justin Trudeau announced he'll resign as Liberal leader and Prime Minister once the party picks a successor, bringing an end to almost a decade in power. Marci Surkes gives us an inside view of the Liberal party before and during the Trudeau years. Marci Surkes was executive director for policy and cabinet in Justin Trudeau’s Prime Minister’s Office. She ran the c