The Discourse

Behind the Podium: How Political Debates Are Really Won (and Lost)

It’s federal debate week, so we’re taking you inside the room where it happens — no, not the stage — the prep room.
This week, Cheryl and Erika trade war stories from decades of political debate prep, sharing what really goes into those make-or-break moments on the campaign trail. From binders and body language to one-liners and last-minute nerves, we unpack how leaders get ready, what success actually looks like, and why sometimes it’s not what you say — it’s how you look when someone else is saying it.
In this episode:
🎯 What campaigns really want from a debate
🧠 Debate prep secrets: sparring partners, mantras, and muscle memory
📉 Debate disasters and the iconic “Math is hard” moment
📈 What’s at stake for Carney, Poilievre, and Singh
📸 Why the first 15 minutes matter most — and how “debate face” can make or break you
🧥 Rachel vs. Danielle: was the matching blue suit a coincidence or a psych-out?
Plus: Cheryl admits to rolling her eyes at Danielle Smith’s 2023 closer (only to admit it worked), Erika confesses to smuggling Jameson into the green room, and both hosts reveal the high-pressure coaching strategies that shape how Canada’s political leaders show up on stage.
🎧 Whether you’re a debate junkie or a casual voter, this is your backstage pass to the most-watched hour in any campaign.
Subscribe & follow for new episodes every Thursday (except when we break our own rules).📱 YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Instagram | X | TikTok

Alberta’s In Play—and Every Party Knows It

What do you get when you mix a 15,000-person rally, a Boilermaker endorsement, and Mark Carney forgetting the price of strawberries? A pre-debate episode of The Discourse that does not hold back.
This week, Erika and Cheryl throw down over:
🚨 The actual impact of those massive Conservative rallies—crowd size vs. door-knocking power.
🧠 The battle of brains and branding: Is Carney just Pierre with better cufflinks?
🔄 Spousal optics—are campaign kisses strategy, sincerity, or just Pierre cosplay?
🔥 The rise of strategic voting: Should Jagmeet worry? Should Trudeau be thanking him?
📉 Whether Alberta’s love affair with the CPC is officially on a break (again).
🇨🇦 And of course… the Team Canada unity tour, where everyone gets a participation ribbon—unless you're Danielle Smith or Doug Ford.
The debate is coming. Voters are shifting. Stakes are spiking. And your favourite partisan pals are here to make sense of it all—with shade, sass, and semi-respectful disagreement.
🎧 Listen in and lock in your vote—or at least your talking points.

Danielle Smith's No F*cks Tour -- Does Poilievre approve?

Liberation Day has come and gone, but we’re still drowning in uncertainty. Every hour brings new twists, and today’s no exception. We break down what President Trump said and what it means for the federal election.
Meanwhile, Danielle Smith’s No F**s Given* Tour takes Florida by storm—she won’t be silenced, but will her trip to see Ben Shapiro shake things up back home?
And speaking of silence… is this the beginning of the end for Jagmeet Singh? Could the NDP vanish from Parliament before April is over?

The Uninvited Guest: Danielle Smith Crashes the Federal Election Party

In this gripping episode (Erika apologizes for her lack of voice), we delve into the heart of Canada's 2025 federal election, where Mark Carney's Liberals are surging ahead but face stiff competition from Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives. The campaign is dominated by concerns over Donald Trump's tariffs and threats to Canadian sovereignty, shifting the focus to which party can best navigate these challenges. We explore the latest poll numbers and are joined by Jason Krips, CEO of the Alberta Forest Products Association, who discusses the impact of U.S. tariffs on the forestry industry. Don't worry, the "Allegations" and new statement of defense make the episode, as does Premier Smith's overtaking the airwaves this week. 

Carney Calls Snap Election—Is Poilievre Doomed?

With a federal election call looming, The Discourse dives into the latest polling shake-up: the Liberals are surging, Poilievre is scrambling, and the NDP is disappearing. Cheryl and Erika debate whether Carney’s carbon tax cut is a game-changer or just clever spin, and if the Conservatives can pivot before it’s too late.
Meanwhile, in Alberta, the UCP’s latest scandal heats up—lawsuits, RCMP investigations, and a very questionable government response. Is this headed for court or a quiet settlement? Plus, Cheryl dreams up Poilievre’s lost Axe the Tax photo op, and Erika takes bets on whether she’ll actually vote Conservative.

Budget Betrayal, RCMP Probes & Mark Carney’s Big Win

After a week off, The Discourse is back, and Alberta politics is as chaotic as ever. We break down Alberta MLA Scott Sinclair’s budget rebellion and why getting booted from the UCP was inevitable, the RCMP’s deep dive into the AHS scandal (sorry, “The Allegations”), and the looming federal election now that Mark Carney has taken the Liberal helm. With caucus drama, corruption probes, and a political reset in Ottawa, there’s no shortage of hot takes.
Segment 1: The Scott Sinclair Situation
An MLA Rebels – Scott Sinclair, Lesser Slave Lake MLA, was booted from the UCP caucus after saying he wouldn’t support the budget.
What Went Wrong? – We dig into how caucus discipline works and why his decision was a political no-go.
Optics vs. Reality – Did he have a point, and could the government have handled this differently?
Comparing to Guthrie – Why did Pete Guthrie survive his controversy while Sinclair got the boot?
Indigenous Representation – The UCP now has zero Indigenous MLAs. What message does that send?
Segment 2: The AHS Scandal – Or Should We Call It “The Allegations”?
RCMP Investigation Begins – Was this inevitable, and what does it mean for the government?
What About the Internal Review? – Will Albertans even care about the government’s own investigation now that the RCMP is involved?
Rolling Crisis – No matter what happens, this is a PR nightmare that will keep dragging the UCP into the headlines.
Statement of Defense Incoming – What will the government argue, and who else might submit one?
Will Cheryl Finally Get an Answer on the 12%? – The most pressing question of our time.
Segment 3: Are We Heading to the Polls?
Mark Carney Takes the Liberal Leadership – A landslide 86% victory makes him Trudeau’s successor.
How Will This Play in Alberta? – Can Carney win over Western Canada, or is he just Trudeau 2.0?
Election Timing – Will the Liberals pull the trigger before the Conservatives define Carney?
What Will This Election Be About? – Carbon taxes? Economic management? Who do Canadians trust more?
What’s Next for the NDP? – Can Jagmeet Singh hold off an election, or is his party stuck in limbo?
We’re back to weekly episodes, so make sure you subscribe on YouTube, Apple, and Spotify to stay up to date. Follow us on X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest takes. See you next Thursday at 5 AM! 🚨

"This is not a Conservative budget"- Alberta 2025 Budget Special

Cheryl Oates and Erika Barootes break down Alberta’s 2025-26 budget, tackling its $5.2B deficit, tax cut, healthcare, and education spending. Is this truly a conservative budget (Erika says no!), and what does it mean for Albertans?
Subscribe & Share: Follow The Discourse on social media, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. 

Guthrie's Blaze of Glory: The latest in the UCP Procurement Scandal

Erika and Cheryl break down the latest developments in the UCP procurement scandal. Former Infrastructure Minister Pete Guthrie has resigned, citing concerns about government transparency. A lucrative land deal and more details about private surgical contracts are raising more questions. 
Plus, questions are swirling about UCP influence over the Edmonton Police Commission, and the Premier’s handling of the controversy (or lack thereof).
🔹 Key topics in this episode:
Pete Guthrie’s bombshell resignation—what it means and what’s next
The land deal linked to the procurement scandal
New data showing private surgeries costing double AHS rates
UCP’s quiet moves to take control of the Edmonton Police Commission
The government’s next steps—and how this scandal might shape the narrative
New episodes drop every Thursday at 5 AM—follow, subscribe, and stay tuned for our Budget Special on February 28!
📢 Join the conversation: What should this scandal be called? Comment below or hit us up on X, Instagram, and TikTok.
🎧 Available wherever you get your podcasts!