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Weekends with Ben O’Hara-Byrne

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Weekends with Ben O’Hara Byrne will showcase Ben’s signature curiosity, good humour, and love for great Canadian stories - whenever you're listening. Learn new things, hear surprising perspectives, and head into your day with fresh stories to talk about. Ben O’Hara Byrne brings decades of experience in journalism, broadcast, and connecting with people to the microphone. Throughout his career, he’s... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes3339Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNews

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Latest Episodes

Guest: Kaveh Shahrooz is an Iranian-Canadian lawyer and a senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.

Guest: Dennis McConaghy, former executive vice-president of corporate development at TransCanada Corporation and fellow at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute

Guest: Tom Korski, Managing Editor, Blacklock’s Reporter

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Recent Guests

Kaveh Sharuz
Iranian-Canadian human rights lawyer and senior fellow at the MacDonald-Laurier Institute
MacDonald-Laurier Institute
Episode: After two weeks, are Iranian-Canadians still hopeful the attacks on Iran will lead to a better future for the country?
Barry Rosen
Founder/Co-founder of Hostage Aid Worldwide, former US embassy hostage in Tehran
Hostage Aid Worldwide
Episode: Liberals inch closer to a majority - Iranian regime activity in Canada - Former Iran hostage on current confict - Montreal Olympics 50 years later
Phil Gursky
President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting, former CSIS analyst
Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting
Episode: Liberals inch closer to a majority - Iranian regime activity in Canada - Former Iran hostage on current confict - Montreal Olympics 50 years later
Terry Mosher (Aislinn)
Award-winning political cartoonist, Montreal Gazette
Montreal Gazette
Episode: Liberals inch closer to a majority - Iranian regime activity in Canada - Former Iran hostage on current confict - Montreal Olympics 50 years later
Emily Stewart
Senior correspondent at Business Insider magazine, expert on consumerism and culture
Business Insider
Episode: How to put some spring in your Spring cleaning and get rid of some of the stuff
Robby Takac
Founding member, bassist and vocalist of the Goo Goo Dolls
Goo Goo Dolls
Episode: Buffalo’s Goo Goo Dolls head north for a cross-Canada tour
Hubert Davis
Director of Youngblood (2025 remake)
Director, Youngblood (2025)
Episode: Canadian remake of ‘Youngblood’ puts a whole new spinorama on the hockey classic
Will Leitch
Contributing editor for New York Magazine
New York Magazine
Episode: The Olympic Hockey Mess Was a Preview of Trump’s World Cup
John Bolton
Former U.S. National Security Adviser
Former U.S. government
Episode: Danielle Smith on Canadian energy security - John Bolton on Trump's Iran gamble - Why escalation favours Iran - US view of Canadians slipping

Host

Ben O'Hara-Byrne
Journalist and broadcaster with decades of experience across Canada; host of weekend programming and policy-focused discussions.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 27 ratings
  • Why aren’t there any current podcasts?

    Why aren’t there any current podcasts?

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Boho_Incorporated
    Canadaa year ago
  • Worth a listen

    Nice to hear more in-depth interviews on current events and the days news. More informative than the sound bites we get from newscasts.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    fly rod fumbler
    Canada4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate in-depth interviews on current events and policy issues.
Occasional gaps in episode cadence are noted by a few listeners.
The show provides credible context beyond sound bites and daily news clips.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#199
Indonesia/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

After two weeks, are Iranian-Canadians still hopeful the attacks on Iran will lead to a better future for the country?
Q: What's your assessment so far of how this has unfolded two weeks in?
The situation started with a bold bombing plan that aimed to topple Iran's leadership, but over time the trajectory became muddled, with mixed signals about end goals and uncertainty about whether outcomes will be a democratic transition or a stabilizing deal that preserves the regime.
Danielle Smith on Canadian energy security - John Bolton on Trump's Iran gamble - Why escalation favours Iran - US view of Canadians slipping
Q: What does this mean for Canadian energy policy and pipelines?
The host and Smith discuss leveraging Canadian energy to enhance global energy security, while balancing regulatory timelines and domestic commitments to climate and NATO obligations.
Danielle Smith on Canadian energy security - John Bolton on Trump's Iran gamble - Why escalation favours Iran - US view of Canadians slipping
Q: What is your early analysis of how the Iran conflict is evolving militarily and politically?
Bolton argues the military campaign is progressing, but the larger strategic goal—regime change—requires a broader political framework and allied cooperation to avoid a prolonged stalemate or backlash.
How to put some spring in your Spring cleaning and get rid of some of the stuff
Q: What should people do first when they start decluttering?
Start with small areas and simple items to build the habit and decision muscle, then gradually tackle bigger possessions as comfort grows.
The small company that fought Trump's tariffs and won
Q: What was the experience like heading into and through the Supreme Court process?
We entered with confidence in our legal position, anticipating a favorable outcome, and the ruling ultimately supported our view that the tariffs were not authorized under the relevant law.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Weekends

What is Weekends about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful, policy-forward show that balances Canadian governance, energy markets, and global affairs with accessible storytelling. Episodes frequently feature researchers, journalists, and subject-matter experts who break down complex topics—ethics in government, budget oversight, oil and gas dynamics, and international conflicts—into clear takeaways and practical implications for listeners. The format often combines rigorous analysis with on-the-ground reporting and real-world examples, making it helpful for professionals who pitch guests, sponsor discussions, or seek timely, credible commentary on policy and markets. A notable strength is the ability to pair academic insights with industry and military perspectives, offering a broad vi... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Weekends?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Weekends:

1. The Ben Mulroney Show
2. CANADALAND
3. The Decibel
4. The Vassy Kapelos Show
5. Full Comment

How many episodes of Weekends are there?

Weekends launched 4 years ago and published 3339 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Weekends?

Recent guests on Weekends include:

1. Kaveh Sharuz
2. Barry Rosen
3. Phil Gursky
4. Terry Mosher (Aislinn)
5. Emily Stewart
6. Robby Takac
7. Hubert Davis
8. Will Leitch

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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