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In cities and towns across Ontario — and at Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill — our journalists work for you. Their mission is to dig for answers and tell you what they find. This podcast from Village Media — ‘Closer Look’ — is all about the stories we tell. Every Sunday morning at 8, hosts Michael Friscolanti and Scott Sexsmith go beyond the headlines with insightful, in-depth conversations featur... more

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Latest Episodes

The Ford government says it wants to limit the foreign ownership of prime Ontario farmland, all part of proposed legislation aimed at boosting food sovereignty across the province.

But some experts say the government’s focus on foreign ownership is ... more

Mary Walsh is so much more than one iconic character, but for countless Canadians she will always be Marg Delahunty, Princess Warrior.

Her sword-wielding alter ego — who ambushed politicians, cornered them with uncomfortable questions, and even kiss... more

Every day, our Closer Look podcast chases the same mission: to learn something new.

Whether we're dissecting a pressing issue, or speaking to a prominent guest, we try to leave the conversation knowing a bit more than before.

We hope you've learned... more

Canada’s Wonderland rode a roller coaster of headlines this week when it announced a new chaperone policy for kids.

After 4 p.m., all children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult in order to stay at the iconic park. Any guests 15 or ... more

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Recent Guests

Martin Straathof
Executive Director of the Ontario Farmland Trust
Ontario Farmland Trust
Episode: Our prime farmland in Ontario is rapidly disappearing
Mary Walsh
Iconic Canadian comedian, writer, and performer; founder of Marg Delahunty character
Episode: Canada’s ‘Princess Warrior’ stops by our podcast (minus the sword)
Grace Peacock
Director of Public Relations, Six Flags Entertainment (Canada's Wonderland)
Canada's Wonderland / Six Flags Entertainment
Episode: This is why Canada’s Wonderland adopted a new chaperone policy for kids
Laura Tamblyn Watts
CEO of CanAge, aging advocate
CanAge
Episode: AI robots for seniors? Time we start talking about our aging population
Joe Bowen
Legendary Toronto Maple Leafs broadcaster
Toronto Maple Leafs (broadcaster)
Episode: As final game looms, voice of the Leafs looks back on ‘dream’ career
Ian Howcroft
Executive with Skills Ontario
Skills Ontario
Episode: Every teenager needs to listen to this interview about jobs of the future
Craig Pickthorne
Director of Communications, Ontario Living Wage Network
Ontario Living Wage Network
Episode: Minimum wage is going up, but it’s still nowhere near a living wage
Noah Schwartz
Professor of political science at the University of the Fraser Valley; author of Targeted, Citizenship, Advocacy and Gun Control in Canada
University of the Fraser Valley
Episode: You have one more day left to tell the government about your banned guns
Jessica Smith Cross
Editor-in-Chief at The Trillium, reporter for Queen's Park Bureau
The Trillium
Episode: Everything you need to know about Doug Ford’s latest unbalanced budget

Hosts

Michael Friscolanti
Editor-in-Chief at Village Media and host of Closer Look, frequently guiding conversations on policy, governance, and major Ontario stories.
Scott Sexsmith
Co-host and interviewer focusing on political economy, public policy, and on-the-ground reporting from Ontario.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 38 ratings
  • CUPW strong for all Canadians!

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Dortmunder
    7 months ago
  • Scam movie

    Great episode on fraud. Watch The Bee Keeper.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Shoovel
    Canada2 years ago
  • Balanced journalism at its best

    The team presents very interesting community based journalism that speaks to problems that we face in our smaller communities every day. Thank you

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Danielle Dorschner
    Canada3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Episodes are timely and well-researched, with clear takes on Ontario issues.
Balancing journalism and policy, it provides in-depth context and thoughtful guests.
The show offers credible, community-based journalism that speaks to local problems.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Our prime farmland in Ontario is rapidly disappearing
Q: What is your reaction to the Ford government's announcements to limit foreign ownership and open up the Clay Belt for farming?
Opening up northern land could boost agricultural production, but the group questions data on foreign ownership as a threat and notes the need for a balanced approach that protects the best farmland while expanding opportunities.
Our prime farmland in Ontario is rapidly disappearing
Q: Martin, what does the Ontario Farmland Trust actually do and what's your mission?
The OFT aims to protect and preserve Ontario's farmland for current and future generations, ensuring continued food production and quality.
This is why Canada’s Wonderland adopted a new chaperone policy for kids
Q: How does the policy work in practice for groups?
A chaperone must be 21 or older and present in the park; for groups of 10 or fewer, the chaperone is required to be on site and reachable by staff, but does not need to stay with the group at all times.
This is why Canada’s Wonderland adopted a new chaperone policy for kids
Q: What changed internally to make the chaperone policy permanent?
Grace explains that there were no major incidents, but a combination of mild behavioral issues and a broader industry trend prompted the change; the policy is designed to enhance safety and provide a controlled environment for guests.
These hi-tech mugshots help police track down Canada’s most wanted
Q: What is the goal of the Bolo program and when did it launch?
The Bolo program aims to encourage citizens to be on the lookout for Canada's most wanted; it launched in 2018 in Toronto as a pilot with the Toronto Police Service and operates as the main activity of the Stephane Creutier Foundation.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Closer Look

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

This program delivers consistently topical, in-depth conversations centered on Ontario policy, governance, public safety, health, and economic issues. Episodes frequently feature on-the-ground reporting, expert analysis, and voices from government, academia, and advocacy groups, with a focus on how policy changes affect communities across the province. Noteworthy traits include long-form, issue-led discussions that blend journalism, policy insight, and real-world impact, plus a clear emphasis on accountability, transparency, and practical implications for readers and listeners. Potential listeners can expect thorough context, balanced perspectives, and timely dives into provincial affairs, infrastructure, and public-interest stories.

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How many listeners does Closer Look get?

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How many subscribers and views does Closer Look have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Closer Look has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Closer Look?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Closer Look:

1. The Paikin Podcast
2. The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge
3. #onpoli, a TVO podcast
4. The Munk Debates Podcast
5. Two Blocks from the White House

How many episodes of Closer Look are there?

Closer Look launched 4 years ago and published 281 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Closer Look?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Closer Look from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Closer Look?

Recent guests on Closer Look include:

1. Martin Straathof
2. Mary Walsh
3. Grace Peacock
4. Laura Tamblyn Watts
5. Joe Bowen
6. Ian Howcroft
7. Craig Pickthorne
8. Noah Schwartz

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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