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WONK is a show about big ideas in unprecedented times. Hosted by Amanda Lang, we unpack some of the most pressing issues and challenges facing Canada, and talk to some leading thinkers and policymakers about how to tackle them. New episodes drop on Thursdays. This feed also hosts the archive for Public Policy Forum's podcast, Policy Speaking.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes165Founded6 years ago
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Artwork for Wonk

Latest Episodes

Even by recent standards, the world right now feels precarious with the U.S. attack on Venezuela and saber rattling over taking over other countries, all while abandoning international cooperation. It's hard not to wonder, where does it leave the res... more

If ‘uncertainty’ was the word of 2025, what will the new year bring for Canada's economy and the world? On top of the now familiar trade and tariff worries for Canada, we are facing technological change and new geopolitical concerns. So what lies ahe... more

You've heard of agentic AI, the next generation of smart technology that will, we're told, transform our lives. But what about identic AI? That's a term coined by Don Tapscott, the author and thought leader who's built a career on seeing what's comin... more

When it comes to unprecedented times, 2025 did not disappoint. It was a year of upheaval and change, both at home and abroad. In the year ahead, Canada will grapple with big issues and daunting policy files, from housing to AI to tariffs and trade. H... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Bob Rae
Former Canadian ambassador to the United Nations, former premier of Ontario
Episode: Bob Rae on the new world order
Kevin Carmichael
Logics Economics columnist and editor-at-large
Episode: Canada’s make or break year
Jean-Francois Perreault
Senior Vice President and Chief Economist at Scotiabank
Scotiabank
Episode: Canada’s make or break year
Don Tapscott
An author and thought leader known for his insights on technology and digital economics.
Co-author of the book You to the Power of Two
Episode: Don Tapscott on the battle to control your own AI
Steven Pinker
Professor at Harvard University, author of 13 books including 'When Everyone Knows What Everyone Knows'
Harvard University
Episode: ‘What is common knowledge?’ Steven Pinker explains
Gordon McCauley
President and CEO of adMare BioInnovations, a national life sciences accelerator.
adMare BioInnovations
Episode: Why Canada needs to build ‘anchor companies’
Danielle Smith
Premier of Alberta
Government of Alberta
Episode: Alberta’s Danielle Smith on pipelines and fellow premiers
Matthew Boswell
Canada's Competition Commissioner
Episode: Matthew Boswell on Canada’s fight against anti-competitive behaviour
Fara Dabhoiwala
Senior research scholar in history at Princeton
Episode: Fara Dabhoiwala on the meaning of free speech

Host

Amanda Lang
Host of Wonk

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 71 ratings
  • Good topics but tired opinions

    I’ve listened to a number of these podcasts but while these conversations are worth having, the guests generally express tired views I’ve heard before, especially in the more abstract or macroeconomic conversations.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    PinkPine25
    Canada3 months ago
  • Amazing

    We need more of Amanda Lang.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Steven1234567
    Canada4 months ago
  • Understanding policy partly means listening to different perspectives. This podcast is a good introduction to the news behind the news, focusing on the day's emerging politics across all areas of Canadian life.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Aurorespera
    4 months ago
  • Best Canadian Policy Pod

    Very little slant. Very helpful.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Chris Sta113
    Canada5 months ago
  • Much improved

    I’ve been listening more consistently since Amanda Lang took over as host. She has a good voice (no vocal fry, croakiness, twang, or other irritating quality). Her guests are thoughtful.

    Recently episode on AI with Valerie Posano was excellent.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Loganhamman
    Canada7 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Many reviews praise the host's engaging delivery and thoughtfulness in discussing critical issues.
There are opinions highlighting the podcast's importance in providing timely and relevant insights into Canadian policy and governance challenges.
Listeners appreciate the insightful discussions and expert guests, often noting the show's ability to explain complex topics clearly.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#46
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#151
Canada/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Don Tapscott on the battle to control your own AI
Q: How can Canada ensure it doesn't lose its sovereignty in the digital realm?
Canada must build a new economic model that empowers citizens with self-sovereign personal AI.
Don Tapscott on the battle to control your own AI
Q: How should we tackle the challenges around AI ownership and data?
We need a movement to reinvent the AI stack towards a decentralized model that allows individuals to own their data.
Don Tapscott on the battle to control your own AI
Q: What does identic AI mean?
It refers to digital agents that act as extensions of ourselves, learning our values and assisting in various aspects of life.
The big policies that will shape 2026
Q: Do you expect that will continue to be the big issue of 2026?
Yes, affordability and housing remain significant issues that won't be resolved quickly.
‘What is common knowledge?’ Steven Pinker explains
Q: What do you mean by rationality is limitless?
Rationality allows us to scrutinize and improve upon itself, and using rationality to critique rationality is a fundamental aspect of human reasoning.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Wonk

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

A show centered around significant ideas relevant to contemporary challenges in Canada, featuring discussions with influential policymakers and thinkers. The content frequently focuses on pressing issues such as economic policy, climate change, healthcare, and social justice, revealing diverse perspectives on how these topics affect the Canadian landscape. Episodes often tackle systemic issues, highlight innovative solutions, and encourage a nuanced understanding of the socio-political dynamics influencing Canada today. Unique to this show is its commitment to exploring the intersection of public policy and everyday life, offering listeners insights into how major decisions shape their communities and the nation at large.

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Which podcasts are similar to Wonk?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Wonk:

1. The Herle Burly
2. Curse of Politics
3. The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge
4. The Munk Debates Podcast
5. At Issue

How many episodes of Wonk are there?

Wonk launched 6 years ago and published 165 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 Wonk?

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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What guests have appeared on Wonk?

Recent guests on Wonk include:

1. Bob Rae
2. Kevin Carmichael
3. Jean-Francois Perreault
4. Don Tapscott
5. Steven Pinker
6. Gordon McCauley
7. Danielle Smith
8. Matthew Boswell

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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