Rephonic
Artwork for The Big Story
Canada
United States
World Cup
Donald Trump
Artificial Intelligence
Toronto
Ottawa
Strait Of Hormuz
Mark Carney
Iran
Toronto, Canada
Calgary
Canada–united States Relations
Alberta
Statistics Canada
Venezuela
British Columbia
Climate Change
NATO
Wildfire

An in-depth look at the issues, culture and personalities shaping Canada today.

PublishesDailyEpisodes2000Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Daily NewsNewsNews Commentary

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Artwork for The Big Story

Latest Episodes

Enjoy this special feed drop of our sister show "In This Economy?!". With Thanksgiving days away-- it's time to start thinking about Christmas. At least that's the case for PricewaterhouseCoopers Canada, an accounting firm which has done their annual... more

Plus: The chief executive of Stelco's U.S-based parent company says hundreds of Southern Ontario steelworkers facing temporary layoffs will be recalled if Canada and the U.S. reach a trade deal on steel. Former Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne says she... more

The death of a lab worker in Russia has raised fears of the plague. Authorities claim she died of pneumonia from an unknown origin, but have yet to release any other details surrounding if there's a connection to the lab she worked at.

Host Maria K... more

British Columbia NDP leader David Eby says Ottawa needs to impose minimum standards on all social media companies and AI companies requiring that threats of violence be reported to the police. Canada’s Defence Minister is in Alberta to highlight the ... 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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People also subscribe to these shows.

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The DecibelThe Globe and Mail
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Recent Guests

Russ Taylor
Industry consultant
Independent industry consultant (softwood lumber)
Episode: Why the US still needs Canadian lumber
Jordan Leichnitz
Canada Director for the Friedrich Ebert Foundation
Friedrich Ebert Foundation
Episode: Why Germany’s AfD victory matters beyond Europe
Joy Nott
Partner, Trade & Customs with KPMG Canada
KPMG Canada
Episode: Weekend Listen: How will Canada survive the trade war?
Adrienne Owen
Professor of cognitive neuroscience and imaging at the University of Western Ontario
University of Western Ontario
Episode: Big Headlines: Canada and the U.S. mourn 9/11 on the 25th anniversary of the terror attacks
Adrian Owen
Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience and Imaging at the University of Western Ontario
University of Western Ontario
Episode: What happened to our attention spans?
Vass Bednar
Managing Director of the Canadian Shield Institute
Canadian Shield Institute
Episode: The age of technological imperialism
David Shipley
CEO and co-founder of Buceron Security
Buceron Security
Episode: Big Headlines: Trump signs new executive order banning Canadian products
Mike Apple
Senior business editor
Apple News/Newsroom
Episode: Big Headlines: Trump signs new executive order banning Canadian products
John Ternes
CEO of Apple
Apple Inc.
Episode: Big Headlines: Trump signs new executive order banning Canadian products

Hosts

Virjesh Dave
Host of The Big Headlines; frequently appears across major segment leadership and headline recaps.
Maria Kestane
Host of The Big Story; contributes investigative and policy analysis.

Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars from 2.9k ratings
  • Left Leaning Journalism

    Their political segment is biased. Left leaning and Pro-Liberal. I am a long time listener but sinced then, I noticed they have started taking sides and prop-up the Liberals instead of holding them into account. Disappointing. That's not journalism. I will unfollow after their last segment re Martel's appointment to the senate. Don't waste your time listening. The only good segments they have now are those from Mike Eppel who is fair and objective. Others are a waste of time.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Mike Heavens
    Canada3 months ago
  • Jordan and the team gone

    This was one of my favourite podcasts. However, Rogers let a lot of the team go. This has resulted in very low quality. The topics aren’t as unique, the guests don’t have any new insights and the questions are not inspired.

    At least I can follow Jordan on LinkedIn and keep an eye on what he does next. But all I keep thinking about is how Jordan would advertise the UofT continuing education program is a way to safeguard against layoffs. Now, here we are.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    leagleahleah
    Canada6 months ago
  • Unfortunate

    Really used to love this show. Have tried to give it a chance with the random hosts now but it’s just not good.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    readyjess
    Canada6 months ago
  • Epstein file cover up

    Could hardly listen to their guest today try to minimize the gravity of the Epstein files

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    LarjSarj
    Canada7 months ago
  • Episodes under the past host were pretty good. Now the episodes are tacky at best. The Alberta separatism episode with Barry Cooper was disgusting. Why would you platform someone who says something as divisive as "nobody cares what happens in the Maritimes"? That interview was full of misinformation and should not have made it to publication.

    Podcast Addict
    2
    Aurorespera
    8 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners sometimes feel quality declined after host changes and guest variety issues.
Some episodes are criticized for overemphasis on politics at the expense of depth.
Overall, the show is seen as a staple for Canadian policy discourse, with mixed reception.
Praise for certain reporters and guests who provide fair, data-driven analysis.
Biased viewpoints noted by some listeners, with calls for more balanced discussion.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#17
Canada/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#73
Canada/News
Apple Podcasts
#28
Hong Kong/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#75
Ukraine/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#86
Hong Kong/News
Apple Podcasts
#104
India/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Why the US still needs Canadian lumber
Q: What is the current tariff breakdown and what does it mean for the industry?
The current setup combines about 35% in anti-dumping and countervailing duties with an additional 10% in Section 232 tariffs, totaling roughly 45% and making Canadian lumber considerably more expensive to export to the U.S.
Why Germany’s AfD victory matters beyond Europe
Q: What is the international relevance of the AfD's rise for Canada and other democracies?
The AfD's success is framed as part of a global far-right movement that connects with other countries' movements and online ecosystems, suggesting Western democracies should strengthen trusted governance and services to dissuade voters from turning toward extremism.
Why Germany’s AfD victory matters beyond Europe
Q: How could the AfD potentially govern if they gain more power?
They might seek support from fringe or smaller parties, including unlikely coalitions with far-left factions that share anti-immigration stances, though this would be a delicate and debated arrangement fraught with compromise.
Why Germany’s AfD victory matters beyond Europe
Q: What does the firewall mean in this context, and why is it important?
The firewall is a long-standing agreement among mainstream German parties not to cooperate with the AfD in governing coalitions or in supporting their policy agenda, but this principle is under strain as the AfD gains votes and potential power.
Why Germany’s AfD victory matters beyond Europe
Q: Who is the Alternative for Germany party, and what do we know about them?
The AfD is a far-right, populist party founded around 2013 that originally focused on EU skepticism and then shifted to a strong anti-immigration stance, gaining momentum during the 2015 migration crisis and expanding beyond its fringe status into winning elections.

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 The Big Story

What is The Big Story about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A brisk, Canada-focused news and policy program that threads together breaking national headlines with deeper policy analysis and governance discussions. Episodes frequently explore labor and labor relations, healthcare policy (including debates over private delivery and MAID safeguards), AI in government, public safety, and the societal impact of cultural trends and online subcultures. The show often features academics, policy researchers, industry experts, and public advocates, providing a mix of skeptical scrutiny and practical context for Canadian audiences. A notable strength is its ability to pair tight, five-minute briefs with longer, issue-driven conversations that connect policy, politics, and real-world consequences for cities and... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Big Story?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Big Story:

1. The Decibel
2. Front Burner
3. The Current
4. At Issue
5. The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge

How many episodes of The Big Story are there?

The Big Story launched 8 years ago and published 2000 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 The Big Story?

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What guests have appeared on The Big Story?

Recent guests on The Big Story include:

1. Russ Taylor
2. Jordan Leichnitz
3. Joy Nott
4. Adrienne Owen
5. Adrian Owen
6. Vass Bednar
7. David Shipley
8. Mike Apple

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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