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Artwork for The Decibel
Canada
Donald Trump
Mark Carney
Iran
United States
USMCA
Israel
Tariffs
Venezuela
Artificial Intelligence
China
Gaza
Ontario
Electric Vehicles
Trump Administration
Strait Of Hormuz
British Columbia
Mexico
Ukraine
Drug Trafficking

Context is everything. Join us Monday to Friday for a Canadian daily news podcast from The Globe and Mail. Explore a story shaping our world, in conversation with reporters, experts, and the people at the centre of the news.

PublishesDailyEpisodes1279Founded5 years ago
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Artwork for The Decibel

Latest Episodes

Drones have become a part of everyday life for many Ukrainians. Now, they’re showing up in the airspace of Baltic countries. On Wednesday, people in Lithuania’s capital, Vilnius, were instructed to take shelter when drone activity was detected near t... more

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Finding the time to cook can be a challenge. The solution for many Canadians looks like using convenient pre-prepared foods. Ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) are branded, commercial foods made from cheap ingredients and contain little to no whole foods. B... more

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“Birth alerts” were a controversial practice in several Canadian provinces that allowed hospitals and child-welfare agencies to flag pregnant patients they deemed to be high-risk without their knowledge or consent. They were in place until as recentl... more

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U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to China to meet President Xi Jinping this week is full of jeopardy. From tense talks over trade and tariffs, the role of each superpower in the war in Iran, and the future of Taiwan – each leader has been full of ... more

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Recent Guests

Deborah Aarts
Freelance business journalist
The Globe and Mail
Episode: The big business of romance novels
Kristy Kirkup
The Globe's National Health Reporter
The Globe and Mail
Episode: A reality check on hantavirus risk in Canada
Tim Shufelt
Investment reporter at The Globe and Mail
The Globe and Mail
Episode: Making sense of a stock market that doesn’t make sense right now
Doug Saunders
The Globe's international affairs columnist
The Globe and Mail
Episode: Saudi Arabia’s vision for its future is crumbling
Matthew Scace
Globe reporter based in Alberta covering the separatist movement
The Globe and Mail
Episode: Alberta separatist campaign faces legal hurdles
Amanda Perry
English literature professor at Concordia University and Champlain College-Saint Lambert (Cégep)
Concordia University, Champlain College-Saint Lambert
Episode: Canadian professors on how AI is changing education
Matt Dinan
Associate professor at St Thomas University, director of Great Books program
St Thomas University
Episode: Canadian professors on how AI is changing education
Adegboyega Ojo
Canada Research Chair in AI Governance, Carleton University
Carleton University
Episode: Canadian professors on how AI is changing education
Mike Welland
Professor of engineering physics, McMaster University
McMaster University
Episode: Canadian professors on how AI is changing education

Host

Cheryl Sutherland
Host of The Decibel with Globe and Mail affiliation; primary on-the-ground interviewer and context provider.

Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars from 1.4k ratings
  • Not great

    Guest today had poor delivery and sounds like the average middle schooler. I need some more gravitas before I will make this a regular listen.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    RebeccaSaw
    Canadaa month ago
  • Excellent work

    I love the diversity of topics and also the different approaches to covering different topics. The episode featuring voices of the Iranian Diaspora was great radio. There was such a range of views, informed opinions and all presented in the most human way possible, people speaking in their own voices about their own hopes and fears.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    goorooo
    Canada2 months ago
  • Kelly Grant - informative but bad voice.

    Way to crokey. Sounds like she constantly needs to clear her throat.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    jzeeman
    Canada3 months ago
  • Tiresome Q and A

    I’ve listened to this show on and off for a while and ultimately find the style of interaction tedious. It’s like the host has preset questions to run through but beyond this doesn’t engage much with the substance of what guests are saying, just moves on to next question. Overall a bit too thin.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Elliesxxxxxx
    Canada4 months ago
  • Informative

    As an American who unfortunately finds themself living under an authoritarian regime, finding a reliable news source outside the USA that covers important topics is invaluable. I also strongly appreciate learning about the news stories and perspectives from Canada, as it is one of America's closest neighbors.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Raven4EvRMore
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

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

- Some critiques focus on perceived left-leaning bias or surface-level questioning.
- Journalistic credibility and depth are frequently cited as strengths.
- Listeners praise informative, well-contextualized coverage of Canadian issues.
- Episodes that connect policy to real-world impact are highly valued.
- Reactions to AI-related episodes vary, with strong opinions on coverage and monetization.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#239
United States/News/Daily News
Spotify
#160
Canada/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#94
Canada/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#5
Canada/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#18
Canada/News
Apple Podcasts
#175
United Kingdom/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

A reality check on hantavirus risk in Canada
Q: So I think by now people have heard about this hantavirus outbreak. And Kristy, you're going to help us understand where things are right now with the containment.
Kristy explains what hantavirus is, how the Andes strain spread from South American rodents to a cruise ship, and why the focus is on monitoring exposed Canadians while keeping the overall risk low.
The big business of romance novels
Q: Hi Deborah, thanks so much for joining me today.
Deborah explains that the romance boom is sustained by a sense of community and a demand for optimistic, feel-good storytelling, with Canada playing a larger role in author diversity and market expansion.
What does Canada gain by hosting the new global defence bank?
Q: What concerns do opponents raise about hosting the bank in Canada?
Opponents worry about diverting funds from social services, moral concerns about expanding defence spending, and the possibility that the bank represents a new arm of government spending that may not be necessary or beneficial for Canada in the long term.
What does Canada gain by hosting the new global defence bank?
Q: What are the potential benefits for Canada in hosting the DSRB?
Canada could gain home-court advantage for its defence companies, attract international attention and high-level visits, create thousands of jobs, and potentially lower costs on large orders through economies of scale, while signaling a serious commitment to defence industry growth.
What does Canada gain by hosting the new global defence bank?
Q: Why is defence financing considered riskier, and how would the DSRB address that risk?
Defence financing is riskier due to security clearances, heavy regulation, and the perception of defence as a sector tied to warfare; the DSRB aims to lower risk by pooling risk across many countries, providing guarantees, and offering long-term funding that isn't strictly tied to any one nation's budget or political cycle.

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 Decibel

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

This daily Canadian news show blends reporting with expert analysis, often pairing Globe and Mail journalists with researchers, policy experts, and industry insiders. Episodes frequently tackle economics, trade, energy, international relations, and governance, offering data-driven context, on-the-ground reporting, and policy implications for Canadians. Notable strengths include a steady roster of experienced guests, a clear focus on timely issues, and episodes that connect domestic matters to global events. Listeners can expect accessible yet substantive conversations that aim to illuminate how big issues affect everyday life, business, and public policy.

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How many listeners does The Decibel get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Decibel have?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Decibel?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Decibel:

1. Front Burner
2. At Issue
3. The Big Story
4. The House
5. The Current

How many episodes of The Decibel are there?

The Decibel launched 5 years ago and published 1279 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 Decibel?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Decibel?

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

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What guests have appeared on The Decibel?

Recent guests on The Decibel include:

1. Deborah Aarts
2. Kristy Kirkup
3. Tim Shufelt
4. Doug Saunders
5. Matthew Scace
6. Amanda Perry
7. Matt Dinan
8. Adegboyega Ojo

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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