Rephonic
Artwork for The Strategists
Alberta
Donald Trump
Mark Carney
Canada
Pierre Poilievre
Danielle Smith
Justin Trudeau
NDP
Canadian Politics
Calgary
Liberal Party Of Canada
Liberal Party
Separatism
Jagmeet Singh
Pierre Poliev
Kamala Harris
Alberta NDP
Politics
Tariffs
Political Strategy

Professional unprofessional strategists Stephen Carter, Zain Velji, and Shannon Phillips break down the news of the day. Not just what’s happening, but how it’s being played.

Policy is one thing. Politics is another.

The show dissects the strategy behind the headlines: what governments are doing, why it matters, and the political incentives driving every move. They don't tell you what to think. Th... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes141Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNews CommentaryNews

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Artwork for The Strategists

Latest Episodes

Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips dive into the rapidly escalating Alberta separatism fight, the growing fractures inside the UCP, and whether Danielle Smith has finally pushed things too far. Are groups actually trying to stop separatism, or just ... more

YouTube

In a moment when Prairie politics feels increasingly untethered from reality, what happens when governments start making generational decisions while chasing internal political pressure?

This week on Balance of Power, Leah Ward and Shannon Phillips ... more

In a moment when Prairie politics feels increasingly untethered from reality, what happens when governments start making generational decisions while chasing internal political pressure?

This week on Balance of Power, Leah Ward and Shannon Phillips ... more

Stephen Carter and Shannon Phillips remain at St. Andrew’s United Church for the second coming of their Edmonton live show, joined by Senator Paula Simons and a crowd that absolutely refuses to go home. They dig into the Alberta voter list leak, fore... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Aleana Young
MLA in Regina, Saskatchewan with Carl Labeck, NDP; Shadow Minister for SaskPower, Economy and Jobs and Crown Investments Corporation
NDP (Saskatchewan)
Episode: Balance of Power: The Most Expensive Option
Paula Simons
Senator, Alberta
Senate of Canada
Episode: Episode 4030½: Strategists Overtime at St. Andrews United (LIVE)
Carla Beck
Leader of the Saskatchewan NDP
Saskatchewan Legislature / Saskatchewan NDP
Episode: Balance of Power: Legacy, Loss, and a New NDP
Claudia Chender
Leader of the Nova Scotia NDP
Nova Scotia NDP
Episode: Balance of Power: The Cost of a Political Face
Dr. Bronwyn Bragg
Human geographer and professor, expert on labor immigration and precarious work
University of Lethbridge, Department of Geography and Environment
Episode: Balance of Power: Immigration with Dr. Bronwyn Bragg
Raki Pancholi
MLA for Edmonton White Mud and the Deputy Leader of the Alberta NDP
Alberta NDP
Episode: Episode 4013: Use All of It or Use None - Teaser
Kyla Ronellenfitsch
Pollster and data scientist, president of Relay Strategies
Relay Strategies
Episode: Balance of Power: TV Dad vs YouTube Bro
Jeromy Farkas
Newly elected Mayor of Calgary
Calgary Party
Episode: Episode 1893½: Strategists Overtime at Knox United (LIVE)
Corey Hogan
Calgary Confederation MP
Episode: Episode 1893½: Strategists Overtime at Knox United (LIVE)

Hosts

Stephen Carter
Host and strategist with The Strategists network; frequent co-host/participant in discussions.
Zain Velji
Host of The Strategists; seasoned political strategist and commentator.
Shannon Phillips
Co-host and political strategist; prominent voice on Balance of Power and The Strategists.
Annalise Klingbeil
Host of Balance of Power; regular contributor to strategists network.
Leah Ward
Host of Balance of Power; co-host on the strategists network.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • Carbon pricing

    Thanks Shannon for explaining carbon pricing 👍👍

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RedHeadedPrick
    Canada3 months ago
  • Often good

    I find myself missing the forest for the trees in the volume of news and analysis of it. This was episode 1867 and it was called capitulation and separation. Link unformed.

    Shut up Zane. Nearly insufferable.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    PL Hobbs
    Canada6 months ago
  • Interesting but

    Interesting subject matter. I find the banter at the start goes on far too long, much like the topics. I don’t recall when I last finished an episode because I’d turn it off mid way.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Joey Joe Joe shabadoo junior
    Canada7 months ago
  • Shannon Phillips

    So she’s certainly not Corey Hogan. I absolutely LOVE this podcast but can’t stomach her. She’s too enamoured of her own voice and certainly not a strategist. Find someone else

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Diesel’s Mom
    Canadaa year ago
  • Great banter trio

    These three make for a great hour of insight and entertainment except Klingbeil reminds me how old I am. Carter and Corey thankfully comfort me with ape appropriate references. Good stuff - thanks for not taking yourself too seriously! A proficient podcast that falls short of excellent because Zain needs to keep his piehole shut more often. As chemists well know, catalysts are usually a small part of a chemical process. Zain, take note. Cheers

    Klingbeil has a wonderful voice. It should be insur... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dan from Leduc
    Canadaa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Strong practical takeaways for campaign and policy work, not just headlines.
Polished insider analysis with accessible strategy talk.
Engaging mix of banter and policy digs, though some may want less long-form pre-topic banter.
A smart, Canadian-focused look at how politics is played, with candid critiques and sharp humor.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#121
Canada/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Balance of Power: Legacy, Loss, and a New NDP
Q: How should the Saskatchewan NDP leverage its regional strengths to influence national strategy?
Carla Beck emphasizes practical, regionally grounded policies tied to Saskatchewan's energy and economic realities, arguing that successful provincial governance and concrete solutions can inform and shape national conversations about affordable energy, healthcare, and public services.
Balance of Power: Legacy, Loss, and a New NDP
Q: What are the immediate implications of Avi Lewis's win for the federal NDP and its relationship with labor?
The hosts suggest Avi Lewis's win could realign the party's policy focus and potentially repair or redefine its relationship with labor, requiring clearer messaging and strategic outreach to union members while avoiding over-reliance on traditional endorsements that may not carry the same weight as before.
Balance of Power: TV Dad vs YouTube Bro
Q: Can you tell me about the separatist comment made by Dennis Moudry and its implications?
Kyla explains the alarming discussions about Alberta potentially needing their own military and working with the US, pointing to real concerns among residents.
Episode 1893½: Strategists Overtime at Knox United (LIVE)
Q: What advice do you have about the notwithstanding clause?
It is important to lead and push back against its undemocratic use; it's a collective responsibility to uphold democratic values.
Episode 1893½: Strategists Overtime at Knox United (LIVE)
Q: How do you see the role of social networks in your mandate?
Social networks allow for direct connection with constituents, which was critical for my campaign's success.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Strategists

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

A sharp, strategy-focused political show where three veteran Canadian political operatives dissect the news of the day through the lens of messaging, incentives, and behind-the-scenes maneuvering. Episodes typically thread together the mechanics of campaigns, policy trade-offs, and the public spin surrounding elections and governance, with plenty of banter and insider perspective. Across recent topics, the group weighs energy and infrastructure decisions, data privacy in elections, and province-wide political dynamics, offering practical takeaways for listeners who want to understand not just what happened, but how and why it happened the way it did. A notable strength is the ability to translate complex political strategy into actionable i... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Strategists?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Strategists:

1. West of Centre
2. Real Talk Ryan Jespersen
3. The Herle Burly
4. Curse of Politics
5. The Numbers

How many episodes of The Strategists are there?

The Strategists launched 6 years ago and published 141 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 The Strategists?

Recent guests on The Strategists include:

1. Aleana Young
2. Paula Simons
3. Carla Beck
4. Claudia Chender
5. Dr. Bronwyn Bragg
6. Raki Pancholi
7. Kyla Ronellenfitsch
8. Jeromy Farkas

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