Rephonic
Artwork for This is Ottawa

This is Ottawa

CBC
Ottawa
Rideau Canal
Rats
Mental Health
Elgin Street Diner
Ottawa Carleton Detention Centre
Ontario
Canada
Ottawa, Canada
Mark Sutcliffe
Lansdowne Park
Canada Day
City Council
Witchcraft
Math Anxiety
Street Racing
Ottawa Lynx
Education
Leech Therapy
Mello's Restaurant

How are high rents impacting Ottawa businesses? What happens during an all-nighter at the Elgin Street Diner? Every week, host Robyn Bresnahan does a deep dive into a story you're curious about and the issues you want to understand in the city we call home. New episodes every Monday. Have an idea for an episode? Email: thisisottawa@cbc.ca

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes126Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for This is Ottawa

Latest Episodes

It’s like eBay - but run by the Canadian government. The GC Surplus site sells everything from ATVs used by the military to Air Jordan sneakers confiscated at the border. In this encore episode, Robyn Bresnahan gets a tour of the Ottawa warehouse - w... more

You can learn a lot about Ottawa through its street art - from protest movements to the histories of neighbourhoods. But graffiti and murals are often temporary. So  a local software developer created a digital map - to archive the art. Robyn Bresnah... more

Now that it’s been decided that 24 Sussex Drive will be restored rather than torn down - what else should change in the area? The authors of a new book on the Prime Minister’s official residence say this is a golden opportunity to not just reno the h... more

Street racing is dangerous and illegal. Yet the roar of revving engines and screeching tires can be heard across the city all summer. In this encore episode, Robyn Bresnahan speaks to a former street racer who drove “without any concerns or worries o... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Recent Guests

Martin Feindorfer
Local muralist in Ottawa
Ottawa mural scene
Episode: Guardians of graffiti: the effort to protect Ottawa’s vanishing street art
Mick Michel
Graffiti artist from West Nipissing
Ottawa street art community
Episode: Guardians of graffiti: the effort to protect Ottawa’s vanishing street art
Tia Wong
Artist who painted in the Glebe and contributed historical context
Glebe mural project
Episode: Guardians of graffiti: the effort to protect Ottawa’s vanishing street art
Dean Beebe
Investigative journalist
Globe and Mail (collaborator on the book)
Episode: Should the new 24 Sussex be open to the public and closed to traffic?
Ian Bailey
Journalist
The Globe and Mail
Episode: Should the new 24 Sussex be open to the public and closed to traffic?
Constable Phil Kane
Officer in Ottawa Police Traffic Enforcement and Escort Unit
Ottawa Police Service
Episode: Confessions of a former street racer
Hans Moer
Resident discussing sound and impact of street racing on his neighborhood
Episode: Confessions of a former street racer
Pat Fortin
Former street racer
Episode: Confessions of a former street racer
Charlie Feldman
Lawyer for the Federal Department of Justice and self-described Parliament nerd
Federal Department of Justice
Episode: Fist fights, flying feces and genital exams: a history of Parliament you didn’t learn in school

Host

Robyn Bresnahan
Host of the CBC Ottawa segment; leads interviews and deep-dives on city-focused stories

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 133 ratings
  • So informative

    I discovered this podcast because it was advertised on another CBC podcast I subscribe to. Fortunately, there’s 2 years of archived episodes and it has become a personal favourite. Just finished listening to “This is me in grade 9” and I am grateful my son finished high school decades ago!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    crazycatlady56
    Canada3 months ago
  • Love that it is local

    I really enjoy listening to this local show. I feel so smothered by news from elsewhere that it is refreshing to have something local.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CinderDaxWolf
    Canada9 months ago
  • So glad I discovered!

    Interesting subjects, a smart and warm host, excellent production, breezy format. Thanks for keeping me up to date on the city I used to live in and still love!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LotstoLearnCDA
    Canadaa year ago
  • Love the stories

    Great to learn things that I did not know about the city I have lived in for over 30 years. Entertaining and informative.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DMOttawa
    Canadaa year ago
  • Regressive garbage

    I had unsubscribe after the most recent episode on the tree equity score. It continues a pattern of promoting a

    regressive racialist and ethnocentric view of Ottawans. It doesn’t have to be this way. They could’ve presented a different perspective. One that emphasizes our common humanity, but instead chose to label and divine people based on their immutable characteristics.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    SargeantSpectacular
    Canada2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Fans appreciate the breezy format and accessible coverage of Ottawa's city issues.
Some listeners wish for broader perspective on controversial topics, noting a need for diverse viewpoints.
Listeners praise local focus and warm interview style, finding episodes informative and well-produced.

Top News Podcasts

The Daily
The DailyThe New York Times
Global News Podcast
Global News PodcastBBC World Service
Pivot
PivotNew York Magazine
Pod Save America
Pod Save AmericaPod Save America
The Tucker Carlson Show
The Tucker Carlson ShowTucker Carlson Network
The MeidasTouch Podcast
The MeidasTouch PodcastMeidasTouch Network

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Guardians of graffiti: the effort to protect Ottawa’s vanishing street art
Q: Why is it important to archive and preserve street art before it fades or is erased?
Preservation captures moments of cultural memory that might otherwise disappear due to weather, time, or redevelopment, and it allows future generations to engage with those stories, celebrate diverse communities, and understand how a place has evolved.
Guardians of graffiti: the effort to protect Ottawa’s vanishing street art
Q: What do you think is the connection between street art and the identity of a city?
Street art reflects local history, culture, and struggles, and it can be a form of resistance or celebration that shapes how residents see their city. It also helps document marginalized voices and makes the city feel more lived-in and authentic.
Why can’t I park on the street where I live?
Q: What would be the impact if more streets gained residential permits?
Officials suggest a broader community discussion is needed, balancing resident needs with visitors and events, while noting that not all wards will grant permits.
Why can’t I park on the street where I live?
Q: Who decides what streets are zoned for residential street parking?
The decision involves a community-driven petition process with required support and local councillor approval, rather than a simple top-down designation.
Ottawa’s next top dog: who’s running for Mayor?
Q: Is there risk of vote splitting among candidates?
Yes, especially between urban and suburban candidates, with concerns about how endorsements and regional support could pull votes away from one another.

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 This is Ottawa

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

A city-focused show that explores Ottawa's dynamics, from municipal politics and transit to local culture, education, and infrastructure. Episodes feature a mix of policymakers, researchers, business leaders, activists, and community organizers, with a strong emphasis on local impact and practical implications for residents and businesses. Notable strengths include accessible storytelling, on-the-ground reporting, and a knack for translating complex policy or urban-planning topics into relatable, bite-sized narratives. The host steers conversations with warmth and clarity, making it appealing to listeners who want a clear read on how city decisions shape daily life and opportunities in Ottawa.

Where can I find podcast stats for This is Ottawa?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for This is Ottawa. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to This is Ottawa and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does This is Ottawa get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for This is Ottawa, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for This is Ottawa?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for This is Ottawa, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does This is Ottawa have?

To see how many followers or subscribers This is Ottawa 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 This is Ottawa?

These podcasts share a similar audience with This is Ottawa:

1. Cost of Living
2. Two Blocks from the White House
3. The House
4. The Dose
5. Front Burner

How many episodes of This is Ottawa are there?

This is Ottawa launched 3 years ago and published 126 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 This is Ottawa?

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.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for This is Ottawa?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for This is Ottawa from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for This is Ottawa?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of This is Ottawa. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on This is Ottawa?

Recent guests on This is Ottawa include:

1. Martin Feindorfer
2. Mick Michel
3. Tia Wong
4. Dean Beebe
5. Ian Bailey
6. Constable Phil Kane
7. Hans Moer
8. Pat Fortin

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days