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Witness to Yesterday (The Champlain Society Podcast on Canadian History)

The Champlain Society
World War I
165th Battalion
World War II
Canadian Expeditionary Force
Acadian Soldiers
History Of Accidents In Canada
Isolation
Homesteading
New Brunswick
Brandon University
Canada
Fascism
Community Spirit
Superstitions
Folklore
Demonic Possession
Hudson Bay Company
Vancouver Island
St. John
Natural Resources

Immerse yourself in Canada’s history! Witness to Yesterday episodes take listeners on a journey to document a time in Canada’s past and explore the people behind it, its significance, and its relevance to today. If you like our work, please consider supporting it: bit.ly/support_WTY. To learn more about the Society and Canada’s history, subscribe to our newsletter at bit.ly/news_WT... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes347Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
History

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Artwork for Witness to Yesterday

Latest Episodes

Larry Ostola speaks with Harry Malcolmson about his book, Scene: How the 1960s Transformed Canadian Art. Scene traces this remarkable reshaping of the nation’s artistic landscape. Written by renowned art critic Harry Malcolmson, the book offers an in... more

Nicole O'Byrne speaks with Barry Cahill about his book, A Biography of Robert Henry Winters. This biography is of Nova Scotian Robert Henry Winters (1910-1969) who was first elected to Parliament in 1945 and appointed to Cabinet by Prime Minister Lou... more

Larry Ostola speaks with Anton Wagner about his book, The Spiritualist Prime Minister: Volume 1: Mackenzie King and the New Revelation, along with the author of the foreword, Walter Meyer zu Erpen. The Spiritualist Prime Minister by Anton Wagner is a... more

James Stewart (J.D.M.) speaks with Matthieu Caron about his book, Montreal After Dark: Nighttime Regulation and the Pursuit of a Global City. Montreal After Dark by Matthieu Caron explores the transformation of Montreal’s vibrant nightlife from the e... more

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Recent Guests

Anton Wagner
Canadian cultural historian and author of The Spiritualist Prime Minister
White Crow Books
Episode: The Spiritualist Prime Minister: Volume 1: Mackenzie King and the New Revelation
Walter Meyer zu Erpen
Historian and archivist with a focus on spiritualism and psychical research archives
Episode: The Spiritualist Prime Minister: Volume 1: Mackenzie King and the New Revelation
Matthieu Caron
An urban historian specializing in the intersections of law, society, and the environment.
Author of 'Montreal After Dark'
Episode: Montreal After Dark: Nighttime Regulation and the Pursuit of a Global City
Richard Harris
Urban historical geographer, author of 'The Rise of the Neighbourhood in Canada, 1880s–2020s'
McMaster University
Episode: The Rise of the Neighbourhood in Canada, 1880s–2020s
Michael McDonnell
Professor of Atlantic History at the University of Sydney and author of *Masters of Empire, Great Lakes Indians and the Making of America*
University of Sydney
Episode: Masters of Empire: Great Lakes Indians and the Making of America
Gary Smith
A graduate of York University, retired diplomat, and author of 'Ice War Diplomat'
Douglas and MacIntyre
Episode: Ice War Diplomat: Hockey Meets Cold War Politics
Peter Neary
Professor Emeritus at the University of Western Ontario and author
University of Western Ontario
Episode: The Ambition and Vision of Joey Smallwood
Mary Janigan
Journalist turned historian, author of The Art of Sharing, examining wealth distribution in Canada
McGill Queen's University Press
Episode: The History of Equalization in Canada
Esyllt Jones
Professor of History at the University of Manitoba
University of Manitoba
Episode: The Origins of the Modern Canadian Healthcare System (2025 reissue)

Host

Greg Marchildon
Host with a strong focus on Canadian history and interviews with key historical figures and scholars.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 90 ratings
  • Broad and interesting Canadian history podcast

    It is very hard to give anything other than a five-star review for a free podcast that covers such interesting and under-served territory, but I dock one star to offer this constructive feedback: the interviews are often quite obviously scripted, with the host reading a broad question and the guest reading a prepared response. I know hosting a dynamic, unscripted interview is challenging (and the hosts are full-time academics and not pro podcasters), but the podcast would benefit from some less ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    DWLNO60
    Canada3 months ago
  • Interesting, intelligent Canadian history

    I love this podcast. It’s smart historians talking about fascinating pieces of Canadian history, with an emphasis on primary sources.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Airstrom
    Canada4 years ago
  • Delightful!

    I’ve only listened to their latest episode about Haldane, and what a delight! Probing storytelling, with the simplicity that comes with passion. Buoyed with well sourced knowledge rather than dredged with unfounded opinion. No matter your tastes, the Viscount Haldane episode, is a must for every podcast listener.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    greasemandan
    United States5 years ago
  • Great contribution

    These podcasts are fascinating. I am so glad to have subcscribed and look forward to every new episode.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Richard Patterson
    Canada5 years ago
  • Interesting interviews with serious historians

    This is a wonderful, serious, history podcast, centred around interviews with historians. There are many gems. I particularly enjoyed the segment on “How Canada Nearly Forgot the Second World War”.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    m_cuffa
    Canada5 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the breadth and depth of historical topics covered, highlighting the engaging discussions with knowledgeable guests.
Critics have noted that some interviews can feel scripted, suggesting an area for improvement in dialogue flow.
Many express appreciation for the informative nature of the episodes, often describing them as enlightening and thought-provoking.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#241
Canada/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

A Biography of Robert Henry Winters
Q: What was Winters' approach to university governance as the Inaugural Chair of the Board of Governors at York University?
He was a builder and viewed the university as a business enterprise, focusing on expansion and fundraising.
A Biography of Robert Henry Winters
Q: How did Winters fit into the Liberal governments of St. Laurent and Pearson?
Cahill explains that Winters had a social conscience that aligned with the policies of St. Laurent, but this shifted under Pearson's leadership.
A Biography of Robert Henry Winters
Q: How does the Churchill Falls project illustrate Winters' general approach to government facilitating business interests?
Cahill highlights how Winters' relationship with the British Newfoundland Development Corporation and Joey Smallwood showcased his connections with business and infrastructure development.
A Biography of Robert Henry Winters
Q: Who was Robert Winters, and why did you decide to write a book about him?
Barry Cahill discusses Winters' background as a mechanical engineer and his entry into politics post-WWII as a significant figure in the Liberal Party.
The Spiritualist Prime Minister: Volume 1: Mackenzie King and the New Revelation
Q: What was the impact of spiritualism on King's political life?
It is believed that his spiritualism influenced his decisions and relationships, suggesting a deeper integration with his political life than previously assumed.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Witness to Yesterday

What is Witness to Yesterday about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Engaging listeners in Canada's history, the content covers a wide range of historical topics and figures, exploring significant events and their modern-day relevance. By featuring in-depth discussions with historians and authors, it illuminates stories that shape Canadian identity, culture, and politics, often drawing links between past and present issues. Noteworthy is the attention to indigenous history, political transition, and pivotal moments that have defined the nation, which presents a unique perspective for those intrigued by Canadian narratives.

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Which podcasts are similar to Witness to Yesterday?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Witness to Yesterday:

1. It's Political with Althia Raj
2. Ideas
3. Curious Canadian History
4. The Paikin Podcast
5. Curse of Politics

How many episodes of Witness to Yesterday are there?

Witness to Yesterday launched 8 years ago and published 347 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 Witness to Yesterday?

Recent guests on Witness to Yesterday include:

1. Anton Wagner
2. Walter Meyer zu Erpen
3. Matthieu Caron
4. Richard Harris
5. Michael McDonnell
6. Gary Smith
7. Peter Neary
8. Mary Janigan

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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