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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
Acadian Soldiers
Canadian Expeditionary Force
History Of Accidents In Canada
Homesteading
Isolation
New Brunswick
Brandon University
Canada
Fascism
Superstitions
Folklore
Community Spirit
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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes365Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
History

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Artwork for Witness to Yesterday

Latest Episodes

Larry Ostola speaks with Dan Black about his book Oceans of Fate. The remarkable story of how one ship — doomed by war — intersected lives and crossed into history. Completed in 1913 for Canadian Pacific, the Empress of Asia plied the oceans for near... more

Nicole O’Byrne speaks with Colin Coates about his book, Political Culture in Louis XIV’s Canada. In Louis XIV’s New France, colonial authorities attempted to reproduce French regal authority in novel ways, often by performing typical metropolitan pol... more

Often misunderstood or even unrecognized, Canada’s governors general are not merely heads of state; they are amongst the great constitutional curiosities of our age. In this delightful and often whimsical account of the Canadians who have held this p... more

James Stewart (J.D.M.) speaks with Andrew Coyne about his book, The Crisis of Canadian Democracy. With characteristic wit, insight, and rigor, Coyne dismantles the comforting myths Canadians tell themselves about their political system, revealing a p... more

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Recent Guests

Colin Coates
Professor of Canadian Studies and History at York University
York University
Episode: Political Culture in Louis XIV’s Canada
John Fraser
Author of The Governors General, An Intimate History of Canada's Highest Office
Sutherland House; Institute for the Study of the Crown in Canada
Episode: The Governors General
Andrew Coyne
Author of The Crisis of Canadian Democracy
The Globe and Mail; CBC; The Crisis of Canadian Democracy (Sutherland House, 2025)
Episode: The Crisis of Canadian Democracy
James D. Stewart
Writer, historian, and expert on Canadian Prime Ministers
Author of The Prime Ministers, Canada's Leaders and the Nation They Shaped
Episode: The Prime Ministers: Canada's Leaders and the Nation They Shaped
Justice Robert Sharpe
Judge, lawyer and scholar
Episode: My Life in the Law
Donald Nerbas
St Andrew's Society, McEuen Scholarship Foundation Chair in Canadian Scottish Studies at McGill University
McGill University
Episode: McGill in History
Tess Elsworthy
Graduate student in McGill's School of Information Studies, completed MA in History at McGill
McGill University
Episode: McGill in History
Gabriel Arsenault
Associate professor of political science at Université de Moncton
Université de Moncton
Episode: The Higgs Years
Madelaine Drohan
Senior Fellow at the Graduate School of Public and International Policy at the University of Ottawa, former Canada correspondent for The Economist
University of Ottawa
Episode: He Did Not Conquer

Hosts

JDM Stewart
Historian and host of witness-focused Canadian history discussions.
Larry Ostola
Host concentrating on Canadian history and military history; co-host for several episodes.
Donald Wright
Host and organizer, engaged in scholarly discussions on Canadian history.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 94 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
    Canada8 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
    Canada6 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Delightful interviews with probing storytelling and solid scholarship.
Broad and interesting Canadian history podcast — deeply sourced and thoughtful.
Intelligent, serious historians with strong primary-source emphasis.
Engaging and informative; episodes are well-researched and accessible for listeners with interest in history.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#191
Canada/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Governors General
Q: What makes the Vannier-Clarkson partnership the gold standard of vice-regal leadership?
Their combination of military service, diplomatic poise, a strong personal connection with Canadians, and a supportive partnership created a model where the office could embody national values with warmth and accessibility.
The Governors General
Q: What lessons stand out from the Julie Payette episode about selecting a Governor General?
The key lesson is the necessity of thorough due diligence and understanding the day-to-day realities of the office, not just the impressive résumé or public image.
The Governors General
Q: Can you explain why the Governor General is described as an extension of the sovereign and what that means in practice?
It means the office embodies the Crown in Canada, serving as a bridge between the monarchy and the Canadian state, with a role that is both constitutional and symbolic, evolved to support responsible government rather than wielding unchecked power.
The Prime Ministers: Canada's Leaders and the Nation They Shaped
Q: Which prime minister do you think is underrated or overrated in the public imagination?
Laurier is arguably underrated due to a lack of a comprehensive modern biography, while Laurier's indigenous policies and legacy invite nuanced critique; King is praised for longevity and governance skills, though not uncritically.
The Prime Ministers: Canada's Leaders and the Nation They Shaped
Q: So why don't you walk us through what motivated you to write it?
The book grew out of a personal motivation to make Canadian history accessible and to address why younger generations might not know key figures like Lester B. Pearson, as well as to offer a new interpretation of prime ministers beyond traditional narratives.

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?

A history-focused interview program featuring deep dives into Canadian history through conversations with scholars, journalists, and practitioners. Episodes cover topics from modern governance, constitutional law, and Indigenous issues to military history, provincial politics, and university history. The show is notable for its archival depth, access to prominent historians, and a willingness to tackle complex, sometimes contested chapters of Canada's past, often linking past events to present-day debates. Listeners who enjoy rigorously sourced context, primary-source discussions, and nuanced interpretations of Canadian history are likely to find it particularly compelling.

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Which podcasts are similar to Witness to Yesterday?

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1. Hub Podcasts
2. At Issue
3. The Herle Burly
4. The Munk Debates Podcast
5. The Decibel

How many episodes of Witness to Yesterday are there?

Witness to Yesterday launched 8 years ago and published 365 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. Colin Coates
2. John Fraser
3. Andrew Coyne
4. James D. Stewart
5. Justice Robert Sharpe
6. Donald Nerbas
7. Tess Elsworthy
8. Gabriel Arsenault

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