This week, we're talking about the Mueller report? Is it the smoking gun that's going to topple Trump's presidency like a frail house of cards, or is it just an overhyped bunch of nonsense that people pinned too many of their hopes on? As alw

Episode 54: What Is The SNC-Lavalin Scandal?

Apr 9th, 2019 37m 7s

We're back after a brief hiatus, and we're wading STRAIGHT back into the fray with a full explanation of the idiotic scandal that Canadian media can't get enough of! What is it? Who did the bad thing? Why has everyone conveniently forgotten the

Episode 53: What Is Behavioural Finance?

Feb 28th, 2019 1h

It's a very special episode of the show...because Richard's not on it! This week Jamie was off in London, England, where he was joined by finance whiz/improvisational heavyweight Dylan Emery and learned a little about Behavioural Finance! What

Episode 52: Who Is Bernie Sanders?

Feb 14th, 2019 42m 20s

This week, Jamie wants to know about Bernie Sanders! Who is he? Why do people care about him? Can the OLDEST MAN ON EARTH really become PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES?As always, you can support our show by subscribing to our Patreon at www.pa

Episode 51: Why Are There Billionaires?

Feb 4th, 2019 49m 3s

*There were a few issues with Richard's mic this week so please forgive the occasional quiet bit of audio*This week on the show, we're talking about BILLIONAIRES! How big a number is a billion? Is there a chance that billionaires deserve all

Episode 50: What Is Reality Anymore? (Media Cycles, Gillette Ad, MAGA Teen, Outrage)

Jan 30th, 2019 47m 20s

We're not dead, we had to delay this episode because Jamie was off in San Jose doing whatever it is you do in San Jose! This week, we're talking about two media stories that made us feel crazy: The Gillette Ad and the smirking MAGA teen. What's

Episode 49: Why Are There Pipelines, and What's Happening At The Unist'ot'en Camp?

Jan 21st, 2019 31m 42s

This week, Jamie wants to know about pipelines! Why is there always so much drama around building them? What's going on at the Unist'ot'en camp in BC? If you take a bath in oil, will your country have a good economy?If you'd like to help the

Episode 48: Why is the US Government Shut Down?

Jan 14th, 2019 34m 31s

This week, Jamie wants to know about the US government shutdown! Why does this seem to happen so often? Who is affected? Is Donald Trump alone at this very moment, wandering the empty halls of the White House like a sad version of Kevin from Ho

FREE BONUS EPISODE: Gender Parity in Politics (feat. Lana Cuthbertson and Kory Mathewson)

Jan 2nd, 2019 37m 55s

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! Richard and Jamie are back after a glorious holiday with friends, family, fat, and sugar! And guess what? We got you something! A FREE BONUS EPISODE!This episode was so good, our guests were so awesome, an

Episode 47: What Is Artificial Intelligence? (feat. Kory Mathewson and Lana Cuthbertson)

Dec 17th, 2018 1h 9m

This week, we are joined by Kory Mathewson and Lana Cuthbertson to talk about AI! Do they spell a future where no one has to work? Will they take over humanity and rule us as tyrants? Why can't it ever read the writing correctly on my cheques w

Episode 46: China, Part 1: What Is Confucianism?

Dec 10th, 2018 1h 4m

This week, Richard got in over his head and is deciding to split what was supposed to be a simple episode on "China" into multiple episodes! Our first instalment is about Confucianism! What is it, actually? Do you have to do everything your dad

Episode 45: What is Prison Abolition? Do Prisons Work?

Dec 3rd, 2018 57m 7s

This week, Jamie wants to know about Prison Abolition! Can we just...get rid of prisons? What's wrong with our current prisons? What if the real prison...is society, man?!If you like the show, please take the time to share it with a friend! Y

Episode 44: Who Is Doug Ford?

Nov 26th, 2018 52m 50s

This week, we welcome back the king of guest appearances, Anthony MacMahon to talk about Ontario's Premier, Doug Ford! What does he want? Where is he taking Ontario? Which Ford brother was better at football?We also have a special preview of

Episode 43: Who Is Elon Musk?

Nov 19th, 2018 56m 12s

This week, Jamie wants to learn about Elon Musk! Where did he come from? Is he our greatest hero, or our worst villain? Are we destined to become his techno-slaves?If you like the show and want to support us, please check out our new Patreon

Episode 42: What's Up With Saudi Arabia?

Nov 12th, 2018 54m 25s

This week, Jamie wants to know about Saudi Arabia! What's it's deal? How many princes does it have, exactly? Is it too soon to make a joke about Jamal Khashoggi? (Oh god we hope not).We're also super excited to announce the launch of our Patr

Episode 41: Who Is Jair Bolsonaro, and what will he do in Brazil?

Nov 5th, 2018 41m 21s

This week, we're talking about Jair Bolsonaro and Brazil's recent presidential election! Who is he? What has he promised? Wait, he said WHAT??Also, we're excited to announce that our Patreon page is now live! If you enjoy the show and you'd l

Episode 40: What's going to happen in the US Midterm Elections?

Oct 28th, 2018 37m 30s

We're back! After our 11-month hiatus, we're picking up right where we left off with a primer on the upcoming US Midterm Elections! Who will win? Is there any light at the end of the tunnel? Won't someone please think of the children???

Episode 39: What's The Story With Puerto Rico?

Nov 6th, 2017 40m 13s

For our last episode of season one of Explain It To Jamie, we talk about Puerto Rico! Are they part of the US or not? Why did hurricane Maria hit them so hard? How much debt could a debt bet get if a debt bet can't abet debt?We're taking a br

Episode 38: What Is NAFTA?

Oct 30th, 2017 51m 18s

This week, we dive into the weedy world of NAFTA! What is a tariff? Why is everyone mad at Mexico? If I agree with something that Donald Trump says, does that make me a bad person?

Episode 37: What's Jagmeet Singh's Deal?

Oct 23rd, 2017 22m 24s

Jamie's away this week so our episode is a little leaner than normal! This week, we delve into the recent NDP leadership election and talk about the man of the hour: Jagmeet Singh! Who is he? What does he believe? Is Canada gonna go from being

Episode 36: What Is The Israel-Palestine Conflict? Why Is It So Hard To Find Peace?

Oct 16th, 2017 54m 28s

This week we try to shed some light on the intricacies of the Israel-Palestine conflict? Why are they fighting? What makes finding a peace agreement so difficult? Why is talking about this topic so scary?

Episode 35: What is the United Nations?

Oct 9th, 2017 59m 6s

This week, we dive into the wacky world of the United Nations. What is it for? How does it actually function? Why does Canada care sooooo much about the Suez Canal Crisis when other countries would really rather not think about it?

Episode 34: Climate Change Part 2: Climate Change And Politics!

Oct 2nd, 2017 1h 4m

This week we return to the incredibly depressing world of the tiny particles making our air thicker to present: climate change part 2! What are countries trying to do to solve it? Is it gonna work? Is "cloud brightening" something you do on the

Episode 33: Sex, Part 3! Sex And The Law (Feat. Steph Baptist)

Sep 23rd, 2017 1h 11m

This week we're crazy excited to welcome Steph Baptist back on the show to help us feel less weird about our dangly bits and the feelings they make us feel! We unpack some issues in which the law and sex meet including consent, sex work, and se

Episode 32: Climate Change: What Is It And How Does It Happen?

Sep 18th, 2017 1h 1m

This week, we bring you the first of our series of episodes on CLIMATE CHANGE! (**thunder sound effect**) What horrors of science are causing it? (**lightning crash**) How bad will it truly be for humanity? (**sound of a thousand squealing pigs