60 acast.com Gloves Off https://shows.acast.com/gloves-off en Insurgentsia Productions Canadian Sovereignty, Canadian Military, trade war, Canadian economy, Canadian foreign policy, US-Canada relations, Disinformation, Stephen Marche, Margaret Atwood, Anne Applebaum, Realpolitik, annexation, 51st State, insurgency, American Imperialism Gloves Off with Stephen Marche Gloves Off with Stephen Marche An eight-part series about the threat to Canada’s sovereignty and what we can do about it. Hosted by journalist and author of The Next Civil War, Stephen Marche.


What we may be witnessing is the end of the American Empire, and with that, Canada has never been more vulnerable. How unprepared are we? How do we defend ourselves? What is the new normal? How do we survive as a country? Gloves Off is Canadian Realpolitik, a practical rather than a virtuous approach to national affairs. What are the dangers we face, and how do we avoid them? We break down the critical issues with outspoken experts and thinkers, as well as everyday Canadians. 




Created by/Executive Producer: Jennifer Ouano

Host/Writer: Stephen Marche

Showrunner: Mio Adilman

Show Producer + Marketing: T. Brockwell

Sound Engineer + Video Editor + Original Music and Theme Composition: Christian Prohom

Art Design: Markus Wreland

Copyright: Insurgentsia Productions

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> An eight-part series about the threat to Canada’s sovereignty and what we can do about it. Hosted by journalist and author of The Next Civil War, Stephen Marche.


What we may be witnessing is the end of the American Empire, and with that, Canada has never been more vulnerable. How unprepared are we? How do we defend ourselves? What is the new normal? How do we survive as a country? Gloves Off is Canadian Realpolitik, a practical rather than a virtuous approach to national affairs. What are the dangers we face, and how do we avoid them? We break down the critical issues with outspoken experts and thinkers, as well as everyday Canadians. 




Created by/Executive Producer: Jennifer Ouano

Host/Writer: Stephen Marche

Showrunner: Mio Adilman

Show Producer + Marketing: T. Brockwell

Sound Engineer + Video Editor + Original Music and Theme Composition: Christian Prohom

Art Design: Markus Wreland

Copyright: Insurgentsia Productions

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> false Insurgentsia Productions info+684c7e9c6770b65af405168c@mg-eu.acast.com 684c7e9c6770b65af405168c gloves-off serial https://assets.pippa.io/shows/cover/1749838994557-2aad6b2b-48f0-44db-8ce1-7b03e537aa15.jpeg https://shows.acast.com/gloves-off Gloves Off <![CDATA[Stephen Marche & Margaret Atwood Extended Interview]]> Tue, 19 Aug 2025 07:00:00 GMT 27:05 68a3ef293b6c8654974f2d00 false https://shows.acast.com/gloves-off/episodes/stephen-marche-margaret-atwood-extended-interview 68a3ef293b6c8654974f2d00 684c7e9c6770b65af405168c stephen-marche-margaret-atwood-extended-interview bonus 1 9 In this extended interview, Margaret Atwood joins Stephen Marche for a wide-ranging, sharp, and often darkly funny conversation on what we can learn from the past when Canadian sovereignty has been threatened by America; how this moment is exceptional; what we might expect in the future. From draft dodgers to free trade, red bonnets to AI servers, Atwood weighs in on where we are—and where we might be headed. Atwood brings sharp insight and surprising optimism to a moment of national reckoning.


A must-listen on sovereignty, survival, and what Canada needs to protect itself from the storm next door. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this extended interview, Margaret Atwood joins Stephen Marche for a wide-ranging, sharp, and often darkly funny conversation on what we can learn from the past when Canadian sovereignty has been threatened by America; how this moment is exceptional; what we might expect in the future. From draft dodgers to free trade, red bonnets to AI servers, Atwood weighs in on where we are—and where we might be headed. Atwood brings sharp insight and surprising optimism to a moment of national reckoning.


A must-listen on sovereignty, survival, and what Canada needs to protect itself from the storm next door. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> What Does The New Normal Look Like? What Does The New Normal Look Like? Tue, 12 Aug 2025 07:00:00 GMT 38:06 689aae435edc63baa3ce2b7e false https://shows.acast.com/gloves-off/episodes/what-does-the-new-normal-look-like 689aae435edc63baa3ce2b7e 684c7e9c6770b65af405168c what-does-the-new-normal-look-like full 1 8 Over the past seven episodes, we’ve tracked Canada’s shocking, painful, and necessary awakening. The threat from America is no longer theoretical—it’s here, it’s real, and we’re not ready.


But something else is happening too. Canadians are responding. Travel boycotts. A rise in patriotism. A new spirit of sovereignty. Because our old relationship with America is over. Our final question to close the series: What does the new normal look like?


In this episode, Stephen Marche speaks with two people who have seen the future from different angles: Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and autocracy expert, Anne Applebaum, and legendary author, Margaret Atwood. Together, they help us sketch out the “new normal”—a world caught between democracy and authoritarianism, and where Canada fits into this new world order.


This is an episode about what’s at stake, what can be built, and why we can’t go back.


Featuring (in order of appearance): Anne Applebaum, Margaret Atwood


Watch an extended version of Stephen's interview with Margaret Atwood on YouTube August 19th.


Rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts and/or e-mail us info@glovesoffpodcast.ca

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Over the past seven episodes, we’ve tracked Canada’s shocking, painful, and necessary awakening. The threat from America is no longer theoretical—it’s here, it’s real, and we’re not ready.


But something else is happening too. Canadians are responding. Travel boycotts. A rise in patriotism. A new spirit of sovereignty. Because our old relationship with America is over. Our final question to close the series: What does the new normal look like?


In this episode, Stephen Marche speaks with two people who have seen the future from different angles: Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and autocracy expert, Anne Applebaum, and legendary author, Margaret Atwood. Together, they help us sketch out the “new normal”—a world caught between democracy and authoritarianism, and where Canada fits into this new world order.


This is an episode about what’s at stake, what can be built, and why we can’t go back.


Featuring (in order of appearance): Anne Applebaum, Margaret Atwood


Watch an extended version of Stephen's interview with Margaret Atwood on YouTube August 19th.


Rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts and/or e-mail us info@glovesoffpodcast.ca

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> How Do We Not Lose The Information War? How Do We Not Lose The Information War? Tue, 05 Aug 2025 07:00:00 GMT 29:58 6891880130496e0ff032c34d false https://shows.acast.com/gloves-off/episodes/how-do-we-not-lose-the-information-war 6891880130496e0ff032c34d 684c7e9c6770b65af405168c how-do-we-not-lose-the-information-war full 1 7 In 2013, a Russian journalist walked into a St. Petersburg startup looking for a job. What he found was the frontline of a new kind of war—an information war fought not with bullets but with online chaos.


Today, those tactics have gone global. Online disinformation floods our social feeds, shapes our politics, and fractures our societies. Authoritarian states are waging an invisible war against democracies like Canada, and we’re dangerously unprepared.


Stephen Marche speaks with University of Waterloo's Bessma Momani and Taiwanese fact-checking pioneer Billion Lee to ask the hard questions: How can we stop losing the information war? Do we even stand a chance?


Featuring (in order of appearance): Andrei Soshnikov, Bessma Momani & Billion Lee

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In 2013, a Russian journalist walked into a St. Petersburg startup looking for a job. What he found was the frontline of a new kind of war—an information war fought not with bullets but with online chaos.


Today, those tactics have gone global. Online disinformation floods our social feeds, shapes our politics, and fractures our societies. Authoritarian states are waging an invisible war against democracies like Canada, and we’re dangerously unprepared.


Stephen Marche speaks with University of Waterloo's Bessma Momani and Taiwanese fact-checking pioneer Billion Lee to ask the hard questions: How can we stop losing the information war? Do we even stand a chance?


Featuring (in order of appearance): Andrei Soshnikov, Bessma Momani & Billion Lee

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> How Do We Fight Back? How Do We Fight Back? Tue, 29 Jul 2025 07:00:00 GMT 26:55 688842c87a996a7baa7bf30d false https://shows.acast.com/gloves-off/episodes/how-do-we-fight-back 688842c87a996a7baa7bf30d 684c7e9c6770b65af405168c how-do-we-fight-back full 1 6 What if we end up in the nightmare scenario: America invades Canada and our military isn't strong enough to resist. Canada gets annexed by force. How do we fight back? What would a Canadian insurgency look like?  


Stephen Marche explores the unthinkable: a military occupation of Canada and the resistance that would surely follow. He speaks with International Security scholar, Aisha Ahmad. We also meet former IRA member, Breige Brownlee, to understand how ordinary people become freedom fighters—and why the most powerful armies in the world can't stop them. 


It’s not fiction if the threat is detectable...


Featuring (in order of appearance): Breige Brownlee, Aisha Ahmad

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> What if we end up in the nightmare scenario: America invades Canada and our military isn't strong enough to resist. Canada gets annexed by force. How do we fight back? What would a Canadian insurgency look like?  


Stephen Marche explores the unthinkable: a military occupation of Canada and the resistance that would surely follow. He speaks with International Security scholar, Aisha Ahmad. We also meet former IRA member, Breige Brownlee, to understand how ordinary people become freedom fighters—and why the most powerful armies in the world can't stop them. 


It’s not fiction if the threat is detectable...


Featuring (in order of appearance): Breige Brownlee, Aisha Ahmad

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> How Do We Defend Ourselves? How Do We Defend Ourselves? Tue, 22 Jul 2025 07:00:00 GMT 31:27 687f1eb7f6d4262b07522e3c false https://shows.acast.com/gloves-off/episodes/how-do-we-defend-ourselves 687f1eb7f6d4262b07522e3c 684c7e9c6770b65af405168c how-do-we-defend-ourselves full 1 5 For most countries, the military is key to national identity. But Canada's identity has been tied to military contributions to the global order and peacekeeping. Now that's all changed. The world is heating. The North is thawing. The South is melting. How do we defend Canada and not get overtaken?


Stephen Marche heads to the Arctic with Canadian Ranger Neil Kigutaq and speaks with Retired Major General Scott Clancy and Finnish security expert Matti Pesu about how Canada can build up its military and what a whole-of-society defence approach looks like. With military apathy at home and growing instability abroad, it’s time to ask: What will it take for Canadians to finally take our defence seriously? 


Featuring (in order of appearance): MCpl Neil Kigutaq, Major General (ret) Scott Clancy & Matti Pesu

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> For most countries, the military is key to national identity. But Canada's identity has been tied to military contributions to the global order and peacekeeping. Now that's all changed. The world is heating. The North is thawing. The South is melting. How do we defend Canada and not get overtaken?


Stephen Marche heads to the Arctic with Canadian Ranger Neil Kigutaq and speaks with Retired Major General Scott Clancy and Finnish security expert Matti Pesu about how Canada can build up its military and what a whole-of-society defence approach looks like. With military apathy at home and growing instability abroad, it’s time to ask: What will it take for Canadians to finally take our defence seriously? 


Featuring (in order of appearance): MCpl Neil Kigutaq, Major General (ret) Scott Clancy & Matti Pesu

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> How Much Can We Learn from Ukraine? How Much Can We Learn from Ukraine? Tue, 15 Jul 2025 07:00:00 GMT 24:16 6875dcb21d7f11f6c28e15b2 false https://shows.acast.com/gloves-off/episodes/how-much-can-we-learn-from-ukraine 6875dcb21d7f11f6c28e15b2 684c7e9c6770b65af405168c how-much-can-we-learn-from-ukraine full 1 4 Living next to a dangerous country is new to us but many countries bordering authoritarian states have a lot of experience. Ukraine has lived in the shadow of a monster its entire existence. What can they teach us?


Ukrainian refugee Viktoriia recalls fleeing war-torn Kherson—offering a sobering reminder of how quickly peace can vanish. Lt. Col. (Ret.) Alexander Vindman and war correspondent Tim Mak unpack what Ukraine got right, what they missed, and what Canada can learn from their ongoing war with Russia. Can we recognize the warning signs of annexation and authoritarianism? Or will we look away—until it’s too late?


Featuring (in order of appearance): Viktoriia, Alexander Vindman & Tim Mak

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Living next to a dangerous country is new to us but many countries bordering authoritarian states have a lot of experience. Ukraine has lived in the shadow of a monster its entire existence. What can they teach us?


Ukrainian refugee Viktoriia recalls fleeing war-torn Kherson—offering a sobering reminder of how quickly peace can vanish. Lt. Col. (Ret.) Alexander Vindman and war correspondent Tim Mak unpack what Ukraine got right, what they missed, and what Canada can learn from their ongoing war with Russia. Can we recognize the warning signs of annexation and authoritarianism? Or will we look away—until it’s too late?


Featuring (in order of appearance): Viktoriia, Alexander Vindman & Tim Mak

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> How Do We Not Go Broke? How Do We Not Go Broke? Tue, 08 Jul 2025 07:02:07 GMT 30:16 686c8b8291efcd981532cf1f false https://shows.acast.com/gloves-off/episodes/how-do-we-not-go-broke 686c8b8291efcd981532cf1f 684c7e9c6770b65af405168c how-do-we-not-go-broke full 1 3 A Canadian toy company is on the brink because of US tariffs. Millions in unsold stock. But this isn’t just one company’s problem—it’s Canada’s.  


Stephen Marche digs into the economic war we’re already in with the US. How can we fight against an economy ten times our size, where the tariff goal posts keep moving, and where any brokered deal is a tweet away from becoming meaningless? What are new approaches to doing business in today's climate? Featuring bold ideas from business owner, Zita Cobb, and Chair of Social Capital Partners, Jon Shell. This episode looks at how to build the Canadian economy without dependence on a superpower in chaos.


Featuring (in order of appearance): "Jane", Canadian toy company owner, Zita Cobb & Jon Shell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> A Canadian toy company is on the brink because of US tariffs. Millions in unsold stock. But this isn’t just one company’s problem—it’s Canada’s.  


Stephen Marche digs into the economic war we’re already in with the US. How can we fight against an economy ten times our size, where the tariff goal posts keep moving, and where any brokered deal is a tweet away from becoming meaningless? What are new approaches to doing business in today's climate? Featuring bold ideas from business owner, Zita Cobb, and Chair of Social Capital Partners, Jon Shell. This episode looks at how to build the Canadian economy without dependence on a superpower in chaos.


Featuring (in order of appearance): "Jane", Canadian toy company owner, Zita Cobb & Jon Shell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> How Unprepared Are We? How Unprepared Are We? Tue, 01 Jul 2025 07:33:49 GMT 27:41 68637282f1f2337369966d6c false https://shows.acast.com/gloves-off/episodes/how-unprepared-are-we 68637282f1f2337369966d6c 684c7e9c6770b65af405168c how-unprepared-are-we full 1 2 A middle-aged graphic designer joins the Canadian Reserves, but her story reveals something bigger: our greatest friend and most important ally, the US, is now threatening our country. How prepared–or unprepared–are we to deal with this threat? Stephen Marche asks a range of Canadian leaders to grade our readiness – politically, economically, militarily. What are our strengths as a country? What are our weaknesses?


Featuring (in order of appearance): Beatrice Winny, Greg Sorbara, Lisa Macleod, Francine Pelletier, Chief Rodger Redman, David Rosenberg, Philippe Lagassé


 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> A middle-aged graphic designer joins the Canadian Reserves, but her story reveals something bigger: our greatest friend and most important ally, the US, is now threatening our country. How prepared–or unprepared–are we to deal with this threat? Stephen Marche asks a range of Canadian leaders to grade our readiness – politically, economically, militarily. What are our strengths as a country? What are our weaknesses?


Featuring (in order of appearance): Beatrice Winny, Greg Sorbara, Lisa Macleod, Francine Pelletier, Chief Rodger Redman, David Rosenberg, Philippe Lagassé


 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> How Much Trouble Are We In? How Much Trouble Are We In? Tue, 01 Jul 2025 07:00:00 GMT 29:22 68636f48f1f233736995b9fb false https://shows.acast.com/gloves-off/episodes/how-much-trouble-are-we-in 68636f48f1f233736995b9fb 684c7e9c6770b65af405168c how-much-trouble-are-we-in full 1 1 Until the second Trump Administration, Canada's relationship to the US has been Robin to its Batman. We've trusted and counted on the US for trade, security, defence, global leadership, and so much more. But now those days are gone. As American democracy unravels and chaos grows, Canada is left exposed and vulnerable not only to the US but to bad actors around the world. With insights from Civil War expert Dr. Barbara F. Walter and former CSIS Agent Neil Bisson, plus chilling stories from Canadians on American soil, host Stephen Marche tries to find out how much trouble Canada is in.


Featuring (in order of appearance): Anonymous Expat Canadian, Bob Ezrin, Jasmine Mooney, Barbara F. Walter & Neil Bisson

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Until the second Trump Administration, Canada's relationship to the US has been Robin to its Batman. We've trusted and counted on the US for trade, security, defence, global leadership, and so much more. But now those days are gone. As American democracy unravels and chaos grows, Canada is left exposed and vulnerable not only to the US but to bad actors around the world. With insights from Civil War expert Dr. Barbara F. Walter and former CSIS Agent Neil Bisson, plus chilling stories from Canadians on American soil, host Stephen Marche tries to find out how much trouble Canada is in.


Featuring (in order of appearance): Anonymous Expat Canadian, Bob Ezrin, Jasmine Mooney, Barbara F. Walter & Neil Bisson

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> The Gloves Come Off on Canada Day The Gloves Come Off on Canada Day Sat, 14 Jun 2025 17:25:47 GMT 2:08 684c8691ee64da20d5e936ea false https://shows.acast.com/gloves-off/episodes/the-gloves-come-off-soon 684c8691ee64da20d5e936ea 684c7e9c6770b65af405168c the-gloves-come-off-soon Trailer trailer Welcome to Gloves Off, a podcast about the threat to Canada’s sovereignty and what we can do about it. Hosted by Stephen Marche. Gloves Off is Canadian Realpolitik – what are the dangers we face and how do we avoid them? We break down the critical issues with outspoken experts and thinkers, as well as everyday Canadians.


The Gloves come off on Canada Day, Tuesday, July 1st. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. 


Follow us on YouTube.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Welcome to Gloves Off, a podcast about the threat to Canada’s sovereignty and what we can do about it. Hosted by Stephen Marche. Gloves Off is Canadian Realpolitik – what are the dangers we face and how do we avoid them? We break down the critical issues with outspoken experts and thinkers, as well as everyday Canadians.


The Gloves come off on Canada Day, Tuesday, July 1st. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. 


Follow us on YouTube.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]>