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Gloves Off

Gloves Off with Stephen Marche

Gloves Off is about the threat to Canada’s sovereignty and how the country can thrive in the new world disorder. Because it’s not just about surviving as a nation. It’s about winning. Hosted by journalist and author Stephen Marche.


It’s been a year of the old world order falling apart. The rules-based international order is over. But it’s also been a year of great unthinkable change—change to the way Canada operates, who it trusts, and who it fears. This presents an opportunity for Canada to move away from its decades-long dependency on the US towards something new: a third pole of middle power alliances. Last season on Gloves Off, we wanted to survive as a nation. The question was: Are we going to make it? This season, we’re answering the question: How do we win? 


Visit gloves-off.ca for more research behind the issues and watch our aftershow Cross Check.



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

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  • 34 episodes
  • Avg 31 min
  • English

Episodes 34

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  • S2 · E2
    July 8 · 31 min

    How Canada Wins at Alliances

    If a middle powers alliance could create a third pole of power to offset China and the United States, what would that look like in practical terms? What kind of alliance would enable Canada and other middle powers to thrive in a new world order? Host Stephen Marche catches up on Carney’s latest alliance-building moves with former Canadian Diplomat Colin Robertson, and learns from Anthony Dworkin of the European Council on Foreign Relations about how the EU has leaned on strategies like a trade bazooka and a unified defence strategy in Greenland. Featuring (in order of appearance): Ukaleq Slettemark, Colin Robertson and Anthony Dworkin Visit our website—gloves-off.ca—for more research behind the issues including an interactive map outlining the number of international agreements Canada has made since Carney took office and a explanation of variable geometry, both from the Canadian Shield Institute. Follow us on YouTube where you can watch our aftershow Cross Check that drops each Thursday with Vass Bednar and Jon Shell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • July 2 · 25 min

    Cross Check: The Rupture

    Gloves Off’s aftershow with Stephen Marche, Vass Bednar and Jon Shell. The trio dives deeper into the issues of each Gloves Off episode, bringing a mix of insight, expertise, and strong opinions (held at varying degrees) to their lively discussion. Canadian Shield Research: -Glossary of Trade War Jargon -U.S. Policy Shifts and Implications for Canada Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S2 · E1
    July 1 · 27 min

    The Rupture

    A clear eyed assessment of Mark Carney’s vision of middle powers creating a third pole of power, providing alternatives to a fraying reliance on the United States. Since his famous speech at Davos, he has been travelling the world meeting with likeminded politicians to shore up support. But the reception to his idea has raised doubts in Canada. Host Stephen Marche hears bipartisan caution from former Canadian Foreign Ministers Peter MacKay and John Manley, while former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull echoes a chorus of approval heard among many global leaders. Subscribe & follow us on YouTube where you can watch our aftershow Cross Check with Vass Bednar and Jon Shell Thursday. Also visit our website—gloves-off.ca—for more research behind the issues from the Canadian Shield Institute including its Glossary of Trade War Jargon and U.S. Policy Timeline Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • June 25 · 1 min

    The Gloves Come Off Again, Canada Day

    Gloves Off is about the threat to Canada’s sovereignty and how the country can thrive in the new world disorder. Because it’s not just about surviving as a nation. It’s about winning. Hosted by journalist and author Stephen Marche. The Gloves come off Canada Day, 2026. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and follow us on YouTube where you can watch our aftershow Cross Check with Vass Bednar and Jon Shell. Also visit our website—gloves-off.ca —for more research behind the issues from the Canadian Shield Institute. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E9
    Aug 19, 2025 · 27 min

    Stephen Marche & Margaret Atwood Extended Interview

    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.

  • S1 · E8
    Aug 12, 2025 · 38 min

    What Does The New Normal Look Like?

    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.

  • S1 · E7
    Aug 5, 2025 · 29 min

    How Do We Not Lose The Information War?

    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.

  • S1 · E6
    Jul 29, 2025 · 26 min

    How Do We Fight Back?

    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.

  • S1 · E5
    Jul 22, 2025 · 31 min

    How Do We Defend Ourselves?

    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.

  • S1 · E4
    Jul 15, 2025 · 24 min

    How Much Can We Learn from Ukraine?

    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.

  • S1 · E3
    Jul 8, 2025 · 30 min

    How Do We Not Go Broke?

    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.

  • S1 · E2
    Jul 1, 2025 · 27 min

    How Unprepared Are We?

    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.

  • S1 · E1
    Jul 1, 2025 · 29 min

    How Much Trouble Are We In?

    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.

Showing 21–34 of 34 episodes