American aggression has put Canada into an existential crisis, with most of us too worried about threats to our sovereignty to focus on our own laundry list of critical issues we must tackle. Our politicians are unable or unwilling to have these important conversations, so we must.
Join independent journalists Dave Kaufman and Andrew Berkshire as they ask the questions our leaders and institutions fail to address, enlisting the help and perspectives from experts and advocates across the country.
Clearing the Benches is where you will find Canadians unafraid to ask why, and undaunted in exploring bold, transformative change so that our neighbours and communities can thrive going forward.
If our leaders won't lay out a long term vision for the people of this land, we will do our best to help your find yours.
Join us as we leave no stone unturned, honestly examining the landscape and potential future we can build together.
Andrew Berkshire and Dave Kaufman are joined by Claire Trottier from Patriotic Millionaires to talk about the biggest issue facing both Canada and the world right now, the extreme gap in wealth distribution between the rich and poor.
Topics
Being born wealthy
Unfairness of the system
Obfuscating well-paid working class with the wealthy
How to tax wealth
Fear of capital flight
Does philanthropy work?
Instability is driven by inequality
Normalizing monetizing your attention
Follow the hosts on Bluesky
https://bsky.app/profile/berkshire.bsky.social
https://bsky.app/profile/davekaufman.bsky.social
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Claire Trottier is a scientist, former professor of microbiology, and a passionate advocate for the wealthy paying their fair share into society. She works with Patriotic Millionaires (https://patrioticmillionaires.ca/about-us) and several other organizations to work towards a better, more equitable future for all.
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Clearing the Benches is a high concept Canadian political discussion show, where Dave Kaufman (The Kaufman Show) and Andrew Berkshire (Game Over Network) put their heads and rolodexes together in an attempt to discuss ideas and concepts that are being missed in legacy media coverage.
Subscribe. rate the show, and tell your friends about it.
---
Check out Game Over Network (https://www.thegameovernetwork,com/) if you're into hockey! https://www.thegameovernetwork.com
---
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clearing-the-benches/id1809780678
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5CNfnD5a8v8kO9SInrvJoo?si=2edf706bc0454059
Amazon: https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/19e5a278-9270-4426-82b2-cb9006afb12e/clearing-the-benches
19 Sept 2025
BONUS - Things are heavy, let's talk about it
Andrew Berkshire and Dave Kaufman get together to chat about how crazy everything is right now, and what to think about it.
Most importantly, it's important to take your little joyful moments where you can.
19 Aug 2025
What art tells us about ourselves - with Max Kerman of Arkells
Andrew Berkshire and Dave Kaufman are joined by Max Kerman, the lead singer of Arkells to talk about Canadian art in the modern age. How important is supporting artists as Canada faces new challenges? We'd argue; instrumental. We also talk about Max's first book; Try Hard
Topics
Purpose and artistic creation
The process of growing as an artist in Canada
How AI is affecting arts and culture
Feeling the pulse of Canada
Art as connection
Bridging generational divides through art
Follow the hosts on Bluesky
https://bsky.app/profile/berkshire.bsky.social
https://bsky.app/profile/davekaufman.bsky.social
---
Max Kerman is the lead singer of Canadian band Arkells, and wrote a book about his creative journey called Try Hard. Buy it here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/744570/try-hard-by-max-kerman/9780735248854 (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/744570/try-hard-by-max-kerman/9780735248854)
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Clearing the Benches is a high concept Canadian political discussion show, where Dave Kaufman (The Kaufman Show) and Andrew Berkshire (Game Over Network) put their heads and rolodexes together in an attempt to discuss ideas and concepts that are being missed in legacy media coverage.
Subscribe. rate the show, and tell your friends about it.
---
Check out Game Over Network (https://www.thegameovernetwork,com/) if you're into hockey! https://www.thegameovernetwork.com
---
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clearing-the-benches/id1809780678
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5CNfnD5a8v8kO9SInrvJoo?si=2edf706bc0454059
Amazon: https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/19e5a278-9270-4426-82b2-cb9006afb12e/clearing-the-benches
1 Aug 2025
BONUS - Canada to recognize Palestine's statehood
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has followed the leadership of Emmanuel Macron from France and Kier Stormer from the United Kingdom in cautiously announcing the intention to recognize Palestine as a state amid the ongoing genocide executed by Israel, with the help and funding of the West.
Andrew Berkshire and Dave Kaufman talk through difficult topics regarding Canada's part in the genocide in Gaza, what it means to recognize Palestine as a state, breaking the programming we receive growing up whether Jewish or not, and the fallout with the USA if Canada goes this route.
Follow the hosts on Bluesky
https://bsky.app/profile/berkshire.bsky.social
https://bsky.app/profile/davekaufman.bsky.social
https://bsky.app/profile/steveboots.bsky.social
---
Clearing the Benches is a high concept Canadian political discussion show, where Dave Kaufman (The Kaufman Show) and Andrew Berkshire (Game Over Network) put their heads and rolodexes together in an attempt to discuss ideas and concepts that are being missed in legacy media coverage.
Subscribe. rate the show, and tell your friends about it.
---
Check out Game Over Network (https://www.thegameovernetwork,com/) if you're into hockey! https://www.thegameovernetwork.com
---
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clearing-the-benches/id1809780678
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5CNfnD5a8v8kO9SInrvJoo?si=2edf706bc0454059
Amazon: https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/19e5a278-9270-4426-82b2-cb9006afb12e/clearing-the-benches
22 Jul 2025
Carney Caving to Trump - With Taylor Noakes
Andrew Berkshire and Dave Kaufman are joined by Taylor Noakes, independent journalist and public historian who refuses to sugarcoat reality, but continually sees through an optimist's lens. We're talking about Mark Carney's actions as Prime Minister compared to the mandate he was elected to serve.
Topics
Belated Canada Day thoughts - (00:00)
Digital Service Tax being dropped - (02:18)
Canada acting weaker than we are - (09:16)
What happened to "Canada is not for sale"? - (19:11)
Opportunity exists in crisis - (28:15)
Spending on the future - (39:16)
NDP must learn to listen first - (50:35)
Our history has solutions - (59:35)
Follow the hosts and Taylor on Bluesky
https://bsky.app/profile/berkshire.bsky.social
https://bsky.app/profile/davekaufman.bsky.social
https://bsky.app/profile/taylornoakes.com
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Taylor Noakes is one of Canada's most intrepid journalists covering a wide range of topics. Find his work on his website: https://taylornoakes.com/ (https://taylornoakes.com/)
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Clearing the Benches is a high concept Canadian political discussion show, where Dave Kaufman (The Kaufman Show) and Andrew Berkshire (Game Over Network) put their heads and rolodexes together in an attempt to discuss ideas and concepts that are being missed in legacy media coverage.
Subscribe. rate the show, and tell your friends about it.
---
Check out Game Over Network (https://www.thegameovernetwork,com/) if you're into hockey! https://www.thegameovernetwork.com
---
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clearing-the-benches/id1809780678
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5CNfnD5a8v8kO9SInrvJoo?si=2edf706bc0454059
Amazon: https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/19e5a278-9270-4426-82b2-cb9006afb12e/clearing-the-benches
16 Jun 2025
Canadian Security & Should we build Nukes? - with Julian Spencer-Churchill
Hosts Andrew Berkshire and Dave Kaufman interview Dr. Julian Spencer-Churchill about the feasibility, rationale, and vulnerabilities surrounding Canada potentially developing nuclear weapons for defense against the United States.
26 May 2025
Corporate Control in Canada - With Nora Loreto
Nora Loreto discusses corporate control's impact on Canada's social safety net, healthcare, education, and housing with hosts Andrew Berkshire and Dave Kaufman in an interview.
16 May 2025
BONUS - Steve Boots on Mark Carney's Cabinet
Prime Minister Mark Carney has named his cabinet after winning the Canadian federal election and forming a minority government. Some positions that were dropped pre-election are back, things are shuffled around, so what are Canadiens supposed to take away from this?
To help figure that out, educator, former teacher, and Canadian politics content creator Steve Boots joins Andrew Berkshire for quick bonus run through the cabinet appointees.
Why is there a minister of AI but not a full minister for labour? Is the housing file in good hands? What should Canadians take away from the more progressive wing of the Liberal caucus being essentially tossed out of cabinet?
Follow the hosts and Steve on Bluesky
https://bsky.app/profile/berkshire.bsky.social
https://bsky.app/profile/davekaufman.bsky.social
https://bsky.app/profile/steveboots.bsky.social
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Steve Boots is a citizen journalist with a background in education, he takes a nuanced look at Canadian politics and news basically daily on his youtube (https://www.youtube.com/@Steve_Boots) and twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/steve_boots) channels.
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Clearing the Benches is a high concept Canadian political discussion show, where Dave Kaufman (The Kaufman Show) and Andrew Berkshire (Game Over Network) put their heads and rolodexes together in an attempt to discuss ideas and concepts that are being missed in legacy media coverage.
Subscribe. rate the show, and tell your friends about it.
---
Check out Game Over Network (https://www.thegameovernetwork,com/) if you're into hockey! https://www.thegameovernetwork.com
---
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clearing-the-benches/id1809780678
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5CNfnD5a8v8kO9SInrvJoo?si=2edf706bc0454059
Amazon: https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/19e5a278-9270-4426-82b2-cb9006afb12e/clearing-the-benches
Read less
9 May 2025
The Canadian Political Landscape - With Erica Ifill
The brilliant and bold journalist Erica Ifill joins Dave Kaufman & Andrew Berkshire on Clearing the Benches to talk about the Canadian political landscape.
Topics
Prime Minister Mark Carney's handling of Donald Trump.
Is the root cause of far-right politics as simple as misogyny?
The pathway from Nationalism to racism
Borders are bullsh*t
The political choice of AI
An examination of what the NDP could do to move forward.
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Follow the hosts and Erica on Bluesky
https://bsky.app/profile/berkshire.bsky.social
https://bsky.app/profile/davekaufman.bsky.social
https://bsky.app/profile/wickdchiq.bsky.social
---
Erica Ifill is an award winning Canadian political columnist, economist, and host of the Bad + Bitchy Podcast (https://www.badandbitchy.com/).
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Clearing the Benches is a high concept Canadian political discussion show, where Dave Kaufman (The Kaufman Show) and Andrew Berkshire (Game Over Network) put their heads and rolodexes together in an attempt to discuss ideas and concepts that are being missed in legacy media coverage.
Subscribe. rate the show, and tell your friends about it.
---
Check out Game Over Network (https://www.thegameovernetwork,com) if you're into hockey! https://www.thegameovernetwork.com
---
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clearing-the-benches/id1809780678
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5CNfnD5a8v8kO9SInrvJoo?si=2edf706bc0454059
Amazon: https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/19e5a278-9270-4426-82b2-cb9006afb12e/clearing-the-benches
30 Apr 2025
BONUS - Canadian Election Reaction
Dave Kaufman and Andrew Berkshire got together for a zoom call the day after Mark Carney's Liberal Party of Canada won a minority government in a general election.
While Pierre Poilievre was soundly defeated in terms of seats, the popular vote showed some worrying signs for the country.
Dave & Andrew have a quick chat about where we are as a country, and what the next steps might be.
25 Apr 2025
Can Canada achieve reconciliation? - With Waubgeshig Rice
For the debut episode of Clearing the Benches, Dave Kaufman (https://bsky.app/profile/davekaufman.bsky.social) and Andrew Berkshire (https://bsky.app/profile/berkshire.bsky.social) talked to author, father, husband, Maple Leafs fan, all around excellent human Waubgeshig Rice (https://bsky.app/profile/waub.bsky.social) about the vastly different context of Trump's threats to Canadian sovereignty for Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island.
Topics
The feelings of Indigenous peoples to American threats are a little different for a lot of reasons.
Truth and Reconciliation: Canada's plodding march along the 94 calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and whether achieving reconciliation is even possible in Canada.
Do things like land acknowledgements and Orange Shirt Day move the needle?
Reckoning with the continual violence of Canada's colonialism.
If we listen to Indigenous people, than we build a better world amidst the chaos involved in the rise of fascism?
If Waub could snap his fingers and implement any policy in Canada immediately, what would he do?
What does Land Back actually mean?
Can Canadians on the margins trust a Goldman Sachs banker as Prime Minister in Mark Carney?
And finally... Is Canada worth saving?
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Waubgeshig Rice is the author of acclaimed novels Moon of the Crusted Snow, and Moon of the Turning Leafs, which you can find in bookstores and libraries across Canada. If you're interested, we have a little bonus episode dropping soon where we discussed Moon of the Crusted Snow and it’s themes with Waub.
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Clearing the Benches is a high concept Canadian political discussion show, where Dave Kaufman (The Kaufman Show) and Andrew Berkshire (Game Over Network) put their heads and rolodexes together in an attempt to discuss ideas and concepts that are being missed in legacy media coverage.
Subscribe. rate the show, and tell your friends about it.
---
Read Dave's column on The Battle for Mount Royal: https://therover.ca/the-battle-for-mount-royal/
---
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clearing-the-benches/id1809780678
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5CNfnD5a8v8kO9SInrvJoo?si=2edf706bc0454059
Amazon: https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/19e5a278-9270-4426-82b2-cb9006afb12e/clearing-the-benches
11 Apr 2025
Introduction - Asking the big questions for Canadians
Dave Kaufman and Andrew Berkshire introduce the premise of the show; to address the actual problems we face in Canadian society that Donald Trump and the rise of fascism have distracted us from. Yes, it's scary, but we know you can walk and chew gum at the same time.
Join us for an exploration of Canadian identity, as we try to create a vision for a better country moving forward.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
431,850
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Spotify
4.8 / 5
4 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 44 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
43
Social presence
0
YouTube
82
Engagement
32
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