Welcome In!
This is NOW and NEXT:
What’s happening NOW and how does that inform what’s happening NEXT?
Veteran journalist and “Recovering News Director”, Dave Trafford hosts and produces this weekly news commentary podcast. It offers made-in-Canada, independent, unique analysis of the current stories and issues affecting your family, your business, your health, and your pocketbook.
Based in Toronto, NOW and NEXT offers insights on local, provincial, national and international issues.
Regular contributors include our bi-weekly RoundTable with the Now and Next C.A.S.T (Comms and Strategy Team!)
Lindsay Broadhead brings her comms experience and insights base on her time leading teams in the private and public sectors.
Bob Reid applies his earned experience as a major market journalist and a Senior Advisor to the Premier of Ontario to his analysis of the communications "Touchdowns and Fumbles".
Anne Marie Aikins is a "media relations maven", a sought after pundit and speaker, and a strategic comms adviser specializing in public transit in Ontario.
NOW: You’re up to date.
NEXT: Subscribe to the podcast!
Much has been written and said about Lloyd Robertson since we heard the news of his passing on August 4, 2026.
He's renowned as the Most Trusted voice in Canadian jounalism, making his mark as the anchor or both the CBC and CTV national newscasts from 1970 to 2011.
He was more than a mentor for thousands of journalists and broadcasters over the course of his career. Lloyd set the gold standard for anchorss, editors, and reporters with his calm, collected, balanced editorial presentation style. His ethic informed the expectations of his audience, the expectation that he and his team put his audience at the centre of his story, his lineup, his production and his newscast. That was foundational to his profile as the most trusted Canadian.
I had the privilege of meeting Lloyd on a number of occassions during my 40 plus years in media. It was nerve wracking enough to learn that Lloyd listened to me!! He was a regular radio listener and I was oddly self conscious when he commented on reporting I had done on a recent story.
It was even more of a privilege, (and all the more nerve wracking), when I got to interview Lloyd on my radio show.
This edition of NOW and NEXT is an ARCHIVE highlight of one of those opportunities. I hope you enjoy hearing Lloyd in his own words.
You can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/@davetraffordpodcasts)(Be sure to subscribe!)
Follow Dave on Facebook (https://facebook.com/dave.trafford.5), Instagram (https://instagram.com/davetrafford), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-trafford-06584426/) and X (https://x.com/PodcastPWR)
And you can leave us a voice comment here (https://www.speakpipe.com/ontheledge)!
For more information go to Dave's website (https://davetrafford.com/index.html).
6 Aug 2026
Finding Grace - A Journey of Self Discovery with Rocco Rossi
What happens when you step away from the noise, the deadlines and the relentless pursuit of “what’s next” long enough to ask what actually matters?
Dave Trafford sits down with Rocco Rossi to explore Finding Grace (https://www.amazon.ca/Finding-Grace-Camino-Santiago-Story-ebook/dp/B0H37XH472), Rossi’s first novel and a story shaped by more than two decades of walking the Camino de Santiago. Rossi has completed 24 Caminos and roughly 15,000 kilometres of pilgrimage since his first journey in 2002.
Their conversation moves between the remarkable history of the Camino and the deeply personal questions at the centre of Rossi’s novel. Finding Grace follows Tony Bird — Anthony Aucello — a successful corporate executive whose life is shattered by tragedy. When an unexpected act of kindness connects him to the Camino, he begins a journey that forces him to reconsider success, loss, identity, relationships and what he wants from the rest of his life.
Rossi explains why the Camino remains powerful in an age of smartphones, doomscrolling and constant distraction. Long-distance walking creates something increasingly scarce: stillness. For Rossi, the Camino isn’t magical in itself. Rather, it creates the time and space for people to rediscover what may already exist within them.
The discussion also explores the Camino tradition of Vicarie Pro — walking on behalf of another person — and the real-life experience that helped inspire Rossi’s relationship with that tradition.
Ultimately, this is a conversation about pilgrimage as a metaphor for life: stripping away distractions, recognizing the grace already around us and figuring out how to carry those lessons home.
Chapters
00:00 — Introduction: Rocco Rossi, Finding Grace and 24 Caminos
Dave introduces Rossi, his new novel and his extraordinary history walking the Camino de Santiago.
05:42 — Chipping Away What Isn’t You
The Camino as a process of stripping away distraction and rediscovering the authentic self.
15:05 — Why the Camino Matters in the Age of Doomscrolling
Rossi discusses the dramatic growth of Camino pilgrimage and why people increasingly seek stillness and disconnection.
23:35 — Finding Grace and Walking for Someone Else
The novel’s central characters lead into the centuries-old Vicari Pro tradition of walking the Camino on behalf of others.
32:17 — The Real-Life Story Behind Rossi’s Camino Journey
Rossi recounts Mary Catherine Kempton’s death on the Camino and why he returned to walk in her name.
41:45 — The Camino Begins When the Camino Ends
Re-entry, resilience, finding direction without signposts and why Rossi chose fiction rather than memoir.
You can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/@davetraffordpodcasts)(Be sure to subscribe!)
Follow Dave on Facebook (https://facebook.com/dave.trafford.5), Instagram (https://instagram.com/davetrafford), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-trafford-06584426/) and X (https://x.com/PodcastPWR)
And you can leave us a voice comment here (https://www.speakpipe.com/ontheledge)!
For more information go to Dave's website (https://davetrafford.com/index.html).
10 Jun 2026
Can Toronto Sell the World Cup? Plus Recession Politics and Alberta’s Growing Frustration
Toronto is preparing to host one of the biggest sporting events in the world, but are Canadians buying into the vision?
This week on Now and Next, Dave Trafford is joined by the C.A.S.T. (Communications and Strategy Team), Lindsay Broadhead, Anne Marie Aikins and Bob Reid for a wide-ranging discussion about the stories shaping public opinion across Canada.
The panel examines the communications challenge surrounding the FIFA World Cup as Toronto and Vancouver prepare to welcome the world. With costs exceeding a billion dollars, have organizers done enough to explain the long-term benefits and legacy of hosting the tournament? What lessons can be learned from the Pan Am Games and previous global events?
The conversation then turns to Canada’s technical recession and the federal government’s response. Did Prime Minister Mark Carney miss an opportunity to connect with Canadians struggling with affordability concerns? The team explores the difference between economic analysis and political leadership when public confidence is on the line.
The discussion also dives into Alberta separatism and Pierre Poilievre’s evolving message on federalism. Is he repositioning himself as a national unifier while still addressing regional frustrations? And what does the debate reveal about the future relationship between Ottawa and the provinces?
The episode concludes with reflections on Toronto’s Walk for Israel, the challenges facing civic leaders during polarizing moments, and the role communications strategies play when communities are looking for reassurance, clarity and leadership.
Now and Next is where communications, politics, public affairs and strategy intersect to help make sense of the issues shaping what comes next.
Chapters
00:00 – Introduction and Tax Freedom Day
Dave welcomes the C.A.S.T. panel and previews the major issues on the agenda.
01:00 – World Cup Costs, Legacy and Public Buy-In
The panel examines the billion-dollar cost of hosting FIFA World Cup matches and debates whether organizers have effectively communicated long-term benefits for Toronto and Canada.
16:30 – Technical Recession and Carney’s Communications Challenge
A discussion about Canada’s technical recession, economic anxiety, and whether the Prime Minister missed an opportunity to connect emotionally with Canadians facing financial pressures.
25:50 – Alberta Separatism and Poilievre’s Political Repositioning
The team analyzes Pierre Poilievre’s response to Alberta separatist sentiment and the broader debate over federalism, provincial powers, and national unity.
38:00 – Walk for Israel, Leadership and Public Silence
Reflections on the peaceful Walk for Israel in Toronto, rising concerns about antisemitism, police preparedness, and whether civic leaders should speak more forcefully during difficult moments.
51:40 – Looking Ahead to Toronto’s Future
The panel closes with a teaser for a future discussion inspired by ideas about what they would do if they were mayor of Toronto.
You can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/@davetraffordpodcasts)(Be sure to subscribe!)
Follow Dave on Facebook (https://facebook.com/dave.trafford.5), Instagram (https://instagram.com/davetrafford), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-trafford-06584426/) and X (https://x.com/PodcastPWR)
And you can leave us a voice comment here (https://www.speakpipe.com/ontheledge)!
For more information go to <a...
Who has been a guest on NOW and NEXT
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Anne-Marie Aikins
Lindsay Broadhead
Bob Reid
Scott Clancy
Anne Marie Aikins
Podcast Authority Score: 53 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
92
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
Contact NOW and NEXT
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Questions about NOW and NEXT
Who hosts NOW and NEXT?
Dave Trafford host the show. Published by Dave Trafford.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes monthly, based on its RSS feed.
Does NOW and NEXT take guests?
The show does not typically feature guests, based on episode analyses.
Host of NOW and NEXT?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
