Life in Toronto, under the microscope.
Petri Dish Politics is a solutions-first journalism podcast that covers Toronto and the local effects of big news. Petri Dish Politics is created and hosted by Sam Jabri-Pickett.
petridishpolitics.ca
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
The National Post Stokes Antisemitism (PLUS Krissan Veerasingam and the fight for Scarborough)
We're back for another episode, followed by an interview with Scarborough Centre city council candidate Krissan Veerasingam.
For questions or comments, feel free to reach out directly at sam@petridishpolitics.ca
29 Sept 2026
Brad Bradford brings AIPAC to Toronto
The podcast is back and Sam's talking about the Toronto Mayoral election. It's heating up and Chow is putting up a strong defence.
We are live on YouTube! Subscribe to support Petri Dish Politics, and for any comments or questions, or just words of encouragement, reach out to sam@petridishpolitics.ca
22 Sept 2026
Canada in the world w/ Michael Jabri-Pickett
I became a journalist in no small part because my dad is a journalist. Today, we're embarking on a new podcast about Canada's politics in the wider world.0:03 What is this podcast?4:05 The generational divide in journalism9:20 Canada in world news today13:50 Digital-first journalism19:05 Throwback to last week's interview25:00 How Sam feels about election canvassing29:06 What to do about politics if you're of a certain age?32:00 Canada in the EU outside the Trump context37:10 Michael: how performative is a Canada-EU deal?41:31 EU politics and the flailing of institutions46:18 The benefits of an EU deal51:12 The UAE, Dubai and usDon't forget to subscribe to Petri Dish Politics on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. For questions and comments, reach me at sam@petridishpolitics.ca
15 Sept 2026
Shannon Devine and the audacity of courage
After a much-awaited restoration of the NDP's share of the vote in the Beaches-East York byelection on August 31st, Sam Jabri-Pickett spoke with Shannon Devine about her candidacy, her politics, and how she finds the courage to keep going back to politics despite the losses.
8 Sept 2026
Patriotism ain't nationalism, dummy
Check out the essay I read that inspired this episode. https://2067journal.ca/social-patriotism-the-ndps-forgotten-tradition/
Reach me at sam@petridishpolitics.ca for any and all questions and comments.
2 Sept 2026
The NDP and the Art of Failure
Where is the NDP going with the Liberals in a majority? Listen and find out!
Don't forget to rate and review the podcast wherever you listen. For comments and questions, reach me at sam@petridishpolitics.ca
25 Aug 2026
The Future of Canada-US trade talks
What's going to happen with Canada-US trade? Sam tries to find out.
Subscribe to https://theoneandonlysamjabripickett.substack.com/ to support the podcast and independent journalism.
For questions or comments, reach out to sam@petridishpolitics.ca
And rate and review! Give the podcast stars and I'll read your review on the air!
18 Aug 2026
The Banker, the Beaches and Bonnie
The Ford government is at it again after spying on Bonnie Crombie, Carney's looking for billions from his banker buddies, and the BEY by-election is heating up!
Reach out to Sam at sam@petridishpolitics.ca with all your questions and concerns.
11 Aug 2026
Tolkien, Tariffs and Tories
Subscribe to Sam's substack to support the podcast! It helps us grow! https://theoneandonlysamjabripickett.substack.com/
Reach out with any questions or comments to sam@petridishpolitics.ca
4 Aug 2026
Orange on orange violence
The NDP has a real chance in the Beaches-East York by-election on August 31. Sign up to canvass with Shannon Devine https://www.shannondevine.ca/
Late upload this week, happy long weekend to all, and as always reach out to sam@petridishpolitics.ca for questions or comments.
28 Jul 2026
Elbows down? Carney surprises Ford with Billy Bishop expansion denial
My shortest episode yet? It was a light week for the podcast. To support me, independent journalism, subscribe to my substack.
https://theoneandonlysamjabripickett.substack.com/
If you have questions, comments, or just something to share, reach me via email at sam@petridishpolitics.ca
21 Jul 2026
The Failure of Canadian Climate Policy
This week on the podcast, Sam's diving into the provincial and federal responses to the ongoing wildfires in northern Ontario.
To support Petri Dish Politics, subscribe to Sam's substack. https://theoneandonlysamjabripickett.substack.com/
For questions and comments, reach out directly at sam@petridishpolitics.ca
14 Jul 2026
Doug's pipe dreams and Carney's incoherent foreign policy
Mark Carney continues his trend of foreign policy incoherence, Doug Ford wants to build a pipeline, and I learn about Sarnia's chemical valley.
To support the podcast and my journalism, follow me and subscribe on Substack! https://theoneandonlysamjabripickett.substack.com/
If you have questions or comments, reach me at sam@petridishpolitics.ca
7 Jul 2026
Andy Burnham, Zohran Mamdani and the future of leftist politics
Petri Dish Politics is back! This week I'm talking about Andy Burnham's ascent to Prime Minister of the UK, the rise of socialism in US politics, and what Canada and Toronto's leftists should take from these successes.
Subscribe to my substack to support the podcast and independent, progressive journalism https://theoneandonlysamjabripickett.substack.com/
25 Aug 2025
1. Guns in Toronto
Reporting on guns and gun violence in Toronto is hard. Government definitely doesn't want to talk to journalists, and victims are either too scared, too busy or too traumatized to share their experiences because most reporting done on their communities is sensational and focused only on the violence, not its causes.
There are resources available if you or someone you know has experienced gun violence and needs help.
For THRIVE at St. Michael's hospital Call (416) 360-4000
For BRAVE at Sunnybrook Hospital Call (416) 480-4246
The One by One Movement and Marcell Wilson https://www.theonebyonemovement.com/contact
For questions about this podcast, sam@petridishpolitics.ca
25 Jun 2025
Petri Dish Politics #0, Trailer
The host introduces Petri Dish Politics, a Toronto-focused podcast delivering authentic, holistic, and evidence-driven journalistic analysis, and outlines the plan to explore solutions journalism with experts.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Spotify
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 2 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
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
