School of Hip

About School of Hip

School of Hip: A Different Kind’a Tragically Hip Podcast follows two hosts from opposite sides of the border as they dive deep into the music, history, and mythology of one of Canada’s most beloved bands. Chaz Charles — an American who first stumbled onto The Tragically Hip in the ’90s when they opened for Page & Plant — is finally taking the full journey through the band’s catalogue. Guiding him is Heath McCoy, a Canadian rock journalist who grew up with The Hip woven into the fabric of his country’s culture. Together, they explore every era, every album, and every track: the stories behind the songs, the legacy of Gord Downie, the cultural moments, the live performances, the deep cuts, and the impact The Hip left on fans across the world. It’s part discovery, part nostalgia, part education — and all heart. Whether you're a lifelong Hip fan or coming in fresh, this podcast is your bi-weekly class in all things Tragically Hip. Class is in session. Join us. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Publisher

Heath McCoy & Chaz Charles

Category

music · music · music

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

16 Nov 2025

Latest episode

29 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

22 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   29 Sept 2026

   Music @ Work (2000) Side B with Roving Rock Fan Nicole Fortin

   In this episode of School of Hip (https://bonelesspodcasting.com/shows/school-of-hip) Chaz and Heath are joined by acupuncturist, Chinese medicine practitioner and roving rock fan Nicole Fortin for a deep dive through Side B of the Tragically Hip’s first album for the new millennium, 2000’s Music @ Work. Their freewheeling conversation takes us to Birmingham, England, where Nicole journeyed to see the Black Sabbath / Ozzy Osbourne farewell concert on July 5, 2025, less than three weeks before Ozzy died. This is but one of her rock pilgrimages as she’s taken in punk and metal festivals all over North America and Europe. Meanwhile, she and Chaz become fast friends over Nicole’s spirit band, the recently reunited Rush, whom she traveled to Chicago to see this summer. As a Canadian Millennial, Nicole’s never known a world without the Tragically Hip, but she recalls the moment when she first became a true fan, when she saw them live on the World Container tour in 2007, blown away by the eccentric, electric performance of late frontman Gord Downie. Heath, who was a budding music journalist for the Calgary Herald when Music @ Work was released, shares his own writings from the time with reviews of the album, the Hip’s gig at Calgary’s Saddledome, and an interview with drummer Johnny Fay. M@W Side B is a mixed bag packing two carnivores and their human feasts (The Bear and Sharks), tender folk balladry (Toronto #4 and As I Wind Down the Pines) and the rockers (Freak Turbulence, Wild Mountain Honey, Train Overnight). Some of it lands beautifully, some less so as Gord seems increasingly out of step with his fellow Hipsters. We ask the question: “Was Gord bored?” For further exploration: For more about Nicole Fortin check out her podcast, The Language of Healing (https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-language-of-healing/id1569765488). School of Hip is a proud part of the burgeoning empire that is the Boneless Podcasting Network (https://bonelesspodcasting.com/). Listen there, or find us on iTunes, Spotify, Acast and other podcasting platforms. Please subscribe, review and give us five stars reviews to spike those algorithms, helping us grow our beloved show! Reach out to us on our School of Hip Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/871715082174230) or on our School of Hip Discord (https://discord.com/channels/1439693349735891067/1494768045988511844) and watch for our posts in the awesome Reddit Tragically Hip (https://www.reddit.com/r/TragicallyHip/) community. Also: The Never-Ending Present: The Story of Gord Downie and the Tragically Hip by Michael Barclay. (https://www.amazon.ca/Never-Ending-Present-Story-Downie-Tragically/dp/1770414363) https://www.hipmuseum.com/ (https://www.hipmuseum.com/) https://hipbase.com/ (https://hipbase.com/) https://thehip.com/ (https://thehip.com/) Chaz Charles (https://bonelesspodcasting.com/hosts/chaz-charles) is the founder of the Boneless Podcasting Network, currently hosting five fantastic shows (and appearing in many more!) Heath McCoy (https://bonelesspodcasting.com/hosts/heath-mccoy) is the author of Pain and Passion: The History of Stampede Wrestling, available on Amazon.ca (https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.ca%2FPain-Passion-History-Stampede-Wrestling%2Fdp%2F1550227874&data=05%7C02%7C%7C756b783dd0074928bbb908de451b4585%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639024180589609986%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=JyfgDoW2XHOH7b4n9rcUINpKUawxVL1cGoUQ74bYeDw%3D&reserved=0) and at ECW Press. (https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fecwpress.com%2Fproducts%2Fpain-and-passion&data=05%7C02%7C%7C756b783dd0074928bbb908de451b4585%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639024180589631596%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=sFCeSTTfkLMKrKpWPXnbO7vRX4B0GIv2j665s34%2ByM8%3D&reserved=0) (https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fecwpress.com%2Fproducts%2Fpain-and-passion&data=05%7C02%7C%7C756b783dd0074928bbb908de451b4585%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639024180589651842%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Ph%2Fgf64SksmBgeyytyeSkoXMfzMYxX3fXmXpLpPjGVo%3D&reserved=0)He appears in the award winningdocumentary Singhs in the Ring (https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dstov_H3uWbI&data=05%7C02%7C%7C756b783dd0074928bbb908de451b4585%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639024180589671523%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=%2FE4msKy%2Fze7rM2PGpSQN2w9Ta%2FVrwSjaz%2Bz5LAE0Aqw%3D&reserved=0) on Crave TV and he too pops up in many a Boneless show. And once again, to all you rock n’ roll podcast lovers .... GO BONELESS! (https://bonelesspodcasting.com/) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

2. 

   14 Sept 2026

   Music @ Work (2000) Side A With Podcast Legend Sean McGinity

   In this episode of School of Hip (https://bonelesspodcasting.com/shows/school-of-hip) Chaz and Heath welcome returning guest Sean McGinity (https://bonelesspodcasting.com/hosts/sean-mcginity) of the SeanGeek and FastFret Podcast (https://bonelesspodcasting.com/shows/seangeek-and-fastfret-podcast) as they return to the class’s regular curriculum after a summer of specially themed classes / episodes. Now it’s back to Hip album reviews as the band enters the new millennium with Music @ Work. After a bit o’ Hip news, looking at the band’s partnership with the Canadian Football League for a limited edition of Hip / CFL branded t-shirts and hoodies, the lads then dive deep into Side A of M@W. With an artistically restless Gord Downie pushing the band in new directions both live and in the studio the frictions yield some rewarding results, including the catchy (if overly repetitive) title track, the trippy campfire folk of Lake Fever, and the uncharacteristically heavy Tiger the Lion, its eerie cello intro descending into a slow Sabbath-like stomp. But are we also finding glimmers of Gord’s growing frustration within the lyrics. Are we hearing alienation between Gord and his Hip-mates on their delivery from both sides? Whether you’re a lifelong Hip fan or just curious about what makes this band so iconic in Canada, School of Hip is your guide to the sounds and the story of the Tragically Hip, one album side per episode. Episodes drop every two weeks.  For further exploration:  School of Hip is a proud part of the burgeoning empire that is the Boneless Podcasting Network (https://bonelesspodcasting.com/). Listen there, or find us on iTunes, Spotify, Acast and other podcasting platforms. Please subscribe, review and give us five stars reviews to spike those algorithms, helping us grow our beloved show! Reach out to us on our School of Hip Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/871715082174230) or on our School of Hip Discord (https://discord.com/channels/1439693349735891067/1494768045988511844) and watch for our posts in the awesome Reddit Tragically Hip (https://www.reddit.com/r/TragicallyHip/) community. Also: The Never-Ending Present: The Story of Gord Downie and the Tragically Hip by Michael Barclay. (https://www.amazon.ca/Never-Ending-Present-Story-Downie-Tragically/dp/1770414363)  https://www.hipmuseum.com/ (https://www.hipmuseum.com/) https://hipbase.com/ (https://hipbase.com/) https://thehip.com/ (https://thehip.com/) Chaz Charles (https://bonelesspodcasting.com/hosts/chaz-charles) is the founder of the Boneless Podcasting Network, currently hosting five fantastic shows (and appearing in many more!) Heath McCoy (https://bonelesspodcasting.com/hosts/heath-mccoy) is the author of Pain and Passion: The History of Stampede Wrestling, available on Amazon.ca (https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.ca%2FPain-Passion-History-Stampede-Wrestling%2Fdp%2F1550227874&data=05%7C02%7C%7C756b783dd0074928bbb908de451b4585%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639024180589609986%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=JyfgDoW2XHOH7b4n9rcUINpKUawxVL1cGoUQ74bYeDw%3D&reserved=0) and at ECW Press. (https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fecwpress.com%2Fproducts%2Fpain-and-passion&data=05%7C02%7C%7C756b783dd0074928bbb908de451b4585%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639024180589631596%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=sFCeSTTfkLMKrKpWPXnbO7vRX4B0GIv2j665s34%2ByM8%3D&reserved=0)  (https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fecwpress.com%2Fproducts%2Fpain-and-passion&data=05%7C02%7C%7C756b783dd0074928bbb908de451b4585%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639024180589651842%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Ph%2Fgf64SksmBgeyytyeSkoXMfzMYxX3fXmXpLpPjGVo%3D&reserved=0)He appears in the award winningdocumentary Singhs in the Ring (https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dstov_H3uWbI&data=05%7C02%7C%7C756b783dd0074928bbb908de451b4585%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639024180589671523%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=%2FE4msKy%2Fze7rM2PGpSQN2w9Ta%2FVrwSjaz%2Bz5LAE0Aqw%3D&reserved=0) on Crave TV and he too pops up in many a Boneless show. And once again, to all you rock n’ roll podcast lovers .... GO BONELESS! (https://bonelesspodcasting.com/) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

3. 

   31 Aug 2026

   Summer Session 3: Courage Under Pressure...The Hip, Rush & Carrying On

   In this episode of School of Hip (https://bonelesspodcasting.com/shows/school-of-hip) Chaz and Heath discuss the CBC’s 10th anniversary rebroadcast of the Tragically Hip’s incredible (nay, Herculean), final concert on Aug. 20, 2016, in front of the band’s hometown crowd in Kingston, Ontario. As a sincere Canada lovin’ American experiencing the show for the first time, Chaz is moved by the country’s outpouring of love for Gord Downie, who showed up a warrior while facing his terminal diagnosis. Indeed, with watch parties across the country, people who were moved the first time found themselves emotional all over again a decade later (like Heath’s girlfriend, a mess of tears as they watched). The rebroadcast and accompanying live album marked a landmark in Hip history. But they weren’t the only legendary Canadian band to experience a landmark summer. How about Rush, who hit the stage for the first time in over a decade embarking on a massive, hugely successful tour with drummer Anika Nilles, not replacing the irreplaceable Neil Peart, but rather recreating those impossible beats in a new version of the band. As co-host of the Rush Rash podcast Chaz knows a little something about Rush so he and Heath compare that band with the Hip as the two pillars of Canadian rock. Despite vast differences in their music, the two bands also have a whole lot in common from daringly literate lyricists to stubborn defiance against their own record companies as they each followed their unique musical visions unwaveringly. Whether you’re a lifelong Hip fan or just curious about what makes this band so iconic in Canada, School of Hip is your guide to the sounds and the story of the Tragically Hip, one album side per episode. Episodes drop every two weeks.  For further exploration:  School of Hip is a proud part of the burgeoning empire that is the Boneless Podcasting Network (https://bonelesspodcasting.com/). Listen there, or find us on iTunes, Spotify, Acast and other podcasting platforms. Please subscribe, rate and review. Five-star reviews help to spike those algorithms and grow our beloved show! Reach out to us on our School of Hip Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/871715082174230) or on our School of Hip Discord (https://discord.com/channels/1439693349735891067/1494768045988511844) and watch for our posts in the awesome Reddit Tragically Hip (https://www.reddit.com/r/TragicallyHip/) community. Also: Rush Rash With Chaz N Shatz (https://bonelesspodcasting.com/shows/rush-rash-with-chaz-n-schatz) The Never-Ending Present: The Story of Gord Downie and the Tragically Hip by Michael Barclay. (https://www.amazon.ca/Never-Ending-Present-Story-Downie-Tragically/dp/1770414363)  https://www.hipmuseum.com/ (https://www.hipmuseum.com/) https://hipbase.com/ (https://hipbase.com/) https://thehip.com/ (https://thehip.com/) This summer play along with The Tragically Hip Song Bracket (https://challonge.com/i1k442mw) to determine the Hip’s best song. Chaz Charles (https://bonelesspodcasting.com/hosts/chaz-charles) is the founder of the Boneless Podcasting Network, currently hosting five fantastic shows (and appearing in many more!) Heath McCoy (https://bonelesspodcasting.com/hosts/heath-mccoy) is the author of Pain and Passion: The History of Stampede Wrestling, available on Amazon.ca (https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.ca%2FPain-Passion-History-Stampede-Wrestling%2Fdp%2F1550227874&data=05%7C02%7C%7C756b783dd0074928bbb908de451b4585%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639024180589609986%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=JyfgDoW2XHOH7b4n9rcUINpKUawxVL1cGoUQ74bYeDw%3D&reserved=0) and at ECW Press. (https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fecwpress.com%2Fproducts%2Fpain-and-passion&data=05%7C02%7C%7C756b783dd0074928bbb908de451b4585%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639024180589631596%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=sFCeSTTfkLMKrKpWPXnbO7vRX4B0GIv2j665s34%2ByM8%3D&reserved=0)  (https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fecwpress.com%2Fproducts%2Fpain-and-passion&data=05%7C02%7C%7C756b783dd0074928bbb908de451b4585%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639024180589651842%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Ph%2Fgf64SksmBgeyytyeSkoXMfzMYxX3fXmXpLpPjGVo%3D&reserved=0)He appears in the award winning documentary Singhs in the Ring (https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dstov_H3uWbI&data=05%7C02%7C%7C756b783dd0074928bbb908de451b4585%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639024180589671523%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=%2FE4msKy%2Fze7rM2PGpSQN2w9Ta%2FVrwSjaz%2Bz5LAE0Aqw%3D&reserved=0) on Crave TV (https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.crave.ca%2Fen&data=05%7C02%7C%7C756b783dd0074928bbb908de451b4585%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639024180589690886%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=QhijVJNNx4QhUZ6HwHtQczyKt6Wi1k%2BHgsrhLb0HReE%3D&reserved=0). And once again, to all you rock n’ roll podcast lovers .... GO BONELESS! (https://bonelesspodcasting.com/) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Contact School of Hip

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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