Canada needs a news criticism podcast now more than ever. Thankfully, The Catch has got you covered. Join award-winning independent journalist Scott Martin every week as he breaks down the latest news media nonsense. Punching through the noise, The North State tackles how news media frames issues, omits information and pushes the status quo.
Go to readthecatch.ca (https://readthecatch.ca/about/) to support the show.
The North State is a proud member of the Harbinger Media Network. Visit Harbinger (https://harbingermedianetwork.com/) for more progressive Canadian podcasts.
Artwork: Zo, Studio Bonjourhi (https://www.studiobonjourhi.ca/)
Theme Music: “Vigilante” by Cross Dog (https://www.crossdogisaband.com/)
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How News Media Made Danielle Smith ft. Jeremy Appel
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has had a rollercoaster ride of a political career. Moving from news media to Wildrose Party leader, to disgraced floor-crosser, back to news media and then to leader of the province, her far-right populism has been key to her political success. But where would smith be without the platform provided by Canada's news corporations? Jeremy Appel, independent journalist behind The Orchard and author of the new book Dark Phoenix: The Rise, Fall, and Re-emergence of Danielle Smith joins Scott to discuss the fundamental role that news outlets played in getting Smith to lead the province of Alberta.
Check out Dark Phoenix: The Rise, Fall, and Re-emergence of Danielle Smith (https://www.dundurn.com/books_/t22117/a9781459757240-dark-phoenix)
Check out The Orchard (https://www.readtheorchard.org/)
Follow Jeremy on Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/readtheorchard.org)
Follow Scott on Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/youcaughtscott.com)
Sources and further reading:
https://readthecatch.ca/how-news-media-made-danielle-smith-ft-jeremy-appel
Artwork by Zo at Studio Bonjourhi (https://www.studiobonjourhi.ca/)
Intro Music: Vigilante (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97RnLaKc0sI) - Cross Dog
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
8 Oct 2026
Canada and Vietnam... BFFs? ft. Mike Tatarski
Tô Lâm, president and general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam visited Canada on September 24. It was Canada's first official state visit of 2026 and the first time Canada welcomed a Vietnamese president to the country. Though the visit largely flew under the radar, the visit signalled a new chapter in Canada-Vietnam relations. Why did arch-capitalist Prime Minister Mark Carney build a bridge with communist Vietnam? Mike Tatarski, Ho Chi Minh-based independent journalist behind the Vietnam Weekly podcast and newsletter, joins Scott to discuss Vietnam's geopolitical approach, their response to Trump tariffs and what this visit means for both countries moving forward.
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Check out Vietnam Weekly (https://thevietnamweekly.substack.com/)
Follow Mike on Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/miketatarski.bsky.social)
Follow Scott on Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/youcaughtscott.com)
Sources and further reading:
https://readthecatch.ca/canada-and-vietnam-bffs-ft-mike-tatarski-podcast
Artwork by Zo at Studio Bonjourhi (https://www.studiobonjourhi.ca/)
Intro Music: Vigilante (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97RnLaKc0sI) - Cross Dog
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
6 Oct 2026
Zionist Canadian Outlets Throw Their Weight Around ft. Alex Cosh
Protestors chanted slogans condemning a former Israeli ambassador who defended military killings and mocked Palestinian victims. Leader of a federal party with five seats uses Yom Kippur to denounce the state committing violence in the name of his religion. Both of these are obscured, distorted and lambasted as pinnacles of antisemitism by pro-Israel voices. Three years into a Zionist genocide, outrage is continually directed at those who oppose Israel's extermination campaign, written under the guise of concern for antisemitism. Alex Cosh, news editor at The Maple, joins Scott to desntangle the overarching Zionism in the latest attacks in the right-wing press.
Follow Alex on Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/alex.readthemaple.com)
Follow Scott on Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/youcaughtscott.com)
Sources and further reading:
https://readthecatch.ca/zionist-canadian-outlets-throw-their-weight-around-ft-alex-cosh-podcast
Artwork by Zo at Studio Bonjourhi (https://www.studiobonjourhi.ca/)
Intro Music: Vigilante (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97RnLaKc0sI) - Cross Dog
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
Who has been a guest on The North State
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Jeremy Appel
Paris Marx
Karyn Pugliese
Rachel Gilmore
Podcast Authority Score: 21 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
24
Social presence
91
YouTube
0
Engagement
0
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Guest appearances
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