Episodios

  • Brian Crombie Radio Hour - Epi 1611 - Communicating with Impact in a Disconnected World with Andrea Wojnicki

    Brian Crombie Radio Hour - Epi 1611 - Communicating with Impact in a Disconnected World with Andrea Wojnicki
    Apr 16 2026
    On this episode of The Brian Crombie Radio Hour, we explore what it really means to communicate, lead, and build meaningful relationships in a world that’s getting increasingly transactional.
    First, Brian sits down with communications coach, author, and leadership advisor Andrea Wojnicki to unpack what separates strong leaders from the rest. They dive into the subtle but critical shifts that elevate leadership communication — from saying less but meaning more, to listening with intention, to building confidence without tipping into arrogance. The conversation also explores practical ways to demonstrate leadership every day and redefines personal branding as something far more intentional: being yourself… on purpose.
    Then, in a thought-provoking closing commentary, Brian turns to a deeper question: why are we getting worse at connection?
    As success rises, many people begin treating relationships like strategic decisions — evaluating, optimizing, even “screening” for compatibility. But love and connection don’t follow business rules. They require vulnerability, risk, and genuine participation. And in a world obsessed with analysis, we may be losing something essential: the ability to truly know each other.
    This episode challenges you to rethink both leadership and relationships — and reminds us that real impact starts with real connection.
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    53 m
  • Brian Crombie Radio Hour - Epi 1610 - The power of language with Patrick LeBlond & Kathryn MacDonald

    Brian Crombie Radio Hour - Epi 1610 - The power of language with Patrick LeBlond & Kathryn MacDonald
    Apr 16 2026
    On this episode of The Brian Crombie Hour, we explore how the words we choose — and the effort behind them — can influence everything from national leadership to personal healing.
    In the first segment, Brian is joined by Patrick Leblond, Associate Professor of Public and International Affairs at the University of Ottawa, to examine the controversy surrounding the Air Canada CEO’s resignation. Together, they unpack why this moment goes far beyond politics or “wokeism,” and instead speaks to something more fundamental: respect. The discussion highlights the deep cultural significance of language in Quebec, the expectations placed on leaders in a bilingual country, and why even small efforts to communicate across linguistic lines can carry enormous meaning — especially in times of crisis. In Canada, leadership isn’t just about capability; it’s about cultural awareness and a willingness to meet people where they are.
    In the second half, Brian turns to a more intimate conversation with Canadian poet Kathryn MacDonald about her collection The Blue Gate, released during Poetry Month. Centered on a transformative journey to Kenya after the sudden loss of her partner of 39 years, Kathryn’s work explores grief, spirituality, and the search for meaning. Through poetry, she captures what often cannot be said outright — holding complexity, emotion, and reflection all at once. The conversation reveals how storytelling, especially in poetic form, creates space for healing and helps us understand life’s most difficult moments.
    At first glance, these topics may seem worlds apart — one rooted in public life, the other deeply personal. But both return to the same essential question: how do we truly hear and understand one another?
    Because language is more than communication.
    It’s a signal of respect.
    A keeper of identity.
    A pathway through loss. And ultimately, a bridge — or a barrier — between us.
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    57 m
  • Brian Crombie Radio Hour - Epi 1609 - Toronto Housing at a Turning Point with Darryl Frankfort

    Brian Crombie Radio Hour - Epi 1609 - Toronto Housing at a Turning Point with Darryl Frankfort
    Apr 14 2026
    Toronto real estate isn’t just cooling — it’s resetting. On this episode of The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian is joined by Darryl Frankfort — developer and host of The Canadian Real Estate Show — for a candid, insider look at what’s really happening in the Greater Toronto Area housing market. Darryl breaks down what’s driving the current downturn — and why this isn’t a typical cycle. From a deep freeze in the condo market to the challenges facing mid-market developments, the conversation explores how years of investor-driven demand, assignment flipping, and financialization have distorted the system. While luxury and boutique projects continue to find footing, the traditional condo model is under pressure — and many smaller investors may now face real losses as the market recalibrates. The discussion also touches on recent policy responses, including tax adjustments and development fee changes. Helpful steps, but not enough to address a deeper issue: The system was built for investors — not end users. Brian then steps back in his closing commentary, The GTA Real Estate Business Needs a Reset, Not a Rescue, arguing this is not just a downturn, but a structural shift — one that demands a fundamentally different approach to housing. Instead of trying to revive the old speculative model, he outlines a path forward: more purpose-built rental, more family-sized housing, better urban design, reduced barriers to construction, and a renewed focus on affordability and livability. Because housing isn’t just an asset class — it’s infrastructure. And the goal shouldn’t be to restart speculation, but to build stronger communities. At its core, this episode asks: If the old model is breaking down… what should replace it?
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    57 m
  • Brian Crombie Radio Hour - Epi 1608 - Canada at a Turning Point: Politics, Power, and Sovereignty with John Campion

    Brian Crombie Radio Hour - Epi 1608 - Canada at a Turning Point: Politics, Power, and Sovereignty with John Campion
    Apr 13 2026
    Are we entering a new chapter in Canada’s history — one defined by uncertainty, but also by independence? On this episode of The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian is joined by John Campion — a long-time Liberal strategist and advisor to multiple Prime Ministers — to reflect on what he describes as one of the most significant Liberal conventions in decades. From the recent Montreal convention, John shares insights into a party — and a country — in transition: a new generation of leadership emerging, a growing role for women in Canadian politics, and a renewed focus on economic strength and “Buy Canada” policies. The conversation goes beyond party politics to a broader national shift. A key theme emerges: Canada can no longer rely on the United States in the same way it once did. From trade and defense to geopolitics, the discussion explores what greater self-reliance could mean for Canada, including stronger middle-power alliances and a rethinking of Canada’s global role. At the center of this shift is a renewed focus on Arctic sovereignty and emerging global threats. The episode also examines Mark Carney’s convention speech — widely described as a defining moment. Direct, urgent, and grounded in global realities, the speech reflected a broader message: Canada must become more independent, more resilient, and more prepared for a changing world. At its core, the conversation raises a larger question: If the global order is shifting… is Canada ready to stand more on its own?
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    53 m
  • Brian Crombie Radio Hour - Epi 1607 - Beyond Comfort Zones: Space, Performance, and Human Potential

    Brian Crombie Radio Hour - Epi 1607 - Beyond Comfort Zones: Space, Performance, and Human Potential
    Apr 10 2026
    What drives us to explore — and what does it take to step into the unknown? On this episode of The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian explores those questions through two very different worlds: space exploration and live performance. In the first conversation, Brian is joined by Eric Brouillet to discuss Space Explorers: THE INFINITE, an immersive experience in Mississauga created in collaboration with NASA. The experience allows participants to step inside the International Space Station, experience life in orbit, and view Earth from a perspective few ever get to see. As humanity prepares for the upcoming Artemis II mission, the conversation reflects on a powerful theme shared by astronauts: Seeing Earth from space changes how you think about everything. In the second conversation, Brian speaks with Lizette Mynhardt, currently starring in Venus in Fur at Canadian Stage. The discussion explores the discipline, emotional range, and vulnerability required for a demanding two-person, 90-minute performance — and what it means to fully inhabit a character on stage. Across both conversations, a shared idea emerges: growth happens when we step outside our comfort zones. Whether in space exploration or live theatre, both worlds demand courage, presence, and a willingness to take risks in unfamiliar territory. At its core, this episode asks a simple question: What changes when we dare to step into the unknown?
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    49 m
  • Brian Crombie Radio Hour - Epi 1606 - Inside the Mississauga Budget: Taxes, Spending, and Oversight

    Brian Crombie Radio Hour - Epi 1606 - Inside the Mississauga Budget: Taxes, Spending, and Oversight
    Apr 9 2026
    Property taxes are rising again — but the bigger question is why, and whether taxpayers are getting the full picture. On this episode of The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian is joined by members of the Applewood Hills and Heights Residents Association Budget Committee — George Tavares, Kim Pines, Athena Tajido, and Mike Harris — who have taken on the rare task of reviewing the 350-page city budget in detail. What they found raises serious concerns about transparency, oversight, and accountability in Mississauga. Residents were told one story about property tax increases — but the underlying numbers suggest a different reality. The discussion explores a reported 25% rise in property taxes over three years, the growing reliance on reserve funds, and whether the full financial picture is being clearly communicated to the public. The conversation also examines the push for an independent Auditor General in Mississauga — a reform supported by residents but ultimately rejected by council. Many other cities use Auditor Generals to improve accountability and identify savings, raising the question of whether internal audits are sufficient on their own. We also look at broader spending pressures, including rising regional costs and a proposed 9.9% increase in policing expenditures through Peel Police. The discussion highlights concerns about duplication, efficiency, and the fact that Mississauga taxpayers fund a large share of regional services without direct control over outcomes. With a municipal election approaching, the debate over fiscal responsibility is intensifying, new candidates are entering the race, and residents are organizing around issues of spending and transparency. At the heart of it all is a simple but important question: Who is accountable for how your money is spent? Because in the end, budgets reflect priorities — and voters ultimately decide what those priorities should be.
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    57 m
  • Brian Crombei Radio Houd - Epi 1605 - Taxes, Productivity, and Canada’s Economic Future with Harry Margulies

    Brian Crombei Radio Houd - Epi 1605 - Taxes, Productivity, and Canada’s Economic Future with Harry Margulies
    Apr 8 2026
    Canada prides itself on fairness — but what if fairness is coming at the expense of growth? On this episode of The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian is joined by tax expert Harry Margulies to explore a provocative thesis: Canada may be making policy choices that Sweden addressed long ago. This conversation goes beyond taxes — into productivity, investment, and the long-term health of the Canadian economy. Canada’s current tax structure is built around redistribution. However, Harry argues that high income taxes, capital gains taxes, and corporate tax burdens may be discouraging investment and limiting productivity growth. His central point is clear: You can’t redistribute what you don’t grow. The discussion then turns to the Swedish model, where lower and flatter income taxes, reduced taxes on capital, and higher consumption taxes (VAT) have been used to support growth while maintaining social supports. A key idea emerges: Capital is not the enemy of labour — it is what drives higher wages. Finally, the conversation explores what a similar shift could look like in Canada — including lower corporate and capital gains taxes, paired with a potentially higher GST/HST alongside targeted relief measures. It’s a bold and politically challenging idea, but it raises an essential question: Are we optimizing for fairness… or for prosperity? At a time of slowing productivity and increasing global competition, the bigger question becomes unavoidable: Can Canada afford not to rethink its tax system?
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    53 m
  • Brian Crombie Radio Hour - Epi 1604 - Sanctions, Sovereignty, and the Future of Cuba with Mark Entwistle

    Brian Crombie Radio Hour - Epi 1604 - Sanctions, Sovereignty, and the Future of Cuba with Mark Entwistle
    Apr 7 2026
    For more than 60 years, the United States and Cuba have been locked in conflict — and today, that tension is rising again. On this episode of The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian speaks with Mark Entwistle for a deeply informed look at the evolving U.S.–Cuba relationship and what it means for the region and the world. Mark explains how today’s tensions are rooted in decades of unresolved history — from the legacy of the Cuban Revolution to long-standing U.S. efforts toward isolation and regime change. In Cuba, however, nationalism and sovereignty continue to shape the response. The discussion then turns to sanctions and economic pressure, including restrictions that function as an oil blockade and their growing humanitarian consequences. Mark raises important questions about the legal and moral foundations of these policies. We then explore Cuba today — a country often misunderstood. While it remains a communist state, it also has a growing private sector and a population increasingly driven by economic frustration rather than ideology. Change, Mark suggests, is more likely to come through economics than politics. The conversation looks ahead to what comes next. Despite rising tensions, the most realistic path may be gradual engagement and negotiation — similar to the 2014 Obama–Castro thaw — focused on pragmatic compromise and limited reform. Finally, we consider Canada’s role as a potential diplomatic bridge, supporting Cuba’s private sector and working alongside other middle powers to encourage constructive engagement. At the heart of the discussion is a simple but difficult question: After decades of pressure and isolation… is it time for a different strategy?
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    51 m