Episodes

  • Brian Crombie Radio Hour - Epi 1593 - Iran, Strategy, and the Missing Political Objective with Eric Sauve

    Brian Crombie Radio Hour - Epi 1593 - Iran, Strategy, and the Missing Political Objective with Eric Sauve
    Mar 23 2026
    On The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian is joined by Eric Sauvé to examine the escalating conflict involving Iran — and the deeper question of whether military action is being matched with clear political strategy.
    ⚖️ Part 1 — Tactical Success, Strategic Ambiguity
    We explore how early strikes were described as operationally effective, yet raise concerns about the absence of a clearly defined political end state — a core principle in military strategy.
    🌍 Part 2 — Predictable Escalation Risks
    From potential disruption in the Strait of Hormuz to asymmetric retaliation, we examine responses that are widely anticipated in military planning — and whether they were fully accounted for.
    🛢 Part 3 — Global Energy Risk
    The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, where even limited disruption could have global economic consequences.
    ♟ Part 4 — Geopolitical Chessboard
    We discuss broader strategic dynamics involving the U.S., Iran, Israel, and Russia, and how energy markets and influence intersect in modern conflict.
    🧭 Part 5 — What Comes Next?
    With escalation risks rising, we explore whether the current approach aligns with long-term objectives — or whether alternative strategies are needed to avoid prolonged instability.

    🔎 The Big Question
    If war must serve political goals, what exactly is the objective — and what happens when that objective is unclear?
    Show more Show less
    54 mins
  • Brian Crombie Radio Hour - Epi 1591 - Energy, Sovereignty, and Canada’s Path to Becoming a Global Energy Power with Lisa Baiton

    Brian Crombie Radio Hour - Epi 1591 - Energy, Sovereignty, and Canada’s Path to Becoming a Global Energy Power with Lisa Baiton
    Mar 20 2026
    On The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian is joined by Lisa Baiton to examine Canada’s role in a rapidly changing global energy landscape.

    🌍 Part 1 — Energy in a New Global Order
    We explore how geopolitical instability and shifting alliances are reshaping global energy markets, and why energy security has returned as a central pillar of national strategy.
    🇨🇦 Part 2 — Canada’s Energy Position
    Canada is a major oil and gas producer with record output and major infrastructure projects — but limited export capacity continues to constrain growth.
    ⚠️ Part 3 — Overreliance on the United States
    With the vast majority of exports going to the U.S., we discuss the urgency of diversifying energy markets to Europe and Asia and strengthening long-term economic sovereignty.
    🛢 Part 4 — Strategic Energy Security
    We explore the surprising absence of a Canadian strategic oil reserve and what energy security could look like in a modern geopolitical context.
    🏗 Part 5 — Nation-Building Through Energy
    Energy projects are more than industry — they are nation-building. We discuss infrastructure, investment certainty, and Canada’s potential to become a true global energy power.

    🔎 The Big Question
    Canada has the resources. The question is whether it has the will to build the infrastructure and policy framework to fully realize its energy potential.
    Show more Show less
    50 mins
  • Brian Crombie Radio Hour - Epi 1592 - In the Age of AI, the Most Valuable Skill Might Surprise You: Sales with Andrew Hendry

    Brian Crombie Radio Hour - Epi 1592 - In the Age of AI, the Most Valuable Skill Might Surprise You: Sales with Andrew Hendry
    Mar 19 2026
    On The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian is joined by Andrew Hendry to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the workforce — and why the most important career skill may still be deeply human.

    📞 Part 1 — The Return to Human Skills
    As automation accelerates, Andrew argues that foundational “old-school” skills are making a comeback:
    • Cold calling
    • Networking
    • In-person communication
    • Relationship building
    In a digital world, human connection is becoming a competitive advantage.

    🤖 Part 2 — AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement
    We discuss AI’s strengths — and its limits — including why even the most advanced systems still struggle to replace trust, nuance, and real human conversation.

    💼 Part 3 — Why Sales Is a Core Life Skill
    Sales is no longer just a profession — it’s a foundational skill for every career. We explore how communication, confidence, and persuasion shape success in business, entrepreneurship, and leadership.

    📘 Part 4 — “Be First” and the Entrepreneurial Mindset
    Andrew’s book Be First: Outsell Everyone highlights practical strategies for building trust, creating opportunity, and winning in competitive markets.

    🔎 The Big Question
    As AI transforms work and communication, will success belong to those who automate — or those who master human connection and trust?
    Show more Show less
    51 mins
  • Brian Crombie Radio Hour - Epi 1590 - Mark Carney’s First Year as Prime Minister: Success, Compromise, and Canada’s Next Test

    Brian Crombie Radio Hour - Epi 1590 - Mark Carney’s First Year as Prime Minister: Success, Compromise, and Canada’s Next Test
    Mar 18 2026
    It’s been one year since Mark Carney took office — and the results may surprise you. On this episode, Brian Crombie is joined by Stephen Maher for a wide-ranging conversation on Carney’s leadership, political evolution, and what comes next for Canada. 🇨🇦 From outsider to leader — How Carney transitioned from global banker to Prime Minister
    ⚖️ Compromise vs. consistency — The reality behind key policy decisions
    🌾 National unity challenges — Western alienation, regional tensions, and Canada’s future
    🏛 Parliament in focus — Floor crossing and political accountability Stephen gives Carney an “A” for his first year — but warns the real test is still ahead. 💭 Plus, Brian’s closing commentary: “The Future Belongs to the Countries That Build” — a powerful reflection on infrastructure, growth, and Canada’s moment on the global stage.
    Show more Show less
    45 mins
  • Brian Crombie Radio Hour - Epi 1589 - Mark Carney’s First Year as Prime Minister with Stephen Mayer

    Brian Crombie Radio Hour - Epi 1589 - Mark Carney’s First Year as Prime Minister with Stephen Mayer
    Mar 17 2026
    52 mins
  • Brian Crombie Radio Hour - Epi 1588 - Can Canada Lead Again? Middle Power Strategy in a Fragmenting World with Ed Greenspon

    Brian Crombie Radio Hour - Epi 1588 - Can Canada Lead Again? Middle Power Strategy in a Fragmenting World with Ed Greenspon
    Mar 16 2026
    On The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian is joined by Edward Greenspon to examine whether Canada can reclaim its leadership role in an increasingly fragmented global order.

    🌍 Part 1 — Canada as a Middle Power
    We explore why Canada’s global influence has declined, what its historical leadership in institutions like GATT and peacekeeping can teach us, and whether a renewed international role is still possible. We also discuss Prime Minister Mark Carney’s early leadership and signals of global ambition.

    🇨🇦 Part 2 — The Two-Track Strategy
    Canada’s economic future may depend on balancing two priorities:
    • Diversifying trade beyond the United States
    • While maintaining strong access to the U.S. market
    ⚠️ Part 3 — Unity at Home
    We examine growing regional tensions and why internal unity is essential for long-term economic and political strength.

    🌍 Global Context
    From the Munich Security Conference to Europe’s defense posture and U.S.–China rivalry, we look at how global fragmentation could create both risks and opportunities for Canada.

    🔎 The Big Question
    Can Canada move beyond complacency and rediscover the ambition that once defined its global role — or will it continue to drift while others lead?
    Show more Show less
    48 mins
  • Brian Crombie Radio Hour - Epi 1587 - Mind Reading, Magic, and the Psychology of Wonder with MysterionChristopher Justin Doyle

    Brian Crombie Radio Hour - Epi 1587 - Mind Reading, Magic, and the Psychology of Wonder with MysterionChristopher Justin Doyle
    Mar 13 2026
    On The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian is joined by Mysterion the Mind Reader — Christopher Justin Doyle — one of Canada’s leading mentalists and psychological entertainers, seen on America’s Got Talent, Canada’s Got Talent, and Penn & Teller: Fool Us.

    🧠 Part 1 — The Psychology of Mind Reading
    We explore how mentalism blends psychology, perception, and subtle cues to create the illusion of mind reading — and why real magic is rooted in human behaviour, not technology.
    🎭 Part 2 — Performance, Comedy, and Crowd Work
    Chris discusses evolving his act through comedy and improvisation, the art of reading a room, and how decades on stage shaped his instincts. He even demonstrates his skills live during the interview. ✨ Live Show — Toronto
    Mysterion returns for a special performance at Comedy Bar (945 Bloor St W) on April 11 at 9PM. 💭 Closing Commentary — The Paradox of Excellence

    Brian explores why extraordinary achievement — from performers to leaders — often creates both admiration and distance, and why true influence requires more than competence.
    Show more Show less
    53 mins
  • Brian Crombie Radio - Epi 1586 - Ontario’s Housing Market Isn’t Slowing — It’s Structurally Dislocated with Paul Smetanin

    Brian Crombie Radio - Epi 1586 - Ontario’s Housing Market Isn’t Slowing — It’s Structurally Dislocated with Paul Smetanin
    Mar 12 2026
    On The Brian Crombie Hour, Brian is joined by Paul Smetanin to examine whether Ontario’s housing market is no longer in a normal cycle — but a structural break. 🏗 Part 1 — A Broken Cycle or Structural Shift?
    New analysis suggests the market disruption goes beyond a typical downturn:
    • Housing starts could fall by 37% over five years
    • Prices may still decline another 10–15%
    • High borrowing costs and development charges are stalling new projects
    • Developers are delaying rather than building
    👷 Part 2 — The Workforce Crunch
    Ontario’s construction sector faces a major demographic shift:
    • Up to 1 in 5 workers may leave the industry
    • Skilled trades are aging out
    • Fewer young workers are entering the pipeline
    🏠 Part 3 — Empty Space, Real Shortage
    Ontario has an estimated 4.5 million empty bedrooms — yet still faces a housing shortage, revealing a deeper mismatch in how housing is used versus needed. 📉 The Bigger Question
    Housing is a core driver of Ontario’s economy. If construction stalls, the impact spreads to jobs, investment, and GDP. So the real question is:
    what does recovery look like if the system itself has structurally shifted?
    Show more Show less
    52 mins