Unbound: Fearlessly Exploring Issues That Matter

James and Geoff talk to Dr. Malcolm Davis about Chinese military capacity, space warfare, and the need to build strong pacific deterrence.

Dr. Malcolm Davis is a Senior Analyst at in Defence Strategy and Capability at APSI.

Prior to this he was a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in China-Western Relations with the Faculty of Society and Design at Bond University from March 2012 to January 2016, and he currently retains an Honorary Assistant Professor position in the Faculty. He has worked with the Department of Defence, both in Navy Headquarters in the Strategy and Force Structure area, and with Strategic Policy Division in the Strategic Policy Guidance and Strategic External Relations and Education sections from November 2007 to March 2012. Prior to this appointment he was a Lecturer in Defence Studies with Kings College London at the Joint Services Command and Staff College, in Shrivenham, UK, from June 2000 to October 2007. He holds a PhD in Strategic Studies from the University of Hull as well as two Masters degrees in Strategic Studies, including from the Australian National University’s Strategic and Defence Studies Centre. His main research focus is on defence strategy and capability development, military technology, and the future of warfare.

https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/malcolm-davis

Twitter: @Dr_M_Davis

The guys sit down with Vice-Admiral Paul Maddison to talk national security, international stability and the very real threat from China.

Retired Vice-Admiral Paul Andrew Maddison, CMM, MSM, CD is a Canadian academic, former diplomat, and former naval officer of the Royal Canadian Navy. Following a family tradition, he began his career in the late 70's and would serve in numerous positions, operations, and commands both in the Navy and Canadian Forces.  He would eventually rise through the officer ranks and serve as Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy from 22 July 2011 to 21 June 2013. Upon the retirement of his military career, he would then go on to serve Canada as High Commissioner to Australia. He eventually relinquished that post in 2019 and continues to live in Australia with his family while working as the director of the University of New South Wales Defence Research Institute in Canberra, Australia.

James and Geoff connect with Chris Sankey to talk about the role that Aboriginals want to play in the Canadian Economy and what they need to succeed.

Chris Sankey is President/Chief Executive Officer for Blackfish Enterprises, Chairman of Blackfish Industries, a Heavy Civil Construction company and Director/VP of BitCrude Energy, a company moving solid energy by rail. Currently, Chris provides advice, direction and strategic planning to the Energy Sector on engagement with communities in British Columbia.  Chris is a member of the Coast Tsimshian community of Lax Kw’Alaams near Prince Rupert, British Columbia. Chris is a former elected Councillor for the Lax Kw’alaams Band where he served his community for six and a half years.  Chris use to Chair the Economic Development Committee for the Governing Council.

https://www.macdonaldlaurier.ca/experts/chris-sankey/

Geoff and James talk to Sean Speer about his new project, The Hub, as well as the federal budget and what it means for Canada's future.

Sean is a university professor, think-tank scholar and columnist. He previously served as a senior economic adviser to former Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Check out and subscribe to the Hub at www.thehub.ca.

James and Geoff talk to the ICBA VP of Communications, Jordan Bateman, about the BC budget, the BC Liberals and the Canadian political scene.

Check out the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association - https://icba.ca/

Check out and subscribe to the Orca - https://theorca.ca/

Also, the Orca has a podcast/youtube show too you should check out! - https://bit.ly/3ngEuay

Geoff and James have a long overdue catch-up then sit down with Scott De Lange Boom to talk BC politics and hosing in Vancouver.

You can (and should) check out Scott's podcast: Politicoast.

https://www.politicoast.ca/

In this week's episode, James and Geoff talk to Jennifer Sanford. Jennifer (@thejennsanford) is a public relations expert and host of the podcast Conservative Like Me, launching its second season on April 9, 2021. She is a bold and passionate voice within federal Conservative circles pushing  her peers to think bigger.  She thinks Conservatives can do a better job reaching out to Canadian centrists who are hungry for better options for their vote while Trudeau Liberals continue to veer further to the left. We discuss these issues with her including the recent Conservative Party convention and potential policy priorities for the centre-right in Canada.

Catch up on Season 1 of Conservative Like Me at the link below or wherever you get your podcasts. https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/conservative-like-me/id1527810973

James and Geoff talk to Tristin Hopper from the National Post about the changes in journalism and newsrooms across the country.

Unbound talks to Anthony Koch about the factions within the Conservative Party, how communications work on the Hill, and how to deal with social conservatives.

Anthony (@anthony__koch) has worked on Parliament Hill, was a key member of the movement to oust Andrew Scheer, is a former campaign surrogate for Erin O’Toole and currently serves as Managing Principal of AK Strategies.

References:

1. The Dominion. Ben Woodfinden - A Renewed Social Conservative Agenda. https://thedominion.substack.com/p/a-renewed-social-conservative-agenda

2. The Line.  Ken Boessenkool - Want lower, flatter taxes? Embrace the carbon tax. https://theline.substack.com/p/ken-boessenkool-want-lower-flatter

3. The Line. Ken Boessenkool - The CPC can win the 905 if it embraces a carbon tax. https://theline.substack.com/p/ken-boessenkool-want-lower-flatter

James and Geoff talk to Canadian conservative philosopher and political theorist Ben Woodfinden about the history of political thought in Canada. We promise no bowties or tweed jackets were worn in this weighty discussion.

References:

1. The Dominion. Ben Woodfinden: True North Patriotism and a Distinctly Canadian Conservatism. https://thedominion.substack.com/p/true-north-patriotism-and-a-distinctly

2. C2C Journal. Ben Woodfinden: Future Of Conservatism Series, Part I: The Enduring Appeal Of Red Toryism.  https://c2cjournal.ca/2020/01/fbp-future-of-conservatism-series-part-i-thfuture-of-conservatism-series-part-i-the-enduring-appeal-of-red-toryism/

James and Geoff talk about cats in court rooms, the perils of relying on our enemies to deliver Canada vaccines and other happenings.

Recorded on February 10th.

James and Geoff discuss their beefs with libertarians, grifters and the lack of authenticity in politics.

Some of the articles and people we reference in this episode:

1. The Line: Jen Gerson: Advice to Erin O'Toole — save your party by curb-stomping the fringe. https://theline.substack.com/p/jen-gerson-advice-to-erin-otoole

2. The Realignment Podcast by Saagar Enjeti and Marshall Kosloff. Episode 92: Michael Lind, The Failure of Populism and The Class War After Trump + Extended Q&A. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-92-michael-lind-failure-populism-class-war-after/id1474687988?i=1000506028430

3. Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin. https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B000N2HBSO/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

4. The Dominion: Ben Woodfinden - True North Patriotism and a Distinctly Canadian Conservatism. https://thedominion.substack.com/p/true-north-patriotism-and-a-distinctly

James and Geoff talk about 'sanewashing' crazy ideas and how right leaning parties should deal with their...more eccentric supporters.

On the first episode of Unbound, James and Geoff outline the concerns they have with the current political climate and what issues we want to tackle through the podcast. We're focused on the steps that centre-right parties need to take to remain relevant for younger generations. 

Unbound is a podcast about fearlessly exploring the issues that matter. James and Geoff want to explore and challenge the meaning behind the politics of the centre right and where it finds itself in a world where the usual paradigms mean less and less. We need to courageously challenge our assumptions, form new coalitions and, most importantly, figure out what grounds the politics of the right.

Unbound: Fearlessly Exploring Issues That Matter is our attempt to ignite that conversation. We are bringing on bold thinkers to challenge the status quo and chart a new course for centre-right politics.

We hope you'll join us!