The North State

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 to support the show. The North State is a proud member of the Harbinger Media Network. Visit Harbinger for more progressive Canadian podcasts. Artwork: Zo, Studio Bonjourhi Theme Music: “Vigilante” by <a href="https://www.crossdogisaband.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer"

The North State is a news podcast hosted by Scott Martin, with 65 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Scott Martin hosts The North State, a news show with 65 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

• 

  The North State

  Nobody's Happy About the BC Snap Election ft. Jen St. Denis

  Sep 29, 202638 min

  After weeks (even years) of a dysfunctional opposition, BC's NDP premier David Eby called a snap election shortly after the resignation of Kerry-Lynne Findlay as leader of the BC Conservative Party. Almost two years after a provincial election that saw a barely functioning political entity almost form government, there has been enough political snakery to fill several books in the BC Conservatives, and enough disaffection with the NDP to fill several MLA seats. Senior editor at The Tyee , Jen St. Denis joins Scott to explain the chaos, how Eby's plan may be backfiring and the increasing racism and threats lacing BC election cycles. Follow Jen on Bluesky Follow Scott on Bluesky Sources and further reading: https://readthecatch.ca/nobodys-happy-about-the-bc-snap-election-ft-jen-st-denis-podcast Artwork by Zo at Studio Bonjourhi Intro Music: Vigilante - Cross Dog Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  The North State

  Normalizing Carney's Privatization Drive ft. Nora Loreto

  Sep 15, 202645 min

  Prime Minister Mark Carney kicked off his international investment conference Sunday night, beginning a massive push to entice international investors to pour private money into public projects. From chairs of Blackrock to the UAE's oil company, Carney hopes to get private capital for ports, oil and gas, data centres and renewable projects. While the news media gauges the viability and benefits of international investment, little, if any, legacy coverage has reported the tangible, inextricable consequences of private investment; more expensive services at poorer qualities for private benefits. Independent journalist and author of the Canada In Decline book series joins Scott to discuss the conference, its possible outcomes, what it means and how news media has stuck to their belief that private interests are Canadian's interests. Follow Nora on Bluesky and Substack Follow Scott on Bluesky Sources and further reading: https://readthecatch.ca/normalizing-carneys-privatization-drive-ft-nora-loreto-podcast Artwork by Zo at Studio Bonjourhi Intro Music: Vigilante - Cross Dog Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  The North State

  Reality Check on Doug Ford's Trade Posturing ft. Eric Wickham

  Sep 1, 202635 min

  Trade talks collapsed and Ontario Premier Doug Ford laced up his boots and donned the flag to decry US President Donald Trump. Between telling Trump to "kiss my ass," and unveiling a Lake Ontario sign in response to Trump's executive order renaming the body of water, Ford and the PCs have seen a benefit in the polls. But Ford's tenure leading Ontario has pushed legislation and politics far closer to the MAGA movement than nearly any other premier. While Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is floundering by meekly confronting the US-Canada trade war, Ford is turning around public perception of him and his party. Eric Wickham, Ontario reporter for PressProgress, joins Scott to discuss Ford's appeal, his tenure as premier and how, despite all this fervour, life in Ontario continues to deteriorate. Ontario’s Recent Policy Changes Are Part of a Larger Pattern to Centralize Power and Silence Dissent, Critics Say Follow Eric on Bluesky and Instagram Follow Scott on Bluesky Sources and further reading: https://readthecatch.ca/reality-check-on-doug-fords-trade-posturing-ft-eric-wickham-podcast Artwork by Zo at Studio Bonjourhi Intro Music: Vigilante - Cross Dog Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  The North State

  Legacy News Worship Carney's Trade Blowup ft. Isaac A. Peltz

  Aug 25, 202638 min

  Over the past few days, every large news outlet has reported about the last-minute collapse of a trade deal between Canada and the USA. Despite the fact that details of the deal have only trickled out through anonymous or second-hand channels, the majority of legacy news rallied around Carney and commended the prime minister on doing the hard task of pulling out of a deal. But little critical coverage of the methods, details and process of the trade negotiations leads most outlets to sycophantic levels of deference to Carney. Isaac A. Peltz, award-winning independent journalist behind On the Trail , joins Scott to dissect the nationalistic news climate that buries critical capacity to hide behind the flag. Follow Isaac on Instagram On the Trail Follow Scott on Bluesky Sources and further reading: https://readthecatch.ca/legacy-news-worship-carneys-trade-blowup-ft-isaac-a-peltz-podcast Artwork by Zo at Studio Bonjourhi Intro Music: Vigilante - Cross Dog Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  The North State

  Canadian Booze Bans Rattle the US ft. Dave Infante

  Aug 19, 202644 min

  In March 2025, provinces across Canada pulled US alcohol products off of their shelves in response to new tariffs announced by the US Trump administration. It's become such a sticking point that Trump specifically cited Canadian markets for US alcohol as a core reason for a new 50 per cent tariff against Canada. Have the booze bans worked? What has the effect been on the US alcohol industry? Can American brands recover after this debacle? Dave Infante, award-winning journalist and editor of the newsletter Fingers which covers drinking in the US, joins Scott to discuss these questions and more. Note: Trump announced he paused the 50 per cent tariff for three days late on August 18. Subscribe to Fingers Follow Dave on Bluesky Follow Scott on Bluesky Sources and further reading: https://readthecatch.ca/canadian-booze-bans-rattle-the-us-ft-dave-infante-podcast Artwork by Zo at Studio Bonjourhi Intro Music: Vigilante - Cross Dog Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  ListenShow Notes

Recent guests on The North State. Study who booked and why before you pitch.

Based on semantic analysis of episode topics and host coverage, this show is a strong guest fit for executives in:

Industry fit is computed by PitchCentric using vector embeddings of the show's episode catalog.