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 61 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Scott Martin hosts The North State, a news show with 61 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.

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  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.

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  The North State

  Journalists Bike Across Canada ft. Blue Jay Walker and Isaac Peltz

  Aug 11, 202656 min

  Many Canadians have considered crossing the country to enjoy the sights, the communities and the people. Few end up doing it, but even less do the journey by hopping on their bikes and doing over 7k. Isaac A. Peltz and Blue Jay Walker are two best friends and journalists who did the bike-trip across the country during a political moment focused on sovereignty. Stopping off in every province, they spoke to people about what it means to be Canadian, the Alberta separation referendum and what matters to them. They join Scott to discuss their trip, what forest fire season means for the possibility of more in the future and how their gonzo journalism stands up against legacy news. Paper Rag on Patreon Follow Blue Jay on Instagram Follow Isaac on Instagram Follow Scott on Bluesky Sources and further reading: https://readthecatch.ca/journalists-bike-across-canada-ft-blue-jay-walker-and-isaac-peltz-podcast Artwork by Zo at Studio Bonjourhi Intro Music: Vigilante - Cross Dog Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  The North State

  Climate Reporting Under Carney ft. Natasha Bulowski & Taylor C. Noakes

  Aug 4, 202645 min

  Since Carney won the federal election in 2025, he has prioritized resource extraction. Under the guise of "unlocking" economic potential, he has pursued a pipeline funded with public money, passed laws to fast-track similar projects and ignored Indigenous communities in pursuit of these goals. How does this reflect in the country's climate reporting? Natasha Bulowski, Acting Parliamentary Bureau Chief for Canada’s National Observer, and Taylor C. Noakes, investigative journalist with DeSmog, join Scott to discuss the change from Trudeau to Carney, how legacy news fails to hold fossil fuel to task and the influence of right-wing think tanks on reporting energy and climate stories. Follow Natasha on Bluesky Follow Taylor on Bluesky Follow Scott on Bluesky Sources and further reading: https://readthecatch.ca/climate-reporting-under-carney-ft-natasha-bulowski-taylor-c-noakes-podcast Artwork by Zo at Studio Bonjourhi Intro Music: Vigilante - Cross Dog Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  The North State

  Monologue: Israeli Military Censor Will Oversee New CBC Bureau

  Jul 21, 202612 min

  When CBC announced it would establish five new international bureaus, initial reactions were positive. In a time of waning international coverage by Canadian news organizations, new bureaus to establish reporting closer to the issues are good news for the journalism industry. But when examined closer, serious cracks reveal themselves. No update on the contentious end of CBC's Beijing bureau in 2022, a vague gesture to cover an entire continent and, most harrowing, establishing a bureau in Jerusalem. All international news media in Israel must agree to abide by military censorship, which has increased dramatically since their recent attacks on Iran and since they began their genocide in October of 2023. In a monologue, Scott examines how this and absolutely no reckoning with Israel's violence against their colleagues betrays CBC's actual priorities. Follow Scott on Bluesky Sources and further reading: https://readthecatch.ca/monologue-israeli-military-censor-will-oversee-new-cbc-bureau-podcast Artwork by Zo at Studio Bonjourhi Intro Music: Vigilante - Cross Dog Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  The North State

  Misogyny, Canada, Graham Platner ft. Julie S. Lalonde

  Jul 16, 202641 min

  Graham Platner, the former Maine Democratic candidate for senator, had a troubled campaign. He was a four-tour vet that served at Abu Ghraib prison, fought in Fallujah, bragged about killing people and signed up for the successor company to the infamous Blackwater mercenary group. Then, it was revealed he had a Nazi tattoo. Then, multiple women revealed his troubling and misogynistic outlook, with one claiming he physically assaulted her. Despite all this, he maintained support from a significant portion of journalists and media personalities... until a woman accused him of rape. In this extra episode, Julie S. Lalonde, award-winning women’s rights advocate and public educator, joins Scott to extrapolate the culture surrounding Platner that led to this point and how Canada maintains a similarly dismissive view of women's safety. Follow Julie on Bluesky Bystander Intervention Seminars by Julie S. Lalonde Follow Scott on Bluesky Sources and further reading: https://readthecatch.ca/misogyny-canada-graham-platner-ft-julie-s-lalonde-podcast Artwork by Zo at Studio Bonjourhi Intro Music: Vigilante - Cross Dog Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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