The Strategists cover art

The Strategists

The Strategists

Written by: Stephen Carter Zain Velji
Listen for free

About this listen

Professional unprofessional strategists Stephen Carter, Zain Velji, and Shannon Phillips break down the news of the day. Not just what’s happening, but how it’s being played.


Policy is one thing. Politics is another.


The show dissects the strategy behind the headlines: what governments are doing, why it matters, and the political incentives driving every move. They don't tell you what to think. They make you harder to spin.


Originally hosted with Corey Hogan (now inside the machine), The Strategists now anchors a growing podcast network:


•⁠ ⁠The Strategists — weekly strategy, sharp takes, and questionable professionalism

•⁠ ⁠Ministry of Podcasts — Corey Hogan reports from inside Parliament

•⁠ ⁠Balance of Power — Annalise Klingbeil, Shannon Phillips, and Leah Ward bring a distinct lens to power and politics


Described as “shockingly insightful” and “sports talk radio for politics.”


Not sponsored by Flair Airlines.


Get bonus episodes and more at strategistspatreon.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

© 2015-2026 The Strategists Media Corporation Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Ministry of Podcasts: Episode 6

    Ministry of Podcasts: Episode 6
    Apr 29 2026

    Be it resolved that the Minister of Podcasts, Stephen Carter, together with the Chair of Oral Questions, Zain Velji, do hereby call this sitting of The Ministry of Podcasts to order, despite the late hour, the early votes, and the growing evidence that Corey Hogan now lives primarily in committee rooms.


    Be it further resolved that The Strategists Podcast shall be granted the honour of first money in on the Canada Strong Fund,


    Be it further further resolved that the House shall receive first-year reflections from the duly elected Member of Parliament for Calgary Confederation, Corey Hogan, on matters including but not limited to:


    What it feels like to realize you are now one of 343 people helping make laws for the country,


    The personal cost of the job: missed dinners, Ottawa apartments, FaceTime goodnights, and friendships managed mostly by text,


    And what happens when you stop watching politics from the outside and realize you are now inside the machine, responsible for steering it.


    Therefore be it finally resolved that this episode shall be entered into the record as both parliamentary testimony and a caution that governing the country is much harder than yelling about it from the outside.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    53 mins
  • Episode 979: Photo oops

    Episode 979: Photo oops
    Apr 4 2022
    Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter talk about managing photo ops and gaffes, using Premier Jason Kenney's recent trip to the gas pumps as a launching off point. Do photo ops still matter? What's best practice for managing a photo op gone wrong? And has anybody checked to see if TheStrategistsPatreon.com works? Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line. Get Thursday episodes and bonus content on Patreon

    See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 16 mins
  • Episode 978: Sorry about the first 15 minutes

    Episode 978: Sorry about the first 15 minutes
    Apr 1 2022
    Corey Hogan and Stephen Carter talk about the Liberal climate plan and the upcoming federal budget. Does the plan go too far or not far enough? How dramatic will the budget be? And does anybody know where to buy a mattress online? Zain Velji, as always, picks the questions and keeps everybody in line. But first, the headlines... Get Thursday episodes and bonus content on Patreon

    See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 16 mins
No reviews yet