In this episode, we sit down with Teddy Bloom, an engineer and activist who embarked on an incredible 3,700-mile solo bicycle journey across the United States. His mission, Ride4Rights, is a peaceful protest aimed at fostering unity and promoting civil discourse in a deeply divided nation.

Teddy shares the personal story behind his decision to sacrifice his life savings for this cause, the four pillars that guide his activism (Free Speech, Justice, Education, and Unity ), and the shocking truths he uncovered about media bias and political polarization. From his on-the-ground analysis of the U.S.-Mexico border to his data-driven predictions of government projects, Teddy’s insights offer a fresh and vital perspective on the state of America.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that one person’s determination can spark a movement. If you’re looking for a story of hope, resilience, and the power of civil discourse, you won’t want to miss this episode.

Watch the full video interview on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QHy0F6YafA

Learn more about Ride4Rights: https://www.ride4rights.com/

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Can an AI really understand what you think? In this episode, we explore one of the most fascinating and controversial applications of artificial intelligence: understanding human opinion.

I sit down with Sharif Amlani, PhD, the Founder and CEO of HumanAI, a UC Berkeley-backed startup revolutionizing public opinion research. Sharif holds a PhD in Political Science from UC Davis and previously developed cutting-edge AI solutions at Moody's Analytics. Now, he's building AI "digital twins" that can simulate human opinion with 85% accuracy.

In this conversation, we discuss:

• The crisis in traditional polling and why survey methods are failing us

• Sharif's "aha moment" as a grad student that led him to found HumanAI

• How ChatGPT sparked a revolution in AI research applications

• The Stanford study on digital twins and the shocking 85% accuracy rate

• How HumanAI trains "synthetic respondents" to mimic human behavior

• The ethical implications of AI that can simulate human thought

• Sci-fi scenarios: What happens when AI becomes indistinguishable from humans?

• Why Canada has a unique advantage in the global AI infrastructure race

• The future of AI and ensuring democratic access to these powerful tools

This is a technical, thought-provoking, and at times unsettling conversation about the intersection of AI, democracy, and human nature. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, an entrepreneur, a data scientist, or simply curious about the future, this episode will challenge your thinking.

Guest: Sharif Amlani, PhD - Founder & CEO of HumanAI

Learn more: https://www.humanai.com/

Watch the full video episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zHiF0WuYo-Q

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There is a powerful, unelected agency in Canada that controls your internet, your phone bill, and even what you see on Netflix. It’s the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC ), and its influence over our digital lives is growing every year.

In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the CRTC. Host of The Weird Canadian, a former public servant turned entrepreneur, investigates the history of the CRTC’s power, its controversial expansion through laws like Bill C-11, and the serious accountability gaps that leave many Canadians feeling powerless.

Join us for a deep dive into:

•Why Canada has some of the highest internet prices in the world.

•How the CRTC is now regulating global streaming giants like Netflix and YouTube.

•The debate over whether the CRTC is protecting Canadian culture or stifling innovation.

•Four realistic options for reforming this powerful institution.

This isn’t just a policy discussion; it’s a critical look at the forces shaping Canada’s digital future. If you’re an entrepreneur, a creator, or just a citizen who believes in accountability, this episode is for you.

For the full visual experience and detailed research notes, watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/5DccNG81P08

Support The Weird Canadian by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-weird-canadian

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Is your organization constantly chasing the latest tech trends, only to end up with expensive tools that nobody uses? In this episode, we sit down with Abby Clobridge, founder of FireOak Strategies and a fractional CIO with a refreshingly different approach to business technology.

Abby's background isn't in computer science—it's in library science. This unique perspective has shaped her "people-first, technology-second" philosophy that's helping mission-driven organizations around the world stop wasting money on tech that doesn't solve real problems.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Why most businesses chase shiny new technology without identifying the actual problems they need to solve

• How library science principles apply to modern information architecture and knowledge management

• The critical differences between a CIO and CTO (and which role your organization actually needs)

• What true AI readiness looks like beyond the hype and buzzwords • How to turn your organization's knowledge into its most powerful strategic asset

• The rise of the fractional CIO model and why it's perfect for growing businesses

• Practical strategies for avoiding technology fragmentation and tool proliferation

Before founding FireOak Strategies over 15 years ago, Abby worked as an investigative researcher at CNN, developed knowledge management programs at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, and launched digital initiatives at Bucknell University. She's worked with organizations across dozens of countries, from United Nations agencies to local nonprofits, helping them cut through the tech noise and build systems that actually stick.

As a member of the Forbes Business Council, Abby writes about the human side of digital transformation, AI readiness, and why knowledge might be your organization's most undervalued asset. Her philosophy is simple but revolutionary: better knowledge leads to better decisions, and better decisions fuel stronger missions.

If you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or anyone making technology decisions for your organization, this conversation will challenge how you think about your tech stack and give you practical frameworks for making smarter investments.

Guest: Abby Clobridge, Founder & Fractional CIO at FireOak Strategies

Connect with Abby:

• Website: https://fireoakstrategies.com/

• PodMatch Profile: https://podmatch.com/guestdetail/1757673846703751e8ec34170

Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/TBDZt14_vwg

Subscribe to The Weird Canadian for more conversations that challenge the status quo in Canadian business, entrepreneurship, and beyond!

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What if the life you're building isn't truly yours? My guest today, Aaron Scott, built a career most people only dream of—a multi-strategy hedge fund, 20 years on Wall Street—and chose to leave it all behind.

He calls the world of success we strive for a "program," an illusion created by systems of capitalism, education, and media. In this episode, he gives us the tools to uninstall that programming.

Join us for a deep and transformative conversation where we discuss:

•The internal conflict that led him to abandon a lucrative career.

•How to identify the "inherited beliefs" that are holding you back.

•The difference between societal success and true, personal meaning.

•Practical steps to deprogram your mind and reclaim your sovereignty.

This isn't just a story; it's a guide to personal and collective awakening from someone who has been on the inside of the machine.

Watch the full video interview for this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jaLXnljjQTE

Find more from Aaron Scott:

•Website: theaaronscott.com

•Book: "Before We Forget"

Connect with The Weird Canadian:

•Follow on X: @Weird_Canadian

•Subscribe on YouTube: @The_Weird_Canadian

Support The Weird Canadian by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-weird-canadian

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What if the very things that make us feel "different" are the keys to unlocking our greatest potential? In this powerful episode, Cody sits down with Tracy King (they/them ), the CEO of InspirEd and a leading voice in neuroinclusion. As a late-diagnosed autistic entrepreneur and parent to four neurodivergent kids, Tracy offers a deeply personal and professional perspective on the future of work.

Together, they deconstruct the myth of "normalcy" and explore why the systems we've built often fail our brightest minds. Tracy shares their journey of leaving the corporate world to build a business that aligns with their neurotype, the hard-won lessons from navigating autistic burnout, and why they believe neurodivergent individuals are uniquely equipped to lead in the age of AI.

This conversation is a masterclass in turning perceived weaknesses into strategic advantages and a hopeful look at a future where work is designed for everyone.

**In this episode, you'll learn:**

* [02:57] Tracy's journey to a late autism diagnosis and its impact.

* [08:15] The critical differences between stress and autistic burnout.

* [12:40] How to reframe "ableism" as a systemic issue, not a personal failing.

* [23:50] Why AI is a revolutionary empowerment tool for neurodivergent professionals.

* [29:15] Practical steps for building a truly neuroinclusive workplace.

**Mentioned in this episode:**

* Watch the full video interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/KgGy7IUlozE

* Connect with Tracy King: https://www.inspired-ed.com/

* Follow The Weird Canadian on X: https://x.com/Weird_Canadian

* Book a consultation with Cody: https://stan.store/The_Weird_Canadian

Support The Weird Canadian by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-weird-canadian

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It’s the comparison that has dominated Canadian political discourse: is Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre simply Canada’s version of Donald Trump? In this deep-dive analysis, we go beyond the surface-level similarities to reveal the crucial, often-overlooked differences in their political playbooks.

This episode explores the origins of the “Maple MAGA” narrative, from Poilievre’s support for the trucker convoy to his viral media strategy. We then pivot to a critical examination of the analogy, focusing on the fundamental divergences in policy, respect for democratic institutions, and rhetorical style.

Key topics covered:

•The Insider vs. The Outsider: How Poilievre’s career in Parliament makes him a master of the system, not a rejector of it.

•The Policy Wonk vs. The Generalist: A look at Poilievre’s data-driven arguments versus Trump’s vague promises.

•The Competence Paradox: Is a competent populist more effective—and therefore more concerning—than a chaotic one?

This analysis challenges the simplistic narrative and provides a more nuanced understanding of the current political landscape in Canada.

To see the full visual analysis, watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QurdkU3RChA

Support The Weird Canadian by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-weird-canadian

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Just weeks after scientists confirmed the world has crossed its first catastrophic climate tipping point with the die-off of coral reefs, we sit down with the woman leading Canada's charge to build a new, sustainable ocean economy.

Kendra Macdonald is the CEO of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, an ambitious national project with a goal to grow our "blue economy" fivefold to $220 billion by 2035. A former top global executive at Deloitte, Kendra bet her career on this mission. In this episode, she discusses the immense risks our oceans face, the incredible economic opportunity they present, and how Canadian innovators are developing the technology—from AI and drones to autonomous vessels—to navigate both.

This isn't just a conversation about the ocean; it's about Canada's moment to lead on the global stage. We ask the tough questions:

•Is the $220 billion goal realistic or just marketing?

•How do you ensure sustainable growth without "greenwashing" industry?

•Is the technology designed to save the Arctic inadvertently accelerating its exploitation?

This is a story of crisis, innovation, and evidence-based hope for Canada's future.

Find out more:

•Ocean Supercluster: https://oceansupercluster.ca/

•Watch the full video interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/FQXEv9PA3RY

Support The Weird Canadian by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-weird-canadian

This podcast is powered by Pinecast.