Ship of Fools Podcast with host Steven Malkowich

Former BC Conservative leader John Rustad joins Ship of Fools for a thoughtful, good-faith conversation about British Columbia, leadership, Indigenous land issues, resource development, and what comes next for B.C. politics.This episode goes beyond the headlines. John shares more about his upbringing in northern B.C., his background in forestry and business, and the experiences that shaped his path into public service. From there, the conversation turns to the rise of the BC Conservatives, the political shakeup that followed, and the bigger question facing the province: how does B.C. move forward?We also discuss Indigenous land issues, negotiated settlements, certainty for communities and investors, rebuilding trust in politics, and what practical leadership should look like in British Columbia today.Whether you agree with John Rustad or not, this is a serious conversation about the future of B.C. and the need for more honest, constructive dialogue.

Can Vancouver be fixed?In this episode of Ship of Fools, Steven sits down with Wes Regan for a thoughtful and hopeful conversation about Vancouver, public planning, government policy, community development, and what it really takes to build better cities.Wes Regan is a Senior Policy Lead with Vancouver Coastal Health and a PhD Candidate at UBC’s School of Community and Regional Planning. His work explores public trust, communication, conflict, misinformation, and how communities respond to planning and policy decisions.The conversation covers Wes’s roots, his early work in the Downtown Eastside through the Vancouver Agreement, his role as the founding Executive Director of Hastings Crossing BIA — Canada’s first social-innovation BIA — and his leadership in Vancouver’s community economic development work from 2016 to 2019.Wes also shares insight into the DTES Community Economic Development Strategy, Vancouver’s Community Benefits Agreement Policy, the City’s first Poverty Reduction Plan, and why trust, listening, and long-term thinking matter so much in public policy.This is a conversation about Vancouver’s challenges, but also about hope — and the people working to build better systems from the inside.Listen now and follow Ship of Fools for more real conversations with people shaping culture, community, business, politics, and life in British Columbia.

In this episode of Ship of Fools, Steven sits down with Dr. Laurel Weldon, Dean of Simon Fraser University’s Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, for a thoughtful conversation about democracy, women’s rights, public life, and why the social sciences matter.Dr. Weldon shares her journey from growing up in the Lower Mainland to studying at SFU, UBC, and the University of Pittsburgh, building an academic career at Purdue University, and eventually returning to SFU as a scholar, teacher, and university leader.The conversation explores what it means to be a democratic and feminist theorist in plain language, why women’s rights policies matter in everyday life, and how issues like violence against women, political inclusion, civic engagement, and public institutions shape the society we live in.Steven and Dr. Weldon also discuss the role of teaching, the value of the arts and social sciences, and why these fields deserve a stronger place in public conversation.A smart, accessible conversation about democracy, education, women’s rights, public life, and the social sciences.

Surrey is heading into a major municipal election in 2026, and voters are beginning to ask who is ready to lead one of Canada’s fastest-growing cities.In this episode of Ship of Fools Podcast, Steven sits down with Troy Van Vliet, candidate for Mayor of Surrey, for a personal and practical conversation about who he is, why he is running, and what kind of leadership he believes Surrey needs next.Troy is running with Surrey Now, a new civic team focused on safe streets, smart growth, and strong families. Their message is centred on practical solutions, responsible growth, strong communities, and the belief that “if it’s good for families, it’s good for Surrey.”This episode introduces Troy beyond the campaign headline. Steven and Troy discuss his roots in Surrey, what he is hearing from families and business owners, the pressures people are feeling across the city, and why stability, accountability, and long-term thinking matter at City Hall.They also talk about public safety, growth, housing uncertainty, infrastructure, public trust, family life, and what responsible leadership should look like as Surrey continues to change.If you live in Surrey, run a business here, are raising a family here, or care about the future of the city, this is a conversation worth watching before the 2026 municipal election.Watch the full video episode on Spotify and follow Ship of Fools Podcast for more conversations on politics, business, culture, leadership, and the issues shaping British Columbia.

Graham Clark joins Ship of Fools for a funny, thoughtful conversation about building a real comedy career in Canada. From stand-up and writing to podcasting, festivals, and the Vancouver comedy scene, this episode explores what it actually takes to make a life in comedy while living next door to the massive U.S. entertainment machine.We talk about how Graham got started, what Canada gives comedians, what it makes harder, how Stop Podcasting Yourself became such a lasting show, and why making people laugh for a living is a lot stranger than most people think. We also get into charity marathon shows, staying funny over time, and of course, beard paintings.Graham Clark is a Canadian comedian, writer, and podcaster known for his long-running work in stand-up and for co-hosting Stop Podcasting Yourself. This is a light, smart, conversational episode about comedy, creativity, podcasting, and what it really looks like to build a lasting career in Canada.

Steven Malkowich is joined by returning guest Dr. Aaron Hoffman, Professor of Political Science at Simon Fraser University, for a timely breakdown of the escalating Iran crisis. Dr. Hoffman is an expert on terrorism, counter-terrorism, US foreign policy, and other international security issues. They examine what is actually happening, what may be political theatre, and what the public should be paying attention to next. From Trump’s rhetoric to the Strait of Hormuz, oil prices, gas prices, and the possibility of wider conflict, this episode looks at the political, economic, and human pressure building around one of the most volatile stories in the world right now.

In this episode, we sit down with Carson Binda from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation to break down the latest British Columbia budget — focusing on the numbers, not the political spin.We unpack the projected $13.3 billion deficit, rising provincial debt, and what increasing interest costs mean for taxpayers. We also discuss recent tax changes, major infrastructure delays like the George Massey Tunnel replacement, and the growing pressure on core services like healthcare, education, and public safety.This conversation looks at the long-term implications of current fiscal decisions and how they could impact the cost of living, small businesses, and the broader economic outlook in British Columbia.If you live or do business in BC, this episode will help you understand what’s actually happening behind the headlines.

Canada has a shortage of doctors — yet internationally trained physicians often face years of barriers before they can practice medicine.In this episode of Ship of Fools Podcast – Where Wit Meets Wisdom, we sit down with Dr. Raghav Saini, an orthopedic surgeon practicing in Surrey, British Columbia.Dr. Saini shares his remarkable journey from graduating at Government Medical College Amritsar in India to navigating the long and complex process of becoming licensed to practice medicine in Canada.We discuss the realities many international medical graduates face when trying to work in the Canadian healthcare system — including licensing exams, regulatory requirements, and years of uncertainty before being able to serve patients.Topics in this episode include:• Dr. Saini’s medical training in India• The decision to immigrate to Canada• The Medical Council of Canada (MCC) exams• Licensing through the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC (CPSBC)• Achieving Fellowship with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (FRCSC)• The challenges international doctors face entering the Canadian system• Serving Surrey’s diverse community in English, Hindi, and Punjabi• The philosophy of orthopedic surgery and restoring quality of lifeDr. Saini also shares advice for internationally trained physicians considering Canada and his outlook for the future of orthopedic care.Ship of Fools PodcastWhere Wit Meets Wisdom.Conversations exploring leadership, culture, policy, and the ideas shaping our world.

What does policing in Surrey actually look like in 2026?In this episode, Sgt. Tige Pollock of the Surrey Police Service joins us for a candid, non-partisan conversation about crime trends, gang activity, homelessness, and the transition from RCMP contract policing to Surrey’s municipal police force.We discuss what has changed operationally since SPS became the police of jurisdiction, how regional coordination works across the Lower Mainland, and why public perception of crime can differ from what officers see day to day.This is not a debate episode. It’s a grounded conversation about public safety, jurisdiction, and how policing functions across Surrey, White Rock, and surrounding communities.If you care about public safety in British Columbia, this episode provides context beyond headlines.

Manny Sobral returns to the podcast to talk about Rumble at the Rock 2026, one of the most anticipated Olympic-style amateur boxing events in Western Canada, and the continued growth of Buckskin Gloves.We get into what makes Olympic-style boxing so compelling, how amateur fighters develop through events like this, and why community-driven fight nights matter more than ever.Rumble at the Rock 2026 features:• 10 Olympic-style bouts• Top amateur boxers from Western Canada and Washington State• A main event featuring Canada’s top-ranked lightweight, Sage Johnson• Hosted at the River Rock Show Theatre — where every seat feels close to the actionAll proceeds support the East Van Boys Club and the Greater Vancouver Boxing Association.This conversation goes beyond promotion — it’s about the state of amateur boxing, building credible fight events, and supporting the next generation of fighters.

Follow Ship of Fools Podcast on Spotify for expert conversations on politics, power, and culture.In this episode of Ship of Fools Podcast, we welcome back Dr. Aaron Hoffman, a political scientist and Professor of Political Science at Simon Fraser University, for a clear-eyed discussion of one of the most unsettling political moments in recent history.We examine the national controversy surrounding the fatal shootings of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti by U.S. federal agents and the immediate use of the “domestic terrorism” label — a move that has sparked widespread concern about government power, enforcement culture, and political escalation in the United States.From immigration enforcement and ICE oversight to tariffs, rare minerals, NATO tensions, and Canada–U.S. relations, Aaron helps separate emotional reaction from political reality. We also explore whether Donald Trump is reshaping the rules of international politics intentionally — or governing through impulse — and what that means for Canada’s national identity, sovereignty, and future relationship with its closest ally.This is a grounded, non-sensational conversation focused on understanding power, uncertainty, and how democratic systems respond under stress.Follow or learn more about Ship of Fools Podcast for long-form conversations that go deeper than headlines and challenge easy narratives.

In this episode of Ship of Fools, we speak with Thomas Isaac, Chair of the Aboriginal Law Group at Cassels, to explain the legal foundations and governance implications of the Cowichan Tribes land title case in British Columbia.This conversation is not about headlines, appeals, or political reaction. It is a clear, structured discussion of how Aboriginal title functions under Canadian law, why courts addressed the concept of defective title, and where responsibility truly lies when unresolved treaties intersect with modern legislation.We explore the role of UNDRIP and British Columbia’s DRIPA framework, the growing influence of courts in land claims, and why First Nations are not the source of legal uncertainty — but participants responding to decades of governmental inaction.This episode is designed to provide clarity and context for homeowners, business owners, and anyone trying to understand the long-term legal landscape surrounding land ownership and governance in British Columbia.Topics Covered: How Aboriginal title differs from fee-simple land ownershipWhat the Cowichan decision clarified — and what it did notWhy UNDRIP influences court interpretation without triggering immediate land changesDRIPA’s impact on political versus judicial responsibilityWhere accountability properly lies in unresolved land claimsWhy governments must re-engage in meaningful negotiations🎙️ Ship of Fools — Where Wit Meets WisdomOur title is ironic. Our intent is genuine.Hosted by Steven Malkowich, Ship of Fools features long-form conversations with thoughtful voices exploring law, leadership, culture, and the ideas shaping our world.👉 Follow the show for fact-based discussions that go beyond surface-level commentary.