About this episode

The episode discusses the intersection of performance and politics in Alberta, focusing on communication strategies and the implications of separatism.

In a province where politics increasingly feels like performance, what happens when the people who understand the stage best start talking openly about persuasion, authenticity, and fear? This week on Balance of Power , Annalise Klingbeil, Leah Ward, and Shannon Phillips unpack the politics of communication, the growing international fascination with Alberta separatism, and why the fight over Canada’s future may already be underway. First: the Wab Kinew factor. Leah reports from the Canadian Labour Congress convention in Winnipeg, where both Naheed Nenshi and Wab Kinew delivered very different kinds of speeches, sparking a conversation about charisma, media training, authenticity, and whether great political communication can actually be taught. Then: Alberta as spectacle. The panel digs into recent coverage from The Guardian, Toronto Star, and other international outlets examining Alberta separatism, voter data controversies, and the rise of grievance politics. Is this necessary scrutiny, dangerous mainstreaming, or another example of Alberta being flattened into caricature for outside audiences? Plus: Jason Kenney’s return to the federalist fight. After a Calgary event on…

People in this episode

Hosts: Stephen Carter, Zain Velji

Guests: Annalise Klingbeil, Leah Ward, Shannon Phillips

Topics covered

• politics of communication
• Alberta separatism
• charisma in politics
• media training
• grievance politics
• Canadian unity

Keywords

• political communication
• Alberta separatism
• Wab Kinew
• media training
• Jason Kenney
• charisma
• grievance politics

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Canadian Labour Congress, The Guardian, Toronto Star

Places: Alberta, Canada, Winnipeg

More episodes of The Strategists

• Episode 4033: That Thing That Breaks the Camel · May 26, 2026 · 50 min
• Balance of Power: The Most Expensive Option · May 20, 2026 · 44 min
• Episode 4030½: Strategists Overtime at St. Andrews United (LIVE) · May 18, 2026 · 1h 3m
• Episode 4030: Man on a Journey · May 12, 2026 · 1h 3m

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