Ward Zero podcast: Recent Episodes
LiveWire Calgary
Esmahan Razavi, Jeremy Zhao and LiveWire Calgary editor Darren Krause provide insight and analysis on hot civic issues and political happenings in the city.
After a bit of a break due to scheduling, the election and other of life's wonderful creations, the Ward Zero team is back to talk about Calgary's top civic issues.
In this episode, Esmahan Razavi - back from steering campaign victories for the Alberta NDP in two high-profile Calgary ridings - leads the show with Jeremy Zhao and LWC editor Darren Krause into talking about the hot-button housing issue.
They also dig into the provincial election and what it means for Calgary.
They tie things up with a look at the pre-election arena decision, but it gets into a conversation about city building and how we may need to shift our perception of the arena deal and where the City of Calgary has failed in communicating to citizens where the public benefit lies.
Plus a hot take on Bill C-18, Google and paying for news and your round up of quick hits.
Enjoy the return of the Ward Zero team!
Plus: You can check out the BONUS content on the future of Rachel Notley and if the NDP has anyone that can move the party forward, by becoming an LWC member at patreon.com/livewirecalgary.
To launch our third season of the Ward Zero podcast in style, we've got Green Line CEO Darshpreet Bhatti answering questions specifically on SNC-Lavalin's involvement in the $5.5 billion project.
Plus, the Ward Zero trio hits on the Calgary arena project and a potential new site, plus: Will Alberta Sheriffs be coming to downtown Calgary?
We've got hot takes and quick hits to round things out as we begin a new season with a new format chock full of quality Calgary information.
In the final episode of the year - and the season - the Ward Zero trio of Esmahan Razavi, Jeremy Zhao and LiveWire Calgary editor Darren Krause take a look back at 2022 and they glimpse ahead to 2023.
They choose and defend their selection for news story of the year, their newsmaker of the year and they make their bold predictions for 2023.
The team took some 'liberties,' shall we say, in making their selections this year.
Enjoy the listen!
The Ward Zero trio tackles the Calgary budget head on in this episode!
Join them for their perspective on how Calgary's 2023-2026 Service Plans and Budgets rolled out this year.
There's also a pretty sizeable bit of bonus content for members only this time around - so watch for it in a new spot online at livewirecalgary.com.
In this episode "conduct" means a lot of different things. (It's also tied to BONUS content you can get via Patreon. We talk about the David Wallace / Russian dark money scam over there for a solid 10 minutes. (members only!)).
The Ward Zero trio hits on on Premier Smith's first month in office and some of the good and bad ideas she's rolling out - particularly as those ideas pertain to municipalities.
They also talk about municipal government 'parties', the James Short Park renaming (Harmony) and a whole lot more.
Shows are often billed as jam-packed - but this one really is. Enjoy!
The Event Centre is back in the Calgary news, and the Ward Zero trio of Esmahan Razavi, Jeremy Zhao and LiveWire Calgary editor Darren Krause talks about the $16.8 million in close out costs, but really dive into transparency.
They even tie in the way Calgary's 2026 Olympic bid was handled.
After that they consider how a Calgary version of Edmonton's $170 million plan to bring 100 kilometres of bike infrastructure to that city over the next four years might look. Jeremy is pretty clear in his thoughts on how this would in our city.
There's hot take and quick hits to keep you up to speed on local happenings in Calgary.
Enjoy the listen!
The trio is back with a late summer episode of the Ward Zero podcast, just as everything gets back in full swing.
In this month's episode, they talk about the approval of three new communities (on top of five already approved). They also discuss the Sovereignty Act and what implications are in play for Calgary.
There's a couple of hot takes and quick hits to get you up to speed on what's happening in the city.
In the latest Ward Zero episode, the team talks about the newly-approved Calgary suburban communities and also some healthcare issues with urgent care centre hours being cut.
There's a hot take, some quick hits and Esmahan speculates about... a panda attack?
Thanks for listening! (Don't miss the bonus content available for LiveWire Calgary members! The trio riffs off the healthcare issue to talk about the massive gap in infrastructure in north central Calgary.)
The trio is back for a mid-summer show and they focus on a couple of recent topics: Climate strategy and councillor sanctions.
One of the hot takes ties in nicely to the climate debate - and the misinformation around the so-called $87 billion cost over 26 years to implement the climate strategy.
The councillor sanctions discussion separates the social media complaints from the property disclosure one - and the feeling is the latter is much worse than the former.
PLUS: Patreon members in the $10+/mo levels are listening to bonus content on Michelle Rempel Garner's decision not to run for the UCP leadership contest and the politics of the Calgary Stampede.
We're back after working between crazy schedules, sickness, vacation and more to catch you up on City of Calgary-related news and issues.
With Esmahan dealing with a bout of Covid, LiveWire Calgary editor Darren Krause took over this episode's hosting duties.
The trio catches you up on the climate strategy, some thoughts on the UCP leadership race (commentary on their launch videos... - do they ALL need to walk slo-mo through tall grass?) and we cover Calgary Transit safety.
Quick hits and a hot take from Esmahan about a recent CBC article she wrote - and that fills the show out!
In the latest Ward Zero episode, Esmahan Razavi, Jeremy Zhao and LiveWire Calgary editor, Darren Krause look at a handful of recent city issues.
The trio talks about the severance payout to former Mayor Gondek Chief of Staff Stephen Carter and whether this should be a problem for taxpayers.
They also talk about the return of the so-called Freedom convoys in Calgary and what underlying problem lingers with their resurgence.
The city needs to get better at Downtown Calgary activities, according to the trio - they have to get out of their own way.
And, what to do with the $105 million City of Calgary surplus. Back to taxpayers? Not so fast, the team says.
BTW - the Athletics DID win their first game 10-1.
In this episode, Esmahan Razavi, Jeremy Zhao and LiveWire Calgary editor Darren Krause look at a recent social media exchange (with expletives) between former Mayor Gondek Chief of Staff Stephen Carter and Ward 13 Coun. Dan McLean.
The trio also fires up the conversation on banning gas-powered leaf blowers in Calgary and then begins the conversation on affordable housing.
(There's "missing middle" bonus content available for $25/mo subscribers on Patreon!)
A lot of ground to cover in the latest Ward Zero episode, as the trio, led by Esmahan Razavi, tackle the Event Centre, recent Calgary city council polling numbers, an exclusive LWC investigation into donor disclosures and... the controversial thin blue line debate.
Esmahan Razavi, Jeremy Zhao and LiveWire Calgary editor Darren Krause talk about the different facets of recent Beltline protests.
The trio covers the physical action taken by police against counter-protesters, the city's letter to the Calgary Police Commission, a tweet and motion by Coun. Jennifer Wyness, and what might happen this weekend, given a special meeting of the Calgary Police Commission coming Friday.
Esmahan, Jeremy and Darren talked for way longer than this podcast... and went deep on several issues. They hit on the province wanting to reopen the Municipal Government Act, how the city saw Alberta budget cash and transit safety and how to deal with the social disorder.
PLUS - With no public health measures in place, will the Beltline 'freedom' protests continue?
There's a load of bonus content being prepared for our Patreon members - including 20 minutes on Calgary election campaign disclosures.
In this episode, Esmahan Razavi, Jeremy Zhao and LWC editor Darren Krause talk about council conduct, mask and the relationship with the province of Alberta. LWC members get bonus content via Patreon, so you'll have to check that out.
Esmahan Razavi, along with Jeremy Zhao and LiveWire Calgary editor Darren Krause kick off Ward Zero season 2 with some hot button topics.
They talk about the councillor home security costs and how the rise of extremism plays in this conversation. They also hit on the difference between politics and governance and how it's a mistake (right now) to try and govern with politics. Also - cost escalations on the Green Line? Say it ain't so.