American aggression has put Canada into an existential crisis, with most of us too worried about threats to our sovereignty to focus on our own laundry list of critical issues we must tackle. Our politicians are unable or unwilling to have these important conversations, so we must.Join independent journalists Dave Kaufman and Andrew Berkshire as they ask the questions our leaders and institutions fail to address, enlisting the help and perspectives from experts and advocates across the country.Clearing the Benches is where you will find Canadians unafraid to ask why, and undaunted in exploring bold, transformative change so that our neighbours and communities can thrive going forward.If our leaders won&#39;t lay out a long term vision for the people of this land, we will do our best to help your find yours.Join us as we leave no stone unturned, honestly examining the landscape and potential future we can build together.

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/9/29/12/a3e18d30-70df-4aba-b7e0-e442e2f2f040_claire-trottier-final.mp3

Andrew Berkshire and Dave Kaufman are joined by Claire Trottier from Patriotic Millionaires to talk about the biggest issue facing both Canada and the world right now, the extreme gap in wealth distribution between the rich and poor.<h3>Topics</h3><ul><li>Being born wealthy</li><li>Unfairness of the system</li><li>Obfuscating well-paid working class with the wealthy</li><li>How to tax wealth</li><li>Fear of capital flight</li><li>Does philanthropy work?</li><li>Instability is driven by inequality</li><li>Normalizing monetizing your attention</li></ul>Follow the hosts on Blueskyhttps://bsky.app/profile/berkshire.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/davekaufman.bsky.social---Claire Trottier is a scientist, former professor of microbiology, and a passionate advocate for the wealthy paying their fair share into society. She works with <a href="https://patrioticmillionaires.ca/about-us" rel="nofollow">Patriotic Millionaires</a> and several other organizations to work towards a better, more equitable future for all.---Clearing the Benches is a high concept Canadian political discussion show, where Dave Kaufman (The Kaufman Show) and Andrew Berkshire (Game Over Network) put their heads and rolodexes together in an attempt to discuss ideas and concepts that are being missed in legacy media coverage.Subscribe. rate the show, and tell your friends about it.---Check out <a href="https://www.thegameovernetwork,com/" rel="nofollow">Game Over Network</a> if you&#39;re into hockey! https://www.thegameovernetwork.com---Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clearing-the-benches/id1809780678Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5CNfnD5a8v8kO9SInrvJoo?si=2edf706bc0454059Amazon: https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/19e5a278-9270-4426-82b2-cb9006afb12e/clearing-the-benches

Taxing the super wealthy - With Claire Trottier

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/9/19/16/a7bd08a6-5a6d-455e-a8c3-cce1ec055ffd_ctb-bonus-0918.mp3

Andrew Berkshire and Dave Kaufman get together to chat about how crazy everything is right now, and what to think about it. Most importantly, it&#39;s important to take your little joyful moments where you can.

BONUS - Things are heavy, let's talk about it

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/8/19/15/6d4151b2-0410-4c3c-9008-a8fbdfae5e26_max-kerman.mp3

Andrew Berkshire and Dave Kaufman are joined by Max Kerman, the lead singer of Arkells to talk about Canadian art in the modern age. How important is supporting artists as Canada faces new challenges? We&#39;d argue; instrumental. We also talk about Max&#39;s first book; Try Hard<h3>Topics</h3><ul><li>Purpose and artistic creation</li><li>The process of growing as an artist in Canada</li><li>How AI is affecting arts and culture</li><li>Feeling the pulse of Canada</li><li>Art as connection</li><li>Bridging generational divides through art</li></ul>Follow the hosts on Blueskyhttps://bsky.app/profile/berkshire.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/davekaufman.bsky.social---Max Kerman is the lead singer of Canadian band Arkells, and wrote a book about his creative journey called Try Hard. Buy it here: <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/744570/try-hard-by-max-kerman/9780735248854" rel="nofollow">https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/744570/try-hard-by-max-kerman/9780735248854</a>---Clearing the Benches is a high concept Canadian political discussion show, where Dave Kaufman (The Kaufman Show) and Andrew Berkshire (Game Over Network) put their heads and rolodexes together in an attempt to discuss ideas and concepts that are being missed in legacy media coverage.Subscribe. rate the show, and tell your friends about it.---Check out <a href="https://www.thegameovernetwork,com/" rel="nofollow">Game Over Network</a> if you&#39;re into hockey! https://www.thegameovernetwork.com---Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clearing-the-benches/id1809780678Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5CNfnD5a8v8kO9SInrvJoo?si=2edf706bc0454059Amazon: https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/19e5a278-9270-4426-82b2-cb9006afb12e/clearing-the-benches

What art tells us about ourselves - with Max Kerman of Arkells

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/8/1/17/0a8a165e-0bfa-4ceb-88a9-6ef1146a2b58_recognizing_palestine.mp3

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has followed the leadership of Emmanuel Macron from France and Kier Stormer from the United Kingdom in cautiously announcing the intention to recognize Palestine as a state amid the ongoing genocide executed by Israel, with the help and funding of the West.Andrew Berkshire and Dave Kaufman talk through difficult topics regarding Canada&#39;s part in the genocide in Gaza, what it means to recognize Palestine as a state, breaking the programming we receive growing up whether Jewish or not, and the fallout with the USA if Canada goes this route.Follow the hosts on Blueskyhttps://bsky.app/profile/berkshire.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/davekaufman.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/steveboots.bsky.social---Clearing the Benches is a high concept Canadian political discussion show, where Dave Kaufman (The Kaufman Show) and Andrew Berkshire (Game Over Network) put their heads and rolodexes together in an attempt to discuss ideas and concepts that are being missed in legacy media coverage.Subscribe. rate the show, and tell your friends about it.---Check out <a href="https://www.thegameovernetwork,com/" rel="nofollow">Game Over Network</a> if you&#39;re into hockey! https://www.thegameovernetwork.com---Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clearing-the-benches/id1809780678Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5CNfnD5a8v8kO9SInrvJoo?si=2edf706bc0454059Amazon: https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/19e5a278-9270-4426-82b2-cb9006afb12e/clearing-the-benches

BONUS - Canada to recognize Palestine's statehood

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/7/22/18/30eeeec8-6621-40a5-892a-51f0643f9276_taylor-noakes-final.mp3

Andrew Berkshire and Dave Kaufman are joined by Taylor Noakes, independent journalist and public historian who refuses to sugarcoat reality, but continually sees through an optimist&#39;s lens. We&#39;re talking about Mark Carney&#39;s actions as Prime Minister compared to the mandate he was elected to serve.<h3>Topics</h3><ul><li>Belated Canada Day thoughts - (00:00)</li><li>Digital Service Tax being dropped - (02:18)</li><li>Canada acting weaker than we are - (09:16)</li><li>What happened to &#34;Canada is not for sale&#34;? - (19:11)</li><li>Opportunity exists in crisis - (28:15)</li><li>Spending on the future - (39:16)</li><li>NDP must learn to listen first - (50:35)</li><li>Our history has solutions - (59:35)</li></ul>Follow the hosts and Taylor on Blueskyhttps://bsky.app/profile/berkshire.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/davekaufman.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/taylornoakes.com---Taylor Noakes is one of Canada&#39;s most intrepid journalists covering a wide range of topics. Find his work on his website: <a href="https://taylornoakes.com/" rel="nofollow">https://taylornoakes.com/</a>---Clearing the Benches is a high concept Canadian political discussion show, where Dave Kaufman (The Kaufman Show) and Andrew Berkshire (Game Over Network) put their heads and rolodexes together in an attempt to discuss ideas and concepts that are being missed in legacy media coverage.Subscribe. rate the show, and tell your friends about it.---Check out <a href="https://www.thegameovernetwork,com/" rel="nofollow">Game Over Network</a> if you&#39;re into hockey! https://www.thegameovernetwork.com---Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clearing-the-benches/id1809780678Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5CNfnD5a8v8kO9SInrvJoo?si=2edf706bc0454059Amazon: https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/19e5a278-9270-4426-82b2-cb9006afb12e/clearing-the-benches

Carney Caving to Trump - With Taylor Noakes

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/6/16/17/72d1cd5e-adb1-475e-aac8-8336875d071e_spencer-churchill-security-ctb.mp3

Andrew Berkshire &amp; Dave Kaufman are joined by Dr. Julian Spencer-Churchill, Associate Professor of Political Science at Concordia University, former Army Operating Officer of the 3rd Field Engineering Regiment, and expert on nuclear technology and the politics surrounding nuclear weapons.With ongoing aggression by the USA against Canada, several op eds have been published in major media outlets suggesting Canada should build nuclear weapons to defend itself, so Andrew reached out to Dr. Spencer-Churchill to examine how realistic that idea is, whether it makes sense, and how vulnerable Canada is.TopicsCan Canada create a nuclear arms program? Would it make sense?America sees Canada as immature and insecure, why? And how does that relate to Carney&#39;s Liberal government&#39;s priorities?Expanding on Canada&#39;s historical political, cultural, &amp; security priorities.What happens if the United States of America invades Canada?Finding a path forward for Canada to avoid conflict.Follow the hosts on Blueskyhttps://bsky.app/profile/berkshire.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/davekaufman.bsky.social---Dr. Julian Spencer-Churchill is an expert in international relations, the politics surrounding nuclear technology, and game theory. You can find more expansive breakdowns on all the topics we covered in breakdowns he&#39;s written and linked on his linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julian-spencer-churchill-10897922b/---Clearing the Benches is a high concept Canadian political discussion show, where Dave Kaufman (The Kaufman Show) and Andrew Berkshire (Game Over Network) put their heads and rolodexes together in an attempt to discuss ideas and concepts that are being missed in legacy media coverage.Subscribe. rate the show, and tell your friends about it.---Check out <a href="https://www.thegameovernetwork,com/" rel="nofollow">Game Over Network</a> if you&#39;re into hockey! https://www.thegameovernetwork.com---Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clearing-the-benches/id1809780678Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5CNfnD5a8v8kO9SInrvJoo?si=2edf706bc0454059Amazon: https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/19e5a278-9270-4426-82b2-cb9006afb12e/clearing-the-benches

Canadian Security & Should we build Nukes? - with Julian Spencer-Churchill

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/5/26/15/e03f5f4d-d38c-42c8-998a-33cfe7a2f46d_ctb-nora.mp3

Andrew Berkshire and Dave Kaufman are joined by Nora Loreto, the host of Canada&#39;s most popular daily news podcast, aptly named <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/5HyykWBKXrtiKyXwkxC3ME?si=f37309c36ee14479" rel="nofollow">The Daily News</a>, and a firebrand of journalistic integrity. We&#39;re talking about how corporations have eroded our social safety net and institutions.TopicsNora&#39;s new book Canada in Decline - Book 2 - Corporate ControlHow Canada&#39;s economics developed post WWIICorporate control over Canadian healthcare, education, and housingHow to solve the housing crisisHope for the future, and building a better worldFollow the hosts and Nora on Blueskyhttps://bsky.app/profile/berkshire.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/davekaufman.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/nolore.bsky.social---Nora Loreto is one of Canada&#39;s boldest thinkers, and you can find her work on her website: <a href="https://noraloreto.ca/" rel="nofollow">https://noraloreto.ca/</a>---Clearing the Benches is a high concept Canadian political discussion show, where Dave Kaufman (The Kaufman Show) and Andrew Berkshire (Game Over Network) put their heads and rolodexes together in an attempt to discuss ideas and concepts that are being missed in legacy media coverage.Subscribe. rate the show, and tell your friends about it.---Check out <a href="https://www.thegameovernetwork,com/" rel="nofollow">Game Over Network</a> if you&#39;re into hockey! https://www.thegameovernetwork.com---Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clearing-the-benches/id1809780678Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5CNfnD5a8v8kO9SInrvJoo?si=2edf706bc0454059Amazon: https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/19e5a278-9270-4426-82b2-cb9006afb12e/clearing-the-benches

Corporate Control in Canada - With Nora Loreto

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/5/16/17/a1365482-0e27-4c19-9762-13b82eafb8de_ctb-bonus-steve.mp3

Prime Minister Mark Carney has named his cabinet after winning the Canadian federal election and forming a minority government. Some positions that were dropped pre-election are back, things are shuffled around, so what are Canadiens supposed to take away from this?To help figure that out, educator, former teacher, and Canadian politics content creator Steve Boots joins Andrew Berkshire for quick bonus run through the cabinet appointees.Why is there a minister of AI but not a full minister for labour? Is the housing file in good hands? What should Canadians take away from the more progressive wing of the Liberal caucus being essentially tossed out of cabinet?Follow the hosts and Steve on Blueskyhttps://bsky.app/profile/berkshire.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/davekaufman.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/steveboots.bsky.social---Steve Boots is a citizen journalist with a background in education, he takes a nuanced look at Canadian politics and news basically daily on his <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Steve_Boots" rel="nofollow">youtube</a> and <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/steve_boots" rel="nofollow">twitch</a> channels.---Clearing the Benches is a high concept Canadian political discussion show, where Dave Kaufman (The Kaufman Show) and Andrew Berkshire (Game Over Network) put their heads and rolodexes together in an attempt to discuss ideas and concepts that are being missed in legacy media coverage.Subscribe. rate the show, and tell your friends about it.---Check out <a href="https://www.thegameovernetwork,com/" rel="nofollow">Game Over Network</a> if you&#39;re into hockey! https://www.thegameovernetwork.com---Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clearing-the-benches/id1809780678Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5CNfnD5a8v8kO9SInrvJoo?si=2edf706bc0454059Amazon: https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/19e5a278-9270-4426-82b2-cb9006afb12e/clearing-the-benchesRead less

BONUS - Steve Boots on Mark Carney's Cabinet

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/5/9/19/1b80df0e-2f8c-43fb-9b8c-8fea04595866_ctb-erica-ifill.mp3

The brilliant and bold journalist Erica Ifill joins Dave Kaufman &amp; Andrew Berkshire on Clearing the Benches to talk about the Canadian political landscape.TopicsPrime Minister Mark Carney&#39;s handling of Donald Trump.Is the root cause of far-right politics as simple as misogyny?The pathway from Nationalism to racismBorders are bullsh*tThe political choice of AIAn examination of what the NDP could do to move forward.---Follow the hosts and Erica on Blueskyhttps://bsky.app/profile/berkshire.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/davekaufman.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/wickdchiq.bsky.social---Erica Ifill is an award winning Canadian political columnist, economist, and host of the <a href="https://www.badandbitchy.com/" rel="nofollow">Bad + Bitchy Podcast</a>.---Clearing the Benches is a high concept Canadian political discussion show, where Dave Kaufman (The Kaufman Show) and Andrew Berkshire (Game Over Network) put their heads and rolodexes together in an attempt to discuss ideas and concepts that are being missed in legacy media coverage.Subscribe. rate the show, and tell your friends about it.---Check out <a href="https://www.thegameovernetwork,com" rel="nofollow">Game Over Network</a> if you&#39;re into hockey! https://www.thegameovernetwork.com---Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clearing-the-benches/id1809780678Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5CNfnD5a8v8kO9SInrvJoo?si=2edf706bc0454059Amazon: https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/19e5a278-9270-4426-82b2-cb9006afb12e/clearing-the-benches

The Canadian Political Landscape - With Erica Ifill

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/4/30/18/06663e82-c928-4553-888f-f6b8d306af18_ctb-election_reaction.mp3

Dave Kaufman and Andrew Berkshire got together for a zoom call the day after Mark Carney&#39;s Liberal Party of Canada won a minority government in a general election.While Pierre Poilievre was soundly defeated in terms of seats, the popular vote showed some worrying signs for the country.Dave &amp; Andrew have a quick chat about where we are as a country, and what the next steps might be.

BONUS - Canadian Election Reaction

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/4/25/15/b571ed83-1a3b-4944-ab24-fcc002e75f60_ctb-waub-final.mp3

For the debut episode of Clearing the Benches, Dave Kaufman (https://bsky.app/profile/davekaufman.bsky.social) and Andrew Berkshire (https://bsky.app/profile/berkshire.bsky.social) talked to author, father, husband, Maple Leafs fan, all around excellent human Waubgeshig Rice (https://bsky.app/profile/waub.bsky.social) about the vastly different context of Trump&#39;s threats to Canadian sovereignty for Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island.TopicsThe feelings of Indigenous peoples to American threats are a little different for a lot of reasons.Truth and Reconciliation: Canada&#39;s plodding march along the 94 calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and whether achieving reconciliation is even possible in Canada.Do things like land acknowledgements and Orange Shirt Day move the needle?Reckoning with the continual violence of Canada&#39;s colonialism.If we listen to Indigenous people, than we build a better world amidst the chaos involved in the rise of fascism?If Waub could snap his fingers and implement any policy in Canada immediately, what would he do?What does Land Back actually mean?Can Canadians on the margins trust a Goldman Sachs banker as Prime Minister in Mark Carney?And finally... Is Canada worth saving?---Waubgeshig Rice is the author of acclaimed novels Moon of the Crusted Snow, and Moon of the Turning Leafs, which you can find in bookstores and libraries across Canada. If you&#39;re interested, we have a little bonus episode dropping soon where we discussed Moon of the Crusted Snow and it’s themes with Waub.---Clearing the Benches is a high concept Canadian political discussion show, where Dave Kaufman (The Kaufman Show) and Andrew Berkshire (Game Over Network) put their heads and rolodexes together in an attempt to discuss ideas and concepts that are being missed in legacy media coverage. Subscribe. rate the show, and tell your friends about it.---Read Dave&#39;s column on The Battle for Mount Royal: https://therover.ca/the-battle-for-mount-royal/---Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clearing-the-benches/id1809780678Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5CNfnD5a8v8kO9SInrvJoo?si=2edf706bc0454059Amazon: https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/19e5a278-9270-4426-82b2-cb9006afb12e/clearing-the-benches

Can Canada achieve reconciliation? - With Waubgeshig Rice

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/4/11/18/fd8f4299-2c64-4ac7-8461-e327c5a4f591_clear_the_benches.mp3

Dave Kaufman and Andrew Berkshire introduce the premise of the show; to address the actual problems we face in Canadian society that Donald Trump and the rise of fascism have distracted us from. Yes, it&#39;s scary, but we know you can walk and chew gum at the same time.Join us for an exploration of Canadian identity, as we try to create a vision for a better country moving forward.

Introduction - Asking the big questions for Canadians

Clear the Benches - Building a Vision for the Future

American aggression has put Canada into an existential crisis, with most of us too worried about threats to our sovereignty to focus on our own laundry list of critical issues we must tackle. Our politicians are unable or unwilling to have these important conversations, so we must.

Join independent journalists Dave Kaufman and Andrew Berkshire as they ask the questions our leaders and institutions fail to address, enlisting the help and perspectives from experts and advocates across the country.

Clear the Benches is where you will find Canadians unafraid to ask why, and undaunted in exploring bold, transformative change so that our neighbours and communities can thrive going forward.

If our leaders won't lay out a long term vision for the people of this land, we will do our best to help your find yours.

Join us as we leave no stone unturned, honestly examining the landscape and potential future we can build together.