My new podcast
Starting Wednesday, a big bet on in-depth conversation
So it turns out the Substack newsletter you’ve been reading — cleverly titled “Paul Wells” — is only one component of my new career. It’s time to let you know about the other: The Paul Wells Show, my new podcast, featuring in-depth interviews with newsmakers.
The first episode goes live on Wednesday. It’s an extended, thoughtful, often funny conversation with Joe Biden’s ambassador to Ottawa, David L. Cohen. We recorded it last week in front of a live audience at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa.
I’ve got a really good interview with Jason Kenney ready to go; one with U.S. journalist Beth Macy, who’s got a sequel to her astonishing book Dopesick; and more. Here’s the release explaining the project.
Alert readers will note differences between the newsletter and the podcast. One has typing! The other makes sounds! There’s also a difference of focus. The newsletter emphasizes my perspective, analysis and reporting. The podcast is about the guest. My main goal is to get these people talking, so listeners better understand what they do, the challenges they face, their hopes, frustrations, projects.
In a similar live-interview series I used to run at my old shop, I found that the best approach for getting these results is low-key conversation. These will not be “You’re on the griddle” sessions, or what my TV colleagues call “accountability interviews.” It will never be the audio equivalent of a Twitter dunk session. Our aim is to give curiosity and, if I dare use the word, empathy some room. I assume both my guests and my listeners are grownups. I pick guests who have something to say. I trust listeners to judge how well they’ve said it.
Perhaps the biggest difference between the Substack and the podcast is the business model. The newsletter is sustained by readers who choose to pay for full access to everything I write here. It’s a solo act. My business is with you. Speaking of which…
The Paul Wells Show, like most podcasts, is free to all who want to listen, and it’s made possible by a network of partners, producers and sponsors.
The producers are the extraordinary team at Antica Productions, a Toronto-based company with a large number of award-winning podcasts and documentaries to its credit. The partners include the Munk School at the University of Toronto, where I’m the inaugural journalist fellow in residence; and the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. Our media partners are the Toronto Star and iPolitics, who will share The Paul Wells Show with their audiences. Thanks also to my sponsors - founding sponsor Telus and title sponsor Compass Rose. As with anything I do, the decisions about whom I invite, and what I ask them, are mine.
One of the best days I’ve had this year came five weeks ago when I emailed Kevin Breit, the wonderful Toronto guitarist who’s appeared on albums by Cassandra Wilson, Norah Jones and Rosanne Cash, and asked him to write and record theme music for the podcast.
Four hours later he sent me back something perfect. You’ll hear Kevin’s music in every episode of The Paul Wells Show. In fact, it’s in a trailer I’ve already posted at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts. Subscribe now — always for free — and share this post with your friends to spread the news.
Great idea, Paul. You've always been an exceedingly sharp interviewer. Also conversation is a public good.
Great news Paul, but being more of a reader than a podcast person I do hope you don’t give up on your Substack posts. I’m really enjoying them. All the best.