『NOW and NEXT』のカバーアート

NOW and NEXT

NOW and NEXT

著者： Dave Trafford
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Welcome In!


This is NOW and NEXT:

What’s happening NOW and how does that inform what’s happening NEXT?

Veteran journalist and “Recovering News Director”, Dave Trafford hosts and produces this weekly news commentary podcast. It offers made-in-Canada, independent, unique analysis of the current stories and issues affecting your family, your business, your health, and your pocketbook.
Based in Toronto, NOW and NEXT offers insights on local, provincial, national and international issues.

Regular contributors include our bi-weekly RoundTable with the Now and Next C.A.S.T (Comms and Strategy Team!)
  • Lindsay Broadhead brings her comms experience and insights base on her time leading teams in the private and public sectors.
  • Bob Reid applies his earned experience as a major market journalist and a Senior Advisor to the Premier of Ontario to his analysis of the communications "Touchdowns and Fumbles".
  • Anne Marie Aikins is a "media relations maven", a sought after pundit and speaker, and a strategic comms adviser specializing in public transit in Ontario.
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Copyright Dave Trafford & iContact Productions 政治・政府 政治学
エピソード
  • Finding Grace - A Journey of Self Discovery with Rocco Rossi

    Finding Grace - A Journey of Self Discovery with Rocco Rossi
    2026/08/06
    What happens when you step away from the noise, the deadlines and the relentless pursuit of “what’s next” long enough to ask what actually matters?

    Dave Trafford sits down with Rocco Rossi to explore Finding Grace, Rossi’s first novel and a story shaped by more than two decades of walking the Camino de Santiago. Rossi has completed 24 Caminos and roughly 15,000 kilometres of pilgrimage since his first journey in 2002.

    Their conversation moves between the remarkable history of the Camino and the deeply personal questions at the centre of Rossi’s novel. Finding Grace follows Tony Bird — Anthony Aucello — a successful corporate executive whose life is shattered by tragedy. When an unexpected act of kindness connects him to the Camino, he begins a journey that forces him to reconsider success, loss, identity, relationships and what he wants from the rest of his life.

    Rossi explains why the Camino remains powerful in an age of smartphones, doomscrolling and constant distraction. Long-distance walking creates something increasingly scarce: stillness. For Rossi, the Camino isn’t magical in itself. Rather, it creates the time and space for people to rediscover what may already exist within them.

    The discussion also explores the Camino tradition of Vicarie Pro — walking on behalf of another person — and the real-life experience that helped inspire Rossi’s relationship with that tradition.
    Ultimately, this is a conversation about pilgrimage as a metaphor for life: stripping away distractions, recognizing the grace already around us and figuring out how to carry those lessons home.


    Chapters
    00:00 — Introduction: Rocco Rossi, Finding Grace and 24 Caminos
    Dave introduces Rossi, his new novel and his extraordinary history walking the Camino de Santiago.
    05:42 — Chipping Away What Isn’t You
    The Camino as a process of stripping away distraction and rediscovering the authentic self.
    15:05 — Why the Camino Matters in the Age of Doomscrolling
    Rossi discusses the dramatic growth of Camino pilgrimage and why people increasingly seek stillness and disconnection.
    23:35 — Finding Grace and Walking for Someone Else
    The novel’s central characters lead into the centuries-old Vicari Pro tradition of walking the Camino on behalf of others.
    32:17 — The Real-Life Story Behind Rossi’s Camino Journey
    Rossi recounts Mary Catherine Kempton’s death on the Camino and why he returned to walk in her name.
    41:45 — The Camino Begins When the Camino Ends
    Re-entry, resilience, finding direction without signposts and why Rossi chose fiction rather than memoir.


    You can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel (Be sure to subscribe!)

    Follow Dave on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X

    And you can leave us a voice comment here!

    For more information go to Dave's website.
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    55 分
  • Can Toronto Sell the World Cup? Plus Recession Politics and Alberta’s Growing Frustration

    Can Toronto Sell the World Cup? Plus Recession Politics and Alberta’s Growing Frustration
    2026/06/10
    Toronto is preparing to host one of the biggest sporting events in the world, but are Canadians buying into the vision?

    This week on Now and Next, Dave Trafford is joined by the C.A.S.T. (Communications and Strategy Team), Lindsay Broadhead, Anne Marie Aikins and Bob Reid for a wide-ranging discussion about the stories shaping public opinion across Canada.

    The panel examines the communications challenge surrounding the FIFA World Cup as Toronto and Vancouver prepare to welcome the world. With costs exceeding a billion dollars, have organizers done enough to explain the long-term benefits and legacy of hosting the tournament? What lessons can be learned from the Pan Am Games and previous global events?

    The conversation then turns to Canada’s technical recession and the federal government’s response. Did Prime Minister Mark Carney miss an opportunity to connect with Canadians struggling with affordability concerns? The team explores the difference between economic analysis and political leadership when public confidence is on the line.

    The discussion also dives into Alberta separatism and Pierre Poilievre’s evolving message on federalism. Is he repositioning himself as a national unifier while still addressing regional frustrations? And what does the debate reveal about the future relationship between Ottawa and the provinces?

    The episode concludes with reflections on Toronto’s Walk for Israel, the challenges facing civic leaders during polarizing moments, and the role communications strategies play when communities are looking for reassurance, clarity and leadership.

    Now and Next is where communications, politics, public affairs and strategy intersect to help make sense of the issues shaping what comes next.

    Chapters
    00:00 – Introduction and Tax Freedom Day
    Dave welcomes the C.A.S.T. panel and previews the major issues on the agenda.
    01:00 – World Cup Costs, Legacy and Public Buy-In
    The panel examines the billion-dollar cost of hosting FIFA World Cup matches and debates whether organizers have effectively communicated long-term benefits for Toronto and Canada.
    16:30 – Technical Recession and Carney’s Communications Challenge
    A discussion about Canada’s technical recession, economic anxiety, and whether the Prime Minister missed an opportunity to connect emotionally with Canadians facing financial pressures.
    25:50 – Alberta Separatism and Poilievre’s Political Repositioning
    The team analyzes Pierre Poilievre’s response to Alberta separatist sentiment and the broader debate over federalism, provincial powers, and national unity.
    38:00 – Walk for Israel, Leadership and Public Silence
    Reflections on the peaceful Walk for Israel in Toronto, rising concerns about antisemitism, police preparedness, and whether civic leaders should speak more forcefully during difficult moments.
    51:40 – Looking Ahead to Toronto’s Future
    The panel closes with a teaser for a future discussion inspired by ideas about what they would do if they were mayor of Toronto.



    You can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel (Be sure to subscribe!)

    Follow Dave on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X

    And you can leave us a voice comment here!

    For more information go to Dave's website.
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    53 分
  • Does the Toronto Police Service face a Trust Crisis

    Does the Toronto Police Service face a Trust Crisis
    2026/05/29
    Is the Toronto Police Service facing a Trust Crisis.

    Can you separate Danielle Smith - the Federalist from Danielle Smith the Sovereigntist?

    Doug Ford’s “gravy plane.” is still a THING.

    And somehow… flip phones and Pizza Pizza nostalgia are trending.
    .
    This week on Now and Next, Dave Trafford is joined by the C.A.S.T. roundtable (The Comms And Strategy Team) — Lindsay Broadhead, Anne Marie Aikins, and Bob Reid — for a wide-ranging conversation about trust, leadership, and the power of political storytelling.

    The panel breaks down the growing reputational crisis facing the Toronto Police Service following corruption allegations and misconduct investigations involving officers both at home and abroad. They examine whether strong words from leadership are enough to rebuild public confidence — or whether systemic cultural change is required.

    The conversation then shifts west to Alberta, where Danielle Smith’s referendum strategy continues to fuel confusion and tension around sovereignty, federalism, and Western alienation. The group explores the political calculations behind the messaging and what it could mean for national unity.

    The team also digs into Doug Ford’s aircraft controversy and why the “gravy plane” narrative became so politically sticky — turning into a larger symbol about transparency, branding, and public trust.

    And finally, a lighter but revealing discussion: why consumers are suddenly embracing retro brands, flip phones, and 1990s nostalgia in response to modern stress, polarization, and digital overload.

    Plus: Dave previews a fascinating upcoming conversation with Dr. Cindy Locke of Pickering College about experiential learning and how education can create real-world civic impact.

    Chapters
    00:00 – Introduction and the Toronto Police Crisis
    Dave Trafford introduces the panel and opens discussion on corruption allegations, public trust, and the impact of police misconduct on institutional credibility.
    11:16 – Anti-Semitism Allegations and Leadership Challenges
    The panel discusses Hank Idsinga’s allegations about anti-Semitism within Toronto police culture and the communications challenges facing Chief Myron Demkiw.
    20:26 – Alberta Separation, Danielle Smith, and National Unity
    A deep dive into Alberta’s referendum debate, Western alienation, federalism, and the political strategy behind separatist rhetoric.
    33:26 – Doug Ford’s “Gravy Plane” Problem
    The group analyzes the Ontario government’s mishandling of its aircraft controversy and why the issue evolved into a broader metaphor about trust and political branding.
    43:15 – Nostalgia Branding, Flip Phones, and Escaping Modern Anxiety
    The panel explores why brands are reviving retro aesthetics and why consumers are craving simpler, pre-social media experiences.
    50:39 – Education Innovation and Pickering College
    Dave previews an upcoming interview with Dr. Cindy Locke about experiential learning, civic engagement, and rethinking traditional education models.


    You can watch OR listen to this episode on our YouTube Channel (Be sure to subscribe!)

    Follow Dave on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X

    And you can leave us a voice comment here!

    For more information go to Dave's website.
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    53 分
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