In this holiday bonus episode of Viewpoints, host Sean Rasmussen sits down with Eli Singer, a pioneer at the crossroads of people and technology, to explore our complicated relationships with screens and devices. After two decades in social media marketing—helping early teams at Google, Coca-Cola, Ford, and MoMA—Eli Singer watched the internet transform from a tool for community building into an engine of attention-harvesting. Now, as founder of Offline.now, he’s dedicated to helping people build healthier digital habits.

Sean Rasmussen and Eli Singer dive into why so many of us struggle to manage our screen time, how our devices are carefully designed to capture (and monetize) our attention, and what practical steps anyone can take to regain control. They discuss the four digital “personality types” that describe people’s relationships with their phones, and Eli Singer shares non-judgmental, actionable strategies to reduce dependency and reconnect with the offline world.

Whether you feel overwhelmed, “stuck,” or just want to function better, this episode offers a supportive and practical approach for anyone wanting a healthier relationship with tech.

Guest Links:

Website: https://offline.now/

Book Link (Amazon): https://www.amazon.ca/Offline-now-Practical-Healthy-Digital-Balance/dp/1069515639/

Host Sean Rasmussen sits down with Geoff Horsman, Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Wilfrid Laurier University and contributor to the new book “The War on Science.” Together, they dive into the growing ideological influences affecting research and scientific inquiry in Canada. From the challenges posed by mandated equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) requirements to the politicization of research funding through government agencies, Geoff Horsman shares his journey from a science-focused introvert to a vocal advocate for truth and open inquiry. The conversation explores the clash between liberal science and critical social justice ideologies, the impact of identity politics on scientific progress, and the urgent need to recentre truth as a guiding principle. If you care about the future of science, academic freedom, and viewpoint diversity, this is a must-listen episode.

Guest Links:

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Book: The War on Science
Twitter/X: @HorsmanGeoff
Laurier Heterodox Substack: https://laurierhxa.substack.com/
Empowr: https://empowrconnect.substack.com/

In our conversation Geoff also mentions the work of Jonathan Rauch on the nature of scientific inquiry and what Rauch coins, “liberal science”:

• Kindly Inquisitors: The New Attacks on Free Thought, Expanded Edition
• The Constitution of Knowledge: A Defense of Truth

Find out more and read the full transcript at viewpointspodcast.ca

Host Sean Rasmussen sits down with Brian Dijkema, president of Cardus Canada, for a lively and honest chat about what’s really going on in Western societies. Why are we so divided? What’s happening with our institutions? Is a return to faith part of the solution? Brian Dijkema weighs in on everything from housing troubles and debt to the rise of progressive activism and the decline (or revival) of Christianity in public life. The conversation covers the roots of liberalism, cultural Christianity, leadership in tough times, and practical ideas for a better future—whether you’re religious or not. If you’re curious about where Canada (and the West) is heading, and how we might turn things around, this episode is definitely worth a listen!

Guest:

Brian Dijkema is the President, Canada at Cardus, and Senior Editor of Comment. He is a public policy analyst, public commentator, and writer.

He regularly works with municipal, provincial, federal governments, and civil servants on a wide range of policy issues. He consults widely with industry, business, labour, and civil society institutions. He is called upon to make presentations on research and policy to legislatures, and industry professionals, and contributes to media outlets on cultural and political issues across Canada and internationally, including the Globe and Mail, the National Post, the Toronto Star, The Hub, National Affairs, and more. Brian and his wife Nicole, along with their four children, call Hamilton home.

Links:

Cardus Canada: https://www.cardus.ca/

Brian Dijkema on X: https://x.com/BrianDijkema

Viewpoints, the podcast:

Find out more about Viewpoints at:

https://viewpointspodcast.ca/

Surely, the thinking goes, authoritarianism is a problem on the right, not the left. For many, especially here in Canada, ‘right wing’ is basically synonymous with authoritarianism. But, a surprisingly high percentage of self-identified progressives are punitive, bullying and intolerant of disagreement: authoritarian traits. This phenomenon is largely undocumented in the media or in the academic research. My guest today—social psychologist and researcher Luke Conway—is very concerned about rise in authoritarianism, it all its flavours. But, in his recent book, Liberal Bullies, he addresses this blindspot we have when it comes to left wing authoritarianism. We discuss his book and the research into authoritarianism.

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About the Guest

Dr. Lucian Gideon Conway, III is a Professor of Psychology at Grove City College. He is an Associate Editor of Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin and a Fellow in the Society of Experimental Social Psychology. Links:

X: @LGConwayIII
Substack: The Apologetic Professor
Book: Liberal Bullies: Inside the Mind of the Authoritarian Left

In this episode of Viewpoints, host Sean Rasmussen sits down with Adam Swart, founder and CEO of Crowds on Demand, to pull back the curtain on the protest industry. Adam shares his unique perspective from years of organizing advocacy campaigns—ranging from high-profile demonstrations to publicity stunts—and challenges the idea of what makes a protest truly “grassroots.” The conversation explores the ethics of paid activism, foreign influence campaigns, the pitfalls of violent protest, and the surprising realities behind movements like #DeleteFacebook and BLM. Adam also weighs in on how money shapes political action, the fine line between advocacy and astroturfing, and why he believes true free speech is under threat. It’s an unfiltered look at protest culture, media narratives, and the future of free expression.

Guest links:

• Website: https://crowdsondemand.com
• X/Twitter: https://x.com/ceoadamswart

This one is about rethinking economics. I speak with Bart Wilson, professor of economics and law at Chapman University (California) about experimental economics and what it has to say about how societies prosper. I also pick his brains about some current affairs, such as the growth of the Canadian government, Javier Milei, Carbon Taxes and much more!

Guest Links:

https://www.bartjwilson.com/

The Smith Institute for Political Economy and Philosophy

Full episode page with transcript and more at the Viewpoints Website.

Why does socialism keep coming back, even after so many failed experiments? In this episode of Viewpoints, host Sean Rasmussen sits down with Dr. Kristian Niemietz, author of "Socialism: The Failed Idea That Never Dies," to explore the resurgence of "millennial socialism" and why each new generation believes they can succeed where others have failed. Niemietz discusses his own intellectual journey from youthful rebellion to classical liberalism, the persistent romanticism surrounding socialism, the cyclical patterns of socialist enthusiasm and disillusionment, and why the lessons of history are often ignored or reinterpreted. From the lessons of the Soviet Union and Venezuela to the modern popularity of DEI and identity politics in the West, this conversation unpacks the economic and social realities behind the rhetoric—and what it means for Canada and beyond. Whether you're a skeptic, a supporter, or just curious about the ongoing debate, this episode offers a thoughtful, evidence-based perspective on one of the most enduring ideas in politics.

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About the guest

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Dr. Kristian Niemietz is Head of Political Economy at theLondon-based Institute of Economic Affairs, a Research Fellow at the Zurich-based Liberal Institute, and a Senior Fellow at the Berlin-based Institute for Free Enterprise. He lives in London England. To find out more, visit: https://iea.org.uk/

Welcome to Viewpoints, the podcast where we dig beneath the headlines to challenge assumptions and explore ideas that shape our society. In this episode, host Sean Rasmussen sits down with Steven Reich, a PhD student in educational policy at the University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), for a frank and eye-opening conversation about the state of our schools.

Why has education become a political battleground, and what gets lost when we shift the focus away from students themselves? Steven shares his unconventional path from law to education research, and unpacks how educational policy, trends, and fads filter down from academia and government offices into the classroom—often with negative consequences. From the rise and pitfalls of whole language reading instruction, to imported American ideologies like critical theory and DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion), Steven argues that our schools are swept up in untested trends, sometimes at the expense of proven approaches based in cognitive science.

We’ll hear why evidence-based, direct teaching methods are often sidelined in favor of more political or philosophical trends; what actually works for helping students learn to read and think critically; and how education policy too often reflects ideological orthodoxies rather than the needs of students, teachers, or families. Steven offers a candid, at times provocative perspective on what’s broken—and what it will take to get back on track.

Whether you’re a teacher, parent, policymaker, or simply curious about the forces shaping Canadian education, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. So settle in, and get ready to hear a side of the education debate you rarely get from the mainstream.

About the Guest

Stephen Reich is a former lawyer and current PhD student. His research concerns education’s capture by an ideological but evidence-poor Critical Theory, at the expense of cognitive science-informed best practices to effectively, efficiently, and equitably impart children with humanity’s most consequential knowledge and skills accumulated to date, necessary for both future innovation, and responsible participation in adult society. Stephen’s upcoming doctoral research will examine the ideological underpinnings of teacher-training in Ontario and whether it is designed to prepare teachers for the reality of classroom teaching. Stephen is a co-chair of University of Toronto's Heterodox Academy and a member of the organization’s national executive. Apart from his work in educational policy, Stephen is a former actor, and current choral director, vocalist and musical arranger.

Topics Covered

Here’s a comprehensive sequence of the main topics covered in this episode of Viewpoints, along with sub-topic bullets under each primary topic:

1. Introduction to Educational Policy as a Political Battleground

2. Steven Reich’s Background and Path to Educational Policy

3. Philosophy and Approach to Educational Policy

4. The Structure of Educational Policy and its Flow into Classrooms

5. Examples of Policy Influence on Classroom Practice

6. Discussion of Teaching Methods: Whole Language vs. Cognitive Science-Based Learning

7. Rote Learning, Memory, and Critical Thinking

8. History and Spread of Critical Theory in Education

9. Evidence, Testing, and Lack Thereof in Educational Theory Adoption

10. The Disconnect Between Official Policy, Teacher Preparation, and Classroom Realities

11. Teacher Experiences and Institutional Culture

12. Multiculturalism, Identity Politics, and Social Justice in Education

13. The Purpose of Education: Competing Philosophies

14. Political and Practical Solutions for Reform

15. Closing Thoughts and Next Steps

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Find out more, go to viewpointspodcast.ca