Welcome With Karim Kanji

Hubba founder and CEO Ben Zifkin and I both have a lot in common. We both live in Toronto and have owned laundry businesses. In today's episode Ben and I discuss his entrepreneurial journey. It started at Western University as a Philosophy Major and now sees Ben lead a fast growing company in the ever changing world of e-commerce.

This edition of Welcome! features the Director of Emerging Technologies of Delvinia and the curator of the popular Friday Rock Debate, Randy Matheson.

Earvin Venzant is my brother in law. He's a black American in Canada. And Earvin has some things to get off his chest about the recent election of Donald Trump as America's next President.

Lindsay Dunn is the lead anchor for the new Global News Durham. She's also a huge basketball fan who grew up in the middle of hockeytown. Music by Afraaz Mulji.

Today's episode is a special Remembrance Day episode. Major Adam Saunders is with the Royal Regiment of Canada.

Jim Creeggan is 1/4 of the Canadian pop-rock band, Barenaked Ladies. In this episode we talk about: - his friendship with Gord Downie and The Tragically Hip - the influence The Hip has had on him and Barenaked Ladies - How Jim started in music and ended up with BNL - How Jim almost quit BNL - Why Steven Page left the band - Jim's favourite BNL song and album - Jim's new project with his wife called, The Together Project - Listener questions and so much more!

Trained at Toronto’s legendary Second City, Ron was named one of the “Top 10 Creative Canadians” by Marketing Magazine. His work has been recognized by organizations from The London International Advertising Awards to The Advertising and Design Club of Canada. He is founder and CEO of The Tite Group and Executive Producer and Host of the Canadian Comedy Award-winning show Monkey Toast. He has written for a number of other television series, penned a children’s book, and wrote, performed, and produced the play, The Canadian Baby Bonus. His new book, Everyone’s An Artist (Or At Least They Should Be), was recently published. Oh, he's also a big Blue Jays fan just like me! Music by Afraaz Mulji.

Today I welcome Canadian broadcaster and author, Nora Young into the Girth Radio studios. Nora was the founding host and producer of CBC’s award winning show, DNTO, is the founding host and co-producer of Spark and has authored a book called, The Virtual Self. She also hosts the indie podcast, The Sniffer: a podcast about trends in technology. In today’s episode we discuss: – Twitter – Why Nora doesn’t blog anymore – Why Nora is thankful Twitter was not around when she started hosting DNTO – Tracking apps – VR/AR – Listener question – What technology has both changed and not changed since it was invented – And socks! Music by Afraaz Mulji.

Desmond Cole is an award-winning journalist and activist. A former staff writer at Torontoist, his work has also appeared in The Walrus, Toronto Life, VICE, NOW Magazine, and Ethnic Aisle. Cole's work focuses primarily on social justice, equity, immigration, systemic racism, and poverty. Cole currently writes for the Toronto Star and can also be heard on Toronto's CFRB 1010. Music by Afraaz Mulji.

Today I speak with the award winning journalist, 2012 Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal recipient and Weekend News Anchor for Global News, Angie Seth. In today’s episode we talk about her early work with OMNI Television, working at CBC Radio, running the Boston marathon, her biggest news stories, and why her Twitter handle is @kateygoalie. Enjoy! Music by Afraaz Mulji.

Today we chat with Global News News Director, Mackay Taggart. First up, he claims to not be related to former Our Lady Peace drummer, Jeremy Taggart. We discussed the Obama inauguration in 2008; the rise of Donald Trump, Newsroom, Canadaland, and the sex symbol that is Justin Trudeau. Music by Afraaz Mulji.

As many of you know I live in Scarborough. Last year we had an election that saw the Federal Liberals, led by Justin Trudeau, defeat Stephen Harper’s Conservative Party. During the election, only one person running for office came to my home: Salma Zahid. I wasn’t going to vote for Roxanne James who was with the Conservative Party. I was actually leaning towards the NDP. But when Salma came to my office one of the things she promised me was that if the Liberals won and she was my MP, that I could count on her to help fix Bill C 51. Here’s my conversation with the MP for Scarborough Centre, Salma Zahid. Music by Afraaz Mulji.

To many Toronto sports fans the name Richard Peddie is a familiar one. He was the President and CEO for almost a decade and a half of Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment. Today Richard Peddie is my guest. We chat about his career before he was in the Toronto sports spotlight, various MLSE events and what continues to drive Richard Peddie today. Music by Afraaz Mulji.

In today’s episode I speak former musician and good friend Gregg Tilston. Back on Episode #7 we chatted about Gregg’s career to date. Today, Gregg and I discuss the recently completed Man Machine Poem Tour. Gregg has a unique perspective on Canada’s favourite band, The Tragically Hip. In the mid to late-80s Gregg was in a new wave pop band called International Boundaries (INB). The management company they signed with also had a new band from Kingston on their roster: The Tragically Hip. Music by Afraaz Mulji. Also features music by The Tragically Hip: Last American Exit and Ahead By A Century.

Today I speak with the award-winning writer from the Toronto Star, Morgan Campbell. Morgan is a returning guest of the podcast. He made his first appearance on Episode #18. Today, instead of talking about how Canada fared against the world’s best we talk about how the media covered these games. Music by Afraaz Mulji.

In today’s episode I speak with the founder of The Real Sports Zone website and podcast, Adam Virani. Music by Afraaz Mulji.

Today I speak with the woman behind the popular Blue Jays blog, HumandChuck.com, Joanna Cornish. In today’s episode we talk about the 2016 Blue Jays after 100 games; women reporting on baseball and the issue of athletes and domestic abuse. Music by Afraaz Mulji.

In today’s episode I speak with Warrant Officer, Aly Hirji. I’ve known Aly since we were both in Boy Scouts. I’m speaking with Aly today about his experience as a Muslim in the Canadian Military. He also happens to be gay. Music by Afraaz Mulji.