Red-Tory
Red-Tory
Podcast Description
The Red Tory mission is to critically make sense of our world while having fun doing so. We’re committed to public education, sharing knowledge, and public policy debates. As researchers our current view is that nothing is sacred when so much is uncertain.
For most people, the world seems to be an increasingly chaotic and confusing place. That’s because it is.
In “Red-Tory,” Jesse Hirsh and Allan Gregg—two inquisitive friends from different generations—team up to untangle the chaos. With decades of experience analyzing, navigating, and explaining the intersection of technological and socio-political change, they bring sharp insights and a bit of humor to the news-driven topics shaping our lives.
The conversations are rooted in and riff off the two newsletters written by each co-host. Jesse’s “Future of Authority” identifies undercurrents behind current news that reflect his deep interest in and understanding of new theories and developments in technology and intelligence – ideas that are not widely known or covered by traditional media. Allan’s “Vanity and Learning” reflects on inflection points in politics and history over the last 70 years and how these trends resonate and continue to shape events to this day.
The effect is one of a techno-cultural anthropologist bringing his findings to an older guy, with an impressive resume and a continued love of learning, and together they explore the antecedents and evolution of popular (but often below-the-headline) trends.
Together, they connect the dots in an open-ended conversation or a two-on-one interview with guests who provide unique perspectives on the issues at hand.
With each episode, “Red-Tory” offers clarity, curiosity, and connection in a world where those qualities are increasingly rare. Tune in as Jesse and Allan make sense of the chaos—and have fun along the way.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast covers themes such as the interplay between technology and society, the evolving political landscape in North America, and the implications of public policy. Episode examples include discussions on the 'Trolligarchy' phenomenon impacting democratic institutions, the role of AI in journalism, and the emerging dynamics of contemporary political parties, emphasizing the necessity for clarity and understanding in chaotic times.
The Red Tory mission is to critically make sense of our world while having fun doing so. We’re committed to public education, sharing knowledge, and public policy debates. As researchers our current view is that nothing is sacred when so much is uncertain.
For most people, the world seems to be an increasingly chaotic and confusing place. That’s because it is.
In “Red-Tory,” Jesse Hirsh and Allan Gregg—two inquisitive friends from different generations—team up to untangle the chaos. With decades of experience analyzing, navigating, and explaining the intersection of technological and socio-political change, they bring sharp insights and a bit of humor to the news-driven topics shaping our lives.
The conversations are rooted in and riff off the two newsletters written by each co-host. Jesse’s “Future of Authority” identifies undercurrents behind current news that reflect his deep interest in and understanding of new theories and developments in technology and intelligence – ideas that are not widely known or covered by traditional media. Allan’s “Vanity and Learning” reflects on inflection points in politics and history over the last 70 years and how these trends resonate and continue to shape events to this day.
The effect is one of a techno-cultural anthropologist bringing his findings to an older guy, with an impressive resume and a continued love of learning, and together they explore the antecedents and evolution of popular (but often below-the-headline) trends.
Together, they connect the dots in an open-ended conversation or a two-on-one interview with guests who provide unique perspectives on the issues at hand.
With each episode, “Red-Tory” offers clarity, curiosity, and connection in a world where those qualities are increasingly rare. Tune in as Jesse and Allan make sense of the chaos—and have fun along the way.
In this post-election episode of Red-Tory, Jesse Hirsh and Allan Gregg unpack the results of Canada’s federal election and ask what’s coming next—not just for Canada, but for the global order. The conversation explores the rare and potent opportunity now available: for Carney to assert Canada’s sovereignty and moral leadership by standing up to the authoritarian drift of Trump’s United States. Not just through diplomacy, but through the mobilization of public opinion, Carney could rally international resistance to rising tyranny.
They also turn their attention to Pierre Poilievre’s uncertain future as Conservative leader. With his base increasingly shaped by radical elements and American-style extremism, Poilievre may prove too toxic to lead a credible opposition. Jesse argues that figures like Alberta Premier Danielle Smith represent a deeper rot—openly or covertly embracing the idea of U.S. annexation.
The episode closes with a broader analysis of the growing urban-rural divide and how Canadian politics are being steadily reshaped in the image of American partisanship. As the country drifts toward a brittle two-party system, the question is no longer if Canada will resist American influence—but how.
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