Podcast · 40 episodes
Two Blocks from the White House
by CBC · English
American politics, Canadian context. Every Wednesday, CBC Washington correspondents Paul Hunter, Katie Simpson and Willy Lowry sit down to talk through the big stories in the U.S. — and to answer the question: what does this mean for Canada? It's unscripted, smart analysis from reporters with a foot in both countries, and a press pass to the White House.
Latest episodes
Is a Democratic blue wave inevitable in the U.S.?Whether a Democratic “blue wave” is inevitable in the U.S. midterms, focusing on polling, campaign strategy, affordability (gas/diesel), and concerns about election interference (voter-list…30 Sep 2026 · 31 min
Does Donald Trump want to have allies?CBC Washington correspondents discuss whether Donald Trump wants allies, focusing on his UN General Assembly speech, harsh rhetoric toward Iran, and a broader “America First” pattern of going it…23 Sep 2026 · 28 min
Will Canada's risky trade stance pay off?Canada’s hard-line, tariff-focused trade stance toward Donald Trump—why Canada is the only major country so far to outright reject a U.S.16 Sep 2026 · 32 min
All episodes
Is a Democratic blue wave inevitable in the U.S.?Whether a Democratic “blue wave” is inevitable in the U.S. midterms, focusing on polling, campaign strategy, affordability (gas/diesel), and concerns about election interference (voter-list…30 Sep 2026 · 31 min · 13 chapters
Does Donald Trump want to have allies?CBC Washington correspondents discuss whether Donald Trump wants allies, focusing on his UN General Assembly speech, harsh rhetoric toward Iran, and a broader “America First” pattern of going it…23 Sep 2026 · 28 min · 9 chapters
Will Canada's risky trade stance pay off?Canada’s hard-line, tariff-focused trade stance toward Donald Trump—why Canada is the only major country so far to outright reject a U.S.16 Sep 2026 · 32 min · 17 chapters
Back at it: What's next for tariffs, Iran and the midtermsCanada-U.S. trade war escalation (tariffs, retaliation, and possible off-ramps) and how it intersects with U.S. midterm elections and the Iran conflict.9 Sep 2026 · 29 min · 13 chapters
Trade war reality check: Do Americans even care?How Americans are reacting to the U.S.-Canada trade war and whether it will matter for the November midterms, based on CBC Washington correspondents’ reporting in Ohio, Iowa, and other stops plus an…2 Sep 2026 · 29 min · 13 chapters
How ugly will this trade war get?CBC Washington correspondents discuss how Canada and the U.S. fell into an “all out” trade war after the U.S.26 Aug 2026 · 35 min · 13 chapters
Understanding the rise of ‘democratic socialism’ from Front BurnerFront Burner episode on the rise of “democratic socialism” in North America, defining the ideology, tracing its history in the U.S.19 Aug 2026 · 38 min · 14 chapters
As progressives win U.S. primaries, what’s the direction of the Democratic Party?How progressive wins in Democratic primaries (especially Michigan) may shape the Democratic Party’s direction, midterm prospects, and potential 2028 presidential contenders; plus a brief update on…12 Aug 2026 · 30 min · 11 chapters
Trump’s push to rewrite U.S. history. Literally.CBC Washington correspondents discuss Donald Trump’s efforts to “rewrite” how American history is presented at Smithsonian museums, focusing on an executive order ordering controversial “plaques”…5 Aug 2026 · 28 min · 11 chapters
Why can’t Trump leave Canada alone?Why Donald Trump keeps targeting Canada—especially with threats of tariffs tied to Canadian wildfire smoke—along with related disputes over USMCA (KUSMA) and the Gordie Howe International Bridge.29 Jul 2026 · 31 min · 14 chapters
Why is Trump threatening Canada with new 50% tariffs?The episode explains why U.S. President Donald Trump is threatening Canada with new 50% tariffs on Canadian exports to the U.S., how they’ll be applied (starting Aug.22 Jul 2026 · 33 min · 13 chapters
What’s going on with the U.S. Senate right now?Post–July 4 U.S. Senate turmoil ahead of November midterms—control math, Lindsey Graham’s sudden death, Mitch McConnell’s health secrecy and viral “proof of life” photo, and the collapse of…15 Jul 2026 · 33 min · 13 chapters
How Trump made $2.2B US in his 1st year back in officeA CBC/BBC-style episode examines a mandatory financial disclosure saying Donald Trump made about $2.2B in his first year back in office (2025), focusing on investment/crypto profits, whether it’s…8 Jul 2026 · 30 min · 7 chapters
The CUSMA review deadline is here. What now?What happens after the July 1 USMCA/CUSMA review deadline—whether the deal is extended, what uncertainty means for businesses, and what trade changes might follow.1 Jul 2026 · 25 min · 14 chapters
How far will the U.S. Supreme Court allow Trump to go?The U.S. Supreme Court’s upcoming decision on whether Donald Trump can end birthright citizenship, a policy challenged after Trump signed an executive order on his second day in office (2025) that…24 Jun 2026 · 33 min · 11 chapters
MAGA coalition check-in: From Christian conservative women to young menA Washington check-in on how Donald Trump’s MAGA coalition is feeling ahead of the midterms, focusing on conservative Christian women, young men, and the impact of the Iran war and cost-of-living.17 Jun 2026 · 30 min · 13 chapters
Trump takes aim at sports, from the World Cup to NBA finalsCBC Commotion episode hosted by El Amin, with CBC Washington correspondents Paul Hunter, Willie Lowry, and Katie Simpson, discussing how Donald Trump is inserting himself into major sports events…10 Jun 2026 · 26 min · 12 chapters
America's 250th birthday: From Vanilla Ice to a UFC White House fightAmerica’s 250th birthday celebrations in Washington, D.C., and how political division is shaping events—Freedom 250 concerts, performer cancellations, and a UFC fight on Trump’s birthday near the…3 Jun 2026 · 28 min · 9 chapters
Will Donald Trump's revenge tour backfire?A CBC/Radio-Canada Washington discussion on whether Donald Trump’s “revenge tour” will backfire, focusing on an unprecedented $1.8B DOJ “victim” compensation fund tied to alleged “weaponization,”…27 May 2026 · 32 min · 17 chapters
What Stephen Colbert’s cancellation says about Trump’s AmericaThe episode argues that Stephen Colbert’s Late Show cancellation reflects a broader shift in “Trump’s America” toward punishing dissent and chilling free speech.20 May 2026 · 30 min · 13 chapters
Has Trump made conspiracy theories mainstream?Whether Donald Trump has made conspiracy theories mainstream, and why that matters for journalism and democracy.13 May 2026 · 28 min · 10 chapters
Is U.S. voting set to change forever?A CBC discussion on a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision narrowing the Voting Rights Act (VRA) and how it could reshape U.S.6 May 2026 · 27 min · 10 chapters
'I think about the gunshots': The fallout from the correspondents' dinnerThe political fallout and meaning of the shooting at the 2024 White House Correspondents’ Dinner, and what it reveals about U.S. political violence and rhetoric.29 Apr 2026 · 34 min · 24 chapters
Paul Hunter recounts the White House correspondents’ dinner shooting on Front BurnerPaul Hunter, CBC senior Washington correspondent, recounts the moment gunshots erupted at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C., and discusses the aftermath, security failures,…27 Apr 2026 · 36 min · 17 chapters