The 8 Best Podcasts About Winnipeg We’re Obsessed With Right Now
Whether I’m folding the laundry or washing the dishes, I always make sure to play my favorite podcast in the background. It’s just easier to get more work done when I’m not thinking about how much I hate it.
When I started listening to podcasts a decade ago, there weren’t a ton of shows available, particularly about Winnipeg. I listened to the same music podcast over and over again, but now, you have a wide range of options to choose from.
If you’re looking to add a little bit of entertainment to life’s most mundane seasons, here are the best Winnipeg podcasts to listen to.
1. The Great Canadian Talk Show
– Media credit: kevinkleinwpg
Website: www.actionline.ca
Host: Marty Gold
Topics: News and current affairs
Release date: Sundays
Streaming platforms: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Podbean, Audacy, etc.
If you’re a local, one of the best podcasts to listen to is The Great Canadian Talk Show. It covers news and current affairs, which is a great way to stay informed about the goings-on in the community.
Marty Gold, a writer for the Winnipeg Sun, hosts the podcast. As you can expect from a seasoned journalist, he takes an investigative approach to every episode.
He delves into the most pressing issues in the community right now. He’ll even reach out to the people involved, so we can hear all sides of the story.
Aside from the accurate and fair reporting, we like that he doesn’t shy away from expressing his opinions, especially about politics and social issues.
He uploads one episode per week every Sunday. You’ll find them on Spotify, Podbean, Audacy, and other streaming platforms.
Pro Tip:
For a full list of the podcast episodes and their respective summaries, head over to actionline.ca.
2. Giving up the Ghost
– Media credit: givinguptheghostpodcast
Website: www.givinguptheghostpodcast.com
Hosts: Sherrie and Jas
Topics: Paranormal stories, urban legends, and aliens
Release date: Mondays
Streaming platforms: Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Another podcast we look forward to each week is Giving Up the Ghost, which is hosted by Sherrie and Jer. They delve into unexplained paranormal incidents, the origins of popular urban legends, and the darker side of Winnipeg’s history.
Our favorite episodes are the first-hand accounts of otherworldly activities, where they invite guests to share their experiences. We also look forward to their ghost investigations, which show the city from a spookier perspective.
Whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, the episodes are sure to entertain, scare, and in some cases, keep you up at night.
After a six-month hiatus last year, we’re glad they’re back to rolling out an episode per week. You’ll find them on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Pro Tip:
They often record episodes at The King’s Head Pub or the Mystics, Mediums, and Mindfulness Market. Check their event schedule on their website so you can hear them record live and maybe share your own chilling tales of the paranormal.
3. Northern Knits
– Media credit: northernknitspodcast
Website: www.northernknitspodcast.com
Hosts: Jocelyn and Diana
Topics: Knitting and crocheting
Release date: Wednesdays
Streaming platforms: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts
If you’re looking for a lighthearted podcast to keep you company on your days off, we suggest listening to Northern Knits. Hosted by two friends, Jocelyn and Diana, they cover everything about knitting and crocheting.
They take on a variety of projects like socks, sweaters, and blankets, which are manageable even for beginners. Even though they now have 400+ episodes, we like that there’s still so much to learn and do.
In every episode, they’ll share their progress and insights that can help you with your own projects. Although they are on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, we prefer to watch on YouTube to see the knit patterns and colors.
Pro Tip:
Check out their merch store for cute knitted projects. They have limited availability, so don’t miss out.
4. Illegal Curve Hockey
– Media credit: illegalcurve
Website: www.illegalcurve.com/
Hosts: Ezzy Ginsburg, Drew Mindell, and Dave Minuk
Topics: Hockey
Release date: Sundays
Streaming platforms: YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts
Illegal Curve Hockey is one of the most popular sports podcasts in Manitoba. As you might have guessed, it’s all about ice hockey, particularly our very own Winnipeg Jets, Manitoba Moose, and even the junior division teams.
It’s hosted by Ezzy Ginsburg, Drew Mindell, and Dave Minuk, but they often invite familiar voices in sports news to help deliver a roundup of the latest highlights. They also provide recaps and in-depth analysis, keeping us up-to-date on our favorite teams.
You can catch new episodes on Sunday mornings on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. After every Jets game, we recommend catching their post-match live show on YouTube.
Pro Tip:
Check their website for the latest ice hockey news. You can also listen to the podcast episodes from there.
5. Time to Read
– Media credit: winnipegpubliclibrary
Website: www.wpl-podcast.winnipeg.ca
Hosts: Dennis Penner, Toby Cygman, and Trevor Lockhart
Topics: Books
Release date: First Fridays
Streaming platforms: Spotify and Apple Podcasts
If you love reading but lack the energy to join a book club, Time to Read is a convenient alternative. You can enjoy it from the comfort of your couch every first Friday of the month.
Produced by the Winnipeg Library, the podcast covers quite a diverse selection of genres, helping you expand your reading horizons. They’ll take on the classics like Jane Austen as well as contemporary works from up-and-coming authors.
We like that they talk about ideas, so it feels much like a conversation with a friend rather than a literary analysis lecture. They will also consider recommendations from listeners, which really makes it feel like a book club.
Pro Tip:
Follow them on Facebook and other social media platforms to find out which books they’ll discuss next.
6. Witchpolice Radio
– Media credit: witchpoliceradio
Website: www.witchpolice.com
Host: Sam Thompson
Topics: Music
Release date: Tuesdays
Streaming platforms: Spotify, UMFM 101.5, and YouTube
Witchpolice Radio has been around since 2012, highlighting emerging stars and local favorites in Manitoba’s music scene. We’ve discovered some of our favorite indie artists here.
Every episode, the host, Sam Thompson, invites guests to talk about their new releases and the artistry behind them. He delves into various music genres, so no matter what you’re into, you’re bound to find something that suits your taste.
Our absolute favorite episodes are the annual recaps of Thompson’s favorite local albums of the year. It’s a great way to revisit records that we forgot about or simply overlooked.
Pro Tip:
Go to the Witchpolice Radio Instagram account for a recap of the most popular podcast episodes of the week.
7. Winning in Winnipeg
– Media credit: thewinninginwinnipegpodcast
Website: www.winninginwinnipeg.com
Host: Daniel Nagy
Topics: Business, personal growth, and development
Streaming platforms: iHeartRadio, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Podbean, etc.
If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, one of the best podcasts to listen to is Winning in Winnipeg. The host, Daniel Nagy, was an 11-year veteran firefighter before he made a life-changing career pivot to start a custom home-building company.
After all the ups and downs, he started the podcast to share everything he has learned over the years. Now, it’s an incredible resource for everyone in pursuit of their passions.
What we like most is that he interviews local entrepreneurs and other successful professionals from varying fields, allowing them to share their knowledge and experiences. If you’re willing to listen, you’ll leave inspired and informed.
Pro Tip:
Tune into the podcast from YouTube, so you can see the faces behind the most successful businesses in Winnipeg.
8. Our City, Our Podcast
– Media credit: thecityofwinnipeg
Website: www.winnipeg.ca
Host: Natalie Geddes and Rachel Bergen
Topics: Community development, services, and programs
Release date: First Wednesdays of the Month
Streaming platforms: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, etc.
Just like many locals, we tune into Our City, Our Podcast to keep up-to-date with the latest developments in Winnipeg. It’s a must-listen for new residents as well.
They feature guests who oversee the city’s operations, which can range from transportation to urban forestry. While each episode is well-thought-out and informative, we like that it still feels laid-back and conversational.
We just wish that they published weekly instead of monthly, so we can get the latest stories shaping Winnipeg. As of now, they publish an episode every first Wednesday of the month.
Pro Tip:
Go to The City of Winnipeg’s website for the full transcript of each episode on the podcast.