In this unexpectedly heavy episode of Canada Is Boring, Rhys and Jesse dig into a part of Canadian history most people never hear about: Canada’s 200‑year relationship with slavery. While many Canadians grow up hearing about the Underground Railroad and Canada as a safe haven, Rhys reveals a much darker…
The story of John Graham, a Canadian diplomat in 1960s Cuba who became an unlikely spy during the aftermath of the Cuban Missile Crisis.John Graham, Canada’s Quiet Spy in Castro’s Cuba
John Graham, Canada’s Quiet Spy in Castro’s Cuba. The story of John Graham, a Canadian diplomat in 1960s Cuba who became an unlikely spy during the aftermath of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Because the United States had no embassy or formal presence in Cuba after the revolution, President John F.…
In this Canadian history / true crime-adjacent episode, we explore the real story of Gary Hoy, a corporate and securities lawyer at Holden Day Wilson in Toronto, Ontario, whose bizarre accidental death in 1993 became an internet meme, urban legend, and staple of “dumb ways to die” lists: Toronto in…
A Canadian Legend in The American Civil War. In this episode of Canada Is Boring, Rhys and Jesse explore the wild, stranger‑than‑fiction life of Emma Edmonds, a Canadian who fought in the American Civil War while living under multiple identities. Born in 1841 in rural New Brunswick to a harsh,…
Brian Spencer grew up in remote Fort St. James, pushed toward the NHL by a hard working, hyper-intense sports dad who saw hockey as a path to opportunity. On the night of Brian’s first nationally televised NHL game, his father drove to a CBC station armed and took staff hostage…
Best Of Canada Is Boring After 499 episodes proving that Canada is anything but boring, we’ve reached Episode 500, and we’re handing the microphone to the people who made it possible. This special milestone episode of Canada Is Boring is a chaotic, heartfelt, occasionally abusive celebration featuring listener voice notes…
In 1886, Canada’s first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, finally set out to see the country he had helped stitch together by rail. The Canadian Pacific Railway had just been completed, and a grand cross-country tour was planned—complete with speeches, pomp, and a private rail car. What no one…
Santa letters full of profanity and personal insults. When a beloved Canada Post program lets kids write letters to Santa, what could possibly go wrong? In 2007, Ottawa families found out the hard way. Rhys and Jesse dive into the true story of the “rogue elves” who sent obscene letters…
Releases December 15th!!! When a beloved Canada Post program lets kids write letters to Santa, what could possibly go wrong? In 2007, Ottawa families found out the hard way. Rhys and Jesse dive into the true story of the “rogue elves” who sent obscene letters “from Santa,” the full-blown national…
Bird Flu vs Facebook Warriors Join hosts Rhys and Jesse as they dive into one of Canada’s wildest headlines: the ostrich farm saga! When bird flu hits a BC farm, government agencies, courts, and a whirlwind of online activists get involved in a controversy that's part public health crisis, part…
The Conservative who crossed the aisle . In this explosive episode of Canada Is Boring, we dive into the political earthquake shaking Ottawa and Nova Scotia as MP Chris d’Entremont crosses the floor from the Conservative Party to the Liberals. The longtime Acadie–Annapolis MP, known for his strong local voter…
Join hosts Rhys Waters and Jesse Harley as they explore Canadian culture and share quirky, viral stories on their podcast. This episode features the unforgettable tale of Jim Sautner, Alberta rancher and wildlife enthusiast, who raised Bailey D, a domesticated bison, as his best friend, driving him around Spruce Grove,…
In this episode of Canada Is Boring, we dive beak-first into one of the strangest and most important inventions in Canadian aviation history: the Chicken Cannon. As bird strikes continue to threaten aircraft worldwide, with over 50 bird strikes happening every day and more than 13,000 reported annually in the…
In this Remembrance Day special, Rhys and Jesse dive into the unbelievable World War II adventure of Leo Major, the one-eyed Canadian hero who liberated the Dutch city of Zwolle all by himself. This episode is packed with war stories, heroic undercover missions, and enough action to make Hollywood jealous…
In 1830s Ontario, one of Canada’s most documented hauntings unfolded in the isolated Baldoon settlement. The McDonald family’s story of flying stones, ghostly fires, and a supposed witch’s curse became legend. Two centuries later, historians still debate what really happened. Was it hysteria, fraud or something no one could explain?…
Meet Mo Norman, the legendary, quirky, Canadian golfer with a wild story! We dive into his unique golf style, neurodiversity, epic wins, and why he’s a cult hero amongst those who know. Explore the fascinating story of Mo Norman, the iconic Canadian golfer celebrated for his unique golfing technique, neurodiversity,…
