Civically Speaking Podcast with Host, Lenore Swystun and Co-Host, Christina Cherneskey
Civically speaking is a podcast that focuses on all things civic - focusing in on Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, and wider political, geopolitical, and related issues facing us in a 21st-century word. Host, Lenore Swystun, a Registered Professional Planner, Sociologist, and Facilitator together with Communications Specialist and former Journalist, Christina Cherneskey, invites guests and guest panels to discuss all things current and topical. Civically Speaking episodes are self-produced and aired weekly on Saskatoon's community radio station cfcr.ca along with providing podcast versions and special videocast and podcast direct specials. Tune in, try it, and we promise you'll find yourself coming back for more. We talk planning, politics, people - civically speaking!
Episodes
334 episodes
2026.02.03 Civically Speaking Food, Agriculture, Trade and Research Cuts with Dr. Tom Wolf and Gordon Androsoff
Dear Listeners,Thanks for tuning in.In this episode of Civically Speaking, we spend time unpacking food security… not as a single issue, but as a system shaped by trade, climate pressures, land, science, and governance.
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Season 5
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Episode 18
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55:29
2026.01.27 Civically Speaking PT 1. Local. Separate or Apart?
Dear Listeners,Part 1 and Part 2 are broken up this week. In this first part, Christina and I touch on local newsworthy items. SREDA, Discovery Saskatoon, and more touched on. PT 2 we go global. Be sure to s...
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Season 5
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Episode 17
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27:35
2027.01.27 Civically Speaking PT 2 Federal, Global then Local. What we see. What we hear.
Dear Listeners, In PT 2, we focus on the global scene and affects felt locally. Cognitive dissonance ripples through our world. What we see and what we hear. Tune in. Support shows like this and community rad...
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Season 5
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Episode 17
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28:35
2026.01.20 Civically Speaking - The World....Whudtheff and What a Response...
Dear Listeners,Thanks for tuning in. Much appreciation for your support of shows like this that air on Community Radio and also in podcast form.The first half of this episode focuses on a changing world order and why it matt...
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Season 5
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Episode 16
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56:33
2026.01.13 Civically Speaking - In the News Today
Dear Listeners,Thanks, as always, for tuning in to Civically Speaking. This episode was uploaded Wednesday morning, with apologies for the delay.Christina and I begin with a few ponderings about the weather. It feels much more lik...
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Season 5
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Episode 15
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54:46
2026.01.06 Civically Speaking It's a New Year 2026
Dear Listeners,Happy New Year! May 2026 bring you and this show and others that air on community radio and are spread through podcast platforms beyond do their very best to stay informed and have us exercising our civic musc...
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Season 5
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Episode 14
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55:45
2025.12.23 Civically Speaking - Federal Politics - A Year in Review with guest, Rupan Sambasivam
Dear Listeners,As we head into the holiday season, this week on Civically Speaking, I’m joined by Rupan Sambasivam, a recent political science graduate and aspiring media voice, for a year-end reflection on the major political m...
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Season 5
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Episode 13
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53:54
2025.12.16 Civically Speaking - This Week's News and Technology Trends in our Civic Arenas
Dear Listeners,Thanks for tuning into Civically Speaking. This two-part episode of Civically Speaking brings together what’s happening right now and what it means for civic life moving forward.In Part 1, we walk through t...
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Season 5
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Episode 12
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56:26
2025.12.09 Civically Speaking. It's Cold Outside.
Deae Listeners,This week on Civically Speaking, we begin with a check-in on the weather...because ....winter has truly arrived. We talk about just how cold it’s getting across Saskatchewan, what that means for daily life, tra...
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Season 5
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Episode 11
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55:15
2025.12.02 Civically Speaking - Inside Saskatoon’s Budget (and a 108 reasons!?) — And Why City Budgets Everywhere Are Under Pressure
Hello Dear Listeners,Thanks for tuning in - and supporting community radio shows and podcasts like this - we air to Saskatoon's community radio station cfcr.ca and give an opportunity to hear it via a podcast version.This kind of ...
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Season 5
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Episode 1
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55:30
2025.11.18 Civically Speaking - Sports and Politics
Dear Listeners,Thanks for tuning in. In this episode, we dig into the things that bring us together — and the places where politics can still tug us apart.🏈 Sports as Civic GlueWe kick things off with the joy of chee...
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Season 5
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Episode 9
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56:49
2025.11.04 Civically Speaking Saskatoon News and Budget Talk
Hello Dear Civically Speaking Listeners,In a sleep deprived week I aimed to bring a smattering of Saskatoon based news in Part 1 including a little tail-end musing about the Blue Jays...uggggAnd in Part 2, while watching the proce...
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Season 5
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Episode 8
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56:15
2025.10.21 Civically Speaking - An Interview with Marcel Petit - Proud Rabble Rouser - on Riversdale, Pleasant Hill and more
Dear Listeners,You are in for a treat - an unfiltered interview with Marcel Petit - Saskatoon film maker, artist, and head of the Core Neighbourhood Youth Coop and so much more.Have a listen. We talk Riversdale, Pleasant Hill, our...
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Season 5
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Episode 7
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52:44
2025.10.14 Civically Speaking - Thanksgiving edition
Hello Dear Listeners,This episode ran last week - the day after Thanksgiving Monday - it is a 2 part episode about gratitude - simply put.Have a listen and thanks for supporting community radio as heard on CFCR.ca 90.5 FM in Saska...
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Season 5
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Episode 6
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53:22
1015.10.07 Civically Speaking - Round Two
Hello Dear Listeners,IN this week's episode we were sharing our observations as our PM Carney was meeting with President Trump in the Oval Office for a second time (round two). It was both distracting and amusing to have their meeting pl...
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Season 5
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Episode 5
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55:34
2025.09.29 Civically Speaking Truth and Reconciliation
Dear Listeners,Thanks for tuning in and supporting CFCR.ca 90.5 FM in Saskatoon and shows like this. These episodes carry forward, and in this special case, a day ahead, local learnings and sharing of news and stories of interest. Regret...
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Season 5
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Episode 4
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54:49
2025.09.23 Civically Speaking - Send Offs, Agriculture and more with Gordon Androsoff and Tom Wolf
Dear Listeners, On this week’s Civically Speaking, I’m joined by return panel guests Dr. Tom Wolf and Gordon Androsoff. We celebrate Gordon as he leaves Saskatoon for a new chapter in his career—sad to see him go, but excit...
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Season 5
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Episode 3
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57:05
2025.09.16 Civically Speaking Flags, Shelters, and Redford sadness
Hello Dear Listeners,On this episode of Civically Speaking, we reflect on the passing of Robert Redford, a legend whose influence reached far beyond the screen. We also turn to local matters: the recent meeting about Saskatoon’s...
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Season 5
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Episode 2
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56:49
2025.09.09 Fall Season Starter
Hello Dear Civically Speaking Listeners,Welcome to the first fall episode of the new 2025–2026 season! Christina Cherneskey is back in the house, joining me for a lively conversation that kicks off with a roundup o...
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Season 5
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Episode 1
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56:49
2025.08.19 Civically Speaking PT 1 Proposed Emergency Homeless Shelter P2 City Council Draft Strategic Plan 2026-29
Dear Listeners,In this episode, we explore two important conversations shaping Saskatoon’s future.Part 1 – The proposed emergency shelter...looking at what’s being planned, how the community is responding, and why thoughtful appr...
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Season 4
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Episode 45
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56:27
2025.08.05 Civically Speaking - Midsummer Edition - After the August Long
Dear Listeners,Thanks for tuning in to this midsummer edition of Civically Speaking. I am flying solo again - giving Christina a well deserved summer break. In this 2 part episode focus on some Saskatoon and Regi...
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Season 4
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Episode 44
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56:06
2024.07.22 Civically Speaking - Building Cities that Remember and Include - and Yesterday's News
Hello Dear Listeners, It’s just me on the mic today—flying solo while giving the rest of the crew a little break. But that also means space for some quirky deep dives and thoughtful wanderings.In this episode, we kick thi...
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Season 4
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Episode 43
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55:27
2025.06.24 Civically Speaking Trump launches missles and f-bombs - to Transit Links, Bear Spray and stories closer to home...
Dear Listeners,Thanks for tuning in!Summer's here—and so is a wave of stories making headlines. From global power shifts to the future of transit right here in our city, Christina and I are diving into what matters most to Saskato...
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Season 4
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Episode 42
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55:59
2025.06.17 Civically Speaking. Tanking, G7 and a whole lotta chatta
Hello Dear Listeners,This week on Civically Speaking, we start with big local media news: long-time columnist and civic affairs writer Phil Tank has been let go from the Saskatoon StarPhoenix. What does this mean...
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Season 4
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Episode 41
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53:21
2025.06.10 Civically Speaking ICE, Wild Fires, City Budget Saskatoon, Strawberry Moon
Hello Dear Listeners,This week on Civically Speaking, we unpack a mix of local and global headlines that matter:🇺🇸 ICE Raids & U.S. Political Tensions – South of the border, sweeping ICE raids in Los Angeles and a war of ...
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Season 4
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Episode 40
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56:34