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
327 episodes
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
2025.06.03 Civically Speaking – Episode Title: Part 1: Wildfires & Philanthropy in Action with Rachael Steinke and Fred Reibin Part 2: First Ministers, Homelessness, E-Scooters & Summer Soundscapes in Saskatoon
Dear Listeners,This week on Civically Speaking, we bring you an important two-part episode exploring the stories, issues, and voices shaping Saskatoon.Part 1: Wildfires, Community Response & Philanthropy in ...
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Season 4
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Episode 39
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55:46
2025.05.27 Civically Speaking Updates with Phil Tank, Digital Opinion Editor/Columnist with the Saskatoon StarPhoenix
Dear Listeners,Thanks for tuning in. In this episode of Civically Speaking, I sit down with Phil Tank, Digital Opinion Editor at the Saskatoon StarPhoenix, for a wide-ranging conversation about what’s at sta...
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Season 4
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Episode 38
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57:05
2025.05.20 Civically Speaking On-going Saskatoon items and a look out on federal and international items
Hello Dear Listeners, Hope everyone had a fantastic long weekend. On the docket for today's show - we get into some news from over the weekend and then branch into a discussion on an ongoing priority issue for...
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Season 4
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Episode 37
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55:38
2025.05.13 Civically Speaking. Federal Cabinet Announcements, Weather it will ever Rain, river flows, Broadway Bridge and More
Dear Listeners,This week on Civically Speaking, we dive into the big federal cabinet announcement and what this could mean for us here in Saskatchewan. We also ask the question on everyone's mind: will it ever rain again?...
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Season 4
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Episode 36
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55:56
2025.04.29 Civically Speaking - The Day After - Oh what a Federal Election...
Dear Listeners,What a whirlwind of a Federal Election. Historic truly. Liberals get in for a fourth term. New Prime Minister who has never served in government. Leader of the Opposition - loses his seat; NDP Leader, likewise, loses...
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Season 4
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Episode 35
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56:33
2025.04.22 Civically Speaking Why 114 Seminary Cres Matters (PT 1); Faith, Democracy and More (PT 2)
Thanks for tuning in, Listeners,Happy Spring, Election Time, Easter Time, All kinds of celebration time, and also Grieving...Part 1: "Why 114 Seminary Crescent Matters" This episode delves into the University o...
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Season 4
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Episode 34
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56:10
2025.04.15 Civically Speaking - An Interview with Saskatoon's Mayor Cynthia Block
Dear Listeners,Thanks always for tuning into Civically Speaking.In this new episode, recorded last Friday, we sit down virtually with Saskatoon’s newly elected mayor, Cynthia Block, for an engaging and thoughtful conversation....
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Season 4
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Episode 33
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56:09