National Talky League

Another Calgary public artwork has been revealed and people are displeased... right on cue! Roger and Dave break down many of the arguments about and around Calgary's public art policy and public works of art more generally. Roger is upset about the Liberal government's decisions to "level the playing field" by changing the way corporations are taxed. Dave brings up a beef with nature of traffic calming measures. Roger is wronged at a 4 way stop.  

Rob tells us the story of his honeymoon and the "resort" that pretty much couldn't get anything right. The tale brings up questions about what we should expect from hoteliers, when refunds should be given without question, and how to remove a wasp nest. You can read Rob's full Trip Advisor review, which is both harrowing and artistically on point. Also, check out the uninspiring response from the resort. It turns out there are a few hotels that don't change their sheets. Oh... and here's the French hobo clown Roger was talking about. (Actually more entertaining in 2017!)

Beef of the National Talky League We brought our pal Rob into the arena for the National Talky League this week. Rob is an improvisor at Loose Moose Theatre Company among other things. Roger has an issue with Pride Calgary asking police to not wear uniforms if they'd like to participate in the parade. The guys kick around the notion that straight, middle-aged white dudes get criticized for having opinions about this stuff. Dave opens the polls on the city's best onion rings and Rob provides the contrast between the fantasy and the reality of the onion ring experience. Roger tables the opinion that the success of Wonder Woman might be entirely due to the fact that it's a great movie. The guys discuss movies The Room, The Disaster Artist, and Birdemic. ... and meat.

This week on our first official "OVERTIME" segment, we have an in depth discussion with University of Calgary Associate Professor of Economics Trevor Tombe. Trevor straightens us out on the subject of Equalization Payments, how they work, where the money comes from and goes, and why we can't say "Alberta is sending money to Quebec". We also discuss the realities of Alberta's economy, the fiscal sense of an Olympic bid, and Brad Pitt films.

Thank you, beleaguered friends, for tuning in once again to the National Talky league. In episode 22, Dave discovers the stunning similarity between items you'd buy at the pet boutique and those you'd buy at the Love Boutique. Further proof that when you own a dog toy factory, you own a sex toy factory. National Talky League Dave also tees off on people complaining irrationally about the new green bins. Roger isn't happy with the way National Parks are operated, but does he have a point? Or is he coming off half-cocked? Also, why seniors should not be building staircases in public places and why a hamburger recommendation is a sign of a bad restaurant.

Dave is back from the road and shares some tales of his journey. Roger and Dave both take shots at various defenders of the fairer-sex. (Wait a sec... what makes them "fairer?" The very term is, by definition, sexist.) Roger clears his throat after reading an article that he feels makes too much of Julie Payette's sex as though it should be a determining factor in the appointment of a Governor General. Dave notices a few people pre-raging on the announcement that the next Dr. Who would be a female. Also... GIRLY DRINKS!!!!! Some references from this episode: Kids in the Hall - Girl Drink Drunk The UFC before groin shots were banned Bartenders tell you why a Daiquiri is a true test of bartender skill

It's the 20th episode of the National Talky League. Your support and your contributions have gotten us to this point. Like proper Canadians, we thank you profusely... possibly to an annoying degree. (Sorry about that.) Dave was jacked to get "on the air" for the 20th episode. We struggled a little with the nomenclature surrounding podcast media. It's not really on the air, but what is "the air" anyway? What's the appropriate thing to say? Roger clears his throat with a rant about how people respond to animal deaths at the Calgary Stampede. He's growing tired of this rant because he seems to reprise it each year. Some questions that arise in episode 20: When did you start watching Saturday Night Live? What was your favourite cast? When was the first time you remember noticing "fake news?" Do you think Canadian political discourse is more civil than our American counterparts? MENTIONS: Loose Moose Theatre Company auction site. Video of kids reacting to the Sony Walkman James Veitch TED Talk abo

Much like Tom Cruise, episode 19 was Born on the 4th of July. That day marks the anniversary of the USA's independence from Britain and Roger's (unplanned) independence from his radio career. Onward! In a new segment called "Let me clear my throat," Roger peels off a rant about the government's decision to apologize and payoff Omar Khadr. Dave and Roger discuss the MMIW press conference that became the news itself when two of the speakers asked a reporter (Julie Van Dusen - CBC) to leave the room after feeling disrespected by her question. But it's not all hard news... The guys also talk about: slurpees and accompanying snacks the prospect of naming a $5 coin possibly the most revolting thing Roger has ever put in his mouth. (It actually sorta is what you might think.) Our special guest this week is the former street performer, current improvisor, and newly minted Foreign Correspondent (US Bureau) Rich Ross. Thanks for listening to the National Talky League podcast. We appreciate all your feedbac

Beleaguered listener Mike sent us this awesome photo. He tested the receipt checker at Costco. Total fail. Also, we talk about hobbies and their costs, talk photography in Calgary and Africa with special guest Keith Andrews, we discuss the current state of video games, and the Gal Gadot Wonder Woman pay issue.

17 episodes in, our first outside interview. We have Calgary's own Crackmacs (Mr. and Mrs.) to talk about a recent event in the city that transpired with, through, and because of social media. In this episode: We talk travel, favorite hotels and what makes them that way Whose fault is it that your seat shouldn't be reclined. Dave goes off on outdoor cat owners Roger ponders the state of party politics and how things are changing During the hotels discussion, Roger mentioned this show he watched on YouTube. Enjoy Another Dirty Room... try to look away. You can't!

On this episode of the National Talky League, Dave schools us all on the etymology of some common English phrases. Roger, surprisingly, knows one or two of them proving that he was paying attention in Mrs. Lacroix's English class in high school. Actually, no he wasn't, but he paid attention during Mr. Bedard's class because that guy was awesome. Roger fantasizes about being mayor and floats the idea of a new tax to pay for the hockey arena. Dave gives us a rundown of movies with dubious messages. BONUS RANT: Dave Ware on film critique today.

This week on the National Talky League, the guys look at - following a sports team in the modern social media age - cereal and sandwiches and food trucks - the future of the podcast - Wonder Woman

In this episode, Dave and Roger talk about The 11 vote mandate camping Zipper merging Johannes Mindhorn and The Leftovers

You know when you're having a frustrating few days and nothing seems to be going right? That describes 50% of the NTL hosts this week. R&D discuss bad shopping experiences, smart store policies, chaos at the cashier, ruining steaks, how legitimately creepy the Friendly Giant, and Roger and Dave trade ideas for casual labour and entrepreneurial ventures.

Chris Cornell has died. That sucks. In this episode, Dave and Roger talk about how a good server can make a bad restaurant tolerable and vice versa what's with people bringing dogs to the pub? what's with people bringing cats on planes? why are some allergies more important than others? some Donald Trump stuff

Thanks for your contributions on the Facebook page. We get talking about the best eats in our hometown. There's also some discussion about two of history's most critically acclaimed television shows: The Walking Dead and Little House on the Prairie. We appreciate your support and your feedback. If you have suggestions or something to say, please do!

Questions from this week's episode: Should we forgive our defense minister for mischaracterizing lying about his role while serving in the military? Was it homophobic when Stephen Colbert called Donald Trump's mouth a "c*ck holster?" Are lactaid drinkers as annoying as veggie bacon eaters? Does artisan soft-serve exist? And many more hits... Guys and gals, there's a portion of this episode where Dave and Roger explore a friend's role in dealing with a depressed or otherwise mentally ill person. There's some good stuff in there. I hope you'll give it a listen and let us know what you think. Thanks for all your support of the podcast. Thanks to Mike for reaching out and connecting with Dave at the Comic Expo. It's always really great to hear from and meet supporters. Thanks to Brian for including us in his travel plans. Sorry we didn't get this one up in time. Thanks to all of you who contribute to the show on the Facebook page. Rock on!

Dave is back from a lego convention in Vancouver, Roger had a very meaningful encounter at the grocery store, and the guys dish on the Netflix ratings system, free trade, and all sorts of stuff.

After NTL listener Brian told us he enjoyed our podcast on a flight back from Vancouver, we decided to make an episode that would last him all the way from Calgary to Las Vegas gate to gate. Enjoy!  

The politics ranting is right up front today. A question from facebook about bias in the media turns to Roger's displeasure with Trudeau and what passes for feminism. Dave wonders who, if anybody, can beat Nenshi due to his incumbent status. Then we discuss, in no particular order: Gordon Ramsay Alan Alda Kelly Kapowski A Dead jockey