Behind the Podium: How Political Debates Are Really Won (and Lost)

The Discourse

It’s federal debate week, so we’re taking you inside the room where it happens — no, not the stage — the prep room.

This week, Cheryl and Erika trade war stories from decades of political debate prep, sharing what really goes into those make-or-break moments on the campaign trail. From binders and body language to one-liners and last-minute nerves, we unpack how leaders get ready, what success actually looks like, and why sometimes it’s not what you say — it’s how you look when someone else is saying it.

In this episode:

• 🎯 What campaigns really want from a debate

• 🧠 Debate prep secrets: sparring partners, mantras, and muscle memory

• 📉 Debate disasters and the iconic “Math is hard” moment

• 📈 What’s at stake for Carney, Poilievre, and Singh

• 📸 Why the first 15 minutes matter most — and how “debate face” can make or break you

• 🧥 Rachel vs. Danielle: was the matching blue suit a coincidence or a psych-out?

Plus: Cheryl admits to rolling her eyes at Danielle Smith’s 2023 closer (only to admit it worked), Erika confesses to smuggling Jameson into the green room, and both hosts reveal the high-pressure coaching strategies that shape how Canada’s political leaders show up on stage.

🎧 Whether you’re a debate junkie or a casual voter, this is your backstage pass to the most-watched hour in any campaign.

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