Matter of 'Fax

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Oct 2026

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About the show

Take a deep dive with James Collins and Alec Cranston as they bring to light the most innovative, trailblazing, and intriguing stories the city of Halifax has to offer.

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October 30, 2026Episode 651 min

S4 E6 | Charity Baker + Fandom, Volunteers, and the Future of Hal-Con

Season 4 continues with James Collins and Alec Cranston as they discuss an unexpected cruise-ship diversion to Halifax and the strange story of Jerome of Sandy Cove. Then they’re joined by Charity Baker, chair of Hal-Con, to talk about the community behind the convention and what’s next for its growth. Baker shares how she went from attendee to volunteer to chair, how Hal-Con chooses its guests, and how the volunteer-run event keeps growing through year-round gatherings and community outreach. Along the way, they cover: Insane as the Crane: a Bahamas-bound cruise ship ends up in Halifax Harbour of Lies: the mystery of Jerome of Sandy Cove Hal-Con’s volunteer spirit, guest selection, and impact on Halifax New year-round events and highlights from this year’s convention Baker’s vision for Hal-Con’s future and advice for first-time attendees CHAPTERS: 00:00 — Welcome and Halifax wildlife stories 03:21 — Insane as the Crane: A cruise ship detours to Halifax 15:24 — Harbour of Lies: The mystery of Jerome of Sandy Cove 27:27 — Charity Baker and the community behind Hal-Con 31:29 — How Hal-Con chooses its guests 34:32 — Hal-Con’s growth and economic impact 38:35 — Year-round events and community outreach 41:03 — What’s happening at this year’s Hal-Con 45:37 — First-time attendee advice and Charity’s dream guest 48:59 — Hal-Con’s future 51:21 — Closing remarks Follow Matter Of 'Fax: https://www.instagram.com/matteroffaxpodcast/ Follow James: https://www.instagram.com/teamcollinsns/ Follow Alec: https://www.instagram.com/aleccranston9/

October 2, 2026Episode 554 min

S4 E5 | Derek Martin + The Future of the Wanderers Grounds

Season 4 continues with James Collins and Alec Cranston, though James joins from his sickbed, loaded up on throat lozenges, while Alec runs the studio on his own. This episode is about one of the biggest questions facing the city: what happens next at the Wanderers Grounds? Halifax Wanderers FC owner Derek Martin explains how a weedy, neglected field became the home of professional soccer in Halifax. He talks about why the "pop-up" stadium was only ever meant to be temporary, and why he's now pitching City Council on a privately funded modular stadium on a 99-year land lease, which he says would cost taxpayers very little. He also covers what the plan could mean for concerts and events, and for Halifax's ability to compete for big shows. Along the way, they cover: Insane as the Crane: the "Lake America" sweaters, an AI photo that went viral, and the CEO who lost her job over it This month's Harbour of Lies: Enos Collins, the Nova Scotia privateer whose bank became part of CIBC's history ("he put the R in banker") James's accidental three Harbour Hopper tours in 15 hours How a beach volleyball event on the waterfront led Derek to the Wanderers Grounds The rugby game that was cancelled after the field ended up with "crop circles" of burnt grass Why the Wanderers Grounds has been a fenced sports venue since the 1880s and has never truly been open space Surviving COVID, a two-year city study, and a $120M worst-case estimate Life at the pop-up stadium: no washrooms, no running water, and shipping-container locker rooms James on Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, which was in use 300 days a year Why concert promoters start every show $2 million in the hole, and how a permanent venue changes that The road ahead: HRM review, a council decision targeted by year-end, Maybank Field, and a 2028 opening goal How Haligonians can make their voices heard with their councillors Chapters: 00:00 Cold open 00:16 Intro: Alec alone in the studio, James sick in bed 02:45 Insane as the Crane: the "Lake America" sweaters 10:25 Harbour of Lies: the story of Enos Collins 19:36 The verdict 21:57 Derek Martin joins the show 23:01 From beach volleyball to the Wanderers Grounds 25:20 The "crop circles" rugby disaster 27:18 How the Wanderers and the pop-up stadium were born 28:44 "It's truly never been open space" 29:42 Right-sizing a stadium, COVID, and the city study 33:36 The privately funded proposal and the 99-year lease 34:51 Pop-up realities and the grandstand tender 39:35 James on Cardiff's Millennium Stadium 42:19 The economics of concerts in Halifax 45:48 "We haven't profited yet" 46:53 What's next: council, Maybank Field, and the 2028 timeline 51:34 How the public can help 54:02 Outro Follow Matter Of 'Fax: https://www.instagram.com/matteroffaxpodcast/ Follow James: https://www.instagram.com/teamcollinsns/ Follow Alec: https://www.instagram.com/aleccranston9/

August 28, 2026Episode 434 min

S4 E4 | Alex & James + Halifax's Affordability Meltdown

Season 4 continues with hosts James Collins and Alec Cranston back in the studio after a chaotic Halifax summer of heat, bomb threats, and breaking news alerts — and turning their attention to something even more unsettling: Halifax quietly becoming one of the least affordable cities in Canada. James walks through a new Urban Stress Index report ranking Halifax above Toronto and Vancouver for unaffordability, while he and Alec unpack what it means when rent eats 60% of a typical income, how that changes everyday life in the city, and why it’s not just a “people are bad with money” story. Along the way, they cover: What the Urban Stress Index is and why Halifax tops its Canadian unaffordability rankings How rising rents and stagnant incomes are reshaping what people here can actually afford to do for fun The trade‑off between “charming small East Coast city” vibes and wanting big‑city amenities and investment The flood of emergency alerts in Halifax lately, from the downtown bomb threat to a gunman in Bedford How Canada’s alert system really works (and why your phone goes off for incidents hours away) This month’s Harbour of Lies: the charming “village” of Anus, Nova Scotia A detour through some of the world’s most ridiculous real place names, courtesy of James’s UK upbringing How the show has evolved as the hosts loosen up, swear a bit more, and reflect on past “frosty” guests Follow Matter Of 'Fax: https://www.instagram.com/matteroffaxpodcast/ Follow James: https://www.instagram.com/teamcollinsns/ Follow Alec: https://www.instagram.com/aleccranston9/

March 27, 2026Episode 348 min

S4 E3 | Jennifer LaPlante + How AI Will Actually Change Your Job

Season 4 continues with hosts James Collins and Alec Cranston turning their attention to a topic reshaping every industry in Nova Scotia and beyond: artificial intelligence – what it really is, how it’s already changing work, and where the risks (and hype) actually lie. They’re joined by Jennifer LaPlante, Deputy Minister of the Department of Cyber Security and Digital Solutions for the Government of Nova Scotia, to unpack how AI and digital tools are being used inside government, what businesses are getting wrong about “just using ChatGPT,” and why critical thinking matters more than ever for the next generation. Along the way, they cover: What AI actually is (beyond chatbots and image generators) How businesses should be using – and not using – tools like ChatGPT and Copilot The real data‑privacy risks when staff paste confidential info into public AI tools How the pandemic forced a rapid (and messy) wave of digital transformation Why replacing human processes with tech is often more expensive than people think Which jobs are most and least likely to be automated in the next decade Why teaching kids to think critically is the best “AI strategy” families can have What a realistic, responsible AI future could look like in 2036 Plus: James and Alec kick things off with an “Insane is the Crane” dive into Premier Tim Houston’s controversial budget cuts – especially to arts and culture – and a Harbour of Lies segment on Nova Scotia’s forgotten days driving on the left side of the road (and how that allegedly crashed beef prices). Follow Matter Of 'Fax: https://www.instagram.com/matteroffaxpodcast/ Follow James: https://www.instagram.com/teamcollinsns/ Follow Alec: https://www.instagram.com/aleccranston9/

February 27, 2026Episode 243 min

S4 E2 | Kim Batherson + Food Security on Halifax's Waterfront

Season 4 continues with hosts James Collins and Alec Cranston turning their attention to one of Halifax’s most iconic – and misunderstood – landmarks: the massive concrete grain elevator at the edge of Point Pleasant Park. They’re joined by Kim Batherson, President & CEO of Halifax Grain Elevator Limited, to unpack how this 100-year-old structure quietly powers Canada’s food supply, supports global grain and wood‑pellet trade, and operates safely in the middle of a growing residential and condo district. Along the way, they cover: What actually happens inside the grain elevator’s 365 silos How Nova Scotia fits into global grain and wood‑pellet exports The 2003 explosion, what was learned, and how safety is handled today The tension between heavy industry, new development, and the port’s 50‑year plan Why the future of the grain elevator matters for food security in Atlantic Canada Plus: James and Alec kick things off with a look at Nova Scotia Power’s recent load‑shedding request, internet outrage vs. reality, and Alec’s Harbour of Lies segment on Harry Houdini’s little-known Atlantic Canadian chapter. Follow Matter Of 'Fax: https://www.instagram.com/matteroffaxpodcast/ Follow James: https://www.instagram.com/teamcollinsns/ Follow Alec: https://www.instagram.com/aleccranston9/

January 30, 2026Episode 139 min

S4 E1 | Arad Gharagozli + Zelenskyy Visits Halifax

Season 4 kicks off with hosts James Collins and Alec Cranston back in the studio, mixing Halifax politics, world events, and a deep dive into the region’s emerging space sector. They’re joined by Arad Gharagozli, CEO & Founder of Galaxia Mission Systems, a Halifax-based manufacturer of intelligent satellites. Follow Matter Of 'Fax: https://www.instagram.com/matteroffaxpodcast/ Follow James: https://www.instagram.com/teamcollinsns/ Follow Alec: https://www.instagram.com/aleccranston9/ Follow the Reddit Roundup threads: https://www.reddit.com/r/halifax/comments/18jd9nw/nothing_says_grand_reopening_like_discount_broth/ https://www.reddit.com/r/halifax/s/btAf0ArhMh

January 23, 20260 min

Season 4 Trailer

Halifax, Nova Scotia: beautiful, stubborn, and a little bit chaotic, just like the people who call it home. Hosted by James Collins and Alec Cranston , Matter of Fax dives into the real stories of Halifax: the good, the bad, and the badly parked . From sky‑high rents and “I’m totally moving away” promises, to the reasons we never actually leave, this show is for newcomers trying to find their footing and lifelong Haligonians who know they’re never really going anywhere. No tourism fluff. Just honest conversations, local characters, and a healthy amount of side‑eye, served up with the kind of humor you only get from people who love this city enough to complain about it nonstop. Halifax stories. Just facts. No fluff. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

November 19, 2025Episode 1047 min

S3E10| Max Emerson Taylor + Behind The Screens

In this episode, your hosts Alec Cranston and James Collins explore Nova Scotia’s wildfire ban, debunk a WWII espionage myth in the “Harbor of Lies,” and sit down with special guest Max Emerson Taylor for an honest look at influencer life, the pressures of social media, and the reality behind viral fame. Max shares how his journey led from content creation to script writing, why he ran for mayor to inspire youth voting, and how authenticity guided him to launch his creative media company, all delivered with humor, candor, and a strong sense of civic pride. Follow Matter Of 'Fax: https://www.instagram.com/matteroffaxpodcast/ Follow James: https://www.instagram.com/teamcollinsns/ Follow Alec: https://www.instagram.com/aleccranston9/ Follow the Reddit Roundup threads: https://www.reddit.com/r/halifax/comments/18jd9nw/nothing_says_grand_reopening_like_discount_broth/ https://www.reddit.com/r/halifax/s/btAf0ArhMh

September 9, 2025Episode 943 min

S3E9| David Regan + Nanotech and the Future of Cancer Treatment

Hosts James Collins and Alec Cranston return for a fresh episode packed with local stories, science, and innovation. The two sit with David Regan, CEO of Sona Nanotech. David shares the fascinating story behind Sona’s breakthrough gold nanorod technology, which enables targeted hyperthermia cancer therapy. We learn how these nanoparticles are tuned to specific wavelengths, injected into tumors, and then activated by near-infrared light to selectively destroy cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. David explains the science, the company’s journey from rapid COVID-19 test development to cancer therapy, and the importance of Atlantic Canada’s innovation ecosystem. Follow Matter Of 'Fax: https://www.instagram.com/matteroffaxpodcast/ Follow James: https://www.instagram.com/teamcollinsns/ Follow Alec: https://www.instagram.com/aleccranston9/ Follow the Reddit Roundup threads: https://www.reddit.com/r/halifax/comments/18jd9nw/nothing_says_grand_reopening_like_discount_broth/ https://www.reddit.com/r/halifax/s/btAf0ArhMh

June 18, 2025Episode 855 min

S3E8| The Welsh are taking over + Louis Thomas

This episode, with a special co-host, tuning in all the way from Norway, we discuss the Nova Scotia Power data breach , which exposed personal information of 140,000 customers, including social insurance numbers. An interview with Louis Thomas, President and CEO of Sonic Entertainment Group , discussing the logistics and challenges of organizing the Halifax Music Fest, featuring major acts like Nickelback and Lenny Kravitz. The fest aims to establish Halifax as a major live music destination! Follow Matter Of 'Fax: https://www.instagram.com/matteroffaxpodcast/ Follow James: https://www.instagram.com/teamcollinsns/ Follow Alec: https://www.instagram.com/aleccranston9/ Follow the Reddit Roundup threads: https://www.reddit.com/r/halifax/comments/18jd9nw/nothing_says_grand_reopening_like_discount_broth/ https://www.reddit.com/r/halifax/s/btAf0ArhMh