episodes.
Masculinity: Necessary, Evolving, or Misunderstood?
In this episode of irRational, we explore one of the most charged and often misunderstood topics in modern culture: masculinity.
Is masculinity something to be corrected, constrained, or reclaimed? As cultural narratives shift, many are asking whether traditional masculine traits—strength, responsibility, leadership, risk-taking—are being unfairly criticized, or whether they are in need of meaningful reform.
This conversation moves beyond surface-level debate to examine a deeper question: What is masculinity for? And what happens when it is absent, distorted, or misunderstood?
Together, we explore the idea that masculinity and femininity are not competing forces, but potentially complementary ones—each bringing distinct strengths that contribute to a healthier society. From biology and psychology to culture, relationships, and identity, we consider how men and women relate, differ, and depend on one another.
This isn’t a conversation about winning an argument. It’s about understanding the role of masculinity in a changing world—and whether something essential is at risk of being lost, or something necessary is being redefined.
Free Speech: Who get to say what you can say?
This episode of the irRational Podcast explores the nature, limits, and ownership of free speech in modern society.
At its core, the conversation asks:
Is free expression fundamentally an individual right rooted in personal autonomy and agency—or is it something that must be shaped, moderated, and sometimes limited by social and cultural forces?
Beyond that, the discussion will examine a more pressing and practical question:
Who actually determines the boundaries of speech today—and how are those boundaries enforced?
Rather than focusing on whether free speech is “good” or “bad,” this conversation aims to move into the more complex terrain of how speech operates in real-world contexts—across institutions, media, culture, and personal consequence.
The goal is not debate theatre, but a thoughtful, good-faith exchange that allows for nuance, disagreement, and deeper exploration of competing principles.
Canada: Republic or Royalty
In this episode of Irrational, we explore a question that strikes at the heart of Canadian identity: Should Canada become a republic and cut ties with the monarchy? For some, the Crown represents stability, tradition, and a constitutional safeguard that has quietly shaped Canada’s democracy. For others, it’s an outdated symbol — one that ties a modern, independent nation to its colonial past. We’ll dig into the history, the politics, and the emotions behind the debate. Is it time for Canada to stand fully on its own, or does the monarchy still serve a vital role in defining who we are?
Faith: God vs. Logic
Faith: Rational or Irrational?
Guests:
Steve Ghikadis (Atheist, Humanist Officiant and Author, BA of History and Education and ambassador for Humanist Canada)
Mike Hiscock (Christian, Canadian Air Force Pilot [retired], BSc, Masters in Apologetics and speaker for Apologetics Canada)
In this episode of irRational, we explore one of humanity’s oldest and most personal questions: how do faith and reason shape the way we understand truth, morality, and meaning?
Christian apologist Mike Hiscock (Apologetics Canada) and secular humanist Steve Ghikadis join host Kurt Parks for a thoughtful conversation that moves beyond slogans and assumptions. Together, they examine the limits of human reason, the role of historical evidence, the place of personal experience, and whether meaning and moral responsibility require belief in God.
Rather than trying to persuade or convert, this episode focuses on how deeply held worldviews actually function in real life—including how people navigate disagreement with honesty, respect, and intellectual humility.
This isn’t a debate about who’s right.
It’s a dialogue about why we believe what we do—and how we live alongside those who see the world differently.
AI: Public RIght or Private Power
AI: Public Right or Private Power?
Guests:
Scott Beck (Cyber Security Specialist, Founder & CEO of BeckTek and best-selling author)
Bianca Wylie (Writer, Civic Tech Reformer, Government and Privacy Advocate, Founder of Time & Space Studios)
In this episode of Irrational, we step into the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence and tackle one of the most urgent questions shaping our future: Should AI be regulated as a public utility, or left in the hands of private innovators? As AI reshapes economies, creativity, democracy, and even daily human interaction, the stakes have never been higher. Is government oversight the only way to ensure safety, fairness, and transparency — or could heavy regulation smother innovation, limit access, and place progress in the hands of bureaucracy? Today, we explore where society draws the line between public good and private enterprise, and whether AI belongs to the people… or the marketplace.
Hockey Fights
In this episode of irRational, we're stepping onto the ice and into one of hockey’s most debated traditions: fighting. Is it a necessary part of the game, a cultural relic, or something deeper about competition and identity?
Joining us are two guests with firsthand experience inside the world of elite sport. First, we have a former Major Junior hockey player, Anders Frees, drafted to the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, competed in the CJHL, MJAHL, senior hockey and recently returned from Barcelona where he represented Canadian hockey abroad. Now a personal trainer, he’s passionate about unlocking human potential and understands the game not just as a sport, but a mindset and a culture. Alongside him is Marc Boulay — a kinesiologist who's worked with professional athletes, a performance-driven thinker with experience representing global brands like Rip Curl. Marc is also a black belt in Karate… and, as a bonus twist, a Red Seal chef. Together, we’ll explore the role of fighting in hockey — from tradition and psychology to safety, identity, and entertainment.
Lace up — this is going to be a good one.