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.

AI: Public Right or Private Power?

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.

Faith: Rational or Irrational?

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.

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?