Nonpartisan Hacks podcast artwork
Government

Nonpartisan Hacks

by Joel Grenz and Sean Wood
GovernmentSociety & Culture
Share this ranking Is this your show? Claim it
Listen on Apple PodcastsPocket CastsRSS feed

Where it charts

Today’s combined position on our country charts.

Canada · Government
#41 New on this chart
Pulse 29

Ranking history

History builds daily. We started tracking this show on the Government chart recently, so the trend line appears after a second day of data.

About the show

Hosted by two Parksville city councillors, Nonpartisan Hacks brings you behind the scenes of how government really works — without the spin, the shouting, or the partisanship. We dive into the practical, the absurd, and the oddly inspiring world of local government, while mixing in the occasional provincial and federal twist. Expect real talk about decision-making, budgets, bylaws, and political hot potatoes (with a helping of humour and honesty).

Latest episodes

  • Chair and Chief Councillor John Jack

    August 15, 2026 · 1 hr 6 min

    Joel Grenz and Sean Wood sit down with John Jack, known in his own language as Sayaač̓atḥ, who runs two governments at once: he's Chief Councillor of the Huu-ay-aht First Nations, a modern treaty nation on the west coast of Vancouver…

  • On the Rails with Thomas Bevan of Island Corridor Foundation

    August 3, 2026 · 37 min

    What does it actually take to bring 289 kilometres of century-old railway back to life? In this episode of Nonpartisan Hacks, Joel Grenz and Sean Wood take the show on the road — or rather, the rails — recording aboard a high rail vehicle…

  • Scared to Live, Not Scared to Die: Shayla Day on Addiction and Recovery

    July 25, 2026 · 35 min

    Shayla Day was homeless from age 11 to 21, addicted to narcotics by 16, and overdosed 44 times. Today she's helping to lead a regional response to homelessness. In this episode of Nonpartisan Hacks, Joel Grenz and Sean Wood sit down with…

  • Decoding Your Property Tax Bill

    July 10, 2026 · 32 min

    Your city council raised taxes 5.8% this year. So why did your bill go up 13%? In this episode of Nonpartisan Hacks, Joel Grenz and Sean Wood pull apart the property tax bill that lands in every homeowner's mailbox each spring, and…

  • Municipal Courage with Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto

    June 13, 2026 · 51 min

    What happens when the province doesn't move fast enough and people in your city can't wait? In this episode of Nonpartisan Hacks, Joel Grenz and Sean Wood sit down with Marianne Alto, Mayor of the City of Victoria, recorded live at the…

  • When Democracy Becomes Dangerous with Marianne Meed Ward

    May 29, 2026 · 31 min

    What happens when serving your community means risking your personal safety? In this episode of Nonpartisan Hacks, recorded live at the AVICC convention in Victoria, Joel Grenz and Sean Wood sit down with Marianne Meed Ward — Mayor of…

  • Bring the Bill: Rob Shaw on First Reading, DRIPA, and the Erosion of Debate

    May 1, 2026 · 31 min

    What happens when a government starts blocking bills before anyone gets to read them? In this episode of Nonpartisan Hacks, Joel Grenz and Sean Wood welcome back BC political reporter Rob Shaw — host of Political Capital and co-author of…

  • So You’re Thinking of Voting in an Election

    April 11, 2026 · 33 min

    Nobody teaches you how to vote well. Maybe they should. You already know how to mark an X on a ballot. But do you know what you're actually voting for? Joel Grenz and Sean Wood — two City of Parksville councillors — break down the…