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Hello,
Welcome to the latest issue of The Walrus Lab Insider. This edition offers a snapshot of the projects that shaped this past year and a glimpse of what’s next for The Walrus Lab in 2026. |
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The Walrus Lab in the Headlines
A recent article in The Local, "Investigating a Possible Scammer in Journalism’s AI Era", details a case in which a freelancer had falsely claimed to have written for several respected Canadian outlets, including this very newsletter. The story shows how remarkably easy it is for fabricated bios, pitches, and AI-generated content to avoid detection. |
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For The Walrus Lab, it’s a reminder of the importance of authentic, ethical storytelling. We maintain trust with readers, creators and the wider media community by keeping fact-checked, human-driven production at the heart of what we do. |
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Exciting New Podcast Series
This year, we launched three new podcast series, showcasing The Walrus Lab’s expanding capacity and dedication to producing thoughtful, resonant audio storytelling across a wide range of subjects.
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Sorry for Your Loss, produced by The Walrus Lab and sponsored by the Mount Pleasant Group, reflects on memory, legacy and the ways communities honour those who have passed. The podcast shares stories of individuals, families, and spaces that hold their histories.
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The Hidden Holocaust Papers, produced by The Walrus Lab with the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre, traces Canadian author Timothy Taylor’s journey into his family’s hidden Holocaust history. Through a blend of personal reflection and archival research, this series uncovers the past to reveal history’s enduring impact. The project concluded with a live taping in Vancouver, bringing these stories into public conversation.
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From Research to Impact, produced by The Walrus Lab with the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation, brings big ideas right to your ears. Each episode features a Trudeau Foundation scholar whose work is shaping a better future for Canada and the world. We also produced a French version, De la recherche à l’impact, for Francophone audiences, which has just been nominated for a Canadian Online Publishing Award.
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Continuing the Story: New Podcast Seasons
Returning podcasts premiered new seasons in 2025, delivering compelling stories and insightful conversations.
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Canadian Time Machine returned this year for its fourth season, continuing to draw insights from Canada’s past. Among this season’s topics were the legacy of Treaty 5, Oscar Peterson, Jennie Trout, Canada's Supreme Court, The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and how the beaver came to be Canada’s national symbol. The podcast, created by The Walrus Lab and funded by the Government of Canada, was recently nominated for two Canadian Online Publishing Awards.
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Courage Inc., produced by The Walrus Lab for Deloitte, returned for its fifth season. Host Duncan Sinclair spoke with leaders and innovators from across Canada about how they’re shaping their respective fields for the times ahead. Guests this season included Taylor Owen, Stephen Poloz and Teresa Resch, among others. Look out for season six in the new year.
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25 Years of Recognition: A Multi-Format Experience
This year marks 25 years since Canada passed the Modernization of Benefits and Obligations Act, a landmark step in extending legal protections to same-sex couples. The Walrus Lab produced and designed a visually rich, dynamic digital project to celebrate this milestone. The artistry spotlights the Lab’s expertise in creating immersive experiences. |
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A companion episode of Canadian Time Machine, titled "25 Years of Recognition: From the Benefits Act to Today’s Fight for Equality", was produced alongside the digital project. Together, the episode and digital experience demonstrate The Walrus Lab’s ability to craft narratives across multiple formats, connecting historical context with innovative storytelling.
The project was made possible with support from the Government of Canada.
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What 2026 Holds for The Walrus Lab |
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As mentioned in the last newsletter, The Walrus has acquired award-winning production company Lead Podcasting. This integration brings fresh perspectives, creativity, and technical skills, expanding our capacity to deliver more sophisticated audio storytelling. For The Walrus Lab and our podcasts, 2026 will be a year of major momentum.
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A new podcast series, Generations Ahead, will launch in early 2026. Produced by The Walrus Lab with the Wilson College of Leadership and Civic Engagement, the series is hosted by Sara Wolfe, the college’s External Director. It explores social innovation in Canada, including classroom changemakers, policymakers, and frontline workers sharing solutions and insights that could impact generations to come. Listen to the trailer here.
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The annual Amazon Canada First Novel Award ceremony, held in June, was our biggest yet. Valérie Bah took home the $60,000 prize for her debut novel, Subterrane, and Vicky Zhu won the Youth Short Story Prize of $5,000 for her story "Suzanne".
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The new year will mark the Award’s 50th anniversary, with The Walrus Lab continuing to play a key role in planning and producing the program. Submissions for next year’s youth competition are now open, so if there’s a budding young writer (between the ages of thirteen and eighteen) in your life, please encourage them to submit their work. Full details are available here.
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As 2025 comes to a close, we’re proud of the stories we’ve told, the experiences we’ve created, and the ways in which we have continued to innovate across a range of platforms. With a new series lineup and an expanded team – thanks to the Lead Podcasting acquisition – the new year promises to connect more audiences through meaningful, Canadian-made content.
Thank you for supporting and following our work. We look forward to sharing the next chapter with you.
In the meantime, let’s chat. We love hearing from you and reply to all emails.
Best,
Tracie Jones
Director of Partnerships & Sponsorships
The Walrus Lab
tracie@thewalrus.ca
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