For the Brightest Conversation in Hamilton, Scott Radley brings Mike Fortune into the studio to talk through some of the serious and not-so-serious news of the week. Guest:  Mike Fortune, television host and professional Master of Ceremonies

Now that city planners have given thumbs down to a new 40-storey building, it's worth asking what we want with our downtown? Don't we want high density and lots of people? Isn't that what we've been hearing for a long time now? And if another signature building came along that everyone loved, would we have to turn it down because of precedent? Guest: Jason Farr, Ward 2 Councillor - Where are our inspiring politicians? Most of those we'll be voting on federally and provincially don't exactly move the needle for people. They'll be voting because they have to choose one rather than because they love their choices. But surely there are leaders out there that could make that happen. - Meghan Markle has quite a lot to learn before she can become a member of the British royal family. Your mind will probably go to which utensils to use at the dinner table or how to curtsy properly but what about hostage situations and live fire exercises? In case everything goes wrong, what does the British SAS teach a royal-to-be? - Could Adolph Hitler have actually survived the war and fled to South America? The lead investigator on History Channel's show Hunting Hitler -- and former CIA operative -- believes so. Tonight he'll explain why. Guest: Bob Baer, former CIA operative and host of Hunting Hitler on the History Channel

After Doug Ford's appearance on Scott Thompson's show this afternoon, we ask if he's employing the correct strategy. Should he be taking specific aim at all things Kathleen Wynne -- including the seemingly peripheral ones like sex ed -- or keeping things general and simply waiting to be swept into office as the polls suggest? Guest: Brad Clark, CEO and Principal at Maple Leaf Strategies - The music industry is in freefall. Not the artists but album sales. Back in 1999, nearly a billion CDs were sold. Last year it was fewer than 180 million. Can this be changed or have attitudes about streaming and expectations of being able to get stuff for free sunk in too deeply? Guest: Bobby Owsinski, Author of 23 books on recording, music, the music business and social media - Pets bring great joy into everyone's lives but just like us, they get sick too. When this happens, the cost for treatment can get extremely expensive. Some people will go to great lengths and spend lots of money for their pet but how much are you willing to spend on your pet? - McMaster is hosting the USports volleyball championships this weekend. Can the six-time-defending-provincial-champion home side finally break through or will the West make it 23 out of 24 years. And what the heck are they doing out there that can lead to that kind of success? Guest: Dave Preston, Head Coach of McMaster University Men's Volleyball

People across the country owe a lot of money. Though this is problem for obvious reasons, could it maybe be a good thing? Could debt be a sign of confidence in the economy? Guest: Scott Hannah, President & CEO of the Credit Counselling Society - Many questions are being raised over the issue of freedom of expression on university campuses. While some schools are doing a very poor job of maintaining the freedom of expression that students and staff possess, others are doing a spectacular job like McMaster University. How are they doing this and was there much push back against it? Guest: Dr. Neil McLaughlin, Professor of Sociology at McMaster University - Ben's Story of the Day had two stories for Ben, Scott's producer, to pick from. Between a drunk bride-to-be that caused a three car accident while in her wedding dress and a peculiar note of concern from a neighbour, Ben has a hard decision on his hands, which story will he choose? - The Blue Jays sound like they'll be having a hard time making something decent out of this season simply because of how many big players that are injured or on a 1-year contract. This will likely mean that some big moves will be coming their way and we must ask, what does the future of the Toronto Blue Jays hold? Guest: Bubba O'Neil, Sports Anchor at CHCH

Doug Ford has won the Conservative leadership on the promise of cutting and balancing. But how exactly will he be able to do that when the province is awash in debt, running a deficit and unwilling to raise taxes? Sounds like quite a challenge. Guest: Richard Brennan, forner Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill reporter for The Toronto Star - You're on Facebook one day and you see a post from a woman desperately asking anyone out there to give her a kidney. Naturally, your immediate response is, "OK, take mine." Actually, that was Christi's reaction. To a total stranger. Guest: Christi Nolan - Scott and Don Robertson of the Dundas Real McCoys sit down for their usual Monday night chat about the latest from the world of sports. Why do we love Tiger Woods in spite of ourselves? And can the NHL ever get a rule change right? 

It is time for the Brightest Conversation in Hamilton. Tonight Scott welcomes Brad Clark back to the show, to talk through the news of the week. Brad Clarke, Principal Consultant for Maple Leaf Strategies and former Hamilton City Councillor and Ontario's Minister of Labour and Minister of Transportation

While nobody would argue that the ongoing support of Locke Street is a good thing, questions still remain about why this event has resonated with people while similar acts of vandalism and urban terrorism across the city haven't. Coun. Sam Merulla mentioned again at council today that if it happens in the east end, it just isn't as important. Question is, why? Guest: Sam Merulla, Ward 4 Councillor - Is it possible that we could someday get our exercise in a pill? Why yes, yes it is. At least, researchers in California (including our guest who is involved in the project) say we're getting close to that. Someday maybe soon, a pill will be able to have the same effect on our system as a hard workout. Which is either the greatest thing ever or the height of laziness. Guests: Dr. Michael Downes & Dr. Weiwei Fan, Staff Scientists at Salk Institute's Gene Expression Laboratory - Our loved ones are called exactly that because we love them. When they are in danger, we get worried but this doesn't seem like it's the case when a woman almost swung onto a 9ft. alligator in Florida. The man behind the camera didn't seem alarmed by this. Would your loved ones be as nonchalant as he was? - For the second or third or fourth time, the CFL has voided the contract of a player charged -- not convicted, but charged -- with a crime. While the allegations may be ugly, is this the right way to do business or should a conviction be required before a person's livelihood can be taken away? Also on a much lighter note, the Arizona Diamondbacks are bringing back the 1970s-era bullpen golf cart to bring relievers into the game. Could this be more awesome? Guest: Bubba O'Neil, Sports Anchor at CHCH

People were complaining about the number of potholes in Hamilton so the city jumped on fixing Main Street. The city started fixing Main Street so fast that now people are complaining about traffic jams! What would you rather have, traffic jams or potholes? Guest: Dan McKinnon, City of Hamilton's Head of Public Works - Reality shows are known for being over the top with drama and now there is some lashback with The Bachelor being insensitive. What could The Bachelor do to upset so many people and are the people right? Guest: Robert Thompson, Pop Culture Expert - Three stories, one winner. Scott has three stories but only one can be crowned the best so he turned to his producer, Ben, to decide. What are the stories and which will Ben choose? - The Hamilton Bulldogs have already clinched a playoff spot but tonight they have a chance to take the first spot in the Eastern Conference. They've improved so much in just a few years, could we see the Bulldogs be awarded The Hamilton Spectator Cup next year? Guest: Teri Pecoskie, Hamilton Bulldogs Reporter for The Hamilton Spectator

We keep hearing about anarchy and anarchists as well as their involvement with what happened on Locke Street. What many people probably don't know is, what anarchists actually stand for and want. Guest: Dr. Francis Dupuis-Deri, Professor of Political Science at Université du Québec à Montréal - It's good to accept who are you and what you look like but there has to be a line drawn between being happy and being healthy... right? Guest: Dr. Gregory Steinberg, Canada Research Chair in Metabolism, Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes - There's a movement that will allow non-smokers to be given extra vacation days to compensate for the smoke breaks that smokers get. Where do you stand on this? Is it a good idea or completely unfair? - Student engagement is a big challenge for Canadian universities when it comes to attending events but if there's one university that outshines the others, it's Brock University. They have a huge turnout of students to their events even if the students have to pay to get in, what's their secret? Guest: Neil Lumsden, Athletics Director at Brock University

Following the act of vandalism on Locke Street over the weekend, Hamiltonians are planning on Saturday March 10 being #LoveLockeDay. But why hasn’t Barton Street, which has also experienced acts of vandalism on its businesses, had the same warm treatment from residents? Krysta Boyer, realtor with Judy Marsales Real Estate and founder of Try! Hamilton - Hamilton has a rich diverse history and there are about plenty of artifacts dating back to before the city was established. Some of these artifacts are on display at places like Dundurn Castle, but a significant amount of Hamilton’s history is collecting dust in storage. What if these items could be on display at a museum dedicated to the history of our city? Ian Kerr-Wilson, Manager of Heritage Resource Management for the ‎city of Hamilton - Scott and Don Robertson of the Dundas Real McCoys discuss the latest from the world of sports, including the NFL scouting combine and what constitutes ‘poor sportsmanship’. Does a football player who only has one hand have a significant disadvantage getting drafted at the combine and is it poor sportsmanship if you’re disappointed with a silver medal?

Scott is joined by Mike Fortune, for the Brightest Conversation in Hamilton for this less-than-snowy  Friday night. Guest:  Mike Fortune, television host and professional Master of Ceremonies

Main Street West is a minefield of potholes that like many other things that need fixing in Hamilton, will cost millions to have remedied. When this happens, the money doesn't just appear out of nowhere, it has to come from somewhere but the question is, where? Guest: Jason Farr, Ward 2 Councillor - The video game industry generates money that dwarfs what the film industry does yet there are film history courses but no video game history courses... until now. Wilfrid Laurier University will be offering a video game history course but what is the history of video games? Guest: Syd Bolton, Canada's Top Video Game Collector - Sometimes things get stuck in your chimney but what would get stuck and whisper eery things into your home? Is it worth knocking your chimney down to get it out? - Hamilton might not be getting an NHL team but you can be sure that there are some people interested in getting one for Seattle. There was a survey that was put out to see how many people would put money down to secure their seat at Seattle's first game. There seems to be lots of interest but is that enough to guarantee Seattle an NHL team? Guest: Rick Zamperin, Senior Sports Director at Global News Radio 900 CHML

Isn't it great how we hear about the price of oil going down but don't see the same trend at the gas pump? You're right, it isn't! Why is this happening and can we fix it? Guest: Dan McTeague, Senior Petroleum Analyst at GasBuddy - University of Toronto student, Sasha Reid was able to produce an analysis of accused serial killer Bruce McArthur before he was caught. How did she do this? Guest: Sasha Reid, PhD Candidate at University of Toronto - Flying sometimes puts people on edge and when the person you're sitting beside isn't very cooperative, things get even worse but what could be so bad that it's worth starting a fist fight? - The Russian doping scandal is something that nearly everyone is familiar with, a government led intiative to have a lot of Olympic athletes take performance enhancing drugs. This is a major infraction but what is the punishment, miss one Olympic Games which wasn't even really the case. Was this a fitting punishment? Guest: Bubba O'Neil, Sports Anchor at CHCH

Hamilton has some potholes that you and your car will never forget and that's a problem. So what's the City going to do about this problem? Is there a fix on the horizon? Guest: Dan McKinnon, City of Hamilton's Head of Public Works - We were told by many that raising the minimum wage would also raise the cost of business and it certainly did. The Canadian Food Industry is going through tough times and food inflation is up but what does this mean and how will it affect our future? Guest: Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Professor of Agriculture at Dalhousie University - The Canadian government has released it's budget today and it's a little concerning. There is an $18 billion deficit which isn't very confidence inspiring. What do you think of our government's budget? - Team Canada's Women's Hockey Team won the silver medal at the Pyeongchang Olympics. This was only because of a shootout against the United States. What's it like having to sit on the bench and watch your Olympic fate be decided? Guest: Laura Fortino, Defenceman for Team Canada's Women's Hockey Team

American evangelist Billy Graham died last week at the age of 99. He was known as a wildly influential preacher and became a counsellor to U.S. presidents like Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan. Could there ever be someone else with this kind of influence in the future or has the world changed too much? Guest: Dr. David Haskell, Associate Professor, Digital Media and Journalism / Religion and Culture at Wilfred Laurier University - The federal budget will be announced tomorrow. What can we expect from it? Guest: Marvin Ryder, business professor for the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University - Scott and Don Robertson of the Dundas Real McCoys are back to chat about the world of sports and there’s no shortage of news in that area. Scott and Don discuss the Winter Olympics, the NHL trade deadline and more.

Ted Michaels continues to host The Scott Radley Show Union Gas crews are in Brantford's impacted neighborhoods with the intention of getting service restored to as many homes as possible today. Guest: Murray Costello, of Union Gas - A familiar face has come back to Hamilton. Ted talks with Orlondo Steinaeur, about re-joining the staff of the Tiger-cats. Guest: Orlondo Steinauer, new assistant head coach of the Hamilton Tiger-cats - A suspected serial killer who allegedly preyed on men in Toronto's gay village has now been charged with a sixth count of first degree murder. We listen back to Detective-Sargent Hank Idsinga of the Toronto Police, at a news conference earlier today. - Last night, Florida Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo gave an emotional speech about the the school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida. - Two-time Olympic medalist Jennifer Heil joins us to talk about what Olympic athletes do, once they retire from competition, and what education and careers await them. Guest: Jennifer Heil, retired mogul skier - They’ve been kicking it out for almost 50 years.  The legendary funk/R&B group Tower of Power will be in Burlington at the Performing Arts Centre next month.  Ted talks with founding member Emilio Castillo about his career, 30 years of sobriety and how he gives back. Guest: Emilio Castillo, of Tower of Power

Ted Michaels hosts tonight's show while Scott is away. - There is drone footage of what's happening in Brantford right now and it's gone pretty viral on the Internet. What's it like filming your hometown and living there at the same time? Guest: Jarod Houliston - Flooding is causing issues for businesses and homes in Brantford so the question must be asked, what is open and what is closed? Ted let's you know. - Competing in the Olympics is without a doubt an extremely stressful experience that is as much a mental game as it is physical. So who do Olympic athletes talk to to help strengthen their minds before they compete for a chance at a gold medal? Guest: Dr. Carla Edwards, Sports Psychiatrist  - There are more care givers in our world than many of us realize. As a care giver, there are more options available at your disposable that can make both your life and someone else's better. Guest: Dr. Yvette Lu, Family Physician and Filmmaker            Shannon Costanza, daughter has Cystic Fibrosis - Anxiety medicine, therapy and treatment aren't cheap which makes the healing process an even bigger challenge. Someone who lives with anxiety and runs a website to help those who share her struggle joins Ted on tonight's show. Guest: Chantal McCulligh, founder of Anxiety-gone.com

Ted Michaels, news anchor and host of The Health & Wellness Show on 900 CHML, fills in as host tonight while Scott is away. Brantford has declared a state of emergency due to flooding and ordered residents from several neighbourhoods to leave their homes. Conservation authority officials say water levels have been rising on the Grand River after an ice jam released near Cambridge and sent a surge of water downstream. Rebecca Dumais was among those who were told to evacuate due to the flooding. How is she doing now and what’s next? Guest: Rebecca Dumais - A drone video of the flooding in Brantford has gone viral on all major networks. Ted speaks with the man who filmed the video about what the situation is like in Brantford. Guest: Jarod Houliston - Ted catches up with a storm chaser for The Weather Network who was at the Grand River today. Guest: Mark Robinson, The Weather Network - A major track and field event is coming to Toronto this summer. Top athletes like Olympic medalist Andre de Grasse will be among the competitors taking part in Track in the 6ix. Guest: Mathieu Gentès, chief operating officer of Track in the 6ix - Canadians of all ages are familiar with the names Hal Johnson and Joanne MacLeod from their popular Body Break series. What are they up to now? Guests: Hal Johnson and Joanne MacLeod

Ted Michaels hosts tonight, while Scott is away. - A new survey, conducted after Patrick Brown announced that he would join the race, said 49% of Ontarians would prefer the Progressive Conservative Party in the next election. Which candidates are leading the pack, and why? Guest: Dr. Lorne Bozinoff, founder of Forum Research, Chartered Scientist with the Royal Statistical Society. - What does it take to create as powerful an ice skating team as Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir? Guest: Bryce Davison, The Hamilton Skating Club's Director of Skating Development, American-Canadian pair skater, three-time Canadian national champion, 2008 World bronze medalist, 2009 Four Continents silver medalist  - Families for Addiction Recovery is a grassroots Canadian registered charity that provides support for families and persons dealing with Substance Use Disorder. What are the resources that are needed, and where can Ontario improve? Guest: Angie Hamilton, Executive Director for Families for Addiction Recovery - The band Chicago is kicking off a new tour! How did Toronto’s Neil Donell become lead singer for the band Chicago, and what is it like to be the new guy in an iconic group? Guest: Neil Donell, “the most recorded voice in the country,” multi- Juno nominated vocalist and the new lead singer of Chicago

Scott Radley hosts The Brightest Conversation in Hamilton, to get you ready for your long weekend. Guest: Teri Pecoskie, multimedia journalist and Bulldogs hockey beat reporter for The Hamilton Spectator

Just about everyone has heard about what's happened with Patrick Brown and now that one of his accusers has changed their story, CTV is still holding their position. What goes into making sure that we have good journalism? Guest: Steve Buist, Investigative Reporter with The Hamilton Spectator - You've probably seen a dog show before where the dogs are judged on their appearance and purity of their breed but what does a judge look for when judging a dog? Guest: Steve Dainard, Judge at 2018 Westminster KC Dog Show - We live an odd world that is full of weird people. There's no question of that but sometimes people take the title of "weird" a little too far. What would compel a British woman to make a necklace out of something on her body? And calling it Wiggles, come on! - The women's hockey game between the States and Canada got pretty heated and just like any other sport, you can be sure that there was some trash-talking. Do you think we might be seeing a more physical game among the women? Guest: Bubba O'Neil, Sports anchor at CHCH

If you've seen an Olympic event with a North Korean athlete in it, you've probably also seen the cheering section for them that is almost picture perfect. They're trying to make North Korea seem like not that bad of a place, do you buy it? Guest: Jack Kim, Founder and Special Advisor to HanVoice - In Canada, the we are not organ donators by default. The same can't be said about the Dutch and those who live in the Netherlands because they have passed a bill that says everyone is an organ donor by default unless you specifically say that you don't want to be one. Is this a good idea or should it be repealed? Guest: James Breckenridge, President and CEO of the Canadian Transplant Society - Drug traffickers are creative and desperate to get their product from one place to another and will go to very extreme lengths to ensure success. Despite their best attempts, sometimes they get caught and it's hilarious. Two men in Lisbon, Portugal hid cocaine in a weird way, all we can say is that they like big butts and they cannot lie. - Talent isn't always recognized to its full potential. This can be used to describe Darren Haydar who, though he did play in the NHL, never had the complete chance to let his talent truly flourish. He still plays hockey but is now doing so with Multiple Sclerosis. The Dundas Real McCoys, the team that Haydar is currently playing for, is going to have a game to raise funds for MS research and to spread awareness. Guest: Darren, Haydar, Retired NHL hockey player

A cannabis conference hosted by the Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Medical Cannabis Research was held  in Hamilton over the weekend. Researchers came to the conclusion that there simply hasn’t been enough research about medical cannabis and it’s hoped that the upcoming legalization of marijuana in Canada will lead to larger and more comprehensive studies in the field. Guest: Dr. James MacKillop, clinical psychologist, addictions expert and co-director of the Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Medical Cannabis Research - After a Saskatchewan jury found a white farmer not guilty in the 2016 shooting death of an Indigenous man, there was widespread anger from First Nations communities and leaders across Canada. Federal Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould responded to the verdict on Twitter, saying the country “can and must do better'” to ensure justice for all Canadians. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declined to comment directly on the verdict, but said that as a nation we have come to this point far too many times. Should political leaders be commenting publicly on the outcome of jury trials? What kind of negative impact might this have? Guest: Michael Lacy, President of the Criminal Lawyers' Association of Ontario and partner with Brauti Thorning Zibarras LLP in Toronto - Scott and Don Robertson of the Dundas Real McCoys discuss the biggest story in sports right now - the 2018 Winter Olympics. They also chat about the Hamilton Bulldogs' victory over the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and whether or not this will improve local interest in Hamilton's OHL team.

It is Friday night, and time for the Brightest Conversation in Hamilton. Guest: Susan Clairmont, Crime, court and social justice columnist at The Hamilton Spectator.

Hamilton is among the top 7 most intelligent communities not in Canada or even North America but in the world! What makes us so well ranked and what other cities stand with us as Earth's top 7 intelligent communities? Guest: Fred Eisenberger, Mayor of Hamilton - As of right now, Spectra organizes and manages FirstOntario Centre, FirstOntario Concert Hall and The Studio in downtown Hamilton but some local competition wants to do that job. The Carmen's Group would like to take over the facilities that are currently managed by Spectra. Spectra is already doing a good job but would Hamilton benefit from new management? Guest: Scott Warren, Former General Manager of Spectra Venue Management - Support animals are called that because they're supposed support their owner but more and more airlines are barring people from flying with their support animals and for good reasons. Saying you can't fly with an animal is one thing but would you flush your support animal down the toilet if the airline to you to? - The Olympics are starting soon which means that many parents are going to have the pleasure of watching their children compete on the world stage. Are parents supported to be able to see their kids compete and what's it like being a first time Olympic parent? Guests: Roger Nurse, father of Sarah Nurse              Sharon & Doug Fast, mother & father of Renata Fast