The Battle Rhythm podcast, co-hosted by Stephen Saideman and a weekly guest host, is co-produced by the CDSN and the CGAI. Battle Rhythm is released every second Wednesday and features timely discussion on the defence and security issues of the day, as well as feature conversations with academics and practitioners. Battle Rhythm has a sister podcast in French called Conseils de Sécurité, the result of a partnership between the Network for Strategic Analysis and the CDSN.
Current Hosts
Stephen M. Saideman: Director of the CDSN-RCDS and Paterson Chair in International Affairs at Carleton University. His research focuses on NATO, civil-military relations, and international security.
Past Hosts
Stéfanie von Hlatky: Co-Director of CDSN-RCDS and the Network for Strategic Analysis, Associate Professor of political studies at Queen’s University and Director of the Queen’s Centre for International and Defence Policy (CIDP). Her research focuses on NATO, armed forces, military interventions, and defence policy.
S3 Ep. 29: After Action Report: Ukrainian Foreign Legion
- March 6, 2025
In episode 29 of Battle Rhythm season 3, with co-host Artur Wilczynski, retired DG of Foreign Intelligence Operations Canada and Senior Fellow…
S3 Ep. 28: Canada First, Not Canada Alone
- February 20, 2025
In episode 28 of Battle Rhythm's third season, Steve Saideman and co-host Thomas Hughes, Assistant Professor at Mt. Allison University discuss JD…
S3 Ep. 27 – Bridging the Gap with Visiting Defence Fellows
- February 7, 2025
In episode 27 of season 3, Co-hosts Linna Tam-Seto (Assistant Professor Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy within the Temerty Faculty…
S3 Ep.26: Stealth, Persistence and Lethality: Naval Force Development
- January 22, 2025
In our twenty-sixth episode of Battle Rhythm season 3, Steve joins Dr. Wendy H. Wong (Professor of Political Science and Principal’s Research…
S3 Ep. 25: Canada’s National Quantum Strategy
- January 8, 2025
In episode 25 of Battle Rhythm season 3, with co-host Artur Wilczynski, retired DG of Foreign Intelligence Operations Canada and Senior Fellow…
S3. Ep.24: Allied Military Leadership in Conversation
- December 18, 2024
We are ending the year on a positive note with this Battle Rhythm / Notes From the Field crossover episode, co-hosts Steve…
S.3 Ep.23: Civil Wars
- December 5, 2024
In episode 23 of Battle Rhythm season 3, with co-host Artur Wilczynski, retired DG of Foreign Intelligence Operations Canada and Senior Fellow…
S3 Ep.22: NATO Diplomacy with SNMG2 Comdr, Cmdre Matthew Coates
- November 20, 2024
In the twenty-second episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 3, with co-host Anessa Kimball, Professor at Université Laval. Steve & Anessa discuss upcoming…
S3 Ep.21: The Cookie Crumbles: US Election and Canadian Security
- November 7, 2024
In our twenty-first episode of Battle Rhythm season 3, Steve Saideman and Dr. Wendy H. Wong (Professor of Political Science and Principal’s…
S3 Ep.20 – Development – Security Nexus
- October 24, 2024
In episode 20 of Battle Rhythm's third season, Steve travels to Pennsylvania, discussion on campaign spending ensues. Co-host Thomas Hughes, Assistant Professor…
S3 Ep.19: Conventional War & Means of Control
- October 10, 2024
In episode 19 of Battle Rhythm's third season, Steve has an agreeable discussion with David Pugliese on Canadaland’s Backbench podcast. Co-host Thomas…
S3 Ep. 18: Military Ethics Education and Application
- September 26, 2024
In episode 18 of Battle Rhythm's third season, Steve testifies at the Parliamentary Defence Committee, discussion ensues. Co-host Thomas Hughes, Assistant Professor…
S3 Ep.17: Change Agent, Soldier-Scholar Dr. Alan Okros
- September 12, 2024
In episode 17 of season 3, Co-hosts Linna Tam-Seto (Assistant Professor Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy within the Temerty Faculty…
S3 Ep.16 – Pride and Politics
- August 28, 2024
In our sixteenth episode of Battle Rhythm, season 3 Steve and Wendy (Professor of Political Science and Principal’s Research Chair at the…
S3 Ep.15: Medium Risk, Medium Reward
- August 14, 2024
In episode 15 of Battle Rhythm's third season, Steve and co-host Thomas Hughes, Assistant Professor at Mt. Allison University, discuss the impacts…
S3 Ep.14: Leadership in times of crisis
- July 31, 2024
In episode 14 of Battle Rhythm season 3, with co-host Artur Wilczynski, retired DG of Foreign Intelligence Operations Canada and Senior Fellow…
S3 Ep.13 – The venn diagram of policy, experience and research
- July 25, 2024
In episode 13 of Battle Rhythm season 3, Steve and Wendy (Professor of Political Science and Principal’s Research Chair at the University…
S3 Ep. 12: Authoritarian Military Careers
- July 4, 2024
In episode 12 of Battle Rhythm's third season, Steve and co-host Thomas Hughes, Assistant Professor at Mt. Allison University, discuss Thomas's trip…
S3 Ep. 11: Interference
- June 19, 2024
In the eleventh episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 3, with co-host Anessa Kimball, Professor at Université Laval. Steve & Anessa discuss the…
S3 Ep. 10 – Domestic Politics and International Relations
- May 29, 2024
In the tenth episode of Battle Rhythm, season 3 – Steve and Wendy discuss ICC warrants, Canada’s decision to abstain from recognizing…
S3 Ep. 9: The Hidden Costs of War
- May 8, 2024
In episode 3.9 co-hosts Steve and Artur discuss the Election Interference Commission of Inquiry and legislation along with Gaza protests on university…
S3 Ep.8: Confidence Building Measures & Arms Control
- April 24, 2024
In the 8th episode of our 3rd season, Steve and Thomas discuss NATO perspectives in Artic Security from his recent visit to…
S3 Ep.7: Is More Enough?
- April 10, 2024
In the seventh episode of season three, co-hosts Anessa Kimball and Steve Saideman discuss some details from the newly released Defence Policy…
S3 Ep.6: Bridging the Gap, One Post-Doc at a Time
- March 27, 2024
In episode 6 of BR Season 3, Co-hosts Linna Tam-Seto and Steve Saideman discuss new legislation proposed to address the abuse of…
S3 Ep.5: Janice Stein, Canada’s Dean of International Relations
- March 13, 2024
In episode 5 of Battle Rhythm's third season, Steve and our newest co-host Dr. Wendy Wong discus strudel surveys, mark the 4…
S3 Ep. 4: A View From Finland & Germany on Defence Strategy
- February 28, 2024
In the fourth episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 3, Steve is joined by our new co-host and former CDSN postdoc, Dr. Thomas…
S3 Ep.3: Czech Future Force
- February 14, 2024
In the third episode of our third season, hosts Steve and Linna discuss Trump's threats on the safety of NATO allies, Minister…
S3 Ep. 2: When Rambo Meets the Red Cross
- January 31, 2024
In the second episode of our third season, hosts Steve & Artur discuss implications for Trump's win in New Hampshire Primary, the…
S3 Ep 1: Inside the Strategic Joint Staff
- January 17, 2024
In the first episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 3, with co-host Anessa Kimball, Professor at Université Laval. Steve & Anessa discuss Sweden…
S2 Ep. 34: Learning Lessons at the Year Ahead with Lama Mourad
- December 6, 2023
In the thirty-fourth episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2, with co-host Anessa Kimball, Professor at Université Laval. Steve & Anessa discuss the…
S2 Ep.33: Throwback -> 2019 Peace with Women Fellows
- November 23, 2023
In the thirty-third episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Linna Tam-Seto, Assistant Professor Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy…
S2 Ep.32: Battle Rhythm x Conseils de sécurité: Visiting Defence Fellow Colonel MC Harvey
- November 8, 2023
In the thirty-third episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Erin Gibbs Van Brunschot, Director of UCalgary’s Centre for Military, Security…
S2 Ep.31: Open by Default Project
- October 25, 2023
In the thirty-first episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Linna Tam-Seto, Assistant Professor Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy…
S2 Ep. 30 – Resilience podcast Meaghan Wilkin and Lobna Cherif
- October 11, 2023
In the thirtieth episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2, with co-host Anessa Kimball, Associate Professor at Université Laval. Steve & Anessa discuss…
S2 Ep. 29 – Security vs. Populism
- September 27, 2023
In the twenty-ninth episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2, with co-host Artur Wilczynski, retired DG of Foreign Intelligence Operations Canada and Senior…
S2 Ep. 28 – Training Exercises
- September 13, 2023
In the twenty-eighth episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Erin Gibbs Van Brunschot, Director, Centre for Military, Security and Strategic…
S2 Ep. 27: Servicewomen’s Salute
- Stephen Saideman
- August 30, 2023
In the twenty-seventh episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Linna Tam-Seto, Assistant Professor Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy…
S.2 Episode 26: Transforming Military Cultures
- August 2, 2023
In the 26th episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-hosts Steve Saideman & Artur Wilczynski, Retired DG of Foreign Intelligence Operations,…
S.2 Episode 25: Vice Admiral Angus Topshee on Canada’s Global Deployment
- July 19, 2023
In the twenty fifth episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-hosts Steve Saideman & Anessa L. Kimball, author of the new…
S.2 Episode 24: Visiting Defence Fellow, Col Cathy Blue
- July 6, 2023
In the twenty fourth episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Erin Gibbs Van Brunschot, Director of @UCalgary’s Centre for Military,…
S2 Episode 23: From Battalion to Brigade
- June 7, 2023
In the twenty third episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with special co-host, Justin Massie, Full Professor of political science at the…
S.2 Episode 22: The Trust Factor: Chat Apps
- May 25, 2023
In the twenty second episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Linna Tam-Seto, Research Associate in the Trauma and Recovery Lab…
S.2 Episode 21: Climate Science & Policy
- Pauline Pic
- May 10, 2023
Climate Science & Policy | In the twenty-first episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Erin Gibbs Van Brunschot, Director of…
S.2 Episode 20: Canada’s NATO Burden Sharing
- April 26, 2023
Canada's NATO Burden Sharing - In the 20th episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-hosts Steve Saideman & Anessa L. Kimball,…
S.2 Episode 19: Senator Rear-Admiral Rebecca Patterson
- April 12, 2023
In the nineteenth episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Linna Tam-Seto, Research Associate in the Trauma and Recovery Lab at…
S.2 Episode 18: Responsible Democracy
- March 30, 2023
This is the 18th episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2, titled "Responsible Democracy" with co-hosts Steve Saideman & Artur Wilczynski, Retired DG…
S.2 Episode 17: Interference & Oversight
- March 17, 2023
In the seventeenth episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Erin Gibbs Van Brunschot, Director of @UCalgary’s Centre for Military, Security…
S.2 Episode 16: Mitigating Risk
- March 1, 2023
In the sixteenth episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Linna Tam-Seto, Research Associate in the Trauma and Recovery Lab at…
S.2 Episode 15: Visionary Thinking
- February 15, 2023
In the 15th episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-hosts Steve Saideman & Artur Wilczynski, Retired DG of Foreign Intelligence Operations,…
S.2 Episode 14: NATO(ish)
- Stéfanie von Hlatky
- February 1, 2023
In the 14th episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-hosts Steve Saideman & Anessa L. Kimball, author of the new book,…
S.2 Episode 13: Welcome to 2023
- Sarah-Myriam Martin-Brûlé
- January 18, 2023
Welcome to 2023. In the thirteenth episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Erin Gibbs Van Brunschot, Director of @UCalgary’s Centre…
S.2 Episode 12: Domestic Emergency Operations
- December 14, 2022
In the twelfth episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Linna Tam-Seto, Research Associate in the Trauma and Recovery Lab at…
S.2 Episode 11: A National Force
- November 30, 2022
In the eleventh episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Erin Gibbs Van Brunschot, Director of UCalgary’s Centre for Military, Security…
S2 Ep. 10: Canadian Forces Intelligence Command (CFINTCOM)
- November 16, 2022
In the 10th episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-hosts Steve Saideman & Anessa L. Kimball, Ph.D. discuss messaging faux pas…
S.2 Episode 9: Leading By Example
- November 2, 2022
In the ninth episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Linna Tam-Seto, Research Associate in the Trauma and Recovery Lab at…
S.2 Episode 8: Researching the Middle East
- October 19, 2022
In the eighth episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Erin Gibbs Van Brunschot, Director of @UCalgary’s Centre for Military, Security…
S.2 Episode 7: Operation UNIFIER
- October 5, 2022
In the seventh episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Artur Wilczynski, Retired DG of Foreign Intelligence Operations, Canada. Steve &…
S.2 Episode 6: MINDS
- September 28, 2022
In the sixth episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Anessa Kimball (They/Them), Full professor at Laval University, and co-director of…
S.2 Episode 5: The Prisoners Dilemma
- September 13, 2022
In the fifth episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Artur Wilczynski, Retired DG of Foreign Intelligence Operations, Canada. Steve &…
S.2 Episode 4: Excellence Scholars
- August 24, 2022
In the fourth episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Linna Tam-Seto, Research Associate in the Trauma and Recovery Lab at…
S.2 Episode 3: America’s Great-Power Opportunity
- August 10, 2022
In the third episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Erin Gibbs Van Brunschot, Director of @UCalgary’s Centre for Military, Security…
S.2 Episode 2: Covering Canadian Defense & Security
- July 27, 2022
Today is the second episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Anessa Kimball, associate professor in the Department of Political Science,…
S.2 Episode 1: The Ones We Let Down
- Charlotte Duval-Lantoine
- July 13, 2022
Today is the first episode of Battle Rhythm, Season 2 with co-host Artur Wilczynski, Retired DG of Foreign Intelligence Operations, Canada. Artur…
Episode 75: The Present of Canadian Security and Defence
- June 22, 2022
In the season finale of Battle Rhythm: Season 1, Steve and Stef discuss the Arbour Report as stakeholders in the project and…
Episode 74: The Military Industrial Complex
- June 8, 2022
In the 74th episode of Battle Rhythm, guest host Erin Gibbs Van Brunschot and Steve talk about cases of sexual misconduct in…
Episode 73: NATO Burden Sharing
- May 25, 2022
In the 73rd episode of Battle Rhythm, Stef and Steve talk about expectations for the upcoming Independent External Comprehensive Review into Sexual…
Episode 72: Training in Ukraine
- May 12, 2022
In the 72nd episode of Battle Rhythm, guest host Linna Tam-Seto and Steve talk about her recent work on military sexual trauma…
Episode 71: Eating the Elephant One Bite at a Time
- Major-General Lise Bourgon
- April 27, 2022
In the 71st episode of Battle Rhythm, guest host Anessa Kimball and Steve talk about Finland, Sweden and NATO, US assurances, Ukraine’s…
Episode 70: Police Responses
- April 13, 2022
In the 70th episode of Battle Rhythm, Stef and Steve talk about NATO expectations & 2% aspirations, the defense review announcement and…
Episode 69: OSCE’s special monitoring mission to Ukraine (SMMU)
- March 30, 2022
In the 69th episode of Battle Rhythm, Stef and Steve talk about the ISA, Steve’s appearance in a parliamentary hearing with discussion…
Episode 68: Talking to the Civilian in Canada’s Civ-Mil
- March 16, 2022
In the 68th episode of Battle Rhythm, Stef and Steve talk about the Conference of Defence Associations Institute's annual Ottawa Conference, Russia,…
Episode 67: NATO (eFP) Battle Group Latvia
- March 2, 2022
In the 67th episode of Battle Rhythm, Stef and Steve talk about the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Today’s feature interview is with…
Episode 66: Saving Democracy
- Ben Rowswell
- February 16, 2022
In the 66th episode of Battle Rhythm, Stef and Steve talk about the internationalization of the trucker convoy and the impending Russian…
Episode 65: It’s Not Just 700
- February 2, 2022
In the 65th episode of Battle Rhythm, Stef and Steve talk about Civ-Mil protocol when it comes to domestic protests and Canada’s…
Episode 64: The 2021 Class of the Halifax Peace With Women Fellowship
- January 19, 2022
In the 64th episode of Battle Rhythm, Stef and Steve talk about Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Russia. Today’s feature interviews are with The…
Episode 63: Leadership Strategy & Gendered Perspectives
- December 15, 2021
In the 63rd episode of Battle Rhythm, Stef and Steve talk about the Summit of Democracies, Ukraine’s border politics and the Canadian…
Episode 62: Feminist Solutions in the Year Ahead
- December 1, 2021
In the 62nd episode of Battle Rhythm, Stef and Steve talk about the Throne Speech, CAF’s domestic operations in BC and our…
Episode 61: Hearts and Minds
- November 17, 2021
In the 61st episode of Battle Rhythm, Stef and Steve talk about CoP26, Three Amigos Summit, and Belarus. Today’s feature interview is…
Episode 60: Canadian Intelligence Analysis
- November 3, 2021
In the 60th episode of Battle Rhythm, Stef and Steve talk about Cabinet appointments, and Gen. Eyre’s keynote speech at KCIS. Today’s…
Episode 59: Joint Command and Staff Programme
- October 22, 2021
In the 59th episode of Battle Rhythm, Stef and Steve talk about a meeting Steve had with Gen. Eyre on personnel issues,…
Episode 58: Moral Injury
- October 6, 2021
In the 58th episode of Battle Rhythm, Stef and Steve talk about the state of Canada – China relations with the release…
Episode 57: No Credible Evidence
- September 22, 2021
In the 57th episode of Battle Rhythm, Stef and Steve talk about #Elxn44 with a recap on former General endorsements and the…
Episode 56: Future Thinking Resilience & Sustainability
- September 9, 2021
In the 56th episode of Battle Rhythm, Stef and Steve talk about personal lessons learned from 9/11 and Federal Election 2021. Today’s…
Episode 55: Canada’s top female military officer
- August 25, 2021
In the 55th episode of Battle Rhythm, Stef and Steve talk about Afghanistan hot-takes and consultations with CAF/DND on sexual misconduct reporting.…
Episode 54: Pandemic Modelling
- August 18, 2021
In the 54th episode of Battle Rhythm, Stef and Steve talk about family vacations and regulations across the US border, planning a…
Episode 53: Making the Best of It: Canadian Forces Military Police Group
- July 29, 2021
In the 53rd episode of Battle Rhythm, Stef and Steve talk about a recent Defence SMRC Roundtable, cyber attacks and Great Power…
Episode 52: Emerging Technologies and Escalating Security Problems
- July 14, 2021
In the 52nd episode of Battle Rhythm, our guest host and Co-director, Erin Gibbs Van Brunschot and Steve talk about the new…
Episode 51: Military Justice Reform
- June 18, 2021
In the 51st episode of Battle Rhythm, Stef and Steve talk about the terrorist attack in London, Ontario, the NATO Summit, and…
Episode 50: The CDSN Podcast Network
- June 4, 2021
In the 50th episode of Battle Rhythm, Stef and Steve talk about the discovery of the Kamloops Residential School burial site, latest…
Episode 49: Healthy Tension
- May 26, 2021
In the 49th episode of Battle Rhythm, Stef and Steve reflect on today’s Feature Interview with guests Deputy Minister of the Department…
Episode 48: Operation Reassurance
- May 5, 2021
In the 48th episode of Battle Rhythm, Stef and Steve talk about the external review into sexual misconduct in the military, the…
Episode 47: Security – Policy Nexus of Emerging Technology
- April 23, 2021
In the 47th episode of Battle Rhythm, Stef and Steve talk about the House Committee meetings on sexual misconduct in the CAF,…
