Two prominent Canadian authors share their perspective on today's strained political relationship between the US and its northern neighbor. They reflect on their country's geography, diversity, strength, and identity, and consider the history and attitudes that make Canada distinct from the US. And of course, they talk a bit of hockey.

• Author and former tourism official Rick Antonson
• University of British Columbia anthropology professor and author Wade Davis

• Rick Antonson posts his book signings and public appearances on his Facebook page. He's recently updated his debut book "Slumach's Gold."
• Rick Antonson describes his role in promoting tourism to Vancouver on Travel with Rick Steves program #605 from June 2020, and the Rocky Mountaineer historic railroad on program #719 in July 2023. He also spoke about his adventures in Papua New Guinea on Travel with Rick Steves program #594 in February 2020; to Timbuktu on program #750 in April 2024, hiking Mt. Ararat on program #633 in March 2021, and driving US Route 66 on program #725 in August 2023.
• Wade Davis teaches anthropology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.
• Wade has released a collection of his essays and commentaries, under the title "Beneath the Surface of Things."
• Wade Davis spoke with Rick previously about what he viewed as the "Unraveling" of American society on Travel with Rick Steves program #626 in January 2021. He also spoke about his home on Bowen Island BC on program #759 in 2024, and about following the course of the Rio Magdalena in Colombia on program #633 in March 2021.
• Wade's article "North Star" is featured in the July-August 2025 edition of Canadian Geographic, published by the Royal Canadian Geographic Society.