Hamilton Spectator

Insider: Dr. MacRobbie's restless ghost

In Episode 22 of The Hamilton Spectator's Newsroom Insider podcast, reporter Jon Wells discusses his latest true crime feature, the 100-year old unsolved murder of Dr. Douglas MacRobbie. Jon also chats with Aaron Blake, the local man who has been exhaustively researching the case and even unearthed the stone in Hamilton Cemetery where MacRobbie lies. They sat down inside the old Crescent Oil building on Cannon Street at Bay, where MacRobbie was killed, and where, some say, the doctor's restless ghost can be felt.

Previous podcasts at thespec.com/newsroom-insider.

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Insider: Response to Nicole Patenaude's story, risk inclination and aversion, and the Hamilton Waterfront Trust

In Episode 21 of The Hamilton spectator’s Newsroom Insider, host Joanna Frketich talks to columnist Susan Clairmont about an opportunity for the public to take part in a unique photo project called Left Behind. The Spectator project is the result of the outpouring of emotion that resulted from Clairmont’s July 10 column about Nicole Patenaude, a 20-year-old woman who jumped off a bridge onto Hwy. 403 and died. Clairmont was overwhelmed by the response from readers.

Frketich also discusses with reporter Jon Wells why some people are willing to take chances that could result in injury or death while others are risk averse.

Finally, reporter Natalie Paddon speaks about her investigative reports into the Hamilton Waterfront Trust, raising issues of transparency and accountability. 

Previous podcasts at thespec.com/newsroom-insider.

Subscribe to Newsroom Insider podcast on iTunes.

Insider: How well do you know your doctor?

In Episode 19 of The Hamilton Spectator's Newsroom Insider, host David Crosbie talks to award-winning reporter Joanna Frketich about the background of a doctor who recently began practicing in the Hamilton area.

Dr. Stefan Joseph Konasiewicz has a clinic in Hamilton, as well as in Toronto, Newmarket, and Richmond Hill. 

But he also has a history in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Texas that allegedly led to the death of one patient, left another a quadriplegic and resulted in fractured vertebrae for a third.

Previous podcasts at thespec.com/newsroom-insider.

Subscribe to Newsroom Insider podcast on iTunes.

Insider: What made 20-year-old Nicole Patenaude decide to end her life?

In Episode 18 of The Hamilton Spectator's Newsroom Insider podcast, host David Crosbie talks to award-winning columnist Susan Clairmont about the tragic story of Nicole Patenaude, a 20-year-old Hamilton woman who killed herself in May.

Susan has spent months researching the details of Nicole's life and death and has conducted extensive interviews with Nicole's remarkable family. 

What emerges, in spite of the circumstances, is a story of hope.

Previous podcasts at thespec.com/newsroom-insider.

Subscribe to Newsroom Insider podcast on iTunes.

Insider: Do the math: Hamilton is Canada at its best

In Episode 17 of The Hamilton Spectator's Newsroom Insider podcast, award-winning reporter Joanna Frketich talks about her investigative series "EQAO: The Math Problem," that points to evidence suggesting a generation of students are falling behind the mathematics curve. Plus, Jon Wells argues in an essay that Hamilton is the most Canadian city there is, and editor-in-chief Paul Berton talks about the Spec's 88-page special section marking the nation's 150th birthday.

Previous podcasts at thespec.com/newsroom-insider

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Insider: The love and history of Lacrosse

In episode 16 of the Hamilton Spectator Newroom Insider podcast, host Teviah Moro talks to reporter Steve Milton about the history of lacrosse and the significance of spirituality in the sport.

Despite their passionate proselytizers, hockey and soccer aren’t “religions” so much as secular fanaticisms. They do not spring from spiritual roots, and the sense of the divine is not inherent to the game itself, as it is in lacrosse.

Previous podcasts at thespec.com/newsroom-insider.

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Insider: How did a neighbourly dispute escalate to the point of arrest?

In episode 15 of the Hamilton Spectator Newroom Insider podcast, host Natalie Paddon talks to reporter Jon Wells about a particularly heated dispute between neighbours.

Hamilton police are called to respond to neighbour issues daily; last year the city’s bylaw department fielded nearly 2,000 calls complaining about unkempt lawns alone.

But these complaints seldom lead to the arrest of a citizen in their 70s.

Previous podcasts at thespec.com/newsroom-insider.

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Insider: Is Wonder Woman a hero for us all?

In this podcast extra, Jon Wells and Amy Kenny on the blockbuster movie raking in dollars and sparking debate. Gal Gadot as the Amazonian goddess is beautiful; is she also a feminist icon?

Previous podcasts at thespec.com/newsroom-insider.

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Insider: The rise of lethally laced drugs, and a look at the carports of yesteryear

In Episode 14 of The Hamilton Spectator's Newsroom Insider podcast, host Joanna Frketich talks with Spectator reporter Mark McNeil about The Carports of Pleasant Valley running June 2 to June 25 at the Carnegie Gallery and managing editor Jim Poling about The Spectator’s investigation into the rising threat of street drugs laced with deadly substances.

Previous podcasts at thespec.com/newsroom-insider.

Subscribe to Newsroom Insider podcast on iTunes.

Insider Extra: How a convicted killer ruined his chance for parole

Spectator reporter Jon Wells, author of the book "Post-Mortem," on how convicted killer Mohan Ramkissoon blew his chance for parole and why a grieving woman in New York City says he should never be released.

Previous podcasts at thespec.com/newsroom-insider.

Subscribe to Newsroom Insider podcast on iTunes.