The Athletic Philosopher Podcast - Episode 32 ’Elbows Up’ and Canada/US Politics viewed through Hockey

This is a bit of different episode where I respond directly to a question one of my followers and friends asked me on social media. They wanted to know where the term 'elbows up' comes from in hockey and why the new Canadian Prime Minister and many Canadians are using this term to discuss their political stance against perceived American aggression.

I spent years researching and writing about Canadian national identity and it's relationship to ice hockey so I took the opportunity to respond in podcast form. Part history, part philosophy, part politics, this episode swirls around the current thing but hopefully doesn't add to the silliness.

In the end, it's important to know how sports animates communities through identity so that we can recognize when sports are being used to persuade us into accepting a position that helps a politician while not necessarily using sports for their true and deep purpose.