Dr. Barry Gough’s podcast series The Cauldron delves into the transformative years of British Columbia’s history, spanning from the province’s entry into Confederation in 1871 to the outbreak of the First World War in 1914. In this period of rapid change, British Columbia evolved from a distant colonial outpost into an industrializing province, shaped by waves of immigration, economic expansion, and political upheaval. The Cauldron explores the region’s absorption of industry, the challenges of multi-racial immigration, and the rise of scientific and technological advancements that defined its growth. Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, Dr. Gough examines how British Columbia navigated its place within Canada while confronting the pressures of modernization and the shifting global landscape.
Welcome to The Cauldron, the podcast that delves into the turbulent, ambitious, and transformative early years of British Columbia—from the late 19th century to the First World War. In this episode renown Historian Barry Gough turns his focus to one of the most decisive moments in the province’s history: the selection of Vancouver as the western terminus of the Canadian Pacific Railway, a choice that would forever alter the destiny of British Columbia.
Welcome to The Cauldron, a Canada History Society podcast hosted by Dr. Barry Gough. In this episode, we turn our gaze to the rugged, rain-swept coastline of British Columbia, where, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, missionaries—both Catholic and Protestant—ventured into Indigenous communities, seeking to spread their faith and reshape lives in the name of European civilization. Their arrival marked an era of profound cultural collision, where traditional beliefs, languages, and ways of life met the relentless tide of colonial evangelism. From the storied missions of Metlakatla and Alert Bay to the remote outposts of the Oblates and Anglican Church, we explore the figures who led these efforts, the resistance they encountered, and the enduring impact of their work on Indigenous peoples. Join us as we unravel this complex and often controversial chapter in British Columbia’s past.
Welcome to The Cauldron, a Canada History Society podcast hosted by Dr. Barry Gough. In this episode, we turn to a dramatic moment in British Columbia’s history, when Premier Richard McBride, acting with urgency and defiance, orchestrated the clandestine purchase of two submarines on the eve of the First World War. With the guns of August looming and Canada’s Pacific coast vulnerable to German naval threats, McBride took it upon himself to secure these vessels—without prior approval from Ottawa—making a bold and controversial move that underscored both his vision for British Columbia’s defense and his unyielding loyalty to the British Empire. What followed was a tale of high-stakes diplomacy, legal ambiguity, and strategic necessity, as the submarines were rushed into service under the command of the Royal Canadian Navy. Join us as we delve into this remarkable episode of wartime improvisation and political daring, exploring how a provincial leader found himself at the center of an international naval drama.
Welcome to The Cauldron, a Canada History Society podcast hosted by Dr. Barry Gough. In this episode, we step into the streets of early 20th-century Vancouver, where a rising crisis was drawing national attention—the opium trade. In 1908, a young Deputy Minister of Labour named William Lyon Mackenzie King arrived in the city to investigate the widespread use and distribution of opium, a problem deeply intertwined with race, immigration, and labour tensions. What began as an inquiry into anti-Asian riots soon expanded into a broader examination of Vancouver’s hidden underworld, revealing the extent of opium use among Chinese communities and beyond. King’s findings led to some of Canada’s earliest drug legislation, shaping federal policies for decades to come. Join us as we explore this critical moment in Canadian history—one that set the stage for the country’s evolving relationship with immigration, public health, and the law.