Heliograph: The Investigative Journalism Playbook

The Investigative Journalism Bureau at the University of Toronto produces Heliograph, a monthly podcast that does something clever: it takes a finished piece of investigative journalism and reverse-engineers it. Hosts Rob Cribb, Blair Bigham, Ryan McMahon, Wendy-Ann Clarke, and Masih Khalatbari rotate through episodes, each bringing expertise in different reporting areas. The show examines investigations from around the world, not just Canadian stories, asking reporters to explain their strategies, the obstacles they faced, and the lessons other journalists can take away. With 15 episodes and a 5.0-star rating, it's still relatively new but the quality is immediately apparent. They've covered psychological abuse and its neurological effects, corruption in international sports, ethics failures in clinical drug trials, and undercover reporting on animal cruelty networks. Each episode goes deep on methodology, which makes it valuable for working journalists and fascinating for anyone curious about how major investigations actually happen. The production is clean and professional, fitting for a university-affiliated bureau. The rotating host model means you get different perspectives and interviewing styles, preventing the show from feeling repetitive. It's a smaller show that deserves a bigger audience, particularly for listeners who've already worked through The Tip Off and want more behind-the-scenes reporting content.