The Debaters - Should everything be enjoyed in moderation? Is texting the best way to talk?

Episode Date: June 11, 2026

Is “everything in moderation” good advice? Erica Sigurdson argues it’s best to live your life in moderation mode, but Derek Seguin is ready to say yes to excess. Then, when it comes to communication, does texting reign supreme? Chad Anderson gives texting two thumbs up, but Big Daddy Tazz is tired of the tyranny of typing.Featuring: Erica Sigurdson, Derek Seguin, Chad Anderson, and Big Daddy Tazz.

You know that feeling when you reach the end of a really good true crime series? You want to know more, more about the people involved, where the case is now, and what it's like behind the scenes. I get that. I'm Kathleen Goldhar and on my podcast, Crime Story, I speak with the leading storytellers of true crime to dig deeper into the cases we all just can't stop thinking about. Find crime story wherever you get your podcasts. This is a CBC podcast. Hey, Canada, it's quarter to laugh time from the Winnipeg Comedy Festival celebrating a quarter century of laughs. It's the debaters!

Who doesn't sound a day over to the debaters! We're here at the gas station arts center for a very special taping at the Winnipeg Comedy Festival, which turns 25 years old this year. This year is also very special for the debaters because we are currently celebrating our 20th season. And it is a full circle moment because... This show began on this very stage, the gas station theater. We're back. Honestly, Winnipeg, your applause is all the recognition we need.

Other shows might want more recognition. There are politician out here, showering us with praise. Not us. We don't need that. All right, it is time for us to meet two debaters. No, no, no, no. Hang on a minute, Steve.

Oh my gosh. Premier Can I? Ladies and gentlemen. On behalf of the province of Manitoba, it is my absolute pleasure to say to everyone here, congratulations, Winnipeg Comedy Festival on 25 years. And to the debaters on 20 years of making the people of Manitoba laugh.

In a way, the debaters is a lot like our wonderful home province of Manitoba. Every single Canadian from coast to coast, coast is either a huge fan or at the very least has heard of us. Both are at least a little bit funny and both have strong, stable, handsome, charismatic leaders who prefer funds to fund it. Here, here. And both are best when you experience them live in person. Am I right? So once again, from the people of Manitoba to you, Steve, to the team at the debaters, the winner, and Peake Comedy Festival, and all the comics, thank you, and congratulations.

Keeber Wab Knew, everybody! Wow! It is lovely to get that recognition. I did kind of hope we were gonna get the key to the province, but I guess that's not a thing. But I thought maybe, modern day technology, we could at least get a fob to the province. And who wouldn't want a Wob-Fob? Am I right?

Okay. It is time now. to meet two debaters who are the keys to laughter. When this comic directed a claymation film, the cast were like putty in her hands. It's Vancouver's Erica Sigurdson, making her way across the stage to my left. Hi, friends.

Nice to have you back. Thank you for having me. And this comic believes the reason that worms are such cowards is because they're spineless. It's brassar Quebec's Derek Singert. Thanks, Stevie. Go, it's a lot, my ami.

Yeah? I'm a pompal mousse. Merci. Your topic is one that we hope will be more than a moderate success. Should everything

be enjoyed in moderation? Mm, murmur. Mirmar! You did it, everybody. One thing people seem to do very moderately is give standing ovations.

Our fans are very cautious to not overdo that. It may be too much moderation if I'm being honest. So don't feel pressured. But after this debate, if you wanted to give the comedians a standing ovation, they'd love it. Unless you're listening while driving a car. Then please remain seated with both hands on the wheel.

Time now for a fabulous debate between my very funny friends and this moderately successful host. So whereas it's healthier, more sustainable, and ultimately more enjoyable, be it resolved that everything in life should be enjoyed in moderation. Erica, you are arguing for this, please. You have two minutes, starting now, Erica Sigurdson. Thank you. Thank you, Winnipeg. What is moderation? It's not just what a devilishly handsome man with a gavel does

for a debate in front of an attractive crowd. Moderation is a lifestyle to avoid excess and extremes, but I feel like the word gets a bad right. It sounds boring, it sounds responsible, it sounds like something I've been begging my dear friend Derek to do for the last decade. Of course, when we think of moderation, we think of drinking, smoking, gambling.

Again, no offense, Derek. But almost everything you enjoy in life can turn toxic if overdone. And I think we all learned that the first time we got a Costco card. In 2008, I was still living in my starving comic phase, so when I spotted a tub of salted cashews, the nut of the rich, for less than $20, I couldn't resist.

Watching Survivor that night, I basically ate salted cashews for dinner, digging my hand into that salty tub over and over again, until when the show was over, half the tub was gone. At this time, I was unaware that nine cashews is 100 calories. And also, cashews are very high in fiber. My life was about to change. Cut to me riding the bus the next day when my tummy started to feel funny. Not the kind of funny you get when you see a celebrity out in public,

but the kind of funny you get when you've eaten 7,000. and calories of salted cashews. I stood up and screamed, Stop the bus! At the top of my lungs. Now, proving that moderation is best, I'm going to end the story there, so you can still look me

and salted cashews in the face. Thank you. Yeah. Erica Sigurdson, with a story that seems too specific to be made up. Now, here to prove that old adage that nothing

succeeds like excess. Let's hear from our excessive successful debater, Derek Sagan. All right, thanks, everybody. I'm moderately happy to be here with you tonight. But there's a problem with the resolution in this case.

It's the wording. Sometimes, some things should be enjoyed in moderation. I get that. But everything, really, everything should be enjoyed in moderation? I could think of a few things, like listening to your wife or girlfriend or daughter to talk about their thoughts and things,

that could be done in moderation. Dance. Going to their dance recitals? Yeah, we could do that a little less. Crap like long walks on the beach, perhaps even pooping your pants on the bus. Should be done in moderation. Like twice a year, I guess that's a reasonable amount.

Because those things aren't fun to begin with in any quantity. But to say that you should enjoy fun thing, like beer or wine, or cigarettes, or massages, or chocolate, or like orgasms, in moderation, ta-ba-wa-with, why? Why are you being such a killjoy about it? And what is moderation for these things? Maybe what's in moderation to you is stop being such a bibelah loser to me. Just the phrase, all things should be enjoyed in moderation resonates with judgy, bossy, and boring Karen-like,

eye-rolling-inducing party pooperness. The best things in life should be enjoyed to their fullest. Ever heard of that one, Erica? Enjoy life to the fullest? It's not, enjoy life to a level that some old bag has decided as sufficient. That doesn't have any... ring to it at all and would make a very terrible tattoo. Live a little bit, Erica, enjoy stuff

to obscene levels. It's a trip. You might forget full days along the way, but you're still left with that feeling, ah, that was awesome, and totally worth the three days it took to recover from it. If there's no recovery time or shame or risk of getting arrested, well, you're living life wrong, miss. Thank you. Derek Sagan. Everybody arguing against enjoying things in moderation, and we truly could not have picked a better person for this debate. Thank you, Derek.

It's time now for the bare-knuckle round. We're debating moderation. So let me greed you the self-regulations before restrain leaves the station. Try to self-control with the punches. We don't want anyone. losing their temper ants. And be sure to leave us wanting more

of what you're trying to zeal us. That's the groan we were looking for. Time to overdo it, or don't, starting now. Thank you, Steve. Derek, I love that you think women are enjoying orgasms in moderation by choice. Shows how much you and your moderate brain, those girls don't have orgasms, Erica.

Okay, take it easy, everybody. That was a joke. Derek, you did say you would like to listen to wives and girlfriends. No, I would not. Yes, yes. Yeah, in moderation. And I think, aren't they both now referred to as ex-wives and ex-girlfriends? How did that work out for you?

Does there no penalty for that? Isn't that just mean? Yes, Erica, you would be right. Now I'm free from listening to that. It's very nice to just sit there listening to the silence. In moderation, with a moderate amount of tears. I'm not saying that you, like, living life to the fullest is doing things that are super fun to that point that is the point.

It's because you're boring, and your point is like, oh, that's really, I'm going to a casino, and, well, I have $100. That's the one who hasn't been arrested. I have $100 to play with, and then when that's finished, that's it. We're leaving. I'm like, all right, go ahead. Wait, quick note. I'll take a taxi home.

Quick note. Erica does not sound like a weird French version of Marvin the Martian. Go on. I love that you brought up gambling as my limiting myself to $100 is my problem. I once rode the Skytrain in Vancouver where you woke up and said, I think I lost $7,000 last night. See the casino, Costco, these are all playing. They give me the credit.

I don't know. Listen. I don't know. Like, I do everything to excess. There's a good chance. I won't live to make next month's payments. You guys are the idiots lending me money. So, yeah, I'm buying...

I'm buying tied by the 175 kilogram. Look, who cares? All right, that's the bare-knuckle round, everybody. It's time now for the firing line. In my hand, I have a list of questions on moderation brought to you by the reality show for the sexy and the self-disciplined. Canada's next top moderate.

Sounds pretty normal. The American National Library of Medicine says moderate or occasional smoking is often paired with excessive what? Derek? Chick magnetism. Three points. Erica Sigerson.

Bad breath. Oh, nice. She's not wrong. The American National Library of Medicine says moderate or occasional smoking is often paired with excessive alcohol consumption. See, it wasn't my fault. The tobacco company's fault. Finish this biblical quote from the book of Proverbs. If you find honey, eat just enough.

Too much of it. And what? Derek. Thy's poop will be sticky. Nice. That was nice. That's nice. That thys word is one that I've literally never heard before. Biblical.

Yeah. No, if you find honey, eat just enough, too much of it, and you will vomit. The old school Bible just told it like it is, you know? Findings published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry suggests that moderate red wine consumption may help prevent what? Erica. Pregnancy. Not what I have here, but I'm going to give you a full point.

Derek? It'll prevent getting that wine buzz you're after in the first place. All right, never mind. I'd like to change my answer to pregnancy. Findings in the Journal of Biological Chemistry suggest moderate red wine consumption may help prevent dementia. Congratulations. Those are the people that will remember I said that.

An article from the North Grenville Times in eastern Ontario argues there's no need for moderation when it comes to what activity? Erica. Despising Toronto. That's fair. We'll give a point to that. Derek.

I'd say, because they're in Eastern Ontario, I would say there's no necessary moderation for crossing into Quebec where there is no moderation. Let's go to the strippers. I thought if I sold it like that with my hand, it would work better. That's not what I have here.

The North Grenville Times, so this is, it's got to be true. There's no need for moderation when it comes to spending time in nature, also known as forest bathing. That's the firing line, everybody. We're cruising towards the conclusion here in the beautiful gas station arts center, and it's almost time for our audience to vote. But first, here to go all in against moderation right after he finishes coughing. Let's hear from Derek Sagan. The word moderation itself is way too subjective,

and I have found that one person's moderation is my version of, why even bother doing it? Example, Erica and I are actually pretty good friends, and I know she is a type 1 diabetic. How would she feel if I were to say to her, Hey, Erica, that's like the third time today you've injected insulin. You should probably try to moderate that a little bit. better. She wouldn't like that. She'd be like,

I could die, you jerk. She's a hypocrite. Because she has no trouble telling me after my 17th beer. Don't you think overdoing it a bit there, say, maybe switch to water? The nerve. Alcoholism is a disease too, Erica. You should know. Disease does not know moderation. Thank you.

Derek, Derek Sikert, once again, in spite of himself, making a pretty good point. Derek Sicker. Now, here again to tell us why when it comes to moderation in her life, less is more. Let's hear again from Erica Sigurdson. Thank you. Thank you. Does moderation make you happier? Yes.

Everything we love is better in moderation. You love spending time with your spouse? That's awesome. You know what else is great when they go away for the weekend? Going full tilt into things is not just bad for you, it's bad for friendships. Your friend who got really into working out and now won't stop talking about protein? Oh, annoying. I don't want protein powder in my coffee, weirdo.

Don't take Derek's advice and consume everything in excess because you might die. The only thing Derek has ever done in moderation is learn English. Thank you. Whoa! That would have been a mic drop moment if CBC could spare a microphone. Thank you. Erica Sigerson, everybody. All right.

The audience has a lot to think about. It is up to the gas station art center to decide by applause. Who heard Erica's pro-moderation arguments and want to moderate her 10 out of 10? Erica Sigerson. A lot of love for Erica. And how many of you were complete glutton

for what Derek was stuffing? down your ears, Derek Sagan. Pretty close. It's pretty close. It's inconclusive. I've got to call this one a tie. We don't know. Big end for Erica Sigerson and Derek Sigrits. Hey, debaters, listeners, we've got more

facts and funny coming your way. But while you're here, why not drop us a five-star rating or review? It really helps new listeners find us. Thanks for your support. Jacqueline Furland Smith, a 40-year-old former Canadian military trainer, moves to Costa Rica to

follow her dreams, but in the summer of 2021, vanishes without a trace. How can a woman just go missing and us put out all that effort to find her, and she's still missing? I'm David Rigen, and this is Someone Knows Something, Season 10, the Jacqueline Furland-Smith case. Listen, ad-free on Amazon Music. Hey, Winnipeg, I just got one question for you. Are you ready for your next pair of debaters? This comic's passion for typography has made him a font of knowledge. It's Winnipeg's Chad Anderson.

The handsome and confident Chad Anderson striding to my left. And this comic thinks that washing the windshield of a Tesla cyber truck is a bit of a slippery slope. It's Winnipeg's own Big Daddy Taz. All right. Let's talk about a topic that we can really tap into. Texting. Is it the best way to communicate? The crowd here has no opinion, and that's good.

No, that's good. That's what we want going in. When you think about it, the very first long-distance textor was God. Why do you think Moses got the commandments on two tablets? Guys, come on, the reason Moses had to climb to the top of Mount Sinai was those tablets came before cell towers. Reception was awful.

He was also the first one to break the Tenth Commandment. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife. Aye. You know the show, right? These are on purpose. So, whereas it's a time-tested form of communication that's efficient, low pressure, and is used by businesses, friends, and family, be it resolved, texting is the best way to communicate.

Chad, you arguing for this, please, my friend. You have two minutes, starting now, Chad Anderson. Listen, before I begin, I just want to say that I'm fully aware that given the average age of this audience, I'm fighting an uphill battle here. For sure. First of all, am I the only one who remembers how annoying it was when phones were only for phone calls? Oh, do you want to ignore someone? Well, you better ignore everyone then. Want to ignore someone now?

Just don't open their text message. Unless the text is from your wife and it says, we need to talk, then definitely don't ignore that one. There's so much power in a text message. You want to be mean to someone? Easy! Just send a nasty text message. You don't have to hear the other person's reaction or see their emotions. Just ignore their next message and avoid the guilt that comes with losing your cool.

Would you like to be able to talk to all of your friends at one time whenever you want? Start a group chat! Now your friends and family can ignore you. Someone in the chat group is always going to feel guilty and have to respond to you. Thank you. Chad Anderson. Thanks, Chad.

Now, here with an argument against texting that he warns might get quite paragraphic, let's hear from the man of words himself. Big Daddy Tass! If texting is truly the best way to communicate, then why didn't Chad just air drop? this argument to everybody. Because texting is void of emotion.

There's no endearing, fumbled, flowery words, no fluttery butterfly tummy, no crinkling eyes, no... Big dramatic pauses. Just soulless squiggles on a colorless void. People think that voice-to-text is effective. Oh, it's faster. We'll save lives. Okay, gear down there, Encyclopedia, Brown.

It's actually an extra step. than yelling help. You're running away and it's yelling into your phone. Run! Scary alligators! It's not going to help the person behind you that stops to read Fun Hairy Escalators. Oh, they say it's the exact same as conversations.

No, not once. Doing a good yackety yak. They look into my buddy's eyes and thought, did I already poop? And why are my legs asleep? As a kid, if you told me that three dancing dogs, would cause anxiety, or I would text the word duck as much as I do.

I would have thought you daft. Close your eyes. Now, would you rather feel arms pulling you into a loving, safe, warm embrace? Or have someone text you the hug emoji? A terrifying, messed up yellow orb with jazz hands. Chad, you know, I love you, brother. I think you're one of the most wonderful. people in the world, but your daughter is going to always want to feel the vibrations of

I love you coming from your heart and voice, not her pocket. Stark letters on blank backgrounds are a tombstone, not for loved ones. But here lies, you have to wait till I'm finished a little bit. Here lies Chad, an amazing daddy, husband, friend, comedian, an exceptional texter. May he rest in geese. Thank you. Big Daddy Taz. All right. We've reached that magical time now.

We call the bare knuckle round. We're debating texting, so let me tell you guys, what's app? You want this entire audience in the palm of your hand. Or if not all, at least thumb.

Figure out what typo jokes to use, and if they're not strong, you auto-correct them. It's time to SMS with your opponent's head, starting now. Sadly, I'm older than you, and I'm used to talking to people so I can see them. I've got underwear older than you, buddh? You got underwear older than me? Your career must not be going well.

Okay, okay, okay. How many people do you think go home and pull up an old shoebox full of flip phones to see the love letters that they said? No! You gotta have them right there, so they smell and crinkling stuff like that. You know, it's important. What's it flits them? You know, it was so nice to stand here and be lectured on emotions and have my daughter's love weaponized against me.

It was nice to be lectured on being more emotional from a man from the generation who spent their entire lives telling my generation to toughen up, right? Oh, yeah, and now that we're adults and ignoring you, like you taught us, Now it's suddenly a problem? Okay. Oh, now feelings matter? Okay. Yeah.

How old do you think I am? 75? Okay! That's the bare knuckle round, everybody. It's time to have the firing line. In my hand, I have a list of questions on texting, being the best way to communicate, brought to you by how muscular people send messages.

Flexing! In Manitoba, if you're caught texting and driving, you're punished with a $672 fine, five demerit points from your license, and what else? Tazzy. You're forced to host the CBC debaters. Chad. You also get to listen to your wife say,

I told you to stop doing that. So, sorry, my wife's not here. You can laugh. Her parents are, though. Her parents are here, so. That's a real emotional roller coaster there, Chad. The fine in Manitoba, if you're caught texting and driving,

$672 fine, five demerit points on your license, and your driver's license is suspended for three days. And you're forced to drive to Saskatchewan. Forced. According to the UK's The Independent, a third of adults report that misreading text messages has resulted in what? Chad.

Unsoliced phallic photos. Wow. I enjoyed that journey right there. Tazzy? Crossing the floor in Parliament. That's good. I've been giving an official point for that. A third of Adults Report misreading text messages

has resulted in a personal falling out. Yes. Presumably in a British accent, which is even worse. That's the firing line, everybody. It is almost time for our gas station arts center audience to vote. But first here again to spell it out for you that texting deserves the finger. Let's hear from Big Daddy Taz. I wanted my wife, who's real, to know how incredibly wonderful she is.

Then I texted her. You make me want to be a better person. Thank you. Whom? Whom? Did you mean that? Of course I meant that. Whom? Are you sure? Yes.

Woo-whom. Did you read it? I wrote it. Woon-boom. Read it. I did. I didn't press the K hard enough. And she got,

you make me want to be a better person than you. That's when I learned how to order flowers on an app. When it's time to vote, please honor Chad's wishes by just not making any noise and send him a clapping one. emoji. If you don't agree with me, well, then that's that. I'm not the ducking eggplant whisperer, whatever. Thank you. Big Daddy Tass. First real over text now, here to insist that texting is always the alpha better way to communicate according to him. Let's hear from Chad Anderson.

Hey guys, you might be thinking, Chad, what if I have something important I need to say? Send a text message. The times you need to make an important phone call are the times you're your phone decides to cut in and out. Would you rather send a quick text message to the group chat to tell everyone that your wife's going into labor, or would you rather call your dad and go, Dad, Sherry's going into labor. No, I said Sherry's going into labor.

Labor, labor. No, she doesn't need a favor. Hello? Dad, can you get mom? Get mom. Dad, get mom. Dad, mom. No, mom.

Dad, get mom. Thank you. Yeah. Yeah. Chad Anderson. Great act out. Good point. Let's see.

It's time to vote. How many of you were pleased with Chad's pro-texting pronouncements, Chad Anderson? And how many of you agreed with Taz and considered texting to be a total right-off, Big Daddy Taz? Pretty close.

It is close, but the winner is Chad Anderson. Well, that's all for this week. I'm Steve Patterson, saying, With all due respect to text, let's keep talking to each other as much as we can, eh? I'll argue with you again soon, Canada. Good night. The Debaters is created by Richard Side. This week's episode was produced by Nicole Callender, Chloe Edbrook, Dean Jenkinson, and Graham Clark.

With continuity by Graham Clark, Diana Francis, and Gary Jones. Technical production by James Ferella and May McKillop. Story editing by Gary Jones. With special thanks to Katie Ellen Humphreys, David Pride, and Emily Ferry. Executive producer of CBC Radio Comedy is Lee Pitts. And thanks to everyone at the Gas Station Arts Center and the Winnipeg Comedy Festival. For more CBC podcasts, go to cBC.ca.ca slash podcasts.