Not just analysis. Context you can actually use.
I’m Leni Spooner, founder of Between the Lines—a Canadian publication exploring politics, policy, and public life through accessible, story-driven analysis.
Between the Lines was born from the belief that most people aren’t apathetic — they’re overwhelmed. The noise is constant, the stakes are high, and the systems shaping our lives are rarely explained in a way that invites people in.
This space offers clarity, not chaos. It’s for anyone tired of performative outrage, hungry for nuance, and curious about how power actually works — and how it might be made to work better.
Who’s Behind This
I’ve spent decades working in policy, advocacy, communications, and education — and longer still translating complex systems into everyday language for people who shouldn’t need a political science degree just to understand the news.
After years spent working in the halls of government, I stepped away for some breathing room, reading time, and gardening time. That was the plan. But the truth is, not a week goes by without someone — from teens to seniors — approaching me with questions: How does this work? Who do I talk to? Why is it like this?
I spend a lot of time answering questions I thought I was leaving behind.
So I decided to write it all down. Not just the facts, but how to find them. Not just how things work, but why they often don’t — and how they could.
Politics isn’t a mystery. It’s how we interact. It’s daily. It’s human. It’s fixable.
Between the Lines is where I slow things down. Where I ask better questions, revisit the long view, and tell the truth without jargon. If you’ve ever muttered, “Why doesn’t anyone just explain this properly?” — this space is for you.
What You’ll Find Here
- Political and policy context with historical depth
- Frameworks for understanding systems — not just events
- Actionable posts on food policy, civic engagement, and infrastructure
- No shouting. No spam. No manufactured drama
A Note of Thanks
If you’re here, reading — thank you.
Your time and attention are part of what makes this work possible.
Pull up a chair. There’s room here for curiosity.
Check out My Commitment to You, Privacy and Terms of Service, or How to Use This Site.
Curious how Between the Lines came to be? Read the welcome note here.
About the Author
Leni Spooner is a Canadian writer, researcher, and civic storyteller. She is the founder of Between the Lines, a publication focused on the quiet forces shaping politics, infrastructure, and public life. Her work blends historical context with present-day analysis, helping readers see the deeper patterns that shape national decisions.