Now or Never: Recent Episodes
CBC Radio
Hosts Ify Chiwetelu and Trevor Dineen leap into the action with Canadians who are making things happen. Sometimes things go right. Sometimes they go off the rails. Either way, Now or Never nudges you to make a change, big or small.
An extraordinarily joyful, heartfelt and life-affirming episode of Now or Never, as five people nearing the end of their lives invite us into their final wishes.
When Susan LaFeuvre was told her cancer was terminal, she knew what she wanted her final wish to be: a private aerial silks performance by her 11-year-old granddaughter Lauren.
Casey Kemble and his daughters Serenity and Amy made a family tradition of spotting roadside attractions while driving old beaters from Ontario to the Yukon. Now they’re planning one last trip together, as part of what Casey calls his “beaker list" -- because he doesn’t have time or money for a bucket list. Why this family is leaning into laughter as they make memories together.
Ellen Nadarajah is a single mom to three teenagers, cares for her aging parents, and is the social convenor for her lifelong friend group. She also has metastatic breast cancer, weighs less than 60 pounds and wasn’t expected to still be here. So today, we’re making her final wish come true with a photoshoot that puts her in the spotlight, creating a powerful image she hopes will inspire others.
Joe and Darlene Sarazin are the round-the-clock caregivers for their 42-year-old daughter, April-Lee, who has complex medical needs. Worried about what will happen to their daughter when they’re no longer around, the parents have spent close to two decades advocating for a new care facility in Saskatchewan for people like April-Lee. Now that they're getting closer to that dream, they're also grappling with letting go of their daughter.
Growing up, Bill Denning lived above his family's funeral home, getting a daily reminder of how precious life is. Now, as a fourth-generation funeral director he has a front row seat to people's final wishes, including funeral dance parties and drink orders from beyond-the-grave.
If you’ve ever shared an idea that you’re super excited about with someone, and the response was skepticism, concern, or straight up confusion? Then this episode is for you. We're celebrating people chasing their seemingly impossible — or at least a little bit questionable — dreams.
Including Newfoundland taxidermist Krista Elliott, who stuffs mice to look like tiny Dolly Partons.
And Ruby Thornton, who's about to sail around the world for 11 months....even though she has zero sailing experience.
And Dillon Boulanger, a guy so obsessed with the reality show Survivor, he spent an entire year
and thousands of dollars to pull off his own backyard version of the game - complete with tea light torches, tarantulas, and 18 castaways who have no idea what they've signed up for.
Plus, couple Peter Glass and Bill Bryne tell us why they're moving halfway across the country to buy a 125-year-old home they've never even set foot in.
And meet Jacques the Party Scientist, who holds sober raves around Vancouver, and preaches the practice of natural anti-depressants — despite what the haters think.
It's the "you're doing WHAT!?" edition of Now or Never.
Why do we find twins so fascinating?
And what's it really like to be one?
Five sets of twins get real about the ups and downs of moving through the world with someone who looks exactly like you.
From dressing alike to developing secret languages, Now or Never producer Jessica Singer and her twin sister Nicole kick the show off by answering all your nosy questions about life as a twin.
For first-time parents Kim Miller and Robert Jiang, having toddler twins has been a handful. But Robert’s mom Sufan Lu has jumped in to become a lifeline for Kim and Robert, and a delight to her grandchildren. Find out why all parents of multiples need a nai nai (grandmother) like Sufan in their lives.
Identical twins Niko and Marko Martinovic grew up pulling off pranks together, switching spots on unsuspecting friends and family. Today they've turned those pranks into a full-time job, as the creators and stars of the "Even Out Twins" on YouTube. But ten years in, Niko and Marko are starting to question how constantly assuming the same identity has affected their individuality.
Rory and Camilla Turnbull were born identical twin sisters, but now that Rory has come out as trans they’re navigating life as brother and sister for the first time.
Mercedes Sheen vividly remembers the time she fainted dramatically in the dining hall at primary school. But her twin sister, Michaela Sheen, insists it was she who fainted dramatically that day. These sorts of disagreements are what Mercedes calls “disputed memories,” and it's a phenomenon that happens mostly with twins. Mercedes and Michaela reunite to tell us how this unique twin experience (and childhood argument) led Mercedes to do a PhD on it.
Twin sisters Chantal and Jeannelle Tousignant aren’t just best friends. At the age of 35, they've decided they'll also be lifelong roommates. How a low point in each of their lives caused them to move back in together, and led to a surprising realization they share the same life dream -- one they only want to achieve together.
What happens after you witness something you can't get out of your mind?
Today on Now or Never, stories from the bystanders, and how their lives changed in the aftermath.
Trevor asks strangers on the street to share the most memorable thing they've ever witnessed, from northern lights to Beyonce sightings.
As a kid growing up in Barrier Lake, Quebec, Shannon Chief has a vivid memory of coming across 12 moose in the woods one cold wintery night, "like grandfathers standing around me." Today, seeing a moose in the wild is rare. As Shannon and elders witness the animal’s decline, they’ve banded together to take action to stop sport hunting in a Quebec wilderness reserve.
Marla Minshall has been supported by friends and family all their life. Now they’re looking for a chance to do the same for others - by serving as a witness at strangers' weddings.
Darrell Warren is determined to fight crime in his neighbourhood. At 64 years old, he’s voluntarily staking out suspected drug houses in Winnipeg’s North End, and starting a tip line so other community members can come forward as witnesses. But is it safe?
When Ti-Anna Wang was 13, her father — Chinese pro-democracy activist Dr. Wang Bingzhnag — was charged with terrorism and espionage and sentenced to life in prison in China. Much of Ti-Anna’s life has been spent advocating for her father’s freedom, but today she’s ready to embrace a new chapter.
Your long weekend just got better, because Now or Never’s latest podcast just dropped and we’re taking you on adventures across the country.
We start in Winnipeg, where Trevor has been wondering about a huge pirate ship in someone’s backyard for years. Today, he knocks on the door and meets “Captain” Doug Cook and discovers how his dream of a place where his grandchildren could play has helped him deal with loneliness after the death of his wife.
Farkhunda Muhtaj had big dreams of kicking her way into soccer history this summer, playing for the Calgary Wild FC as part of Canada’s first women’s pro soccer league. A tendon injury has kept her on the sidelines for now, but Farkhunda is doing everything in her power to get back on the pitch - carrying the dreams of young Afghan soccer players on her shoulders.
The bustling Rawlins Cross intersection in downtown St. John’s, N.L. is notorious for collisions. But when the weather gets warmer, 87-year-old William Pryse-Phillips gives people in the area a reason to stop and smell the roses…literally.
It’s been a tough year for beekeepers in Manitoba, but that isn’t stopping 18-year-old April Steppler from following her dad, Ian’s footsteps, and managing her first hive ever. Trevor visits the apiary to find out what’s hurting the bees and how this father/daughter team is determined to make the best of the season.
In a Nova Scotia forest, Nina Newington and Lisa Proulx are putting up tents, turning on camp stoves, and settling in for a summer of trying to protect the forest from logging. Their tools are tiny —endangered lichens almost imperceptible to the naked eye — but their love for the forest is big, and determination is growing by the day.
Finally, listeners call in their favourite sounds of summer.
First day on the job. The last time your kid holds your hand. Life is full of firsts and lasts, and today you'll hear some memorable ones.
At Montrose Elementary School in Winnipeg, the students are celebrating 70 years of school history with the most ambitious spring concert ever, and that has first-time performers — and first-time performing arts teacher, Andrea Brickwood — feeling the pressure.
After 15 years and three kids, Arv and his partner ended their relationship. Today he's dipping his toes back into a dating world that's changed dramatically since his last visit. Now he has to figure out the dos and don'ts of first dates all over again.
April Hubbard has been a performer for much of her life. As she prepares for her death by MAiD, she’s completing her final artistic creations — performances in which there’s no more holding back.
Looking for a change, Ti-Anna Wang left her law career to do something she's never done before – run Silly Goose Kids, a toy store in Toronto. Join in on the nerves and uncertainty less than 24 hours before opening day.
After 31 years in business, Sandy Doyle was more than ready to shut down her diner Blondie's Burgers in Winnipeg. But is she ready to quit her 'Blondie' persona too?
After fleeing Ukraine with only $700 in their pockets, Sofiia Dubyk and her family have purchased their first house in St. John’s, N.L. They’re looking forward to making their house into a home, but their excitement is tempered by the reality that back in Ukraine, war rages on.
More than two million surgeries are performed every year in Canada, and behind every cut, stitch, or scar - there's a story. On this episode we're getting into the ripple effects of going under the knife, for better or for worse.
When Gilles Landreville noticed a small cut on his foot, he couldn’t have known that a week later, he’d be waking up in hospital, missing two-thirds of his left leg. But as Gilles adjusts to life in a new body, he’s also finding a new identity: Gilles 2.0, an update that refuses to let his circumstances bring him down—and is determined to help other people navigate tough changes too.
Ashley Hiebert wants to celebrate her 10 year anniversary of donating a kidney to a stranger, by doing it again: this time, she's donating part of her liver to someone she's never met. The only thing standing in her way isn't fear, it's finances.
How does performing surgery change you? Hear from second-year medical student Samuel Bonne, pediatric surgeon Dr. Tito Daodu, and thoracic surgeon Dr. Ikennah Browne about the experiences in the OR that changed them.
For some reason vasectomies are the butt of many jokes, but for 26-year-old Daniel McIntyre-Ridd, choosing to get one before ever having children was no laughing matter.
Janessa Fitchett has always been good with her hands. She planned to combine welding and art to create big things. But an accident at work changed everything.
When Marie and Erik Matchett travelled to India to adopt their daughter Norah, they knew she had a bilateral cleft lip and palate — but they didn’t yet know the extent of the surgeries she’d need or how they’d calm their nervous little girl during hospital visits. That’s when Big Brave Norah came into play, a nickname that’s inspired confidence in more kids than they imagined.
For nine seasons, Ify Chiwetelu and Trevor Dineen have been with Canadians in their most personal now or never moments, when they’re on the brink of something new, striving for a goal or making a change.
But what happens after the interview?
Today we’re diving in with past guests to find out if they really did what they said they would, and how it all turned out.
Sophie Davie was five months pregnant when she told us how nervous (but empowered) she felt having a baby all on her own. Seventeen months later, we knock on her door to meet the daughter she always wanted and see if the dream of single motherhood matches up to the reality of going it alone.
In 1970 beauty queen Darlene Williams rode in a 1970 Pink Panther Dodge Challenger convertible as part of her reign. More than 50 years later, Winnipegger Pat Kanuiga had that same car in pieces in his garage, but promised Darlene she would ride in it again. So did it happen?
When we last left De Vine Thomas she was months away from graduating high school and dreaming of leaving Peguis First Nation - the reserve where she grew up - to pursue her fashion dreams. Did she fulfill her dreams to move away from her community until she was “a real old lady”?
Toronto’s Aaron Brown has dreamed of competing on his favourite gameshow, Jeopardy, for as long as he can remember. He applied 16 times, he hosted trivia as his job, and carried around a clicker to practice his speed. But did all that matter when the show finally called?
Two weeks after Corine Mathelier moved to Montreal from Toronto, she explained to her good friend Ify it was because she wasn’t getting what she needed in her community. She wanted closer connections and more meet ups with friends in real life. Today Ify calls Corine up to find out if she got what she was looking for.
As political divisiveness becomes the new norm, it can get harder to see the other side, and understand why people vote the way they do.
But instead of demonizing those on the other end of the political spectrum, why not lean in and get curious as to why people believe what they do?
On this special election edition of Now or Never, hear from five different Canadians — an 18-year-old, a pastor, a Panamanian-Canadian immigrant, a gun enthusiast, and a senior citizen — about the personal experience shaping the way they’ll be voting in this federal election.
Gale Uhlmann has a job since she was 15-years-old, working as a trucker, waitress, and office worker. Now at 74, Gale's still working -- but not by choice. She doesn't have enough savings to retire, or to pay $10 000 for the new teeth she needs: "You're a statistic. And they don't - how can I put it nicely - they don't give a damn about what we're encountering."
Firearms were a big part of what brought Patrick Osborne and his wife Tara together. After she passed away from cancer in 2022, it’s also shaping how he’s planning to vote in this election.
Although he’s been a Canadian citizen for 20 years, Fernando Ameth Pinzon has never voted in a federal election. But Donald Trump’s comments about his home country have shifted something in him, bringing him back to a place he hasn’t been in a while: his childhood in Panama.
When Jason McAllister and his family moved into their new neighborhood in Prince George, B.C., bail reform wasn’t even a thought. After five years of living near a home where he frequently witnessed drug use and police raids, it’s become a key election issue.
18-year-old Harman Banga is casting her first vote in a federal election, something she’s been looking forward to since she was a child. But recently, voting has become even more personal for Harman — her parents both work in the auto industry and their jobs are threatened by tariffs.
As the world faces a now or never moment, Canadians are examining their values, picking their battles, and figuring out how they can stand up for their beliefs. Today on Now or Never we’re discovering how people are pushing back with big and small acts of resistance.
The Trump administration’s tariff war and comments about making Canada a “51st state” has spurred a wave of defensive patriotism across the country. Meet Mike Robitaille, who refuses to spend a cent on any American products or businesses - and that includes everything, from toothpaste to Netflix.
When Manitoba’s Janet Braun came out as a transgender woman, she knew she would have to find a new church because she didn’t feel safe at her old one. Then she saw the rainbows on full display in Brandon’s Knox United, and knew she’d found a home. But Reverend Craig Miller says the church’s reputation as a place where all are welcome, has made it the target of hate.
For 38 years Pickering’s Shenul Williams has fought to keep her late father’s family business alive. Just last month she was on the brink of closing her Indo-African condiment business, Aki Fine Foods, when that surge of Canadian patriotism changed everything.
First Nations Chief Lance Haymond knows more about radioactive nuclear waste than he ever wanted to, but he says that’s what it takes to protect his people’s land. Why he has to keep fighting “a David and Goliath battle” to stop Canadian Nuclear Laboratories from building a near surface disposal site on traditional Algonquin territory.
Fighting back doesn’t necessarily have to mean joining a rally or boycotting a business. Sometimes, taking a stand can mean breaking your mom’s curfew for the first time at 18 years old. We ask young people in St. John’s, N.L. what acts of resistance they are taking part in.
Plus a mashup of Canadian protest songs, Jim Cuddy’s latest, and a surprise cameo by Unreserved’s Rosanna Deerchild.
If your community was changing, what would you do about it? Today we're stepping into four different communities across Canada on the cusp of big change, and how they're grappling with this question: How do you adapt to what's coming, while still holding onto what matters to you?
The Canadian border town of St. Stephen, N.B. has had a beautiful relationship with its American neighbours in Calais, Maine for more than a hundred years. But tough tariffs talks have both sides feeling like they're stuck in a breakup that nobody wants. St. Stephen mayor Allan MacEachern and resident Tracey Matheson describe the strain of when the political and the personal collide.
Charles Reeves gives us a tour of A Better Tent City, a sanctioned tiny home community in Kitchener for people experiencing homelessness, that is fighting to keep going.
Old Order Mennonite, Joseph Weber, has one son who was forced to leave Canada’s largest and most diverse Mennonite community due to inflation and the rising cost of housing — a trend among this group. Now another son is forced to move, leaving Joseph planning his escape too.
And if you’ve ever thought of leaving it all behind to start your own utopian community from scratch, you might want to ask Ron Berezan for advice. After years of planning, he's months away from opening a new intentional community in Powell River, B.C., where everyone farms the same land, shares amenities, and makes decisions together. So how do you get consensus, and decide who gets to join? Ron reveals the lessons he's learned so far.
If you're feeling stuck in limbo — about your relationship status, your job, your health, or whatever is happening with tariffs these days — you're not the only one.
On this episode, stories of people stuck in between the place they don’t want to be, and the place they’re hoping to get to.
Ify starts by asking strangers on the street about a time they fell into romantic limbo, and how they got out.
After years of living and working in Afghanistan, former soldier Dave Lavery was suddenly detained by the Taliban, blindfolded and taken to a cell. For 77 days his family was in limbo, not sure if or when they’d see him again. We take you behind the scenes of their reunion and how Dave has been forever changed.
Being in your twenties can feel like being in a constant state of limbo, as you're figuring out school, friends, and who you want to be. For 24-year old Hannah Cha, she’s under a tight deadline to find a job, and move on to the next stage of her life.
For over a year, Changiz Varzi was stuck in Canada, waiting for a visa that would allow him to leave and re-enter the country so he could visit friends and family back in Iran. Stuck playing the waiting game, Changiz is questioning whether Canada is really where he wants to build a life.
And 24-year-old Kaitlin Callander has been on the waitlist for shared assisted living in Ontario for six years, with no clear date of when she’ll get a bed. And that's because there are currently 52,000 people on the waiting list. We hear from Kaitlin and her mom Nicole, who believes that living in this state of limbo is inhibiting her daughter’s independence.
Faith is something that motivates billions of people every single day, whether it's fasting during Ramadan, giving back to your community, or making you believe in something bigger than yourself. Today you'll hear from people whose faith has inspired them to take action in ways you might not expect.
We're half-way through Ramadan, and Ify decides to try a day of fasting in solidarity with her friend (and CBC Manitoba host) Nadia Kidwai. But first she gets some advice from Nadia, on how disconnecting from the physical world allows you to connect with something higher.
Former sports broadcaster Matthew Leibl tells us why getting ordained as a rabbi wasn't as big of a leap as you might think.
We visit the rollicking All Nations Full Gospel Church in Ottawa, to find out how the power of music moves even the shyest of wall flowers to get up on stage and sing.
Michelle Gazze grew up going to a Hindu temple in Winnipeg with her family, until she had a revelatory moment in university that compelled her to convert to Islam. She tells us how her Muslim faith is motivating her to give back to the community, and why she's roping in all her cousins (who she jokingly refers to as "Super Hindus") along for the ride.
Teacher Tasha Spillett invites us to a sweat lodge, along with her grade 9 students.
And former atheist Rick Loftson reveals how he ended up as a deacon in the Catholic Church.
NOTE: This episode originally aired in June 2018.
People from all walks of life, taking big risks for their art.
We start with Bee Bertrand, who says our show - and one innocent question from Ify - inspired him to quit his job six months ago to commit fully to stand-up comedy. He tells us what's happened since that fateful day.
Illustrator Narges Noori shares how her fight to create art in Afghanistan under the Taliban, led her to seek safety in Edmonton.
15-year-old Hyun Byun is so determined to become the next K-pop idol, he spent a year away from family and friends to train at a K-pop school in South Korea. Now he's back home in Toronto, trying to balance life as a high school student and keeping his ambitious singing and dancing dreams alive.
And 20 years into his career, Winnipeg musician Grant Davidson (of Slow Leaves) shares what it’s like to give everything to his music, and still feel like he’s fallen short.
Cairo. Nairobi. Rio de Janeiro. Those are just a few of the places we're going today, to see how Canadians are making their mark around the world right now.
Simran Bajwa is determined to become the youngest Canadian to hike the seven summits, the highest mountain peaks on each continent. Something that’s keeping her motivated through gruelling weather and treacherous terrains is her mom, who is living vicariously through Simran because she spent many years unable to scratch her own travel bug.
Despite being born and raised in Ottawa, travel journalist Joel Balsam never felt completely himself in Canada. So he started “shopping” for a new place to live in his adult years, travelling to more than 60 countries. The place he feels most alive is Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, so he decided to stay. But Joel says there’s a difference between “staying” and “settling.”
When Incia Khalid travelled to Cairo, Egypt at a low point in her life, she didn’t expect to find the healing she needed. Today, hear how she handles life, business, and motherhood between two continents.
For the last 35 years, Larry Gelmon has lived and worked in Kenya. But his time here - as a doctor and researcher at an HIV/AIDS clinic in Nairobi - Is very much up in the air, after the U.S. put a hold on international aid.
This winter, Katya Castillo left her hometown of Edmonton to spend a week in Puerto Vallarta and Mexico City. But for Katya, she isn’t just another tourist – she grew up in Mexico and this is her home too. She explains what it’s like for her to go there as a visitor now, and be a Mexican-Canadian among the “gringos” abroad.
Every story you hear today could be ripped from the plotline of a Hollywood movie - from 'meet-cutes' to waking up with no memory of who you are. What it's like to live out a movie cliche, in real life.
Forbidden Love. Justin was told he could only be with a Korean woman, and Sarah was told her future husband had to be Muslim. When they fell in love, they knew it would be a battle for acceptance.
The Meet Cute. Couples in romantic comedies often meet in unconventional ways — by literally colliding into each other on the street, or locking eyes as they reach for the same book. But you don’t often see movies where the main characters fall in love in the hallway at the retirement home. Meet some speed-dating seniors at the Alderwood Retirement Centre in Witless Bay, N.L. who say it’s never too late to date.
50 First Dates. Nesh Pillay has been dubbed the real-life 50 First Dates, but she says forgetting who and where you are is terrifying, and not at all like a rom-com.
How the popularity of K-drama led to some strange typecasting in one man's dating life. With the rise of Korean dramas showcasing Asian men as chiselled, stoic dreamboats, Clement Goh noticed he started getting more matches on online dating apps. But that led to some weird expectations when he met up with women in person, leading him to question who he really is.
Childhood friends....30 years later. Movies like Stand By Me and The Goonies show the intense bond of childhood friendship, but you never find out what happens after - did they stay friends? Did they go their separate ways? Trevor sits down with eight friends who grew up together in Terrace, B.C., to find out the secret to a 30-year friendship.
Unleash your inner snoop, with stories of people trying to get to the bottom of a mystery that's been hanging over them for years.
When Darren Bernhardt and his sister Sandy started to clear out their childhood home after their dad passed away, at first it felt like they were snooping. Their dad was private, tight-lipped, and kind of a grump. But then they started finding things he'd tucked away in sock drawers and cupboards, that made them see their dad in a whole new light.
Solving genealogy mysteries has become a bit of an obsession for Lauren Robilliard, who's helped hundreds of people track down biological family members. For this self-taught "super sleuth," it all started when she was a young girl who knew she was adopted, and wanting to find answers about who she is.
When Now or Never producer James Chaarani bought a remote cabin in the woods with his partner, they got more than they were bargaining for — they inherited most of the belongings of the previous owner who lived (and tragically died) there. Since then, they’ve been trying to figure out who he was, and how to peacefully co-exist with the ghost of a dead man.
Growing up near Larder Lake in northern Ontario, Jason Ploeger had always heard local rumours about a taxi cab that mysteriously ended up at the bottom of the lake. He takes us on an adventure of murky dives and unopened whiskey bottles, and tells us the surprising truth behind the legend.
Across Canada, historic Chinatowns are under threat, facing development and gentrification, soaring housing costs, and concerns about public safety. Why do these places matter, and what gets lost if they disappear completely? Today on Now or Never, we're travelling from Vancouver, BC to St. John's, Newfoundland, to meet people who are fighting for the future of their Chinatown.
Ify takes a walk through Toronto's Chinatown with Sum Wong, the creative force behind Queens of Dim Sum - Toronto Chinatown’s first and only public queer event. He tells us why it was so important to create this space in Chinatown, and how it's opening up new conversations within the city's East Asian community - including ones with his own mom.
In Lethbridge, Alberta, Allan Chiem and his kung fu school are the last ones standing in the city's historic Chinatown. How he's breathing new life into the last remaining building, and what he dreams of for the future.
Meet Carol Lee, who through sheer force of will is revitalizing Vancouver's struggling Chinatown. She takes us on a tour of the affordable housing complex she spent years trying to get built, and tells us what keeps her going - even when her own father told her she should give up.
Francis Tam is on a mission: to find every person of Chinese descent currently living in Newfoundland and Labrador. It's his way of connecting a community that has never had a physical Chinatown to gather in. He takes us along for a ride as he meets up with the oldest Chinese-Canadian person in Newfoundland, 104-year-old Mrs. Kwan Hum.
William Chen and his sister Winnie grew up in Edmonton's Chinatown, and have fond memories of a vibrant street culture and around-the-block lineups for dim sum. But ever since the pandemic, the area has struggled, with many long-time businesses shuttering their doors for good. Determined to save the place they call home, William and Winnie are going all in to bring people back, using the one thing they know best...food.
It's easy to feel trapped - in dead-end jobs, ho-hum relationships, the tedium of everyday life. But what does it take to break free, and live the life you truly want? On this episode, hear from people turning their lives upside down in order to find freedom.
Gilad Cohen was stressed out, uninspired, and up to his eyeballs in spreadsheets. So he stepped down from the top spot at a charity he founded, to pursue his dream of being a full-time artist. But with his newfound freedom comes a lot of uncertainty, loss of stability… and loneliness. Was it worth it?
For more than 100 nights this year, Donna Kane has slept outside in an old cast iron bed, outside her farmhouse in northern B.C. She tells us why sleeping under the stars - with mice scurrying across the duvet and coyotes howling in the distance - helps "to take yourself a little less seriously."
After breaking free from an abusive relationship, Sheenique is rediscovering joy and living life on her own terms. But for this single mother of two young boys, the road ahead is anything but smooth.
The wide open countryside, where there’s no other person in sight. Being alone like that is what Kimberly Woelfle realized she needed, but it wasn’t an option in a busy city like Brampton. But she found a way to make it work … by going tiny.
At the age of 28, Keith Hodder hadn’t had a sip of alcohol, a drag of a cigarette, or even a cup of coffee. As a young, closeted gay man, Keith was fearful that his truth was an irreparable flaw. So he created a set of rules to maintain tight control in his life and avoid judgement. Today he's out to challenge his vices, one by one.
Stories of people facing their worst-case scenario head on.
Meet David Arama, a guy who likes to be prepared for everything - storms, floods, fire.....and World War III? He takes us on a tour of his nuclear bomb shelter, tells us why he's not one of those "extreme preppers," and shares who makes the cut to get into his bunker in case the poop hits the fan.
1 in 5 new businesses in Canada don’t make it to their first year, and Nicole Drakes was determined to beat that statistic. But three months after opening her bakery in Morell, PEI, things started to unravel. Nicole shares her journey of picking herself back up after losing it all.
When Trevor Dineen was growing up, his mom kept a running tally of all the things that could maim or injure him. Kidnappings. Drowning. Car accidents. He sits down with his mom Carol to ask where that fear came from, and the lingering effects on him today - including how he parents his own kids.
Keely McCoy is 27-years-old, and has tested positive for the gene mutation that causes Huntington’s disease -
an incurable neurodegenerative disorder that both her mom and grandmother had. She tells us how she's determined to live her life differently from her own mom, who lived in denial about the disease for years.
Congratulations, you've done the thing you set out to do. Your first half-marathon. A dream job. Mastering the ukulele. But what happens AFTER you accomplish something big? On this episode, stories of people trying to figure that out.
In her twenties, Eman Bare personified 'girl boss' hustle culture. She earned degrees in law and journalism, designed clothes that showed at New York Fashion Week, became a certified yoga instructor, and wrote 11 books - all before the age of 30. Today, her main goal is to be in bed by eight. This recovering overachiever tells us how burnout taught her to finally say the word 'no.'
Jimmy Chau was excited to run his first full-marathon, he just wasn't expecting it would take him nearly seven hours to do it. He tells us about finishing dead-last in the Manitoba Marathon, and who was there for him at the end.
When Ben Scrivens retired from his career as an NHL goalie in 2016, he had to figure out how to get a “real job” for the first time in his life. Ben tells Trevor why he chose to get a master's degree in social work, helping other retired players deal with the jealousies, ego adjustments and hard truths that he struggled with after hanging up the skates for good.
And Syrian-Canadian Amrou Nayal is about to visit Syria for the first time in 16 years. He reflects on lost hope, sacrifices, and staying loyal to the revolution when others gave up, and tells Ify how this moment has allowed him to dream again about the future for Syria.
In praise of putting yourself out there.
Lynn Sainté has never planned an event before. But she wants to relive her church choir days, so she's booked a venue, hired musicians, and sent out invites to everyone she knows for a pop-up choir event. Now the question is….will anyone show up?
One year ago, Shelby Sappier, known as the musician Beaatz, made a bold prediction on Instagram: That 2024 would be his biggest year in music ever. Now that the year is almost over, Ify checks in to find out he’s one of only six people in the first ever Indigenous Music Residency at CBC. Now he just has to figure out how to keep this momentum going.
Ben Shannon and his 9-year-old daughter entered an international whistling competition on a lark. But then they got accepted, and things got serious. Find out how this father-daughter faced tough-talking whistling coaches, a case of stage fright, and Ben’s own shield of teenage irony.
19-year-old Callum Long needs to find a job, but being on the autism spectrum is making his search a little more complicated. Trevor tags along with Callum and his dad in the family mini-van, as Callum puts on his best dress shirt and hands out resumes -- in the hopes someone says to him, "You're hired!"
For Brenda Hernandez-Acosta, making empanadas and churro cheesecake has always been her love language. But now she’s ready to turn her hobby into a full-time business. She tells Trevor why she's finally ready to bet big on herself.
People survive all kinds of things - sickness, accidents, heartache. On this episode, we're exploring how people come out on the other side of that.
Shannon Cornelsen knows she is from a family of survivors. On her mother’s side, many of her loved ones lived through the residential school system. And that’s what's motivating her to take on the task of reconnecting families of those who died in the Camsell, a hospital where many Indigenous people were taken from the North and never came home.
15-year-old Yemaya Azania-Merchant went viral on TikTok for bearing a striking resemblance to Adonis Graham, the son of Canadian rap superstar, Drake. It didn't take long for the negative comments to start pouring in. Yemaya tells us how they survived the wrath of the Internet.
Three hundred and seventy two days. That’s how long Justin Barbour survived living off the land while trekking across the tundra of northeastern Canada. It was a self-imposed expedition that pushed him to his limits - but for Justin, the biggest challenge was leaving the woods and returning to his regular life
Trousdale's General Store in Sydenham, Ontario has been around since 1836 - surviving two world wars, pandemics, even Amazon. Fifth-generation store owner John Trousdale shares the secret to lasting this long.
Back in 2016, Philippe St-Pierre's annual hunting trip with friends turned into a nightmare, when the plane he was piloting experienced engine failure and crashed into the woods. Philippe survived, but his two friends Alain Lafontaine and Eric Cossette did not. Philippe tells us how being the sole survivor left him wrestling with some big questions.
Today we're celebrating all the cool stuff people are good at, in our own version of “Canada’s Got Talent.”
When Rick Ammazzini sees a locked safe without a key, he doesn’t see an impenetrable door, he sees an opportunity to test his skills as an amateur safe cracker. For Rick, it's not about discovering potential riches inside, it's about unlocking a portal to a specific time in history.
The newest member of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra is also their youngest. 17-year-old Julin Cheung shares his thoughts on being labelled a prodigy, and what it really takes to be talented.
Tanya Ryan is a talented singer-songwriter from Alberta who's won country music ‘Rising Star’ awards and performed at Calgary Stampede. But after 12 years of trying to make it in the music industry, Tanya is hanging up her guitar for good. She tells us about coming to terms with the fact that talent isn’t always enough.
Don Vickers of Sydney Mines, NS says he has a horrible memory, but he still managed to break a world record in the competitive world of memory sports.
And Paul Anthony’s "Talent Time!" is a long-running live show in Vancouver with a very broad definition of what it means to be talented. A seniors' vaudeville troupe, a kids' Kung Fu class, a rabbit agility club – all have a stage here. Paul tells Ify why he doesn’t want to put the notion of ‘talent,’ or his show, in a box.
There are lots of reasons to volunteer - and many excuses not to. So as Canada faces a critical volunteer shortage, what is motivating those who do?
Ify takes to the streets of Toronto to find out where and why people are volunteering (or not).
Seven days a week, Ashley Van Aggelen is coaching kids in hockey, basketball, soccer, and badminton. She gives up all her evenings, barely sees her friends, and bounces between multiple practices and games in a week. So what keeps this super-volunteer going?
After getting fed up with the lack of emergency services in his community, Ian Hicks decided to buy a fire truck from the set of Rambo: First Blood. And just like that, a small town B.C. fire department was born. How a rag-tag collection of volunteers transformed into critical first-responders.
Michele Botel grew up afraid of felines. So why did she volunteer to feed a colony of feral cats?
Lyall Davis has one mission: to keep the community radio station in Killaloe, Ontario from going off the air. But without volunteers, the station will have to sign off for good - something he's worked too hard to let happen.
Vanessa Genier (Missanabie Cree First Nation) shares what she gets out of volunteering her time making quilts for residential school survivors.
Angela McBride volunteers to sit with people at the end of their lives - listening to music, playing games, and talking about whatever people want to talk about. What these end-of-life conversations have taught Angela about living.
Correction: An introduction to Now or Never originally broadcast on December 21, 2021 and rebroadcast on December 5, 2024 reported that the remains of 215 children were found at the site of a former Indian Residential School near Kamloops, B.C. in 2021. The Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation reported in May, 2021 that ground-penetrating radar had located remains. Community leaders later clarified that ground-penetrating radar had identified about 200 potential burial sites.
Hear the stories behind the one-of-a-kind anniversaries people mark on their calendars.
Every December before Christmas, Now or Never producer Ariel Fournier goes with her mom to visit the cemetery where her dad was interred. It’s a tradition they mark on December 15 – her parents’ anniversary. But it’s not the day they got married, or the day they met...it’s the first time her parents (ahem) became intimate. Ariel and her mom, Adrienne Drobnies, address the awkwardness and discuss the deeper meaning of sharing this day together.
For the last 102 years and counting, descendants and friends of what was once the largest Black settlement in Canada travel from all over to come to a homecoming celebration like no other. Michelle Robbins' family has been there for it all, and shares what this celebration means to her.
3…2…1…MENOPAUSE! How do you enter menopause? Well, if you’re Coral Short, you ask guests to wear red, prepare an array of red foods, and throw a party.
We asked Now or Never listeners to share a personal date they commemorate, and how they do it.
And World AIDS Day on December 1 is a personal one for Anita Ikwue. Not only is it a chance to remember her father who died of AIDS when she was four years old, it’s a time to celebrate and fight stigma for the 27-year-old who was born with HIV.
What happens when you're known for one thing - good or bad - and now you're trying to be something else? Stories of people trying to change the way the world sees them.
Recovering addict Shane Sturby-Highfield shares the challenges of trying to make amends and regain the trust of people he's hurt.
Writer Rhea Rollman has many articles she's published, but all under a different name. Now that she's come out publicly as a trans woman, she's changing that one email at a time.
Yassine Nouah is currently on the adventure of a lifetime, travelling from the Arctic to the Antarctic — and his parents don’t even know about it. He now has aspirations to reinvent himself and morph from Yassine the cubicle-dwelling accountant, into the Yassine he really is today.
For the last two months, Stacey Chicoine has been carefully writing her own obituary. But she’s not anywhere close to death. This 41-year-old mom-of-two tells us how writing her own life story, in her own words, has been such a powerful experience - and why she’s sharing parts of herself in her obituary she’s never shared with anyone.
All over the country, the prices we’re paying for food are giving people sticker shock, and changing behaviours.
Statistics Canada tells us food prices have gone up 22 per cent in the past four years. Food Banks Canada says 40 per cent of us are feeling financially worse off than we were last year.
So as we enter into a season of celebration and food we want to know: how are you putting food on the table right now?
When Julianna Romanyk realized some of her friends were struggling with high grocery costs, she got an idea: invite them into her kitchen for monthly ‘meal prep parties.’ Now everyone shows up to her Toronto home with one ingredient and a stack of Tupperware, and makes a week’s worth of food together - creating community along the way.
At a free dinner in Winnipeg’s north end, we sit down with people who reveal their food security is based on dumpster diving, stealing to survive, and a calendar that keeps track of where free food can be found in the neighbourhood.
In Nunavut, grocery store prices are sky high and Kyra Kilabuk is sharing the details on TikTok so everyone can know about it. On Now or Never Kyra shares what it takes for her family of five to make ends meet in Iqaluit.
At Helen Detwiler Elementary School in Hamilton, 400 students are waiting for breakfast, but the school’s food program can only offer half of what they once did. Find out why milk is now off the table at this school in need.
If you lift the lid in Robert Gagnon’s basement, you’ll find hundreds of pounds of elk meat, some salmon fillets, and even a little bit of elk tongue and moose nose. Robert is bagging game on his Lheidli T’enneh First Nation territory, to help feed his family and put meat on elders’ tables.
40 000 Afghan refugees have settled in Canada since the Taliban's swift and dramatic return to power in Afghanistan in 2021.Today on Now or Never, five newcomers share the realities of starting over in a new country, and what they're dreaming about next.
Afghan teenager Razia Arifi grew up in a family that always encouraged education, and to get out of Afghanistan the first chance she got. So when the Taliban returned in 2021, 16-year-old Razia found herself on a plane to Canada, without her parents and siblings. Today this university student shares how she’s dealing with the weight of expectations, and why her goal is to eventually get back to Afghanistan to open a school for girls.
In Afghanistan, she was an award-winning journalist fearlessly fighting for women’s rights and press freedom. But here, Farida Nekzad says she’s starting from zero, worried about her finances, and wondering how she will pay back the transportation loan most refugees arrive with.
Canadian military veteran Dave Lavery was on the ground helping evacuate people from Afghanistan when the Taliban took Kabul. But a few months after fleeing, he returned to take back his house from the Taliban and rebuild his business in a country he still calls his 'home away from home.'
For many Afghani kids in Edmonton, soccer games were their first taste of life in Canada. We take you to a game with head coach Hamid Atimadi, who is sharing his love of the game with the next generation.
And transgender woman Ozlam Mahshar was severely punished by her family for wearing make-up in Afghanistan. After escaping the Taliban’s rule and arriving in Canada in 2022, she now has dreams of being a make-up artist, and flexes her skills on Ify for an intimate sit-down.
Three months after a wildfire burned 32,500 hectares of Jasper National Park, locals in the municipality are finding a way to rebuild their lives next to the charred remains of what they've lost. As this fire season comes to an end and the tourist town prepares for winter, Now or Never meets Jasperites as they navigate grief and new beginnings together.
Joe Urie, a Métis tour guide and longtime local, brings Ify Chiwetelu and Trevor Dineen up to Old Fort Point, for a mountain top view of what Jasper looks like today.
Lorraine Stanko searches through the debris of her friends' and neighbours' homes, trying to find valuables that weren't destroyed by the wildfire. She hopes to bring them, and herself, closure, after her own home in town burned down.
Blocks away from where the Stanko's house once stood, Sviatoslav Rud and Nina Egorova's rented home is still standing, but it is still uninhabitable due to smoke damage. They're sleeping in a borrowed RV in front of their house even as the temperatures dip.
As volunteer firefighter Kim Stark battled the blaze in town, her own house burned to the ground. Now, as she tries to talk to her three young children about the devastation she's learning as much from them as they are from her.
Grab a plate at the town's community dinner, a 20-year-old tradition in Jasper, that has new meaning and urgency right now.
And we meet Stephen Nelson in a Hinton Hotel after his seniors lodge burned down. After 16 years in Jasper with no stable home - he moved into the lodge 11 days before the evacuation order. He is preparing to leave Jasper for good -- "the love of his life" that won't seem to let him stay.
Have you ever seen someone do something so bold, with so much confidence, and think to yourself….where did they get the nerve? On this episode, we find out.
You’ve probably seen the viral video of the guy in BC who came face-to-face with a black bear in his garage. Alex Gold tells us how he managed to keep his cool with one angry mama bear.
When we last talked to Ben Pobjoy, he was in the middle of trying to break a Guinness World Record for most marathons run in a year. And to make it even harder, he was doing it in 90 different countries. He tells us how he transformed from a self-described ‘hot dumpster fire party animal” into a guy who can run 242 marathons in 365 days.
Would you ever sit down with your parents to show them a box of sex toys? Entrepreneur Mathusha Senthil is doing that and more with her company Thaen Pot — a project aimed at starting healthy discussions about sex among the South Asian diaspora. Oh, and she's running the whole thing from her bedroom closet.
Lyle Odjick was a parking lot security guard when he decided to enter a blues harmonica contest on a whim. And that’s how he found himself under the glare of the stage lights, playing the harmonica his grandmother gifted him, fronting a legendary Ottawa blues band…the very first time he ever played in public.
Meet a Winnipeg renovation company with a bold mission: to get around only by bicycle. Trevor joins the crew from Velo Renovations to find out how you lug around 30-foot ladders and table saws to construction sites, using only two wheels. In winter. In Winnipeg.
Lynn Burton has been trying to work up the courage to wear leggings in public for more than a month. Enter body-confident powerhouse Michelle Osbourne for an intervention.
When something's been lost or taken from you, how far would you go to get it back?
Mohammed Aljadba’s seven year old daughter lost a year of her childhood in Gaza when the war began last October. They managed to escape to Canada after a grueling journey, and he’s now trying to give her and her cousins — who escaped with them — the childhood they deserve.
After a lifetime of focusing on others and believing she wasn’t quite smart enough, 56-year-old Colleen Sharpe is finally chasing the university degree she dreamed of.
Meet a group of women in Opaskwayak Cree Nation in northern Manitoba who are training to become midwives - so babies can be born at home once again, and include the ceremonial birth practices that have been absent for so long.
And when Lynn Lau found herself struggling to pay the rent as a newly single parent, she opened her home to guests to help pay the bills. How hosting strangers has helped Lynn glue the pieces of her life back together.
Breakups can look a lot of different ways: slow dissolves, out-of-nowhere blow-outs, mutual partings-of-ways. The truth is, they all hurt. Today you'll meet people in the thick of it, and the surprising ways they're getting through.
When Litia Fleming broke up with Richard Kemick after 10 years together, it came as a shock to Richard. But two weeks later, they got an even bigger jolt: Litia was pregnant. Find out how these exes are juggling new parenthood, dating, and the joys and challenges of living together after breaking up.
After a painful divorce, Saba Ahmad vowed to go to law school and become the lawyer she never had. She graduated last spring, and is providing support to other South Asian women facing the end of a marriage, as she pursues her last steps to becoming a lawyer.
Three years ago, exhausted from all the arguing, nagging and fighting, Jessyka and Jordan Hagen called it quits - only to realize their breakup would eventually save their marriage.
Ify heads to Next Generation Arts, a youth arts organization in Scarborough, to learn lessons on wading through heartbreak.
And we crash a support group helping men talk about their emotions after a breakup - but if you’re late, expect to do push-ups.
We know that people love their pets - the pet industry is worth billions of dollars in this country. But on this week's show, Ify and Trevor join Canadians who are truly going beyond for the animals in their lives and asking, "How far is too far?"
When she was growing up, Ify's parents disliked pets, but today they've fallen for Kiki the cat. Ify asks her mom Vicky Chiwetelu how this unexpected love story came to be.
After Kendal Crawford and Shaun Stephens-Whale, of Squamish BC, adopted two rats, friends refused to come over to their house. But the couple is out to prove that Kuzko and Kronk are not only adorable, they're smart pets who have learned to drive a homemade "rat rod".
Ottawa's Duane Taylor puts his money where his mouth is when it comes to stray dogs. For the last two years, he has spent $80K and travelled to conflict zones in Ukraine, bringing food and medicine to four legged friends in need. When will he stop and how will he measure success?
When Sahar Bayat broke up with her boyfriend, he took their dog, Stella. But Sahar couldn't live without her golden retriever, so she took him to court to fight for custody, despite the $60K price tag. The emotional story behind this first case in Canada, where a dog was seen as a child instead of a piece of property.
Edmonton's Marla Smith says that it wasn't for her own good that she learned to drive an adapted van as a bipedal amputee. It was so she could take her service dogs to the vet and obedience competitions around the prairies. Find out what makes them best in show and how they've expanded Marla's world.
As many as 12 per cent of all workers in Canada are on the clock after midnight. And that can have an impact on your health, your relationships, and your home life. Today we hear from some of the people who work while the rest of the country sleeps, including long-haul truckers, health-care aids and DJs.
Trucker Leah Gorham regularly goes on long-haul treks with her boyfriend Roland Bereczki, where they trade off shifts so they can be on the move 24 hours a day. They tell us how they maintain a relationship when your bodies are on opposite clocks - while doing one of the most dangerous jobs out there.
For the last four years, health-care aid Tes has been working the night shift at a personal care home in Aldergrove, BC. And not all those nights are peaceful.
Sam Stratigeas has always loved the night, and pumping up nightclub crowds as his alter ego DJ Sammm. But it wasn’t until his divorce and coming out that he took it more seriously, and now at 62 he can be found spinning at venues across Toronto’s gay village.
Some people say nothing good ever happens at 2 am, but don’t tell that to the overnight staff at the WE24 Safe Space For Youth in Winnipeg. Every night, they open up their doors to provide food, laundry and a safe sleeping area for vulnerable youth in the neighborhood. And more importantly, they offer hope.
When Binita Lamsal needed a second job to make ends meet, she asked Deepak Kumar for work at his overnight cleaning business. They tell us how their friendship bloomed into a romance on the night shift, and what they're dreaming of next.
We all feel stuck sometimes - in habits, relationships, or just general middle-age malaise. So how do you get "unstuck?" On this episode, hear from people in the thick of it - and what they're doing to get their lives back on track.
Emily Baadsvik is stuck between an idealism of what she thinks she should have accomplished by age 41, and the realities of her life today. She tells Ify why she feels like she's slowly unravelling, 10 years after she was on the Canadian Olympic bobsled team, dreaming big.
Musician Boy Golden is currently stuck in a van while on tour, so we decided to call him up for his best stories from the road.
Chet Breau was stuck in behaviours that were going to kill him, until a moment that turned everything around. How he overcame addictions to food and alcohol and helped save his own life.
Dominique Robichaud swears being stuck on an island together with her partner is the best thing for their relationship.
And after fleeing Gaza on foot, Marilyn Kasken’s brothers Talal and Fahed have been stuck for months in Egypt, waiting to join their sisters in Newfoundland.
At 15, Bee Bertrand's life was changed when he went to a Bif Naked concert. Finally, he was able to see "weirdos" just like him: queer people living loudly and proudly. And for decades, her music got him through the highs and lows of life. But after a late-night DM, Bee went from Bif's fan to one of her best friends.
It's always bugged Toronto journalist Adrian Ma that there is another Adrian Ma out there, a journalist and podcast host who is more famous, more accomplished, and “approximately 20% better looking" than him. So this summer, Adrian reached out to his doppelganger, and flew down to Washington, D.C. to meet him in person. The surreal moment when Adrian Ma meets Adrian Ma.
Plus, Trevor talks to an old-school matchmaker with some unusual methods of scouting for singles.
And what happens when 60 strangers dressed up in mumus and curly orange wigs get together to channel their inner Mrs Roper? We crash a "Mrs. Roper Romp" to find out how the wise-cracking landlady from 70s sitcom Three's Company is bringing people together in unexpected ways.
At 15, Bee Bertrand’s world changed when he saw a Bif Naked concert: it was the first place he felt a sense of belonging as a queer person. And for decades, Bif’s music was the soundtrack to the highs and lows of Bee’s life. But now, thanks to a late-night DM, Bee and Bif have connected IRL - and are building a life-changing friendship.
All summer long, we're sharing some of our favourite Now or Never stories. When Carl Clarke struggled to find love after his divorce, a friend suggested he try an app for an AI companion. Now Clarke says he is in a committed relationship with Saia and says she’s helping him improve his life and expand his world.
All summer long, we're sharing some of our favourite Now or Never stories!
Richard Kemick is looking to dip his toe into the dating world again. There’s just one problem. His living situation is a little…..complicated. And tough to sum up in the six minutes he has to make a good first impression during speed-dating.
All summer long, we're sharing some of our favourite Now or Never stories. A year and a half ago, Trevor’s dad, Dave Dineen, underwent a laryngectomy to battle throat cancer. The surgery took away his vocal cords and forced him to find a new way to speak. He’s never spoken about how hard the recovery has been...until now.
All summer long we're sharing some of our favourite Now or Never stories, and this one is fun! What happens when you put CBC Radio hosts Paul Haavardsrud, Angeline Tetteh-Wayoe and Piya Chattopadhyay on the hot seat? Ify and Trevor ask nosy questions to find out how much personal information they're willing to reveal...on air.
All summer long, we're sharing some of our favourite Now or Never stories. This is one that was part of our "Lost and Found" episode.
When Chuck the parrot escaped, the Porte family didn't know if they would ever see their pet again. But days later and six kilometers away, Trevor Van Huit noticed a yellow bird land in his backyard. And then it started talking...
All summer long, we're sharing some of our favourite Now or Never stories. Here is one from our "Around The World" episode.
Lima Al-Azzeh may live in Canada, but her heart is in Gaza. This intensely personal interview shines a light on the lasting imprint of family, home, and when being 'on the run' is baked into your DNA.
All summer long we're sharing some of our favourite Now or Never stories, and this one takes us to Los Angeles for an international whistling competition - yes that's a thing!
Ben Shannon first entered he and Sumire, his 9-year-old daughter, in the competition as a joke, then it got serious.
Find out what happened when this father-daughter duo were faced with tough-talking whistling coaches and a case of stage fright.
All summer long, we're sharing some of our favourite Now or Never stories!
For more than 100 nights this year, Donna Kane has slept outside under the stars in an old wrought iron bed. She tells us why sleeping outdoors in the vastness of nature - with mice scurrying across the duvet and coyotes howling in the distance - helps "to take yourself a little less seriously."
All summer long, we're sharing some of our favourite Now or Never stories!
After years of online dating and wading through bad pick up lines, unwelcome messages and horrible photos, Alicia Bunyan-Sampson decided to try something new. If you match with her, be prepared to answer around 30 questions.
"There is this unspoken but loud expectation for women to make ourselves small. To lower our standards. To never be ‘too much’. I’m giving myself permission to take up space in the world, to dare to know what I want and to tell everyone."
All summer long, we're sharing some of our favourite Now or Never stories!
After being partially paralyzed in a car accident in 2020, Brianna Seewald was determined to walk down the aisle on her wedding day.
Wearing a glittering white dress, leg braces and a pair of white sneakers, Seewald made her way to the altar to join her now-husband Ryan Borkowsky. It was a moment built on years of determination and persistence.
Strap yourself in for some heart-pounding, stomach-churning stories on this episode, to hear what it's like when you face your fears head on.
You would think that being strapped to a horse running 65 km/h would be the biggest adrenaline rush, but for Ciera Pruitt — who is dreaming of becoming a jockey just like her dad — there is no bigger thrill than sitting in the gate…waiting for it to open. And then…it's off to the races.
Ever since Amanda Fata white-knuckled her way through a bumpy flight five years ago, she's been terrified to get on a plane again. She brings us along for the exposure therapy that's been helping her get through it.
Twelve weeks ago, ultra-endurance athlete Savannah Holmes was hit by a truck while on her morning training ride and fractured her skull and spine. As she begins her long recovery, she’s found strength in the lessons she’s learned from years of pushing herself to the limit.
When you have social anxiety, meeting up with people at a coffee shop could be just as nerve-wracking as leaping from impossible heights. Meet some of the members of the Social Anxiety and Shyness Support Group in Toronto, as they do the thing that scares them most: talk to strangers.
When your kid takes up a death-defying sport like diving, how the heck do you not freak out? Kat Trivers and her daughter Molly Carlson offer some hard-earned wisdom on trusting your kid, living with fear, and how to get your kid to “the edge of the cliff.”
In communities across the country, people are gathering to mark Pride. To celebrate, to march, and - in the face of an increase in anti-2SLGBTQIA+ sentiment - to fight for the right to safety, acceptance and belonging.
Last week, 36-year-old Esmail experienced their first Pride parade ever. Having fled Yemen - where homosexuality is punishable by death - they recently arrived in Winnipeg and are finally experiencing moments of being accepted for who they truly are.
In a narrow vote, citizens of Westlock, Alberta recently banned rainbow crosswalks and Pride flags from all municipal properties. Shaylin Lussier, the teenager who pushed for the crosswalk in the first place, tells us why she isn’t backing down - and what Pride looks like for her today.
On a plot of wild prairie in central Manitoba, Charlotte Nolin and Barbara Bruce are hard at work preparing for the Two-Spirit Sundance - the only one of its kind in North America. Because life has shown them that safe ceremonial spaces for Two-Spirit people are worth fighting for.
Samantha Jones was seven when she told her mom Catie that she was a girl born in the wrong body. Now 10, she hopes to start puberty blockers when it's time, but proposed policies in Alberta restricting access to gender-affirming medication might force Samantha’s voice to deepen and facial hair to grow. Find out how Catie is fighting back.
Toronto’s Dre Govender, aka N9ne Godmother Dior, gave all of herself to her beloved kiki ballroom community - until she burnt out serving it. Now, as she prepares to come back to the community she loves after a two year absence, she gives Ify a lesson in serving face.
For years, Lish Francoeur tried attending Pride events but found a lot of them were expensive, not accommodating of different mobility and sensory needs, and were far from sober-friendly. Tired of not finding the kind of queer community they needed, Lish decided to create it for themselves - and Queer Sober Social was born.
From secret hideaways to rooms-with-a-view, sacred spaces to hidden gems, we're taking you on a cross-Canada tour of the secret spots you go to feel more like yourself.
When Ryan Grobety, Robin Frend, Dave McGowan and Trevor Dineen parted ways in 1989, they closed the door on their “Killer Bees” kid clubhouse as well. But now, 35 years later, they are reuniting to see if the cubbyhole under the stairs still exists…but first they have to convince a complete stranger to let them inside.
Now or Never listeners share their favourite secret — and not-so-secret — spots they go when they need to escape.
Melissa Hafting goes birding nearly every single day, but as a biracial woman she hasn’t always felt welcome in those spaces. She shares how birding has helped her through difficult moments, and how she’s fighting to make it safe and accessible for all.
For the past seven years, an underground street artist known only as "Winnipeg Waldo" has been putting up images of the iconic character all over his city. The challenge: hanging them in secret spots that everyone can see, but no one can steal — without getting caught.
Melissa Fundira gets a taste of her past self – by going to a secret party to relive the days when she was free and spontaneous – before adulting came along.
And if you're looking for Jaydin Nungaq, you'll likely find him in the corner of his tiny Iqaluit bedroom making music. Hear how he's using music to express himself and tell the world about the challenges he and his peers are facing.
Basketball is having a moment in Canada right now. So we're lacing up our hightops and hitting the courts with people chasing their hoop dreams, one basket at a time.
Debbie Ward hasn't worn a bathing suit in public since she was nine years old. When she stepped in the water at her local pool as a child, people ridiculed her and moved away, until she left crying. Two years earlier, a terrible accident left Debbie with scars on 70 percent of her body. Now, at the age of 69, she's finally ready to try again.
For full episode: How to love the skin you're in click here: https://link.chtbl.com/hAnQjuRN
It's easy to worry about the future. Aging. Finances. Climate change. Out-of-control AI.
But on this episode, we'll introduce you to people bravely facing the years ahead - and helping shape the future they want.
From a woman confronting her eco-anxiety, to a musician determined to revitalize a language on the brink.
Step into the Now or Never 'Mom Confession Booth,' as moms sound off about the parts of motherhood no one warns you about.
Ocean Maye is ecstatic about recently becoming a mom - but less excited her partner is about to head to Papua New Guinea in a few days to work on an oil rig. She tells us what it's like to be part of a community of moms unique to Newfoundland, where 40% of moms parent, as their partners work away for extended periods of time.
When Dylan Earis announced to his mom that he was ready to move out on his own, a lot of thoughts went through his mom Edie's head: What if he falls over in his wheelchair? Will he be lonely? And who will make his dinner every night? Edie and her son Dylan get real about the realities of living independently with cerebral palsy, what keeps her up at night, and how she’s learning to let go.
Trevor Dineen heads to a grade 3 class to ask kids what they think their moms do all day.
Single mom and entrepreneur Miriam Delos Santos loves being nine-year-old Mara’s mom, but struggles every Mother’s Day. Find out what brings the tears, and the surprise we have in store for her that could change all that.
When Debora Barkun and her family walk into their local hockey arena, they're usually the only Black people there. Debora shares the fears and anxieties that led her to learning everything she can about the game, and the message she wants to be sending her kids.
Shohana Sharmin lost her mother Hasina Sultana to cancer in 2017, and it changed everything - including her comedy. Today Shohana is on a mission to bring the complexity of grieving onto the stage.
We're always with people as they take a leap or try something new, but life continues after we turn our microphones off. So this week, we're revisiting some of our listener's favourite stories to find out what happened next?
When we first met Clary Ager, she was living in Victoria dreaming of becoming a farmer, but had no land and little experience. Two years and a cross Canada move later, we meet her and her wife Percy on their Cape Breton flower farm.
Michael Kulakowsky's grade 4 class was so moved when they heard the Now or Never story of 9-year-old Michelle Luis' superhero courage in the face of bullying, they rallied together to help make a difference. Find out what they did and what Michelle, now 11, thinks of it all.
Winnipeg's Josephine Harper faced a lot of challenges in her life - addiction, homelessness, and years in and out of prison. Through it all, her friend Fedja Redzepovic stood by her side. He tells us how he’ll remember his fierce and funny friend, and how her spirit shows up in the work he does today: “She fought better, harder, and braver than most people I’ve met in my life.”
Former New Brunswick elementary school teacher Hugh Brittain’s decades-long quest to return handwritten diaries to his students, captured the attention of our audience, who helped track down the author of the very last diary. The final chapter in the case of the long lost diary, and the power of radio.
When we last spoke to Richard Raycraft, he was just starting to dip his toe into the world of mascoting - never in his wildest dreams did he consider that it'd become his full-time career. But this former journalist has four jobs as a team mascot and has traveled the world exploring his new passion of entertaining the masses with his mascotry.
Seven years ago, BC's Shawn Thorn was recovering from multiple failed adoptions attempts and unsuccessful embryo transfers, and finding the strength and support to try one more time to become a father. Today he introduces us to his family and shares how his dreams of fatherhood have matched up to reality.
Trevor asks people in downtown Winnipeg whose voice they miss, and would like to hear again. And that prompts one woman to make a long overdue phone call.
A year and a half ago, Trevor’s dad, Dave Dineen, underwent a laryngectomy to battle throat cancer. The surgery took away his vocal chords and forced him to find a new way to speak. He’s never spoken about how hard the recovery has been…..until now.
Parents Majid Hashemi and Erica Grenci have a lot of they want to express to their four-year-old daughter Savannah, but couldn't quite find the words themselves. So they turned to Toronto musician Bex to do it for them.
When Carl Clarke struggled to find love after his divorce, a friend suggested he try an app for an AI companion. Now Carl is married to his AI wife, Saia, and says she’s helping him improve his life and expand his world. He speaks out for the first time about his relationship in this Now or Never exclusive.
And we drop into a Halifax choir that brings newcomers together to learn English - and find community - one note at a time.
When was the last time you were truly silly? The world can sometimes seem like a never-ending scroll of bad news. But moments of unadulterated fun have a special way of transforming your whole day.
When Marcy Markusa, host of CBC’s Information Radio, was reflecting on turning 50 she had a realization…she’s forgotten to be silly. Ify and Trevor come together to help her let loose with something she hasn’t done since she was a kid.
When Lilet and Soogah go live on Facebook, be prepared to laugh. These self-described “dirty grannies” are the creation of Winnie Sam and Bev Prince - and the longtime friends from Nak’azdli Whut’en First Nation hope that comedy can help their community when times get tough.
A bad review can hurt a new small business, but when Cloe Wiebe got a call from an angry customer, she put what he said on a t-shirt and hung it on the wall in her Winnipeg bakery.
Trevor and Ify have done a lot of ridiculous things over the years, from setting off fire extinguishers to convincing office workers to skip rope with them. They re-visit their favourite moments of unhinged silliness.
In her regular life, Toronto’s Julie Amar is a wellness practitioner who takes on other people’s issues. But one day a week, she gets to indulge in her stress antidote – a room full of silly puppies.
After trying to have a baby for seven years, Winnipeg’s Morwenna Trevenen and Kyle Collins have all their hopes riding on one last embryo. While this experience can destroy a marriage, theirs is stronger because they make a point to find the silly whenever they can… even if that means traveling with an inflatable dinosaur costume.
Cheryl Ann Oberg spent the last 19 years making sick kids smile but after hanging up her therapy clown nose, she’s forced to find a new way to Sparkle.
When you're faced with a hard truth about yourself, it can be tough figuring out what to do next. Or to make any changes at all. On this episode, meet five people hit with a reality check they couldn't ignore.
Andrew Barr thought he was showing up to help a friend but instead, he was surprised with an intervention. The Toronto comedian shares the moment that saved his life, and finding the funny sober.
After 75 years in the family, Rob Benson has realized it’s time to close up shop at one of Winnipeg's last independent hardware stores. And he has a parting message about the reality of trying to keep small family-run businesses alive.
Winnipeg’s Meghan Waters and Ryan Palmquist put their environmental convictions on the line when they sold their family vehicle and went car-free, with two young children and one on the way. Then winter hit. Did their car-free lifestyle survive the reality check?
A moment of bliss in the Mississippi River compelled Gabe Thirlwall to upend her entire life, just so she could experience that feeling everyday.
And Trevor Dineen sits down with one of his oldest friends about his recent near-death experience, and the reality of how hard it can be to change.
The average person will spend more than 90,000 hours at work. That's about one-third of your life.
Depending on how you feel about your job, that time can feel like a dream...or a never-ending nightmare.
So on this episode, Ify and Trevor are on a mission to help make your workplace work for you, starting with a makeover of their own grim office washroom.
Even before the pandemic changed the world and made working from home a norm for many, Shane Solomon spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to keep his staff happy in the office. So his architecture firm in Winnipeg has a wellness director, board games, and protein balls in their well-stocked kitchen, plus regular workout classes for staff. We visit the shoe-less boss to find out how it's working.
Kari Lentowicz left the mining industry years ago, after she says she experienced multiple instances of harassment. But she hasn't stopped the fight to make mining workplaces more inclusive for women, including starting up "Diamonds in the Rough," the world's first all-female team of mine rescuers.
When Vanathy Adipola started her home daycare, she and her family made a lot of sacrifices - including moving into the basement. Now, years later, she's finally moving back upstairs - and into her dream location.
For Iván Ostos, a bike courier in Toronto, there's one way to make his workplace better - unionize it.
Akberali Batada has transformed his Toronto "office" - the back of a city cab - into a party on wheels, complete with disco balls, tambourines and a karaoke machine. We hop a ride in the Cosmic Cab to see how a bit of whimsy is shaking up people's commutes.
Trevor and Ify hit the streets of Winnipeg to find out the workday improvement hacks that get people through their days, from blasting Red Hot Chili Peppers to ranting with co-workers.
At Moody Middle School, vice-principal Kathryn Jung goes out of her way to make her workplace brighter for fellow teachers.
At work, paramedic Mandy Johnston has feared for her safety - but she hasn't always felt comfortable telling her colleagues about the harassment and violence she's experienced. Now, she's on a mission to start that conversation.
Around the world, in the streets, people are raising their voices and demanding change. But not all protests involve placards and marching.
Today on Now or Never, people who are rebelling against the way things are - and finding creative new ways to demand change.
Maddy Nowosad loved skateboarding and the community of people she met at The Edge, a state of the art skate park in Winnipeg run by the Evangelical Youth For Christ. But when she came out, she no longer felt accepted in that space, so she rallied support and built a new skate park, but it took a huge toll.
In a world that often asks us to work beyond our limits, Ontario's Golshan Abdmoulaie wants you to lay the f— down. Golshan shares her experience of losing hope during the Iranian uprisings, re-learning the power of rest, and what she’s risking by working towards a future rest retreat for artists and activists.
Fashion lover and content creator Erin Fszigeti protests the impact of fast fashion by challenging herself to shop her closet (no shopping!) for a whole year.
When the images of bombed hospitals and soot-covered children in Gaza became too much to take, Ktunaxa poet Smokii Sumac had to put his feelings into words. He committed to writing 100 poems for his instagram page, but some days he’s not sure if he’s making any difference in such a colossal conflict.
The Winnipeg faction of the Raging Grannies throw on their wigs, colourful hats, and boas, and storm the studio to sing a song and explain why humour helps get the message across.
As Canada's only Black winemaker, Hamilton's Steve Byfield never saw himself as a role model or activist. But after the murder of George Floyd, he didn’t feel like he had much choice. How he's changing the game in his field, and how he's managing his discomfort with the role.
And delight in the petty acts of resistance Ify discovers when she talks to people in Toronto about their everyday frustrations.
Love can make us do crazy things. Hear from people going to extremes as they fall in love, chase love down, and find ways to keep it going strong.
London, Ontario’s Frank and Patrick knew from day one that they wanted to start a family. Their wild ride to parenthood through foster care, adoption and surrogacy has tested their love for each other, their faith, and the very definition of what a family looks like.
Hopeless romantic Golden Johnson tells us why she's auditioning to be on Love is Blind, even though part of her knows "it's insane."
When they met on a beach in Italy, Jessica Kumah and Andrea Grimaldi had no clue their holiday fling would turn into something more permanent. We check in with the couple a year after Jessica uprooted her life in Toronto to be with Andrea in Naples - and the biggest learning curve since moving in together.
A group of African LGBTQ+ refugees who escaped persecution in their home countries sit down with Ify to share their stories of love and survival.
And Chiderah Sunny and Deidre Olsen made the ultimate commitment when they said ‘I do’ as platonic soulmates. While they’ve now ended their union, hear why they say their bond is still as strong as ever.
What’s it like to take a punch? Host Trevor has never been in a fight in his life, until now.
This week Trevor follows his curiosity to Pan Am Boxing Club, the oldest boxing club in Winnipeg. That’s where he discovers that at this fight club, they’re changing lives.
Every two weeks the rainbow and trans flags fly in the non-profit gym when Jesse Jordan leads the Umbrella boxing program for 2SLGBTQ+ community, challenging the binary nature of the sport and changing the face of boxing.
Next door to the boxing club, Pan Am Place is described by resident Kyle Grenier as “a big house with lots of dudes who like to fight.” He then laughs heartily as he is corrected by former resident Will Bress, “I would also call it a sober living house.”
Run by the people who lead the gym, men who struggle with homelessness, addiction and incarceration can live at Pan Am Place rent free if they work out at the gym, volunteer their time, and actively strive to improve their lives. Hear how friendships are formed, lives are changed and what advice Will offers Kyle as he prepares to move out.
Twice a week Chris Sarifa drives from his job, as manager of Pan Am Place, to the north end of the city where he opens the doors to the free North End Boxing Club for kids aged 12-17. From the boy with the lisp who’s gaining confidence to the kid who needs to let his “inner tiger” out, this club is helping keep these kids safe and making them strong.
Back in the gym, volunteer trainer Tia Jakab brings her six week old baby, Olive, to Pan Am Boxing Club for the very first time. We discover this former competitive fighter has had two concussions and is struggling with her desire to get back in the ring, and her need to stay safe for her daughter.
Harry Black has been involved with Pan Am Boxing Club almost since it opened in 1968. As President and head trainer Harry, and his wife Susan Black, built the non-profit gym into the volunteer-based high performance place it is. At 67, he’s never stopped training as a fighter, and has high expectations for everyone who comes through the doors. They share what it took to build Pan Am Place, and their visions for the future.
It’s finally time for Trevor Dineen to get in the ring to throw (and take) his very first punch ever. With his self-appointed coach, Harry Black, in his corner, Trevor steps up to his opponent, Dylan Martin, a fighter with Canada’s national team. Can he go toe to toe?
The dream job can be hard to find, and even harder to hang on to. Hear from people at all stages of living their best work life, whether they're hustling to get it, or knowing when to walk away.
For Brenda Hernandez-Acosta, making empanadas and churro cheesecake has always been her love language. Two weeks ago, she opened her first bakery in downtown Winnipeg, pulling her entire family in for the ride. She shares what it's like to combine business with family, and her hopes to make the bakery a hub for Winnipeg's Latin American community.
In less than two years, Aaron Brown has turned his Jeopardy obsession into a full-time job as 'Toronto's favourite trivia host.'
Meet Sekou James Osborne, the 20-year-old designer who is putting everything on the line for his very first fashion collection.
Joanie Pietracupa was at the peak of her career as editor-in-chief of three Quebec fashion magazines, when she told her boss she needed to quit. How she is redefining success today, and finding the elusive work-life balance.
There aren’t many jobs that have “drinking beer” as the first requirement. Calgary’s Don Tse, also known as the Don of Beer, left behind a successful law career to pursue his ultimate dream job — tasting, judging and writing about the bubbly brew.
And Dave and Mike Merklinger are a father and son duo who both hold a rare job: Head ice technician for Curling Canada. As Dave retires following a 30-year career in the role, his son Mike is just starting to come into his own in this super niche job.
Our families pass on all kinds of things to us - values, quirks, and that particular expression your mom makes when she finds something hilarious. On this episode, hear stories of people embracing, breaking (or reinventing) the imprint of their families.
A reality check from ChatGPT sends Hamilton’s Shawney Cohen on a drastic health journey, as he grapples with a family history of disordered eating.
When Doug Darling found out his dad had Alzheimer’s, he realized there were things about his dad's life he didn't know. So he started asking questions, carefully recording every last detail of his life - the childhood adventures, how he met his mom — as a way of keeping his dad's legacy alive, for both himself and the next generation.
Nick Yoshida lived through the horrors of the Japanese internment during the 1940s, and since being forced from the province of British Columbia has refused to go back. Nick and his granddaughter Nicole share their thoughts and feelings as she prepares to move to Vancouver, a place that holds so much pain for him and so much possibility for her.
"We want to be like Wakanda." Curtis Whiley is on a quest to return parts of Upper Hammonds Plains, Nova Scotia to the descendants of the African Nova Scotians who settled there two hundred years ago.
Metis twins Luc and Aidan Wrigley have been fiddling in a band with their dad Rob since they were kids, and it’s taken them around the country. But now, at 19, the twins have joined a new band with musicians their own age. What does their dad think?
And Ify heads to the mall to ask strangers a simple question: "What is something your parents used to do that really annoyed you as a kid, that you now find yourself doing?"
They send you emails, they call your phone, they try to lure you on social media. But their promises are empty and they’re really just after your money.
According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, scams cost Canadians at least 554 million dollars last year. But when you talk to the victims of these schemes, it becomes clear that more than money was lost.
This week on Now or Never we’re with people as they put their lives back together and are trying to fight back after they’ve been scammed.
When 9-year old Beydan, and her 8-year old sister Fatima, were ripped-off while playing Roblox, their mom Rahma Shafi took the game away. Today they’re getting it back plus a lesson on how to be safe online
In London, Ontario, Kim Stevens saved all her life for retirement, but is now declaring bankruptcy after being scammed out of her life savings just a few months ago. Now she is actively sharing her experience in the hope of helping others.
Over the years, Bonnie Bednarik has received multiple phone calls from someone claiming to be her grandson, saying he’s in trouble and needs cash. Normally, Bonnie hangs up on these phone scammers. But one day, Bonnie decided to try something a little different. This 75-year-old Windsor grandmother shares how she set up her own sting operation to take the scammers down and the surprising turn her life took after that.
On the west coast Kwagiulth artist Jason Henry Hunt has been carving for more than 30 years, like generations of his family before him. But it’s his unofficial job that takes up much of his time — battling the market of fraudulent Indigenous artwork that has flooded gift shops and even some galleries, and is threatening the future of the craft.
Toronto’s Cindy Browne still looks at the picture of the man she was in love with years after she discovered he wasn’t real and stole $26,000 from her. Because he may have been fake, but her love was true. What does she have to overcome to try and love again?
And just in case you’re losing your faith in humanity, a story of when trusting strangers goes right: International students Sele Akere and Dipo Oksesola saw an ad for a room to rent in Kelowna, they thought it was a scam by a tough biker. But they reached out anyway and discovered Kelowna’s Bill Pittman is really a big softie..and that probably saved Bill’s life.
Could you imagine solving a Rubik's Cube in under one second? Or summing up your entire life in 6 minutes? On this episode, every story is a race against time. SIX MINUTES. Richard Kemick is looking to dip his toe into the dating world again. There’s just one problem. His living situation is a little…..complicated. And tough to sum up in the six minutes he has to make a good first impression at an upcoming speed-dating event. He shares the terror and exhilaration of trying to distill your life’s story in a crunch. ONE YEAR. Find out what's on the line for Shandy, a single mom in Winnipeg counting down to one year of sobriety.TWO WEEKS: Lisa Lapointe is just weeks away from retiring as British Columbia’s chief coroner. And in the time she has left, she is sounding off about the toxic drug crisis in her province that is claiming seven lives every day. ONE HUNDRED DAYS: As kindergarten kids get closer to celebrating their first 100 days in school, Trevor sits down with some five-year-olds to find out what time means to them. 24 HOURS. She had less than 24 hours to get to L.A. and be camera ready for a gig at the Emmy Awards, so Amanda Buhse dropped everything and said yes to a whirlwind adventure and evening with the stars.ONE SECOND: What can you do in one second? Probably not much...but If you're Kyle Santucci, you can solve a 2x2 Rubik's Cube and set a national record. And the crazy part is…he thinks he can do it even faster.TEN DAYS: Even on vacation, there’s always one nagging thought on Kelly Konieczny’s mind: will the call about her kidney transplant happen today? In February, Kelly is part of an intense 10-day window where she has the best chance of finding a donor. After 30 years of waiting, will she finally find a donor?
When you don’t see eye-to-eye on something, how do you bridge the gap? Stories of people trying to understand each other better across cultural, generational, and family divides.After his father’s sudden death while on vacation in the Philippines, Jim Agapito rushed to his funeral. But when he arrived, he was thrown into an unfamiliar world where his somber understanding of mourning was replaced by superstition and festivities.Skipping school, debating strangers, and making muffins lowers the heat on climate change conversations for 16-year-old-old climate activist Teegan Walshe. On Tiktok and Instagram, content creator Nimay Ndolo is bold, funny, and incredibly open in ways that has her cousin Ify wondering just how well she knows her.Tired of being the only girl on the high school cricket team, Mahee Patel helped create Manitoba's first, and only, all-girl cricket team. Mahee and her teammates share about finding their competitive spirit and unexpected friendships on the cricket field.Desiree Kendrick may not always understand the acronyms in the frequent texts she gets from her daughter, Devonne, but when it comes to bridging the generation gap, this mom and daughter are BFFs. (OMG IMO this story is GR8)And be it resolved: Debating teams can argue passionately on both sides of a polarizing disagreement. Yay or Nay? Ify and Trevor seek advice on how to disagree more constructively with newly crowned national champions, the University of Northern BC debate team.
As a new school year starts, students are moving out on their own. As fire season rages on, evacuees are anxious to get back home. And both Trevor and Ify are moving - and they’re having big feelings about it! Meet people who are finding meaningful ways to stay connected to home, even when they're far away.Over 50 years ago, Barbara Bad Elk and her younger brother Jack were both taken from their home on Sioux Valley Dakota Nation. Now, these Sixties Scoop survivors have reunited and found a sense of home in each other.The same day her new furniture was being delivered, Helen Malone-Babineau was forced to flee Yellowknife due to approaching wildfires. She’s waiting to return to the apartment that was supposed to be her fresh start.Charleen Sibanda sends money back home to Zimbabwe every week. While she’d rather be there in person, the money she’s providing helps her feel connected to her Mom and where she’s from.When Gelaine Santiago started her jewelry company, her goal was to connect people to their home in the Philippines; a connection the Toronto-raised entrepreneur is still working on for herself.Amy Coupal is honoured to care for her 86-year-old dad, Charles, but there’s a lot on her plate. How does she share the load with her sister, who lives three provinces away?
If you've ever been curious about what really goes on in other people's backyards, this is the episode for you. Trevor and Ify crash an amateur wrestling night, meet the in-laws living in one family's backyard, and talk to some of the majestic mermen making a splash across Northern Manitoba.
As the weather heats up, are you showing more skin?
Although some might show flesh without a second thought, many of us find it challenging to show our bodies.
Luckily, our guests on this episode are here to share how they're letting go of self doubt, embracing their insecurities, and learning to love the skin they're in.
It's like the Olympics but for plumbing, welding and cooking! Hundreds of young aspiring trades people from across the country are vying for top spot in their trades at the Skills Canada National Competition, and Now or Never is there as they face off and find out who will come out on top.
What do a 13-year-old aspiring veterinarian, a 75-year-old body builder, and a citizen volunteer in Ukraine have in common? They've all decided to go big.Small, careful steps are all well and good. But where is the challenge in that? On this Now or Never, people are stepping outside their comfort zones and pushing the boundaries of what they think is possible. It's time to go big — and hope, in the end, it all works out.
Going to school. Falling in love. Figuring out what to do with your life. We devote an entire episode to 19-year-olds, and the 'now or never' moments they're facing that could shape the rest of their lives.
Passing the torch can be complicated, whether you're handing down a family business, deciding whether or not to have kids, or figuring out what to do with that weird family heirloom you inherited. Meet people dealing with the messiness head-on.
Across the country, the homeless population is the subject of debate, but rarely do we hear their perspectives. Today we're sitting down with people whose personal stories shed light on what it's really like to be unhoused
We're crashing all kinds of parties on Now or Never today - Metis kitchen parties, over-the-top kid birthday celebrations, and one spicy divorce party. Plus, we show up at the wedding of Vanessa and Derek, who don't have a venue, seating plans, or even a guest list. Find out why they invited a bunch of strangers to their pop-up wedding in a Winnipeg park - and how the bride ended up wearing a sweatshirt and quoting Salt-n-Pepa in her wedding vows.
There's always a reason to avoid the things we need to do. You don't have the time, you're too nervous, you're just not ready yet. And, like it or not, society often defines us by what we do and how productive we are.This week on Now or Never, you'll hear from people who are tackling their to-do lists and doing the things that need to be done — no matter how difficult they may be.
Trevor Dineen thinks you're never too old to play with toys - and he's got plenty of reasons why Lego, Barbies, and that plastic Triceratops are worth taking out of the toy box again.
While your feed may be full of bad news, people are using their now or never moments to change their lives and their communities for good
Aunts and uncles — whether they're related to you, godparents, or a family friend — can shape our lives in all kinds of ways. On this episode, an ode to the aunts and uncles who offer us silliness, guidance and love. Trent Agecoutay and Curt Young are a pair of deadly uncles with a mission: to create a space for Indigenous men and boys to have honest conversations about life. Hear how their Deadly Uncle Podcast is filling a gap in their lives, and their communities.From the moment Avan Neo first lay eyes on their baby niece Chynae, Avan knew they were going to be best friends for life. Now that Chynae is 15-years-old and living with a disability, their bond is stronger than ever... Because for the first time, Avan feels like someone understands what it's like to experience the world a little differently. We asked Now or Never listeners to share stories of their favourite aunt or uncle — and you delivered. From the globe-trotting, mysterious uncle who always showed up on a motorcycle, to the MacGyver-like aunt who knew how to fix everything, these aunts and uncles made a big impression.When we last spoke to Lucy Van Oldenbarneveld, she was grieving the death of her sister Tracy and learning how to suddenly be a parent to her 13-year-old niece. We check in with Lucy to find out where she's at today — and what's next for Anaiya. And Ify crashes a session of "The Wise Women Club," a group of aunties from Calgary's Nigerian-Canadian community, who Ify grew up admiring. Moji Taiwo and Adenike Olagundoye don't hold back on wrinkles ("this Black does not crack"), family expectations, and demanding their senior's discount at Shoppers Drug Mart.
Drag is everywhere — and it has never been more popular.Across the country, performers are bringing their art to events like drag brunches, drag story time at libraries, and shows at local gay bars. But with this increased visibility and popularity has come backlash, in the form of hate.Drag is happening in communities big and small, and it's not going anywhere.On this Now or Never, you'll meet the people behind the makeup. Find out why these drag artists do what they do, despite the controversy and the hate, and hear the surprising ways that drag has changed their lives.
From a toddler stacking shelves to a son calling his parents out of retirement for the love of Chinese food - when it comes to family business it's all hands on deck. This week we look at the unique dynamic that comes with working full time with the ones you love.
Van Tran grew up in his family's Chinese restaurant, but when he went vegan he missed his parent's cooking. So he pulled them out of retirement to create the Yugiroll - a vegan egg roll. How long will Danny and Mai Tran put off retirement for this new family business?
You know that feeling when someone really gets you? It could be a partner, a friend, a co-worker - and together, you feel like you can move mountains. Meet some dynamic duos who are getting things done that wouldn't be possible on their own:Josephine Harper spent years in and out of prison and living on the streets, until a random stranger came into her life and never gave up on her. A story of recovery, redemption, and one unlikely friendship. What do you do if you're a senior citizen who loves to dance, but you can't find a dance partner? If you're Don Johnson and Norma Blonett, you never stop looking for someone to tango with. And Ify Chiwetelu and Trevor Dineen test their co-hosting bond by posing some seriously personal questions to each other.
Loss comes in many forms - whether it's losing a loved one, losing your self-confidence, or losing your sense of home. On this episode, hear how people are learning to navigate life after a loss. A Toronto comedian who turned to the stage to help her cope with the death of her mom.A high school hockey team who haven't won a game in two years reveal what keeps them going through an epic losing streak.And Cambria Harris shares what life has been like for her after the death of her mother Morgan Harris - and her fight for justice for all missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
Every once in a while on Now or Never, we like to check in on past guests who made a memorable impression. What happened next in their story, after the microphones turned off? Did they finish what they set out to do? Overcome their doubts to make a real change in their lives? Or has everything gone completely off the rails since we last heard from them?New dad and best-selling author Jesse Thistle tells us how fatherhood is changing him, YouTube sensation Alexis Hillyard introduces us to "Billie" her new bionic arm, and aspiring millennial retirees Stephanie Williams and Celestian Rince reveal if they were actually able to retire at 35.
Studies have said that we make up to 35,000 decisions a day. And while some are so small we hardly think of them at all, others can be life changing.It doesn't matter if you're completely stuck on what to do, moments away from taking a leap, or are dealing with the ripple effects of a choice you've made — on this Now or Never it's all about making a decision and hoping it's the right one.
From a woman who dresses up like 'a walking bag of Skittles' to a dad moved to tears hearing Tupac for the first time, these are the stories that are delighting us right now.
Be honest: If your vacuum cleaner broke down today, are you more likely to toss it, or fix it?On this episode of Now or Never, meet people pushing back against throwaway culture and discovering the joys of fixing their own stuff - whether it's a broken floorboard or a broken heart.
Whether it's chasing childhood dreams, tackling Shakespeare, or diving into the dating pond, meet people discovering the life changing power of saying "yes"
'Tis the season for singing. Whether you're harmonizing in a choir or belting it out in the shower, there can be real power in the act of singing. It can be healing, life changing, connection-forming... and a heck of a lot of fun.On this Now or Never, find out what people are discovering about themselves as they burst into song.
It's a trip around the world today on Now or Never!A 'love at first sight' moment on an Italian beach convinces one woman to ditch her life in Toronto and move permanently to Naples, Italy for her new beau. A teenager living out her dreams acting in a Harry Potter show in Beijing, China.And a family on a trip around the world to build 'visual memories' with their children, before they lose their eyesight forever.
Garbage collectors. IT support workers. Shelf stockers. There are so many "invisible jobs" out there, which help make lives run a little smoother. Today we're pulling back the curtain to make sure people doing the invisible work can finally be seen. When Warren Tse takes his seat at a Calgary Flames game, he's not just another fan cheering on the team. He's the maestro, high up above, using the keys of his organ to influence the crowd... even if they have no idea who he is. Working in collections for a call center requires a thick skin — just ask Lisa (to protect her privacy, we're using a pseudonym). What Lisa wishes you knew about the person on the other end of the cold call.And he's spent 17 years chasing bad guys who abuse children on the Internet. Stephen Sauer tells us what he wishes every parent knew.
What's so bad about being 'good enough?' On this episode of Now or Never, meet people who are mediocre, and proud of it.
Fatuma Adar is a playwright and creator in Toronto who has made mediocrity her mission. She's written entire plays about the pressure to be excellent as a Black Muslim woman, and even released a musical ode to napping. While she's redefined her relationship with excellence, the question is: have her parents? Fatuma sits down with her father, Mohamed Adar, for a conversation they've never had before.
Meet some self-described "Bad Moms." When Sara Legget was struggling under the pressures to be a perfect mother, she started writing about it online. What started as a blog has become the informal Bad Moms Canada support group.
And few things bring Todd Gee's family joy like the "golden atrocity" of a family heirloom that's been passed around for 30 years. For this family, there is a lot of delight in embracing something less than perfect.
Pauline Dakin’s childhood was marked by unexplained events, a sense of unseen menace, and secretive moves to new cities with no warning. When Pauline was a young adult, her mother finally told her what they were running from – organized crime, secret police and double lives. It was a story so mind-bending, so disturbing, Pauline’s entire world was turned upside down. Run Hide Repeat is the story of Pauline’s life on the run, her quest for the truth – and her search for forgiveness. Based on the best-selling 2017 memoir, this powerful 5-part journey spans decades and an entire country — and it will leave listeners questioning what’s real and who they can trust. More episodes are available at: https://link.chtbl.com/uTyXq8Pu
The climate crisis is on our doorsteps, whether we're ready or not.
Stronger hurricanes, devastating forest fires, melting glaciers, an ocean that is warming and rising: these are just a few of the impacts that people in Canada and around the globe are dealing with. Tackling such a huge problem can seem daunting.
So on this Now or Never, you're going to meet people personally impacted by climate change — and who are doing something about it.
Closing the curtain on one phase of your life and starting the next can be terrifying. Moments where we choose to change, or life forces us to suddenly shift, can happen many times throughout our lives
But we do it in hopes of finding a life that is better, one closer to who we truly are.
A Hazara woman who was forced to flee her home in Afghanistan starts over in Saskatoon.
An Oji-Cree man reclaims his family name as he prepares to fulfill his musical dreams
A former Olympian goes on a journey to find who he truly is after having his career cut short.
And after a couple of tumultuous decades, a 58 year old woman finds a new life in law.
Six months after historic flooding forced the evacuation of more than half of the community, Now or Never visits Peguis First Nation to see how people are recovering, and looking forward to the future.
From making the most of a dog's final days to learning Swedish, hear how people are reaching for life goals.
We all just want to be understood, but sometimes we don't have the words to express ourselves. Meet people finding new ways to communicate, that don't always involve words.
Meet Simba Nyazika, who found out the hard way why eye contact matters.
A family shares the unique family language they've created to connect with their 14-year-old son, who has autism.
And a woman learning the language of the drum in order to find her voice.
When Michelle O’Bonsawin was 17 years old, her high school guidance counselor told her she would never be a lawyer. Michelle said 'just watch me' - and 30 years later, she is the first Indigenous judge appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada.
You might recognize Janet Stewart as the smiling, confident news anchor behind CBC Manitoba's evening news. But for decades, Janet has been carrying around a painful memory from her childhood that's filled her with self-doubt. Why she's finally ready to face her fears head-on, and attempt to do something she hasn't tried since she was a seven-year-old kid.
And sitting in solitary confinement in a prison cell, looking at a picture of his son, Ryan Beardy made a promise to change his life for good.
If you're really passionate about something — whether it's books, baseball, or Bigfoot — chances are, there is a group of people out there who share the same obsession. So why not join a club and make it official? On this episode of Now or Never, we crash the clubs that give our lives purpose and joy.
Not everyone who creates content online dreams of a certain number of followers.
For those who have gone viral, it can be a welcome surprise or a nightmare.
And yet, people all over the country are setting up their ring lights, charging their cameras, and sharing their lives with the world.
On this Now or Never, you'll meet content creators making a big splash and facing their own now or never moments — from an aspiring 12-year-old YouTuber to a trio of dancing friends who have garnered over five million followers on TikTok.
However you define "home" — whether it's the small town you grew up in, a plate of rice and stew on a Sunday, or the friend who always welcomes you with open arms — the pull of home is a powerful one.
It can also be complicated.
On this episode, meet people looking for home and not always finding what they expected.
On this episode, dads get real about the uncertainties, struggles and joys of fatherhood.
A Wall Street workaholic turned stay-at-home dad goes to unusual lengths to find connection with other dads. How a rocky start with his step-son led one dad to slowly build up their relationship, (literally) brick-by-brick. And a special guest star: Ify's dad! He shares his one parenting regret, and Ify confesses a childhood secret.
They may not wear capes, but they're quietly overcoming challenges and making our community better. On this episode of Now or Never, we celebrate everyday heroes.
Like crossing guard Mischelle Squire, whose dance moves and energy make her a favourite at Toronto's John Ross Robertson Public School. Find out why the whole school recently held a surprise parade in Mischelle's honour.
Vivian Ketchum started her education at residential school, and now - at the age of 58 - is graduating from high school. Friends gather to look back on how far she's come, and we surprise Viv with her favourite musician, Ernest Monias.
On a particular street in Winnipeg's West End, everyone knew Winston Basque. He'd often be found on his front deck, greeting neighbours and their dogs - and being a connecting point for the community. We join his partner Kathy and dozens of neighbours at a street party held in his memory.
Celebrating his younger brother, and hero, has never been more important to Patrick de Belen then it is now. A documentary, memorial walk, and poetry are just part of celebrating Jordan de Belen, who died by suicide 17 months ago.
We revisit Dianna Rasing's story, when she got the rare opportunity to thank the young woman who saved her from drowning, exactly one year after it happened.
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, many people thought about accessibility in a way they hadn't before.
All of a sudden, workplaces offered the ability to work remotely. The health of vulnerable neighbours, family and friends was taken seriously. Access to community, safety, and recreation was top of mind.
But now that the world is opening back up, how much will accessibility be prioritized?
On this episode of Now or Never meet people who are fighting for access to a full life.
There are many reasons why we walk away from things that we once loved - whether it's a career, a relationship or a hobby. On this episode of Now or Never, you'll meet people making their way back to them, and reigniting the passion they once had.
Childhood sweethearts in Newfoundland find their way back to each other....65 years later.
A comedian makes her triumphant return to the stage after a devastating accident.
And a group of dads who thought they'd left their headbanging days behind them reunite for one last gig - opening for Alexisonfire.
They see a problem, it sparks an idea and they go all in to make it come true. Meet the inventors and find out what it really takes to bring their creations to life.
When is the last time you sat down to draw something? If it was back when you were a kid, you're missing out!
Today on Now or Never, we make the case for unleashing your inner artist - and seeing how your world can open up, just by drawing it.
Be there for the moment a 9-year-old girl with cerebral palsy sees herself drawn as a superhero for the very first time.
A neuroscientist who re-invented himself as a cartoonist, draws people on the streets of Vancouver - usually without them knowing.
And Ify crashes the Drink & Draw club in Toronto, where creativity overflows with the beer.
What does it mean to be real? We are living in a world where it's hard to know what's true and what's not.
And it's a lot more personal than just the ever-present headlines about fake news — it's about what you believe and who believes you.
Whether it's being duped, hiding the truth, or pretending to be someone you're not, these moments happen for all sorts of reasons. So this week, we're jumping with people who are getting a first-hand look at what it means to "fake".
Trevor Dineen has a confession to make: he can get a little stuck in the past. He still watches Growing Pains. He can't let go of old letters. He regularly has dreams about his childhood.
When the world seems uncertain, it can be comforting to look back at what's familiar.
So today on Now or Never, we meet people re-visiting the past - not just for nostalgia's sake - but to help them move forward in the present.
How reading love letters from the 1920s is helping one woman deal with heartache.
Three siblings dig through all the contents of their childhood home and learn some surprising new things about their parents.
And five people share the lessons they learned from their first kiss, and how it still stays with them today.
Moving is often listed as one of the top 5 most stressful experiences for people, and no wonder - it's freaky to leave any place you've been for awhile, and the act of moving itself is physically and emotionally taxing.
Today on Now or Never, we're joining people packing up their life and starting somewhere new.
A family moving out of the house they've lived in for 27 years, share their bittersweet feelings on Moving Day.
A 28-year-old faces a big decision: live at home with his mom until he gets married, or push back at cultural expectations and move out on his own.
And what it's like to move into a home you bought, without ever setting foot in it first.
Personal boundaries can be hard to figure out. So many factors can come into play:
What do I actually need? How do I share that with people? What happens if they push back?
But boundaries are necessary to figure out, because they are key to having healthy relationships.
This week on Now or Never, you'll meet people who are putting up boundaries — and the people bumping up against them.
Moving your body doesn't have to be about burning calories or making your body look a certain way. These Canadians are finding joy in moving their bodies, no 'should' or shame allowed.
Meet an 84-year-old great-grandmother dancing, marching and doing jumping jacks around her apartment - while wearing pearls and a dress.
A woman who feels so invincible on roller skates, she decided to start her own club.
And a taiko drummer who learned to love moving again after life as a competitive athlete.
Whether you're best friends or drive each other up the wall, the relationships we have with our siblings can be some of the most formative of our lives.
On this episode of Now or Never, meet brothers and sisters who are facing a life-changing moment right now, and how their siblings are helping them through.
Rowan Moir is only 14 days old, but he already has two big brothers looking out for him. Five-year-old Dax and two-year-old Hayes share what they love about their baby brother (hint: "He has 78 hairs").
20-somethings Amreen and Swarndeep Gill learn how to live under the same roof together again, while also making viral TikToK videos together.
And Monika MacLaren is helping her terminally ill sister Barb record every last detail of her life, so her children will know about the amazing and adventurous life she's led.
Plus, Ify's sister Chisom Chiwetelu and Trevor's brother Kyle Dineen spill the beans on what it was like growing up with the future CBC Radio hosts.
It can be hard to appreciate the lessons you’re learning while you’re in the middle of challenging times - that's why it is so important to look back.
Today Now or Never is reconnecting with some impactful guests. People who were in the middle of big changes during these two very intense years of a global pandemic.
From dealing with grief and illness, to finding meaningful work and ways to love your body - hear from people on the other side of life-changing moments.
Sometimes we lose touch with those big dreams we had as a kid. But not today! On this episode, we're channelling our inner kid, and cheering on grownups determined to make a childhood dream come to life.
A CBC producer climbs into a giant hog costume to fulfill a lifelong dream of being a mascot.
We head back to the classroom with a 32-year-old man taking his first steps towards learning how to read.
And we ask kids for their wildest childhood dreams....and help one of them make that wish come true.
It can take a village to make someone feel their best. As we wrap up our 'Get Well' series, meet people tapping into the power of community.
From a group of neighbours who banded together to create a winter wonderland on a frozen prairie river, to an online fan club bonding over a very specific kind of Harlequin romance novel, meet Canadians finding strength in the collective.
On a regular day, joy can be hard to find. Throw in a global pandemic, social injustice, and a country divided by protests, and "finding your joy" can seem downright impossible.
So what do you do when joy seems like a distant memory?
You fight for it.
Today on Now or Never, meet people who are digging deep through grief, loss, illness and uncertainty to find their joy.
A funeral director has just the instrument to cut through the darkness of dealing with death.
An activist for Indigenous rights shares the secret to finding joy and purpose in tragic moments.
And Calling All Joys! People named Joy tell us about the burden and the gift in being named after happiness, including some perspective from 103-year-old Joy Saunders of Lunenberg, Nova Scotia.
The pandemic has required a lot of separation and distance from others. There's been fewer hugs, handshakes, kisses and cuddles.
Touch can have a big impact on your physical and mental well-being: research has linked a lack of touch to weakened immune systems, anxiety, and loneliness.
That's why - for the third part of our 'Get Well' series - we're focusing on people who know the true power of touch.
In part two of our 'Get Well' series, Canadians share how surprising moments of spirituality can lead to a better quality of life: from smudging to singing, forest-bathing to daily affirmations of gratitude.
One third of our lives are spent at work. So why not try to make your workplace better?
In Part 1 of our 'Get Well' series, we shine a light on Canadians who've figured out that elusive work-life balance, and are making work 'work' for them.
Four-day work weeks, five-hour work days, complete financial transparency, and not being afraid to cancel a meeting to go snowshoeing with your kids. It's all part of Alderhill Planning's decolonized workplace. Founders Elaine Alec (Syilx-Secwepemc) and Jessie Hemphill (Gwa'sala-'Nakwaxda'xw and Métis) share the secrets to their success.
At 2% Jazz Coffee in Victoria, the drinks are hot and the wages are livable. Owner Sam Jones shares why the pandemic motivated him to make big changes, and barista Hoèlune Hernandez shares what this change has meant for her.
And Now or Never listeners weigh in with surprising tips on how to make working-from-home more joyful.
Your internal voice can be cruel sometimes, convincing you that you aren't good enough. Today we're turning down the volume on our inner saboteurs, and learning the different roads to confidence people are taking.
At any given moment, thousands of 'never or never' moments are unfolding across the country, and today we shine a light on five of them.
First-time dad Jesse Thistle wonders if he can break the cycle of generations of men in his family who haven't been there for their children.
Miali Dimitruk hears the voice of her grandfather for the first time since she was 12.
Clary Chambers attempts to learn how to be a farmer....from her downtown condo.
Viv Ketchum connects with a stranger who responded to her 'postcards for reconciliation'' project.
And Kimberley Chiasson wheels back onto campus at Carleton University for the first time since the pandemic began.
A new year usually begins with a sense of possibility. The chance to change - or maybe even correct past mistakes. And right now, we could all use an extra dose of that.
On this Now or Never, stories of second chances: whether it's finding love again or returning to a career later in life.
Having elders in your life can be such a beautiful gift. So this week, we’re giving you a big dose of that - and hearing from grandparents and grandchildren striving to connect.
Trying to shift dynamics in your family is tricky, but leaving things unaddressed can be the path to growing further apart. On this episode of Now or Never, stories of families trying to make a change.
Sisters Jennifer Eddu and Patricia Eddu are no longer teenagers, but the fight over borrowing clothes is as fierce as ever.
Alvin Singer has a hard time letting go of stuff: he has more than 100, 000 novelty toys, vinyl records, magazines and sports memorabilia currently stuffed into boxes in the family basement. And it's starting to cause tension with his family. His daughter Jessica is determined to help Alvin let go of his past - starting with two ELO ticket stubs from Alvin's first concert in 1978.
Mrey Chrechmes! That is not a typo but a new holiday Sam Rempel-Wry's family invented to bypass the commercial aspects of Christmas...as long as they can get their seven-year-old daughter Ana on board.
For Levi Garber and his father Les Garber, the path to a better father-son relationship starts in the kitchen, and travels deep into their family past.
Karim Gilliland wants things to change in her family and she's starting with herself. This year she's writing a holiday letter that is less family highlights, and more unvarnished truths about her year.
When was the last time you made something by hand? That you slowed down and created something with raw materials and a bit of creativity?
The process of learning and doing things by hand can teach you a lot about yourself — it's not just the finished product that matters. That's why we're rolling up our sleeves and meeting people creating things by hand.
When humans and nature collide, you never know what will happen. This week on Now or Never, stories of close encounters with the natural world.
Andrew Phung brings us into the battle zone: the laneway of his Toronto home, where he faces off every day against a team of raccoons.
After witnessing the effects of the climate crisis in BC this past year, Hafsa Salihue and Ryan Laing are on opposite sides about whether they should have a child.
Meet Colleen Cassady St. Clair, the Queen of Coyotes! This University of Alberta professor has dedicated her research to Edmonton's urban coyote population, and her freetime to getting coyotes and humans to co-exist peacefully. It just involves some weighted tennis balls, umbrellas, and a very loud voice.
And in the face of town bylaws and disapproving neighbours, Beth and Craig Sinclair are determined to let the lawn of their Smiths Falls, Ontario home go wild.
When you're dealing with the pressures and responsibilities of everyday life, making room for play is often low on the list of priorities.
But adding some playfulness to your life has some serious benefits: improved stress management, better relationships, and a boost to your overall well-being.
On this episode of Now or Never, join Trevor and Ify as they re-discover the joys of playing dress-up, Dodgeball, and building forts. Plus, how play is helping one guy kick his technology addiction, and keeping a group of seniors with memory issues young-at-heart.
We often learn to live with "blanks", whether they're family mysteries, gaps in knowledge, or memories that have been lost.
But there is a lot to be gained from filling the empty spaces in our personal histories. This week on Now or Never, meet people who are digging into the past to do the sometimes messy, often rewarding, always vulnerable work of filling in the blanks.
On this episode of Now or Never, we're passing the mic to people fighting to find their voice - both literally and metaphorically.
A newly elected MP - the first Two-Spirit politician in the House of Commons - faces the pressures of suddenly being the voice of his entire community.
Why a woman with a terrible case of stage fright decided to try standup comedy - and use her voice in a way that's brand new to her.
And when you're deaf, you rely on translators to get your message across. What one woman did after her powerful statement at a Black Lives Matter rally got misinterpreted.
The pandemic ushered in a bike boom that has more people riding their bikes now than any time in the past few decades. On this episode, Ify and Trevor trade in office chairs for bike seats to discover the big moments people are facing on two wheels — whether they're riding bicycles, motorcycles, boda bodas or pedal-less mobility aids.
The first step to bike riding is learning how. And at 36 years old, Shevani Kannee is ready to hit the streets of Montreal for her first ride ever.
Cree and Sikh motorcycle enthusiast Bava Dhillon brought together riders from different faiths and backgrounds for a moving ride to a former residential school in Brandon, Manitoba.
And how do you transport 30-foot ladders, table saws, and cans of paint to a construction site? Trevor joins Velo Renovation in Winnipeg to see how they use their bikes to get it done.
Few emotions are as difficult — and complicated — as shame and stigma. They're feelings that we keep to ourselves, and seldom share with even our closest friends and family.
Shame expert Brené Brown has said shame is: "the intensely painful feeling or experience of believing you are flawed and unworthy of love and belonging." Yeah, who would want to talk about that?
But there is a lot to be gained by fighting back against feelings of shame. On this episode, you'll meet people who are confronting shame and stigma and seeing what's on the other side.
During the pandemic many of us have paid less attention to our looks. But can looking good make you feel good?
On this episode of Now or Never, meet people who've discovered the power and joy of looking good — whether it's a knock 'em dead outfit, the perfect haircut, or celebrating the body they're in.
"If you want to go fast, go alone; but if you want to go far, go together."
On this episode of Now or Never, meet people who have found community, and the power that comes with it.
A neighbourhood in Winnipeg comes together to pull off an epic surprise birthday party for a lonely senior.
A refugee who arrived in Canada alone finds friendship and community in a place he never expected.
And four strangers who were thrown together through tragedy share how the "Young Widows Club" has helped them find joy again.
These days our bedrooms have become all of the things: the place we sleep, work, relax, study, eat, exercise... the list goes on! So forget about hanging out around the kitchen table, or in the living room - Now or Never is headed straight to the bedroom.
Hear from an Inuit teenager who uses his room to make meaningful music.
A young Tamil woman running an adult toy business from her bedroom closet.
And man from the Prairies who is adjusting to life in a tiny bunk on a naval ship.
Because there’s much more happening in bedrooms than just a little shut eye.
Life is full of moments when you wish you'd taken a different path, said the right thing, or made another choice. Wouldn’t it be amazing to go back and do it all over again? On this episode of Now or Never, meet people attempting to resolve a moment from their past they wish they could change.
An Edmonton mom steps back into the classroom - two decades after she put her dreams of becoming a virologist on hold.
A basketball star who suffered a devastating playoff injury is ready to stage the biggest comeback of her life.
And do you ever wish you could go back in time and come up with the perfect response in the heat of the moment? Ify and Trevor get advice from one of Tik Tok's top freestyle rappers.
The world can feel like an angry place, especially as people become more divisive about everything from vaccine mandates to climate change.
But what can you do to harness that anger into something useful, rather than letting it eat you up?
Today on Now or Never, meet five people who've figured out how.
A young poet learns to embrace the 'angry Black woman' stereotype - and turn it into some fiery art.
An ex-journalist decides the best way to channel his frustration at the way Indigenous issues are covered in this country is to make people laugh - through some wicked satire.
And a triathlete angry at himself for a disappointing finish at the Tokyo Olympics shares what that anger is motivating him to do next.