q: The Podcast from CBC Radio: Recent Episodes
CBC Radio
Get ready to meet the artists you're talking about, and the ones you'll soon love. Whatever you're into — be it music, TV, film, visual art, theatre or comedy — q is there. Expect deep insight, and big surprises. Because on q, arts and entertainment get personal.
Award-winning Irish Canadian novelist, screenwriter and playwright Emma Donoghue (Room, The Wonder) is back with her first musical, “The Wind Coming Over The Sea.” It’s based on the true story of Henry and Jane Johnson, a young married couple who left Ireland in the 1840s in search of a better life in Canada. Emma joins Tom Power to talk about what inspired the production, the traditional Irish folk music she used to tell the tale, and why this historical story about the immigrant experience still resonates today.
Twenty years ago, Canadian singer-songwriter Daniel Powter wrote the song “Bad Day,” which quickly became one of the biggest hits of 2005. It earned him a Grammy nomination, sold millions of copies and launched his career as an artist. But when “Bad Day” got bigger than anyone could have ever imagined, Daniel’s mental health started to decline, leading to addiction and substance abuse. On the song’s 20th anniversary, Daniel joins Tom Power to share the dark side of writing a life-changing hit, and what his relationship to making music is like today.
At age 12, Canadian actor Finn Wolfhard shot to fame after landing the role of a lifetime on “Stranger Things.” But growing up in the spotlight wasn’t always easy. Finn often felt like he didn’t have control over his public identity or his artistic life. Now, as his tenure on “Stranger Things” comes to a close, he’s launched a music career with the release of his debut solo album, “Happy Birthday.” Tom Power sat down with Finn in his hometown of Vancouver to talk about the record, how he found his voice in music, and how “Stranger Things” changed his life. If you enjoy this conversation, check out Tom’s interview with Finn’s “Stranger Things” co-star Joe Keery (a.k.a. Djo) on his viral hit “End of Beginning.”
When actor and comedian Jason Mantzoukas (The Good Place, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Parks and Recreation) finally got the chance to appear on his favourite TV show — the weird and hilarious British game show “Taskmaster” — he didn’t want to play along normally. He wanted to be the ugly American villain who creates chaos. Jason joins Tom Power to tell us what actually happened when he stepped onto set, what it was like going from superfan to contestant, and why he thinks that beloved British shows like “Taskmaster” have never fully taken off in North America.
When Evan Redsky sat down to write a song about his culture, he thought about three things: the movie “Interstellar,” the movie “Contact” with Jodie Foster, and the Ojibwe word that essentially means "see you later" (because there is no word for goodbye in Ojibwe). In this chat with guest host Talia Schlanger, Evan tells us how these elements make up his new single, “Cosmic Carousel.”
Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka is able to make the most difficult life experiences seem funny. In her new stand-up special, “Father,” she takes a look at her complex childhood growing up undocumented in the U.S. (she was technically kidnapped by her own grandma, though she doesn’t see it that way). Atsuko joins guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about turning those early experiences into comedy, and how she dives into her past with empathy and humour.
The longest poem ever written is a 4,000-year-old Sanskrit epic called the “Mahabharata,” which clocks in at roughly 1.8 million words. But the poem’s daunting length didn’t stop Toronto’s Why Not Theatre from adapting it into a large-scale play of the same name. A few months ago, Miriam Fernandes, the co-creator and star of the show, joined Tom Power to tell us exactly what it took to bring this ancient Sanskrit epic to the stage, and why the story still feels urgent and deeply relevant today.
Canadian actor Tonya Williams spent two decades playing Dr. Olivia Winters on “The Young and the Restless,” which made her one of the first Black actors to star on a soap opera. In 2001, she founded the Reelworld Film Festival, which champions diverse Canadian talent in the TV and film industry. Now, she’s been named an Officer of the Order of Canada. We revisit Tonya’s conversation with Tom Power about her groundbreaking career and how her soap opera character actually helped increase the number of Black women doctors in the U.S.
On the hit series “The Bear,” Liza Colón-Zayas plays a middle-aged line cook named Tina who’s challenged by her mentors to learn new skills as a sous-chef. In some ways, her character’s story mirrors her own journey as an actor. With Season 4 of “The Bear” out now, we revisit Liza’s conversation with Tom Power about the scarcity and struggle she had to overcome on her path to success, her experience in a strict religious group that forced her to surrender all her wages to them, and how her setbacks continue to shape her as an artist. If you like this conversation, you should also check out Tom’s interview with Matty Matheson.
George Takei is one of America’s most beloved actors and activists, known best for playing Hikaru Sulu in the “Star Trek” franchise. In 2019, he released a graphic memoir, “They Called Us Enemy,” which detailed his childhood experience at internment camps during the Second World War. Now, he’s released a follow-up book, “It Rhymes with Takei.” The new graphic memoir unpacks his experience living as a closeted gay man for most of his life. In this conversation with guest host Talia Schlanger, George opens up about fearing punishment for his differences, why he didn’t come out until he was 68, and how his involvement with LGBTQ+ advocacy work has shaped who he is today.
Phil Rosenthal is the creator, writer and executive producer of “Everybody Loves Raymond,” one of the most successful sitcoms of all time. But after the show wrapped in 2005, it took nearly 10 years for him to get his next dream project off the ground. Now, Phil’s food and travel show “Somebody Feed Phil” is in its eighth season on Netflix. He joins Tom Power live on-stage at the Banff World Media Festival to talk about betting on himself, having the courage to stay positive, and why cynicism is a waste of time.
In R.T. Thorne's directorial debut, “40 Acres,” the Canadian filmmaker imagines a post-apocalyptic world where food is scarce, society is in ruins and your family is under threat. It’s an intense movie about fighting for survival, but it also explores the complicated relationship between a mother and a son. R.T. joins Tom Power to share how his mother’s experiences as a Trinidadian immigrant in Canada shaped the mother-son relationship in the film, and how his background making music videos still informs his work today.
Born and raised in Scarborough, actor Stephan James has defied the odds and climbed the ranks in Hollywood. He’s made a name for himself by playing major historical figures like runner Jesse Owens in “Race,” and civil rights activist John Lewis in Ava DuVernay’s film “Selma.” After working with legends like Julia Roberts and Laurence Fishburne, Stephan wants to come back to his community in Canada and share his success. Tom Power spoke with Stephan in front of a live audience, after he received the Canadian Award of Distinction at the Banff World Media Festival, to talk about his career and his plans to uplift young Black creatives.
Jully Black is a powerhouse singer-songwriter from Toronto who’s often called Canada's queen of R&B soul. Earlier this year, Jully sat down with Tom Power to tell us how singing in church at age six put her on her artistic path, why she feels speaking out is always the right thing to do, and why her mother is her biggest influence.
Calgary’s Jan Lisiecki was only nine when made his orchestral debut as a classical pianist. While most of us were still figuring out cursive, he was playing sold-out recitals — so, of course, he was called a child prodigy. But Jan has complicated feelings about that term. A few months ago, he joined guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about his new album, “Preludes,” and why he doesn’t want to be called a child prodigy.
In just under five years, Eva Victor went from being a viral video comedian to writing, directing and starring in their own feature film, “Sorry, Baby.” The film tells the story of Agnes, a grad school student turned professor whose life was altered by an incident they refer to as “the bad thing.” What follows is a sensitive, fraught and often funny examination of life before and after a sexual assault. Eva drops by our studio to talk to guest host Talia Schlanger about the film, their unique journey in the film industry, and how they bring nuance to the complex and painful experience of trauma.
According to bestselling horror author Stephen Graham Jones, good stories don’t happen in heaven — they happen in hell. His latest novel, “The Buffalo Hunter Hunter,” is a chilling historical vampire story based on real events that happened to the Blackfeet Nation in the United States. Stephen joins guest host Talia Schlanger to discuss the metaphorical link between vampires and colonialism, and what it really means to be a vampire. Plus, he opens up about his frustrations with the media putting Indigenous stories in a “sacred space,” and the damage that does to storytelling. If you’re looking for more from Stephen, check out Talia’s conversation with him from last year.
Long before he became a bestselling writer, Ocean Vuong sold rotisserie chickens at Boston Market. In his latest novel, The Emperor of Gladness, he explores the meaning that can be found in the daily grind of a fast food restaurant. The book follows a young addict named Hai as he unexpectedly becomes caretaker to an elderly woman and makes unlikely connections at the fast-food restaurant where he works. Ocean tells Mattea Roach about challenging the American Dream, how being raised by women shaped him and why this novel is his most self indulgent yet.
When the book ends, the conversation begins. Mattea Roach speaks with writers who have something to say about their work, the world and our place in it. You’ll always walk away with big questions to ponder and new books to read.
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Jerry Bruckheimer is the Hollywood producer behind some of the biggest blockbusters of all time, including “Top Gun,” “Armageddon” and “Pirates of the Caribbean.” Now, he’s back with “F1,” which stars Brad Pitt as an aging Formula One driver who attempts to make a comeback 30 years after his career is derailed by an accident. Jerry joins guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about some of the incredible feats he’s pulled off as a producer, and how he drew on everything he knows about making action-packed movies to create this new film.
American musician Meg Remy, the creative force behind the Toronto-based experimental pop project U.S. Girls, is back with a new record, “Scratch It.” She sits down with guest host Gill Deacon to talk about the process of recording the album live to tape in a Nashville studio, and why she says this is her first album to come from a place of love and self-acceptance.
Anar Ali was working as a business development executive at Procter & Gamble when she decided to quit her job to become a writer. After publishing her first couple books, she transitioned into working in TV, and now, she’s the creator and executive producer of the hit CBC police procedural “Allegiance,” which was recently renewed for its third season. Anar joins guest host Gill Deacon to talk about trading in her corporate job for a life in the arts, how a cancer diagnosis changed everything, and why she wants “Allegiance” to present a different version of the traditional immigrant story than we typically see on screen.
You can’t choose your family. Even if they bring you joy or comfort, there’s almost always complexity too. On her new album, “Reasons to Stay,” Canadian R&B singer Tanika Charles explores all the hard conversations she’s wanted to have with her mom, dad and brother. The resulting record is raw, emotional, powerful and uplifting. Tanika sits down with guest host Gill Deacon to share some of the deeply personal stories that inspired the album, and how she’s still working on healing from past hurts.
“How to Train Your Dragon” is one of the most successful children's franchises of all time. A new live-action remake just hit the big screen and author Cressida Cowell, the creator of the original book series, has just released a new spin-off novel, “How To Train Your Dragon School: Doom of the Darkwing.” Cressida joins guest host Gill Deacon to tell us how the fantastical story was partly inspired by her own real-life childhood experiences involving Scotland, a lobster pot and a giant eel, and a 1970s approach to parenting.
It’s been more than 25 years since the Swedish hardcore punk band Refused released their seminal album, “The Shape of Punk to Come.” Their most famous song from that album, “New Noise,” has been called a political anthem and a protest song. It’s been used in the Palme d'Or'-winning film “Triangle of Sadness” as well as in the hit show “The Bear.” Last year, frontman Dennis Lyxzén of Refused joined Tom Power to tell us how “New Noise” became a global hit after the band had already called it quits.
In 2015, Misty Copeland became the first Black woman to become principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre. Her heartfelt memoir “The Wind at My Back” pays tribute to her mentor and fellow dance pioneer Raven Wilkinson, who performed in the segregated South as a member of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo in the 1950s. A few years back, Misty joined guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about Raven's incredible life and legacy.
The Montreal band Ribbon Skirt just released their debut album, “Bite Down.” Lead singer Tashiina Buswa joins Tom Power to tell us how the record was inspired by grief and reconnecting with her Indigeneity, how her first exposure to music was in the church, and the difference between knowing you’re free and actually feeling free. Plus, she tells the story behind her new song, “Off Rez.”
Acclaimed Canadian filmmaker Celine Song (Past Lives, Materialists) is back with a new movie that takes a candid look at the inhumanity of matchmaking and modern dating. As it turns out, Celine used to be a matchmaker herself. She sits down with guest host Gill Deacon to talk about her experiences in the field, why she says her “drug of choice is people,” and how our weight, height, salaries and hairlines all contribute to the blunt math of dating.
It’s been five years since the Grammy-nominated musician Lido Pimienta made waves with her breakout album, “Miss Colombia.” Now, she’s back with “La Belleza,” which takes an entirely new musical direction. Canadian composer Owen Pallett co-produced the album, which was recorded with help from the Medellín Philharmonic Orchestra. Lido and Owen sit down with guest host Gill Deacon to talk about their collaboration, and how in the process of making “La Belleza,” Lido ended up learning that classical music is not her enemy.
For more than five decades, Canadian acting legend Tantoo Cardinal (Dances with Wolves, Killers of the Flower Moon) has worked tirelessly to bring nuanced Indigenous stories to the stage and screen — and she says there’s no turning back. The renowned actor was recently honoured with the Equity in Entertainment Award at The Hollywood Reporter's Women in Entertainment Canada gala in Toronto. She joins Tom Power to reflect on her remarkable career, and why she’ll never stop advocating for authenticity and accuracy when it comes to Indigenous representation. In case you missed it, you might also enjoy Tom’s interview with Canadian icon Graham Greene, whom Tantoo shared the screen with in “Dances with Wolves.”
Steve Lawrence and Alexandra MacLean are the stars and co-creators of the Bell Fibe series “0-60 Driving Academy.” They speak to guest host Talia Schlanger about creating a show based on Steve’s real-life experiences running a driving school, and why they wanted to see a Black Nova Scotian family on the screen.
The Oscar-winning Canadian animator and director Domee Shi (Bao, Turning Red) is back with a new Disney-Pixar movie, “Elio.” It’s about an 11-year-old who’s obsessed with getting abducted by aliens. Domee joins guest host Talia Schlanger to share how her own childhood inspired aspects of the film, why the theme of alien abduction is a great way to explore loneliness, and why it’s nearly impossible for her to write a one-dimensional mother figure. If you enjoy this conversation, make sure to check out Tom Power’s interview with Domee about her last film, “Turning Red.”
There's a reason why the British theatre maker Tim Crouch doesn't want his actors to hear this podcast — it’s because they’re not supposed to know anything about their role until an hour before the show. This year, Tim’s award-winning play “An Oak Tree” turns 20. It’s one of the strangest and most influential theatre experiments in history, and it’s currently being staged at the Luminato Festival in Toronto. Each performance is completely unique, shaped by the presence of a different guest actor, including past celebrity guests like Frances McDormand, Mike Myers and Alan Cumming. Tim sits down with guest host Gill Deacon to talk about the risk in live performance, the power of not-knowing, and why this show still resonates 20 years on.
Joshua Jackson rose to fame more than 20 years ago as a teen heartthrob on the show “Dawson’s Creek.” But his latest role relies solely on the power of his voice. The Vancouver-born actor joins guest host Gill Deacon to talk about narrating the suspenseful Canadian audio series “Oracle 3: Murder at the Grandview,” embracing his Canadian roots, and how he made the tricky transition from child star to adult actor.
Imagine taking your favourite family memories and spinning them into a full-length movie. That’s exactly what the Toronto filmmaker Seth Scriver has done with the animated documentary “Endless Cookie,” which he created over nine years with his half-brother Peter. Though Seth and Peter lead radically different lives (they’re separated by age, culture and geography), they say making a movie brought them closer together. They join guest host Talia Schlanger to tell us how they bonded through filmmaking.
Owen Wilson has played a misfit, a cowboy, a robber, a male model and now he can add pro golfer to that list. In the new sports comedy series “Stick,” Owen plays Pryce Cahill, an ex-pro golfer with a dark past who ends up coaching a troubled teen prodigy. Owen joins guest host Gill Deacon to talk about the show, how his carefree nature seeps into his work, and what he learned from some of his earliest mentors and role models, including his dad, his football coaches and legendary film producer James L. Brooks.
The Calgary-born comedian Malik Elassal has already been getting noticed on the stand-up circuit, but with a starring role on the new FX and Disney+ series “Adults,” a lot more people are going to start hearing about him. Malik sits down with Tom Power in our studio to talk about the show, his journey in stand-up, and why he says you can talk about anything in comedy — as long as the joke is good.
In 1993, Counting Crows’ debut album, "August and Everything After,” went multi-platinum, selling more than seven million copies in the U.S. alone. Lead singer Adam Duritz joins Tom Power for a wide-ranging conversation about “Mr. Jones” (the song that started it all), how there’s no going back after becoming famous, and what it was like playing his cover of “Big Yellow Taxi” to Joni Mitchell herself. Plus, he shares what was on his mind when he created Counting Crows’ latest record, “Butter Miracle, The Complete Sweets!”
Canadian icon Graham Greene (Dances With Wolves, The Green Mile, Wind River) is one of the most recognizable Indigenous actors in North America. Recently, he was honoured with a Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award from the Governor General's Awards, which recognizes his prolific career on stage and screen. In this career-spanning interview, Graham joins Tom Power to talk about the incredible work ethic he developed during his early days as a roadie, how he learned Lakota for “Dances With Wolves,” his Oscar nomination and his advice to up-and-coming actors.
Reza Dahya helped shape the sound of Toronto hip-hop as the host of “OTA Live” on the iconic Canadian radio station FLOW 93.5. Now, he’s released his debut film, “Boxcutter,” which is a love letter to Toronto and all the young artists who are trying to find their place. Reza joins guest host Gill Deacon to talk about the movie and how it pays tribute to the city, its music culture and its aspiring artists.
Acclaimed Canadian theatre maker Robert Lepage is back at the Stratford Festival with a new take on Shakespeare's “Macbeth.” This new production tells the same classic story of greed, betrayal and murder, but it’s set during the brutal Quebec biker wars of the ‘90s. Robert joins Tom Power to talk about putting a new spin on this Shakespearean tragedy, his unique approach to theatre and his incredible decades-long career. If you’re looking for more conversations about Canadian theatre, check out Tom’s chat with esteemed stage actor Tom Rooney on what it takes to play a dog.
Country artist Robert Adam is Calgary's self-proclaimed “Dream Angel Cowboy.” But they say celebrating queer identity isn’t always easy in their home province of Alberta or in Nashville, where they made their upcoming full-length album, “Governed by the Seasons.” Robert joins guest host Gill Deacon to talk about finding their musical community, making country music on their own terms and why their album tour won't include any stops in the U.S. Plus, they set up their bold and totally irresistible new single, “Denim on Denim.” If you like this chat, check out Tom Power’s conversation with Canadian singer-songwriter Bells Larsen on why he cancelled his U.S. tour.
Alessia Cara has a unique talent for capturing the inner life of someone growing up in the digital age as they deal with love, acceptance and rejection. On the Grammy-winning Canadian singer-songwriter’s fourth and latest album, “Love & Hyperbole,” she opens up about her feelings of being an introvert in an extrovert’s industry. Earlier this year, Alessia sat down with Tom Power to talk about the record and how it reflects her growth as an artist.
Robi Botos is a Juno-winning Canadian jazz pianist who was hugely influenced by the late Oscar Peterson — one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time. He opened for Oscar in Switzerland and he even gave Oscar’s daughter piano lessons. In celebration of the Canadian jazz legend’s centenary (he would have turned 100 on Aug. 15), Robi sits down with Tom Power to talk about Oscar’s musical legacy and what made his piano playing so exceptional. Plus, Robi plays a piece he wrote for his friend and hero.
Teddy Swims first won over the internet with his viral YouTube covers of hits like “You're Still The One” by Shania Twain and “I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Bonnie Raitt. But his success performing covers left him questioning whether he’d ever be capable of writing original songs that were just as good. Now, Teddy is one of the biggest artists in the world and he’s just released his debut album, “I've Tried Everything but Therapy.” Teddy sits down with Tom Power for a career-spanning conversation about how he finally found success when he stopped trying so hard to be relatable.
Alicia Moffet grew up being told she was going to be the next big thing. She was 12 when her covers started going viral on YouTube, 14 when she won the Canadian singing competition show “The Next Star,” and 16 when she placed second on another singing competition show, “La Voix.” But during that time, Alicia learned that if you’re not prepared for success, it can disappear just as quickly as it came. Now, she’s taking control of her career with her new album, “No, I'm Not Crying.” Alicia joins Tom Power to tell us about her new sound, and what she learned from her experience as a kid who got a lot of exposure at a young age. If you like this conversation, check out Tom’s chat with singer-songwriter Charlotte Cardin.
Hannah Moscovitch is a Governor General’s Award-winning Canadian playwright whose work often takes a sharp and uncompromising look at the internal lives of women. Her play “Red Like Fruit,” tells the story of Lauren, a journalist covering a high profile domestic violence case who starts to reexamine her own past experiences with men. Hannah tells Tom Power why she describes her work as “taking a knife” to herself, and why she viewed this play as an opportunity to uncensor parts of her own life.
Bestselling romance writer Uzma Jalaluddin is switching gears. Her new novel, “Detective Aunty,” is a murder mystery, set in a fictional neighbourhood in Scarborough, Ont. Uzma joins Tom Power to talk about the overlap between writing a romance and a “cozy” murder mystery, how writing about love is similar to writing about murder, and why she always wanted to write a mystery.
Cynthia Erivo discusses her vulnerable new record “I Forgive You”, and all the big musical theatre roles that built her career. From her childhood obsession with Brandy to her performance as Elphaba in the movie musical Wicked, Erivo talks to Tom Power about her life as a singer, and all the surprises she encountered along the way.
Hailing from Saskatoon, Katie Tupper didn’t have a big queer community to help her find herself. Now, she’s embracing her bisexuality, and singing soulful songs about the kinds of love she always wanted. Katie Tupper sits down to talk to Tom Power about bi erasure, and how fans are responding to her music.
The Phoenician Scheme is Wes Anderson’s latest feature film. And if you are a fan of deadpan screw ball humour, meticulously shot and edited behind a colour pallet of muted earth tones, you will not be disappointed. But for his thirteenth feature film, Wes is leaning a little more into action and even violence to tell his new father daughter comedy. He joins Tom Power to talk about the evolution of his singular way of telling family stories.
Christopher Stowell is the new artistic director of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet – Canada's oldest ballet company and the longest continuously operating ballet company in North America. He’ll speak with Tom about why ballet is his “family business,” his career as a principal dancer and ballet leader, and what the future holds for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.
A few years ago, the cartoonist and writer Gabrielle Drolet developed a condition that made her unable to use her hands. It kept getting worse over time, and as Gabrielle searched for a diagnosis, she also had to find new ways to make art. Her new memoir “Look Ma, No Hands” is the story of an artist coming to terms with disability, adapting to the unexpected, and ultimately learning to express herself again. Drolet joins Tom Power to talk about those experiences that informed her memoir.
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Whenever life got tough, Savannah Ré’s mom always used to quote a specific, motivational verse from the bible. Those words have now inspired Savannah’s new album, “Formed.” She tells Tom Power about the creative turn she’s taken on her new record, and the risks and rewards that come with going independent.
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Turning 70 this year, legendary punk-rocker turned MTV Icon Billy Idol is back with his ninth studio album. “Dream Into It” reflects his life and career, with songs documenting his early days, his massive breakthrough, his drug addiction, and finally his rebirth. He tells Tom Power about why he’s looking back now.
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Dawn Macdonald is a poet based in Whitehorse, Yukon whose 2024 debut poetry collection “Northerny” takes an honest, raw and unsentimental look at growing up and living in Canada’s North. Now, “Northerny” is the winner of this year’s Griffin Poetry Prize, Canadian First Book Prize. Dawn tells Tom Power about growing up off the grid without running water or electricity and her relationship with the natural world. Plus, she’ll read a poem from her collection titled “Wasp Summer.”
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After over a decade away from the spotlight, Canadian singer Melanie Fiona is back with an EP. “Say Yes” is her first record since she won two Grammys in 2012. She tells guest host Talia Schlanger how her intense burnout led to her spiritual awakening, and why she’s saying yes to singing again.
When Bear Witness and Tim “2oolman” Hill of The Halluci Nation watched wrestling as kids, they had to look past stereotypes and tropes to find Indigenous heroes in the ring. Now, their new EP “Path of The Baby Face” uses wrestling to tell a more empowering story. The music duo tell guest host Talia Schlanger about their collaboration with wrestling icon Bret “The Hitman” Hart. Plus, they discuss the ways they support and care for each other.
Wiz Khalifa just dropped his latest album ‘Kush + Orange Juice 2,’ the sequel to his 2010 mixtape that introduced him to the world. Khalifa joins Tom to talk about his early days as a hip-hop artist, why he’s never cared about being a celebrity, and what important lessons he learned from Snoop Dogg.
The Alberta folk singer-songwriter Sister Ray is known for writing songs about heartbreak and sadness. But they decided to try something different with their new album “Believer”— their latest record is all about love and connection. Ella Coyes of Sister Ray tells Tom Power about how “freeing” it is to write about joy, how growing up around Métis art influenced their love of music, and why they think the embarrassing parts of being human is what connects us most.
In Sook-Yin Lee’s film, “Paying For It,” a couple whose romantic attraction is waning decide to open up their relationship. While Sonny explores dating, her introverted boyfriend, Chester, opts to hire sex workers. The story is based on Sook-Yin’s real-life former relationship with Canadian cartoonist Chester Brown, who released a bestselling graphic memoir of the same name in 2011. It reflects on intimacy, connection, the rights of sex workers, the boundaries we put around relationships, and Toronto in the ‘90s. Sook-Yin joins Tom Power to talk about the movie and what she learned in the process of making it. Plus, she discusses her early work as a MuchMusic VJ, and how she struggled to deal with the slow cultural shift from alternative music to boy bands.
Amy Millan from the band Stars is back with her first solo record in fifteen years. Millan tells Tom how her album “I Went To Find You” was inspired by the loss of her father at five years old. Plus, she tells the story behind her new song “Make Way for Waves.”
You might not remember every song on the radio from 2007, but if you were anywhere near a club or dancefloor, you might remember the electronic duo Justice. Their debut album, with that glowing cross on the front, was impossible to ignore. Justice redefined electronic music for a new generation, and became one of the most influential acts of their time. The members of the band, Gaspard Augé and Xavier de Rosnay, join Q guest host Garvia Bailey to talk about what’s changed since then, why they’re not interested in nostalgia, and what it takes to keep making great music as you get older.
Jennifer Archibald is one of North America’s busiest and most in-demand choreographers. At the end of May, she’ll debut her first piece for the National Ballet of Canada called “Kings Fall,” one of nine world premieres that she’ll go on this season. Archibald tells Tom Power about the commonality between chess and her journey in choreography and the ‘documentary ballet’ genre she’s become known for.
Courtney B. Vance is known for playing men of power and purpose — from Johnnie Cochran in “The People v. O.J. Simpson,” to Uncle George Freeman in “Lovecraft Country,” Vance now takes on Cobra Bubbles in the live action remake of Lilo & Stitch. He joins Tom Power to talk about the emotional depth of Bubbles in the new remake, how growing up as a Black actor in Detroit during the 1967 uprising shaped him, and why he didn’t watch a single video of the late Johnnie Cochran before playing him in "The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story."
Hanorah is a singer-songwriter from Montreal who’s opened for Mavis Staples, and grew up listening to Etta James and Joss Stone. On her latest EP “Closer Than Hell,” Hanorah moves beyond her early soul influences and explores a new voice. Hanorah tells Tom about surprising herself when she began songwriting, why she’s happy she didn’t win “La Voix” (the Quebec version of “The Voice”), and shares what inspired her new song “Barbed Wire.”
Sarah Levy comes from a pretty funny family. Her dad is the comedy legend Eugene Levy, her brother is Dan Levy, and all three of them were on the Emmy-winning show “Schitt's Creek.” But Sarah says the funniest one of them all is her mom, who’s also the person in her family who’s had the biggest influence on her comedy. Sarah joins Tom Power to talk about stepping out of the shadow of “Schitt's Creek” to carve her own path with “SurrealEstate,” which is now in its third season. If you like this conversation, check out Tom’s interview with Sarah’s brother, Dan Levy.
What happens when you let go? Dan Mangan found out when he stopped trying to make the best record of his career — and he ended up with one of the best records of his career. The Juno-winning singer-songwriter says it all goes to show that surrendering control might be the key to making something great. Dan sits down with Tom Power to tell us how a trip into the woods laid the foundation for his new album, “Natural Light,” and why he wrote a song about letting your kids know you love them no matter what they do. If you enjoy this conversation, take a listen to Tom’s chat with Max Kerman of Arkells.
In 2021, Japanese Breakfast’s Michelle Zauner got everything she’d ever wanted: her memoir “Crying in H Mart” became a surprise New York Times bestseller, and her band’s breakthrough album “Jubilee” received multiple Grammy nominations. But all of that success came at the cost of her mental and physical health, so she moved to Seoul to regroup. Now, Japanese Breakfast is back with a new album, “For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women),” which explores that time in Michelle’s life. She sits down with Tom Power to talk about the grief that shaped her, the moment she realized she needed to walk away from it all, and how moving to Seoul helped her find her voice again.
What do you do when the world around you is anything but calm? For the Juno-winning Indigenous blues artist Crystal Shawanda, the answer was to go inward. She joins Tom Power to talk about her powerful and deeply personal new track “This Peace,” which channels her family’s strength, her culture and her own journey of self-discovery to find calm in the midst of life’s storms.
When Yanic Truesdale was growing up in Quebec, he used to watch American TV with his grandmother — but he didn't speak any English, so she had to translate the whole show to him line by line. When he started getting cast in TV roles, no one was prouder of him than his grandmother. Since then, Yanic has become a beloved actor all over the world, particularly for his role as Stars Hollow’s passive aggressive hotel concierge, Michel, on the hit show “Gilmore Girls.” Yanic joins Tom Power to talk about his early days as an actor, his life-changing audition for the show that put him on the map, and why he didn't want to have a French accent for his new role in “Étoile” — the latest series from “Gilmore Girls” creator Amy Sherman-Palladino.
Canadian actor Noah Lamanna stars as Kat in the new season of the hit HBO show “The Last of Us.” Noah joins Tom Power to talk about the moment they found out they’d be on one of the biggest shows on TV, what it’s like working with Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, and how the film and TV industry has evolved for non-binary actors.
Comedian Benito Skinner grew up attending Catholic school in Idaho, where he didn’t feel safe being an out gay man. Instead, he concealed his sexuality and threw himself into football. Now, Benito is mining that awkward and uncomfortable time in his life for his art. He’s the creator and star of “Overcompensating,” a new comedy show from A24 and Amazon Prime that’s loosely based on his own life and experiences. Benito joins guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about the show and his journey from closeted perfectionist to self-acceptance.
The Canadian indie pop band and filmmaking collective shy kids consists of three multi-hyphenate friends: Matthew Hornick, Walter Woodman and Patrick Cederberg. They’re musicians, but they’re also filmmakers, animators, writers, directors and technology advocates. Matthew, Walter and Patrick sit down with guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about their new album, “a gathering of batteries,” and why diving into OpenAI’s text-to-video model, Sora actually made them less afraid of the technology, despite receiving more than 40 death threats for their work. If you like this and you’re looking for more from shy kids, check out Tom Power’s conversation with Matthew from last year.
For nearly 30 years, “The Lion King” musical has been captivating audiences, becoming the highest-grossing production of all time, in theatre or in film. But when creator Julie Taymor was approached to make the stage show, she had never seen the original animated Disney movie it's based on. Julie joins Tom Power to tell us the story behind the production, the one scene in the movie that seemed impossible to recreate on stage, and why she wanted to accept the challenge.
Bestselling Canadian writer Eliza Reid has written plenty of non-fiction, but she’s just released her first novel, “Death on the Island.” It’s a murder mystery involving diplomats in Iceland — a place that’s quite familiar to her, considering she served as the country’s first lady from 2016 to 2024. Eliza sits down with Tom Power to talk about her new book and the challenges she faced switching from writing fact to fiction.
After 26 years dancing with the National Ballet of Canada, Guillaume Côté will soon retire following his final performance on June 5. Last year, after announcing his decision to move on, the acclaimed Canadian dancer and choreographer sat down with Tom Power to talk about the physical demands of ballet, the “expiration date” that all professional dancers face, and what he’s looking forward to most in his next chapter.
When you were growing up, did you get along with your sibling? When Leela and Jay Gilday were growing up in Northwest Territories, their dad wanted them to sing together more, but it wasn’t until decades later that they did. Leela and Jay both have distinguished music careers on their own, but more recently, they’ve come together as the contemporary roots duo Sechile Sedare (“my younger brother, my older sister” in Dene). Earlier this year, they joined Tom Power to talk about their collaboration. Plus, they set up their new single, “Hold On.”
Award-winning composer Max Richter is arguably the most streamed classical artist in the world. His scores feature in acclaimed films like “Arrival”, “Ad Astra”, “Shutter Island,” and popular series such as “Black Mirror,” “Bridgerton” and “The Leftovers.” Currently on his first world tour, Max drops by our studio to talk with Tom Power about his acclaimed career and how he confronts today's polarized world through music that has no words.
In his latest series, “Southern Lights,” photographer Finn O'Hara shows how some of Canada’s most cherished and iconic natural landscapes are under threat of development. He sits down with guest host Gill Deacon to tell us what we risk losing as Canada’s wilderness disappears, why he used night club lasers to capture his photos, and how his connection with nature helped shape his passion for photography.
With viral hits like “Pretty Girl Era,” LU KALA has proven that she might just be the next big Canadian breakthrough artist à la Justin Bieber, Carly Rae Jepsen, The Weeknd or Shawn Mendes. Her catchy songs about loving yourself and knowing your worth have amassed millions of streams all over the internet. On the heels of her brand new EP, “No Tears On This Ride,” LU sits down with Tom Power in our studio to tell us her story, how she became more confident after being bullied as a kid, and what it felt like to see Serena Williams and her daughter lip sync to her music.
For Mike Drucker, getting a Nintendo at three years old truly changed the course of his life. Since then, the Emmy-nominated writer and comedian has built an entire career influenced by video games. In his new memoir, “Good Game, No Rematch: A Life Made of Video Games,” Mike details how some of his most defining experiences were either accompanied or caused by video games. He joins Tom Power to share some of those stories, from showing the cast of “Saturday Night Live” how to play the Wii when he was an intern, to working at Nintendo, to bonding with Jimmy Fallon over video games before eventually joining the show as a writer
For more than 60 years, Canadian rock and roll legend Randy Bachman has been takin’ care of business and working overtime. He co-founded not one but two of the most successful rock bands to come out of this country: The Guess Who and Bachman–Turner Overdrive. Randy sits down with Tom Power to look back on his incredible life in music, from leaving The Guess Who at the height of their success, to Neil Young helping him start his new band, all the way up to his new BTO single, which looks back at Winnipeg — the city that he says gave him everything.
Bria Salmena is a Canadian musician who originally rose to prominence as the frontwoman of the post-punk band FRIGS before joining Orville Peck's touring band. Now, she’s released her debut solo album, “Big Dog.” One of its most powerful tracks, “Rags,” is a raw anthem about rage, shame and shedding the need to accommodate others. Bria joins guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about the track and how it helped her reclaim her voice after moving to Los Angeles — a city that made her feel like she was in high school again.
Young punk upstarts PUP aren’t so young anymore. In fact, the band that singlehandedly brought punk rock back to Canada in a big way is probably getting too old to mosh. On their fifth and latest record, “Who Will Look After The Dogs?” lead singer Stefan Babcock reflects on his evolution as a songwriter and getting older. He joins Tom Power in our studio to discuss the new album, his writing process and why he can’t take a compliment. If you enjoy this conversation, check out Tom’s chat with Densil McFarlane of The OBGMs.
Tunde Adebimpe made a name for himself fronting the art rock band TV on the Radio. Now, he’s released his first solo album, “Thee Black Boltz.” Tunde joins Tom Power to talk about making music without his long-time band, the spirit of rebellion that runs through his new record, and how an album that’s born out of some pretty tough stuff ended up sounding so dancey. Plus, he shares a pretty deep philosophical take on what punk rock has in common with Calvin and Hobbes.
On her new album, “Forever Is a Feeling,” Lucy Dacus sets the record straight on what love is — and isn’t. The singer-songwriter sits down with Tom Power to tell us what she thinks is missing in modern love songs, what she’s learned about love (spoiler alert: she's still searching for answers), and how she feels about the end of her Grammy-winning supergroup boygenius. If you like this conversation, you’ll probably also enjoy Tom’s chat with Phoebe Bridgers.
A few years ago, Mustafa released his critically acclaimed EP, “When Smoke Rises,” which chronicled the deaths of loved ones from his community of Regent Park in Toronto. So when he sat down to write his debut album, “Dunya,” the Juno-winning musician and poet wanted to explore other things, like love, faith and his relationship with God. Then his older brother died. Mustafa sits down with Tom Power for a wide-ranging conversation about his latest album, the devastating loss of his brother and why Toronto no longer feels safe for him.
When Nick Cave was in his early band The Birthday Party, he was angry and antagonistic toward his audience. The legendary Australian musician, writer and actor eventually grew out of his youthful contempt, but he remained consumed by his work, always putting it first before anything else. Then he lost two of his sons. In this wide-ranging conversation about grief, ambition, God and Johnny Cash, Nick tells Tom Power how he was forever transformed by his experience of unimaginable loss. He also discusses his new Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds album, “Wild God,” and the mysterious origins of his songwriting.
When the Canadian indie rock band Casper Skulls got their start about 10 years ago, things were a little different. Firstly, band members Melanie St-Pierre-Bednis and Neil Bednis weren’t married at the time, and now they’re husband and wife. Secondly, they hadn’t moved back to their hometown of Sudbury, Ont., and they didn’t have a baby yet. Melanie and Neil join Tom Power to talk about making their latest album, “Kit-Cat,” through those major life changes — and why it might be their best record yet.
The Canadian singer-songwriter Lights grew up in a missionary family in Timmins, Ont., believing that her musical ability was both a gift and a responsibility. Some of her earliest work was Christian music. When Lights was just a teenager, she started posting her songs on Myspace, which ultimately set her career into motion. But during that time, she also started questioning her faith. Lights joins Tom Power to talk about the healing she did to sever her ties with religion, plus, her new album, “A6,” which was inspired by the sights and sounds of Berlin. If you like this conversation, check out Tom’s interview with deadmau5 from last year.
Twenty years ago, Dallas Green and his band Alexisonfire were making post-hardcore music when Dallas decided to release a soft acoustic album under the name City and Colour. It was a big risk, but that debut solo album, “Sometimes,” went on to receive critical acclaim and a Juno Award. It was also the catalyst for Dallas to start his own independent record label, Dine Alone Records. On the 20th anniversary of “Sometimes,” Dallas sits down with Tom Power to share the real story behind the album.
The actor and musician Joe Keery, also known as Djo, is best known for playing Steve Harrington on the hit Netflix show “Stranger Things.” But after his song “End of Beginning” went viral on TikTok last year, a huge spotlight was shone on his music. Joe sits down with Tom Power to talk about his new album, “The Crux,” and his breakthrough role in “Stranger Things.”
On her latest record, “Conditions of Love Vol. 1,” Rose Cousins digs into all the complicated feelings that come with love, from falling in love, to keeping the romance going, to maintaining friendships. It also finds the Canadian singer-songwriter reuniting with one of her most important companions: the piano. Rose sits down with Tom Power to talk about the album and her song “K’s Waltz,” which is an ode to a close friend she lost.
Bob Martin is a Canadian actor and writer who first made his name working in Canadian TV, but now he’s one of Broadway’s most in-demand playwrights. How in demand? Well, two of his new musicals (“Boop!” and “Smash”) recently premiered on Broadway in the same week. Bob joins Tom Power to discuss that achievement and his Tony Award-winning career. In case you missed it, you might also enjoy Tom’s recent chat with Canadian composer and playwright Britta Johnson on her new musical, “Life After.”
The longest poem ever written is a 4,000-year-old Sanskrit epic called the “Mahabharata,” which clocks in at roughly 1.8 million words. But the poem’s daunting length didn’t stop Toronto’s Why Not Theatre from adapting it into a large-scale play of the same name. Miriam Fernandes, the co-creator and star of the show, joins Tom Power to tell us exactly what it took to bring this ancient Sanskrit epic to the stage. If you’re looking for more conversations about Canadian theatre, check out Tom’s interview with actor and playwright Anusree Roy.
For more than 35 years, Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah Harmer has used her voice to make award-winning, critically acclaimed music — but that’s not all. She’s also been a vocal advocate for important environmental and humanitarian causes, both in this country and abroad. At the Juno Awards in Vancouver earlier this year, Sarah was honoured with the Humanitarian Award, and now she’s receiving a key to the city for her hometown of Burlington, Ont. In this career-spanning conversation with Tom Power, Sarah talks about her early days making music with The Saddletramps and Weeping Tile, going solo, and why she’s so passionate about protecting the land she grew up on. If you enjoy this conversation, check out Tom’s chat with The Weather Station.
Arkells frontman Max Kerman is taking back the term “try hard” with his first book, “Try Hard: Creative Work in Progress.” It peels back the curtain on the band’s creative process, offering a framework for how to bring more creativity into your life, but it’s also a defence of striving and wanting to be a better artist. In this conversation with Tom Power, Max dispels some of the myths about what you need to make it in music. He also shares a few stories from the band’s history and tells us why Bruce Springsteen is such a big influence on him.
On Bells Larsen’s stunning new album, “Blurring Time,” the Canadian singer-songwriter has an unlikely collaborator — himself. Bells is a trans man and he first recorded the album in his pre-transition voice with the intent of revisiting the songs after he started hormone therapy. The result is a unique self-collaboration, in which he harmonizes with himself. Bells sits down with Tom Power to talk about the new album and having to cancel his U.S. tour. If you like this conversation, take a listen to Tom’s chat with singer-songwriter T. Thomason.
In “Andor” — the latest series in the “Star Wars” franchise — actor Stellan Skarsgård (Dune, Nymphomaniac, Mamma Mia!) plays Luthen Rael, a charming but ruthless rebel leader who fronts as an antiques dealer. Stellan sits down with Tom Power to talk about the new season of “Andor” and why he’s drawn to morally complex characters. Plus, he shares a beautiful story about his time working with Robin Williams in Toronto on “Good Will Hunting.” If you enjoy this conversation, check out Tom’s 2023 interview with Stellan’s son, Alexander Skarsgård.
Ambur Braid is a Canadian soprano who’s taken on some of the most coveted roles in opera. But it wasn’t until she saw Alban Berg’s “Wozzeck” as an undergraduate student that she knew opera would be her life. Now, Ambur is playing Marie in a new production of “Wozzeck” at the Canadian Opera Company. She sits down with Tom Power to talk about this full circle moment and her passion for classical music. Looking for more conversations about opera? Check out Tom’s interview with composer John Adams on the role of opera in tackling contemporary issues.
About a decade ago, Anjulie had huge success writing catchy pop songs that were all over Canadian radio and MuchMusic. She won a Juno Award, she was writing songs for the likes of Lady Gaga and Kelly Clarkson, and there was a bidding war between some of the biggest labels in the world who were desperate to sign her. But then, at the height of her success, Anjulie walked away from her music career to focus on healing some internal wounds she’d been avoiding. Now, she’s re-emerged as a more centered version of herself — and with that comes a new sound and a hit single. Anjulie sits down with Tom Power to share her story. If you like this conversation, take a listen to Tom’s chat with pop singer JoJo on her experience as a child star.
Laura Reznek is a British Columbia-born musician and singer-songwriter who’s just released her new album, “The Sewing Room.” She made the record to help her process a family tragedy: her father’s death by suicide. Laura joins Tom Power to set up her song “Endeavours,” which explores her experience with grief.
When Bob the Drag Queen landed his debut book deal, his publisher asked him if he wanted to write a memoir — but he had something different in mind. The drag superstar’s new book, “Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert,” imagines the famed abolitionist in the present day as she sets out to make a hip-hop album. Bob joins Tom Power to talk about his new chapter as a New York Times bestselling author, the endless self-confidence that won him “RuPaul's Drag Race,” and why he wants you to stop asking him to read you. If you like this conversation, check out Tom’s interviews with Sasha Velour or Jimbo.
In her latest poetry collection, “Wellwater,” the Canadian poet Karen Solie takes a hard look at climate grief and economic anxiety. Her opening poem, “Basement Suite,” was inspired by short-term rentals and precarious living arrangements. But for Karen, the role of poetry isn’t about finding the answers to big questions — it's about honouring our curiosity with the hope that we can eventually find new ways forward. She joins Tom Power to talk about her new book and she reads a few poems for us as well. If you enjoy this conversation, you might also like Tom’s conversation with Canadian poet Farah Ghafoor.
Back in the 1990s and early 2000s, there was no one cooler than Chloë Sevigny. After being discovered on the streets of New York, she became the ultimate It Girl. She was an in-demand model and actor known for her unique eye for fashion as well as for starring in indie films that are now considered cult classics. Last September, Chloë sat down with Tom to talk about the different phases of her career and her new film, "Bonjour Tristesse.” If you enjoy this conversation, take a listen to Tom’s chat with actor Josh Hartnett on how he escaped the heartthrob label.
July Talk’s Peter Dreimanis just made his big screen debut playing a singing vampire in Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” — and it all happened because of a Creedence Clearwater Revival cover song he released. Peter sits down with Tom Power to tell us the story behind his first major film role, plus, a little bit about his debut solo album under the name Peter Dreams, which he wrote while waiting for his newborn baby to arrive.
The Canadian content creator Jasmeet Raina, also known as Jus Reign, is back with Season 2 of “Late Bloomer” — his half-hour comedy series inspired by his own life as a turban-wearing Punjabi Canadian millennial. Jasmeet sits down with Tom Power to talk about the two episodes he wrote and directed this season: one that sheds light on anti-Sikh racism after the Sept. 11 attacks, and one that takes us into the lives of international students in Canada who work as food couriers. If you want to hear more from Jasmeet, search for his 2024 interview with Tom.
For her sixth studio album, “The Truth We Hold,” folk singer Amanda Rheaume dug deep into her Métis heritage by interviewing elders in communities across the country. What she learned came as a surprise, even to her. Amanda sits down with Tom Power to talk about the album and the ups and downs surrounding its release, including having to cancel a show at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
As a kid growing up in Nipissing, Ont., Christian Allaire dreamed of being part of the glamorous world that he saw in his mother’s Vogue magazines. Now, he’s the senior fashion and style writer at Vogue in New York. Christian writes about that incredible journey in his new memoir, “From the Rez to the Runway.” He sits down with Tom Power to talk about how powwow regalia and jingle dance dresses were his first exposure to the fashion world, the racism he encountered throughout his time in the fashion industry, and how he embraced his Ojibwe identity as his cool factor. If you like this conversation, you’ll probably also enjoy Tom’s interview with fashion designer Anna Sui.
The Canadian actor and comedian Mark McKinney (Superstore, The Kids in the Hall) isn't necessarily known for political comedy, but now he’s playing Prime Minister Mark Carney on “This Hour Has 22 Minutes.” Mark drops by our studio to chat with Tom Power about his portrayal of the Liberal leader and how he landed the role. If you like this conversation, check out Tom’s latest interview with “22 Minutes” star Mark Critch on his year-end interview with Justin Trudeau.
Pop-punk trailblazer Mark Hoppus is the bassist, co-founder and co-lead vocalist for Blink-182. In his new memoir, “Fahrenheit-182,” he shares his life story, from his parents’ divorce, to being inspired to pick up the bass guitar, to his instant connection with his Blink-182 bandmate Tom DeLonge. Mark joins Tom Power to reflect on his journey with the band, why their break-up felt like a divorce, and how his cancer diagnosis brought them back together for good. If you like this chat, check out Tom’s conversation with musician Dan Wilson of Semisonic on his massive hit “Closing Time.”
The Grammy-winning Japanese jazz composer and pianist Hiromi has always challenged expectations with her music. Now, she and her group Hiromi’s Sonicwonder have released a new album, “Out There.” Hiromi joins Tom Power to talk about the record, why ramen is so important to her life and how she kind of became pen pals with the late Canadian jazz legend Oscar Peterson. Plus, she sets up her song “Yes! Ramen!!”
The new sitcom “North of North” follows a young Inuk mother named Siaja who’s on a journey to reclaim her life while living in the fictional Arctic community of Ice Cove — a town where everybody knows your business. Co-creators Stacey Aglok MacDonald and Alethea Arnaquq-Baril say they made the place up to represent all Inuit communities across the North. Back in January, they joined Tom Power to talk about shooting the series in Iqaluit (where they both live) and how they’re changing the conversation around Inuit representation on-screen.
Alan Ritchson is best known for playing Jack Reacher, an ex-military nomad who negotiates suspicious and dangerous situations. But in his new film, “Ordinary Angels,” Alan plays a father whose brawn is of little use in the face of his young daughter’s illness. Last year, the actor joined Tom Power to talk about playing a dad desperate to save his child, what it’s like to do a scene with an Oscar winner when you can tell she’s not sure about you, and why he wrote a letter to Tom Cruise when he booked “Reacher.”
Cate Blanchett (Elizabeth, The Aviator, Tár) is one of the most respected actors of our time. She's an on-screen chameleon who transforms into whatever role she plays, taking on whatever accent is required of her — so much so that she says it’s easy to forget what she actually sounds like. Last year, Cate sat down with Tom for a thoughtful conversation about two of her most recent projects (the unique political satire “Rumours” and the psychological thriller series “Disclaimer”), plus, her voice work and how she chooses her roles.
They say never meet your heroes, but don't tell that to Brandi Carlile. The 11-time Grammy winner has teamed up with Elton John on a new album, “Who Believes in Angels?” The record’s title track is all about the realities of working with someone you admire. Earlier this year, Brandi joined Tom Power to introduce us to the song and tell us more about her collaboration with Elton.
The award-winning Canadian filmmaker and screenwriter Deepa Mehta has reshaped and redefined both Canadian and Indian cinema with her bold and groundbreaking films. Now, she’s being honoured with a career retrospective called “Through the Fire: The Films of Deepa Mehta” at TIFF in Toronto. It features screenings of 10 of her most prominent films of the past 35 years. Deepa sits down with Tom Power for a career-spanning conversation about her life and work, the backlash to some of her films in India, and why the last thing she wants to be called is a “controversial” filmmaker. If you enjoy this conversation, take a listen to Tom’s interviews with Canadian filmmakers Sarah Polley, Denis Villeneuve or James Cameron.
For 40 years, Dream Theater has been one of the biggest progressive rock bands in the world, if not the biggest. The driving force behind their music has been legendary drummer Mike Portnoy, but for more than a decade, he and the band were split. That all changed last year when Mike rejoined the band and they recorded their latest album, “Parasomnia.” He sits down with Tom Power to talk about reuniting with Dream Theater and Rush’s influence on the band. If you like this conversation, you’ll probably also enjoy Tom’s interviews with Geddy Lee or Alex Lifeson.
For years, the Toronto painter Gordon Shadrach has been making stunning oil portraits that investigate the way Black men are represented in society. But in his new exhibit, “the earth is always shifting, the light is always changing,” Gordon unpacks his cancer diagnosis and the year of isolation that followed it. He sits down with Tom Power to tell us how illness and recovery affected him and his art. You can check out a selection of Gordon’s paintings on our Instagram (@cbcq). If you’re interested in hearing more conversations with artists, take a listen to Tom’s interviews with Hangama Amiri, Wanda Koop or Geoff McFetridge.
Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza’s harrowing new film “Warfare” takes a realistic look at a platoon of Navy SEALs on a mission gone wrong in Iraq in 2006. It’s based on Ray's experiences as a real-life Navy SEAL, and it’s dedicated to his platoon member, Elliott Miller, who lost a leg and suffered a traumatic brain injury during the mission. Ray set out to make the film to help Elliott remember what they went through that day. In this conversation with Tom Power, Ray and the Canadian actor who plays him, D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, talk about “Warfare” and why it was important to tell this story as true to life as possible. If you like this conversation, listen to Tom Power’s interview with Alex Garland on “Civil War.”
Craig Mazin is the showrunner behind HBO’s hit post-apocalyptic series “The Last of Us” — but he didn’t always write TV dramas. Much of his career was spent working on big comedy film franchises like “Scary Movie” and “The Hangover.” In this conversation with guest host Garvia Bailey, Craig breaks down why it takes a smart person to write dumb comedy, plus, what you can expect from Season 2 of “The Last of Us.” If you enjoy this conversation, check out Tom Power’s chat with director and producer Barry Sonnenfeld.
At 13, Nell Smith made headlines for releasing an album of Nick Cave covers with one of her favourite bands, The Flaming Lips. After that, the promising young singer from Fernie, B.C., started working on her debut solo album, “Anxious.” But this past October, at 17, Nell’s life was tragically cut short by a car accident. Now, her record has been released posthumously. Sage McBride and Tim Newton of the Fernie-based indie band Shred Kelly helped Nell write some of the music on the album. They join Tom Power to share their memories of her
The actor Jonathan Roumie is most famous for playing the role of Jesus Christ in the smash hit TV show, “The Chosen.” He joins guest host Garvia Bailey to talk about the show’s massive global impact, the unique pressures that come with the role, and why centuries later, there remains a great fascination with the life that Jesus lived. If you enjoy this conversation, check out Tom Power’s interview with Canadian actor Victor Garber, who made his film debut as Jesus in the movie “Godspell.”
The singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman made her voice heard in 1988 when she performed her song “Fast Car” for 90,000 people at a Free Nelson Mandela concert at Wembley Stadium. That song was off her self-titled debut album, which went on to win three Grammys and solidify her as an important American voice. Now, 35 years later, it’s still making an impact and it’s just been re-issued on vinyl. Tracy joins guest host Garvia Bailey to share her memories of making that record, why she thinks “Fast Car” means so much to so many, and how the years she spent busking on street corners taught her how to hold a crowd’s attention with just her voice and a guitar.
Next week, the Halifax singer-songwriter Joel Plaskett celebrates his 50th birthday. As a special surprise, 22 of his musical friends have come together to make a tribute album, “Songs from the Gang.” One of those friends, Sloan’s Chris Murphy, sits down with Tom Power to talk about his cover of Joel’s classic song “I Love This Town.”
For years, Rachid Badouri has been one of Quebec's biggest comedy stars. His shows have sold millions of tickets around the world, he has a Netflix stand-up special called “Les fleurs du tapis,” and he’s also a judge on “Quel talent!” (Quebec’s version of “Canada’s Got Talent”). But now, Rachid is ready to make a name for himself in the English-speaking world. He sits down with guest host Garvia Bailey to talk about his journey in comedy, what it’s like translating his French jokes into English, and how stand-up has helped him embrace his Moroccan heritage. If you like this conversation, check out Tom Power’s interview with Montreal comedian Sugar Sammy.
What do you think you know about Yoko Ono? That she broke up the Beatles? That she was just there, always in the background? David Sheff wants to set the record straight with his new biography, “Yoko.” He was the last journalist to interview John Lennon and Yoko before John’s murder in 1980, and after that tragedy, he stayed close with the Japanese artist. David joins Tom Power to share Yoko’s real story, her impact on modern art, and why he thinks instead of blaming her for breaking up the Beatles, we should be thanking her for keeping the Beatles together longer.
The new film “The Ballad of Wallis Island” tells the story of Charles, an eccentric lottery winner who uses his money to hold a private concert on the remote Welsh island where he lives. The band he hires is his favourite group of all time: the fictional folk rock duo McGwyer Mortimer. The only problem is they haven’t spoken in years — and the concert is just for Charles. British poet and comedian Tim Key stars as Charles and co-wrote the movie, which is based on a short film he made in 2007. He joins Tom Power to talk about the project and why it took 18 years to turn his short into a feature. Plus, he reveals how he persuaded Hollywood A-lister Carey Mulligan to get on board. If you like this conversation, listen to Tom’s interview with director Bong Joon Ho on “Mickey 17.”
In Karen Chapman's debut feature film, “Village Keeper,” a grieving single mother who’s grappling with violence in her past learns how to put herself first. Karen sits down with guest host Garvia Bailey to talk about the stigmas and stereotypes she aimed to challenge with this film, how she made “Village Keeper” in only 12 days while eight months pregnant, and why she feels that what happens behind the camera shows up on screen. If you’re looking for more conversations with Canadian filmmakers, check out guest host Talia Schlanger’s interview with “Morningside” director Ron Dias.
When Anoushka Shankar was in Goa two years ago, she wrote down four words: “Three chapters, three geographies.” That note has been the inspiration for a trilogy of mini-albums. With the release of the latest and final album, “Chapter III: We Return To Light,” the acclaimed sitar player sits down with Tom Power to tell us what was driving her creatively, how she wants to change perceptions of her instrument, and how she navigates her career in the shadow cast by her famous father, Ravi Shankar.
For the past 30 years, on the last Sunday of every month, Yuk Yuk’s in Toronto has hosted the Nubian Comedy Revue — one of the top showcases for Black and racialized comedians in Canada. Over the years, the show has been blessed by numerous appearances by top talent like Dave Chappelle, Kevin Hart and Russell Peters. Comedian Kenny Robinson has been producing the show since founding it back in the ‘90s. Now, a new documentary, “People of Comedy,” is celebrating the show’s 30-year history. Kenny sits down with guest host Garvia Bailey to talk about the Nubian Show’s legacy, how Canadian comedy is defined by our multiculturalism, and what sets Canadian comics apart from American comics. If you enjoy this conversation, you might also like Tom Power’s interviews with comedians Sugar Sammy or Hassan Phills.
Mike Hadreas, better known as Perfume Genius, has been making music since 2010, when he released his debut album, “Learning.” Since then, he’s become known for writing vulnerable songs that still feel incredibly powerful and danceable. While the cliché is that artists make their best work when they’re struggling — or even under the influence of drugs or alcohol — that was not the case at all for Perfume Genius. He joins Tom Power to chat about his new album, “Glory,” which he says feels like a “culmination” of everything he’s learned in the years since he got sober and started making music. If you enjoy this conversation, check out Tom’s 2023 interview with singer-songwriter Sam Smith on their album, “Gloria.”
Though the influential punk band Hüsker Dü has long been disbanded, its co-founder Bob Mould has never stopped making music. Back in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, Hüsker Dü cut a path for countless indie bands to follow, like Nirvana, Pixies and Green Day. But before all that, Bob was — as he describes it — a precocious kid growing up in a small farming town near the Canadian border. On the heels of releasing his 15th solo album, “Here We Go Crazy,” Bob joins guest host Garvia Bailey to look back on his life in music. He tells us about his childhood years, how Montreal helped shape him as an artist, and how a Ramones show changed everything for him. In case you missed it, you might also enjoy Tom Power’s conversation with Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson, or his interview with Green Day from 2024.
Mitch Wood is a Toronto-based actor and content creator who’s gone viral for his impressions of people in the theatre industry. He sits down with guest host Garvia Bailey to talk about navigating his newfound internet fame, plus, his one-man show “My Impression of a Show,” which heads to London, England next week. If you like this conversation, check out Tom Power’s interview with sketch comic Laura Ramoso, who went viral for impersonating her parents.
Britta Johnson is a Canadian composer and playwright whose award-winning musical “Life After” follows a 16-year-old girl grappling with the death of her father. Loosely inspired by her own experiences, the show originally debuted at the Toronto Fringe Festival in 2016, but later this month, it will return to Toronto at the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre. Britta sits down with guest host Garvia Bailey to talk about the massive success of “Life After” and what it means to bring the show back to the city where it all began. If you enjoy this conversation, check out Tom Power’s chat with playwright Katori Hall on “The Tina Turner Musical.”
Canadian horror actors Luke Hutchie and Matthew Finlan are the co-hosts of the CBC series “Ghosting,” which just began its second season. In each episode, Luke, Matthew and a celebrity guest test their tolerance for the paranormal by spending time inside a Canadian place with an eerie legacy. Along the way, they decide whether or not it’s truly haunted. Luke and Matthew sit down with guest host Garvia Bailey to talk about the new season of the show and some of their ghostly encounters. If you’re looking for more conversations about the paranormal, check out Tom’s interview with musician Brittany Howard, who says she used to practice music in a haunted house.
After finding success on the critically acclaimed show “Atlanta,” Brian Tyree Henry (The Book of Mormon, Causeway) has become one of Hollywood's busiest actors. His latest role is on the new series “Dope Thief” as Ray Driscoll — a complex character who’s dealing with generational trauma, addiction and grief. Brian joins Tom Power to talk about “Dope Thief,” his life on the stage and screen, and how he’s been drawn to acting since childhood. In case you missed it, check out Tom’s interview with actor Josh Gad, whom Brian shared the stage with in the musical “The Book of Mormon.”
Salin is a Montreal-based Thai drummer who’s just released her new album, “Rammana.” She got her start as a rock and metal drummer in Bangkok, but after living in Montreal, her sound morphed into a blend of Afrobeat, funk and indigenous Thai instruments. Salin joins Tom Power to talk about her unique journey in music and how she went back to Thailand to get inspiration. Plus, she sets up the title track from her album.
The magician, mentalist and endurance performer David Blaine has been stunning audiences for decades with his card tricks, illusions, and extreme stunts that challenge both his mind and his body. He’s been buried alive, trapped in ice and suspended in the air while sealed inside a box for 44 days. But in his new series, “Do Not Attempt,” David is the one who's left speechless as he travels the world taking in amazing feats by some of the greatest masters alive — and even trying some of them himself. He talks to Tom Power about his career in magic, what he does to manage fear and pain, and how being a dad has changed the way he calculates risk.
Hassan Phills is a comedian from Scarborough, Ont., who turns the mundane details of everyday life into comedy gold. Not only has it earned him millions of views on TikTok, but it’s allowed him to tour across the country. Hassan sits down with Tom Power to tell us why he gave up basketball for comedy, why he thinks even his most local jokes are hitting with folks around the world, and how he got a co-sign from Drake.
Michelle Buteau has been a working actor and comedian for more than 20 years. In that time, she says it was rare that she’d come across a role that celebrated plus-size women — so she decided to create her own. Her show “Survival of the Thickest” is now back for its second season. Michelle joins Tom Power to tell us why she wanted to create a story about plus-size folks that’s celebratory and joyful. If you like this conversation, take a listen to Tom’s interview with actor and comedian Ilana Glazer from last year.
Tucker Pillsbury, better known as Role Model, has quickly become one of this year's breakout stars with a hit album and a sold-out solo tour. This summer, he’ll be joining musician Gracie Abrams in arenas across North America. He sits down with Tom Power to tell us how homesickness inspired his latest album, “Kansas Anymore (The Longest Goodbye),” and how turning to Americana music helped him get back in touch with himself. If you enjoy this conversation, you might also like Tom’s interview with Gracie Abrams or his chat with The 1975’s Matty Healy.
You might know Britt Lower as Helly R. on the hit series “Severance,” but she makes no less of an impression playing a librarian in the new Canadian indie film “Darkest Miriam.” The actor joins Tom Power to tell us how her love of libraries helped her bring her character Miriam to life and what it took to prepare for her “Severance” role — like studying trapped animals and people under interrogation. She also discusses her 2020 short film, “Circus Person,” and how it kind of comes full circle with her current projects. In case you missed it, last week Tom spoke with “Severance” stars Tramell Tillman and Zach Cherry. You can also check out guest host Talia Schlanger’s conversation with “Darkest Miriam” director Naomi Jaye.
This weekend, Sum 41 will perform one final time at the Junos in Vancouver. The legendary Canadian rockers will also be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Lead singer Deryck Whibley joins Tom Power live onstage at Hollywood Theatre in Vancouver to talk about the band’s journey and their swan song. If you want more Sum 41, check out Tom’s conversations with Deryck from this past February and last April.
Michael Bublé is hosting the 2025 Juno Awards in his hometown of Vancouver. The Canadian crooner and five-time Grammy winner sits down with Tom Power in our studio to tell us his incredible story, including the time the legendary producer David Foster told him it was never going to happen for him. Plus, Michael shares how he really feels about those Christmas memes. If you enjoy this conversation, check out Tom’s interview with Canadian singer-songwriter k.d. lang or his chat with Canada's queen of R&B soul, Jully Black.
Farah Ghafoor is an award-winning Canadian poet whose debut poetry collection, “Shadow Price,” is about the climate crisis. She sits down with Tom Power to explain the finance term her book is named after, and how she sees the role of the poet during a crisis. She also reads an excerpt from her book called “The Last Poet in the World.” If you’re looking for more conversations with writers and poets, check out Tom’s chat with Emily Austin on her poetry collection “Gay Girl Prayers,” or guest host Vivek Shraya’s chat with Haudenosaunee poet Kenzie Allen on her complex relationship to Pocahontas.
After Rush ended, Alex Lifeson wasn’t sure if he’d ever make music again. The Canadian guitarist had toured the world with his best friends from high school and changed rock music, so he felt like he had been there and done that. But when Alex heard a young singer named Maiah Wynne, he was transfixed by her voice and lyrics. That led him to form his new band, Envy of None. Alex sits down with Tom Power to talk about how that group came together, the early days of Rush, and how at 17 he decided he was destined for a life of rock and roll. If you enjoy this conversation, you might want to check out Tom’s interview with Rush lead singer Geddy Lee or Extreme guitarist Nuno Bettencourt.
Angélique Kidjo is a legendary Grammy-winning singer, a UNICEF international Goodwill Ambassador and one of the most lauded African artists of our time. She also has one of the most unbelievable stories in music. At the same time that she began finding success as a singer in her homeland of Benin, the country was under a strict military dictatorship. By age 23, she made a very daring and lucky escape to Paris. Angélique joins Tom Power from our Montreal studio to reflect on her childhood in Benin, how she fled to France, and what that experience taught her about freedom of all kinds. Plus, she tells Tom why percussion has to come first when she’s making music.
Drew Tarves, also known as young friend, is an emerging artist based in Vancouver who’s getting ready to release his debut album, “motorcycle sound effects.” The album is a “genre-bending fever dream” about the nuances of growing up. young friend joins Tom Power to talk about his music and to set up a song off the record.
When the award-winning actor and playwright Anusree Roy was growing up, her grandmother would tell her stories about the Partition of India in 1947, when British India was divided into the Muslim-majority Pakistan and the Hindu-majority India. Now, decades later, Anusree is performing in a play she wrote about the Partition called “Trident Moon.” It follows nine women and girls over the course of one life-changing night as they try to survive unspeakable danger. Anusree joins Tom Power in our studio to tell us why she wanted the story to feel unsentimental, what history books leave out about the Partition, and why humour serves such a vital role in the play. If you’re looking for more conversations about theatre, check out Tom’s interviews with playwrights Michael Healey or Larissa FastHorse.
The Montreal musician Yves Jarvis spent a year listening only to Frank Sinatra when he wrote his sixth and latest album, “All Cylinders.” He says it’s the least contrived thing he’s ever done. Not only did he produce the record, but he also plays every instrument on it, blending genres like bluegrass, jazz, folk and even yacht-rock in unexpected ways. Yves joins Tom Power to tell us how his songwriting evolved in the process, and how he concussed himself while having too much fun in the studio.
The hit series “Severance,” which just finished Season 2, managed to knock “Ted Lasso” out of its place as the most-watched show on Apple TV+. That’s partly due to its premise, which explores a nightmarish experiment to enforce work-life balance by splitting your consciousness into two. There’s the you that goes into work (your “innie”) and the you that lives outside of work (your “outie”). Actors Tramell Tillman and Zach Cherry — also known as their characters Mr. Milchick and Dylan G. — sit down with Tom Power to discuss all things “Severance,” including what it’s been like on the inside (eh?) as this show takes over the world, and their famous dance scene from Season 1. If you’re looking for more about “Severance,” keep an eye out for Tom’s upcoming interview with actor Britt Lower.
In Mark Anthony Green’s debut feature, “Opus,” a young journalist (Ayo Edebiri) is invited to the home of a reclusive pop icon (John Malkovich) who mysteriously disappeared 30 years ago. The first-time director drew on his own experience as a former GQ editor who covered celebrity and style for 13 years. He joins Tom Power to talk about the film and how it explores the illusion of celebrity culture from the perspective of a journalist. If you enjoy this conversation, you might also enjoy Tom’s conversation with actor Kate Hudson on her movie “Shell” or actor Chloë Sevigny on the cost of being cool.
Though he's donned a mask since the beginning of his music career, Orville Peck says it’s not so much a disguise as it is a representation of who he truly is. Last year, around the release of his album “Stampede,” Orville joined Tom Power in our studio to talk about his career, how he found a home in country music, and why he walked away from fame at the peak of his success. If you enjoy this conversation, you might also enjoy Tom’s conversations with comedian-turned-musician Mae Martin or “National Anthem” director Luke Gilford.
Charlotte Le Bon is a French Canadian actor and director who plays Chloe in Season 3 of “The White Lotus.” Back in 2023, around the time she released her feature directorial debut “Falcon Lake,” Charlotte joined guest host Talia Schlanger to tell us how her Quebec roots shaped her career — starting with her very first acting job in France.
The Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer (Dune, Interstellar, Gladiator, The Lion King) has created some of the most iconic film scores of all time, but he’s struggled with stage fright for as long as he can remember. Now, he and his orchestra are featured in the new documentary “Hans Zimmer & Friends: Diamond in the Desert,” in which they perform live onstage at a massive concert in Dubai. Hans joins Tom Power over Zoom to talk about the film and his incredible career. If you enjoy this conversation and you’re looking for more conversations with composers, check out Tom’s interviews with Rufus Wainwright, John Adams or Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA.
The Montreal punk band Nobro is up for rock album of the year at the Junos Awards later this month. Lead singer and bass player Kathryn McCaughey joins Tom Power to share the story behind Nobro’s song “Where My Girls At” off their Juno-nominated album.
Back in 2020, the Canadian singer-songwriter Leif Vollebekk found himself with a lot of extra time to think about the direction of his life and music. During that time, he allowed himself the space to dream — both literally and figuratively. Those dreams became the foundation of his new album, “Revelation,” which is now nominated for a Juno. Last fall, Leif joined Tom Power to talk about the record and what he learned from reading Carl Jung’s book “Memories, Dreams, Reflections.”
Director Alfonso Maiorana’s new documentary, “Goddess of Slide,” tells the story of Ellen McIlwaine, a pioneering singer-songwriter and slide guitarist who should have been a household name. Born in Nashville and raised in Japan, Ellen played with the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Winter and Taj Mahal before ultimately settling down in Calgary where she worked as a school bus driver in the last decade of her life. Now, she’s finally receiving her rightful place in music history. Alfonso joins Tom Power to tell us more about her remarkable life and legacy.
Emma Portner is a celebrated Canadian dancer and choreographer who’s known for her distinctive style. She’s choreographed for the likes of Justin Bieber, Maggie Rogers, the Norwegian National Ballet, and the National Ballet of Canada. Now, the National Ballet of Canada is nominated for two Olivier Awards (the highest honour in British theatre) for a show that includes Emma’s piece “Islands”. The nominations are for best new dance production and outstanding achievement in dance. Last year, Emma joined Tom Power over Zoom to talk about “Islands,” which defies traditional ballet conventions and does away with tutus.
Sam Crane is the director and star of “Grand Theft Hamlet” — a documentary that follows how he and a friend mounted a full production of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” inside the video game “Grand Theft Auto Online.” Sam joins Tom Power to talk about the project, what the process of making it looked like, and why Shakespeare translates so well to the ultra-violent world of “Grand Theft Auto.”
Sandra Oh (Killing Eve, Grey’s Anatomy) is back in a new film, “Can I Get a Witness?” It’s set in a not-too-distant future when climate change has been solved. But there’s a catch: all humans are required by law to end their life at 50. The Ottawa-born actor joins Tom Power to talk about the movie and why it spoke to her. Plus, she reflects on her journey as an actor, from finding her passion at eight years old to becoming one of Hollywood’s most accomplished stars.
Nico Williams is an award-winning Canadian artist known for creating soft sculptures out of intricate beadwork. In Canada, beading has a long artistic and cultural history among Indigenous people who’ve been using glass beads to decorate moccasins and clothing for generations. But Nico takes that a step further by beading everyday objects like J-cloths, grocery store flyers and lawn chairs. He talks to Tom Power about taking the traditional practice of beading to a new frontier, winning the 2024 Sobey Art Award, and why beading can be meditative.
In the 1980s, Rick Astley became a global superstar with hits like “Never Gonna Give You Up” and “Together Forever.” But then, at age 27, he quit the business. That could have been the end of the story, but then the Rickroll meme of the mid-2000s brought him back to the world’s attention. Now, Rick has released a new memoir, “Never,” in which he opens up about his strange and incredible life. He joins Tom Power to share some of those stories.
Karen Knox’s new film “We Forgot to Break Up” tells the story of The New Normals, a fictional indie rock band on the rise in the early 2000s. Their songs are hard, their relationships are fraught and they’re trying to make it in an industry that wants to shape them into something else. The Canadian director drops by our studio to talk to Tom Power about this coming-of-age story and why she wanted to tell it.
The Grammy-winning Canadian producer Boi-1da has found massive success by crafting hits for the likes of Drake, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Eminem and more. Ahead of being honoured with the International Achievement Award at this year’s Junos, Boi-1da sits down with Tom Power for a rare conversation about his career, what Canadian artists need now more than ever, and how his dad playing a certain couple of tapes in the car led to one of his biggest hits.
Ikky is a Canadian musician and producer who’s bringing Punjabi music to the world — and putting the spotlight on Canada in the process. The international hitmaker has racked up billions of streams and worked with artists both at home and in India. Now, he’s back with a new single, “Tell Me,” which is a bilingual collaboration between OneRepublic and Karan Aujla. Ikky sits down with Tom Power to tell us how that track came to be, how his work fuses traditional Indian music with influences from his upbringing in Toronto, and why he feels more Canadians need to open their minds to Punjabi music.
Kris Davis is a Canadian pianist whose new album, “Run the Gauntlet,” has been getting a lot of attention. She joins Tom Power to tell us why she wanted to dedicate the record to six female jazz pianists who’ve influenced her throughout her career, and how she went about composing new pieces of music in their honour. Plus, Kris sets up the title track from the album.
In Netflix’s new political thriller “Zero Day,” Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey, Legion) plays Evan Green, a brash, outspoken and wildly popular political commentator who streams his government conspiracies to millions of viewers. Evan’s number one target is the country's former president, played by Robert De Niro. The British actor joins Tom Power to tell us how he developed his character, what he learned from watching hours of conspiratorial media, and what it was like going up against De Niro in this role.
When the Canadian singer-songwriter Basia Bulat was a kid, she felt embarrassed by the Polish disco music her dad listened to. But now that she’s a parent herself, she’s found a new appreciation for her parents’ taste in music. It even inspired a tune on her latest album, “Basia's Palace.” Basia joins Tom Power to talk about the album, the Polish music that soundtracked her childhood, and how she also drew inspiration from video games.
After his huge success with “Parasite” in 2019, Oscar-winning director Bong Joon Ho is back with a new film, “Mickey 17.” The title character, Mickey (played by Robert Pattinson), is an “expendable” — a disposable crew member on a space colony who undertakes dangerous missions and laboratory tests. Whenever he dies, his body and memories can simply be “reprinted” by his employer. Director Bong joins Tom Power to talk about the film, what he wanted to say about authoritarianism and bad politicians, and the appeal of reprinting Robert Pattinson.
Calgary’s Jan Lisiecki was only nine when made his orchestral debut as a classical pianist. While most of us were still figuring out cursive, he was playing sold-out recitals — so, of course, he was called a child prodigy. But Jan has complicated feelings about that term. He joins guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about his new album, “Preludes,” why he’s been resistant to being called a child prodigy, and what he’s looking forward to as he turns 30 later this month.
Amanda Seyfried was 17 when she landed her breakthrough role as Karen Smith in “Mean Girls.” But as fun as the movie was, she didn’t want to get pigeonholed as “the ditzy blonde” forever. Amanda says her first true departure was her starring role in Atom Egoyan’s erotic thriller “Chloe,” which established her as a serious actor who was willing to take a risk. Now, she’s teamed up with the Canadian director once again on his new film, “Seven Veils.” Tom Power caught up with Amanda to talk about her latest role and how she looks back on the trajectory of her career.
You never know who you might meet at a Canadian gas station. AHI sits down with Tom Power to tell us how a chance encounter at a truck stop in Thunder Bay inspired him to pursue music full-time. He also sets up a song off his new album, “The Light Behind the Sun.”
You may know the Canadian comedian and actor Mae Martin from their hit stand-up special “SAP,” their semi-autobiographical comedy series “Feel Good,” or their popular “Handsome” podcast, which they co-host with Tig Notaro and Fortune Feimster. But what you might not know is that Mae is also a musician. Mae drops by our studio to talk to Tom Power about their debut album, “I’m A TV,” and how it feels to pivot from performing comedy to getting on stage with their guitar.
There are countless songs about romantic love, but when Georgia Harmer sat down to write her new single, “Can We Be Still,” she had platonic love on her mind. Georgia says the song is an ode to friendship that she wrote for an old friend as they began to drift apart. The Canadian singer-songwriter joins Tom Power to tell us more about “Can We Be Still” and what inspired her to write it.
Josh Gad (Frozen, The Book of Mormon) has made a huge name for himself on the stage and screen, but he says he’s struggled with anxiety and body image issues throughout his career. The award-winning actor, singer and comedian has just released a new memoir, “In Gad We Trust: A Tell-Some,” that sheds some light on those obstacles. Josh joins Tom Power over Zoom from his home in Los Angeles to talk about the book, his most famous role voicing Olaf in Disney’s “Frozen” franchise, and his time working with a legendary theatre director whose tough love might have crossed the line into something more harmful.
“A Taste of Hong Kong” is a new play that combines theatre and food to tell a story that’s not often seen on stage. Described as a “snack-sized tasting class,” the show invites audiences to try some of Hong Kong’s famous street foods (including pineapple buns, curry fish balls and siu mai) as they watch the performance. The story follows actor Derek Chan as Jackie, a man who moves to Canada from Hong Kong during the pro-democracy protests. Derek joins Tom Power to talk about the play, its delicious food, and why he feels it’s important to share this story about Hong Kong with Canadians.
Víkingur Ólafsson is one of the world’s most in-demand classical pianists right now. The Icelandic musician just picked up a Grammy for his “Goldberg Variations” album, and he recently reached one billion streams for his music. Before playing a few shows in Canada, Víkingur dropped by our studio and sat down at Glenn Gould’s rehearsal piano that lives here. He talked to Tom Power about why Gould is such a big influence on him. Plus, he played us his favourite version of the “Goldberg Variations.”
T. Thomason is a Canadian singer-songwriter who recently released an album called “Tenderness.” Now, he’s taking it on the road with his Dirty Thoughts tour. The tour is a collaboration with sex educators and workers, queer and trans small business owners and queer spaces. T. joins Tom Power to talk about the tour and how he hopes it will create an experience that draws people in and dispels shame.
The Canadian actor Molly Parker (Kissed, Six Feet Under, Deadwood) has become known for playing complex characters with really compelling stories. In her new series, “Doc,” she stars as a brilliant doctor who’s struggling with amnesia. Molly joins guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about the show, her journey as an actor, and why she loves playing characters who’ve “lost everything.”
When Peter Fernandes was just starting out as an actor in Edmonton, he was told he didn't have the right stuff to do Shakespeare. In fact, he was told he could never do Shakespeare. Today, he’s one of the most celebrated theatre actors in the country with a starring role in a new production of “Fat Ham” — James Ijames’s Pulitzer Prize-winning adaptation of “Hamlet” set at a barbecue in the American South. Peter sits down with Tom Power to tell us about the play, why he was so keen to bring it to Canada, and how it challenges conceptions of Black masculinity.
Jay Douglas has been making reggae music in Canada for decades. First as the frontman of The Cougars, a popular group in Toronto and Montreal’s Caribbean nightclub scenes, and then as a solo artist. A new documentary, “Play It Loud,” tells Jay’s story and the story of reggae in Toronto. He sits down with Tom Power in our studio to talk about the film, and how he went from selling out clubs in the ‘60s to almost being forgotten.
Nish Kumar is a British stand-up comedian who isn’t afraid to ruffle feathers with his political comedy. But when he started getting death threats, it seriously impacted his mental health. Ahead of his new North American tour, Nish drops by our studio to chat with guest host Talia Schlanger about his comedy, the death threats he's received from the far-right, and why he wanted to talk about it all in his stand-up routine.
For nearly 30 years, Sum 41 has been one of Canada’s most beloved and successful rock bands. This year, they’re saying their final goodbye, and lead singer Deryck Whibley has decided to share his story in a new memoir, “Walking Disaster: My Life Through Heaven and Hell.” He joins Tom Power to look back on his life and career, which saw him reach the heights of rock stardom and the depths of addiction and self-destruction.
Nia Nadurata is an up-and-coming singer-songwriter from Toronto who just released her first EP, “Still Living With My Parents.” It captures the thoughts and emotions of a young artist who’s at an important intersection in her life as she starts on a new path as an adult. Nia joins Tom Power in our studio to talk about her music and set up a song off the record.
Enrico Colantoni (Galaxy Quest, Flashpoint, Veronica Mars) is one of Canada’s most successful actors with more than 100 TV and film credits to his name. He joins Tom Power to look back on his career, from his early days as a struggling actor, to getting his first big break playing John Belushi in an episode of “A Current Affair,” to developing his memorable character Mathesar in the movie “Galaxy Quest.” Enrico also talks about his current role on the CBC police procedural drama “Allegiance,” and what makes it feel different from his past roles on other cop shows.
The Toronto-born artist Saya Gray has just released her debut album, “Saya,” but it isn’t her first foray into music by a long stretch. Saya grew up in a piano studio, surrounded by some of the best musicians in the country. She’s been gigging seriously since she was a teenager, playing in bands with much older musicians at clubs where she had to use a fake ID to get in. Eventually, she started touring with the likes of Daniel Caesar and Willow Smith. Saya sits down with Tom Power to tell us about her critically acclaimed new album, what it’s been like navigating the music industry as a young woman, and where she’s going next in her music career.
In the new sitcom “Small Achievable Goals,” co-creators Meredith MacNeill and Jennifer Whalen star as two women who are navigating menopause while also working in the podcast world. You might recognize the duo from the wildly funny all-female Canadian sketch comedy show “Baroness Von Sketch Show.” Meredith and Jennifer sit down with guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about “Small Achievable Goals,” its hilarious and subversive take on menopause, and how they had to overcome some of their own shame to make it happen.
The Canadian director Ron Dias describes his new film “Morningside” as a love letter to Scarborough — the district of Toronto where he grew up. The film follows a group of Scarborough residents as they grapple with violence in their community, a rapidly changing city, and the loss of their local community centre to gentrification. Ron sits down with guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about the film and how he hopes it changes the way people see Scarborough.
Calgary's Tate McRae is back with five Juno nominations and a brand new album, “So Close To What.” The reigning Canadian pop princess talks to Tom Power about her skyrocketing career, growing up on social media, and how she’s learning to slow down and appreciate the present moment.
Sebastian Gaskin is a musician from Tataskweyak Cree Nation in Manitoba who fuses his culture with R&B, rock and pop music. Now, he’s released his debut album, “Lovechild.” Sebastian joins Tom Power to talk about his path in music, how he came around to embrace his Indigenous identity in his art, and why writing joyful and hopeful songs is just as important to him as writing political songs.
The musician Will Oldham, also known as Bonnie "Prince" Billy, is more than 30 years into his career with no sign of slowing down. With the release of his new album, “The Purple Bird,” Will joins Tom Power to reflect on his life and music. He tells us about the time he met Johnny Cash, how he ended up conducting Cash’s cover of his song “I See a Darkness,” and how that memorable recording session led him to meeting David Ferguson, the producer of his latest record.
Matt Wright is a Canadian comedian from Newfoundland and Labrador who’s just released his first stand-up special, "Live at the Majestic.” He drops by our studio to chat with Tom Power about his life in comedy and why he says it's his human right to be a goof.
Plus, Vivian Chong is a Dora-nominated performer who’s blind in both eyes. She lost her vision a few years ago after she had a toxic reaction to a medication. Now, she’s taking audiences into her dating life with a new one-woman show, “Blind Dates.” Vivian joins Tom to tell us what she’s learned in the dating world, and why she wanted to open up about it on the stage.
Matthew Rankin is the Canadian director and star of the film “Universal Language.” It’s an absurdist comedy set in an alternate version of Winnipeg with two official languages: Farsi and French. During the Toronto International Film Festival last fall, Matthew dropped by to chat with Tom Power about his vision for this film and why he wanted to collaborate with Winnipeg’s Persian community.
When the Canadian musician Charlie Houston was a student at NYU a few years ago, she took an edible that gave her a really bad trip. It was so bad that she quit music, dropped out of school and moved back in with her parents in Toronto. Now, she’s released her debut album, “Big After I Die,” which explores the precarious and often surreal experience of transitioning between phases of life. Charlie sits down with Tom Power to tell us the story of the edible that changed her life and how she got back into music. Plus, she sets up a track from her new album.
The Canadian singer-songwriter Jann Arden joins Tom Power to talk about her new covers album “Mixtape,” the time she was called a one-hit wonder, and why she thinks the ‘90s are making a resurgence in 2025.
Avan Jogia is a Canadian actor, author and director who spent his teen years in the spotlight as one of the stars of the hit Nickelodeon series “Victorious.” Now, Avan’s new book of poetry, “Autopsy (of an Ex-Teen Heartthrob),” takes a critical look at the culture of celebrity and the sinister side of fame. Avan tells Tom Power about how starring on a Nickelodeon show felt like he was “performing adolescence and purity,” what he thinks about the documentary “Quiet on Set,” and why he’s chosen poetry to reflect on his time as a teen star.
When the award-winning author Jason Reynolds was visiting a juvenile detention centre, he asked what kind of books young boys checked out the most. The answer really surprised him: romance novels. Jason realized that young men have a real hunger to learn about love, sensitivity and intimacy. That sparked the idea for his latest book, "Twenty-Four Seconds from Now,” which follows a Black teen boy who’s about to have sex with his girlfriend for the first time. A few months ago, Jason joined Tom Power to talk about the book and how he’s writing the stories he wishes he had growing up.
A few years ago, the musician Tia Wood moved to Los Angeles from her home of Saddle Lake Cree Nation in Alberta. Though she comes from a musical family (her mom is in a drum group, her sister is a Juno winner, and her dad is a founder of the award-winning group Northern Cree), Tia has managed to find her own sound. Now, she’s the first Indigenous woman to be signed to Sony Music Canada, and she’s released her debut EP, “Pretty Red Bird.” Back in November, she sat down with Tom Power to set up a song from the record.
The Grammy-winning Canadian singer-songwriter Alessia Cara has a unique talent for capturing the inner life of someone growing up in the digital age as they deal with love, acceptance and rejection. On her fourth and latest album, “Love & Hyperbole,” she opens up about her feelings of being an introvert in an extrovert’s industry. Alessia sits down with Tom Power to talk about the record and how it reflects her growth as an artist.
They say never meet your heroes, but don't tell that to Brandi Carlile. The 11-time Grammy winner has teamed up with Elton John on a new album, “Who Believes in Angels?” Its title track is all about the realities of working with someone you admire. Brandi joins Tom Power to introduce us to the song and tell us more about her collaboration with Elton.
The Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Neko Case has written her first memoir, titled “The Harder I Fight The More I Love You.” It traces her upbringing in the Pacific Northwest to moving to Canada and starting her career as a professional musician. Neko sits down with Tom Power to look back on her life, how music (specifically Canadian music) gave her a home, and why she wanted to write honestly about the challenges faced by musicians today.
For his first headline tour from Ontario to Atlantic Canada, the Juno-winning singer-songwriter Aysanabee is shining a light on local First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists in each of the small communities he’s visiting. Aysanabee joins Tom Power to talk about his call out for openers. Plus, he plays us his new single, “Edge Of The Earth.”
When the filmmaker and animator Chris Sanders (Lilo & Stitch, How to Train Your Dragon) decided to adapt Peter Brown’s kids’ book “The Wild Robot” for the screen, he threw a lot of modern animation conventions out the window. Chris decided to use hand-painted images instead of CGI and he centered the story on motherhood when mothers are mostly absent in kids’ movies. Now, “The Wild Robot” is nominated for three Oscars. Chris joins guest host Gill Deacon to tell us more about the film and how he made it.
There’s a new production in Toronto that explores the very first musical instrument: the voice. “The Wolf in the Voice” features three singers, including the acclaimed Canadian soprano, dancer and performer Neema Bickersteth. She joins Tom Power to talk about the show, how it investigates the relationship between singing and the human voice, and the joy — and deep anxieties — faced by professional singers.
After decades stealing scenes as a supporting actor, Colman Domingo generated Oscar buzz for his first lead role in the Obama-backed Netflix film “Rustin.” In this conversation with Tom Power from a little while back, Colman talks about the weight of playing the civil rights leader Bayard Rustin (advisor to Martin Luther King Jr.), what he learned about vulnerability when he was a professional clown, and why acting is a form of service to the public.
When Darcy Michael started a TikTok channel with his husband Jeremy Baer, he was a retired stand-up comedian who had spent nearly 20 years trying to find an audience. After Darcy and Jer (as they’re known online) started posting candid videos together from their home in British Columbia, millions of fans across the internet found them. Now, in two new streaming specials — “No Refunds” and “Happily Ever Laughter” — Darcy and Jer open up about living out their love story in public. The two sit down with Tom Power to talk about those films, and how going viral changes a relationship.
Bob Geldof is a musician, activist and one of the organizers of Live Aid, the massive 1985 benefit concert that raised millions for famine relief in Ethiopia. Some of the biggest artists and bands of all time came together for that concert — but how did Bob convince them all to give up their time for free on the same day? Ahead of the Toronto opening of “Just For One Day,” a new jukebox musical about Live Aid, Bob sits down with Tom Power to share some of the stories from behind the scenes of Live Aid, including how he got Queen to participate and why David Bowie insisted on the use of some CBC footage as the one condition of him playing.
Jully Black is a powerhouse singer-songwriter from Toronto who’s often called Canada's queen of R&B soul. Now, she’s embarking on her first cross-country tour in almost 17 years. Jully sits down with Tom Power to tell us how singing in church at age six put her on her artistic path, why she feels speaking out is always the right thing to do, and how this upcoming tour celebrates connection, resilience and joy.
West Coast glam rocker Art d'Ecco joins Tom Power to set up the title track off his new album, “Serene Demon.” The song is an epic seven-and-a-half minute play about existentialism in four acts.
Rufus Wainwright is a difficult artist to categorize at the best of times. As a musician, he’s recorded pop songs, folk music, operas and stage musicals. But his new album, “Dream Requiem,” is a little different, even for him. It’s a religious work inspired by a range of subjects, including a poem by Lord Byron, the music of Giuseppe Verdi, and his beloved late dog Puccini. He also managed to recruit Meryl Streep to narrate the project. Rufus joins Tom Power over Zoom to talk about the different influences behind “Dream Requiem,” his upbringing in Quebec, and how this project really mourns the death of the American Dream.
The Toronto singer-songwriter and actor Lia Pappas-Kemps (best known for her role as Jane in “Anne with an E”) recently released her debut EP, “Gleam.” She calls the record a fragmented love letter to her teenage years, which isn’t surprising seeing as she wrote it all between the ages of 16 and 19. Lia joins Tom Power to discuss the EP and she introduces us to a track called “Switchblade.”
Tom Rooney is one of Canada’s most beloved stage actors. Over the last three decades, he’s taken on some of theatre’s most memorable roles, from Romeo in “Romeo and Juliet” to Henry Higgins in “My Fair Lady.” But Tom has also played a big part in contemporary Canadian theatre, which is where we find him now. Currently, he’s playing Majnoun in Mirvish’s remount of “Fifteen Dogs,” based on the Giller Prize-winning book of the same name by André Alexis. The story follows a group of dogs who are given the gift of human consciousness and language. Tom drops by the “Q” studio to talk about his life in acting, his love of the craft, and what it takes to play a dog.
The CBC radio show and podcast “Under the Influence” just launched its 20th season. Show host and creator Terry O'Reilly joins Tom Power for a career chat about his early days as an ad man, his experience working with some of the biggest brands and celebrities of our time, and how he pitched a show about advertising to a network with no advertising.
The Canadian actor and playwright Ins Choi is best known as the creator of “Kim’s Convenience,” which started as a play in 2011 before it became a hit sitcom in 2016. This month, “Kim’s Convenience” is back at Toronto’s Soulpepper Theatre Company where it was first professionally staged in 2012. Ins sits down with Tom Power to talk about the ups and downs of adapting “Kim’s Convenience” for TV, the role that faith has played in his life, and what it’s like stepping into the part of Appa in this latest production.
For a time in the ‘90s, there was no band on earth bigger than Bush. Their debut album, “Sixteen Stone,” had singles that were in heavy rotation on MuchMusic, MTV and every rock radio station. That record also turned singer Gavin Rossdale into a star. Ahead of Bush’s cross-Canada tour this spring, Gavin joins Tom Power to look back on the band’s early days, what it was like breaking out of Britain when they didn’t sound like the Britpop bands of the time, and what goes through his mind when he hears “Glycerine.”
Mikey Madison is up for an Oscar for her role in Sean Baker’s Palme d'Or-winning film “Anora.” The story follows a sex worker from Brooklyn who meets and marries the son of a Russian oligarch. But their fairytale romance is threatened after news of their shotgun wedding reaches his parents in Russia. A few months ago, Mikey sat down with Tom Power to talk about her deep research and preparation for the role, why she feels protective of her character, and how the film changed her life.
The Canadian actor Amrit Kaur is one of the breakout stars of Mindy Kaling’s HBO Max series “The Sex Lives of College Girls.” She joins Tom Power to talk about getting into acting for all the wrong reasons, being inspired by her character Bela, and how acting eventually helped her overcome her self-loathing.
When you were growing up, did you get along with your sibling? Did your parents want you to get along better than you did? When Leela and Jay Gilday were growing up in Northwest Territories, their dad wanted them to sing together more, but it wasn’t until decades later that they did. Leela and Jay both have distinguished music careers on their own, but more recently, they’ve come together as the contemporary roots duo Sechile Sedare (“my younger brother, my older sister” in Dene). They join Tom Power to talk about their collaboration. Plus, they set up their new single, “Hold On.”
In Sook-Yin Lee’s new film, “Paying For It,” a couple whose romantic attraction is waning decide to open up their relationship. While Sonny explores dating, her introverted boyfriend, Chester, opts to hire sex workers. The story is based on Sook-Yin’s real-life former relationship with Canadian cartoonist Chester Brown, who released a bestselling graphic memoir of the same name in 2011. It reflects on intimacy, connection, the rights of sex workers, the boundaries we put around relationships, and Toronto in the ‘90s. Sook-Yin joins Tom Power to talk about the movie and what she learned in the process of making it. Plus, she discusses her early work as a MuchMusic VJ, and how she struggled to deal with the slow cultural shift from alternative music to boy bands.
Denis Villeneuve’s massive sci-fi epic “Dune: Part Two” is up for best picture at the Oscars this year. Last year, around the film’s Canadian premiere, the Quebecois filmmaker joined Tom Power to discuss his vision for the second installment, the challenges of shooting in the intense heat of the desert, and how politics and religion in Quebec play into the film more than you might think.
The Brazilian film “I’m Still Here” looks at one of the darkest chapters in Brazil’s modern history. It tells the true story of Eunice Paiva, whose husband was apprehended, tortured and executed by the military in 1971. The film’s star, Brazilian actor Fernanda Torres, is nominated for best actor at the Oscars for her performance. She joins Tom Power to talk about the responsibility of telling a real person’s story, and how she hopes the film will correct false narratives about Brazil’s past military dictatorship.
Jaylene Tyme is a Vancouver drag legend, a community leader, and a proud two-spirit Indigenous trans woman. She recently competed on Season 5 of “Canada’s Drag Race,” where she not only won the title of Miss Congeniality, but also used her platform to send powerful messages about truth and reconciliation, missing and murdered Indigenous women, and her experience as a survivor of the Sixties Scoop. Jaylene joins Tom Power to talk about fusing her art with advocacy, and how it led to a worldwide viral moment.
The Montreal comedian Sugar Sammy refers to himself as an “equal opportunity offender.” As a comic, he says the only thing worse than outrage is silence. Ahead of his 20-city Canadian tour, Sammy sits down with Tom Power to tell us what’s on his mind, why our changing world is a goldmine for new material, and how offensive jokes can actually unify us. Plus, he reveals the four components he believes define a successful stand-up comedian.
Lita Fontaine is a Winnipeg-based artist who has a new exhibit at the Winnipeg Art Gallery-Qaumajuq. It’s called “Winyan” (the Dakota word for “woman”) and it celebrates the role and influence of Indigenous women in their families, communities and cultures. Lita joins Tom Power to talk about her life and work, why the walls of her new exhibit are painted pink, and why she wanted to celebrate femininity, resistance and resilience with this collection.
The Canadian comedy legend Tom Green has had an incredible career, from “The Tom Green Show” to “Freddy Got Fingered” to his many stand-up tours. Last year, he was honoured with the Sir Peter Ustinov Comedy Award from the Banff World Media Festival. Tom Power caught up with him live on stage in Banff for a special career-spanning conversation about his journey in comedy, the terrifying cancer diagnosis that changed his perspective on work and ambition, and why he's back in Canada to stay.
After playing bass and singing on tour for the likes of Lorde and Remi Wolf, Maddie Jay is finally going out on her own with her new album, “I Can Change Your Mind.” The Los Angeles-based Canadian musician sits down with Tom Power to talk about her journey in music, the surprising lesson she learned from playing with some of the world’s biggest artists, and how a visiting fiddle player to her small B.C. town taught her how to be creative.
At 29, Adrien Brody became the youngest person to win best actor at the Oscars for his role as a Holocaust survivor in 2002's “The Pianist.” Now, he’s received his second best actor nomination for “The Brutalist,” portraying a fictional Jewish Hungarian architect who emigrates to the United States in an effort to rebuild his life. Adrien joins Tom Power to discuss his critically acclaimed performance, how “The Brutalist” gave him a new perspective on his family’s own immigration story, and the parallels between his two Oscar-nominated roles.
Two heavyweights of Canadian culture, acclaimed soprano Measha Brueggergosman-Lee and literary giant Margaret Atwood, have come together for an exciting new collaboration. On her new album, “Zombie Blizzard,” Measha sings musical interpretations of seven Atwood poems. She joins Tom Power to talk about the project and what she thinks it might be able to tell you about the future.
The British actor Marianne Jean-Baptiste first worked with director Mike Leigh on his 1996 breakthrough “Secrets & Lies,” which earned her an Oscar nomination. Now, she’s reunited with him for his new comedy-drama, “Hard Truths.” In the film, Marianne gives an explosive performance as Pansy, a woman consumed by rage and depression, who regularly lashes out at family and strangers. Marianne joins Tom Power to talk about Mike’s unique directing process and what it took to build this character. Plus, she looks back on her long career on the stage.
Tim Heidecker became known for playing bizarre or surreal characters in his breakout sketch comedy show “Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!” But now that he’s a dad in his late 40s, the comedian has decided to put aside the characters and lean into sincerity instead. His new folk album, “Slipping Away,” reflects on the grim state of the world, aging, fatherhood and the waning of creativity. Tim talks to guest host Saroja Coelho about the record, subverting his fans’ expectations, and what inspired him to get so earnest and reflective in his music.
When Steven Soderbergh asked Lucy Liu to star in his new film “Presence,” saying yes was a no-brainer. The movie tells a haunted house story with a twist in that it unfolds from the point-of-view of the ghost. Lucy joins Tom Power from New York to talk about her experience working on “Presence,” how it differed from her previous work on big projects like “Charlie's Angels” and “Kill Bill,” and how she ended up in show business after being discovered on the subway.
A new documentary called “New Blood” chronicles the 10-year journey of the “New Blood Dance Show” — a high school theatre production based on the residential school experience of former Siksika Nation Chief Vincent Yellow Old Woman. Peter Gabriel signed on as an executive producer of the documentary and even allowed his music to be used in it for free. “New Blood” director Adam Solway joins Tom Power from Calgary to tell us how the film is sparking long overdue conversations about the intergenerational impact of the residential school system, and why he hopes the project will serve as a form of healing.
The Canadian singer-songwriter Tamara Lindeman, a.k.a. The Weather Station, is known for making music that confronts climate change and the damage we’ve inflicted on our planet. Just a few days ago, Tamara released her new album, “Humanhood,” which chronicles a difficult mental health period in her life when she felt like she had lost her sense of self. She sits down with Tom Power to discuss the record and why she turns to music to make it through tough times.
Clarence Maclin spent 15 years as an inmate in Sing Sing Correctional Facility, one of America’s most notorious prisons. Now, he plays himself opposite Colman Domingo and Paul Raci in “Sing Sing,” a new film based on his experience in prison and the transformative theatre program that changed his life. Last year, around the film’s release, Clarence joined Tom to share what it was like stepping back into a prison uniform, how acting helped him find his voice and his purpose, and how he hopes the film will change what you think you know about prisoners.
With four Grammys, 25 No. 1 songs and more than 10 billion streams, Keith Urban has solidified his position as one of the world's biggest names in country music. On his latest album, “High,” the Australian country superstar gets more reflective than ever, exploring themes like generational trauma and what it means to be alive. Ahead of his cross-Canada tour this year, Keith sits down with Tom Power to talk about his new record, why his unique blend of pop and country music took so long to catch on, and his curiosity about curling.
Lioness Kaur is a Canadian rapper who’s just released her debut album, "The Lion with Emerald Eyes." She sits down with Tom Power to talk about the challenge and triumph of breaking into the Canadian hip-hop scene as a young Punjabi Sikh woman, and how she found support from the likes of Drake and Lloyd Banks. Plus, she sets up her new song “Black Sheep.”
For decades, Pamela Anderson has been recognized as a pop culture icon, but she says she hasn’t recognized herself until now. Earlier this month, she earned her first Golden Globe nomination for her role as a fading Las Vegas showgirl in Gia Coppola’s new film, “The Last Showgirl.” Her critically acclaimed performance marks a new chapter of her career as a serious dramatic actor and bonafide artist. Pamela joins Tom Power to talk about the film — and why she says it’s never too late to start over.
At the Munich Olympics on Sept. 5, 1972, the Palestinian militant organization Black September stormed the Olympic Village, where they immediately killed two Israeli athletes and took nine more hostage. Ultimately, all of the Israeli hostages lost their lives. As the crisis unfolded in real-time, the story was being broadcast live on television by ABC Sports. Now, the Swiss director Tim Fehlbaum has made a new film, “September 5,” which follows the small ABC crew that led the live coverage while close to a billion people watched from around the globe. Tim sits down with guest host Talia Schlanger to discuss the film and the questions it opens up about how the media covers a crisis.
After nearly 40 years of marriage, the Canadian actors Paul Gross and Martha Burns say they’re still learning new things about each other. Currently, they’re co-starring as one of theatre’s most dysfunctional married couples, George and Martha, in a new production of Edward Albee’s “Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” at Canadian Stage. Paul and Martha sit down with Tom Power to tell us what it’s like playing this famously toxic couple, and what they’re still learning about each other after all these decades.
At the height of her fame in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Eve seemed to have it all: stadium tours, a clothing line, and collaborations with the likes of Prince, Missy Elliott and Gwen Stefani. But in her new memoir, “Who’s That Girl?,” she tells the story of what was actually going on behind the scenes. Eve joins Tom Power to talk about some of the major highlights of her career, the negative side effects of fame, and the hip-hop industry’s double standard.
For 20 years, the Canadian actor Taylor Kitsch has been disappearing into his roles, whether it be a high school football player in “Friday Night Lights” or a loner frontiersman in his latest series “American Primeval.” He joins Tom Power to talk about the intense preparation he does for his roles, why he thinks of acting as service, and his thoughts about appearing in the upcoming “Friday Night Lights” reboot.
Bear Witness of The Halluci Nation joins guest host Talia Schlanger to set up the group’s first new single of 2025, “Babylon.” The track pays tribute to Ottawa’s Babylon night club, which hosted the groundbreaking electric powwow parties that kickstarted their career.
If you’ve ever thought it was too late for you to try something new, you should listen to Sindhu Vee. She’s one of the most talked-about comics in the U.K. right now, but just a few years ago, she was an investment banker who was trying to figure out what to do with her life after having kids. Sindhu joins Tom Power to tell us how she got her start in comedy without ever having seen a live stand-up show, the strange similarities between investment banking and what she does now, and what attracted her to her new series, “The Pradeeps of Pittsburgh.”
The comedian, actor and poet ALOK joins guest host Saroja Coelho to talk about their new standup special, “Biology,” and their experience making a cameo appearance on the Peabody-winning show “Sort Of.”
Plus, Holly Cole is a Juno-winning Canadian jazz singer who’s been making music since the early 1990s. Now, she’s back with her 13th studio album, “Dark Moon.” Holly joins Tom Power to talk about the record, how it embraces spontaneity, and the childhood memory that launched her lifelong fascination with the moon.
At the Golden Globes earlier this month, Brady Corbet’s sprawling historical epic “The Brutalist” took home best drama, best director and best actor for Adrien Brody, who stars as the fictional Jewish Hungarian architect László Tóth. Brady sits down with Tom Power to reflect on the critical acclaim for his latest film, his transition from acting to directing, and why it’s easier to tell historical dramas when the work is fiction.
The Canadian actor Allan Hawco (Republic of Doyle) has spent a good chunk of time playing detectives. Now, he stars in the new police procedural “Saint-Pierre,” which is set on St-Pierre-Miquelon, the French island just off the coast of Newfoundland. Allan drops by to chat with Tom Power about the show’s unique location and why he’s drawn to detective-type roles.
The Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof risked everything to make his new political thriller, “The Seed of the Sacred Fig.” He had already been arrested, sentenced and imprisoned in Iran for making films that authorities found to be "propaganda against the system,” so he had to shoot his latest film entirely in secret. Mohammad sits down with Tom Power to explain how he managed to direct the film far away from the set, and why the critical success of “The Seed of the Sacred Fig” has been bittersweet.
José Avelino Gilles Corbett Lourenço is a Toronto-based writer and filmmaker whose debut film, “Young Werther,” reimagines Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s classic novella “The Sorrows of Young Werther” as a modern-day rom-com. José sits down with Tom Power to talk about the film and why he thinks this 18th-century German tragedy is a universal story that we can still learn from today.
The critically acclaimed new film “Nickel Boys,” based on Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name, is largely shot from the point of view of its two main characters as they try to survive in an abusive reform school called the Nickel Academy. Director RaMell Ross sits down with Tom Power to talk about his decision to tell the story through the eyes of his two leads, how trauma is built across time and distilled across memory, and how basketball has influenced his filmmaking.
Mark Critch is a Canadian comedian and actor who spoke with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau just a month before he made his announcement to resign as leader of the Liberal Party. Mark speaks with Tom Power about landing the only year-end interview with the prime minister, plus, he looks back on some of his favourite Trudeau-era comedic moments. He also discusses the fourth and latest season of “Son of a Critch” — the hit sitcom based on his life.
The new sitcom “North of North” follows a young Inuk mother named Siaja who’s on a journey to reclaim her life while living in the fictional Arctic community of Ice Cove — a town where everybody knows your business. Co-creators Stacey Aglok MacDonald and Alethea Arnaquq-Baril say they made the place up to represent all Inuit communities across the North. They join Tom Power to talk about shooting the series in Iqaluit, where they both live, and how they’re changing the conversation around Inuit representation on-screen.
The Grammy-nominated electro-pop duo Sofi Tukker has been igniting dance floors around the world since their hit song “Best Friend” first blew up after being featured in an iPhone commercial. Now, they’re back with a new album, “Bread” (an acronym for “Be Really Energetic and Dance”), which is a vibrant mix of electronic music and bossa nova. Sophie Hawley-Weld and Tucker Halpern join Tom Power over Zoom to talk about the record and how they developed their Brazilian-inspired sound.
Jonah Yano is a Montreal-based musician who’s known for his work with artists like Mustafa, Charlotte Day Wilson and BadBadNotGood. He recently released a new double album, “Jonah Yano & The Heavy Loop,” which features a 30-minute improvised experimental noise music piece. Jonah joins Tom Power over Zoom to talk about the track and why he chose that direction for the record.
The Canadian violinist Lara St. John was a child prodigy who was only two when she started playing her instrument. But her young age also made her extremely vulnerable. When she was 14, Lara was sexually assaulted and raped by her 78-year-old instructor at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. It took more than 35 years for the school to acknowledge the abuse she suffered. Now, Lara is making a documentary to highlight sexual abuse in the classical music world. She sits down with Tom Power to talk about the project and how she’s trying to make classical music safer moving forward.
The legendary singer Art Garfunkel made his name with Paul Simon in the celebrated folk duo Simon & Garfunkel. Now, he and his son, Art Garfunkel Jr., have released their first collaborative album, fittingly titled “Father and Son,” which reimagines some of their favourite songs. Dubbing themselves Garfunkel & Garfunkel, the father-son duo join Tom Power to discuss their collaboration. Plus, Art Sr. opens up about his recent reconciliation with Paul Simon.
The Canadian indie rock/shoegaze band Ombiigizi is a collaboration between Anishnaabe artists Adam Sturgeon (Status/Non Status) and Daniel Monkman (Zoon). Adam joins Tom Power to break down the title track off their new album, “Shame,” and what they find helpful about embracing and interacting with negative emotions.
Waxahatchee is the solo project of the American singer-songwriter Katie Crutchfield. Last year, around the release of her sixth record, “Tigers Blood,” she joined Tom Power to look back on her career and music. She discusses her early days making punk music with her twin sister, how her 2020 album “Saint Cloud” became the soundtrack to the pandemic for many, and how she learned to trust her instincts and lean all the way into her Americana-inspired sound when it came to her latest record.
Sometime in her 30s, the award-winning Canadian theatre actor and writer Haley McGee started thinking about death. Was she making the best use of her time on Earth? And could being more aware of death help her live life to the fullest? Last year, Haley sat down with Tom Power to talk about her acclaimed solo show, “Age is a Feeling,” which sets out to answer those questions.
Bill T. Jones is a renowned dancer and choreographer whose work looks at race, death, mortality, grief and sexuality. In the late ‘80s, he visited clinics full of terminally ill patients — some of whom were just weeks away from passing — and created compelling dance pieces based on their movements. Last year, while he was in Toronto to give a talk at the Art Gallery of Ontario about his work with the late Keith Haring, Bill sat down with Tom Power to reflect on his incredible life in dance, the power of movement to reflect and question the world we live in, and why he sees himself as "one who has survived.”
Unlike a lot of other gold medallists at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Phil Wizard didn't grow up dreaming of becoming an Olympian. The Vancouver-based breakdancer sits down with Tom to reflect on his big win and why his personal motto is to “think like an artist, but train like an athlete.”
As a filmmaker, Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather, Apocalypse Now) is legendary for his vision, drive and propensity to risk it all. This year, he put it all on the line once again for his latest film, “Megalopolis” — a Roman epic set against the backdrop of New York City. We revisit Tom Power’s wide-ranging interview with the acclaimed auteur about why he doesn’t want “Megalopolis” to be called a passion project, how making his masterpiece “The Godfather” turned his life upside down, and why he always ends up becoming the characters in his films.
When the singer and composer Arooj Aftab released her 2021 album “Vulture Prince,” she gained fans like Barack Obama, Elvis Costello and Caroline Polachek. That album also earned her a Grammy for best global music performance. Now, Arooj is back with her fourth studio album, “Night Reign.” She joins Tom to tell us about her journey in music, her fascination with the night, and what it was like going viral before that was really a thing.
You might know Nava Mau as the breakout star of the hit Netflix series “Baby Reindeer,” for which she earned an Emmy nomination for outstanding supporting actress. That adds her to a very short list of trans actors to receive an Emmy nod. Nava joined guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about “Baby Reindeer,” how her work helping LGBTQ+ survivors of violence has made her nomination extra meaningful, and why trans representation is so important.
Sean Wang is an Oscar-nominated filmmaker who released his debut feature film, “Dìdi,” earlier this year. It’s a coming-of-age story in the tradition of movies like “Stand by Me,” but told from the perspective of a young Asian American boy in Northern California. Sean talks to guest host Talia Schlanger about the film, and what he learned about himself and his immigrant mom while making it.
The Canadian actor Victor Garber (Titanic, Legally Blonde, Alias) has enjoyed an incredible career on stage and screen. Back in October, he was honoured with a lifetime achievement award from the Forest City Film Festival — but he says there’s still at least one more thing he wants to accomplish. Victor sat down with Tom Power for a career-spanning chat about his time in the successful sunshine pop group The Sugar Shoppe, his starring role as Jesus Christ in the legendary Canadian production of “Godspell,” his iconic supporting role in James Cameron’s “Titanic,” and why he hopes his big film break is yet to come.
The Canadian actor and singer Maisy Stella stars alongside Aubrey Plaza in “My Old Ass.” It’s a new coming-of-age movie about a teenager named Elliott who comes face-to-face with her 39-year-old self during a mushroom trip on her 18th birthday. Maisy joined guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about her big-screen debut, what it’s like playing someone going through a major transition, and how she manifested her role in this movie.
In 1983, in the midst of the Cold War, Arthur Miller went to China to direct a Mandarin version of his famous play “Death of a Salesman.” Despite some hurdles, the production ended up being a touchstone moment in Chinese-American cultural relations. Now, a new play called "Salesman in China" tells the story of the American playwright's incredibly high-stakes collaboration with the Chinese artist Ying Ruocheng. This past summer, Jovanni Sy, the director and co-writer of "Salesman in China," joined guest host Talia Schlanger to tell us more.
In the late ‘80s, Paula Abdul helped define what a pop star could be, from dance to music to performance. If you were watching music videos at that time, you would have seen her on your screen. If you weren’t around for that, you may remember her as one of the original judges on “American Idol” from 2002 to 2009. Back in September, Paula sat down with guest host Talia Schlanger to reflect on how she was discovered by the Jackson family, what it was like choreographing for some of the biggest superstars in the world while she was still a cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers, and her philosophy as a mentor.
What’s our individual responsibility when we see atrocities happening in our world? That question is the central premise of the film “Small Things Like These,” which sheds light on Ireland’s infamous Magdalene laundries. Set in a small Irish town in 1985, the film stars Cillian Murphy as Bill Furlong, a coal merchant and father of five girls who discovers that the local convent in his community is forcing the young women in their care to live under inhumane conditions. We revisit Cillian’s conversation with Tom Power about the film, why he didn't want to portray his character as a hero, and what life has been like for him after winning an Oscar for “Oppenheimer” earlier this year.
The textile artist Hangama Amiri is known around the world for making masterpieces out of fabric. A lot of that fabric is from a home she was forced to leave. Hangama was seven years old when the Taliban seized control of Kabul in 1996. Years later, after fleeing Afghanistan and settling in Canada with her family, she started stitching together her memories of home. We revisit Hangama’s conversation with Tom Power about her work, the Afghan store where she buys her materials, and what home means to her these days.
The Canadian rapper, singer-songwriter and producer k-os is kind of like the Forrest Gump of popular music — he’s been everywhere. Earlier this year, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his smash hit album “Joyful Rebellion,” k-os sat down with Tom Power to share some wild stories from his life and career, like the time he hung out with Prince.
Last year, Brenda Lee’s iconic holiday song “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” turned 65. We revisit Tom Power’s conversation with Brenda about the song, how she was just 13 when she recorded it, and how the movie “Home Alone” changed its popularity.
As a visionary director and self-professed loner, Tim Burton has spent decades channelling the angst and loneliness he felt as a child into hit movies like “Edward Scissorhands” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” But it was his outlandish 1988 movie “Beetlejuice” that set his career into motion and proved to Hollywood that being weird was an asset, not a problem. This year, 36 years after the original “Beetlejuice,” the film’s long-awaited sequel, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” has finally hit theatres. Tim joined guest host Talia Schlanger to discuss the new movie, how it helped him rediscover his love of filmmaking after a creative slump, and his on-again, off-again relationship with Disney.
Though she’s been called Canada’s original cowboy punk, k.d. lang has had a long and complex relationship with country music. When she got her start as a singer in Edmonton, she didn’t fit the mold of what people thought a country artist should be. Earlier this year, k.d. was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame. She joined guest host Talia Schlanger to reflect on her history with the genre, from her early days channelling Patsy Cline to her thoughts on country music today.
After a crazy few years, Omar Apollo returned with his sophomore album, “God Said No,” this past summer. It was inspired by a bad breakup that he says left him feeling like he hit “rock bottom.” A few months ago, Omar sat down with Tom Power for the second time to talk about transforming his sadness into music, making his acting debut in Luca Guadagnino’s film “Queer,” and launching a new hot sauce.
A few months ago, a new podcast and radio show called “Bookends” premiered on CBC. It’s hosted by Mattea Roach, the Canadian “Jeopardy!” champion who held a 23-game winning streak a few years ago. Right before the show’s debut, Mattea sat down with Tom Power to tell us a bit about “Bookends” and what they were most looking forward to. Plus, they shared the correct strategy for wagering on a Daily Double.
The director Robert Eggers (The Lighthouse, The Witch) has been fascinated and haunted by the shadowy form of Nosferatu since he was a kid. Now, he’s brought his take on “Nosferatu” back to the screen with his long-anticipated remake of the same name, which stars Lily-Rose Depp, Nicholas Hoult, Willem Dafoe and Bill Skarsgård. Robert joins Tom Power to discuss the film and why he wanted to bring this gothic horror tale back to life.
The Canadian actor Lauren Collins became famous for playing a gutsy, outspoken high school student on "Degrassi: The Next Generation.” But now as she approaches her 40s, she’s matured into roles that portray women with new kinds of problems, such as when to have a baby, how not to work so much, and what to do about the ghost of your mother who won’t shut up. Lauren sits down with Tom Power to talk about her new show, “My Dead Mom,” and how it strikes the perfect balance between anger, humour, grief and the conflicting emotions around losing a parent who drove you crazy.
For 20 seasons, National Ballet of Canada principal dancer Heather Ogden has been performing the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy in the enduring holiday classic “The Nutcracker.” Heather sits down with Tom Power to talk about the magic and opulence of this production — and what makes the Sugar Plum Fairy’s solo so tricky. Plus, she makes a special announcement about an upcoming National Ballet of Canada production of “Swan Lake.”
Suki Waterhouse is best known as a model and actor, but she’s had a quiet passion for music since she was a kid. After starring in the hit show “Daisy Jones & The Six,” which is about a band finding success in the ‘70s, she was inspired to finally pursue a career in music. Suki joins Tom Power to talk about her career pivot and her new album, “Memoir of a Sparklemuffin.”
Lin-Manuel Miranda changed the face of Broadway forever when he wrote the musical “Hamilton.” Now, he’s bringing his talent back to the screen with Disney’s upcoming film “Mufasa: The Lion King.” Lin joins Tom Power to talk about why we can’t get enough of “The Lion King,” how the wild success of “Hamilton” changed his life, and what he thinks about the state of Broadway today.
From playing bars in Saskatoon to arenas around the world, the Canadian rock band The Sheepdogs have come a long way in two decades. To mark their 20th anniversary as a band, lead singer Ewan Currie joins Tom Power to talk about what it means to have longevity in rock and roll — and why the band couldn’t resist making a holiday song.
This year, decades after re-establishing herself as a solo artist, Cher was finally recognized by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. She’s also just released a new book, “Cher: The Memoir,” which is the first of a two-part autobiography that covers her start in music from 1946 to 1976. In this conversation with Tom Power, Cher tells us her story of growing up with a mother who wanted to be a star herself, how she found out she could sing, and why behind the scenes Sonny & Cher was not at all what you saw on TV.
The acclaimed tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain has died at age 73. Last year, he was in Toronto for his show “Masters of Percussion” at Massey Hall. Just before that concert, he spoke to Tom Power about his life in music, from his most notable collaborations to the life advice he got from the late George Harrison. In tribute, we revisit that conversation.
Michael Healey’s award-winning play “The Master Plan” is a biting satire about the Sidewalk Labs fiasco in Toronto, when the Google sister company attempted to build a smart city in an underdeveloped neighbourhood on the city’s waterfront. It’s based on the book “Sideways: The City Google Couldn't Buy” by tech reporter Josh O’Kane, and it’s now being remounted at the Soulpepper Theatre in Toronto. Michael joins Tom Power to talk about the play and the clash of Big Tech and municipal politics. Plus, he reflects on his life in theatre, from the success of “The Drawer Boy” to the controversy around “Proud,” his satirical play about Stephen Harper.
The Canadian pianist D.D. Jackson got an unusual request during the pandemic: his old friend, Canada’s former poet laureate George Elliott Clarke, asked him to turn a poem he had written for his daughter into a song. That led to a whole project in which George sent D.D. different works by Canadian poets for D.D. to transform into music. The result of their collaboration is a new album called “Poetry Project.” D.D. and George join Tom Power to talk about the album and set up a song from it.
It’s been eight years since Gwen Stefani has released an album. Following a very public divorce, she needed some time to heal, pick up the pieces of her life and find her voice again. Now, after some time away from music, she’s back with her fifth studio album, “Bouquet.” Gwen joins Tom Power to talk about the record, her time in No Doubt, and finding real love for what she says might be the first time.
Densil McFarlane, the lead singer of the Canadian punk rock band The OBGMs, felt like he was in a rut, so he decided to seek out therapy. That decision opened up a whole new world that he explores on his band’s new album, “Sorry, It’s Over.” Densil sits down with guest host Saroja Coelho to chat about the album and what he learned about being vulnerable in his art.
The hip-hop duo Snotty Nose Rez Kids are back with their sixth studio album (and first on a major label), “Red Future.” Yung Trybez and Young D join Tom Power to talk about the concept of Indigenous Futurism, riding the line between serious subject matter and levity, and why they believe this record is their magnum opus.
The director Jane Schoenbrun first became known for their 2021 movie “We're All Going to the World's Fair,” which tapped into a teenaged fascination with the culture of viral memes. Jane’s latest film, “I Saw the TV Glow,” follows two suburban teens who get emotionally enmeshed in a fictional ‘90s TV show called “The Pink Opaque.” The result is a moody investigation of identity, growing up and making decisions about who you want to be. “I Saw the TV Glow” was recently nominated for six Spirit Awards, including best feature and best director. We revisit Tom Power’s conversation with Jane about the film, how it relates to transness and their own experience getting intertwined in TV shows as they grew up.
It’s been more than 25 years since the Swedish hardcore punk band Refused released their seminal album, “The Shape of Punk to Come.” Their most famous song from that album, “New Noise,” has been called a political anthem and a protest song. It’s been used in the Palme d'Or'-winning film “Triangle of Sadness” as well as in the hit show “The Bear.” Frontman Dennis Lyxzén of Refused joins Tom Power to tell us how “New Noise” became a global hit after the band had already called it quits.
Nikki Giovanni carved out a revolutionary legacy during the civil rights era with poems that uplifted the experiences of Black Americans. On Monday, she died at age 81, following her third cancer diagnosis. We revisit Tom Power’s conversation with the iconic poet from earlier in the year when she discussed her involvement in the birth of hip-hop, why artists should go to space, and how she packed a club full of 100 people that included guests like Morgan Freeman and Nina Simone.
The British-Turkish writer Elif Shafak has written over a dozen novels, many of which have been translated to nearly 60 languages. She’s often credited as being the most-read female novelist in Turkey. Elif joins Tom to talk about the importance of water in her latest novel There are Rivers in the Sky, the transformational power of literature, and what being prosecuted for her work has taught her about freedom of expression.
Toronto rapper Clairmont the Second talks to Tom about his experience of loss and paranoia on his brand new album “They Said it Would Rain,” and how despite the challenges he’s faced in recent years, his record ends in triumph.
Canadian folk musician Valdy has been making music and criss-crossing the country for over 50 years. Valdy has 16 albums to his name, sold over half a million records and received the Order of Canada and two Junos. Valdy joins Tom in the Q studio to talk about his iconic 1972 hit “Rock and Roll Song,” what keeps him playing almost 200 shows per year at the age of 79 and his political and social activism.
Patrick Nichols has been photographing Toronto’s hip-hop artists for decades. His latest photo, “A Great Day in Toronto Hip Hop,” features 103 key players from the scene captured all in one place. It’s just been put on display in the Art Gallery of Ontario’s new exhibit, “The Culture: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century.” Patrick sits down with Tom Power to talk about the photograph, trading in a turntable for a camera, and his life in photography and hip-hop.
Margo Martindale is no stranger to playing dangerous women, whether it be a KGB agent on “The Americans” or the matriarch of a crime family on “Justified.” She now turns her talents to another dangerous woman: Ruth Landry, a maple syrup farmer in rural Quebec who decides to pull an $18 million maple syrup heist in “The Sticky,” a new series based on a true story. She tells Tom Power about how she used her childhood in rural Texas to inspire her portrayal of Ruth and what it was like to speak French.
When Michael Ross Albert recently bought a condo in Toronto, he realized that the dream of homeownership is more like a nightmare. The Canadian playwright was inspired by his own and his friends’ experiences of homeownership to write his new play, “The Bidding War.” The dark comedy chronicles several Torontonians trying to purchase the “last nice home” in the city. He joins Tom Power in the Q studio to discuss why our senses of hope and ambition get wrapped up into the search for a home and the current housing crisis that so many Canadians are facing.
When Scottish actor Alan Cumming read the script for the Canadian movie “Drive Back Home,” he really connected to the character of Perley, a New Brunswick-born ad man living in Toronto in the 1970s. Despite the obvious differences, the character, like Alan, was abused by his father when he showed early signs of his queerness. Alan joins Tom Power to chat about what it’s like to act out scenes so close to home, in a land very far from his own.
Julian Taylor is back with a new album, “Pathways.” The Toronto singer-songwriter needed to go inward to make this new album, writing songs about the realities of being a musician and reflecting on his experiences of being dropped by a label when he was younger. Julian drops by the Q studio to tell Tom Power about his ups-and-downs in the music industry, what was on his mind when making the new album, and to set up a song.
The comedian Taylor Tomlinson grew up in a religious household, so her very first stand-up performances were on the Christian comedy circuit. But after she got fired from a church gig because of a joke she told, she started branching out her comedy. Now, she’s one of the biggest comics in the world, the host of “After Midnight” on CBS, and she’s just released her latest comedy special, “Have it All.” Taylor joins Tom Power to talk about her early stand-up days and what it’s like being the only woman currently working in late-night television.
Ryan Ofei is a Canadian artist who grew up singing in the church, but due to feeling like an outsider, he abandoned his passion for Christian music in favour of R&B. After a near-death experience made him re-evaluate his life and values, Ryan found his way back to writing about his relationship with God, and since then has gone on to win a Grammy for his work. He joins Tom Power to talk about his debut album, “Restore,” and why he wants to make Christian music a little bit more accessible.
The comedian Fortune Feimster is back with a new Netflix comedy special, “Crushing It,” which debuts today. In this conversation with Tom Power, Fortune tells us how she discovered her passion for comedy, how Chelsea Handler gave her her first big break in Hollywood, and what she thinks about being described as a “joyful” comedian.
The Quebec singer-songwriter Klô Pelgag has gone through some big changes since being shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize in 2021. She wrote her latest album, “Abracadabra,” after becoming a mother for the first time, which completely changed her relationship to music and the world. Klô joins Tom Power to discuss how she’s rediscovering herself as an artist. Plus, she sets up a song called “Lettre à une jeune poète” and talks about the challenges of being a francophone musician in Canada.
John Adams (Nixon In China, Doctor Atomic) is a Pulitzer and Grammy-winning composer who’s one of the biggest living names in the world of opera and classical music. He’s helped give opera a more contemporary lens by steering his work toward big political events in modern history. His latest opera, “Girls of the Golden West,” looks at the California Gold Rush, and it was recently nominated for two Grammys. John joins Tom Power to discuss his decades-long career in music, his Pulitzer Prize-winning composition inspired by 9/11, and what role he thinks classical music can play when it comes to telling contemporary stories.
The actor Allan Louis has stepped into the role of Henry Higgins in the beloved Broadway musical “My Fair Lady,” which is on now at the Shaw Festival in Ontario. Allan took over the role from another actor earlier this fall. He joins Tom Power to talk about his transition from understudy to leading man, and how the character of Henry Higgins changes when a Black actor takes on the role.
The Mohawk artist Shelley Niro was inspired to professionally pursue art after seeing prints of Norval Morrisseau's work on the wall at her dentist’s office. Now, she has two prestigious Canadian contemporary art awards under her belt (the Governor General's Award in Visual and Media Arts and the Scotiabank Photography Award) and she’s celebrating her first major career retrospective, “500 Year Itch,” at the Vancouver Art Gallery. Shelley joins Tom Power to talk about the show, how her work uses pop culture and satire to puncture stereotypes about Indigenous people, and how she developed her unique sense of humour.
Jeremie Albino is one of the most soulful voices in Canada right now. He grew up in Scarborough, Ont., but spent many years in rural parts of Ontario and Quebec, where he focused on his dual passions for farming and music. While he still has a green thumb, music kind of won out in the end. His new album, “Our Time in the Sun,” was produced by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys who brought in some of Nashville’s best musicians to help out. Jeremie sits down with Tom Power to talk about the record and to set up his song “So Many Ways To Say I Love You.”
The American fashion designer Anna Sui helped create and define the styles that we now associate with ‘90s fashion. Widely regarded as a visionary and a trailblazer, Anna is known for her incredibly thoughtful yet whimsical designs that draw inspiration anywhere from Pre-Raphaelite art to Agatha Christie novels to coral reefs. She joins Tom Power to discuss some of her career highlights from that golden era, her lasting influence on the ‘90s aesthetic, and her new collaboration with Fluevog Shoes.
Three years after the release of her acclaimed debut album, “Anything Can’t Happen,” the Canadian singer-songwriter Dorothea Paas has returned with a brand new record, “Think of Mist.” She sits down with guest host Talia Schlanger to set up a song from the album.
For the last two decades, the artist and author Oliver Jeffers has created children’s books, such as “How to Catch a Star” and his latest book “Where to Hide a Star,” that have become staples in homes around the world. Oliver joins Tom Power to talk about his new book and how growing up amid the conflict in Northern Ireland gave him his life's mission to change the stories we tell.
When you read about a global climate summit in the news, you probably don't see a lot about Jenga. But at this year’s UN Biodiversity Conference (also known as COP16), the Canadian artist Benjamin Von Wong unveiled a provocative large-scale art installation called “Biodiversity Jenga,” which really got people thinking about climate change. Some of Benjamin’s past work includes giant skulls made of electronic waste and a massive structure made of drinking straws. His work is accessible, whimsical and in-your-face. Benjamin talks to Tom Power about his latest installation, his “clickbait approach” to activist art, and why he believes art is a key player in the survival of our planet.
More than 20 years ago, Paris Hilton started building an entertainment empire that went hand in hand with her reputation for being a ditzy blonde heiress. But that wasn’t her true self — it was a character she played in public as a trauma response. Now, she’s dropped the character and is showing the public the real her. In this conversation with guest host Talia Schlanger, Paris opens up about her mental health struggle and the abuse she faced at a boarding school for troubled teens. Plus, she talks about making her return to music with her new album, “Infinite Icon,” and reuniting with Nicole Richie to celebrate 20 years of “The Simple Life.”
Tokyo Police Club started as a high school band in an Ontario suburb, but it didn’t take long for them to become Canadian indie rock darlings. Now, after nearly 20 years together, Tokyo Police Club is calling it quits. Dave Monks and Graham Wright from the band sit down with Tom Power to tell us how they’re feeling as they head into their final shows this week.
The actor Henry Winkler spent 11 seasons playing The Fonz on “Happy Days,” and for much of that time, he was struggling with an undiagnosed learning disability. He only realized he had dyslexia at age 31, when his stepson was diagnosed. Now, Henry is a prolific children’s author who’s helping kids who have trouble with literacy. He joins Tom Power to talk about the latest book in his “Detective Duck” series, the shame he felt as an actor who struggled with reading, and what happens when you admit you need help.
At this year’s Cannes Film Festival, the director Payal Kapadia won the prestigious Grand Prix award for her debut narrative feature, “All We Imagine as Light.” It’s one of the buzziest films of the year and the first Indian film in 30 years to compete at Cannes. The story centres around three women who are each living and working in Mumbai. Though they’re all financially independent, they’re not free from the expectations of what it means to be women in a patriarchal society. Payal joins guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about making a film that celebrates female friendship, how she addressed some of her own biases against women in the film, and how she feels about it not being selected to represent India at the next Oscars.
Malcolm Washington knows a thing or two about legacy. As the youngest son of Denzel and Pauletta Washington, he grew up in a movie-making family of actors, directors and producers. Now, Malcolm is entering the family business with his debut feature film, “The Piano Lesson,” which is an adaptation of the revered August Wilson play of the same name. It’s about what we pass on from one generation to another and the legacy we leave. Malcolm sits down with Tom Power to discuss his directorial debut, how he personally connected with the story’s themes of legacy, and what it’s like to carve out your own path when your father is a truly legendary actor.
Whether you call it naan, roti, lavash or tortilla, flatbread represents our cultures and traditions, showing us how food can unite us across borders. It's for that reason that the Canadian artist Sameer Farooq believes that flatbread belongs in a museum. His latest project, “Flatbread Library,” is a large-scale sculpture that indexes flatbread from different regions, sourced from bakeries around Toronto. Sameer sits down with Tom Power to tell us how a trip to Pakistan sparked the idea for the project, why bakers are the best sculptors, and how “Flatbread Library” challenges what we typically see in museums.
As a cinematographer, director and producer, Barry Sonnenfeld (Men in Black, The Addams Family, Get Shorty) has done a lot in the world of film and TV. Last month, he released his second memoir, “Best Possible Place, Worst Possible Time,” which is full of candid stories from his blockbuster career. Barry joins Tom Power to share some of those Hollywood stories, including the unique challenges of directing Michael Jackson on “Men In Black II” and the time he fired Donald Trump off of a Macy’s commercial. Plus, he tells us why he became a Canadian permanent resident in 2016.
Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas is a Haida artist who’s considered the father of Haida manga — a distinct style that combines the traditional art of his culture with contemporary Japanese comic book storytelling. His work explores themes of cultural identity, environmentalism and colonialism, while making it accessible in the graphic novel form. Michael sits down with guest host Talia Schlanger to discuss Haida manga and his new exhibit, “Diaries After a Flood,” which is on now at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Toronto.
People don’t think Graham Isador is losing his sight. They think he’s an asshole.
Short Sighted is an attempt to explain what vision loss feels like by exploring how it sounds.
Written and hosted by master storyteller Graham Isador, the show’s mini episodes are an intimate and irreverent look at accessibility and its personal impacts.
Get lost in someone else’s life. From a mysterious childhood spent on the run, to a courageous escape from domestic violence, each season of Personally invites you to explore the human experience in all its complexity, one story — or season — at a time. This is what it sounds like to be human.
More episodes of Personally are available at: https://link.chtbl.com/6dEWdP7z
Leon Bridges is back with his fourth studio album, “Leon.” It’s a moving collection of 13 songs that take a look at the place that shaped him as a person and as an artist: his home of Fort Worth, Texas. Leon joins Tom Power to reflect on his supersonic rise to fame after the release of his debut album, his evolving relationship with his faith and how that shows up in his music, and why Fort Worth is such a meaningful place to him.
Graham Isador is a Canadian writer and playwright who’s living with a degenerative eye disease called keratoconus, which means he’s losing his sight. But since there’s no obvious sign of it, people don’t always believe him. His new project, “Short Sighted,” started as a one-man play and is now a five-part podcast series that explains what it’s really like for him to lose his vision. Graham joins guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about the project and what he’s learned about himself along the way.
It's not uncommon for big musical artists to take a break in between albums, but it is uncommon for them to use that break to go to Harvard Divinity School. That's exactly what Maggie Rogers did a few years ago at the height of her success. She sits down with Tom Power to talk about that decision, how she applied her theological studies to her work as a singer-songwriter, and how trusting her instincts and prioritizing fun on her latest album, “Don’t Forget Me,” changed her approach to songwriting.
As one of Bono and Ali Hewson’s four children, Eve Hewson (The Perfect Couple, Flora and Son, The Knick) might be as close to Irish royalty as you can get. But she’s also managed to carve out her own path in acting. While she has a few high-profile Hollywood films in the works, it’s the Irish stories, like the Emmy-nominated black comedy series “Bad Sisters,” that she holds closest to her heart. Eve talks to Tom Power about where that Irish pride comes from and what drew her to her latest role in “Bad Sisters,” which is back for Season 2.
Samuel D. Hunter is the award-winning playwright and screenwriter behind “The Whale.” His latest play, “A Case for the Existence of God,” is about an unlikely friendship between two men who have one thing in common: they’re single fathers of young daughters. Samuel was inspired to write the play after he adopted his own daughter and realized that as a parent he no longer had "the luxury of being cynical.” He joins guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about the play, and why he puts so much of himself in his work.
Mike Burkett, also known as Fat Mike, is the lead singer and bassist of NOFX, which is not only one of the most influential and successful punk bands of all time, but also one of the longest-serving. They’ve been together for 41 years, but just last month, it all came to an end when they wrapped up the last few shows on their final tour. In this chat with guest host Talia Schlanger, Mike opens up about how it feels to say goodbye, what he regrets, and what he calls his “desperate need for validation.”
The Canadian singer-songwriter and musician Logan Staats has had one heck of a month. He performed alongside Eric Clapton, Taj Mahal and Allison Russell at a Robbie Robertson tribute concert in Los Angeles, and then he took part in the inaugural Reverie Indigenous Music Residency presented by CBC and the SOCAN Foundation. Ahead of a special performance at Massey Hall in Toronto, Logan sits down with guest host Talia Schlanger to tell the story behind his new song “Deadman” off his latest record.
Anna Marie Tendler is a multidisciplinary artist known for her evocative self-portraits that explore grief and isolation. In 2021, following her high-profile divorce with comedian John Mulaney, Anna checked herself into a psychiatric facility, seeking treatment for self-harm and suicidal ideation. She details that experience in her new memoir, “Men Have Called Her Crazy,” which is her reintroduction to the world as an artist on her own terms. Anna joins guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about her mental health journey, how photography kept her grounded and why she chose to leave her ex-husband out of the book.
Before he started working on his new album, the rapper Tristan Grant (also known as Wolf Castle) suffered a concussion following a skateboarding accident. The long recovery process got him thinking about his life and the man he wants to be. Tristan sits down with Tom Power to talk about that personal growth journey, and how it impacted his latest record, “Waiting for the Dawn.”
What’s our individual responsibility when we see atrocities happening in our world? That question is the central premise of the new film “Small Things Like These,” which sheds light on Ireland’s infamous Magdalene laundries. Set in a small Irish town in 1985, the film stars Cillian Murphy as Bill Furlong, a coal merchant and father of five girls who discovers that the local convent in his community is forcing the young women in their care to live under inhumane conditions. Cillian joins Tom Power to talk about the film, why he didn't want to portray his character as a hero, and what life has been like for him after winning an Oscar for “Oppenheimer” earlier this year.
Before making her name as a singer-songwriter, Jennifer Castle worked at a restaurant in Toronto with celebrity chef and restaurateur Matty Matheson. Now, nearly 20 years later, Matty is an executive producer and actor on the hit series “The Bear” and Jennifer has a song featured in Season 3. She joins Tom Power to talk about waiting tables in her 20s, reuniting with her old friend, and her new song, “Blowing Kisses.”
The Oscar-winning British film director Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave, Shame) is renowned for his cinematic portrayals of difficult realities. His latest film, “Blitz,” is a war drama that follows George, a young Black boy living in London during the Blitz — Germany’s bombing campaign against the U.K. during the Second World War. Steve joins Tom Power to talk about the film and why he thinks this story matters in 2024.
Naomi Snieckus and Matt Baram are a married Canadian comedy duo who have teamed up to create a new stage show called “Big Stuff.” It’s part storytelling, part duo stand-up and part improvised — but most importantly, it’s a personal reflection on the treasured keepsakes and unresolved emotions that are left behind when we lose someone we love. Naomi and Matt join Tom Power to tell us more about the show and what inspired it.
For decades, the Canadian visual artist Marcel Dzama has been attracting attention for his drawings, films, sculptures and installations. Earlier this year, Tom Power spoke with the Brooklyn-based artist about his new solo show, “Ghosts of Canoe Lake,” which opened at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Ontario. Now, the exhibit is making its way to Marcel’s hometown of Winnipeg at the gallery where he got his first big break, the Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art. In this conversation, Marcel talks about his work, his newfound appreciation for Canadian artist Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven, and how losing his earliest work in a fire allowed him to feel more freedom as an artist.
Back in April, the award-winning Canadian writer Ian Williams was named this year’s Massey lecturer. Since 1961, the Massey Lectures have invited distinguished writers, thinkers and scholars to present their ideas in a five-part lecture series across Canada. In this conversation with Tom Power, Ian tells us how to have better conversations with one another, why it’s important to have difficult conversations even at the risk of offending people, and how listening can be a courageous thing to do.
Sean Baker (Tangerine, The Florida Project, Red Rocket) is an award-winning filmmaker whose work often explores the lives of people living on the fringes. His latest film, “Anora,” follows a sex worker who quits her job after a whirlwind romance with a Russian billionaire, but soon realizes her fairytale ending isn’t all she’d hoped. Sean joins Tom Power to tell us why this story spoke to him, how a Canadian sex worker’s memoir helped shape the film, and what it felt like to win the prestigious Palme d'Or at this year's Cannes Film Festival — a dream he’s had forever.
The Juno-winning Canadian jazz singer and pianist Laila Biali is back with a new album, “Wintersongs,” which was inspired by some time she spent in Banff. She says the album brings her back to her roots as a classical pianist — a path that was cut short after a car accident changed her life at 15. Laila sits down with Tom Power to talk about the record, how it blends different sides of herself, and a difficult new challenge she’s facing in both her life and music.
If you’ve ever thought it was too late for you to try something new, you should listen to Sindhu Vee. She’s one of the most talked-about comics in the U.K. right now, but just a few years ago, she was an investment banker who was trying to figure out what to do with her life after having kids. Sindhu joins Tom Power to tell us how she got her start in comedy without ever having seen a live stand-up show, the strange similarities between investment banking and what she does now, and what attracted her to her new series, “The Pradeeps of Pittsburgh.”
The Canadian acting legend Saul Rubinek has returned to the stage to explore one of theatre’s most controversial characters: Shylock, the Jewish moneylender in Shakespeare’s comedy “The Merchant of Venice.” Saul stars as a fictionalized version of himself in Canadian Stage’s new production of “Playing Shylock,” which takes a poignant yet comedic look at cancel culture, representation and anti-Semitism. But for Saul, it’s about more than that — it’s about keeping an audience “off balance.” He sits down with Tom Power to talk about the play, and how “Q” actually ended up influencing the production.
When the award-winning author Jason Reynolds was visiting a juvenile detention centre, he asked what kind of books young boys checked out the most. The answer really surprised him: romance novels. Jason realized that young men have a real hunger to learn about love, sensitivity and intimacy. That sparked the idea for his latest book, "Twenty-Four Seconds from Now,” which follows a Black teen boy who’s about to have sex with his girlfriend for the first time. Jason joins Tom Power to talk about the book and how he’s writing the stories he wishes he had growing up.
One of the most famous tenors in the world, Andrea Bocelli, is celebrating three decades in music. In addition to a concert film and a new album called “Duets,” he’s the subject of a new documentary about his life, “Because I Believe.” It traces his journey from a rural farming village in Tuscany to sold-out stadium concerts with tens of thousands of fans. Andrea joins Tom Power to discuss his journey, including how Luciano Pavarotti helped launch his career, his special friendship with Celine Dion, and which singers he looks up to the most.
After signing a major recording contract at age 12, Joanna "JoJo" Levesque shot to the top of the pop charts with hits like “Leave (Get Out)” and “Too Little, Too Late.” She was on track to become one of the biggest pop singers of the 2000s — and then she seemingly disappeared overnight. In this interview with Tom Power, JoJo opens up about the betrayals she endured as a child star, the label issues that derailed her promising career, and why she’s telling her story now in a new memoir called “Over the Influence.”
The Canadian rapper, singer-songwriter and producer k-os is kind of like the Forrest Gump of popular music — he’s been everywhere. On the 20th anniversary of his smash hit album “Joyful Rebellion,” k-os sits down with Tom Power to share some wild stories from his life and career, like the time he hung out with Prince and how he has Shaquille O'Neal to thank for his first hit in the U.S.
A few years ago, the musician Tia Wood moved to Los Angeles from her home of Saddle Lake Cree Nation in Alberta. Though she comes from a musical family (her mom is in a drum group, her sister is a Juno winner, and her dad is a founder of the award-winning group Northern Cree), Tia has managed to find her own sound. Now, she’s the first Indigenous woman to be signed to Sony Music Canada, and she’s just released her debut EP, “Pretty Red Bird.” She sits down with Tom Power to set up a song from the record.
When the Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist Lindsay Ell moved from Calgary to Nashville, she found success, but she didn’t feel like she was being her authentic self. So she took a risk, left her record label and started getting more personal in her music, opening up about her experience as a victim of sexual assault and her recovery from an eating disorder. Now, she’s released her new EP, “love myself,” which exudes joy and self-acceptance. Lindsay sits down with Tom Power to talk about her journey, from getting discovered by Randy Bachman as a teenager to breaking the boundaries of country music and finding her authentic voice.
The Canadian pop duo Tegan and Sara Quin have been in the public eye for more than 25 years, during which they’ve released 10 studio albums and sold more than a million records. But for nearly 15 years, they’ve been quietly grappling with an elaborate catfishing scheme that’s changed their lives, careers and relationships. Now, they’ve decided to go public about it in a new documentary, “Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan and Sara,” which explores fandom, parasocial relationships and celebrity. Tegan and Sara join Tom Power to share their story.
A few years ago, the Canadian musician Brendan McLeod and his band The Fugitives wrote a collection of songs inspired by the real-life experiences of soldiers who fought at the Battle of Vimy Ridge during the First World War. Now, The Fugitives are getting ready to perform those songs in a new stage show, “Ridge,” at the Firehall Hall Arts Centre in Vancouver. Brendan joins Tom Power to talk about the project and the significance of Canada's sacrifice at Vimy Ridge.
The actor, writer and comedian Jenny Slate (Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, Obvious Child) isn’t afraid to bare it all in projects that are vulnerable, frank and touching. In her whimsical new book of essays, “Lifeform,” Jenny writes about meeting her husband and having her first child during the pandemic. Jenny joins Tom Power to talk about the book and her thoughts on motherhood. Plus, she reads one of her essays for us.
William Stanford Davis is a veteran actor who waited 40 years until his dream of becoming a series regular finally became a reality. He’s the breakout star of the hit sitcom “Abbott Elementary,” on which he plays the school’s enigmatic janitor Mr. Johnson. William joins Tom Power to share how he landed the role at 70, what his story can tell us about persistence, and how he managed to keep the faith for decades while waiting for his big break.
Before her sudden death in 2023, Lisa Marie Presley was working on a memoir with the help of her eldest daughter, Riley Keough. After her passing, Riley took it upon herself to finish her mother’s project, relying on hours of audio tapes that Lisa Marie left behind. The result is the posthumous memoir “From Here to the Great Unknown,” which looks at what it was like to grow up in the whirlwind of celebrity around Elvis Presley and Graceland. Riley joins Tom Power to explain why she felt so strongly about finishing her mother’s story, plus, she reflects her own legacy as Elvis’ eldest granddaughter.
Elle Mills doesn’t want her life to be the product anymore. She was just a kid when she started posting zany videos about her life on YouTube, racking up millions of views in the process. But by 19, she was burnt out and tired of playing a character. By 24, she quit. Now, Elle has found a new love in directing. Her first short film, “Reply,” is up now on her YouTube channel (@ElleOfTheMills). She joins Tom Power to talk about the project, the real-life demands of virtual fame, and how to live a better life online.
When the Canadian chef Matty Matheson was growing up, first in Nova Scotia and later in Ontario, he liked going to punk shows, he didn’t do particularly well in school, and he didn’t think he was athletic or cool like his brothers. But once he moved to Toronto to study cooking, he discovered what he was great at. With no big plan or ambition, Matty became one of the best-known chefs and restaurateurs in the world. Not only are his restaurants packed every night, but his YouTube videos have hundreds of millions of views, he’s one of the executive producers of the Emmy-winning series “The Bear,” and he’s just released his third bestselling cookbook, “Soups, Salads, Sandwiches.” In a conversation with Tom Power recorded in front of a sold-out live audience, Matty shares his story and what he thinks you might be able to learn from it.
When Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws” came out nearly 50 years ago, the Toronto cartoonist Paul Gilligan (Pooch Café) remembers cowering in the theatre and having recurring nightmares about the movie’s animatronic shark. He was only 10 at the time, but his fear left him with countless questions about what it means to be a man. Ahead of the film’s 50th anniversary, Paul has released a new graphic memoir, “Boy vs. Shark.” He joins Tom Power to talk about the book, what he hopes anxious kids might get out of it, and how “Jaws” transformed an entire generation’s definition of manliness.
After rising to fame as the world’s highest-paid model in the early ‘80s, Isabella Rossellini broke away from convention with daring and experimental film roles in “Blue Velvet” and “Death Becomes Her.” In recent years, she’s continued to follow her instincts by opening up her own hobby farm and only choosing to pursue projects that challenge her, like her new film, “Conclave,” which lifts the curtain on the Vatican’s mysterious ceremony to elect a new pope. Isabella sits down with Tom Power to talk about the film, her early life growing up in Rome as the daughter of Ingrid Bergman and Roberto Rossellini, and how she got into the family business.
A year ago this month, Matthew Perry suffered a fatal ketamine overdose following a lifelong struggle with addiction. The news became a big Hollywood story, but it was a deeply personal tragedy for Matthew’s family. Tonight, in the actor’s hometown of Ottawa, his family and friends will launch the Matthew Perry Foundation of Canada to support people recovering from addiction. Matthew’s stepfather, the Canadian journalist Keith Morrison (Dateline NBC), joins Tom Power to reflect on his stepson’s life and the work his family is now carrying out in Matthew’s name.
Ali Abbasi is no stranger to controversy. The Iranian-Danish filmmaker garnered a huge backlash from the Iranian government with his 2022 film, “Holy Spider,” and now his latest film, “The Apprentice,” is ruffling the feathers of Donald Trump. There’s no evidence that the former president has seen the film, but he’s already threatening to sue. Ali joins Tom Power to talk about “The Apprentice,” the reaction to the film from all sides of the spectrum, and the risk he took to explore one of the world’s most controversial living figures.
Earlier this year, the Canadian singer-songwriter Billianne premiered her new single “Daydream” live on “The Today Show.” She joins Tom Power to talk about the song, her big network debut, and what it was like to find out Taylor Swift is a fan.
Céline Dion is having a moment. It’s not her first, and millions of fans are hoping it won’t be her last. While Céline’s international stardom seems obvious now, it was all so unlikely.
Now, as a rare illness threatens to retire Celine’s more-than-four-decade long career, in Céline: Understood culture writer Thomas Leblanc reveals the surprising cultural, political and business alchemy that created one of the most enduring superstars the planet has ever seen.
Understood is an anthology podcast that takes you out of the daily news cycle and inside the events, people, and cultural moments you want to know more about. Over a handful of episodes, each season unfolds as a story, hosted by a well-connected reporter, and rooted in journalism you can trust. Driven by insight and fueled by curiosity…The stories of our time: Understood.
More episodes of Understood are available at: https://lnk.to/CelineUnderstood
Kaniehtiio Horn (Letterkenny, Reservation Dogs, Alice, Darling) is making her feature-length directorial debut with her genre-bending horror film “Seeds.” She joins Tom Power in studio to talk about the challenge of not only being a first-time director, but writing and starring in her film, what she learned from the late visionary horror director Jeff Barnaby, and what makes the rez such a perfect setting for a horror movie.
Maev Beaty, the Dora-winning Canadian actor, is taking on the lead role in the Canadian Stage production of the hit Broadway one-person show “My Name is Lucy Barton.” The play is based on Elizabeth Strout’s bestselling Booker-nominated novel of the same name. Maev joins Tom Power in studio to talk about why she wanted to take on this 90-minute solo performance, the challenges of that as an actor, and why this play was having so much relevance for her right now in her private life.
Not many bands get a second chance, but Brooklyn’s Nada Surf are one of the lucky few. They hit it big with the mid-‘90s smash “Popular,” but only a couple of years later found themselves dropped by their record label. They grabbed their second chance and evolved into one of the great indie-pop bands of the last three decades. Lead singer-songwriter Matthew Caws drops by the studio to chat about second chances and their 10th album, “Moon Mirror.”
Torquil Campbell and Amy Milan of the Canadian indie-pop band Stars drop by the studio to discuss the 20th anniversary of their landmark album “Set Yourself on Fire,” including how it launched their career and soundtracked weddings and breakups.
Sean Baker’s Palme d'Or-winning film “Anora” is generating major Oscar buzz this year and its star, Mikey Madison (Scream, Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood), is already the talk of the town. The story follows a sex worker from Brooklyn who meets and marries the son of a Russian oligarch. But their fairytale romance is threatened after news of their shotgun wedding reaches his parents in Russia. Mikey sits down with Tom to talk about her deep research and preparation for the role, why she feels protective of her character, and how the film has changed her life.
In 2014, after a long battle with mental illness, Andy Jones's son Louis died by suicide at age 28. Now, the Newfoundland comedian has created a one-man play about his son and his life navigating the health-care system. He joins Tom to talk about the play, titled “Don't Give Up On Me, Dad,” and why he wanted to shine a light on his son’s mental health struggles.
The new romantic drama “We Live in Time,” starring Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield, is one of the most talked about films of the year. It’s about what it really takes to live a happy and fulfilled life. In this conversation from the Toronto International Film Festival, Florence tells Tom how “We Live in Time” made her rethink life’s big questions — like wanting children — and the surprising lessons she learned while working in a kitchen to prepare for the role.
Brothers Jae and Trey Richards are Canadian comedians who got their start making YouTube sketches about their lives. They even managed to catch Drake’s eye, which led to a few collaborations with the Toronto rapper. But when Jae and Trey were younger, before they found success, they had to spend a lot of time helping their dad as office movers at his company. That experience inspired the idea for their new Crave series, “The Office Movers.” Jae and Trey sit down with Tom to talk about the show, their early days as content creators, and how they only achieved massive success after they stopped trying to reach everyone.
Early in her career, Heather Graham (Drugstore Cowboy, Twin Peaks, Boogie Nights) was advised by a publicist not to discuss her estrangement from her parents. Now, she’s had the chance to open up about her family struggles with the release of a new romantic comedy that she wrote, directed and stars in. It’s called “Chosen Family” and it’s about recognizing the people who hold you up in life while setting boundaries with those who don’t. Heather joins Tom to talk about the film and the vulnerability required to make it.
The Reklaws are a Canadian brother and sister country duo who got their start performing on their family farm as kids. They’re known for making fun party music that can hype you and your friends up before a night on the town. But after losing their mom at the height of their success in 2022, they decided to open up about what was really going on behind the party. Their new EP, “Outliving (For Mom),” is a heartfelt tribute to their mother on what would have been her 60th birthday. Jenna and Stuart Walker of The Reklaws sit down with Tom to talk about honouring their mom’s legacy and finding healing through music.
In 1983, Cameron Crowe (Jerry Maguire, Vanilla Sky, Almost Famous) was an ambitious young music journalist who had just released his debut film: a documentary about Tom Petty, titled “Tom Petty: Heartbreakers Beach Party.” It aired once on MTV and was never seen again. Now, that lost documentary is arriving for the first time in cinemas. The Oscar-winning director joins Tom to discuss his first film, his early life as a rock journalist, his upcoming Joni Mitchell biopic, and how Neil Young was originally cast in “Almost Famous.”
The Calgary indie folk group Reuben and the Dark has teamed up with Bullhorn Singers, a drumming and singing group from the Kainai Blood Tribe, to make a new collaborative music project called Reuben and the Bullhorn Singers. They call their music the conversation that happens after truth and reconciliation. Reuben Bullock of Reuben and the Dark and Billy Wadsworth of Bullhorn Singers join Tom to tell us what that means. Plus, they set up their debut single, “Powerful.”
Jelly Roll’s origin story isn’t that of the average country singer-songwriter. While growing up in Nashville's Antioch neighbourhood in the ‘90s, Jelly Roll developed an interest in hip-hop music and learned to rap. But from 14 to 25, he began cycling in and out of prison for various offences, including some felony charges. In the years since getting out, he’s gone from rapping to singing, ultimately finding a home in country music. Jelly Roll sits down with Tom to share his incredible story.
Last November, the Toronto-based singer Tafari Anthony dropped his debut album, “When I Met Your Girlfriend.” The album’s title was inspired by a new experience he had with polyamory, as well as the loss of a supportive friend. Tafari joins Tom to share his story and to set up a song off the record called “Evermore.”
Cate Blanchett (Elizabeth, The Aviator, Tár) is one of the most respected actors of our time. She's an onscreen chameleon who transforms into whatever role she plays, taking on whatever accent is required of her, so much so that she says it’s easy to forget what she actually sounds like. Cate sits down with Tom for a thoughtful conversation about two of her most recent projects — the unique political satire “Rumours” and the psychological thriller series “Disclaimer” — plus, her voice work and how she chooses her roles.
Amanda Peters is a Nova Scotian writer of Mi’kmaq and European ancestry whose debut novel, “The Berry Pickers,” became one of the most talked about books in North America last year. Now, she’s back with a collection of short stories, titled “Waiting for the Long Night Moon.” The book touches on heavy topics like residential schools, the fight for the right to clean water, systemic racism and abuse, as well as intimate stories based on her own life as a white-passing Indigenous woman. Amanda sits down with Tom to talk about her literary success, the heaviness and joy in her new collection, and why she calls these stories her “training wheels.”
Tobias Jesso Jr. is a Grammy-winning Canadian musician from Vancouver who’s written pop hits for superstars like Adele, Harry Styles, Dua Lipa, and Florence and the Machine. Last month, he was honoured with the international achievement award at the SOCAN Awards. In a rare interview, Tobias tells Tom about striking out in L.A. early in his career, stepping away from the spotlight after releasing one of the most talked about debut albums of 2015, and how he got his first session as a professional songwriter working with Adele.
Unlike a lot of other gold medallists at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Phil Wizard didn't grow up dreaming of becoming an Olympian. The Vancouver-based breakdancer sits down with Tom to reflect on his big win and why his personal motto is to “think like an artist, but train like an athlete.”
It’s Oct. 11, 1975, and the cast and crew of “Saturday Night Live” are scrambling to get the very first episode on the air. Director Jason Reitman (Juno, Up in the Air, Ghostbusters: Afterlife) chronicles those chaotic 90 minutes in his new movie, “Saturday Night.” He sits down with Tom to talk about how spending a week writing for “SNL” inspired the film, what it took to capture the excitement and tension of that night, and how truly revolutionary “SNL” was for its time.
You know that old quote about how the road to hell is paved with good intentions? That pretty much sums up “The Thanksgiving Play” by Larissa FastHorse. It’s a cringe comedy that follows a group of well-meaning white theatre nerds as they desperately try to create a politically correct Thanksgiving show, without the guidance of an Indigenous person. Larissa joins Tom to talk about the inspiration for the play, performative activism in the theatre world, and how wanting to be seen as doing the right thing isn’t actually the same as doing the right thing.
As a self-described “image architect,” Law Roach is single-handedly responsible for styling Zendaya’s daring looks, as well as Celine Dion and Lindsay Lohan’s career comeback transformations. While he has no formal training, Law managed to become one of the most influential stylists in the world through sheer grit and instinct. Now, he’s released a new book, “How to Build a Fashion Icon,” which is both a memoir and a manual. Law joins Tom to tell us how thrifting with his grandmother helped him cultivate his style, how he rigged the “Who Wore It Best?” columns to put Zendaya on the map, and why he decided to announce his retirement at the height of his success.
Janelle Niles is a Black, Mi'kmaw, two-spirited comedian who’s been bringing her sharp humour to stages around Canada for the past few years. Now, she’s one of eight comedians featured in “Rez Comedy,” the first stand-up comedy film featuring all Indigenous Canadian comics. Janelle sits down with Tom to talk about the film and her life in comedy, from being the class clown in school to becoming a “progressive edgelord” on stage.
The Canadian actor Victor Garber (Titanic, Legally Blonde, Alias) has enjoyed an incredible career on stage and screen. This month, he’ll be honoured with a lifetime achievement award from the Forest City Film Festival — but there’s still at least one more thing he wants to accomplish. Victor sits down with Tom for a career-spanning chat about his time in the successful sunshine pop group The Sugar Shoppe, his starring role as Jesus Christ in the legendary Canadian production of “Godspell,” his iconic supporting role in James Cameron’s “Titanic,” and why he hopes his big film break is yet to come.
When the Montreal singer-songwriter Patrick Watson was tapped to write music for “So Long, Marianne” — a new scripted series about the romance between Leonard Cohen and Marianne Ihlen — he had to find a way to channel Leonard’s music without imitating his sound. Patrick ended up writing the theme song for the series and his involvement didn’t end there. He joins Tom to talk about his work on “So Long, Marianne” and his relationship with the late Canadian icon.
For many of his fans, Kelsey Grammer is inseparable from his character Dr. Frasier Crane, who first appeared on “Cheers” and later got his own spin-off, “Frasier.” Last year, the actor reprised the role in a reboot of “Frasier” that’s now in its second season. But Kelsey’s connection to his most famous character runs deeper than simple nostalgia. He opens up about how the cast of “Frasier” became his family after he suffered several personal tragedies, why he didn’t always feel welcomed on “Cheers,” and how he ended up voicing Sideshow Bob on “The Simpsons.”
After years of struggling with auditions, the Canadian actor Carrie-Anne Moss landed the role of a lifetime playing Trinity in “The Matrix.” In her latest movie, “Die Alone,” she plays Mae, a hardened and eccentric survivor of a pandemic that’s caused a zombie-like outbreak. Carrie-Ann talks to Tom about the film, how “The Matrix” changed her life, and how she managed to maneuver fame and the Hollywood system after getting that breakthrough role.
Lead singer Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend has been called a generational voice in indie rock. From the band’s iconic first singles “A-Punk” and “Oxford Comma” to their acclaimed follow-up albums “Contra” and “Modern Vampires of the City,” their music defined the mid-‘00s for millions of people. Now, Vampire Weekend is back with their fifth album, “Only God Was Above Us.” Ezra joins Tom in the Q studio to talk about the new record, the early days of the band, and what it’s like having Quincy Jones for a father-in-law.
Toronto’s Dylan Sinclair is a rising star on the Canadian R&B scene. Last year, he and singer Savannah Ré won a Juno for their collaboration, "Last One." Now, he’s released his highly anticipated debut album, “For the Boy In Me,” which is some of his most honest and vulnerable music yet. Dylan sits down with Tom to talk about the record, and how meditation and self-discovery tie into his sound.
On the hit series “The Bear,” Liza Colón-Zayas plays a middle-aged line cook named Tina who’s challenged by her mentors to learn new skills as a sous-chef. In some ways, her character’s story mirrors her own journey as an actor. Liza joins Tom to talk about the scarcity and struggle she had to overcome on her path to success, how her setbacks continue to shape her as an artist, and how as an actor you can feel invisible as you age.
Back in 2020, the Canadian singer-songwriter Leif Vollebekk found himself with a lot of extra time to think about the direction of his life and music. During that time, he allowed himself the space to dream, both figuratively and literally. Those dreams became the foundation of his new album, “Revelation.” Leif joins Tom to talk about the record and what he learned from reading Carl Jung’s “Memories, Dreams, Reflections.”
For four decades, Nuno Bettencourt has been the lead guitarist and songwriter for the band Extreme. His style is so distinct that generations of guitar players have tried to sound just like him. In this career-spanning conversation, Nuno talks to Tom about Extreme, why a great guitar solo has nothing to do with how fast you can play or how proficient you are, and why Eddie Van Halen is his hero.
Back in July, the Palestinian Canadian singer-songwriter Nemah Hasan, a.k.a. Nemahsis, sat down with Tom to talk about her forthcoming debut album, “Verbathim.” The record was originally supposed to come out last year, but then she says her label unexpectedly dropped her. Now, with “Verbathim” finally out in the world, we revisit Nemah’s conversation with Tom where she explains exactly what happened in her own words.
Dr. Shirley Cheechoo is one of Canada’s most prominent voices in Indigenous film and theatre. At the annual Weengushk International Film Festival this past July, Dr. Cheechoo gave back to her community with a special event called Blanket of Stars: A Tribute to Resilience, dedicated to Canada’s residential school survivors — or as she calls them, residential school warriors. Dr. Cheechoo joins Tom to talk about her life on stage and screen, and what art can and can’t do when it comes to healing.
As a filmmaker, Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather, Apocalypse Now) is legendary for his vision, drive and propensity to risk it all. Now, he’s put it all on the line once again for his latest film, “Megalopolis” — a Roman epic set against the backdrop of New York City. In this wide-ranging interview, the acclaimed auteur tells us why he doesn’t want “Megalopolis” to be called a passion project, how making his masterpiece “The Godfather” turned his life upside down, and why he always ends up becoming the characters in his films.
Marek Tyler of the indie rock band nêhiyawak has just released his debut solo album, “Asko.” He joins Tom to talk about his process of using traditional nêhiyaw ceremony to make the record, what he learned by slowing down and shedding his ego, and the story behind his new single “wâhkôhtowin.”
The Australian author Liane Moriarty (Big Little Lies, Nine Perfect Strangers) is known for writing bestselling novels that tackle big questions. Her new book, “Here One Moment,” looks at fate and whether it’s something we can change or even avoid. Liane talks to Tom about the cancer scare that shaped her own thoughts on fate, how her dad gave her $1.00 to write her first novel, and how she blocks out the pressure that comes with success.
Lead vocalists Holly Laessig and Jess Wolfe of the indie pop band Lucius are used to being confused for twins. Not only do these inseparable best friends dress alike, but their voices blend together in perfect harmony. Now, they’ve re-recorded their breakout album, “Wildewoman,” to recreate the spark and energy of their early career. Holly and Jess join Tom to talk about the album, their friendship, and what they learned singing backup for Joni Mitchell.
The Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh (Erin Brockovich, Ocean's Eleven, Magic Mike) is shaking up the horror genre with his latest film, “Presence.” It’s a paranormal thriller with a twist in that it’s shot from the point-of-view of a housebound spirit. In this career-spanning chat, Steven looks back on his filmography and explains how moving into a house with its own spirit influenced his new movie.
In the 1886 play “Rosmersholm,” written by the Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen, an increasingly polarized country leads to an increasingly polarized election that begins to tear a household apart. Now, a critically-acclaimed adaptation, directed by Chris Abraham, is being staged at Crow’s Theatre in Toronto. Chris sits down with Tom to talk about what this politically-charged play can teach us about the upcoming elections in the U.S. and Canada.
The Canadian actor Elliot Page (Inception, Juno, The Umbrella Academy) and the British director Dominic Savage (I Am…) have come together to make “Close to You,” a powerful new drama about a young trans man who’s headed home to see his family for the first time in years. Elliot and Dominic join Tom to talk about the film and why it meant so much to them.
The Canadian actor and singer Maisy Stella stars alongside Aubrey Plaza in “My Old Ass.” It’s a new coming-of-age movie about a teenager named Elliott who comes face-to-face with her 39-year-old self during a mushroom trip on her 18th birthday. Maisy joins guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about her big-screen debut, what it’s like playing someone going through a major transition, and how she manifested her role in this movie.
At the height of her fame in the late ‘90s and early ‘00s, Eve seemed to have it all: stadium tours, a clothing line, and collaborations with the likes of Prince, Missy Elliott and Gwen Stefani. But in her new memoir, “Who’s That Girl?,” she tells the story of what was actually going on behind the scenes. Eve joins Tom to talk about some of the major highlights of her career, the negative side effects of fame, and the hip-hop industry’s double standard.
Stephan Moccio is a Los Angeles-based Canadian pianist and songwriter who’s co-written tracks for artists like Miley Cyrus, the Weeknd and Celine Dion. Now, he’s back in Canada touring his new solo piano album, “Legends, Myths and Lavender.” Stephan drops by the Q studio to talk to Tom about the record, why he chose to make it in rural France, and the value of keeping things simple.
After a crazy few years, Omar Apollo is back with his sophomore album, “God Said No,” which was inspired by a bad breakup. He sits down with Tom for the second time to talk about turning his sadness into music, making his acting debut in Luca Guadagnino’s film “Queer,” and launching a new hot sauce.
Jim Bryson is one of the most in-demand side musicians in Canada. He joins Tom to share a great story about briefly joining The Tragically Hip, which forced the band to finally rehearse. Plus, he sets up a new song, titled “Who’s There,” from his latest project, “Combinations.”
Acclaimed music video director Joseph Kahn has worked with everyone from the Backstreet Boys to Taylor Swift, but in 2004, he expanded into feature films. His new creature feature “Ick” is a horror-comedy that just had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. Joseph joins Tom to talk about the movie, what inspired it, and his prolific career directing music videos.
Forty years ago, director Mick Jackson released a film titled “Threads” that’s been called the scariest movie ever made. But rather than featuring ghosts and monsters, it realistically and disturbingly portrays what would happen in the event of a nuclear apocalypse. Mick joins guest host Talia Schlanger to discuss the film's legacy, why he wanted to scare his audience with the truth, and how he went on to direct one of the biggest romances in movie history.
After more than 20 years in the music business, country superstar Miranda Lambert is coming home. Her new record, “Postcards from Texas,” is a love letter to the state she grew up in. She joins Tom to talk about the album, her musical homecoming, and why losing the reality singing competition show “Nashville Star” was a blessing in disguise.
T. Thomason is a singer-songwriter from Nova Scotia who has a lot to say about how the music industry treats trans artists. Now, he’s opening up with a new single called “True” off his forthcoming album, “Tenderness.” T. sits down with Tom to talk about the song, and how it’s opened up new conversations and made him feel empowered.
Kathryn Hahn got her start in film playing memorable supporting roles in comedies like “Anchorman,” “Step Brothers” and “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.” Now, she stars in the new Marvel series “Agatha All Along,” which sees her reprise her role as the powerful witch Agatha Harkness from “WandaVision.” Kathryn sits down with guest host Talia Schlanger in the Q studio to talk about that role and her hilarious life as a performer.
Twenty-five years after playing Little Victor in the 1998 coming-of-age drama “Smoke Signals,” Cody Lightning is all grown up and back with his directorial debut. It's a mockumentary, titled “Hey, Viktor!,” which follows a fictionalized version of himself trying to make a sequel to the cult classic film he acted in as a child. Cody joins Tom from Edmonton to talk about his gritty new Indigenous comedy, how his idea for the film began as a running joke with his friends, and how he looks back on his time as a child actor.
Kate Hudson was raised by Hollywood royalty: Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell. When she was growing up, they told her that if she wanted to be an actor it had to be because of something deep inside her — not just for fame and fortune. Her latest role is in Max Minghella’s “Shell,” which is all about the extreme measures actors will take to stay young. Kate sits down with Tom for a conversation about that film, her Hollywood upbringing, her Oscar-nominated role in “Almost Famous,” and why these days she's making music.
The Canadian twin siblings Phoenix and Mercedes Arn-Horn went from playing in the super successful band Courage My Love to moving in an entirely different direction as Softcult. They sit down with Tom to set up a song from their latest EP, “Heaven.”
What’s the cost of being cool? Back in the ‘90s and early ‘00s there was no one cooler than Chloë Sevigny, the ultimate It Girl. She was an in-demand model and actor who was known for her unique eye for fashion as well as for starring in indie films that are now considered cult classics. Chloë sits down with Tom to talk about that time in her life and how being cool affected her career, plus her latest film, "Bonjour Tristesse,” which just had its world premiere at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival.
Matthew Rankin is a Canadian director whose new film “Universal Language” has just been selected as Canada's pick for best international feature film at the 2025 Oscars. It’s set in an alternate version of Winnipeg where Canada’s two official languages are French and Farsi, not English. Matthew drops by the Q studio to chat with Tom about his vision for this film that he directed and starred in.
The Tragically Hip have been called the most Canadian band in the world. Now, a new four-part documentary series called “The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal” gives the most extensive look into the band ever put on screen. It’s directed by filmmaker Mike Downie, who’s the older brother of The Hip’s late frontman, Gord Downie. The series kicked off the Toronto International Film Festival in advance of its Prime Video debut next week. Mike along with band members Johnny Fay and Gord Sinclair sit down with Tom to talk about it.
Caity Gyorgy is a Juno-winning jazz singer who’s originally from Calgary. Earlier this month, she released a new album, titled “Hello! How Are You?” Caity joins Tom in the Q studio to talk about the record and her love of scatting, plus, she sets up a song for us.
The Canadian jazz pianist Oliver Jones turns 90 today. Tom visits Oliver at his home in Montreal to talk about his legacy in Canadian music, his relationship with his hero and role model Oscar Peterson, the time he played for Nelson Mandela, and what the secret is to continuing to play music in your 90s.
In the new film “Out Come the Wolves,” all of our greatest fears about being stranded — and hunted — in the wilderness come to life. The Canadian writer, director and actor Enuka Okuma wrote the screenplay. She joins guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about tapping into fear to create this movie.
Yann Martel’s Booker Prize-winning novel “Life of Pi” has been adapted into a Tony award-winning play that’s on stage now in Toronto. The bestselling Canadian author joins Tom to reflect on how the story came to be, his discovery about art and religion that brought him “back to life,” and why he wants to push you to be a bit less reasonable.
Since releasing his critically acclaimed album “Boat Songs” in 2022, the singer-songwriter MJ Lenderman, also known as Jake Lenderman, has been getting a lot of attention. Now, he’s back with his much-anticipated fourth solo album, “Manning Fireworks.” MJ joins Tom to talk about the record and what it’s like to deal with the heightened expectations that come with success.
In the late ‘80s, Paula Abdul helped define what a pop star could be, from dance to music to performance. If you were watching music videos at that time, you would have seen her on your screen. If you weren’t around for that, you may remember her as one of the original judges on “American Idol” from 2002 to 2009. Paula sits down with guest host Talia Schlanger to reflect on how she was discovered by the Jackson family, what it was like choreographing for some of the biggest superstars in the world while she was still a cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers, and her philosophy as a mentor.
Though she’s been called Canada’s original cowboy punk, k.d. lang has had a long and complex relationship with country music. When she got her start as a singer in Edmonton, she didn’t fit the mold of who people thought a country artist should be. Now, k.d. is being inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame. She sits down with guest host Talia Schlanger to reflect on her history with the genre, from her early days channelling Patsy Cline to her thoughts on country music today.
As a visionary director and self-professed loner, Tim Burton has spent decades channelling the angst and loneliness he felt as a child into hit movies like “Edward Scissorhands” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” But it was his outlandish 1988 movie “Beetlejuice” that set his career into motion and proved to Hollywood that being weird was an asset, not a problem. Now, 36 years after the original “Beetlejuice,” the film’s long-awaited sequel, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” has finally hit theatres. Tim joins guest host Talia Schlanger to discuss the new movie, how it helped him rediscover his love of filmmaking after a creative slump, and his on-again, off-again relationship with Disney.
Thirty-six years ago, Catherine O'Hara stepped onto a movie set and fell in love with a production designer who would later become her future husband. The movie was a dark fantasy comedy called “Beetlejuice,” directed by a then-fledgling filmmaker named Tim Burton. After the film’s release, both she and Burton became household names. Now, a sequel called “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” has just hit theatres. Catherine joins guest host Talia Schlanger to reflect on how the original film changed her life, what it was like reprising her role as the eccentric Delia Deetz in the new sequel, and the similarities between Delia and her iconic “Schitt's Creek” character Moira Rose.
Dame Evelyn Glennie is the only deaf musician to ever win a Grammy (which she’s done twice) and the first person to create and sustain a full-time career as a solo percussionist. Her new album, “Another Noise,” is a collaboration with the Jamaican British poet Raymond Antrobus, who’s also deaf. Evelyn talks to Tom about the record, how she learned to listen with her whole body, and why it’s her life mission to teach the world to listen.
Amber-Sekowan Daniels is the creator of the new Crave series “Don't Even,” which follows two best friends in late ‘90s Winnipeg as they face uncertain futures after high school. Amber joins guest host Vivek Shraya to reminisce about the ‘90s, talk about what inspired the show, and what advice she’d give her younger self.
As a founding member of the legendary rap crew Wu-Tang Clan, RZA revolutionized hip-hop with his ear for experimentation — not to mention raw lyricism, grimy beats and countless kung-fu references. Though he didn’t initially think of himself as a composer, RZA has leaned into the title in recent years, scoring movies like Quentin Tarantino’s “Kill Bill” and Jim Jarmusch's “Ghost Dog.” He talks to Tom about his first album of orchestral music, “A Ballet Through Mud,” and gaining the confidence to call himself a composer.
Boman Martinez-Reid went viral on TikTok for his funny and pointed parodies of the Kardashians and other reality TV stars, but he always dreamed of being an actor. On his new Crave original series, “Made For TV,” he finally takes a step toward realizing that dream. Each episode sees Boman try out a new genre of reality TV (including dating, drag, cooking and even sports broadcasting) to find out which one fits him. He sits down with guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about the show and what makes reality TV so memeable.
Earlier this year, the father-daughter duo Ethan and Maya Hawke teamed up for the film “Wildcat,” which follows the life of writer Flannery O'Connor while she was struggling to publish her first novel. We revisit Tom’s conversation with Ethan and Maya about their collaboration.
The Canadian band Valley has racked up more than a billion streams, a couple Juno nominations and a few viral hits on TikTok. But somewhere along the way, the band started to feel that authenticity was taking a back seat in their music. Valley’s Karah James and Rob Laska sit down with Tom to talk about tapping into their true selves for their latest record, “Water the Flowers, Pray for a Garden.”
For his debut feature film, Dan Levy wrote and directed a story about grief, aptly titled “Good Grief.” We revisit Tom’s conversation with Dan about the real-life grief that inspired the film and how he pushed through the negative voice in his head.
You may know Priyanka as the winner of “Canada’s Drag Race” Season 1 or, if you grew up in Canada, you may remember her as kids show host Mark Suki on YTV’s “The Zone.” Priyanka has just released her debut full-length album, “Devastatia,” which she calls a love letter to anyone who feels like they don’t fit in. She sits down with guest host Vivek Shraya to talk about the record and learning to believe in herself.
We revisit Tom’s conversation with Grammy-winning pop superstar Dua Lipa. A few months ago, he joined her in New York to discuss her latest album, “Radical Optimism.” In this special conversation, Dua talks about shifting her sound and her mindset, music as therapy, and turning bad dates into catchy pop songs.
A woman who’s been wrongly accused of murder — and is sentenced to be executed — curses the town that did it to her. This is the story told in the play “Snow in Midsummer,” directed by Nina Lee Aquino. Nina joins guest host Vivek Shraya to tell us why she was drawn to this 13th century play and why it still resonates today.
We revisit Tom’s conversation with “Blackberry” director Matt Johnson. He talks about his path from guerilla filmmaker to Hollywood darling, why the story of Blackberry is so Canadian, and why his mission in life is to inspire young filmmakers to stay in Canada and make great films.
The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Lisa Loeb is back with her latest children’s album, “That's What It's All About,” which is a collaboration with the family-friendly folk band The Hollow Trees. Lisa joins guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about the record, how it’s inspired by her own childhood, plus, 30 years of the song that first put her on the map — “Stay (I Missed You).”
Ten years after immigrating to Canada from India, the rapper and singer Karan Aujla made history as the first Punjabi artist to ever win a Juno Award. But he was a global superstar well before then, topping the charts with his blend of Punjabi music over hip-hop and trap beats. Now, Karan has dropped his latest EP, “Four Me,” and Apple Music has named him the latest addition to its global Up Next program. Karan talks to Tom about his rise to fame, why Canada is a hub for Punjabi hip-hop, and the childhood losses that pushed him towards songwriting.
There’s a new podcast and radio show coming to CBC Books. It’s called “Bookends” and it’s hosted by Mattea Roach, the Canadian “Jeopardy!” champion who held a 23-game winning streak a few years ago. They sit down with Tom to talk about the new show and what they’re most looking forward to, plus, the correct strategy for wagering on a Daily Double.
Sheryl Crow has sold more than 50 million albums, won nine Grammy Awards, and inspired countless songwriters and artists to follow in her footsteps. Earlier this year, she released her 11th studio album, “Evolution.” Sheryl joins Tom to share her concerns around artificial intelligence and how they inspired the title track on her new album, why she uses her music to raise awareness for global issues, and the story behind her massive hit “All I Wanna Do.”
Bibi Club is the musical project of Adèle Trottier-Rivard and Nic Basque, who are partners in life and music. Their first album, “Le soleil et la mer,” was longlisted for the 2023 Polaris Prize. Now, they're back with a new record, “Feu de garde.” Adèle and Nic join Tom to talk about their partnership and what their band name has to do with the three kids they have running around their house.
Tom Selleck has been on Hollywood’s A-list since bursting onto “Magnum, P.I.” in the early ‘80s. By the end of that decade, he had reached a whole new level of fame with massive box office hits like “Three Men and a Baby.” More recently, he’s become known for his role as NYPD commissioner Frank Reagan on “Blue Bloods.” Now, Tom has released a new memoir called “You Never Know.” He joins Tom Power to talk about his journey in acting, the hurdles he faced and the lessons he learned on his way to stardom.
In 1983, in the midst of the Cold War, Arthur Miller went to China to direct a Mandarin version of his famous play “Death of a Salesman.” Despite some hurdles, the production ended up being a touchstone moment in Chinese-American cultural relations. Now, a new play called "Salesman in China" tells the story of the American playwright's incredibly high-stakes collaboration with the Chinese artist Ying Ruocheng. Jovanni Sy, the director and co-writer of "Salesman in China," joins guest host Talia Schlanger to tell us more.
Anna Marie Tendler is a multidisciplinary artist known for her evocative self-portraits that explore grief and isolation. In 2021, following her high-profile divorce with comedian John Mulaney, Anna checked herself into a psychiatric facility, seeking treatment for self-harm and suicidal ideation. She details that experience in her new memoir, “Men Have Called Her Crazy,” which is her reintroduction to the world as an artist on her own terms. Anna joins guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about her mental health journey, how photography kept her grounded and why she chose to leave her ex-husband out of the book.
Luna Li is a Canadian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who found fame during lockdown when videos of her bedroom jam sessions went viral. Now, she’s back with her second album, “When A Thought Grows Wings,” which tells the story of a transitional moment in her life. Luna joins guest host Talia Schlanger to reflect on her career, her latest record and what it was like performing on “Saturday Night Live.”
Josh Ramsay is the lead singer of the Juno-winning band Marianas Trench (one of Canada’s biggest musical exports during the pop-punk boom of the early aughts). He sits down with guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about the band's new album, “Haven,” plus, what it was like co-writing Carly Rae Jepsen’s massive hit “Call Me Maybe.”
Kiesza is the Canadian singer behind the massive dance hit “Hideaway,” which launched her career back in 2014. That song took her from being an unknown artist to performing at London’s Wembley Stadium, appearing on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” and winning three Juno Awards. But everything came to a halt in 2017 when Kiesza was in a car accident that left her with a traumatic brain injury. She joins Tom in studio to tell us the story behind “Hideaway” and how she learned to make music again after her accident.
The Canadian country singer MacKenzie Porter grew up on a cattle and bison ranch near Medicine Hat, Alberta. When her brother won “Canadian Idol” in 2004, she learned a lot about the good and bad of the music industry. Now, she’s released a new album, “Nobody’s Born with a Broken Heart,” which explores her struggle to make it in Nashville. MacKenzie sits down with Tom in studio to talk about the record and some of the hard-won lessons she learned in the Music City.
Keysha Freshh has been a trailblazer in the Canadian hip-hop scene for 15 years, which is impressive considering she’s only 31. The Canadian rapper is a solo artist as well as a part of the all-female rap group The Sorority. Now, she’s released her latest solo album, “Pretty Boys Break My Heart,” which examines heartbreak in all its different forms. Keysha sits down with guest host Talia Schlanger to reflect on her career, her new record and what it was like collaborating with her cousin Maestro Fresh Wes.
The Beaches are in a season of change. The Toronto-based band left their major label deal, hired a new team, and started embracing social media to reach new audiences. Now, they have a number one single, a viral hit on TikTok, and a brand new album, “Blame My Ex.” Jordan and Kylie Miller of The Beaches talk to Tom about what happens when you’re told “this is your make it or break it album,” how TikTok has expanded their audience, and how writing a breakup record felt like going to therapy with your best friends.
Lucky Daye is typically classified as an R&B musician, but one look at his wide-ranging discography shows that he isn’t so easily defined by genre. The Grammy winner is sought after by some of the biggest names in music, but his path to success wasn’t easy. He grew up in a strict religious household that didn’t allow him to listen to secular music, and at one point, he even ended up homeless. With the release of his new album, “Algorithm,” Lucky joins guest host Talia Schlanger for a career-spanning chat about how his struggles have shaped him as an artist, and how his music intentionally expands the confines of what we expect from R&B musicians.
You might know Nava Mau as the breakout star of the hit Netflix series “Baby Reindeer,” for which she recently earned an Emmy nomination for outstanding supporting actress. That adds her to a very short list of trans actors to receive an Emmy nod. Nava joins guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about “Baby Reindeer,” how her work helping LGBTQ+ survivors of violence has made her nomination extra meaningful, and why trans representation is so important.
Sean Wang is an Oscar-nominated filmmaker who’s just released his debut feature film, “Dìdi.” It’s a coming-of-age story in the tradition of movies like “Stand by Me,” but told from the perspective of a young Asian American boy in Northern California. Sean talks to guest host Talia Schlanger about the film, and what he learned about himself and his immigrant mom while making it.
Mike Burkett, also known as Fat Mike, is the lead singer and bassist of NOFX, which is not only one of the most influential and successful punk bands of all time, but also one of the longest-serving. They’ve been together for 41 years, but in just a couple months, it will all come to an end when they wrap up the last few shows on their final tour. In this chat with guest host Talia Schlanger, Mike opens up about how it feels to say goodbye, what he regrets, and what he calls his “desperate need for validation.”
Michael Mabbott and Lucah Rosenberg-Lee are the directors of a new documentary about the late American R&B singer Jackie Shane. Jackie was a Black trans woman who became popular in Canada after moving to Toronto in the 1960s. She released a single called “Any Other Way” that charted across the country, but in the 1970s, she became a recluse and disappeared from the public eye. Michael and Lucah join Tom to discuss their film “Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story” and how an unreleased song was discovered in Jackie’s house after she passed.
Every time a new movie in the “Alien” franchise is released, there’s a ton of anticipation. The Uruguayan filmmaker Fede Álvarez has taken up the gauntlet with his new film, “Alien: Romulus.” Fede sits down with Tom to talk about the legacy of “Alien” and his approach to making this epic sci-fi horror thriller.
If you could go back in time and change one moment you regret, would you do it? On the new season of the CBC time-travel drama “Plan B,” Canadian actor Vinessa Antoine plays a Montreal police officer who’s faced with that choice. She joins guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about the series and how she took care of herself after telling a pretty dark story.
Carley Fortune is the Canadian author behind the New York Times bestselling novels “Every Summer After” and “Meet Me at the Lake” (the latter of which is being adapted for Netflix by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle). She talks to Tom about her latest book “This Summer Will Be Different,” what made her leave journalism to pursue being a novelist, and why the romance genre is having a moment right now.
As the co-founder and guitarist of the band Blondie, Chris Stein helped define the sound of American new wave music. But professional success came with serious personal trade-offs. In his new memoir, “Under a Rock,” he shares unvarnished stories about what it was really like to be a rockstar in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Chris joins guest host Talia Schlanger to reflect on that time in his life, from his romance and partnership with Debbie Harry to the sober realization that there’s nothing glamorous about sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll.
The legendary Irish comedian Tommy Tiernan is setting off on a North American tour this fall, with Canadian stops in Toronto, Calgary, Victoria and Vancouver. Ahead of the tour, he joins Tom to talk about his love of stand-up comedy, his role on the hit Netflix show “Derry Girls,” and what it’s like to interview famous people without any preparation.
Ruby Waters is a Canadian singer-songwriter who’s just released her debut full-length album, “What’s the Point.” She joins guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about the record and sets up a song, titled “Bucket.”
Elin Hilderbrand is a bestselling romance author who’s been writing about summers on Nantucket for the last two decades. Now, after 30 books, she’s closing this chapter with “Swan Song,” her final novel set on the island. Elin joins Tom to share how her experience going to the most prestigious writing school in North America led her to writing beach reads, how she creates a community through fiction, and why she’s now calling it quits — sort of.
The Canadian band Wild Rivers has just released their third album, “Never Better.” Vocalist Devan Glover joins guest host Vivek Shraya to tell us how turning 30 freed her from trying to be cool and shaped the album. Plus, she sets up a song from the record.
Clarence Maclin spent 15 years as an inmate in Sing Sing Correctional Facility, one of America’s most notorious prisons. Now, he plays himself opposite Colman Domingo and Paul Raci in “Sing Sing,” a new film based on his experience in prison and the transformative theatre program that changed his life. Clarence joins Tom to discuss what it was like stepping back into a prison uniform, how acting helped him find his voice and his purpose, and how he hopes the film will change what you think you know about prisoners.
The Haudenosaunee poet Kenzie Allen has a complex relationship to stereotypical Indigenous figures like Tiger Lily and Pocahontas. But in her debut book of poetry, “Cloud Missives,” she doesn’t completely reject these figures outright. Kenzie joins guest host Vivek Shraya to talk about the collection, which is set to come out later this month. She also reads a poem for us, titled “In Which I Become (Tiger Lily).”
Shakira is back with her first new album in seven years, “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran,” which details her tumultuous breakup with her ex-partner and the father of her two children. She sits down with Tom for a revealing interview about vulnerability, survival and what really matters in her life.
Newfoundland’s own Alan Doyle is one of Canada’s great songwriters. He sits down with Tom to celebrate the release of his 20th album, titled “Welcome Home,” and reflects on the early days of his band, Great Big Sea.
Anne Michaels is an award-winning Canadian poet and novelist whose long-awaited third novel, “Held,” has just made the Booker Prize longlist. The story spans 115 years and deals in themes familiar to her work: history, grief and the power of love. Anne tells Tom why it took nearly 15 years to write the novel, why she’s so interested in writing about war, and why she chooses to live an intensely private life.
If you listen to this podcast regularly, you might be familiar with our theme music. But it's not a track we commissioned for the show, it's actually a song titled “Still Got the Spirit” by the Montreal band Bye Parula. Singer Loïc Calatayud joins Tom to share the story behind the song that's kind of become the soundtrack to our show.
The Canadian country singer Orville Peck has been steadily on the rise since the release of his debut album, “Pony,” in 2019. With the release of his latest album, “Stampede,” Orville sits down with Tom to discuss his career, his decision to take a step back from fame for a bit, and what it was like singing a duet with Willie Nelson.
This past spring, the Canadian writer Zehra Naqvi released her debut poetry collection, “The Knot of My Tongue.” She tells guest host Talia Schlanger about her work, why she’s fascinated by the themes of language and displacement, and how her writing was deeply influenced by the 1947 Partition of India and Pakistan.
From 2009 to 2018, Jasmeet Raina was known online as Jus Reign. His viral videos about being a first generation Indo-Canadian millennial amassed more than 160 million views on YouTube and more than a million fans on Facebook. But one day, with no explanation, Jasmeet decided to walk away from the spotlight. Now, he’s back with a comedy series on Crave called “Late Bloomer.” Jasmeet talks to Tom about his hiatus, representing his Punjabi Sikh culture and faith on screen, and what his relationship with the internet is like now.
Hana Shafi is a Canadian illustrator, essayist and poet whose new book, “People You Know, Places You've Been,” takes readers on a journey from public transportation to antique stores to waiting rooms, looking at the connections we create with total strangers as we go about our daily lives. Hana speaks with guest host Talia Schlanger about the book and the power of those seemingly mundane interactions. Plus, she reads a poem from the collection.
Between 1998 and 2002, Josh Hartnett was an inescapable presence on the big screen. During that time, he became a teen heartthrob with films like “The Virgin Suicides” and “40 Days and 40 Nights,” before catapulting to A-list status in blockbusters like “Pearl Harbor” and “Black Hawk Down.” But then, at the height of his fame, he decided to walk away from Hollywood in search of artistic fulfillment. Now, he’s back in the spotlight with recent roles in “Oppenheimer,” “Black Mirror” and “The Bear.” Josh joins Tom to talk about his relationship with fame and his latest role in M. Night Shyamalan’s new action-packed thriller, “Trap.”
Elijah Wood has racked up more than 60 TV and film credits over the course of his 35-year career. He made his film debut as a child actor in 1989’s “Back to the Future Part II” and established himself with several lead roles throughout the 1990s. By the early 2000s, he had become a megastar thanks to “The Lord of the Rings” franchise. Elijah’s latest role is in the family-friendly adventure movie “Bookworm,” which follows a washed-up magician who reconnects with his estranged daughter. He tells guest host Talia Schlanger about the film and his past as a child star.
Sarah McLachlan is having a big year. Right now, the Grammy-winning Canadian superstar is in the middle of a massive North American tour to celebrate the 30th anniversary of her breakthrough album, “Fumbling Towards Ecstasy.” This September, she’ll also be inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. Sarah joins Tom to talk about being back on the road for the first time in nearly a decade, what she thinks about some of her biggest hits, and why she says her daughters finally think she’s cool.
What’s your relationship like with holy texts? Growing up, the Canadian poet and novelist Emily Austin attended Catholic school and was an altar server, but as she got older, she started questioning how parts of the Bible made her feel as a woman and a queer person. In her new collection of poetry, “Gay Girl Prayers,” she reclaims Catholic prayers and biblical passages by providing alternate versions through a queer and feminist lens. Emily joins Tom to talk about the collection and read a poem from it.
Sometime between starring in action movies and touring with his band Dogstar, Keanu Reeves created a comic book series called “BRZRKR.” But he wanted to take the story further, so he called up China Miéville, one of the most prolific speculative fiction authors in the world, and convinced him to collaborate. Now, they’ve released their new novel, “The Book of Elsewhere,” which is based on the series. In this Canadian broadcast exclusive interview, Tom chats with Keanu and China about the book and how they felt about stepping outside of their creative comfort zones.
The Canadian actor Qasim Khan has taken on the coveted role of Hamlet for Canadian Stage’s annual Dream in High Park, which sees him performing in an outdoor amphitheatre to an audience of a thousand people, six times a week. Qasim sits down with Tom to talk about the part, his complicated relationship with the iconic “To be, or not to be” soliloquy, and what this production of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy does a bit differently.
For more than 30 years, “Law & Order” has taken viewers inside a dramatized version of the American justice system. While the franchise is most notably associated with New York, it’s now come to Toronto with the Canadian spinoff series “Law and Order Toronto: Criminal Intent.” Actor Karen Robinson talks to Tom about her starring role on the show, her love of telling complex stories, and how it feels making her dad proud.
Two Canadian visual artists, Marigold Santos and Rajni Perera, have come together to create an epic exhibit called “Efflorescence/The Way We Wake” at Montreal's Fondation Phi. The four-floor show includes work by both artists separately as well as pieces they made together. It explores topics like diasporic identity and motherhood through the lens of science fiction and folklore. Marigold and Rajni join guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about the exhibit and the trust between them that made it possible.
Jelly Roll’s origin story isn’t that of the average country singer-songwriter. While growing up in Nashville's Antioch neighbourhood in the ‘90s, Jelly Roll developed an interest in hip-hop music and learned to rap. But from 14 to 25, he began cycling in and out of prison for various offences, including felony charges. In the years since getting out, he’s gone from rapping to singing, ultimately finding a home in country music. Jelly Roll sits down with Tom to share his incredible story.
The acclaimed Canadian troubadour Donovan Woods is back with a brand new album, “Things Were Never Good If They’re Not Good Now.” He sits down with guest host Talia Schlanger to set up a new song called “When Our Friends Come Over” (featuring Madi Diaz).
Noah Kahan is one of the most successful singer-songwriters in the world right now, but it wasn’t that long ago that he was writing his latest album, “Stick Season,” while isolated on a Vermont farm during the peak of the pandemic. Now, he’s considered the next big thing in music. Noah joins Tom in studio for a conversation about writing the album that would change his life, the power of tapping into his authentic self, and how he’s protected his mental health while on this crazy ride.
The Summer Olympics in Paris kick off today and right before the opening ceremonies, viewers will be treated to a spoken word piece written by Ontario’s first poet laureate, Randell Adjei. He sits down with Tom in studio to talk about collaborating on the piece with former three-time Olympian Phylicia George, and shares the lessons he thinks everyone can learn from Olympians — even if you plan on spending the summer on your couch.
Chromeo’s Dave 1 and P-Thugg started out as high school best friends making weird music in Montreal basements 20 years ago. They never could have guessed that their interest in electro-funk and ‘80s synths would take them to festival stages and earn them a Grammy nod along the way. Chromeo drops by to chat with Tom about their new album, “Adult Contemporary,” which poses the question: what does it mean to be funky as you approach middle age?
Ian Harnarine is an award-winning Canadian filmmaker who found inspiration for his debut feature film, “Doubles,” in the delicious Trinidadian snack of the same name. The story follows an estranged father and son who are brought back together by difficult circumstances. Ian joins guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about drawing on his own experiences with his father to make the film, how it challenges clichés about the experience of immigrating to Canada, and what it was like getting Spike Lee’s hand-written notes as a film student at NYU.
Brittany Howard’s new album “What Now” is her second solo release since taking a hiatus with her band Alabama Shakes. Now more than ever, the singer-songwriter is exploring the potential of her famous raspy voice by pairing it with surprisingly poppy songs about love and heartbreak. Brittany sits down with Tom to talk about the record and finding the courage to step into new musical territory.
After finding Martha Baillie’s Giller Prize-shortlisted novel “The Incident Report” in a Toronto bookstore, Naomi Jaye knew almost instantly that she wanted to adapt it into a film. Now, 14 years later, the award-winning Canadian filmmaker has released her sophomore feature, “Darkest Miriam,” which follows a librarian living through a fog of grief while working in a downtown Toronto Public Library branch. Naomi joins guest host Talia Schlanger to tell us more about the film.
Maya Rudolph has been a comedy staple on our screens for decades. She’s impersonated everyone from Donatella Versace to Beyoncé as a cast member on “Saturday Night Live,” and she’s played memorable characters in comedies like “Bridesmaids” and “Sisters.” Now, Maya is back as the divorced billionaire Molly Wells in the second season of her hit Apple TV+ show “Loot.” Maya tells Tom why she was interested in the world of the mega-rich, how she ended up on “SNL” even though her agent told her not to audition, and why she says comedy and music are cousins.
When Will Butler left his band Arcade Fire, he didn’t know what would happen next. With a Grammy on his shelf and an Oscar nomination for his musical score on Spike Jonze’s “Her,” it seemed like he could do anything — why not Broadway? Now, he’s written and composed the music for “Stereophonic,” a new play that was recently nominated for a record-breaking 13 Tony Awards. Set in the 1970s, it follows a fictional rock band on the cusp of superstardom as they struggle through recording their new album. Will talks to Tom about which moments from the play felt like he was dipping into his own past, how a band’s relationships influence their art, and why it was good he didn’t know anything about ‘70s rock music.
The multi-platinum rapper G-Eazy rose to stardom in 2015 with his hit song “Me, Myself & I” (featuring Bebe Rexha). Since then, he’s been a staple on pop radio with a number of chart-topping hits. But after facing mounting burnout and the death of his mother in 2021, G-Eazy decided to step away from the spotlight. Now, he’s back with his first new album in three years, “Freak Show.” G-Eazy joins Tom to talk about the record, his struggle with fame, and his path in the music industry.
Allison Au is an award-winning saxophonist who decided to step outside her comfort zone to investigate her family history of immigration to Canada. She sits down with Tom to discuss her new record, “Migrations,” and how making music can help you come to peace with your own identity.
On the hit series “The Bear,” Liza Colón-Zayas plays a middle-aged line cook named Tina who’s challenged by her mentors to learn new skills as a sous-chef. In some ways, her character’s story mirrors her own journey as an actor. Liza joins Tom to talk about the scarcity and struggle she’s had to overcome on her path to her breakthrough role, how her setbacks continue to shape her as an artist, and how as an actor you can feel dispensable and invisible as you age.
Luke Gilford is a photographer and filmmaker who grew up in a professional rodeo family in Colorado. But it wasn’t until he discovered America’s thriving subculture of queer rodeo that he truly felt at home with cowboy culture. Now, he’s released his feature directorial debut, “National Anthem,” inspired by his famous photo series of America’s gay cowboys and cowgirls. Luke joins Tom to talk about the film, why it was important to him to write a trauma-free queer love story, and how cowboy culture and drag culture overlap.
The actor and director Osgood “Oz” Perkins (Legally Blonde, Nope) recently released his latest horror thriller, “Longlegs,” which some are calling the scariest movie of the year. Harkening back to films like “Silence of the Lambs” and “Se7en,” it co-stars Nicolas Cage as an occultist serial killer. Oz joins Tom to talk about the film, how he developed one of the most bizarre serial killers ever seen on screen, and what his famous parents (“Psycho” actor Anthony Perkins and photographer Berry Berenson) brought to him as a filmmaker.
In addition to touring as the keyboardist in Maroon 5 and producing music for big-name musicians, PJ Morton is also an artist in his own right, often releasing his solo projects on his label, Morton Records. For his latest album, “Cape Town to Cairo,” the five-time Grammy-winning R&B artist set himself a wild creative challenge to write and record it all in just 30 days while traveling through Africa. PJ joins guest host Talia Schlanger to tell us more about his music and the “life-changing” trip that inspired his new record.
The Canadian singer-songwriter Jim Cuddy, best known as the frontman of the iconic roots-rock band Blue Rodeo, is back with his sixth solo album, “All The World Fades Away.” On the record, he paints a portrait of his present life and explores some of his most meaningful relationships, including the relationship he has with his wife and the one he has with his Blue Rodeo bandmate Greg Keelor. Jim sits down with guest host Talia Schlanger in studio to talk about it.
More than 20 years after Johnny Cash’s death, we’re getting new music from the legendary country music star. His only son, John Carter Cash, joins Tom to talk about finding his dad’s old demos from the ‘90s, and why he decided to release these songs in the form of a new album, “Songwriter.”
The bestselling horror author Stephen Graham Jones is said to have reinvented the slasher genre. His latest novel, “I Was a Teenage Slasher,” puts the reader directly into the mind of a killer. Stephen joins guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about the book, his love of slashers, and why he thinks it’s the job of horror writers to walk into the darkness as far as they can — and then take two steps more.
The acclaimed Canadian pianist and conductor Gregory Oh knows all about classical music’s quest for perfection. But in that pursuit of excellence, he thinks something else can be lost. Now, Gregory is embracing his own mistakes with his new one-man show, “Lessons in Failure,” which is part recital, part tell-all confessional. He sits down with guest host Talia Schlanger to discuss the show, the failures that have defined his career, and his hopes for classical music.
Before becoming an actor, Jennifer Esposito lived on Staten Island where she grew up around organized crime. Now, she’s released her directorial debut, “Fresh Kills,” which follows the story of the women behind the men in a mafia family. Jennifer joins guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about the film, her career, and her unique perspective on the world of organized crime.
The Canadian art collective Shy Kids just won the 2024 Hi-Fidelity Award from the Prism Prize in recognition of their innovative music videos. Matthew Hornick of Shy Kids joins Tom to set up a new tune off their upcoming album, “A Gathering of Batteries,” which comes out this fall.
For more than four decades, the Vermont jam band Phish has cultivated an incredibly successful career, but more importantly, an incredibly successful relationship with their audience. Lead singer and guitarist Trey Anastasio joins Tom to discuss that relationship, the early days of the band, and why it's so important to be best friends with your bandmates.
“Nanalan” is a Canadian children’s show from the ‘90s that had a resurgence recently thanks to its growing popularity on TikTok. Clips from the show are getting millions of views, and the puppeteers have even revived the character for online skits. The creators of “Nanalan,” Jason Hopley and Jamie Shannon, join Tom to talk about the show’s viral success and legacy. Plus, they bring the puppets that started it all.
Wanda Koop is one of Canada’s most accomplished and influential contemporary painters. With a career spanning more than five decades, Wanda draws inspiration from her world travels, the environment, and our relationship with technology. Now, she has a new solo exhibit in Montreal, titled “Who Owns the Moon.” Wanda joins Tom to tell us how her family’s history in Ukraine inspired the exhibit, how painting provided a much-needed avenue for self expression as a young child, and why exploration and travel is central to her art practice.
After spending nearly half of her life as a touring pop star, Camila Cabello feels like she’s finally stepping into her power as a musician. On her new album, “C,XOXO,” she sharpens her skills as a songwriter and takes sonic swings that some might find surprising. Camila joins Tom to talk about where this record came from, her collaboration with Drake, and how she avoids the worst parts of the internet.
The Canadian singer-songwriter Nemah Hasan, a.k.a. Nemahsis, is back with two singles in advance of her debut album that will be coming out later this year. She tells Tom why she sat in a car wash with total strangers and asked them to listen to her song “You Wore it Better,” what happened when her label dropped her last fall, and what it was like shooting a music video for her song “Stick of Gum” in her family’s home of Jericho in the West Bank.
In the ‘90s, during a time when grunge music reigned supreme, an unlikely album went platinum: “Cracked Rear View” from Hootie & the Blowfish. Since then, Hootie’s frontman Darius Rucker has continued making music, transitioning from alt-rock to country. Darius’s latest record is called “Carolyn’s Boy.” He joins Tom to talk about the massive success of “Cracked Rear View,” what he thinks about the band’s decline in popularity, and why he still pursued country music after being told the fanbase wouldn’t listen to a Black country artist.
Waxahatchee is the solo project of the American singer-songwriter Katie Crutchfield. Now, she’s back with her sixth record, “Tigers Blood,” which is already being called one of the best albums of the year. Waxahatchee joins Tom to talk about her early days making punk music with her twin sister, how her 2020 album “Saint Cloud” became the soundtrack to the pandemic for many, and how she learned to trust her instincts and lean all the way into her Americana-inspired sound when it came to her latest record.
Maggie Andrew is a singer-songwriter from Nova Scotia who decided to leave behind her life in Canada to pursue music in Los Angeles. Her new EP, “Day Job,” is partially inspired by that experience as well as the relationships she's had along the way. Maggie joins Tom to set up a song from the EP and tells us what pushed her to bet on herself and her art.
The Canadian comedy legend Tom Green has had an incredible career, from “The Tom Green Show” to “Freddy Got Fingered” to his many stand-up tours. Now, he’s been honoured with this year’s Sir Peter Ustinov Comedy Award from the Banff World Media Festival. Tom Power caught up with Tom live on stage in Banff for a special career-spanning conversation about his journey in comedy, the terrifying cancer diagnosis that changed his perspective on work and ambition, and why he's back in Canada to stay.
Fawn Parker is a Canadian writer whose novel “What We Both Know” was longlisted for the Giller Prize in 2022. Now, her debut poetry collection, “Soft Inheritance,” has won The Fiddlehead Poetry Book Prize at this year’s New Brunswick Book Awards. It follows her mother's journey with cancer, from her mastectomy to her chemotherapy to her death in 2019. Fawn joins Tom to talk about the collection and reads a poem from it, titled “Woof.”
William Stanford Davis is a veteran actor who waited 40 years until his dream of becoming a series regular finally became a reality. He’s the breakout star of the hit sitcom “Abbott Elementary,” on which he plays the school’s enigmatic janitor Mr. Johnson. William joins Tom to share how he landed the role at 70, what his story can tell us about persistence, and how he managed to keep the faith for decades while waiting for his big break.
Old Man Luedecke is one of Canada's most beloved folk musicians. The two-time Juno winner became known for playing the banjo, but on his latest album, “She Told Me Where to Go,” he puts the banjo away. Old Man Luedecke talks to Tom about his decision to trade the five-string for the six-string, how it changed his approach to making music, and what working on a scallop boat during the pandemic taught him about his life choices.
When a band kicks off their career with a hit single about getting stoned and watching TV, it might be surprising to see them 30 years later as one of the biggest bands on the planet. Green Day has beat those long odds. All three members — Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt and Tré Cool — talk to Tom about the 30th anniversary of their breakthrough record “Dookie,” how they wanted to create a monumental record when writing “American Idiot,” and why they think their latest album “Saviors” could be that next era of Green Day.
Visual artist Kapwani Kiwanga represents Canada at this year’s Venice Biennale, the Olympics of visual art. Her installation, “Trinket,” uses seven million conteria — small glass beads from Venice — to not only shimmer, but to interrogate a deep history of labour, cultural exchange and class dynamics. She joins guest host Talia Schlanger to discuss how she uses small beads to tell a big story and the motivation behind her Biennale artwork.
The Oscar-nominated actor June Squibb is living her dream at 94 years young. Decades into her career as a character actor, June is now enjoying her first leading role in the action-comedy movie “Thelma.” She joins guest host Talia Schlanger to reflect on the passage of time, the benefits of being an older actor, and why sometimes you need to have a little patience to reap the rewards of your hard work.
The Montreal pianist Alexandra Stréliski was working at an ad agency when the late director Jean-Marc Vallée discovered her music and started using it in his work. That gave her the push she needed to quit her job and pursue music full-time. This year, Alexandra was nominated for album of the year at the Junos. Just before that, she joined Tom to talk about the nomination and chasing her dreams.
Carol Burnett is one of the most adored comedians of all time. In 1967, she broke up the boys club that was network television with her freewheeling variety hour, “The Carol Burnett Show.” Now, more than half a century later, she’s still flexing her quick wit and comedic acting skills on shows like “Better Call Saul” and “Palm Royale.” In this special interview from Los Angeles, Carol sits down with Tom to reminisce about the hard-won lessons and chance encounters that helped her become a star.
When a wildfire ripped through Lytton, B.C., in June 2021, the town burnt almost entirely to the ground. Meghan Fandrich lost her small business, the Klowa Art Café, and turned to writing poetry for the first time in her life to help her cope with the loss. The result is her first collection of poetry, “Burning Sage: Poems from the Lytton Fire.” She joins Tom to talk about it and read a poem from the collection.
Last summer, Sam Smith joined Tom to talk about the release of their latest album, “Gloria.” Since then, the singer-songwriter has announced the re-release of their debut album, “In the Lonely Hour,” which earned them four Grammys when it came out a decade ago. We revisit Tom’s 2023 chat with Sam about their start in music, learning to centre joy in their life, and the highs and lows of finding their identity.
Before making her name as a singer-songwriter, Jennifer Castle worked at a restaurant in Toronto with celebrity chef and restaurateur Matty Matheson. Now, nearly 20 years later, Matty is an executive producer and actor on the hit series “The Bear” and Jennifer has a song featured in the new season. She joins Tom to set up the song, titled “Blowing Kisses.”
Ten years after immigrating to Canada from India, the rapper and singer Karan Aujla made history as the first Punjabi artist to ever win a Juno Award. But he was a global superstar well before then, topping the charts with his blend of Punjabi music over hip-hop and trap beats. Now, Karan is the latest Global Apple Music Up Next Artist, which makes him the first Punjabi artist to join the initiative geared towards identifying, showcasing and elevating rising talent. Karan talks to Tom about why Canada is a hub for Punjabi hip-hop, and the childhood losses that pushed him towards songwriting.
Jodie Comer is an Emmy and Tony Award-winning actor who you may know as the assassin Villanelle on the show “Killing Eve.” Though she’s been acting since childhood, Jodie treats every role with the intense work ethic of someone who’s still gunning for their big break. In her new film, “The Bikeriders,” she stars opposite Austin Butler, Tom Hardy and Michael Shannon as a woman who married into a biker gang. The film was inspired by an actual Midwestern motorcycle club that started in the ‘60s. Jodie joins Tom to talk about the film, learning a new accent for the project, and the incredible work ethic that’s gotten her this far in her acting career.
The Canadian director Brendan Healy has taken on an epic project: a new production of Matthew López's seven-hour play “The Inheritance,” which has been called the most important play of the 21st century. Brendan sits down with Tom to tell us how the play represents a conversation between generations of gay men, what happens when you don't learn about the past, and how that conversation played out in real life at rehearsals.
The Canadian musician Jamie Fine first found success with the duo Elijah Woods x Jamie Fine after they won the singing competition show “The Launch” in 2018. But after realizing something wasn’t sitting right with her, Jamie decided to start fresh with a solo career. Now, she’s released her debut EP, “if this is it.” Jamie sits down with Tom to share some hard-earned wisdom from her journey in music, why she wishes it took longer for her to have found success, and how she became a superstar in South Africa.
You might know E.R. Fightmaster from their groundbreaking role as Dr. Kai Bartley on “Grey's Anatomy” or you may be familiar with their music. Earlier this month, the actor, comedian and musician released their second EP, “Bloodshed Baby” under their stage name Fightmaster. E.R. joins Tom to set up a song off the record and shares what it was like being cast as the first non-binary doctor on “Grey's Anatomy.”
Last year was a big one for Gracie Abrams. The singer-songwriter released her debut album, got nominated for best new artist at the Grammys, and opened for Taylor Swift on the Eras Tour. Now, she’s released her sophomore album, “The Secret of Us,” which she co-wrote with her best friend. Gracie joins Tom in studio to talk about the record, getting over her fear of performing, and what it’s like working with Taylor.
The Montreal singer-songwriter Dominique Fils-Aimé is back with a new single, “Moi je t'aime.” It’s the Juno-winning artist’s first song in French, despite French being her first language. Dominique joins Tom to set up the track and explain what singing in French gives her as an artist.
Dr. Shirley Cheechoo is one of Canada’s most prominent voices in Indigenous film and theatre. At this year’s annual Weengushk International Film Festival, Dr. Cheechoo is giving back to her community with a special event called Blanket of Stars: A Tribute to Resilience, which is dedicated to Canada’s residential school survivors — or as she calls them, residential school warriors. Dr. Cheechoo joins Tom to talk about her life on stage and screen, and what art can and can’t do when it comes to healing.
The legendary Canadian actor Donald Sutherland has died at age 88. Over the course of his six-decade career, he was in more than 150 films and TV series, and more recently he was honoured with his very own Canadian stamp. Today, we revisit Tom’s conversation with Donald about his stamp, his early days as an actor, and why he didn’t want dual Canadian and American citizenship.
Lily Gladstone is having an incredible year. She was nominated for an Oscar for her starring role opposite Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro in Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon,” and she became the first Indigenous actor to win a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild award. In her latest film, “Fancy Dance,” Lily brings another Indigenous character to screen. She joins Tom to talk about her post-“Killers of the Flower Moon” fame, the importance of preserving endangered Indigenous languages, and what kinds of projects she wishes to be involved with moving forward.
Elisapie was jogging and listening to ABBA when she got the idea for her latest project, “Inuktitut.” It’s a 10-track covers album of classic pop and rock hits that each represent a special childhood memory for the Inuk singer-songwriter. What makes the album unique is that each song is translated into Inuktitut. Elisapie joins Tom to talk about the project and how reclaiming some of her most painful childhood memories through song started her on a healing journey.
The comedian Paul Scheer has had roles on some of the biggest sitcoms ever, including “30 Rock,” “Parks and Recreation” and “The League.” He also co-hosts one of the most popular podcasts in the world, “How Did This Get Made,” which takes on the worst movies of all time. But in his new memoir, “Joyful Recollections of Trauma,” Paul writes about the abuse he and his mom suffered at the hands of his stepfather. He joins Tom to share how he escaped the cycle of abuse, why pain often leads to humour, and how he found a community in improv comedy.
Weyni Mengesha is an award-winning Canadian theatre maker and the artistic director of Toronto’s Soulpepper Theatre Company. Five years ago, she reworked Tennessee Williams’s historic play “A Streetcar Named Desire,” which was a resounding hit for Canadian theatre. Now, Soulpepper has remounted the production. Weyni joins Tom to talk about the changes she made to “A Streetcar Named Desire,” its legacy, and why it still matters today.
When she was just 17, Chappell Roan signed her first record deal with a major label and moved to Los Angeles. But when the deal fell through, she returned home to Missouri where she began soul searching and trying to figure out her next steps. Chappell talks to Tom about being discovered on YouTube, how she responded when she was dropped from her record label in 2020, and what inspired her critically acclaimed debut album, “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess.”
The Canadian artist Miles Greenberg says flesh is his medium. He’s no stranger to pushing his body to the extreme for his art. Some of the things Miles has done include standing on a plinth dripping in fake blood, embracing a stranger while naked and blind, and walking on a conveyor belt all day. For his latest work, “Respawn,” he wrestles and stabs versions of himself in front of a live audience for nine hours straight — and if you’re asking why, Miles has a very good answer. He sits down with Tom to shed light on the piece and his journey in art.
Dallas Smith was the lead singer of the Canadian band Default, which had a big hit called “Wasting My Time.” But after a long, lonely time on the road, Dallas decided to make a career change that took him from rock stardom to country music dominance. He sits down with Tom to talk about the risk that comes with that decision, why he stayed in British Columbia instead of moving to Nashville, and how you actually pronounce the name of his old band.
When the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Katori Hall was approached to write a musical about Tina Turner, she got to fly to Switzerland to spend some one-on-one time with Tina herself. Katori joins Tom to discuss the concerns the late music icon had about the way her story would be told, what they learned they have in common, and why it’s important to look at our favourite musicians and artists as people — not as myths.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Seinfeld, Veep) is best known for her quick wit, physical comedy and — when it comes to her character Elaine Benes — her dance moves. But in her new film, “Tuesday,” the Emmy-winning actor flexes her dramatic chops. Julia joins Tom to discuss the film, why she’s more comfortable talking about death these days, and what happens to your comedy when you get mentally healthy.
How do you step away from your most famous creation? Mohawk artist Walter Scott is about to find out. More than a decade after creating his beloved “Wendy” series of graphic novels, Walter is taking a long hiatus from his cartoon alter-ego. He joins Tom to tell us how he came up with Wendy — a neurotic young party girl who’s trying to make it as an artist — and why his latest book, “The Wendy Award,” is going to be her final adventure for now.
The Canadian director Ally Pankiw is no stranger to working with funny people. She’s directed comedian Mae Martin in their series “Feel Good” as well as comedy actor Annie Murphy in the dark satire “Black Mirror.” Now, she’s released her debut feature film, “I Used to Be Funny,” which stars real-life comedian Rachel Sennott as a stand-up comedian who’s struggling with PTSD. Ally joins Tom in studio to discuss the film and why she wanted the story to capture the coexistence of joy and despair.
The Griffin Poetry Prize is the world’s largest prize for poetry written or translated in English. This year, it went to “Self-Portrait in the Zone of Silence,” which was written in Spanish by the Mexican poet Homero Aridjis and translated into English by the Canadian poet George McWhirter. Tom catches up with George to talk about his big win, his collaboration with Homero, and the art of translation.
This week, the singer-songwriter and French cultural icon Françoise Hardy died at 80 years old. Back in 2018, she spoke with Tom about her memoir, “The Despair of Monkeys and Other Trifles.” It was a rare English interview that looked back on her decades-long career and her early doubtful days, as well as some incredible stories about Bob Dylan and Iggy Pop. Today, we revisit Françoise's conversation with Tom in honour of her passing.
The award-winning jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington is back with a new album, “Fearless Movement.” His distinct sound has captured the imagination of many listeners outside of the traditional jazz audience, including a younger crowd. Kamasi grabbed people's attention after collaborating on Kendrick Lamar’s groundbreaking record “To Pimp a Butterfly,” and releasing his own three-hour long opus, “The Epic,” just a few months later. He even scored Michelle Obama’s documentary “Becoming.” Kamasi joins Tom to talk about his life in music, his new album, and how being a father has limited his time but expanded his approach.
Nine years ago, the multidisciplinary artist Ahmed Moneka was forced to seek asylum in Toronto after his life was threatened in his hometown of Baghdad. Separated from his family and his heritage, he used music to remember his roots and bridge the language gap he faced in Canada. Ahmed sits down with Tom to talk about his debut album, “Kanzafula,” and how performing his Afro Sufi music helps him remember where he came from.
The Canadian electronic musician Joel Zimmerman, better known as deadmau5, is the latest inductee into Canadian Music Week's Music Industry Hall of Fame. He sits down with Tom for a career-spanning chat that covers his early life in Niagara Falls, how Tears for Fears introduced him to electronic dance music, why his early gig as a studio engineer was so influential on him, and when he thinks he might stop.
The Canadian artist Sin Wai Kin draws on their interests in sci-fi, drag culture and boy bands to make videos that seem to be set in a different universe. Their film “A Dream of Wholeness in Parts” was nominated for the 2022 Turner Prize (one of the most prestigious art awards in the world) and now the Museum of Contemporary Art in Toronto is presenting the piece as a part of its new show, “Greater Toronto Art 2024.” Wai Kin joins Tom to discuss their work and how drag and sci-fi have become important tools for them both artistically and personally.
Ever since telling people to “Free Your Mind... and Your Ass Will Follow” in the late ‘60s, George Clinton’s P-Funk sound has influenced countless artists, including the likes of Prince, Snoop Dogg and Janelle Monáe. George is the mastermind behind groups like Funkadelic and Parliament, and he’s carved out a massive career in his own right. Last fall, Tom got to talk to George about his life in music, his influence on modern hip-hop, and how he hasn't been fairly compensated for that influence.
Sometime in her 30s, the award-winning Canadian theatre actor and writer Haley McGee started thinking about death. Was she making the best use of her time on Earth? And could being more aware of death help her live life to the fullest? Haley sits down with Tom to talk about her acclaimed new solo show, “Age is a Feeling,” which sets out to answer those questions.
Kiesza is the Canadian singer behind the massive dance hit “Hideaway,” which launched her career back in 2014. That song took her from being an unknown artist to performing at London’s Wembley Stadium, appearing on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” and winning three Juno Awards. But everything came to a halt in 2017 when Kiesza was in a car accident that left her with a traumatic brain injury. She joins Tom in studio to tell us the story behind “Hideaway” and how she learned to make music again after her accident.
The Canadian comedian Jessi Cruickshank first rose to prominence as the co-host of MTV Canada’s “The Hills: The After Show.” Now, she’s releasing her first one-hour comedy special, “Minivan Money,” which explores her experience raising three kids. Jessi joins Tom to tell us how comedy helped her cope with some of the toughest parts of motherhood, why she asked her audience to throw their old bras at her, and why she made the decision to pump breast milk on stage.
The singer-songwriter Huey Lewis is one of the most iconic voices of the ‘80s. With his band Huey Lewis and the News, he made mega hits like "The Power of Love" and “If This is It.” Now, the band’s music will be featured in a new Broadway musical called “The Heart of Rock and Roll.” Huey joins Tom to tell us what it takes to write countless radio hits, why he had to teach himself a new way to write a song, and how he feels watching someone else singing his music.
Bibi Club is the musical project of Adèle Trottier-Rivard and Nic Basque, who are partners in life and music. Their first album, “Le soleil et la mer,” was longlisted for the 2023 Polaris Prize and now they're back with a new record, “Feu de garde.” Adèle and Nic join Tom to talk about their partnership and what their band name has to do with the three kids they have running around their house.
Devery Jacobs (Reservation Dogs, Blood Quantum) always dreamed of being an actor, but it never seemed possible. Now, she’s built a successful career as an actor, director and producer, with starring roles in several acclaimed movies and TV series. Recently, Devery was honoured with the Radius Award from the Canadian Screen Awards in recognition of her global impact. She sits down with Tom to talk about her journey to this moment, plus her new film “Backspot,” which is about a gymnast who’s fighting her body and mind as she takes her place in an elite cheer squad.
When the singer and composer Arooj Aftab released her 2021 album “Vulture Prince,” she gained fans like Barack Obama, Elvis Costello and Caroline Polachek. That album also earned her a Grammy for best global music performance. Now, Arooj is back with her fourth studio album, “Night Reign.” She joins Tom to tell us about her journey in music, her fascination with the night, and what it was like going viral before that was really a thing.
Before he became known as the massively successful writer of “The Da Vinci Code” and other novels, Dan Brown dreamed of being a singer-songwriter. He moved to Los Angeles and landed a record deal, but ultimately his music career didn’t work out. Now, music is back in his life as he prepares to perform with a youth orchestra in New Brunswick later this month. Dan joins Tom to share his story of failure, his relationship with music, and the wisdom he’d like to impart to young people.
The award-winning Canadian writer Billy-Ray Belcourt is back with his fifth book and first collection of short stories, “Coexistence.” Following characters with gently intersecting lives, the stories deal with themes of love, loneliness and belonging. Billy-Ray sits down with Tom to talk about putting Indigenous, queer love at the centre of this book, and the freedom that comes when you don't have to explain everything to a non-Indigenous audience.
This past weekend, Denis Villeneuve received the Icon Award at the Canadian Screen Awards, naming him as one of the premier filmmakers working today. He spoke with Tom about “Dune: Part Two” when he was in Montreal for the film’s Canadian premiere earlier this year. In this conversation, Denis discusses his vision for the second installment, the challenges of shooting in the intense heat of the desert, and how politics and religion in Quebec play into the film more than you might think.
The big winner at this past weekend's Canadian Screen Awards was the film “Blackberry,” which you can watch now as a series on CBC Gem. We revisit Tom’s conversation with director Matt Johnson about his path from guerilla filmmaker to Hollywood darling, how the story of Blackberry is the story of Canada, and why his mission in life is to inspire young filmmakers to stay in Canada and make great films.
The Canadian musician Frank Walker is one of the new generation of electronic dance music DJs who’s taken inspiration from the past and put their own spin on it. Frank joins Tom to talk about his debut album, Origin, and how he incorporates different genres of music into the traditional EDM sound.
Patricia Field is a legendary costume designer and stylist whose credits include “Sex and the City,” “The Devil Wears Prada” and “Emily in Paris.” A new documentary about her life, “Happy Clothes: A Film About Patricia Field,” details Patricia’s creative journey as one of fashion’s great visionaries, from opening her iconic boutique in New York City, to creating some of the most memorable on-screen outfits of the last few decades. She joins Tom to talk about her vision for “Sex and the City,” how a great actor wears clothes like a human and not a mannequin, and opening a boutique that became the hub for art and fashion in New York in the ‘80s.
The comedian Ilana Glazer (Broad City) is back with a new film, “Babes,” which looks at the messy realities of female friendship and motherhood. She joins Tom in studio to tell us how her own pregnancy inspired the film, her most surprising observations about having a baby, and why she’ll be telling stories that centre female friendships for the rest of her career.
The Canadian actor Lamar Johnson has been having a moment, from his acclaimed performance in Clement Virgo’s film “Brother” to his Emmy nomination for his emotional role in the hit post-apocalyptic drama “The Last of Us.” At this year’s Canadian Screen Awards, Lamar will receive the Radius Award, which is presented to a Canadian whose work is making waves globally. He chats with Tom about the award, learning ASL for his role on “The Last of Us,” and what all of this success means to him.
Siphesihle November is a principal dancer with the National Ballet of Canada. This June, he’ll be dancing lead roles in the company’s productions of “Don Quixote” and “Jewels” by George Balanchine. Siphesihle sits down with Tom in studio to talk about his journey from South Africa to Canada to pursue dance, his quick rise to the coveted role of principal dancer, and what keeps him inspired and focused.
The Canadian icon Nelly Furtado is back with a new single as she puts the finishing touches on her upcoming seventh studio album. We revisit Tom’s conversation with Nelly from a few months ago, where she explains why she took a break from the spotlight and what inspired her to get back to making music.
Geoff McFetridge has been called “the most famous Canadian artist you’ve never heard of.” As a graphic artist and painter, he’s collaborated with directors such as Spike Jonze and Sofia Coppola, designed for brands like Nike and Apple, and created huge murals for Ottawa’s transit system. In a rare interview, Geoff tells Tom how the DIY culture of skateboarding in Calgary influenced him to get into art, how he ended up designing the Beastie Boys’ Grand Royal magazine, and how he keeps one foot in the world of art galleries and one foot in the world of corporate design.
After working at some of the biggest animation studios in the world and breaking out with her own art, the Canadian cartoonist Aminder Dhaliwal is reflecting on what it means to protect your creativity (and your sanity) in a world that’s always demanding that we work harder and faster. The result is her new graphic novel, “A Witch’s Guide to Burning,” which tells a fairy tale-like story about how to find your magic again when you’re feeling burnt out. Aminder talks to Tom about the book and what burnout feels like to her.
The director Tarsem Singh first made a name for himself in the ‘90s making iconic music videos for bands like R.E.M. and Dream Warriors. In 2000, he captured moviegoers' imaginations with the sci-fi thriller, “The Cell,” starring Jennifer Lopez. His latest movie, “Dear Jassi,” is based on the real-life story of Jassi Sidhu, a young Sikh woman from Vancouver who was kidnapped and murdered while visiting the man she secretly married against the wishes of her family. Tarsem sits down with Tom to talk about this tragic love story, and why it was also pretty personal to him.
After blowing up on TikTok, the rising Canadian pop star Alexander Stewart has now released his debut album, “bleeding heart.” He sits down with Tom to discuss his journey, writing songs about eating disorders and body dysmorphia, how devastated he was when his voice changed, and how Shawn Mendes’s singing coach took him under his wing.
The Australian director George Miller made his name with the post-apocalyptic “Mad Max” film trilogy that he launched 45 years ago. In 2015, he revived the franchise with a fourth film, “Fury Road,” which won six Oscars and introduced the character of Furiosa. Now, George has created a new film in the franchise that focuses on Furiosa’s origin story. He sits down with Tom to discuss “Furiosa” and his evolution as a filmmaker through the entire “Mad Max” franchise.
The director Jane Schoenbrun first became known for their 2021 movie “We're All Going to the World's Fair,” which tapped into a teenaged fascination with the culture of viral memes. Now, Jane has made a new film called “I Saw the TV Glow,” which follows two suburban teens who get emotionally enmeshed in a fictional ‘90s TV show called The Pink Opaque. The result is a moody investigation of identity, growing up and making decisions about who you want to be. Jane talks to Tom about how this film relates to transness, why ‘90s TV has a special place in the film, and their own experience getting intertwined in TV shows as they grew up.
The father-daughter duo Ethan and Maya Hawke have teamed up for the new film called “Wildcat,” which follows the life of Flannery O'Connor while she was struggling to publish her first novel. Ethan and Maya join Tom to talk about their collaboration and why O’Connor’s work connected with them so deeply.
The comedian Zainab Johnson had dreams of being a professional basketball player until she got hit by a truck and started reevaluating her life. Now, more than a decade deep into her career as a comedian and an actor, Zainab has released one of the most talked about specials of the year, “Hijabs Off.” She talks to Tom about pulling through personal chaos, from growing up with 12 siblings to switching careers.
Harlan Coben is one of the most successful writers out there today. He has written over thirty suspense novels that have sold over 80 million copies worldwide. In recent years, Harlan’s books have been turned into series for streaming giants, including "Shelter," "The Stranger," “The Innocent,” “Gone for Good,” and the number one global Netflix hit “Fool Me Once.” Despite all this success, Harlan still suffers from imposter syndrome. Tom talked to Harlan Coben about his process, the tragic loss of his parents at a young age, and some of the secrets to his success.
The Canadian jazz musician Christine Jensen is back with her third album “Harbour.” She tells Tom about a track called “Fantasy on Blue," a piece inspired by Miles Davis famous jazz album “Kind of Blue.”
Joyner Lucas is a rapper who has millions of streams and two Grammy nominations. He tackles big subjects in his music, from self-harm and addiction to police brutality. Joyner joins Tom in studio to talk about his new album, “Not Now I'm Busy,” and the sacrifices he's made to find success.
After a near-death scuba diving accident that left her with PTSD, the Nova Scotia singer-songwriter Alana Yorke released the biggest album of her career, “Dream Magic.” But that’s not the end of the story. One morning in 2022, Alana woke up to find that she couldn’t move the left side of her body due to a stroke. Following a long recovery, she started recording her latest album, “Destroyer,” which is out now. Alana sits down with Tom to talk about the record and share her experience.
The artist, musician and filmmaker Laurie Anderson has been prolific for decades. With a career that’s been called uncategorizable, she’s worked in performance art, music, film, sculpture and painting. You might recognize her voice best in its computerized form from the 1981 song “O Superman.” Now, Laurie is being awarded an honourary degree by the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in Halifax. She joins Tom Power for a conversation about her long career, what she sees in the next generation of artists, and her surprising thoughts on AI.
The Canadian folk singer Kaia Kater is back with a new album, “Strange Medicine.” She sits down with Tom to talk about the record, why she fell out of love with the banjo for a while, and her journey back to it.
Tom Selleck has been on Hollywood’s A-list since bursting onto screens in the TV show “Magnum, P.I.” in the early ‘80s. By the end of that decade, he had reached a whole new level of fame with massive box office hits like “Three Men and a Baby.” More recently, he’s become known for his role as NYPD commissioner Frank Reagan on the hugely successful crime drama series “Blue Bloods.” Now, the actor has released a new memoir called “You Never Know.” He joins Tom Power to talk about his journey in acting, the hurdles he faced, and the lessons he learned on his way to stardom.
Matthew Macfadyen (Succession, Pride & Prejudice) stars in the miniseries “Stonehouse,” which tells the story of the disgraced British MP John Stonehouse who faked his own death after allegedly being recruited as a spy. Last year, Matthew joined Tom to talk about the show and the parallels he sees between his roles on “Stonehouse” and “Succession.”
Kathleen Hanna is a punk icon, a pioneer of the riot grrrl movement, and one of the most influential feminists of the ‘90s. As the frontwoman of Bikini Kill, Le Tigre and The Julie Ruin, she’s empowered women to feel liberated over their bodies and minds. Now, she’s released a gripping new memoir, “Rebel Girl,” in which she details the abuse she endured by men throughout her life, the terror she often felt on stage, and her path to becoming a champion of women. Kathleen joins Tom to look back on her life and career.
The Newfoundland-based writer Don McKay has been publishing poems about the natural world since the ‘80s. This year, he was honoured with the Lifetime Recognition Award from the Griffin Poetry Prize. In celebration of the honour, Don reads two poems that are particularly meaningful to him and chats with Tom about the themes that run through his work.
Alice Munro, a Canadian author who was revered worldwide as master of the short story and who won the Nobel Prize for Literature, has died at the age of 92. Tom goes into the CBC archives to bring you Peter Gzowki’s 1996 interview with the late author.
System of a Down’s Serj Tankian grew up hearing stories about his family members who died during the Armenian genocide, many years before he was born. In his new memoir “Down With the System,” he shares his family’s story and looks back on his career through the lens of his Armenian heritage. Serj joins Tom to talk about the origins of his activism, how System of a Down got on the radio, and whether or not you’ll ever hear new music from the band.
Billianne is a Canadian singer-songwriter who recently premiered her new single “Daydream” live on “The Today Show.” She sits down with Tom to discuss the song, her big network debut, and what it was like to get Taylor Swift’s seal of approval on TikTok.
Canada’s own Kevin Durand plays the tyrannical bonobo Proximus Caesar in “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” — the latest installment in the long-running “Planet of the Apes” franchise. Kevin sits down with Tom to talk about the film, what it was like going to “ape school” in preparation for his role, and his path to becoming one of the busiest Canadian actors in Hollywood.
The critically acclaimed Canadian theatre director and actor Moya O’Connell is directing a new production of Henrik Ibsen’s 1891 masterpiece “Hedda Gabler.” The play follows a woman named Hedda who’s trapped in a loveless marriage as she struggles with the realities of domestic life. When her old flame comes back to town, she’s driven to commit some manipulative and disturbing acts. Moya sits down with Tom to tell us more about the play, what makes Hedda such a timeless character, and her own experience of playing the iconic role in 2012.
Ncuti Gatwa is the new Doctor Who — the time and space-travelling lead in the BBC's hit show of the same name. Ahead of the season premiere, Ncuti joins Tom to tell us what it was like taking the reins on this British pop culture institution, and what he wanted to bring to the show as the first Black queer Doctor.
Evany Rosen is one of the funniest people in Canadian television. She’s the creator of the new comedy series “Davey & Jonesie's Locker,” which follows two oddball high school best friends as they travel through the multiverse via a portal in their locker. Evany joins Tom to talk about the show and what inspired it.
Steve Albini, the musician and legendary producer, died on Tuesday, May 7 from a heart attack. He was 61 years old. Today we revisit Tom’s conversation with Steve, back when the most famous record he ever produced, Nirvana’s “In Utero,” turned 30 last fall.
Iceland’s top streaming artist isn’t Björk or Sigur Rós — it’s Laufey. The 25-year-old singer-songwriter is redefining jazz for Gen Z, and this year, she won the Grammy for best traditional pop vocal album. Laufey sits down with Tom in studio to talk about her meteoric rise, falling in love with the cello, and what it’s like being called Gen Z’s jazz icon.
When the Oscar-winning director Ryusuke Hamaguchi set out to make his latest film “Evil Does Not Exist,” the music kind of came before the idea. The film tells the story of a close-knit rural community in Japan and the city folk who have plans to build a glamping site in their hamlet. Hamaguchi joins Tom to tell us how the film was largely inspired by the music of his composer, Eiko Ishibashi.
The Canadian country singer MacKenzie Porter grew up on a cattle and bison ranch near Medicine Hat, Alberta. When her brother Kalan won “Canadian Idol” in 2004, she learned a lot about the good and bad of the music industry. She’s just released a new album, “Nobody’s Born with a Broken Heart,” which explores her struggle to make it in Nashville. MacKenzie sits down with Tom in studio to talk about the record and some of the hard-won lessons she learned in the Music City.
Rick and Jeff Kuperman (a.k.a. the Kuperman Brothers) are Canadian directors and choreographers whose work spans film, TV, music videos, concerts and stage shows. Now, they’ve made their Broadway debut as the choreographers of “The Outsiders” — a new musical based on S. E. Hinton’s seminal novel of the same name. The Kuperman Brothers join Tom to talk about “The Outsiders” and how being dragged to martial arts classes as kids helped them find their path.
Few names are as instantly recognizable as Jerry Seinfeld. After nearly 50 years in comedy, TV and film, he’s now flexing his directorial muscles with “Unfrosted” — a new movie all about the creation of Pop-Tarts. Jerry chats with Tom about the film, his early days on Johnny Carson, his relationship with Larry David, and how he really feels about the “Seinfeld” finale.
The Canadian twin siblings Phoenix and Mercedes Arn-Horn went from playing in the super successful band Courage My Love to moving in an entirely different direction as Softcult. They sit down with Tom to set up a song from their new EP, “Heaven.”
George Gershwin’s iconic concerto “Rhapsody In Blue” turns 100 this year. To mark the occasion, Béla Fleck, one of the world’s greatest living banjo players, has released an album of his takes on the American classic. Béla joins Tom to tell us what inspired this project and how he arranged one of the 20th century’s most famous orchestral pieces for a bluegrass band.
Carley Fortune is the Canadian author behind the New York Times bestselling novels “Every Summer After” and “Meet Me at the Lake” (the latter of which is being adapted for Netflix by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle). Carley talks to Tom about her new book “This Summer Will Be Different,” leaving journalism to pursue being a novelist, and why the romance genre is having a moment right now.
Dua Lipa is back with her third studio album, “Radical Optimism.” The Grammy-winning pop superstar sits down with Tom in New York for an in-depth conversation about the record, shifting her sound and her mindset, and what she loves about clubbing.
Mark Clennon is a Jamaican Canadian actor and musician who stars in the powerful new film “I Don't Know Who You Are.” The story follows a Toronto musician named Benjamin who must pull together the money for the HIV-preventive PEP treatment following a sexual assault. What ensues is an emotional weekend as he races against time to get the medication within 72 hours. Mark talks to Tom about the film and how it made him reflect differently on his home of Jamaica.
The acclaimed Toronto singer-songwriter Charlotte Day Wilson is back with her second studio album, “Cyan Blue.” She sits down with Tom to talk about the record and how she almost became a professional hockey player before she decided to pursue music instead.
The Canadian composer Ari Kinarthy always dreamed of scoring a film, but he never expected it to be a film about his own life. The new documentary “Ari’s Theme” unfolds his remarkable story as someone living with type two spinal muscular atrophy — a rare genetic condition that progressively weakens the muscles in the body. Ari talks to Tom about the music he made for the film and why he wants it to be his legacy.
Emily Henry is an internationally bestselling author credited with cracking the modern romance novel, especially for Gen Z and millennials. Three of her books, including her breakout hit “Beach Read,” are being turned into movies. But these stories aren’t your stereotypical bodice rippers. Emily joins Tom to share her recipe for the perfect love story, why she’s tired of people looking down on the romance genre, and why she still believes in love.
In Christian Sparkes’s new psychological thriller, “The King Tide,” a young girl with mysterious powers washes ashore a remote island community in Newfoundland. But after her powers go dormant, the once peaceful community devolves into violence. Christian joins Tom to talk about the film and why he was interested in exploring the darker side of his home province.
The Toronto-based sketch comic Laura Ramoso has amassed more than one million followers on TikTok and Instagram for her hilarious impressions of her German mom and Italian dad. Laura talks to Tom about her audition to Juilliard as a dramatic actor, how she found sketch comedy, and the joy of returning to the stage in her new one-woman show, “Frances.”
The textile artist Hangama Amiri is known around the world for making masterpieces out of fabric. A lot of that fabric is from a home she was forced to leave. Hangama was seven years old when the Taliban seized control of Kabul in 1996. Years later, after fleeing Afghanistan and settling in Canada with her family, she started stitching together her memories of home. Hangama talks to Tom about her work, the Afghan store where she buys her materials, and what home means to her these days.
Richard Thomas is best known for playing John-Boy on the ‘70s drama series “The Waltons.” Now, he’s playing one of literature and film’s most beloved characters, Atticus Finch, in Aaron Sorkin’s touring production of “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Richard talks to Tom about taking on this much-loved role, why he thinks the story is so timeless, and why he doesn't mind if you shout out “Goodnight, John-Boy” at curtain call.
Justin Peck is a celebrated choreographer who loves Sufjan Stevens’s music. He loves it so much that he’s collaborated with the musician twice. Their latest project is a Broadway dance musical called “Illinoise,” which is based on Sufjan’s seminal album “Illinois.” Justin joins guest host Talia Schlanger to tell us what the album means to him and how he transformed it into a theatre-dance production.
The Grammy-winning musician St. Vincent, also known as Annie Clark, is back with a new album, “All Born Screaming.” Her last album, “Daddy’s Home,” was a wild trip through the ‘70s that explored her relationship with her father after his release from prison. But with “All Born Screaming,” she says she’s ready to let the music speak for itself. St. Vincent talks to Tom about the record, working with Dave Grohl, and where she’s at in her continuing evolution.
Caitlin Cronenberg established herself as a photographer, but now she’s following in the footsteps of her famous father, David Cronenberg, by directing her first feature film. “Humane” is a darkly comedic horror thriller that takes a dystopian look at eco-catastrophe — and in keeping with the family tradition, it involves a lot of blood. Caitlin joins Tom to talk about the film, her career in photography, and how she’s been addressing the elephant in the room: her last name.
Maya Rudolph has been a comedy staple on our screens for decades. She’s impersonated everyone from Donatella Versace to Beyoncé as a cast member on “Saturday Night Live,” and she’s played memorable characters in comedies like “Bridesmaids” and “Sisters.” Now, Maya is back as the divorced billionaire Molly Wells in the second season of her hit Apple TV+ show “Loot.” Maya tells Tom why she was interested in the world of the mega-rich, how she ended up on “SNL” even though her agent told her not to audition, and why she says comedy and music are cousins.
Michael Mabbott and Lucah Rosenberg-Lee are the directors of a new documentary about the late American R&B singer Jackie Shane. Jackie was a Black trans woman who became popular in Canada after moving to Toronto in the 1960s. She released a single called “Any Other Way” that charted across the country, but in the 1970s, she became a recluse and disappeared from the public eye. Michael and Lucah join Tom to discuss their film “Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story” and how an unreleased song was discovered in Jackie’s house after she passed.
Jimbo the Drag Clown got a taste of revenge last year. After getting eliminated from the first season of “Canada's Drag Race,” she returned to win Season 8 of “RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars.” In the midst of her North American tour, Jimbo sits down with Tom to tell us about her drag beginnings, how she uses her training as a clown to take her performances to the next level, and why everything she does is for the “unseen, beautiful weirdos” who relate to her.
The Canadian actor Sophie Nélisse (Yellowjackets) stars in the new film “Irena’s Vow,” which tells the story of Irena Gut, a Polish nurse during World War II. Irena becomes a German army major's housekeeper and risks her life to hide a dozen Jewish people within the major's home. Sophie joins Tom in studio to talk about the film, what it means to her, and what her training as an elite gymnast gives her as an actor.
Considered one of the world’s greatest living poets, Nikki Giovanni carved out a revolutionary legacy during the civil rights era with poems that uplifted the experiences of Black Americans. Decades later, Nikki’s writing and interviews have grown increasingly personal, offering insight into her childhood, health struggles and thoughts on growing older. She shares her story in the new documentary, “Going To Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project.” Nikki tells Tom about being involved in the birth of hip-hop, why artists should go to space, and how she packed a club of 100 people, including guests like Morgan Freeman and Nina Simone.
For his debut feature film, “In Flames,” the Pakistani Canadian filmmaker Zarrar Kahn pulls inspiration from his experience living in Karachi as a child. The film is about a mother and daughter who are trying to survive in Karachi as they deal with the challenging reality — and often horror — of living in a patriarchal society. Zarrar speaks with Tom about the film, what it was like confronting his childhood memories, and where his idea for the story originally came from.
It’s been more than two years since the series debut of “We're All Gonna Die (Even Jay Baruchel),” and the Canadian actor, writer and director Jay Baruchel is still worrying about humanity’s demise. Ahead of the Season 2 premiere of the award-winning docuseries, Jay joins Tom in studio to talk about his fear of death, how a children’s bible made him cry, and where his patriotism comes from.
Alexandre Hamel is a French Canadian former international-level figure skater and one of the artists with Le Patin Libre (Free Skate) — the world’s first and only contemporary ice skating collective. He talks to Tom about forming the Montreal-based collective as a place for rebel skaters to explore the idea of ice skating as art, and why he wants to push the boundaries of ice skating outside of a competitive environment.
Noah Kahan is one of the most successful singer-songwriters in the world right now, but it wasn’t that long ago that he was writing his latest album, “Stick Season,” while isolated on a Vermont farm during the peak of the pandemic. Now, he’s considered the next big thing in music. Noah joins Tom in studio for a conversation about writing the album that would change his life, the power of tapping into his authentic self, and how he’s protected his mental health while on this crazy ride.
In the three years since Cadence Weapon won the Polaris Music Prize, the Canadian rapper has been working on his new album, "Rollercoaster,” which comes out today. For this record, he was thinking about renegotiating our relationship with the internet and our phones. Cadence Weapon (a.k.a. Rollie Pemberton) chats with Tom about “Rollercoaster” and why he’s decided to adjust his screen time.
The Canadian actor Tonya Williams spent two decades playing Dr. Olivia Winters on “The Young and the Restless,” which made her one of the first Black actors to star on a soap opera. In 2001, she founded the Reelworld Film Festival to lift up other racialized actors and filmmakers. Now, she’s being honoured with the Changemaker Award from the Canadian Screen Awards in recognition of her barrier-breaking work. Tonya joins Tom to look back on her career, the festival, and how playing a doctor on TV leads to a lot of oversharing from fans.
Tom’s conversation with Mick Jagger has won gold for best interview at this year’s New York Festivals Radio Awards! The Rolling Stones frontman sat down with Tom in London last year ahead of the release of “Hackney Diamonds” — the band’s first album of original material in 18 years. Mick reflects on six decades of the Stones, the changing music industry, and the loss of their drummer, Charlie Watts.
Fred Nguyen Khan is a trilingual actor and stunt performer from Montreal who’s been studying martial arts since he was four. That resume helped him beat out countless actors in a worldwide casting call for his latest role on the new HBO miniseries “The Sympathizer,” which is based on the Pulitzer-winning novel of the same name. Fred talks to Tom about the series, shooting fight scenes with a legendary action director, and mastering kung-fu at the Shaolin Temple in China.
After three decades, the Canadian pop-punk band Sum 41 is calling it quits. But when frontman Deryck Whibley started writing the group’s latest album, “Heaven :x: Hell,” he didn’t realize it would be their last. He joins Tom to explain how the writing process helped him reach a decision he’s been debating for years, and how he told the band he was ending things.
Leanne Toshiko Simpson is looking at romantic comedy through a new lens. The fourth-generation Japanese Canadian writer has just released her debut novel, “Never Been Better,” which tells a love story set at a psychiatric facility. Leanne lives with bipolar disorder and has spent time in a psych ward herself. She joins Tom to tell us why she wanted to use the rom-com format to talk about mental illness.
Alex Garland’s latest film “Civil War” is unsettling even in its premise — maybe because of how real it feels. Set in a dystopian future America, the film follows a team of journalists who travel across the country during a rapidly escalating second American civil war. Alex joins Tom in studio for a conversation about his feelings on journalism and media, what inspired the film, and why it’s not just a warning about conflict, but the loss of a collective truth.
Plus, the Canadian medical drama “Transplant” became a surprise hit during the pandemic that completely changed the life of its star, Hamza Haq. On the heels of the series finale, Hamza talks to Tom about his groundbreaking character, saying goodbye to the show, and his latest film “With Love and a Major Organ.”
After making his name in series like “Twin Peaks” and “Sex and the City,” Kyle MacLachlan is now back on the small screen as the star of the new Amazon Prime series “Fallout.” The show is based on the hit video game series of the same name. Kyle joins Tom to chat about the show and look back at his career, including his starring role as Paul Atreides in David Lynch’s 1984 adaptation of “Dune.”
The Cree Métis singer-songwriter iskwē is back with her first solo album since 2019, “nīna.” On the record, she channels her feelings of heartbreak, remorse, self-doubt, isolation and resilience. iskwē joins Tom to share how an extended trip to Mexico served as much-needed creative inspiration, what it was like working with Grammy-nominated producer Damian Taylor, and why she feels that this record is a journey back to herself.
Mike Post is the multi-Grammy-winning composer behind some of the most recognizable TV theme songs of all time, from “The A-Team” and “Magnum, P.I.” to “Doogie Howser, M.D.” and “Law & Order.” Now, Mike is back with new music — but not for the small screen. He’s released a bluegrass and blues record, titled “Message from the Mountains & Echoes of the Delta.” He chats with Tom about the record and his incredible career in music, including how he came up with the famous dun-dun sound on “Law & Order.”
Plus, the singer-songwriter Joel Plaskett is breaking some new ground with his latest release: a spoken word performance of a poem called “The New Joys.” He tells us the story behind the piece and what made him want to explore poetry.
The award-winning Canadian writer and professor Ian Williams has been named this year’s Massey lecturer. Since 1961, the Massey Lectures have invited distinguished writers, thinkers and scholars to present their ideas in a five-part lecture series across Canada. Ian sits down with Tom to tell us why he’s chosen the topic of conversations for his cross-country lecture series, how listening can be a courageous act, and why he believes it’s important to have difficult conversations, even at the risk of offending people.
Plus, the Kenyan British artist Magdalene Odundo is one of the world’s greatest living ceramicists. She joins Tom to talk about her life in clay, her new exhibit at the Gardiner Museum, and why the inside of her pieces are perhaps even more important than the outside.
The musician and actor Rudy Mancuso lives with synesthesia, which in his case means hearing everyday noises as musical patterns. In his first feature film, “Música,” he gives us a look into the life of a young man who experiences the world through sound. Rudy chats with guest host Talia Schlanger about depicting his form of synesthesia on screen — and why hearing music in everything can be both a blessing and a curse.
The singer-songwriter Dawn Landes has just released her new album, “The Liberated Woman's Songbook.” It was inspired by a 1971 book of the same name that chronicles the women’s liberation movement through a collection of songs from the 1800s to early 1970. Dawn talks to guest host Talia Schlanger about the power of music as a tool for activism, finding solace and inspiration through the voices of women throughout American history, and why these songs still serve as a map for survival today.
Few voices in folk music have captured a time and place quite like Joan Baez’s. Her incredible life is on display in the documentary “Joan Baez I Am a Noise,” which follows her career as she becomes one of the definitive singers of her generation. The film also gives an intimate look at her life, loves and traumas through diary entries, recordings and performances. Joan talks to Tom about her career, what it means to leave behind an honest legacy, and what she’s most proud of.
The Canadian director Brendan Healy has taken on an epic project: a new production of Matthew López's seven-hour play “The Inheritance,” which has been called the most important play of the 21st century. Brendan sits down with Tom to tell us how the play represents a conversation between generations of gay men, what happens when you don't learn about the past, and how that conversation played out in real life at rehearsals.
After 26 years dancing with the National Ballet of Canada, Guillaume Côté will be retiring following the 2024-2025 season. The Canadian dancer and choreographer joins Tom in studio to tell us why it’s the right time to move on, why he’s starting his own dance company with a new production of “Hamlet,” and how ballet dancers are expected not just to dance through intense pain, but to look graceful while doing it.
Plus, TOBi had a big weekend at this year’s Junos in Halifax, taking home two awards: rap album of the year and rap single of the year. He sits down with Tom to talk about the experience and share one of the tracks off his Juno-winning record, “Panic.”
Shakira is back with her first new album in seven years, “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran,” which details her tumultuous breakup with her ex-partner and the father of her two children. She sits down with Tom for a revealing interview about vulnerability, survival and what really matters in her life.
Read the Spanish transcription of this interview here.
When Ani DiFranco was first setting out as an artist, she felt like she had two paths in front of her. There was the one she actually took — the path of an independent punk feminist singer-songwriter — and the one she didn't take as an actor and dancer. Now, she’s made her Broadway debut in “Hadestown” as Persephone, the reluctant wife of Hades. Ani tells Tom how it feels to revisit her old dreams, why landing the role was a full circle moment, and how you can keep fighting for change even when it feels completely hopeless.
The actor Mary Elizabeth Winstead always grounds her performances in reality, no matter if the role is a character from a comic book, an alien in “Star Wars,” or a glamorous movie star like the one she plays in the new drama series, “A Gentleman in Moscow.” Mary joins guest host Talia Schlanger in studio to talk about the show, what it was like acting opposite her real-life husband (Ewan McGregor), and her memories of starring in one of the most iconic Canadian films of all time: “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.”
Shakira is back with her first new album in seven years, “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran,” which details her tumultuous breakup with her ex-partner and the father of her two children. She sits down with Tom for a revealing interview about vulnerability, survival and what really matters in her life.
Plus, the Canadian writer Zehra Naqvi is about to release her debut poetry collection, “The Knot of My Tongue.” She tells guest host Talia Schlanger about her work, why she’s fascinated by the themes of language and displacement, and how her writing was deeply influenced by the 1947 Partition of India and Pakistan.
There’s been a lot of buzz around the new film Love Lies Bleeding, starring actors Kristen Stewart and Katy O’Brian, which has been called an “erotic thriller on steroids.” Katy chats with Q guest host Talia Schlanger about what the film means to her, how coming up in the competitive bodybuilding world prepared her for this role, and why this movie matters to queer audiences.
Canadian singer-songwriter Adaline has written an EP called Hymnal, all about reconciling her queerness with the religion she was raised in. She joins guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about the catharsis of writing the album and finding community outside her religion.
Sheryl Crow has sold over 50 million albums, won nine Grammy Awards, and inspired countless songwriters and artists to follow in her footsteps. Now, over 30 years into her career, she’s releasing her 11th studio album, “Evolution.” Sheryl joins Tom to talk about how concerns around artificial intelligence inspired the title track on this album, why she uses her music to speak out, and what advice she gave to Olivia Rodrigo when they performed together at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
You might know Roy Wood Jr. from his time as a correspondent on “The Daily Show.” But for years, Roy has honed his comedy as a traveling stand-up comic. Roy spoke with Tom when he was touring his stand-up in Canada and explained why it was time for him to leave “The Daily Show.”
Grammy-winning violinist James Ehnes is one of the most sought-after musicians in the world. The Order of Canada member violinist drops by the studio to tell Tom about his life in music and what it was like growing up as a child prodigy in Brandon, Manitoba.
The musician Caroline Rose had an incredible 2023 - they released their album “The Art of Forgetting,” picked up a Grammy nomination and went on an international tour. But that tour wasn’t an easy one. It was often sad, emotionally exhausting, and Caroline didn’t think they’d want to get out on the road again for a long time. They tell Tom about why they’ve decided to get back on the bus and create a new tour that brings joy to their audience — and to them.
The Last Dinner Party have had a huge year with a viral moment on TikTok, a number-one album, and winning both BBC Radio 1's Sound Of 2024 contest and the rising star award at the BRITs. Abigail Morris and Georgia Davies of the band join guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about their big year, the origins of the band and taking a non-traditional route into the industry.
Zelda Williams just made her directorial debut with the film Lisa Frankenstein. She joins Tom to talk about growing up on the movie sets of her father, the late comedian and actor Robin Williams, and what motivated her to start making her own movies.
Canadian writer and director Clement Virgo has worked on some of the most critically acclaimed television shows of the 2000s — from The Wire and The Book of Negroes to Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story. But his latest project, the film Brother, feels like his most personal yet. He sits down with Tom to talk about returning to his hometown to film a story of familial love and grief, and how art reflects back your own humanity.
For three decades, Regina King (One Night in Miami, If Beale Street Could Talk) has captivated audiences on screen, cementing herself as a Hollywood legend. The Oscar and four-time Emmy-winning actor and director joins Tom to talk about some of her most iconic characters and why she wanted to take on her latest role as Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress, in the new Netflix biopic “Shirley.”
Stephen Tayo is a documentary and fashion photographer whose work celebrates the diversity, vibrancy and rich culture of West Africa — particularly his hometown of Lagos, Nigeria. Presenting in Toronto for the first time, Stephen’s work is now on display at the Harbourfront Centre. He joins Tom to talk about his journey to becoming an acclaimed photographer and bringing snapshots from Nigeria to audiences around the world.
Kelvin Redvers’ new thriller Cold Road is something to behold — it’s straightforward in concept yet audiences are experiencing heightened heart rates and gripping on to one another while watching. Cold Road follows an Indigenous woman in Canada’s North while traveling a lonely highway in hopes of reaching her very ill mother in time to see her before she dies. Throughout the drive, she is threatened by an unknown driver as he uses his large truck to terrorize her. Kelvin joins Tom to talk about his own serious car accident that helped inform the tone of the film, how growing up in the North West Territories inspired the story, and how he felt “devastated” after being kicked off the prestigious Cannes red carpet for wearing his moccasins.
Queens of the Stone Age’s latest album, “In Times New Roman,” is their most raw and personal record to date. It chronicles a series of struggles experienced by the band’s lead singer, Josh Homme, including his public divorce and custody battle, the loss of several close friends, and his surgery to remove cancer. He tells Tom how he reflects on his spirituality after facing so many hardships, how his first guitar teacher taught him polka, and why he wanted to play “Let's Dance” by David Bowie at Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert.
From monster pop hits to surprise folk albums, Canada’s own Nelly Furtado has always charted her own path in music, and done it on her own timeline. After a break from the spotlight, she’s now back in the studio and laying the groundwork for a new chapter in her career. She sits down with Tom to talk about her life over the last 25 years, how working on Maneater made the speakers catch fire, and how she feels about hosting this year's Juno awards.
Alexandra Streliski was working at an ad agency when the late director Jean-Marc Valle discovered her music and started using it in his work. That gave her the push she needed to quit her job and pursue music. Now, she’s nominated for album of the year at the Juno awards. Alexandra joins Tom to talk about the significance of this nomination, the surrealness of seeing Matthew McConaughey acting with her music in the background, and what it was like to receive so much praise for her album, Inscape.
One of the most adored comedians of all time, Carol Burnett broke up the boys club that was network television with her freewheeling variety hour The Carol Burnett Show. More than half a century later, she’s still flexing her quick wit and comedic acting skills on shows like Better Call Saul and Palm Royale. In this special interview from Los Angeles, Carol Burnett sits down with Tom in the city she grew up in, and reminisces about the hard-won lessons and chance encounters that helped her become a star.
Évelyne Brochu is a French-Canadian actor who has starred in films and television shows both in and out of her home province of Quebec. Her new film “French Girl” is a romantic comedy that features both Hollywood and Quebecois film stars. Évelyne tells Tom why she sees the film as a love letter to Quebec, what it was like being a fan of, to working alongside Zach Braff, and how The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air helped her learn English.
Celebrated dancer and choreographer Emma Portner is gearing up for the North American premiere of her latest work, “Islands,” where she subverts gender expectations: the ballet performance features two women jumping, partnering, and lifting one other. Emma tells Tom about her “backwards” dance career, the limitations of a tutu, and what makes her passionate about evolving the art of ballet.
Acclaimed French director Justine Triet joins Tom to discuss her latest film, “Anatomy of a Fall,” which just won an Oscar for best original screenplay. Set against the backdrop of a courtroom, the film puts the intimate details of a marriage on trial when a woman is charged with the murder of her husband after he falls to his death in their home.
Fawzia Mirza is lawyer turned filmmaker who pulls a lot of inspiration from her experiences as a queer, Pakistani Muslim who grew up in Sydney, Nova Scotia. Fawzia tells guest host Talia Schlanger how growing up watching Bollywood films inspired her debut feature film, “The Queen of My Dreams.”
When Es Devlin was growing up and going to concerts, and looked at the stage, she saw an opportunity for improvement. It’s that very aspiration to make concerts look better that’s lef her to a groundbreaking career in set design, working with the likes of Adele, Beyoncé, and The Rolling Stones. Ed joins Tom to talk about the music that inspired her artistic direction, how experiencing art is multi-sensory, and what it was like designing the set for the 2022 Super Bowl halftime show.
Plus, DJ Karaba walked away from her lifelong dream at the height of her success —she was a backup dancer for artists like Drake, Selena Gomez, and Camilla Cabello. Now, DJ Karaba is pursuing a new dream, making music of her own. DJ Karaba tells Tom about her new Juno nominated song Mad Mess, how her experience as a dancer helps her create dance music, and how she found the courage to start anew in her creative career.
From Batman to Beetlejuice, Michael Keaton has played iconic roles for four decades. He talks to Tom about directing his new film, “Knox Goes Away,” what he’s learned from working with directors Tim Burton and Steven Soderbergh, and what it was like working on Mister Rogers Neighborhood early in his career.
25 years after playing “little Victor” in the cult classic 1998 film Smoke Signals, Cody Lightning is all grown up and back with his mockumentary, “Hey Viktor!” which follows a fictionalized version of himself trying to make Smoke Signals 2. Cody joins Tom from Edmonton, Alberta where the movie was shot to talk about making gritty Indigenous comedy, how his idea for the film began as a joke, and how he looks back on growing up as a child actor.
Billy Boyd and Dominic Monaghan are a creative duo like few others. Their bond formed on the set of “The Lord of the Rings” as two Hobbits, Merry and Pippin, whose on-screen chemistry closely mirrored their real-life friendship. Now, Billy and Dominic are playing another iconic duo in a new production of “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead.” They drop by to chat with Tom about the play and their decades-long friendship.
One night in 2019, Paul Simon had a dream telling him to work on a new album called “Seven Psalms.” That led him to contemplating big existential questions about his beliefs. Tom visited Paul at the legendary musician’s home near Austin, Texas — in the studio where he recorded “Seven Psalms” — for a rare sit-down chat about the album.
It takes an experienced director like Denis Villeneuve (Blade Runner 2049, Arrival, Prisoners) to tackle a project like the sci-fi epic “Dune.” Denis joined Tom to discuss his lifelong love of Frank Herbert’s classic sci-fi novel, and what it’s like to adapt a book that’s long been considered "unfilmable.”
Given his operatic, maximalist and pop-centered career, you’d be forgiven for forgetting that Rufus Wainwright comes from one of the royal families of folk music. On his latest album, “Folkocracy,” Rufus takes a look back at his folk roots. He tells guest host Talia Schlanger about his earliest musical memories and shares the story behind his new album.
Nonso Amadi is the Nigerian Canadian musician making waves globally for his music that fuses Afrobeat and R&B. He’s performed all over the world and has racked up millions of streams, all before the release of his debut album.
Nonso tells guest host Talia Schlanger about his unique sound, how watching his sisters dance to MTV made him fall in love with music, and how he made the jump from chemical engineering student to releasing his debut record, “When It Blooms.”
Seth Rogen (Superbad, Pineapple Express, Knocked Up) talks to Tom about his debut book, “Yearbook,” which features a collection of hilarious personal essays about his early life in Canada and his adventures in Hollywood.
When Nickelback released its 10th studio album, “Get Rollin',” lead singer Chad Kroeger and guitarist Ryan Peake sat down with Tom to talk about the band's induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, the people who backed them from day one, and the song that launched a thousand memes: “Photograph.”
The director Emma Seligman’s “Bottoms” is an unabashedly queer romp starring Ayo Edebiri (The Bear) and Rachel Sennott (Shiva Baby, Bodies Bodies Bodies). They play high school best friends who hatch a scheme to win their cheerleader crushes by starting an all-girl fight club. Emma tells Tom about making the new no holds barred teen comedy.
The author Zalika Reid-Benta was only 28 when she took the book industry by storm. Her debut book, “Frying Plantain,” was longlisted for the Scotiabank Giller Prize. But here’s the thing: Zalika almost didn’t finish that book after some initial feedback deemed the manuscript “too Jamaican” and “too Canadian.” Now, she’s back with her second book and debut novel, “River Mumma” — a fantasy that unequivocally pays homage to her roots. She talks to Tom about her new novel and how her unwavering commitment to her roots paid off.
Known as one of the most influential writers in the world, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s work has found its way into Beyoncé songs and multiple TED Talks. She’s challenged her readers to reflect on colourism in North America (“Americanah”), equality (“We Should All Be Feminists”), and even death (“Notes on Grief”). Now, she’s reflecting on family in her first children’s book, “Mama’s Sleeping Scarf,”written under the alias Nwa Grace-James. Chimamanda tells Tom how her late parents inspired her new alias, why she thought her style of writing would never make for a good children’s book, and how she’s dealt with rejection in her career.
The comic and actor Maria Bamford is well known for taking taboo subjects — like OCD, suicidal ideation and anxiety — and placing them at the heart of her comedy. But the joke isn’t that these things are funny, what’s funny is how she frames her own experience struggling with her mental health. With a new memoir out, Maria joins Tom to talk about her mental health journey, what attracts her to “cults,” and the comfort of having a rigid belief system.
The poet Raymond Antrobus is back with his second spoken word album, “An Investigator (of Missing Sounds).” Raymond tells Tom about how being a new dad affected his ability to write, and how his own relationship with his father made it onto the album. He also sets up one of his new poems, “The Perseverance.”
Over the years, Pamela Anderson’s story has seemingly been told by everyone but herself. Earlier this year, she decided to take back authorship of her life with a memoir (“Love, Pamela”) and Netflix documentary (“Pamela, A Love Story”). Pam sat down with Tom in studio to share her story in her own words and set the record straight.
Cherie Dimaline is an award-winning author who seems to move effortlessly between labels like “young adult” and “literary fiction.” She talks to Tom about finding inspiration everywhere — from cemeteries to Pinterest boards — and mining some of her own experiences for her latest YA novel, “Funeral Songs for Dying Girls.”
Debby Friday’s debut album, “Good Luck,” has been shortlisted for Canada’s prestigious Polaris Music Prize. She talks to Tom about the record, the influence that Montreal’s club culture had on her, and how sobriety changed her life and art.
For years, The Armed has been a highly acclaimed band that’s somehow kept their individual identities a secret. For the first time ever, they’ve come clean about who’s actually in the band, which turns out to have included more than 100 artists over the years. The big reveal is accompanied by the release of a new album, “Perfect Saviors.” Creative director and singer Tony Wolski talks to Tom about why now was the right time to unmask the group and release the arena rock record of the year.
For decades, Shania Twain has been inspiring fans with empowering anthems like “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” and “That Don’t Impress Me Much.” Tom spoke with Shania back when the documentary about her life, “Not Just a Girl,” came out on Netflix. Shania talks about her humble beginnings in Timmins, Ontario, and the hard lessons she's learned about life and love.
Plus, it’s hard to pin down King Cruff’s music as it seamlessly blends hip-hop, dancehall, Afrobeats and reggae. London, Ontario’s King Cruff will tell you about his hit single “Soufflé” and how his grandfather, reggae legend Bob Marley, has influenced his approach to music and life.
Peter Berg, the creator of the hit TV show “Friday Night Lights,” is back with his latest series “Painkiller,” a gut-wrenching and relentless look at the opioid crisis and the role of Purdue Pharma, the makers of OxyContin. Peter breaks down the path from drugs made in labs to marketers, to doctors, to patients, and why he decided to feature actual testimonials from the families of overdose victims in the series.
Tim McGraw, one of the biggest country stars on earth, is back with his 16th studio album, “Standing Room Only.” Tim talks to Tom about his career, meeting his dad for the first time as a teenager, and how he knew Taylor Swift was going to be big the first time he met her.
Singer-songwriter Feist on her latest album, “Multitudes,” what it was like becoming a new mom during the pandemic, and how her life changed after her song “1234” was featured in an iPod commercial in 2007.
Plus, Charlotte Cardin performs “Next to You” off her Juno-winning sophomore album, “99 Nights.”
Saweetie (Icy Grl, Best Friend, My Type) is one of the biggest rappers in the world with three consecutive No. 1 songs, a Grammy nomination and a new album on the way. She tells Tom about growing up surrounded by hip-hop, how she rejected job offers to pursue her dreams and why, despite a great track record, she never enters the recording studio in pursuit of a hit.
Yung Gravy and bbno$’s friendship all started with a SoundCloud DM, and now the viral rappers are headlining major festivals together around the world. They sit down with Tom to talk about their humble beginnings, supporting each other from day one, and their third studio album, “Baby Gravy 3.”
Buddha Stretch has left an indelible mark on hip-hop dance since “breakin'” (get it?) onto the scene decades ago. He's worked with everyone from Eric B. & Rakim to Will Smith, and pop legends like Mariah Carey and Michael Jackson. Buddha Stretch talks to Tom about his life in dance, how he approaches hip-hop from a Buddhist standpoint of balance, and what keeps him so passionate for the craft after all these years.
When Charmaine wrote her first song, she was living in a run-down Motel 6, crammed into a single room with her parents and three siblings. Now, less than a decade later, Charmaine has her first record deal and has received a Juno Award for rap single of the year for her song “Bold.” Charmaine tells Tom about her early influences, how her family inspired her to pursue a music career, and how she’d never rapped before recording her Juno-winning song.
This month marks the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, and you can’t begin to talk about that history without talking about the artist Maestro Fresh Wes. Maestro tells Tom about his journey from writing rhymes at Scarborough’s Parkway Mall to releasing the first hit Canadian hip-hop record.
Michie Mee's impact on Canadian music and culture can’t be overstated. She was the first Canadian hip-hop artist to get signed to an American record label, which created a gateway for other Canadian rappers to enter the U.S. hip-hop market. In the process, she proved that Canada is a strong contender in the genre. Michie Mee joins Tom to talk about being one of the only woman MCs in hip-hop’s early days, blending her Jamaican roots with her music, and the challenges of creating a hip-hop career in Canada.
Grammy-winning rapper and producer Wyclef Jean (Fugees) joins Tom Power to reflect on his career and the big hits he’s produced for some of the most influential artists of the last three decades.
Janette Beckman is a photographer who’s captured some of the most iconic moments in hip-hop history, from LL Cool J and his boombox, to Flavor Flav’s first clock, to Run-D.M.C. on the streets of Hollis, Queens. Janette’s work has been shown in galleries all over the world, and now her work is part of the permanent collections of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, and currently on exhibit at The Seaport in New York City. She tells Tom Power the stories behind some of her most famous photographs.
Plus, legendary graffiti artist, filmmaker and hip-hop pioneer Fab 5 Freddy joins Tom Power for a chat about the movement's early beginnings and the role he played in its evolution.
DJ Ron Nelson is considered to be the godfather of hip-hop radio in Toronto. Now, at the age of 60, he’s released his first rap album. Ron joins Tom Power for a look back at his journey as a pioneering hip-hop radio host and concert promoter, and explains why it was the right time to put out a rap album.
Haviah Mighty is an award-winning Canadian rapper known for calling out injustice in her rhymes. She’s just released a new album, "Crying Crystals," but instead of looking outward for inspiration, she decided to look inward. Haviah sits down with guest host Talia Schlanger to share what that experience has been like for her.
A decade after changing the face of stand-up with his bilingual tour “You're Gonna Rire,” Montreal comedian Sugar Sammy brings his multicultural humour back with a new tour, “You’re Gonna Rire 2.” He shares why raising eyebrows in this hotly political time is more fun — and more important — for him than ever.
Growing up, the actor Laysla De Oliveira was drawn to on-screen portrayals of tough women who reminded her of her mother. She now gets to play one in the new series "Special Ops: Lioness" alongside some of her acting heroes.
Plus, an oral history of “Northern Touch,” one of Canada’s most iconic rap songs.
Phoebe Bridgers has found massive success — including four Grammy nominations for her 2020 album “Punisher” — thanks to her talent for writing sad-girl anthems that are both extremely specific and deeply relatable. Phoebe joins Tom for a career interview that traces her early years in Pasadena, Calif., to becoming one of the most acclaimed singer-songwriters of her time.
Plus, you might know Shane Ghostkeeper as part of the band Ghostkeeper, whose album “Multidimensional Culture” was just nominated for this year's Polaris Music Prize. Now, Shane’s released his debut solo country record, “Songs for My People.” Shane talks to guest host Talia Schlanger about why he felt compelled to honour his family with a country record, and he sets up his deeply personal song “Hunger Strike.”
Sarah Polley’s Oscar-winning film “Women Talking” is a powerful story about three generations of women who sit down to debate their future after realizing they and their daughters have been regularly drugged and sexually assaulted by the men in their colony. Sarah tells Tom about her approach to adapting works of fiction, what it was like stepping back from the film industry after a concussion, and how she used her experience as a child actor to create the best environment possible for the children on the set of “Women Talking.”
Plus, Celeigh Cardinal is a Juno-winning singer-songwriter who’s been praised for her soulful torch songs tinged with blues and R&B. She tells guest host Talia Schlanger the story behind her new song “Over Before It Began.”
Zarna Garg first reinvented herself as a teenager after leaving India to avoid an arranged marriage. Now, after several different transformations as a big city lawyer and a stay-at-home mom, she’s reinvented herself yet again. Zarna tells guest host Talia Schlanger about her unlikely path to comedy and the fateful night at a comedy club that launched her latest career.
Legendary singer Dionne Warwick joins Tom Power to talk about her incredible life, decades-spanning music career and new-found social media fame.
ANOHNI, the Mercury Prize-winning singer, has never been shy about speaking up against inequality and oppression or highlighting environmental issues. Now, she’s back with her sixth album, “My Back Was a Bridge for You to Cross.” ANOHNI talks to guest host Talia Schlanger about her new album and what makes it so personal.
Plus, in early 2020 Vancouver singer-songwriter Noble Oak had a brand-new album to tour and promote —- but then the COVID-19 pandemic shut everything down. His latest album, “When It Finds You,” is about finding inspiration and an unprecedented honesty when your world collapses. Noble Oak joins Talia Schlanger to introduce the song “Eveningstar” off his new album.
Oscar-nominated actor Richard E. Grant (“Can You Ever Forgive Me?,""Gosford Park”) has kept a diary since he was ten-years-old. His archives cover everything from his early career as a struggling actor to caring for his late wife Joan Washington after she was diagnosed with lung cancer. Richard tells guest host Talia Schlanger about his new memoir “A Pocketful of Happiness,” which chronicles their love story and how Joan – an acclaimed vocal coach for actors – was his most trusted collaborator.
Scarborough, Ontario’s Loony talks about the story behind her new single, “Old Friends.”
Robbie Robertson, the string-bending guitarist and principal songwriter of The Band, has died at 80. Today, we revisit Tom’s 2019 conversation with Robbie.
Degrassi co-creator Linda Schuyler tells guest host Talia Schlanger about her memoir, “The Mother Of All Degrassi,” which tells the story of how she went from being a Toronto high school teacher to an award-winning television producer.
Plus, on the heels of Jessy Lanza’s new album “Love Hallucination,” Jessy tells Talia the story behind her new song, “Limbo.”
Canadian actor Henry Czerny makes his return to the “Mission: Impossible” universe in the new film “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One.” He reprises his role as Eugene Kittridge, the former head of the IMF who’s now CIA director. Henry talks to guest host Talia Schlanger about the film, working with Tom Cruise and why he almost said no to “Mission: Impossible” the first time around.
Music runs in the family for Canadian blues singer Angelique Francis. On the heels of winning blues album of the year for “Long River” at this year’s Junos, Angelique talks to guest host Talia Schlanger about hitting stages across the country with her band, which includes her dad and two sisters.
Plus, Sleepy Jean is a Canadian musician who’s digging into her family history on her new album, “Shoot Me in a Dream.” In the 1970s, her father was forced to flee his home country of Uganda and was never able to return due to political persecution. Sleepy Jean joins Talia to talk about channeling this in her music.
Eight-time Grammy-winning bassist Christian McBride tells Tom what happened when he met his hero James Brown, and why he wanted to write a suite for four civil rights legends: Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali and Rosa Parks.
Actor and comedian Rakhee Morzaria (Run The Burbs) talks about her comedy, the tension of being both a writer and actor on the same show, and what she thinks Tom should say to internet trolls.
At 70 years old, the calypso and soca legend sits down with Tom for a career-spanning chat about his rise as an artist, his Parkinson’s diagnosis and the evolution of the music he helped take to the global stage.
Canadian DJ Rezz is a star in the world of electronic music, racking up millions of streams and performing at festivals like Coachella and Lollapalooza. But her rise in EDM came at a steep cost to her physical and mental health. She spoke with Tom Power about finding a sustainable lifestyle in a profession that involves grueling tour schedules and performing all night into the early hours of the morning.
Saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin talks to guest host Talia Schlanger about playing for revered artists (Missy Elliott, Stevie Wonder), the time she snuck her way past security to play sax at a Prince concert and how a near-death experience inspired her new record, “Phoenix.”
Lisa Cooke Ravensbergen’s latest project, “The Seventh Fire,” is an immersive audio performance that draws on Anishinaabe stories to take the audience to an ancestral spiritual world using sound. Lisa tells guest host Talia Schlanger about the inspiration behind “The Seventh Fire,” and how a profound conversation about the future between her and her child ended up at the heart of the performance.
Kristin Chenoweth is a Tony and Emmy Award-winning performer who’s wowed audiences in musicals like “Wicked” and “You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” Now, she's sharing what she's learned over the years in her latest book, “I'm No Philosopher, But I Got Thoughts,” which collects her musings on creativity, love, loss and closure. Kristin talks to Tom about the book, what she learned from millennials about self-care and how a lighting accident on set of “The Good Wife” changed her life.
The play “Lady M” is a new deaf-led adaptation of Shakespeare's “Macbeth” by theatre maker Ramesh Meyyappan, whose work lies at the intersection of the deaf and hearing worlds. He talks to guest host Talia Schlanger about how he’s telling a Shakespearean-inspired story without spoken language, and what he hopes audiences will walk away with after seeing “Lady M.”
Jason Segel has played a lot of funny characters in turmoil, whether that’s as a young person in the throes of angst in “Freaks and Geeks” or as someone recently dumped while on a Hawaiian vacation in “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.” He keeps that trend going in the Apple TV+ series “Shrinking,” where he plays a therapist who’s dealing with his own tragedy. Jason tells Tom about the “magical melancholy” in his roles and why he left L.A. after the massive success of "How I Met Your Mother."
Growing up, the award-winning artist Deanna Bowen heard dramatic stories of how her ancestors — early Black settlers — tried to build a life on the Canadian Prairies. She shares those stories in a gigantic new mural for the National Gallery of Canada, titled “The Black Canadians (after Cooke),” which traces the history of her family and the country itself. Deanna tells guest host Talia Schlanger about her ambitious new mural and the stories within it.
Sam Smith is one of the biggest artists in the world. They made a name for themself in 2014 with devastating songs about love and loss, which earned them four Grammys. Now, Sam is trying something new: focusing on joy in their life and music. Sam opens up to Tom about their latest record, “Gloria,” why focusing on queer joy is the most radical thing they can do, and the highs and lows of finding their identity.
Nathan Lee Graham (The Wild Bunch, Zoolander, Hitch) stars as the narrator Hermes in the Tony Award-winning musical “Hadestown.” As the show continues its national tour, Nathan joins guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about the challenges and joys of starring in “Hadestown,” how being visible as a Black, gay actor is part of his activism, and how the advice he got from an acting coach changed his approach to the rest of his career.
In 2015, Misty Copeland became the first Black woman to become principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre. Her heartfelt memoir “The Wind at My Back” pays tribute to her mentor and fellow dance pioneer Raven Wilkinson, who performed in the segregated South as a member of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo in the 1950s. Copeland joins guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about Wilkinson's incredible life and legacy.
You might recognize twin brothers Danny and Michael Philippou from their wildly popular YouTube channel “RackaRacka” where they post videos that include wild and sometimes dangerous stunts, fights, special effects and horror plotlines. Now, the Philippou brothers have just released “Talk to Me,” their debut feature film about a party game that involves short-term possession, driven by a mysterious disembodied hand. Danny and Michael tell guest host Talia Schlanger about how they went from being YouTubers to creating their first feature film, what it’s like having masters of the horror genre like Stephen King and Jordan Peele compliment their work, and what the tender message is at the heart of their terrifying new film.
Sinéad O'Connor, the Irish singer who rose to fame in the 1990s with a hit recording of Prince's “Nothing Compares 2 U,” and became known for her outspoken political activism and mental health struggles, has died at 56. Tom spoke with Sinéad when she released her memoir “Rememberings: Scenes from My Complicated Life” in 2021.
You might recognize the musician Marc Rebillet from his viral videos on YouTube, where he pairs funk and hip-hop electronic music with hilarious improvisational lyrics. Now, Marc is taking his unpredictable performances on the road with a stop at the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal. Marc talks to guest host Talia Schlanger about his musical influences (Leslie Nielsen, Robin Williams, Reggie Watts), what people can expect at his “unhinged” live show, and how he “makes friends with terror” to find the courage to get on stage.
John Legend is back with a new double album, Legend. He joined Tom Power for a feature interview about the record, his musical roots and what keeps him creating.
For years, the artist Meryl McMaster has been tapping into her mixed ancestry to make epic large-scale photographs. Now, a new exhibition of her work, “Meryl McMaster: Bloodline,” is traveling the country. The exhibition takes you from some of Meryl’s early work when she was still in school, to a new body of work that’s based on a recent discovery — a diary and letter written by her great grandmother, living in Red Pheasant Cree Nation in Saskatchewan. Meryl tells guest host Talia Schlanger what it feels like to have a retrospective of her career in her 30s, what taking self-portraits has taught her about herself, and how she’s telling her family's story through her work.
Fifteen-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, actor, producer and activist Alicia Keys tells Tom how an appearance on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” changed her life, what happened when she asked Prince’s permission to perform one of his songs, and what she learned about herself when writing her memoir “More Myself.”
Catherine Hernandez, the award-winning author of “Scarborough,” is ready to tell a new tale. Her latest novel, “The Story of Us,” is about a Filipino woman who takes work as an overseas caregiver and develops an unlikely friendship with an elderly patient. Catherine tells Tom about the success of “Scarborough” (including its recent film adaptation), what it feels like to be a conduit for her ancestors, and the eye-opening research that went into writing “The Story of Us.”
Plus, G.R. Gritt got their start as part of the Juno Award-winning musical duo Quantum Tangle. These days G.R. is making a name for themself as a solo artist. They join guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about the inspiration for their queer anthem “Turnin' It Up” featuring Tessa Balaz.
While locked up for five years in a U.S. prison for a non-violent drug offense, Jesse Krimes secretly created epic works of art using bedsheets, hair gel and newspaper. Each piece was smuggled out one-by-one through the prison mail room. Now, nearly a decade after his release, he’s adjusting to life on the outside as one of the world’s most talked-about visual artists. Jesse tells Tom how he used art not only to survive, but to rebuild his entire life.
Plus, Ekow Nimako is Ghanaian-Canadian artist who builds sculptures with black Legos, spending hours snapping plastic bricks together to create futuristic, Afrocentric cities. Ekow tells Tom how these sculptures are a part of his mission to build monuments for young Black people who may not see themselves in existing statues and sculptures.
If you know songs like “I Want It That Way,” “…Baby One More Time,” or “Blinding Lights,” then you’re already familiar with the work of Max Martin. Max is a super producer, known for writing some of the biggest songs of the last three decades. In a rare career-spanning conversation, Max tells Tom about his process for writing a hit song and collaborating with some of the world’s biggest stars, and what it’s like to have his music in the hit Broadway musical “& Juliet.”
Plus, when Toronto-based R&B artist Erez Zobary isn’t writing and releasing music, she’s working as a teacher at a local high school. She talks to guest host Talia Schlanger about how she balances being an educator and a musician, and how her two biggest musical inspirations — Stevie Wonder and Amy Winehouse — influenced the sound on her new album, “Healthy Habits!”
The feminist punk icon Kathleen Hanna once called her band Le Tigre “the dance party after the protest.” Now, almost 25 years after the band's inception, they’re back on tour. Band members Kathleen Hanna and JD Samson talk to guest host Talia Schlanger about what it’s like to resurrect Le Tigre, how a Bikini Kill and Le Tigre show differ, and why they think their music brings together people of all ages and communities.
James Reese Europe has been called “the Martin Luther King of music,” because of his influence on ragtime and early jazz. The acclaimed pianist Jason Moran’s latest work is a tribute album to the late composer. Jason tells Tom why James should be seen as a “big bang” in Black music.
Last year, the dancehall singer Sean Paul joined Tom to talk about 20 years of his massive album “Dutty Rock,” stories behind some of his biggest hits, and what inspired his latest album, “Scorcha.”
Plus, Shane Cunningham tells Tom about his new sketch comedy series “The Dessert,” what it’s like to have a comedy hero like Bruce McCulloch (Kids In The Hall) executive produce his show, and where he draws his comedic inspiration from.
Carly Rae Jepsen is known for her upbeat brand of pop music that looks at love, life's little joys and heartbreak through danceable melodies and catchy hooks. But when the pandemic hit, Carly found herself coping with a type of loneliness that inspired a whole new sound – resulting in her latest album, “The Loneliest Time.” She tells Tom about making the album and reflects on 10 years of her first hit song, “Call Me Maybe.”
Plus, Montreal-based singer Bells Larsen is gearing up to release his sophomore album, “If I Was, I Am,” later this month. While it promises to feature the same tender lyricism and intimate sound as his debut, the record is Bells Larsen’s first since transitioning. He’ll preview the song “Ten Hands” off the album and talk about singing with his new baritone voice.
When she hit the scene two decades ago, Pink was hit with a chorus of naysayers who compared her relentlessly to other pop stars of her generation. She tells Tom about her bold march to music stardom, and finding longevity in a notoriously tough industry.
Filmmaker Sally Potter built her reputation as a highly respected auteur who launched Tilda Swinton’s career in the Oscar-nominated film “Orlando.” Now in her 70’s, she’s kickstarting a music career with her debut record, “Pink Bikini.”
Anaïs Mitchell is the first woman in years to have sole credit on a Broadway show and over the course of a decade, her musical has morphed into a Tony-winning sensation. As the show tours Canada, Anaïs tells Tom what it’s like to spend a third of your life working on a passion project, where she drew her inspiration from, and why her confidence in creating the musical never wavered.
Canadian singer-songwriter Lauren Spencer-Smith has had a crazy few years — from getting her start on “American Idol,” to going viral on TikTok with her hit “Fingers Crossed,” all while she attended high school on Vancouver Island. Now, she’s releasing her debut album, “Mirror,” which looks back on these experiences. She tells Tom how about going on “American Idol” without the intention of winning, what it was like performing in front of some of the world’s biggest stars in music, and why she thinks her song “Fingers Crossed” became a viral hit on TikTok.
Rebecca Black is moving past your memes. More than a decade after the release of her infamous viral hit "Friday," she talks about returning to the spotlight and making music on her own terms.
Tired of the same old clichés about transgender characters, Canadian filmmaker Luis De Filippis is ready for a new era of trans representation. She talks about her award-winning film “Something You Said Last Night,” where the main character is neither exoticized nor traumatized.
Plus, the band Pantayo is a self-described "supergirl gong group" mixing Filipino percussion instruments with an electric sound. They'll share new music.
After skyrocketing to fame with his first few albums, Canadian R&B singer Daniel Caesar took a break from the spotlight to reassess his life. His latest record “Never Enough” is a reflection on success and what happens after all your dreams come true.
In her new film, “Midnight at the Paradise,” Canadian director Vanessa Matsui pays tribute to how movies — and the places we see them — become important touchstones in our lives. She sits down with Tom to reflect on the films that have inspired her, and the line between affection and nostalgia.
In a Canadian exclusive interview, Bruce Springsteen talks about his latest album of '60s and '70s soul covers, “Only the Strong Survive,” and how soul music shaped him as a performer and a songwriter.
When her novel “Pure Colour” won the Governor General’s Award for English-language fiction late last year, Sheila Heti was finally recognized in Canada after being included in best-of lists the world over. She talks to Tom about death, grief and the inspiration behind her novel.
Plus, the musician Nyssa has been getting noticed for her powerful voice and energetic music that delves into nature, mysticism and even witchcraft. Nyssa chats with Tom Power about what drives her music and opens up about her new song, “Breakup Party.”
Dennis Lehane is the award-winning and bestselling author of “Mystic River,” “Gone, Baby, Gone” and “Shutter Island.” His 14th and latest novel, “Small Mercies,” is a crime story set in Boston in the summer of 1974, when a controversial court ruling sought to desegregate the city’s schools. It ordered kids from predominantly white schools to be bused into Black schools and vice versa, leading to violent protests and vitriolic racism. Having grown up in Boston, Dennis tells Tom why these protests were particularly personal for him, and why it was important that the story’s protagonist be a deeply flawed character.
Lindsay Wong's bestselling memoir “The Woo-Woo” became a huge hit in 2018 for its darkly funny and honest take on inherited trauma through generations of a Chinese-Canadian family. The titular "woo-woo" is a name for the ghosts that Lindsay's family blamed for their woes, when in reality, they were suffering from mental illness. She talks to Tom about her upbringing and why she decided to create some fictional ghosts of her own in her new book of short stories, “Tell Me Pleasant Things about Immortality.”
The voice of Deborah Cox is one of the greatest to ever come out of Canada. Last year, just as she was being inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, she joined Tom for a career-spanning conversation about her biggest hits and what she thinks has kept her in the long game.
In the world of poetry and children’s literature, the author Kwame Alexander is royalty. His books for young readers include “The Undefeated,” which won the prestigious Caldecott prize, and “The Crossover,” which has been adapted into a Disney+ series. Now, Kwame has released his first full-length book for adults. His memoir “Why Fathers Cry At Night” is a window into the life and mind of one of America’s greatest children's authors. Kwame tells Tom about the stories in his memoir and how writing poetry doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a vulnerable person.
Lead singer Peter Garrett of Midnight Oil was twice president of the Australian Conservation Foundation and a former minister for the environment of Australia. Last year, Peter joined Tom just as his band’s latest and final record, “Resist,” came out, to look back on his illustrious career with Midnight Oil and how the band has put environmentalism at the forefront of their music from day one.
In Lina Rodriguez’s new film, “So Much Tenderness,” an environmental lawyer flees Colombia after the murder of her husband, and ends up in Toronto where she rebuilds her life with her daughter. It’s a personal project for Lina, who’s also Colombian and came to Canada to study. She talks to Tom about the film and how it explores the feeling of being in between cultures, languages and geographical spaces.
Jon Klassen is a big name in the world of children’s picture books. His bestselling works include “I Want My Hat Back” and “This Is Not My Hat.” Now, as Jon prepares to release his latest book, “The Skull,” he opens up to Tom about his early influences, when he first realized he could draw, and how he created his signature style that defined his illustration career.
Plus, the award-winning pianist and singer Laila Biali is back with a new album, “Your Requests.” She tells Tom about why she’s turning to the great American songbook for inspiration.
Ever since she grew up on TV screens on the Norman Lear sitcom “One Day at a Time,” Valerie Bertinelli has been the kind of star that people think they know. In her memoir, “Enough Already,” Valerie treats her life literally as an open book, including the decades-long obsession with dieting that she’s aiming the book’s title at. Valerie talks to Tom about how the last few years, which included the death of her ex-husband Eddie Van Halen, have made her reassess her priorities and find joy.
Vancouver writer Kevin Chong is back with his seventh book. This time, he’s written a metafiction about a comic book writer struggling to come to terms with a past trauma. Kevin talks to Tom about the story, what inspired him to write his darkest ever book and his memories of being with his grandmother in Vancouver's Chinatown.
You might know Tom Holland best as the web-slinging superhero in Marvel's “Spider-Man,” but now he’s taken on a new role in hopes of showing audiences a different side of himself. Tom talks to Tom Power about starring in the intense new miniseries "The Crowded Room," how he never meant to become an actor, and the unimaginable fame that comes with the role of Spider-Man.
Scottish Canadian country musician Johnny Reid pays tribute to his grandmother in a new musical called “Maggie” that’s headlining the Charlottetown Festival this summer. Johnny tells Tom why this story about a feisty school cleaner in post-war Scotland means so much to him.
Plus, Mali Obomsawin tells you the story behind her song “Wawasint8da” off her new album, “Sweet Tooth.”
Over his 45-year career in standup, Jerry Seinfeld had amassed tons of jokes jotted down on paper. He talks to Tom about compiling them into a book, called “Is This Anything?” — and along the way, they chat about how he got his start in comedy, the legacy of “Seinfeld,” and whether there’s an actual difference between day cereal and night cereal.
Angie Thomas’s 2017 novel “The Hate U Give” was a game changer, addressing racism and police brutality for young readers. It also sold millions of copies — and faced multiple book bans. Angie’s gone on to write a bunch of bestselling YA books, and she talks about why shifting to fantasy is a whole new way to talk to kids about racism.
In his 1996 film “Chocolate Babies,” Stephen Winter drew on his life as a young Black gay man in New York City to tell the untold story of the AIDS crisis: the fact that it disproportionately affected racialized people. With the film’s new 4K restoration and inclusion into the Criterion Channel, Stephen joins Tom to talk about the legacy of “Chocolate Babies.”
This year, Samara Joy took home two Grammys, including best jazz vocal album and best new artist. Ahead of her performance at the Montreal Jazz Festival, Samara talks to Tom about her music and why she thinks her classic jazz sound is resonating with so many people in 2023.
“Sex and the City” turns 25 this month, and for the first time since the show ended, it’s back in the form of a new revival series, called “And Just Like That.” Cynthia Nixon, a.k.a. Miranda Hobbes, tells Tom about the show's legacy, how she wanted the series to evolve, and what’s changed for her character 25 years after the original series ended.
As a young first-generation immigrant from Sudan, Mouraine began learning English through his insatiable appetite for music. By the time he was 11, he was in the studio, which eventually led him to sharing stages with artists like Mac Miller and J. Cole. Mouraine tells Tom about growing up in Edmonton, how he started to rap while still learning English, and the story behind his new album, “In Search of Gold.”
Renee Rosnes is one of the biggest names in Canadian jazz. This year, her record “Kinds of Love” picked up the Juno for best solo jazz album — and on top of that, her supergroup Artemis has also just released their sophomore album, “In Real Time.” Renee tells Tom about falling in love with the piano at three years old, meeting one of her greatest inspirations, Oscar Peterson, and how the movie “Alien” played a big part in her musical evolution.
Jackie Khalilieh was diagnosed with autism as an adult, which — among other things — led her to look back at her teen years with a new perspective. Now, she’s written a YA novel, “Something More,” which is a teen romance about a protagonist who also happens to be on the spectrum. Jackie tells guest host Vivek Shraya about how her own experience inspired the story.
Plus, Devon Portielje of Half Moon Run tells the story behind the band's new song, “9beat,” from their new album, “Salt.”
Elliot Page (Juno, Inception, The Umbrella Academy) sits down with Tom to talk about his new memoir, “Pageboy,” how finally writing his story helped him heal from years of having to hide his true self, and what brings him joy now that he’s living openly as an out trans man.
After winning album of the year at last year's Juno Awards, singer Charlotte Cardin is ready to drop her new album, “99 Nights.” She tells Tom about what happens when your debut album wins such a prestigious award and what was on her mind while writing her sophomore record. Plus, Charlotte gives a stripped back performance of her new song “Confetti.”
Shelagh Rogers, a familiar voice to Canadians across the country, recently announced that she’ll be stepping down as host of the CBC Radio show “The Next Chapter,” marking the end of 15 years in the role and a 43-year career in radio. Tom speaks with Shelagh about the moments that defined her career, why “shut up and listen,” was some of the best advice she’s ever received, and what she wants to accomplish during this next chapter of her life.
Jo Nesbø is one of the world’s most famous crime and thriller writers. His books are published in close to 50 languages with more than 50 million sold. But you might be surprised to find out his writing career is a bit of a fluke. Jo talks to Tom about the many professions he had before becoming an accomplished writer, how he became a novelist in the first place, and why he keeps coming back to the character of Detective Harry Hole.
Michael Render, a.k.a. Killer Mike from Run the Jewels, is over 20 years out from his first solo album. Now, he’s released a new one, called “Michael” – for his real name, and it opens up the story of the man behind the rapper. In a personal and emotional interview, Killer Mike talks to Tom about why he decided to tell his own story – and about the family and the city that helped make him who he is.
When the pandemic hit, many artists looked inward for inspiration – but Jenn Grant opened up her laptop and enlisted some of her most famous friends for a new album of duets called “Champagne Problems.” The singer-songwriter sets up a song from the album and tells Tom about some of her fascinating collaborations.
The past year has been a standout for Peguis First Nation’s own William Prince. From opening for Willie Nelson, debuting at the Grand Ole Opry to releasing his beautiful new album “Stand in the Joy,” one of Canada’s finest singer-songwriters joins Tom to reflect on what he’s learned so far in his journey about music, family and the deeply meaningful nature of life’s small joys.
Paul Seesequasis began collecting archival images of Indigenous peoples after his mother commented on the negativity that so often surrounded this history in Canada. Paul shares with guest host Vivek Shraya how important it was to find the names and stories behind these photos, and how powerful it is to have the images reclaimed from places like museums and other non-Indigenous archival sources.
One January night in 2019, Paul Simon had a dream telling him to work on a new album called “Seven Psalms.” What came next were big, existential questions about his own beliefs. Tom Power visits Paul Simon at the legendary musician’s ranch near Austin, Texas – in the studio where Paul recorded “Seven Psalms” – for a rare sit-down chat about the new album and his early days in music.
More than 40 years after her band The Go-Go’s rose from the L.A. punk scene to take over the charts – making history as the most popular girl group of all time – Belinda Carlisle is making a pop music comeback. She talks about the chance encounter with the legendary songwriter Diane Warren that led to her new EP, “Kismet.”
The Canadian actor Saara Chaudry is having a blast in the new “The Muppets Mayhem” TV series. She talks about what it’s like to hang out with the whole Muppet gang when the cameras stop rolling… and what it was like to share the screen with fellow Canadian Lilly Singh.
As the frontman for the band Sigur Rós, Jonsí has spent decades making atmospheric, monumental music. But he also has a life as a visual artist. Jonsí shares the experience of putting together his new, volcanic, multi-sensory museum installation for the Art Gallery of Ontario, and tells Tom about Sigur Rós’s first new album in 10 years.
In 2011, the Canadian artist and writer Ian Kamau had just lost a job and an important relationship, and processing that grief led to a deep artistic journey into his own family history. Ian shares with Q guest host Vivek Shraya how sadness can quietly ripple through generations, and how togetherness in that grief led to his new live show, Loss.
The Toronto-based sketch comic Laura Ramoso has amassed more than 700,000 followers on TikTok and Instagram for her hilarious impressions of her German mom and Italian dad. Laura talks to Tom about her audition to Julliard as a dramatic actor, how she found sketch comedy, and the joy of returning to the stage in her new one-woman show, “Frances”
You might’ve first seen Grace Dove in the 2015 film “The Revenant” alongside Leonardo DiCaprio. Now, she stars in the film “Bones of Crows,” which follows a Cree code talker who’s dealing with the effects of intergenerational trauma. Grace tells guest host Vivek Shraya about the importance of this project being Indigenous-led, how the film helped her to heal from her own trauma, and what she hopes audiences take away from the story.
Plus, Caroline Rose tells Tom the story behind her new song, “The Doldrums.”
Uzma Jalaluddin’s latest novel, “Much Ado About Nada,” tells the story of Nada Syed, a young Muslim woman who’s approaching 30 and being pressured to find a husband by her mother. When she’s forced to attend a Muslim convention, she runs the risk of revealing a secret past she’s kept buried for years. Uzma tells Tom how female ambition inspired the novel, how she goes about writing a great romantic story, and what it’s like having her books being optioned for film.
In 1991, a visit from Princess Diana to the Casey House in Toronto changed the way many in society looked at people dying of AIDS. That’s the story that inspired Nick Green to write his new play, “Casey and Diana,” which just had its premiere at the Stratford Festival. Nick tells Tom about the remarkable true story and why he felt compelled to put it on the stage.
Niall Horan opens up to Tom about his new album, “The Show,” the lessons he’s learned before his 30th birthday, and how he looks back on being in One Direction.
In “Bystanders,” Halifax filmmaker Koumbie looks at what happens to a close-knit group of friends when one of them faces sexual assault allegations. She tells Tom the story behind the film and what it’s like being one of the first trained intimacy coordinators in Atlantic Canada.
You probably recognize Amanda Marshall best for songs like “Birmingham," “Dark Horse,” or “Everybody's Got A Story.” Amanda’s music has been inescapable on Canadian radio for over 20 years but during that time, Amanda sort of … disappeared. Now, she’s back with her brand new album, “Heavy Lifting.” She tells Tom about why she’s been gone so long, what it was like to have Elton John talk about her music on TV in the early days of her career, and what it’s been like to be mixed race in the music industry.
The 2021 TIME Magazine cover of Elliott Page was a big deal because it was his first big portrait after coming out as trans. Wynne Neilly was the photographer behind the lens that day, and now he’s just won the New Generation Photography Award as part of the Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival. Wynne tells Tom how his own vulnerability as a trans man built the trust they needed for the cover shoot, and the difference between a photo of someone and a portrait.
After more than 20 years, acclaimed Canadian actor Paul Gross has returned to the Stratford Festival to tackle the iconic role of King Lear. Paul tells Tom about his lifelong love of the Shakespeare tragedy, how he feels about finally inhabiting the role, and what it’s like to step back onto the Stratford stage after his two-decade absence.
The famous ragtime composer Scott Joplin penned an opera titled “Treemonisha” in 1911, but he never lived to see it performed. After his death, the work was considered a ‘lost opera,’ but now, a century after his passing, it’s being performed in Toronto. Writer, producer and podcast host Leah-Simone Bowen has reimagined “Treemonisha” for 2023. She tells Tom why Joplin’s opera was innovative for its time, and how she decided to adapt it for a modern audience.
James Cameron (Avatar, The Abyss, The Terminator) tells Tom about Titanic's lasting impact, how he got the perfect scene for Jack and Rose’s first kiss and what happened when the cast and crew ate PCP-laced chowder in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.
After premiering at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, “Past Lives” received rave reviews for its depiction of love, fate and connection. Director and writer Celine Song tells Tom about the real-life moment that inspired the film's nuanced love story
Plus, Matt Andersen tells Tom the story behind his song “What’s on My Mind” off his new album, “Matt Andersen and the Big Bottle of Joy.”
Ben Kingsley (Gandhi, Schindler’s List, Shutter Island) tells Tom about starring in the Salvador Dali biopic, “Dalíland,” which paints a portrait of the artist in the final years of his life.
Iman Mersal is one of Egypt’s most celebrated and groundbreaking poets. Now, a collection of her work translated into English, titled “The Threshold,” is on the shortlist for this year’s Griffin Poetry Prize. Iman tells Tom about the first poem she ever wrote, what it was like going back and reading her poetry from the ‘90s, and why she stopped writing for five years when she moved to Canada.
Plus, Bruce Cockburn tells the story behind his song, “To Keep The World We Know,” off his new album, “O Sun O Moon.”
With a writing career spanning more than 50 years, Susan Musgrave is currently one of five shortlisted poets for the 2023 Griffin Poetry Prize. She tells Tom how her 19th book of poetry, “Exculpatory Lilies,” helped her grieve the deaths of her husband and daughter.Plus, Vivek Shraya tells the story behind her song “Colonizer,” off her brand new album, “Baby, You’re Projecting.”
The animator and voice actor Peter Sohn has spent more than 20 years bringing lovable, hilarious characters to life in Pixar movies like “Finding Nemo,” “Ratatouille” and “The Good Dinosaur.” Peter tells Tom about his new Pixar film, “Elemental,” how his parents’ immigration experience inspired the story, and how he reflects on Pixar’s evolution since he first started with the company back in 2000.
After a long battle with mental illness, Andy Jones’s son, Louis, died by suicide at age 28. Now, Andy, a veteran of the comedy troupe Codco, has staged a one-man play about his son and his life navigating health care with a mental illness.
Given his operatic, maximalist and pop-centered career, you’d be forgiven for forgetting that Rufus Wainwright comes from one of the royal families of folk music. On his brand new album, “Folkocracy,” Rufus takes a look back at his folk roots. He tells guest host Talia Schlanger about his earliest musical memories and shares the story behind his new album.
In the TV show “From,” Canadian actor Chloe Van Landschoot plays the de facto nurse tending to a community terrorized by mysterious nocturnal monsters. She tells guest host Talia Schlanger how her real-life experience as a Toronto ER nurse made her the perfect fit for the part.
Plus, Joe Keithley, frontman of the legendary Canadian punk band D.O.A., talks to Tom about his new solo album, “Stand,” and how the fentanyl crisis inspired his latest single.
Early in her career, Jennifer Podemski set out to tell stories that felt honest to the lives of Indigenous people. More than 30 years later, the veteran actor and filmmaker is delivering on that promise with her new series “Little Bird.” She tells Tom how the story resonates with her own family history, about making a production company that tells Indigenous stories with authenticity, and why she calls her work “cycle-breaking.”
Nonso Amadi is the Nigerian Canadian musician making waves globally for his music that fuses Afrobeat and R&B. He’s performed all over the world and has racked up millions of streams, all before the release of his debut album. Nonso tells guest host Talia Schlanger about his unique sound, how watching his sisters dance to MTV made him fall in love with music, and how he made the jump from chemical engineering student to releasing his debut record, “When It Blooms.”
If you know songs like “Blinding Lights” or “Earned It” by The Weeknd, you’re already familiar with Canadian rapper and producer Belly. He’s been making music for almost two decades, and in that time he’s earned a Juno Award, SOCAN songwriter of the year, Grammy nominations and an Oscar nod. Now, Belly’s out with a new album, “Mumble Rap 2.” Belly tells Tom about what it was like growing up in the Ottawa rap scene, his friendship with Jay-Z, the personal stories he writes about on his new album, and how he knew from the start that The Weeknd would make it big.
Filmmaker Mary Harron (American Psycho, I Shot Andy Warhol, Charlie Says) talks to Tom about her latest film, “Daliland,” the difficulty of getting to know who Salvador Dali was, and how filmmaking is about knowing what you want.Plus, The band Bye Parula tells Tom the story behind “Still Got The Spirit,” which just so happens to be Q’s theme song.
As a child actor, Jacob Tremblay became known for punching above his age in mature films like “Room,” “Wonder” and “Good Boys.” Now, at 16 years old, he gets to revisit a classic children’s movie in Disney’s live-action remake of The Little Mermaid. Jacob tells Tom about his very first audition, how he looks back on starring in films with mature subject matter, and what it’s like voicing Flounder in The Little Mermaid remake.
The TV show “Ted Lasso” has seen many of its characters evolve over its three seasons, but perhaps none quite like the soccer star Jamie Tartt, played by Phil Dunster. Phil joins guest host Talia Schalnger to talk about how the show explores the male ego, what his portrayal of Jamie has taught him as an actor, and what you can expect from the season finale.
Owen Pallett is a multi-talented violinist who has worked alongside greats like Taylor Swift, Duran Duran and Ed Sheeran. Just as they’ve released a collection of deluxe remastered editions of their early work, Owen tells Tom about how breaking their leg led to a transformative experience, what it felt like to be at one of the lowest and most desperate times in their life, and why their biggest regret is making a career from something they love.
In her graphic memoir “The Third Person,” Emma Grove documents the therapy sessions that she underwent to be approved for hormone therapy as a trans person. She tells Tom about the life-changing discovery that came from the experience, what made re-visiting these traumatic memories worth it and how she turned her story into a book that's now a Lambda Literary Award finalist.
k.d. lang (Constant Craving, Miss Chatelaine) has spent decades upending expectations and defying attempts to define her music. Now, as she prepares to receive the Governor General's Performing Arts Award for lifetime artistic achievement, she looks back on her career — from award show mischief to taking big risks in the name of artistic integrity. k.d. lang tells Tom about the first time she realized her voice was something special, a cherished memory with Roy Orbison, and how she feels about potentially never making another record again.
The last couple of years have been pretty exciting for Zoon, aka Daniel Monkman. Daniel had two different albums shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize, and they got to tour and open for Broken Social Scene. Daniel tells Tom about playing with Lee Ranaldo (Sonic Youth), how their new album felt like a chance to grieve the passing of their father, and the story behind their song “Dodem” from their new album “Bekka Ma'iingan.”Plus, Daniel Brooks, the renowned Canadian theater director, has died at 64. We revisit his and Tom’s conversation.
Emmy-nominated actor Sarah Goldberg stars as Sally in HBO’s dark comedy, “Barry.” Now, just as the series wraps up its fourth and final season, Sarah joins Tom Power to talk about what she’s loved about playing Sally, her incredible audition story — which includes a lovely interaction with Henry Winkler — and creating her new show, “SisterS.”
Ayo Leilani, AKA Witch Prophet, opens up about her experience with epilepsy on her latest record, “Gateway Experience.” Witch Prophet tells Tom about what it feels like to have Temporal Lobe Epilepsy and how writing about her experience helped her cope with her fear of death.
Brandee Younger pushes the boundaries of her music by blending the traditional harp sound with hip-hop, jazz, funk and classical. She’s played with everyone from Lauryn Hill, to Common, to Pharoah Sanders. Beyoncé even chose one of her tracks for her documentary “Homecoming.” Now, Brandee is paying tribute to a musician who's been a huge influence on her — the late harpist Dorothy Ashby. Brandee talks to Tom about her new album “Brand New Life,” and why she wanted to celebrate Dorothy Ashby on it.Dorothy Ashby’s influence on popular music - (1:38)The new record, “Brand New Life.” - (5:47)Why Brandee wants you to know who Dorothy is - (8:48)“Being Black in the harp world is one of the most isolating experiences I’ve ever had” - (11:05)How Brandee started playing the harp - (12:39)Plus, the Vancouver musician Modern Biology (19:29), also known as Tarun Nayar, makes music from plugging mushrooms and other organic material into synthesizers. Tarun chats with Tom about the beauty of “playing” mushrooms and tells the story behind his new song, “Turkey Tail.”
Andy Shauf is no stranger to a good love song. You can hear songs of love in his critically acclaimed albums like “The Party” and “The Neon Skyline.” But on Andy’s latest record, “Norm,” something’s…off. What at first comes off as a set of tender love songs, later reveals a much more sinister side to his songwriting. Andy tells Tom about how true crime inspired his new album, what draws him to the darker side of love, what sobriety has done for his life and his music, and why he wanted to write from the perspective of God.New album - (1:59)Being drawn to dark themes - (4:02)Randy Newman story - (6:59)Sobriety - (9:22)Writing in the perspective of God - (15:43)Growing up in Saskatchewan and the church - (18:21)
Charlotte Le Bon on her first feature film, “Falcon Lake,” why Quebec’s Laurentian Mountains was the perfect setting for this spooky coming-of-age story, and what she thinks it means to be a “real, true artist.”Plus, Kimberly Shannon Murphy (34:32) on her memoir “Glimmer,” stories from her long career as one of Hollywood’s most sought-after stuntwomen, and how the adrenaline rush of stunt work hid her traumatic childhood.
Jack White (The White Stripes, The Raconteurs) on the vinyl revolution, founding Third Man Records, and why his biggest hit was never meant to become one of the most ubiquitous songs in the world.Plus, visionary filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin (44:45) on the painful moment in her childhood that inspired her to become a storyteller.
New York Times bestselling author R. F. Kuang on her new novel, “Yellowface,” cultural appropriation in the publishing industry, and the toxicity of expecting authors to have an online personality. Plus, sculptor David Ruben Piqtoukun (26:38) on his exhibition “Radical Remembrance,” how sculpting is a form of storytelling, and how his residential school experience felt like an “education in forgetting.”
Pete Wentz and Patrick Stump on how Fall Out Boy came to be, their new album, “So Much (for) Stardust” and the secret to keeping a band together for more than 20 years.Writer Fatuma Adar (26:54) on the pressures of representing your entire community as a racialized artist, why everyone should have the freedom to be mediocre, and her new show, “She’s Not Special.”
Rainn Wilson on playing Dwight Schrute on "The Office," writing about how art and spirituality intersect in his new book, “Soul Boom: Why We Need a Spiritual Revolution,” and why he refuses to be cynical. Plus, choreographer Mayumi Lashbrook (26:05) on her new dance piece, “Enemy Lines,” how her grandfather’s experience of being forcibly placed into a Japanese Canadian internment camp inspired the performance, and why telling this story has lifted a sense of burden.
Eric San, a.k.a. Kid Koala, on creating his own board game to accompany his new album “Creatures of the Late Afternoon,” why he made the switch from classical music to DJing, and how trying new things means you have to accept the possibility of failure. Possesom Paul and Igor Dobrovolskiy (26:42) on co-directing the new, first-of-its-kind ballet “Pisuwin,” the Wolastoq stories and themes that inspired it, and how they got the Juno-winning artist Jeremy Dutcher to compose the ballet’s music. Jill Barber (42:02) on feeling like she lost momentum in her career during the pandemic, how creating a home for another person is often overlooked and underappreciated, and why on her new album, "Homemaker" she wanted to explore being a (you guessed it) homemaker.
Dancer and choreographer Benjamin Millepied on his feature film directorial debut, “Carmen,” reimagining the classic opera of the same name, and pushing for change within the institutions of dance. Plus, Kristi Lane Sinclair (36:04) tells you the story behind her song “Break” off her new album, “Super Blood Wolf Moon.”
Writer and director Nida Manzoor on her new film, “Polite Society,” how she depicts the complexities and nuance of being Muslim in her work, and the joy of showing enraged women on screen. Writers and directors Sarah Watts and Mark Slutsky (22:44) on their new film, “You Can Live Forever,” how Sarah’s experience growing up in a remote Jehovah’s Witnesses community informed the film, and why it’s so important to have a film about lesbians that doesn’t end in tragedy. Garden Hill First Nation’s rising star Mattmac (35:45) on growing up in an isolated community, how music helped him cope with his blindness and his new inclusive merch line.
Eight-time Grammy winner Herb Alpert (Spanish Flea, This Guy’s In Love With You, Ladyfingers) on his successful and expansive career, founding the powerhouse record label A&M records, and his friendship with Karen Carpenter of the Carpenters (whom he signed to his label).Plus, Canadian singer-songwriter Doug Paisley (36:21) tells you the story behind his song “Wide Open Plain” from his new album, “Say What You Like.”
Glenn Howerton on starring in the new movie, “Blackberry,” how “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” came to be, and what it’s like to be in the longest-running live action television comedy in U.S. history. Plus, Grammy-winning trumpet player Terence Blanchard (24:30) on how a 1962 welterweight world championship boxing match inspired his latest work for New York’s Metropolitan Opera.
Two-time Oscar winner Tom Hanks (Forrest Gump, Philadelphia, A League of Their Own) on his new novel “The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece,” the insecurities he’s felt throughout his career, and what drives his passion for filmmaking when it feels like “the odds are stacked against you.”
New York-based Canadian fashion designer Aurora James on founding her label Brother Vellies, her new memoir “Wildflower,” and the story behind creating Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s famous “tax the rich'' dress she wore at the 2021 Met Gala. Plus, poet Ocean Vuong (35:25) on his New York Times bestselling poetry collection “Time Is a Mother,” expressing grief through art, and why he calls death “the truest thing.”
Sasha Velour on the famous lip synch that won her “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 9, her new book, “The Big Reveal: An Illustrated Manifesto of Drag,” and what drag queens are talking about with one another during a time when their livelihoods are being threatened.Plus, Juno-nominated singer-songwriter Emm Gryner on finding love during the pandemic, her fondness of Steely Dan, and the story behind her new song, “Loose Wig.”
Paul Sun-Hyung Lee (Kim’s Convenience) on his lifelong love of “Star Wars,” the unusual story behind how he got the role of Captain Carson Teva in “The Mandalorian,” and what the franchise needs to do better when it comes to Asian representation. Plus, Matt Berninger (26:00) on The National’s latest record, why he thought the band would never make a new album again, and their collaboration with Taylor Swift.
The Bangles co-founder and lead singer Susanna Hoffs on her debut novel, “This Bird Has Flown,” how she looks back on the height of the band's fame, and the story behind her hit song “Eternal Flame.”Plus, the prog-rock duo Crown Lands (35:00) on their new album, “Fearless,” their love of Rush, and how their band name is an act of reclamation for Indigenous sovereignty.
Grammy-winning jazz pianist Brad Mehldau on interpreting the music of The Beatles for his new album, “Your Mother Should Know.”Plus, Kevin Alves (26:49) on starring as Travis Martinez on the Emmy-nominated series “Yellowjackets,” how being a professional figure skater helped him as an actor, and what it was like climbing a 40-foot tree for the show.
Legendary New York comedian Murray Hill on finally getting his primetime moment in the HBO series, “Somebody Somewhere,” how he created a version of himself to survive his adolescence, and his best Don Rickles story. Plus, Roger Reeves (37:21) on his 2023 Griffin Poetry Prize shortlisted poetry collection, “Best Barbarian,” how anybody can be a poet, and the lesson he learned about art from his daughter.
Caroline Polachek on her latest album, “Desire, I Want to Turn Into You,” her song and choreography that went viral on TikTok, and what it was like collaborating with Grimes and Dido.Plus, multi-disciplinary artist Adrian Stimson (40:09) on why the bison has been the central figure of his art practice for more than 20 years, and how he tackles heavy subjects like colonialism with humour and levity.
Author Angie Thomas (The Hate U Give) on her new novel “Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy,” how showing your kids fantasy books might be the best way to talk to them about racism, and the time Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes from TLC saved her life. Plus, Saeed Teebi’s (37:05) debut story collection, “Her First Palestinian,” is up for the Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writer Prize. We revisit Tom’s conversation with Saeed.
Hari Kondabolu on his new comedy special, “Vacation Baby,” getting personal after years of political comedy, and developing a relationship with Hank Azaria (voice of Apu on The Simpsons) after his documentary “The Problem with Apu” came out. Plus, U.S. poet laureate Ada Limón (34:48) on her poetry collection “The Hurting Kind,” sending a poem to space and what it’s like being shortlisted for this year's Griffin Poetry Prize.
Ari Aster (Hereditary, Midsommar) on how Joaquin Phoenix taught him a whole new way to make movies with “Beau Is Afraid,” and the thrill of scoring a pivotal scene to a classic Mariah Carey jam.Plus, Emily Hampshire (23:57) on her buzzy new rom-com “The End of Sex” and the irony of “Schitt’s Creek” really taking off only after it ended.
Catherine Hardwicke (Twilight, Thirteen) on her new film “Mafia Mamma,” being too creative for a career in architecture, and telling stories about female friendships. Plus, (33:33) Tan France (Queer Eye, Dressing Funny) on his unexpected rise to fame, his memoir “Naturally Tan,” and the taunting he faced growing up brown and Muslim in North England.
Comedian Mae Martin (Sort Of, Baroness von Sketch Show) on their new Netflix special “SAP,” dropping out of high school to pursue comedy and the significance behind their oatmeal tattoo. Plus, Anosh Irani (32:30) on his new play “Behind the Moon,” feeling haunted by his characters, and how no two immigration stories are the same.
British singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding (Love Me Like You Do, Lights, Burn) on her new album “Higher Than Heaven,” the anxiety that comes with superstardom, and what it was like hanging out with Canadian icon Joni Mitchell. Canadian singer-songwriter Hayden (27:03) on writing a song a day, doubting your creative instincts, and collaborating with artists like Feist, Matt Berninger and Aaron Dessner on his first new album in eight years, “Are We Good.”
Actor Nicholas Braun on playing Cousin Greg, the part he almost got in the movie Superbad, and how he feels saying goodbye to “Succession” — the series that earned him his first Emmy nomination. Plus, Ziggy Marley, son of Bob Marley (Redemption Song, No Woman No Cry, Get Up Stand Up) on his father’s legacy.
Singer-songwriter Feist on her new album, “Multitudes,” what it was like becoming a new mom during the pandemic, and how her life changed after her song “1234” was featured in an iPod commercial in 2007.Plus, Nico Paulo (42:16) on her new record, the similarities between Portugal and St. John’s, Newfoundland and the story behind her song “The Master.”
Singer-songwriter William Prince on his brand new album, “Stand in The Joy,” playing the Grand Ole Opry, and the feeling of falling in love. Plus, actor Madison Tevlin (38:00) on the advice she got from her co-star Woody Harrelson, what she has in common with her character in the new movie “Champions,” and what it’s like having her cover of “All of Me” go viral.
Samantha Bee (The Daily Show, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee) tells Tom about hosting this year's Canadian Screen Awards, how she got her gig on “The Daily Show,” and what she’s most proud of looking back on her Emmy-winning news satire series “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee.”Tareq Hadhad and filmmaker Jonathan Keijser (36:43) talk about their film “Peace by Chocolate” based on Tareq’s astonishing real-life story of rebuilding a life in Canada as a Syrian refugee.
Actor Kiefer Sutherland (The Lost Boys, Stand By Me, 24) on his love of playing characters facing insurmountable odds, starring in the new TV series “Rabbit Hole,” and what living without the latest technology has done for his happiness.Plus, visual artist Shary Boyle (25:07) on feeling like an outsider, watching people shriek at her piece called “White Elephant,” and how she wants her latest exhibit, “Outside the Palace of Me,” to start a conversation about white supremacy.
Grammy-nominated songwriter Justin Tranter (Good For You, Sorry, Believer) on their love of musical films, the reality of being a hitmaker, and how working on the new “Grease” prequel, “Rise of The Pink Ladies,” brought them back to their roots.Plus, producer and director Stephen Williams (Lost, Westworld, Watchmen) (32:00) on how the story of the underappreciated composer Joseph Bologne inspired his latest film, “Chevalier.”
Daniel Caesar talks about his major-label debut, “Never Enough,” the reality of fame and collaborating with Justin Bieber on “Peaches.”Plus, Emmy-nominated writer and actor Sharon Horgan (Pulling, Divorce, Bad Sisters) (36:22) on laughing through pain, turkey farming, and the significance of writing women as angry.
Tom’s conversation with Bono is up for Best Interview at the New York Festivals Radio Awards! Enjoy this extended version of Tom’s conversation with U2’s larger-than-life frontman, Bono.
Grammy-winning tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain on his favourite collaborations and the life advice he got from the late Beatle George Harrison that changed his whole career. Plus, author Zoe Whittall (36:23) on her new novel “The Fake,” the charm of pathological liars, and her own experience of dating somebody who faked having cancer.
Graphic novelist Kate Beaton on why she has the world’s best fans, and how working in the Alberta oil sands formed the basis of her Canada Reads-winning memoir “Ducks.” Plus, Lyndie Greenwood (24:34) on public libraries, her sobriety journey and how she had to give up acting to finally land the role of her dreams in the TV series “Shelved.”
Emmy-nominated actor Toheeb Jimoh on his breakout role in Ted Lasso, his audition that got him the part, and how he draws on his own personal experience to play his character Sam Obisanya.Plus, Cherie Dimaline (21:34) on how working in the world of magic made her a better writer, her new young adult novel, “Funeral Songs for Dying Girls,” and how she sneaks social commentary into children's books.
Dallas Green (Alexisonfire, City and Colour) on grief, questioning your faith and the honesty that goes into his songwriting. Plus, Debby Friday (26:11) on feeling rootless, Montreal's club culture, and how sobriety changed her life and art.
Actor and advocate Nicole Maines (Supergirl) on “Yellowjackets,” being the first transgender superhero on TV, and how she’s helped move the needle forward on transgender rights.Plus, screenwriter Noah Pink on the unbelievable backstory behind the game Tetris and why he wanted to make a film about it. Bonus: Halifax musician T. Thomason shares the story behind his cover of “Lovers in a Dangerous Time.”
Singer-songwriters Tegan and Sara (The Con, Crybaby) on changing direction in your life and in your art, their frustration with how twins are depicted in the media, and what they think when they look back on their career so far. Plus, Sean Towgood (35:52) on how his show “You’re My Hero” gives a realistic depiction of someone living with cerebral palsy, the absurd things people say to him in grocery stores, and using comedy as a way to cope.
Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro (Pan's Labyrinth,The Shape of Water, Nightmare Alley) on the darkness within Pinocchio, why he included facism in his retelling of the classic story and the time he may have encountered a ghost.Plus, composer Jeremy Dutcher (35:24) and his mother Lisa Perley-Dutcher on the importance of language preservation and why they want to create the first-ever Wolastoqey immersion school (which is now up and running since they last spoke!!).
Singer-songwriter Melanie Chisholm (a.k.a. Sporty Spice) on the Spice Girls, the challenges that come with international fame, and life after being in one of the biggest pop groups in the world. Plus, singer-songwriter Aysanabee (37:52) on his breakthrough album “Watin” and the significance of including the voice of his grandfather — a residential school survivor — in his music.
Actor Sheila McCarthy (Women Talking, I’ve Heard the Mermaids Singing) on working with Sarah Polley, meeting Robin Williams, and the best acting advice she’s ever received. Plus, comedian Vir Das (37:35) opens up about being labeled a ‘terrorist,’ turning criticism into comedy, and holding onto love during moments of hate.
Bill Nye (the Science Guy!) on his late friend Carl Sagan, skepticism, and his gratitude for his Canadian audience. Plus, Juno-nominated singer-songwriter Begonia (23:51) on her start in music, the Coldplay song that made her feel “everything,” and the lessons you learn after releasing your debut record.
Actor Taye Diggs (The Best Man: The Final Chapters) on his role in the Tony award-winning musical “Rent,” the universality of Black stories and whether or not he’ll return to Broadway.Plus, playwright Cliff Cardinal (21:25) on his confrontational play “The Land Acknowledgement, or As You Like It,” subverting the audience’s expectations and laughing in the face of trauma.
Poet Sabrina Benaim on being “that depression girl,” breaking expectations and her new audio-exclusive poetry collection, “Chaotic Good.”Plus, director Ravi Jain (26:37) on adapting a 4,000-year-old Sanskrit poem for the stage, pushing the boundaries of theatre and the pressures of making an ancient story speak to modern life.
Writer and director Clement Virgo (The Wire, The Book of Negroes, Brother) on maturing as a filmmaker, how art reflects back your own humanity and working on hit TV shows like “The Wire.”Plus, author Kim Thúy (32:21) on the haunting photograph that inspired her latest novel, “Em,” the endurance of love amongst misery and her own immigration story.
Composer Steve Reich on his influences, his reverence for the voices of Holocaust survivors in his piece “Different Trains,” and what music sounds like when you’re considering your own mortality. Drag queen Priyanka (34:40) on being the first winner of Canada’s Drag Race, her journey to drag and the advice she’d give to her 14-year-old self.
Filmmaker Anthony Shim on his award-winning film “Riceboy Sleeps,” the line between comedy and tragedy and how he just wants to make his parents proud. Plus, Afghan-Canadian filmmaker Fazila Amiri and singer Aryana Sayeed (34:04) on their documentary, “And I Still Sing,” which tells the story of how the reality singing show, "Afghan Star" made history when two courageous female contestants defied death threats to continue singing.
The Bloods frontwoman Adele Bertei on being in the first all-girl, openly queer rock band, the music that saved her, and what it feels like to forgive an abusive parent. Plus, Tien Tran (How I Met Your Father) (33:56) on queer joy on TV, the improv scenes that sent her into an ‘existential spiral,’ and finding community.
Singer-songwriter k.d. lang (Constant Craving, Miss Chatelaine) on feeling like public property, her love of Roy Orbison and why she has no plans to write another record. Plus, actor Patrick J. Adams (Suits, Plan B) (32:47) on being present, online scrutiny and what playing toxic characters teaches him about the person he wants to be.
Actor Alexander Skarsgård (True Blood, Big Little Lies, Infinity Pool) on the eclectic roles he’s taken on, nepotism and stories behind HBO’s “Succession.”Plus, author Sheila Heti (24:43) on death, grief and the inspiration behind her Governor General’s Award-winning novel, “Pure Colour.”Bonus: Author Lindsay Wong (38:00) on the stigma around mental illness, growing up with “ghosts,” and what inspired her new book of short stories, “Tell Me Pleasant Things About Immortality.”
Nickelback on their early days, being parodied and the evolution of the band’s identity. Plus, Avril Lavigne (36:36) on getting her first big break, her debut album “Let Go,” and her friendship with Olivia Rodrigo.
Music producers Banx & Ranx (Dua Lipa, Sean Paul, Sia) on their biggest hits, making Canada into the new capital of pop music and how they’re fostering new talent in the country. Plus, comedian Courtney Gilmour (25:20) on joking about being a congenital amputee, awkward situations with folks who are able-bodied and what it feels like to be Juno-nominated for her debut comedy album, “Let Me Hold Your Baby.” Bonus: Tenille Townes, one of the fastest rising country music stars in North America, tells us the story behind her song “The Thing That Wrecks You.”
Grammy-nominated rapper Logic (Everybody, College Park) on finding his passion for music, early retirement and fatherhood. Plus, first-time JUNO nominee Preston Pablo (35:40) on figuring out what it means to be an “up and coming artist,” self criticism and learning how to trust yourself.
Emmy winning comedian Sarah Silverman (The Sarah Silverman Podcast, History of The World, Part II, Wreck-It Ralph) on Saturday Night Live, antisemitism and her comedic inspirations.Plus, filmmaker Chandler Levack (I Like Movies) (23:44) on film school snobs, video stores and nostalgia.
Award-winning author Catherine Hernandez (Scarborough) on writing a book that feels like love, being a conduit for her ancestors and the eye-opening research that went into her latest novel, “The Story of Us.”Plus, composer M.M. Keeravani (RRR) (26:26) on making history at this year's Oscars with his song “Naatu Naatu” — the first song from an Indian movie to be nominated for best original song.
Director Chris Williams (Lilo and Stitch, Big Hero 6, Bolt) on turning your passion into your career, the challenges of animation and what inspired his Oscar-nominated film “The Sea Beast.”Plus, the actor Gabriel Luna (26:35) on starring as Tommy in the hit HBO show “The Last of Us,” his love of video games and how filming in Calgary was the perfect place for a show about the apocalypse. Bonus: Singer-songwriter Faouzia (41:42) tells us about her song “RIP, Love.”
Eight-time Grammy-winning bassist Christian McBride on what happened when he met his hero James Brown, and why he wanted to write a suite for four civil rights legends: Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali and Rosa Parks.Plus, singer-songwriter Tate McRae (40:27) sets up a song for us off her debut album “i used to think i could fly.”
Prolific music producer Rick Rubin (Beastie Boys, Lady Gaga, Johnny Cash, Run-DMC) on staying true to yourself, his musical inspirations and what it was like working with Johnny Cash in the ‘90s. Plus, cartoonist Barbara Brandon-Croft (33:18) on rejection, growing up with a famous cartoonist father and how she’s breaking barriers with her comic strip “Where I’m Coming From.”
Comedian Ali Hassan on being a late bloomer, rebelling with pepperoni pizza and how 9/11 changed the trajectory of his life. Plus, SYML (37:30) on losing his father and how that experience shaped his record “The Day My Father Died.”
David Harrington on 50 years of making music with The Kronos Quartet, receiving an overdue apology and his love for Sesame Street.Plus, actor and comedian Rakhee Morzaria (Run The Burbs) (37:21) on her comedy, the tension of being both a writer and actor on the same show, and what she thinks Tom should say to internet trolls.
Saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin on playing for revered artists (Missy Eilliot, Stevie Wonder), the time she snuck her way past security to play sax at a Prince concert and how a near-death experience inspired her latest album, “Phoenix.”Plus, author Lindsay Wong (32:55) on the stigma around mental illness, growing up with “ghosts,” and what inspired her new book of short stories, “Tell Me Pleasant Things About Immortality.”
Jay Ellis (Insecure, Top Gun: Maverick) on his career, his favourite rom-coms and why he started a podcast about racism in the U.S. criminal justice system. Plus, the critically acclaimed film “The Whale” stars Brendan Fraser as a 600-pound man. Canadian makeup artist and prosthetic designer Adrien Morot (26:34) created the prosthetics that transformed the actor and made his performance so believable. He tells Tom about the challenge and how it feels to receive an Oscar-nomination for his work.
At 13 years old, Rebecca Black became infamous for her viral song, “Friday.” Now, more than a decade later, she’s back with her debut album, “Let Her Burn.” Rebecca joins Tom Power to talk about the infamy of “Friday,” and what it’s like now making music on her own terms. Plus, when Hannah Alissa Richardson (24:54) first saw the Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre in Toronto as a young girl, she saw a glimpse into her future. Starting tomorrow, Hannah is dancing in her inaugural season with the company as their 65th anniversary tour kicks off in Toronto. Hannah tells Tom what it feels like when your dream comes true.
If you grew up in the mid-to-late 2000s, there's a good chance you know the band Paramore. Hayley Williams has fronted the pop-punk band for nearly 20 years. She tells Tom Power about the band's history, the advice she’d give her younger self and what inspired Paramore’s new album, “This Is Why.”Emma Mackey (32:38) stars in “Emily,” a film about the life of Wuthering Heights author Emily Brontë — a reclusive, free-spirited woman and an outsider in conservative 19th century England. She sat down with Tom Power during the Toronto International Film Festival to talk about the film.
What was it like to play at Harry and Meghan’s royal wedding? The acclaimed cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason knows. You’ll hear him tell Tom Power about that experience and what you can expect from his latest album, “Song.” Plus, last month, the TV writer Monica Heisey (Schitt’s Creek, Baroness Von Sketch Show) released her highly anticipated debut novel, “Really Good, Actually,” which follows the devastating and often absurd journey of a 28-year-old going through the first year of her divorce. Hear Monica open up about navigating divorce at a young age, and how she found humour in heartbreak.
The word uncompromising gets a bad rap. But if Neil Young wasn’t the uncompromising musician he is, you probably wouldn’t know him as the songwriting legend is today. In this career-spanning conversation, Neil tells Tom about making the music industry work for him and his uncompromising values when it comes to fighting climate change — a fight he’s so hellbent on, he may never go on the road again if the touring industry doesn’t become more ecologically sustainable. Plus, Da'Vine Joy Randolph has spent years being called “a breakout star.” Critics have been calling her that since her Tony-nominated performance in the stage production of "Ghost.” Then there was her scene-stealing role opposite Eddie Murphy in "Dolemite Is My Name.” And of course, her critically acclaimed performance in “Only Murders in the Building.” At some point, they have to stop calling her a breakout star... right? Da’Vine tells Tom about this “break out star” phenomenon and her latest movie, “On The Come Up.”
Pink never thought her success would last this long. In the 10th grade, she was voted “most likely to be behind bars in 10 years” when in actuality, she became one of the most beloved and enduring pop stars of the 21st century. In this conversation, Pink tells Tom about the highs and lows of her music career, what it took to survive the industry and what inspired her new album, “Trustfall.”Plus, the actor Sarah Gadon (True Detective, A Dangerous Method, Enemy) gravitates toward challenging characters — and her latest role is no exception. Sarah opens up to Tom (22:08) about making her onstage debut in “Yerma,” about a woman’s struggle with infertility, and why she says the character she plays is the “ultimate heroine.”
Run-D.M.C., Public Enemy, KRS-One — these are just some of the artists who’ve worked with DJ Ron Nelson, the godfather of hip-hop radio in Toronto. Now, at age 60, Ron is releasing his first rap album. He joins Tom Power for a look back at his journey as a pioneering hip-hop radio host and tells us why now was the right time to put out his first rap album.Plus, Grace Lynn Kung (33:18) has had some eclectic roles — from a national security agent to a convict in “Star Trek: Discovery” to having her head blown off in “Cult of Chucky.” Now, Grace has her first lead role in the series “Wong & Winchester.” She tells Tom Power why playing a surly, sarcastic detective is such a dream role.
While locked up for five years in a U.S. prison for cocaine possession, Jesse Krimes secretly created epic works of art using bedsheets, hair gel and newspaper. Each piece was smuggled out one-by-one through the prison mail room. Now, nearly a decade after his release, he’s adjusting to life on the outside as one of the world’s most talked-about visual artists. Jesse tells Tom how he used art not only to survive, but to rebuild his entire life.Plus, a new TV series is putting Canada’s next generation of queer and racialized stand-up comedians front and centre. It's called “Killjoy Comedy” and each episode profiles a different comic. Sasha Mark (31:45) is a comedian who’s featured in episode one. He talks to Tom about what he hopes this show will accomplish.
Pamela Anderson on taking her story back + Two Calgary Playwrights on the ‘other’ F wordPamela Anderson’s story is incredible, but you so rarely get to hear her tell it. For the first time, Pamela shares her story through her new documentary, “Pamela, A Love Story,” and memoir, “Love, Pamela.” Pam joins Tom Power to talk about growing up on Vancouver Island, the freedom that Playboy gave her, and how she’s taking back authorship of her story — one that’s so often been misconstrued by the media. Plus, the playwrights Keshia Cheesman and Bianca Miranda (34:05) want to end the stigma around the word “fat.” Keshia and Bianca tell Tom Power about their new play, “The F word,” and how they each found self acceptance and self-love.
Matthew Macfadyen has made a name for himself playing the opportunistic Tom Wambsgans on the hit show “Succession.” Now, he stars in “Stonehouse,” a new series about the disgraced British MP John Stonehouse who faked his own death. Matthew talks to Tom about the show and shares a few stories from “Succession.” Plus, a decade after changing the face of stand-up with his bilingual tour “You're Gonna Rire,” Montreal comedian Sugar Sammy brings his truly multicultural humour back to Canada with a new cross-country tour, “You’re Gonna Rire 2.” He shares why raising eyebrows in this hotly political time is more fun — and more important — for him than ever.
Titanic celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Canadian director James Cameron tells Tom about the movie's enduring legacy, how he got that perfect scene for Jack and Rose’s first kiss and what it was like eating PCP-laced clam chowder in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Plus, in the new short film, “Dad and the Fridge Box,” Mary Walsh (This Hour Has 22 Minutes) tells a story of a time when people didn’t throw anything away. Mary tells Tom about recreating 1960s Newfoundland, and how her decision to embrace her “third act” in life and art is making way for her happiest times yet.
After the release of “The Sixth Sense,” nearly 25 years ago, M. Night Shyamalan earned a reputation as a director with a flair for supernatural horror. Now, he’s back with his latest film, an apocalyptic thriller called “Knock at the Cabin.” He joins Tom for a career-spanning conversation, in which he shares how his spiritual views have influenced his life and work. Plus, mixed-media artist Hannah Epstein tells Tom about her new project “Critbot.AI,” which generates artistic feedback through artificial intelligence.
Kristin Chenoweth is a Tony and Emmy-Award winning performer who’s wowed audiences in musicals like “Wicked” and “You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” Now, she's sharing what she's learned over the years in a new book, “I'm No Philosopher, But I Got Thoughts,” which collects her musings on creativity, love, loss and closure. Kristin talks to Tom about the book, what she learned from millennials about self-care and how a lighting accident on set of “The Good Wife” changed her life. Plus, there are few country stars who have stuck to their guns quite like Margo Price. Her uncompromising artistry is on full display with her new album “Strays.” She tells Tom how taking mushrooms and going into the mountains helped her make her best record yet.
During the Toronto International Film Festival, Anna Kendrick sat down with Tom Power to chat about her latest film, “Alice, Darling,” what it was like being trapped in an elevator and how she looks back on some of her most life-changing roles as an actor. Plus, in his award-winning novel “Fifteen Dogs,” André Alexis imagined what would happen if our canine friends were given human consciousness. He tells Tom about the acclaimed stage adaptation of his book, and how dogs can show us what it means to be human.
Jason Segel has played a lot of funny characters in turmoil. Whether that’s as a young person in the throes of angst in “Freaks and Geeks,” or as someone recently dumped while on a Hawaiian vacation like in “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.” He keeps that trend going in the new Apple TV+ series, “Shrinking,” where he plays a therapist who’s dealing with his own tragedy. Jason tells Tom about the ‘magical melancholy,’ in his roles and why he left L.A. after the massive success of "How I Met Your Mother."On their latest EP, “I'm Good HBU?” West coast rappers Snotty Nose Rez Kids have cemented themselves as one of the buzziest homegrown groups in Canadian hip hop. Snotty Nose Rez Kids break down the EP and look back on how their deep friendship led to a perfect musical partnership.
Nineteen85 is behind some of Drake’s biggest songs, from “Hotline Bling” to “Hold On We’re Going Home.” And when he’s not putting his Grammy Award-winning touch on other people’s music, he’s making his own as part of the R&B duo DVSN. Nineteen85 talks to Tom about his new album, his love of Jimi Hendrix and what it was like producing some of Drake’s most beloved songs.Plus, Cressida Cowell’s children’s book series “How to Train Your Dragon” has sold more than seven million copies worldwide and has become an award-winning franchise that you’ve probably seen with your kids… or just by yourself because it’s a great movie regardless of how old you are. Cressida tells Tom about the famous franchise and about her newest book, “Which Way to Anywhere.”
Matty Healy, the frontman of the band The 1975, is known for his quippy, observational lyrics about dating, youth culture and technology. But when it comes to his own emotions, he’s typically quite guarded. On The 1975’s new album “Being Funny in a Foreign Language,” he leans into his feelings and shares them with the world. Matty joins Tom Power to talk about being a band for two decades and why their new album is their most sincere yet. Plus, Maria Qamar (a.k.a. Hatecopy) makes South Asian-focused pop art that you can see everywhere, from a giant mural in Montreal to the background of a TV show like “Ms. Marvel” or “The Mindy Project.” Maria’s art is blowing up in a big way as it’s being showcased in prestigious art galleries like New York’s Richard Taittinger Gallery and Toronto’s Museum of Contemporary Art. She joins Tom to talk about her budding art career.
After 40 years working in film, Laura Dern has built a reputation for playing complex women grappling with the messiness of real-life. That legacy continues with her latest movie, “The Son,” in which she plays a divorced parent trying to support her son through depression. Plus, singer-songwriters Tegan and Sara tell Tom about their latest album “Crybaby” and a new Amazon series based on their lives called “High School.”
Sarah Polley’s Oscar-nominated film “Women Talking” is a powerful story about three generations of women who sit down to decide the fate of the women and children of their Mennonite colony. After years of surviving sexual abuse, they have 24 hours to decide: stay and do nothing, stay and fight, or leave. Sarah tells Tom about her film, what it was like stepping back from the film industry after a concussion and how she used her experience as a child actor to create the best environment possible for the children on the set of “Women Talking.”Plus, Vir Das became the first India-born comic with his own Netflix special in 2017. At the same time he's blowing up as this great comic, he's also being labeled a terrorist in his home country for his candid critiques of India’s injustices. His new special is called “Landing.” Vir tells Tom Power his story and the journey to becoming the comic he is today.
Sam Smith is one of the biggest artists in the world. They made a name for themself in 2014 with devastating songs about love and loss and ended up winning four Grammys because of it. Now, Sam is trying something new: focusing on joy in their life and music. Sam opens up to Tom Power about their new record, “Gloria,” why focusing on queer joy is the most radical thing they can do, and the highs and lows of finding their identity. Plus, the queen of country pop Shania Twain tells you the story behind her new single, “Last Day of Summer.”
Actor Paul Mescal talks about his starring role in Aftersun and the success of his breakout role in the TV adaptation of Sally Rooney's Normal People. Christa Couture's memoir How to Lose Everything is opening the door for other Indigenous artists to share their stories of resilience. Writer, producer and director Kenya Barris talks about his ambitious new animated project with rapper Kid Cudi. Elamin Abdelmahmoud joins Tom to talk about the new show launching next week, Commotion. Plus, Shamus Currie, composer of the original theme for Q with Tom Power, joins Tom to help him say goodbye to the tune.
Director Ruben Östlund discusses his latest Palme d'Or-winning film, Triangle of Sadness, and why he wanted to look at "beauty as a currency." Playwright Chloé Hung discusses her new dark comedic play, Three Women of Swatow, about three generations of Chinese women who discover they are bound by more than blood. Photographer Carrie Mae Weems discusses art, class and culture — and how she feels about being called an artist ahead of her time.
Poet Rupi Kaur talks about her new writing guide, Healing Through Words, plus her own journey with writing and overcoming writer's block. Artist Vivek Shraya shares more about her autobiographical solo stage show How To Fail As A Pop Star, which is focused on the true story of her life in music. Director Darren Aronofsky talks about the difficulty of casting the lead in his latest film, The Whale, and why Brendan Fraser was perfect for the part. Canada Reads is back for another round! Join us as this year's line-up of all-star books are revealed live alongside their all-star champions.
Singer-songwriter Ani DiFranco discusses her new memoir, survival, the boundary-breaking themes in her music and how she feels about the ongoing #MeToo movement. Comedian and This Hour Has 22 Minutes cast member Trent McClellan talks about his upcoming comedy tour, returning to his hometown to perform stand-up, and finding humour in the things that frustrate you. Writer Bryan Washington talks about capturing the quiet moments of modern family life and complicated relationships in his debut novel, Memorial.
Degrassi co-creator Linda Schuyler discusses her new memoir, The Mother Of All Degrassi, which details how she went from being a Toronto high school teacher to an award-winning television producer. Actor and comedian Andrew Phung (best known as the character Kimchee on Kim's Convenience) talks about co-creating and starring in the new CBC comedy series Run the Burbs. Parasite director Bong Joon-ho tells us what inspired him to make a thriller about income inequality, and why wealth can make monsters of us all.
Five days a week, acclaimed interviewer Tom Power sits down with the artists, writers, actors and musicians who define this cultural moment in time. Whether he’s ribbing Adele, singing a boyband classic with Simu Liu, or dissecting faith with U2 frontman Bono – Tom brings the same curiosity, respect and meticulous preparation into every conversation. He also has a track record for interviewing artists on the precipice of stardom – like Lizzo and Billie Eilish — who appeared on Q well before hitting the mainstream. Hear your favourite artists as they truly are, every weekday with Tom Power.
One trophy away from EGOT-status, there's strong speculation that Hugh Jackman could win the outstanding Oscar for his latest movie, The Son. He talks about his long career on stage and screen. Ann-Marie MacDonald reflects on the curiosity and empathy that continue to inspire her work from the page to the stage as Fall on Your Knees becomes a stage play. Otis Williams, founding member of Motown legends The Temptations, talks about the group's legacy, longevity and why their sound was so impactful during the 60s.
Figurative painter Peter Doig — one of the world's top-selling living artists — talks about his work, his upbringing in Canada and the dark underbelly of the art market. Superstar Canadian conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin reflects on his phenomenal rise to the peak of his profession. Author Mark Sakamoto and playwright Hiro Kanagawa talk about adapting Mark's memoir Forgiveness, about his grandparents' experiences of the Second World War, for the stage.
Legendary singer-songwriter Marianne Faithfull opens up about surviving COVID-19 and recording a new album of classic romantic poems, titled She Walks in Beauty. After hustling for 11 years, Lainey Wilson talks about her acclaimed new record Bell Bottom Country and why it's funny to be called an "overnight sensation." Comedian Margaret Cho discusses her role in Fire Island as a den mother to a chosen family of young gay men, plus, how she feels about becoming a role model for Asian Americans onscreen.
Actor Denzel Washington talks about his turn as Lord Macbeth in the film The Tragedy of Macbeth, and what the legacy of the late Sidney Poitier means to him. Actor and comedian Jenny Slate talks about revisiting Marcel the Shell with Shoes On in a feature-length film based on the viral web series. Bestselling author Miriam Toews discusses her highly anticipated new novel, Fight Night, and what it says about family, resiliency and the fight for mental health.
Actor Regina King talks about directing One Night in Miami, a film that imagines a real conversation between four of the most important Black voices of the 1960s: Sam Cooke, Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X and Jim Brown. Writer Neil Gaiman tells us why his comic book series The Sandman would have made a terrible movie — and why he loved adapting it into a new Netflix series. Acadian singer-songwriter Lisa LeBlanc talks about her decision to put down the banjo and record a disco album.
Nina Hoss co-stars in the new critically-acclaimed film Tár. She shares her process behind preparing for the film, including learning to play the violin, and what it was like playing with a real-life orchestra. Acclaimed sitar player Anoushka Shankar discusses her first live album in more than two decades, her life in music and what it's like having that famous family name. Edmonton director Kyle Edward Ball is making his feature-length debut with the film Skinamarink. He tells us the inspiration behind his horror film, and how he uses sound to evoke the feeling of a nightmare.
Ralph Macchio talks about what it was like reflecting on the legacy of The Karate Kid in his new book Waxing On: The Karate Kid and Me, and why he's "embracing the past in the present" with Cobra Kai. With millions of followers online, Dax has become one of the biggest up-and-coming Canadian rappers today thanks to his honest lyrics. He shares his journey from college basketball to internet phenomenon.
Nearly 20 years after The L Word premiered, there's a sequel to the historic series. Showrunner Marja-Lewis Ryan talks about trying to reflect our changing times in The L Word: Generation Q. After a series of malicious false rumours almost ended his career more than ten years ago, Korean-Canadian rap star and Epik High frontman Tablo is sharing his story about finding his way back to music. Acclaimed pianist Jason Moran shares why he thinks James Reese Europe, a hugely influential Black composer and veteran, should be seen as a "Big Bang in Black music."
Dakota Ray Hebert skewers the document that defines how the Canadian government interacts with First Nations people in her first stand-up comedy album I'll Give You An Indian Act. Troy Kotsur shares how he drew on his own personal experience to play a Deaf father of a hearing child in the Oscar-winning movie CODA. Chris Wilson talks about finding new ways to make people laugh on TikTok, and joining the Canadian comedy institution This Hour Has 22 Minutes as it turns 30.
In a rare career-spanning interview, songwriter and producer Max Martin talks about his first jukebox musical, & Juliet, which weaves his biggest hits into a feminist retelling of Romeo and Juliet. Filmmakers Wendy Tilby and Amanda Forbis talk about making their new animated film The Flying Sailor, and why they are fascinated by the story of a man who emerged unharmed from the 1917 Halifax explosion.
Carly Rae Jepsen talks about embracing loneliness on her new album, The Loneliest Time, and reflects on her relationship with Call Me Maybe after more than a decade. Cartoonist Kate Beaton shares her reaction to finding her graphic memoir Ducks on Barack Obama's list of favorite books of 2022, and everything that happened next. Director Reggie Hudlin talks about his new documentary, Sidney, which highlights how Sidney Poitier's legacy paved the way for Black actors and filmmakers today.
Actor Román Zaragoza tells us about playing a 500-year-old ghost from the Lenape people in the CBS series Ghosts, and how it's given him hope for the future of Indigenous stories on TV. Director Aitch Alberto shares the labour of love that went into bringing Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe to the big screen, and the importance of centering queer and BIPOC stories. Author Mariko Tamaki explains how she approached writing a modern update of L. M. Montgomery's classic novel Anne of Green Gables. Actor and playwright Aaron Craven talks about the real-life story behind his new play Instantaneous Blue, and why he wanted to follow the late Carrie Fisher's advice and turn his broken heart into art.
Actor Sheila McCarthy reflects on a career playing unconventional leading ladies and how playing an elder in Sarah Polley's film Women Talking feels like a feminist full-circle moment. Screenwriter and real-life doctor Roshan Sethi talks about how he drew on his medical expertise to direct his debut feature — a pandemic rom-com called 7 Days. Comedian Julie Nolke tells us about her pandemic experience in the wake of her viral YouTube series, plus how she transitioned from behind the scenes to in front of the camera on CBC's Run The Burbs.
Song Kang-ho, the first Korean actor to win the best actor award at Cannes, sits down with Tom Power to talk about his approach to acting. Mark Critch, the star and creator behind the hit comedy series Son of a Critch, talks shooting the second season in Newfoundland and the joy of seeing all his castmates fall in love with his home province. Rosie Perez talks about her starring role in the Apple TV+ series Now & Then, plus, her journey from dancer to Oscar-nominated actor.
Michael J. Fox opens up about the long-term effects of Parkinson's disease and how he found his way back to optimism after experiencing a particularly brutal year. Actor Riz Ahmed discusses the magical realism that runs through his film Mogul Mowgli and why he's taken up the cause of Muslim representation in Hollywood. Plus, we're revisiting our chat with Canadian folk music icon Ian Tyson, who died late last week at the age of 89.
Musicians Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings discuss their special edition box set, Bachman Cummings: The Collection, and the early days of the Guess Who. Ted Lasso star Nick Mohammed explains why in an era of gritty storytelling and anti-heroes, true subversion is about making your audience smile. Pop star Camila Cabello talks about "giving joy" to herself on her new album Familia and how she realized prioritizing her own happiness is the key to her success.
More than 25 years after k.d. lang's platinum record Ingénue was released, the Canadian musician talks about their breakout album and what it's like revisiting the work now. Tal Bachman looks back on his hit song She's So High on its 20th anniversary. Musician, composer and activist Jon Batiste discusses his powerful new album, We Are. Actor Kristen Stewart talks about tackling the "scary and ambitious" role of Princess Diana in the biopic Spencer.
Eddie Izzard talks about touring Canada with her comedy show Wunderbar, and why she performs standup around the world in foreign languages — even if she's not fluent. Canada's Drag Race Season 1 winner Priyanka fills us in on her life after the show, the success of her debut EP and how she feels about headlining Toronto Pride this year. Cassandra Peterson, better known as the campy horror movie host Elvira, talks about sharing her amazing life story in her new memoir, Yours Cruelly, Elvira.
Weird Al Yankovic takes us through his biggest hits and tells us how he made a career of being on the outside and "poking fun at the people on the inside." Legendary producer Linda Perry shares the stories behind some of the huge hits she created with stars like Pink and Christina Aguilera. Hoodo Hersi, one of the comedians featured on the latest season of CBC Gem's The New Wave of Standup, tells us the trick to weaving heavy topics like race and religion into her jokes.
From Pink Floyd to Peter Gabriel, legendary Canadian record producer Bob Ezrin takes us through the highlights of his nearly 50-year career. Legendary backup singer Merry Clayton talks about her first solo album in more than 25 years, Beautiful Scars, which she made in the aftermath of a life-altering car accident.
Mayan Lopez, star of the new NBC series Lopez vs. Lopez, joins Tom Power to talk about her relationship both on-camera and off with her co-star and real-life dad George Lopez, how they reconnected during the pandemic, and why she thought their story would make good TV. Actress Sigourney Weaver discusses her film My Salinger Year and shares why landing her breakthrough role as Ripley in Alien wasn't a dream come true at first. Tom Power and Elamin Abdelmahmoud join Talia Schlanger to share the books, shows and music that made them smile this past year in Q's Best of 2022 panel.
Emmy Award-winning actor Sheryl Lee Ralph joins Tom Power to talk about the road to getting to this moment and why making a Christmas album was on her bucket list. Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat's sisters Lisane Basquiat and Jeanine Herveaux discuss a retrospective book and exhibit about their brother, titled Jean-Michel Basquiat: King Pleasure. Singer-songwriter Jah'Mila will tell you how she fell in love with Halifax and found the right musical community to help her launch for her own solo career after touring the world as a back-up singer with reggae legends. Dragonette, a.k.a. Martina Sorbara, drops by Q to unpack the new record Twennies and look back at her career, from playing tiny clubs to headlining festivals around the world.
The producer and multi-instrumentalist Aysanabee drops by Q to discuss his breakthrough album Watin, which has become one of the most buzzed-about Canadian debuts in recent memory. Writer and director Mike White talks about his time as a contestant on the reality-tv staple Survivor and why he wanted to join the surreal world of reality-television. Plus, it's taken 13 years for the sequel to Avatar to arrive in theatres. Panellists Hanna Flint and Rad Simonpillai look at whether it was worth the wait, as well as Will Smith's latest movie Emancipation and the new Harry and Megan docuseries from Netflix.
As he prepares to film the final season of the improvisational game show Whose Line is it Anyway?, Colin Mochrie shares some of his favourite moments in Whose Line? history and reflects on how the show has helped him grow as a performer. Actor Arian Moayed discusses his work on Succession and Inventing Anna, plus how his experience as an Iranian immigrant informs his art and life. Singer-songwriter Fefe Dobson reflects on her experiences of racism in the Canadian pop punk scene, and how she's now staying true to herself and her vision.
Playwright Trey Anthony reflects on the cultural impact of her award-winning play 'da Kink in My Hair on its 20th anniversary. Actor Ethan Hawke discusses his fourth and latest novel, A Bright Ray of Darkness, about a famous actor who makes all the wrong choices. Cape Breton comedy duo Justine Williamson and Greg Vardy, also known as Tracy and Martina, tell us how they're celebrating the holidays with a live wine tasting show. Screen and stage actor Robin de Jesús discusses his role in Netflix's Tick, Tick... Boom! — a film adaptation of Jonathan Larson's musical of the same name.
Director Darren Aronofsky talks about the difficulty of casting the lead in his latest film, The Whale, and why Brendan Fraser was perfect for the part. Actor Alfre Woodard discusses her role in the new CBC/BET+ series The Porter, about Black railway porters and their families in the 1920s. Our panellists Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Craig Seymour and Jen Sookfong Lee look back on the biggest pop culture stories of 2022.
Just for Laughs president Bruce Hills reflects on the Montreal comedy empire's groundbreaking 40-year history on the occasion of its induction into Canada's Walk of Fame. Actor Aubrey Plaza discusses her children's book with creative partner Dan Murphy, The Legend of the Christmas Witch, about Santa Claus's misunderstood twin sister. Pachinko creator and executive producer Soo Hugh talks about adapting Min Jin Lee's bestselling novel of the same name and why the project was so personal for her.
Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro discusses his new film adaptation of Pinocchio, disobedience as a virtue and why death is a beautiful thing. Drag performer Christopher Hunte talks about playing Mother Ginger in his 12th reprisal of the role for Goh Ballet's presentation of The Nutcracker. Grammy-winning musician St. Vincent opens up about her latest album, Daddy's Home, and why she decided to reinvent herself with a '70s sound and aesthetic.
Acclaimed author Lawrence Hill looks back on his career and contributions to Canadian literature 15 years after the release of his lauded third novel, The Book of Negroes. Singer-songwriter Evangeline Gentle discusses their new single, Gay Bar, and why the safety of queer spaces is more important than it's ever been. Rapper and academic Michael McGuire, a director at East of East Atlantic Canadian Hip Hop Archive, talks about the late Pat Stay and what made him a legend in the battle rap scene.
Canadian DJ Rezz talks about finding a sustainable lifestyle in a profession that involves grueling tour schedules and performing all night into the early hours of the morning. Vancouver-based dancer and choreographer Shay Kuebler discusses his latest work, Momentum of Isolation, which was born when he read about the U.K. appointing a minister of loneliness in 2018. Bruce Lee's daughter, Shannon Lee, tells us why she wanted to show a different side of her father in her book Be Water, My Friend: The Teachings of Bruce Lee.
On the occasion of his induction into Canada's Walk of Fame, filmmaker Director X reflects on his groundbreaking career as Canada's foremost hip hop cinematic auteur. Author Judy Blume talks about breaking taboos when writing for kids and why she's finally allowing Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret to be adapted for the screen. Our panel of film experts — Amil Niazi, Teri Hart and Rad Simonpillai — discuss the explosion of new Christmas movies, telling us which ones hit like hot cocoa and which ones leave you with a lump of coal.
Singer-songwriter Omar Apollo talks about his debut album, going viral on TikTok and receiving his first Grammy nomination. Singer-songwriter and photographer Sharon Robinson discusses her new show at the Art Gallery of Ontario, My Time with Leonard Cohen, and why she thinks she and Cohen clicked as writing partners. Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka talks about her comedy journey, finding fame on TikTok and how she's feeling as she prepares to record her first HBO stand-up special.
Actor Cobie Smulders tells us why she thinks her Canadian identity often finds its way into her work, including the sitcom How I Met Your Mother and her latest project, the new Audible Original series Mistletoe Murders. Montreal dancer, choreographer and TikTok star Citron Rose shares what it's like to see herself featured in the 2023 edition of the iconic video game Just Dance. Filmmaker Robert Weide discusses his new documentary about Kurt Vonnegut as well as his decades-long friendship with the celebrated writer.
Actor Gary Oldman talks about his latest role in the spy thriller series Slow Horses and why he's impressed with what he sees on TV these days. Actor and director Sean Penn discusses the state of modern cinema and what it was like to act alongside his daughter in the film Flag Day. Singer-songwriter Amai Kuda talks about collaborating with an animation studio in Nigeria to create a series that brings her music to life in a new way. Voice actor Eric Bauza — the latest voice of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and more — tells us how he came to lend his voice to some of the most recognizable cartoon characters in history.
Hugh Dillon of Headstones talks about the band's latest album, Flight Risk, plus the upcoming second season of his Paramount+ show Mayor of Kingstown. Molly Rankin of Alvvays discusses the band's new album, Blue Rev, and how her writing survived a home invasion and not-so-biblical flood. Pianist and composer Chilly Gonzales dissects Mariah Carey's iconic Christmas anthem All I Want for Christmas Is You. Actor Danny Trejo discusses his memoir Trejo: My Life of Crime, Redemption, and Hollywood, in which he opens up about surviving incarceration, finding sobriety and landing his first big film role.
Elegance Bratton talks about his remarkable journey from homeless teen to military recruit to critically acclaimed filmmaker, as dramatized in his debut feature, The Inspection. Gabriel LaBelle is the Canadian actor playing one of the biggest figures in cinema, on screen. LaBelle talks about getting to know all about what makes Steven Spielberg tick, being directed by him, and how he brought the Oscar-winning director's story to life in The Fabelmans..The Siminovitch Prize is the most prestigious award in Canadian theatre. Every year, it's given to a director, playwright or designer who stands out for their leadership and innovation. Marie Brassard is this years winner, and she joins Tom power LIVE to talk about her big win. Q fashion Columnist Mosha Lundström Halbert breaks down the controversy at Balenciaga.
Lee Jung-jae won the Emmy for best actor for his role in Squid Game, making history as the first Asian actor to win an Emmy in this category. He sits down with Tom Power to talk about the moment when his name was called at the Emmys, and his directorial debut Hunt, a spy action thriller set in 1980's South Korea. Filmmaker Fazila Amiri and Aryana Sayeed tells the story of how the reality singing show Afghan Star made history when two courageous female contestants defied death threats to keep singing in the documentary And Still I Sing. Bear Grease is an all-Indigenous reimagining of Grease. Co-creators Crystle Lightning and MC Redcloud explain how they turned the 1978 film into a sold-out touring show.
Poet Rupi Kaur talks about her new writing guide, Healing Through Words, plus her own journey with writing and overcoming writer's block. Sea shanty singer Jon Cleave of Fisherman's Friends tells us the incredible story behind the Cornish folk group's rise to fame, which is now the subject of a new musical. Toronto Raptors broadcaster Jack Armstrong talks about his new Christmas album, Hellooo and Happy Holidays.
In a career-spanning interview, Chris Murphy and Jay Ferguson of Sloan talk about starting the group and how they've kept all four original members for three decades. Artist and photographer Zun Lee tells us what inspired his new Art Gallery of Ontario exhibit, What Matters Most: Photographs Of Black Life. Grammy-winning singer and activist Angélique Kidjo discusses her album Mother Nature, which sees her championing young talent from across Africa.
Canada's punk rock chef Matty Matheson talks about embracing his passions and how a health scare inspired him to get the most out of life. In a career-spanning interview, country music superstar Maren Morris reflects on everything from her start in Nashville to her latest album, Humble Quest. Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom star Ke Huy Quan explains where he's been for the past few decades and how he was enticed back into acting by the film Everything Everywhere All at Once.
Degrassi co-creator Linda Schuyler discusses her new memoir, The Mother Of All Degrassi, which details how she went from being a Toronto high school teacher to an award-winning television producer. Composer Kris Bowers, the musical mastermind behind the scores for Green Book, When They See Us and Bridgerton, talks about self-doubt and his new short film, A Concerto is a Conversation. John Semley, A. Harmony and Rad Simonpillai break down the major arts and culture stories of the week, including a review of Steven Spielberg's latest film The Fabelmans, the cancellation of Chris Brown's Michael Jackson tribute at this year's AMAs, and the ongoing saga between Elon Musk and the Twitterverse.
Singer-songwriter Dar Williams discusses her new book, How to Write a Song that Matters, and why she believes anyone can turn their stories into music. Nneka Onuorah, the director of Lizzo's Watch Out For The Big Grrrls, tells us how the groundbreaking reality show helps celebrate plus-sized dancers. Actor and playwright Manami Hara talks about her latest work, Courage Now, which tells the true story of Chiune Sugihara — a Japanese diplomat based in Lithuania who helped thousands of Jewish people escape from the Nazis.
Ballet dancer Misty Copeland talks about the incredible life and legacy of her mentor Raven Wilkinson, the dance pioneer at the heart of her new memoir, The Wind at My Back. Actor Amanda Cordner tells us how playing 7ven on CBC's Sort Of helped her live a little more out loud. Actor Erika Rosenbaum and entertainment reporter Teri Hart discuss what the new film She Said adds to the conversation around Harvey Weinstein's crimes against women.
Actor Matthew Perry discusses his harrowing new memoir, Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing, in which he opens up about his long journey with addiction, fame and recovery. Grammy-winning musician Harry Connick Jr. talks about his gospel album Alone With My Faith, which he made entirely by himself during a year of reflection. Actor Gail Maurice discusses her feature directorial debut, Rosie, and how it shows the lasting impact of the Sixties Scoop in Canada.
Chad Kroeger and Ryan Peake of Nickelback look back on the band's career ahead of their induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Singer Jeanick Fournier, the winner of the latest season of Canada's Got Talent, talks about releasing her self-titled major label debut album. Arts reporter Kate Brown, Europe editor for Artnet News, unpacks why climate change activists have attacked more than 20 masterpieces over the past few months, plus the reaction from the art world.
Actor Sylvester Stallone talks about bringing heart and vulnerability to the cold-blooded gangster tale in his first television series, Tulsa King. Music critic Steven Hyden talks about Pearl Jam's relevance and staying power, which is the subject of his latest book, Long Road: Pearl Jam and the Soundtrack of a Generation. Tech journalist Mark Bergen discusses his new book, Like, Comment, Subscribe: Inside YouTube's Chaotic Rise to World Domination, about the unexpected ways YouTube has changed the world.
Melanie C of the Spice Girls opens up about her intimate new memoir, The Sporty One: My Life as a Spice Girl, which delves into the consequences of fame and how she learned to thrive on her own. Emmy-winning actor Billy Porter talks about his new memoir, Unprotected, and his journey to finding healing. Singer-songwriter Sean Cooney of the English folk group The Young'uns tells us how an encounter with a stranger at a pub led to the creation of an entire stage show celebrating the life of an anti-facist.
Canadian singer-songwriter Neil Young returns to Q to talk about his latest album with Crazy Horse, World Record. He delves into his love and grief over the world around him, plus the 50th anniversary of his legendary album Harvest. Annie Sumi and Brian Kobayakawa are telling their relatives' stories of what it was like to be held in internment camps during the Second World War in a new installation called Kintsugi. They'll talk about making it and how their ancestors' trauma has shaped the artists they've become today.
With the release of his new memoir, Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story, U2 lead singer Bono sat down with Tom Power to discuss his music, activism and something he rarely talks about: his faith. Director Alek Keshishian talks about his years spent with superstar Selena Gomez during a period of ups and downs in her life, which he captures in his new documentary, Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me.
In a Canadian broadcast exclusive, Bruce Springsteen talks about his new album of '60s and '70s soul covers, Only the Strong Survive, and how soul music shaped him as performer and songwriter. Bedouin Soundclash's Jay Malinowski and Eon Sinclair reflect on the highs and lows of their two-decade career, and why their new album, We Will Meet in a Hurricane, represents a full-circle move for the group. Kathleen Newman-Bremang and Syrus Marcus Ware.discuss the new film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Singer and musician Bonnie Raitt talks about her latest album, Just Like That..., Prince and the record deal that almost was. Musician Stuart Braithwaite of Mogwai reflects on the band's very first No. 1 album, As the Love Continues, the power of instrumental music and 25 years of Mogwai.
Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, made a name — and a fortune — for himself making and saying whatever pops into his head. But for nearly a decade the things he says have increasingly become rooted in bigotry, ignorance and hatred. Despite this he remains one of the most influential and deeply embedded cultural figures of the 21st century, a reality that is hard to shake for many people. In this episode of Front Burner, Elamin Abdelmahmoud, a longtime chronicler of Kanye, senior culture writer at Buzzfeed and host of the CBC podcast Pop Chat joins in to discuss the rap star's long history of saying things he shouldn't, absorbing the consequences and coming back. More episodes are available at: https://link.chtbl.com/FrontBurner
On the heels of his debut album, Canadian R&B singer RealestK tells us how he became an overnight sensation, what happened after his song blew up on TikTok and why getting bullied for his music never slowed him down. Authors David A. Robertson and Vivek Shraya talk about running their own imprints to help new writers get their foot in the door of the Canadian publishing industry. British food writer and television cook Nigella Lawson talks about her latest cookbook, Cook, Eat, Repeat: Ingredients, Recipes, and Stories, and tells us why guilt has no place in the kitchen.
Crime writer Ian Rankin discusses his 24th John Rebus novel, A Heart Full of Headstones, and why this character continues to fascinate him decades after his creation. Singer-songwriter Diga of Digawolf shares the inspiration behind the band's new song Eneetii, and why writing and recording it in the Tlicho language was so important. Award-winning film and TV composer Cristobal Tapia de Veer talks about the success of The White Lotus and why making soundtracks for characters onscreen is a lot like being in a band.
Author Alan Moore, the creator of Watchmen and V for Vendetta, tells us why he's done with comics in favour of writing his first short story collection, Illuminations. Grammy-winning R&B legend Booker T. Jones reflects on his life and legacy, which he celebrated with the release of a memoir and album. This year's Scotiabank Giller Prize winner, Suzette Mayr, discusses her award-winning novel The Sleeping Car Porter. Diggstown star Vinessa Antoine talks about being Canadian primetime television's first Black female lawyer.
Playwright Yolanda Bonnell discusses her new play, My Sister's Rage, and why she wanted to explore the joy and laughter that can come with grief. Canadian music icon Céline Dion opens up about her latest album, Courage, and how she coped after the passing of her late husband, René Angélil. Mike Payette, the artistic director of the Tarragon Theatre, talks about directing Tarell Alvin McCraney's play Choir Boy for Canadian Stage, and how it changed his outlook on life. Musician Patrick Haggerty of Lavender Country discusses the role he's had in a budding queer country scene and what it's like releasing a sophomore album in his late 70s.
Musician Phil Elverum talks about celebrating his late wife, Geneviève Castrée, with a new art book, Geneviève Castrée: Complete Works 1981-2016. Author Mariko Tamaki tells us how she approached writing a modern update of L. M. Montgomery's classic novel Anne of Green Gables. Josh Nalley reflects on his CSI: Vegas debut as a corpse, and how he landed the role as a restaurant manager from rural Kentucky with no prior acting experience.
Rolling Stone magazine co-founder Jann Wenner discusses his new memoir, Like a Rolling Stone, which documents his incredible legacy and tells some wild stories about '60s counterculture and the heady early days of rock and roll. Singer-songwriter Brighid Fry talks about her personal and musical evolution, forming her musical project Housewife at 14, and the band's new EP, You'll Be Forgiven. Author francesca ekwuyasi talks about winning this year's Dayne Ogilvie Prize, which is awarded to an extraordinary debut book by a Canadian writer from the LGBTQ2 community. Children's entertainers Sharon and Bram reflect on their incredible four decade career and why their music resonates with kids.
Noah Cyrus shares her story of depression, addiction, recovery and how that journey led to the release of her powerful debut album, The Hardest Part. Until We Break author Matthew Dawkins tells us how writing on Wattpad helped him get his first novel published before he's even graduated from university. Musician Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave talks about guitars, his photo memoir and the state of political music today.
Clea DuVall talks about adapting Tegan and Sara's bestselling memoir High School into a series and why she feels it's the unabashedly queer coming-of-age story she never had. Poet Raymond Antrobus discusses his first spoken world album, The First Time I Wore Hearing Aids, and what it's like navigating the world as a deaf person with a different relationship to sound. Actor Adam DiMarco, the Canadian star of The White Lotus Season 2, tells us how he got his big break after years of hard work.
Author Ainslie Hogarth talks about her new horror novel, Motherthing, and how she found the visceral dread in motherhood. Actor Rohan Campbell talks about being cast as the troubled and surprising new lead character in the film Halloween Ends, plus what he learned from legendary "last girl" Jamie Lee Curtis. Director Guillermo del Toro discusses his lifelong fascination with monsters and why, instead of sinners, he sees monsters as saints. Director and composer John Carpenter looks back at the influential score for his classic slasher flick Halloween. Blood on Black Wax co-authors Aaron Lupton and Jeff Szpirglas walk us through some of the best horror movie soundtracks of all time.
Director Park-Chan wook on his new film Decision to Leave, singer-songwriter Tim Baker on his new album The Festival, and Q's film panel on the buzziest horror films of the year.
Actor Paul Mescal talks about his starring role in Aftersun, why he's intrigued by characters with complicated inner lives, and the success of his breakout role in the TV adaptation of Sally Rooney's Normal People. Performance artist Cassils shares how the very physical way they approach their art is informed by their experience as a transgender person and their desire to make a difference in a world where their rights are under threat. The Trade-Offs frontman Josh Qaumariaq introduces us to the title track off the band's new album, Let Go, Give In, Fall Down. Canadian geneticist and broadcaster David Suzuki talks about bringing science into our living rooms for more than 40 years, and how he's helped open our eyes to issues like climate change.
Shawn Desman reflects on his success in the 2000s and 2010s, the setbacks that left him feeling like a failure and how Drake helped inspire his comeback. Dan Mangan talks about his new album, Being Somewhere, and what he had to go through to stop caring what the critics and tastemakers think. Our panellists Alyssa Bereznak and Rollie Pemberton discuss recent news that TikTok's parent company is looking to expand into music streaming.
Flight of the Conchords' Bret McKenzie talks about his foray into sincere songwriting with his first solo album, Songs Without Jokes. Choreographers Laurie Young and Justine A. Chambers discuss their new dance piece, One Hundred More, which reflects on the ways the human body is used as a weapon for resistance by racialized people around the world. Turning Red director Domee Shi talks about drawing inspiration from her childhood in Toronto to create the first Pixar film set in Canada
Author Ann-Marie MacDonald discusses her latest novel, Fayne, and how curiosity and empathy continue to inspire her work. Producer Bob Rock talks about his new single with the late Gord Downie, Lustre Parfait, and why now is the right time to share it with the world. Our Q This music panellists, Niko Stratis and Elamin Abdelmahmoud, break down Taylor Swift's latest album, Midnights, and what this era looks like for Swifties.
Carly Rae Jepsen talks about embracing loneliness on her new album, The Loneliest Time, and reflects on her relationship with Call Me Maybe after more than a decade. Halifax musician Rich Aucoin sets up a song off his ambitious new project, Synthetic, and why he wanted to break the world record for the number of synthesizers played on a single album. Rollie Pemberton, John Cullen and Maddy Kelly break down the major arts and culture stories of the week, including new music from Blink-182, Animal Collective's cancelled tour and why climate change activists took their frustration out on a van Gogh masterpiece.
Oscar-winning actor Geena Davis discusses her new memoir, Dying of Politeness, about her journey to Hollywood stardom and how she learned to become a little bit more "badass" along the way. Singer-songwriter Janelle Monáe talks about her literary debut, The Memory Librarian: And Other Stories of Dirty Computer, and how she explores her queer, Black identity on the page. Rad Simonpillai reviews Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's superhero debut in Black Adam and whether the movie marks a new era for the DC film universe.
From Black Sabbath to The Osbournes, singer-songwriter Ozzy Osbourne takes a candid look back at his iconic entertainment career and talks about his new solo album, Patient Number 9. Lawyer and singer-songwriter Stéphane Moraille reflects on the legacy of Bran Van 3000's hit song Drinking in L.A. and how one phone call upended everything she thought she knew about her time in the band. Vogue fashion and style writer Christian Allaire discusses his new book, The Power of Style: How Fashion and Beauty Are Being Used to Reclaim Cultures, and his mission to change the conversation around BIPOC representation in fashion.
William Shatner reflects on his lifelong love of learning and why his trip to space didn't turn out to be the celebration he had expected. Randall Park talks about his animated series, Human Resources, plus his path from architecture student to comedy actor. Sharon Horgan discusses her latest series, Bad Sisters, and why it can be fun to see people on their worst behaviour.
On the heels of their new album, Blink Twice, Arkells frontman Max Kerman and guitarist Mike DeAngelis reflect on the band's career so far and why now was the time to start collaborating with people outside of their comfort zone. Comedian Paul Rabliauskas talks about co-creating and starring in the new sitcom Acting Good, which draws on his own upbringing and experiences living in a remote Northern Manitoba reserve. Theatre critic Karen Fricker shares her review of Abba's virtual concert residency, Voyage, and what she thinks of the Swedish supergroup's digital avatars. In honour of Life is a Highway winning a SOCAN Award, musician Tom Cochrane takes us behind the scenes of the song that topped the charts for him and Rascal Flatts.
Actor Kathleen Turner discusses her latest role in The Swearing Jar and what the film's love story taught her about loneliness. Actor and comedian Jack McBrayer talks about bringing his aptitude for kindness to preschoolers everywhere with his Apple TV+ show Hello, Jack! The Kindness Show. Rad Simonpillai, Niko Stratis and Syrus Marcus Ware unpack the public backlash to Netflix's new true crime series on Jeffrey Dahmer, plus, the media's approach to covering the latest Kanye West controversy.
Artist Kent Monkman talks about challenging the way museums tell Indigenous stories with his new exhibit, Being Legendary, which sees him take over the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, using the artifacts there to reshape the narrative. Actor Katie Boland tells us how she juggled producing, writing, directing and starring in her latest film, We're All in This Together. Back in 2019, actor and singer Angela Lansbury joined Tom Power to reflect on Murder, She Wrote, plus, her incredible career on stage and screen.
Country singer Margo Price discusses her new memoir, Maybe We'll Make It, which chronicles the years of struggle that came before her success. Singer-songwriter Adam Baldwin introduces us to a song off his acclaimed new album, Concertos & Serenades. Culture critic Stacy Lee Kong breaks down why Constance Wu's wide-ranging memoir, Making a Scene, has challenged the narrative around onscreen representation. Artist Liam Gillick tells us about the functioning weather station he's built on Newfoundland's Fogo Island and how it ties into a global effort to monitor climate change.
Music legend Linda Ronstadt discusses her new book, Feels Like Home: A Song for the Sonoran Borderlands, about the place, food and family that helped shape her life and career. Composers Austin Wintory and Susie Benchasil Seiter talk about their collaboration on the score for the Netflix series Thai Cave Rescue, and how they managed to create something deeply authentic in its handling of Thai traditional music. Born blind, producer and recording artist Mattmac shares his inspiring journey that's quickly established him as one of Canada's best young musicians. Actor John Cho discusses his debut novel, Troublemaker, which follows the events of the 1992 Los Angeles riots through the eyes of a 12-year-old Korean American boy.
Musician Femi Kuti talks about following in the footsteps of his late father, Nigerian music legend and Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, and how his own son, Made Kuti, is now doing the same. Actor Patrick Stewart talks about reprising his iconic role as Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: Picard, and shares how he thinks the retired admiral would deal with the COVID-19 crisis. Comedy icon Catherine O'Hara talks about bringing her musical talents to Season 4 of Schitt's Creek.
Director Ruben Östlund discusses his latest Palme d'Or-winning film, Triangle of Sadness, and why he wanted to look at "beauty as a currency." Singer-songwriter Nick Faye shares how filming a video for his song Costco Magazine in the parking lot of his local Costco led him to gaining a whole new fanbase. Radio show host Roz Weston opens up about his new memoir, A Little Bit Broken, which reveals publicly for the first time that he has Tourette syndrome.
Actor and musician Maya Hawke talks about her sophomore album, Moss, her rising music career and Stranger Things success. Actor Emma Mackey discusses her starring role in Emily, a new film that fictionalizes the life of Wuthering Heights author Emily Brontë. Multidisciplinary artist Simin Keramati talks about the power of art to protest the Iranian regime's treatment of women. Sci-fi critic Ryan Britt shares his thoughts on the Disney+ series Andor, the latest installment in the Star Wars franchise.
Author Iain Reid talks about his latest novel, We Spread, and shares his secrets for weaving a compelling and tense story. Singer-songwriter Jully Black tells us what inspired her first full-length record in more than a decade, Three Rocks and a Slingshot. In tribute to country music legend Loretta Lynn, singer-songwriter k.d. lang and culture writer Sarah Boesveld reflect on the late singer's influence, her legacy as a feminist and how her controversial song The Pill changed country music forever.
Singer-songwriter John Legend talks about his new double album, Legend, his musical roots and what keeps him creating. Actor Selma Blair discusses her new memoir, her rise to fame in Hollywood, her lifelong struggle with alcohol and her multiple sclerosis diagnosis. Champion fancy dancer and Indigenous Enterprise founder Kenneth Shirley tells us how the powwow dance collective is bringing traditional Indigenous dance forms around the world. George Lucas's biographer Brian Jay Jones guides us through some of the lesser known facts about the Star Wars franchise.
Writer, producer and director Kenya Barris talks about his ambitious new animated project with rapper Kid Cudi. Screen legend Julie Andrews shares a few of her favourite things from her Hollywood career. Singer-songwriter Deborah Cox looks back on her incredible career and some of her biggest hits.
Visual artist Christi Belcourt talks about her first-ever career retrospective, Uprising: The Power of Mother Earth, and what it's like as a Michif (Métis) artist to be honoured by the institutions she critiques in her work. Author David A. Robertson talks about his graphic novel trilogy, The Reckoner Rises, and why he wanted to create a teen superhero with anxiety. Singer-songwriter Tanya Tagaq discusses her song Teeth Agape and how it expresses her fierce desire to protect her children from harm.
Actor Luke Macfarlane discusses his starring role in the new rom-com Bros and how the film represents the nuance of gay relationships on the big screen. Writer and actor Ian Shaw talks about stepping into the role of his real-life father, Robert Shaw, in his new play The Shark is Broken, which depicts the behind-the-scenes drama on the set of the movie Jaws. Culture critic Kathleen Newman-Bremang unpacks the widespread acclaim and critical backlash surrounding the recent box office blockbuster The Woman King.
Singer-songwriter Jessie Reyez talks about her new album, Yessie, and the personal growth she's been through that led her to make her most vulnerable music yet. Singer-songwriter Robbie Williams looks back on his legendary career and tells us why he wanted to revisit his biggest hits with the help of a full orchestra on his new album, XXV. Broadway performers Catherine Wreford Ledlow and Craig Ramsay talk about winning The Amazing Race Canada Season 8 and how Ledlow's terminal cancer diagnosis didn't stop them from chasing their dreams. Director Adam McKay discusses the polarizing reaction to his film Don't Look Up and the future of environmental sustainability in cinema.
Musician and producer Don Was discusses his work with artists like Bonnie Raitt, Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones — plus, where he thinks genius comes from and what makes great new music. Jazz pianist and singer Diana Krall talks about her latest album, This Dream of You, which honours her late producer Tommy LiPuma.
Actor Terry Crews discusses his new memoir, Tough: My Journey to True Power, about his harrowing upbringing, his turbulent NFL career and his rise in Hollywood. Tech and culture journalist Alyssa Bereznak fills us in on a new social media app called BeReal that forces users to be their authentic selves. Actor LeVar Burton talks about his iconic children's program Reading Rainbow and his podcast for adults, LeVar Burton Reads.
Artist Shary Boyle discusses her new solo exhibit, Outside the Palace of Me, which asks the audience to think deeply — and honestly — about race, gender, colonialism and more. Kate Brown, Europe editor for Artnet News, tells us how the work at this year's Venice Biennale reflects our current moment and how artists are trying to modernize the century-old show. Singer-songwriter Tami Neilson introduces us to her new single, Beyond the Stars, and shares what it was like singing with country legend Willie Nelson.
Actor and singer Charlotte Gainsbourg talks about turning the camera on her famous mother, Jane Birkin, in her new documentary, Jane by Charlotte. Hoodo Hersi, one of the comedians featured on the latest season of CBC Gem's The New Wave of Standup, tells us the trick to weaving heavy topics like race and religion into her jokes. Filmmaker Alain Gomis talks about his documentary, Rewind & Play, which sheds new light on the jazz legend Thelonious Monk. Composer Vincent Ho discusses his new collection, The Twelve Chinese Zodiac Animals, which has five pieces featured in the Royal Conservatory of Music's sixth edition of Celebration Series piano books.
Four-time Grammy nominee Phoebe Bridgers discusses what it's like to be known for writing sad songs, why she thinks people confuse sadness with intelligence, and her new single, Sidelines. Poet David Bradford reads from his debut collection, Dream of No One But Myself, which is shortlisted for this year's Griffin Poetry Prize. Filmmaker Roshan Sethi talks about drawing on his expertise as a doctor to direct his debut feature, a pandemic rom-com called 7 Days.
Author David A. Robertson talks about his graphic novel trilogy, The Reckoner Rises, and why he wanted to create a teen superhero with anxiety. Artist Stan Douglas reflects on his 40-year career and how he feels about being chosen to represent Canada at the 59th Venice Biennale. Drummer and producer James Krivchenia of Big Thief introduces us to a song off the band's new album, Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You. Entertainment reporter Teri Hart shares her take on the reasons for Netflix's falling subscriber count and suffering stock price.
Actor Ke Huy Quan — best known for Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom and The Goonies — explains where he's been for the past few decades and how he was enticed back into acting by the new film Everything Everywhere All at Once. Graphic novelist Jessica Campbell talks about her latest book, Rave, which is loosely inspired by her experience of questioning her faith after growing up in a strict religious community. Our online columnist Sasha Chapin unpacks DALL-E 2 — an AI system that can convert simple text descriptions into images — and what implications this technology might have in the art world.
Today on Q with Tom Power: musician Bonnie Raitt, musician Abigail Lapell, Q This music panel.
Keira Knightley discusses her new animated drama, Charlotte, which tells the true story of Charlotte Salomon — a young German Jewish artist who painted her life's story before the Nazis deported her to Auschwitz. Screenwriter and novelist Delia Ephron talks about her new memoir, Left on Tenth: A Second Chance at Life, in which she writes about a surprise encounter decades in the making — and why it's never too late to find love. Actor Allan Hawco reflects on how the pandemic has impacted the arts industry, plus what he tells aspiring actors about the resilience they need to succeed in the business.
Singer-songwriter James Taylor reflects on his life in music, his early struggles with addiction and what music still gives him after six decades in the industry. Toronto actor Marco Kyris tells us how acting as a stand-in for Nicolas Cage for 10 years changed his life. Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat's sisters, Lisane Basquiat and Jeanine Herveaux, discuss a new retrospective book and exhibit about their brother, titled Jean-Michel Basquiat: King Pleasure.
Actor Anais Granofsky, best known for playing Lucy Fernandez on Degrassi Junior High, discusses her new memoir, The Girl in the Middle: Growing Up Between Black and White, Rich and Poor. Acadian singer-songwriter Lisa LeBlanc tells us about her decision to put down the banjo and record a disco album, Chiac Disco. Soheil Parsa, the co-founder and former artistic director of Modern Times Stage Company, reflects on his long career and his contributions to Canadian theatre.
Actor Alison Brie discusses her new dark comedy series, Roar, which happens to be made by the same women who made GLOW. Homeschooled co-creator, writer and director Gwenlyn Cumyn tells us how she brought her own experience with home education to the show. Singer-songwriter Tanika Charles talks about Different Morning — her latest single off her new album, Papillon de Nuit: The Night Butterfly — and what the song says about long distance relationships.
In a special interview recorded in Nashville, Jack White opens up about his two new albums, running a label, the significance of the vinyl revolution and why his biggest hit was never meant to become one of the most ubiquitous songs in the world. Musician, composer and activist Jon Batiste discusses his powerful new album, We Are, which just won album of the year at the 2022 Grammys.
Pop star Camila Cabello talks about "giving joy" to herself on her new album, Familia, and how she realized prioritizing her own happiness is the key to her success. Director R.T. Thorne discusses his work on CBC and BET's groundbreaking new series The Porter, and what the show could mean for the future of Black storytelling in Canadian television. Music journalist Jim Ruland traces the rise and fall of SST Records — the independent record label that gave hugely influential bands like Sonic Youth, Black Flag, Hüsker Dü and Soundgarden their start.
Sarah Gadon and Alison Pill talk about the profound experience of playing sisters in the new film adaptation of Miriam Toews' award-winning novel All My Puny Sorrows. Cedric Burnside discusses his latest album, I Be Trying, and what it was like playing drums on tour with his grandfather (Mississippi blues legend R. L. Burnside) from the age of 13. Lights introduces us to a track off her new album, PEP, and explains why she made it a goal to have 50 per cent of this record worked on by women.
Filmmaker Martin Edralin discusses his feature film debut, Islands, about a shy middle-aged Filipino Canadian man who's forced outside of his comfort zone when his life starts to drastically change. Choreographer Anne Plamondon tells us how the pandemic gave new meaning to her latest piece, Only You, and how her work has always drawn on personal experiences — from caring for her father with schizophrenia to being a mother. Singer-songwriter Remi Wolf talks about her debut album, Juno, which is a collage of unique sounds and emotions filtered through her experiences of heartbreak, fame and getting sober at 24.
With the final season of Kim's Convenience heading into the Canadian Screen Awards with 10 nominations, actor Paul Sun-Hyung Lee reflects on more than a decade of playing Appa on stage and screen. Our books columnist Jael Richardson fills us in on her latest recommendation, The Swimmers by Julie Otsuka, and why it caught her attention. Canadian TV industry veteran and BIPOC advocate Nathalie Younglai discusses her new CBC Gem series, Hello (Again), which she created with Shang-Chi star Simu Liu. Jake Epstein talks about pulling the curtain back on his life as an actor in his one-man show, Boy Falls From The Sky, which reveals why achieving your dreams can be a mixed blessing.
Director Shasha Nakhai talks about her feature film debut, Scarborough, and what a story set in one of Toronto's most undervalued communities can tell us about race, class and community. Writer Warsan Shire discusses her first full collection of poetry, Bless the Daughter Raised by a Voice in Her Head, about migration, womanhood, trauma and resilience. Model and singer Irina Lazareanu talks about her new book, Runway Bird: A Rock 'n' Roll Style Guide, and reflects on the style icons who inspired her.
Veteran filmmaker Richard Linklater takes us back to the space race era with his new animated film, Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood. TV and comic book writer Marc Bernardin discusses his new graphic novel, Adora and the Distance, which draws on his daughter's experiences with autism. Award-winning poet Tolu Oloruntoba talks about his latest poetry collection, Each One a Furnace, and how it was inspired by his migration experience from Nigeria to Canada.
Award-winning playwright and CBC host Amanda Parris discusses her new CBC Gem comedy series, Revenge of the Black Best Friend, which takes aim at the one-note stereotypes she saw onscreen growing up. Turner Prize-winning artist Lawrence Abu Hamdan fills us in on his latest project and first Canadian commission, 45th Parallel, which explores how arbitrary international borders can be. Rapper, singer-songwriter and producer Tyshane Thompson, better known as BEAM, talks about his new album, Alien, and how it's helped him cope with anxiety and the pressures of success.
Five Little Indians author Michelle Good and her Canada Reads champion Christian Allaire reflect on winning the top spot in this year's battle of the books. Canadian punk rockers Zack Mykula and Stefan Babcock of PUP discuss the band's latest album, The Unravelling of PUPtheband, and what pushed them to the brink. Pachinko creator and executive producer Soo Hugh talks about adapting Min Jin Lee's bestselling novel of the same name and why the project was so personal for her.
Singer-songwriter Daryl Hall of Hall & Oates talks about celebrating his impressive solo career with his first retrospective album, BeforeAfter. Toronto's Thyrone Tommy discusses his debut feature film, Learn to Swim, and his path from marine navigation student to celebrated director.
Actor Maya V. Henry discusses the parallels between her own story and her first feature film, Dawn, Her Dad & the Tractor, about a young trans woman who returns to the family farm in the Maritimes for the first time since her transition. Guitarist Mike Campbell, formerly of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, talks about getting back on the road with his own band, the Dirty Knobs.
Randall Park talks about his new animated series, Human Resources, plus his path from architecture student to comedy actor. Actor Dakota Ray Hebert discusses what she learned making the film Run Woman Run, about an Indigenous woman who connects with her culture through sport.
Dune director Denis Villeneuve tells us why he was eager to helm a big-screen adaptation of Frank Herbert's seminal novel, despite its shaky cinematic past. Artist Nikita Kadan joins us from Ukraine to explain how — in the middle of a brutal war — he's managed to mount a small exhibit in a Soviet-era bomb shelter. Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty showrunner and co-creator Max Borenstein talks about the new miniseries, which dramatizes the rise of the NBA's Lakers in 1980s Los Angeles.
Can three comedians create a legit sci-fi show? Comedians Ryan Beil, Maddy Kelly, and Mark Chavez are going to find out. Over eight episodes, they’ll try to write a serious, and seriously nerdy, pilot script. When they run into trouble they’ll consult Hollywood experts who have worked on things like Star Trek, Star Wars, and Firefly and science fiction superstars like Neil deGrasse Tyson, Rainn Wilson, Emily VanDerWerff and Neill Blomkamp. And in the final episode, professional actors will read their script, bringing it to life — for better or worse. More episodes are available at: smarturl.it/letsmakeascifi
Actor Kristen Stewart talks about tackling the "scary and ambitious" role of Princess Diana in the new biopic Spencer. Comedian and actor Ryan Beil talks about his new podcast, Let's Make A Sci-Fi, which follows him and two fellow comedians as they write a successful sci-fi pilot — with help from scientific experts and Hollywood screenwriting pros. Actor Adam Scott discusses his starring role in the new Apple TV+ series Severance, about a team of office workers whose professional and personal memories have been surgically divided.
Actor John Cho discusses his debut novel, Troublemaker, which follows the events of the 1992 Los Angeles riots through the eyes of a 12-year-old Korean American boy. Veteran Québécois film producer Roger Frappier reflects on his decade-long journey to bring The Power of the Dog to the screen. Folk musician Allison de Groot talks about her new song with fiddler Tatiana Hargreaves, The Banks of the Miramichi, and the New Brunswick river that inspired it. Artist and filmmaker Shirin Neshat discusses how her work reflects her life as an Iranian woman in exile, and why she's shifted her gaze from Iran to the United States.
Voice actor Eric Bauza — the latest voice of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and more — tells us how he came to lend his voice to some of the most recognizable cartoon characters in history. Ecologist and Canada Reads panellist Suzanne Simard talks about defending Life in the City of Dirty Water by Clayton Thomas-Müller in this year's battle of the books. Actor Denzel Washington discusses his turn as Lord Macbeth in the new film The Tragedy of Macbeth, plus what the legacy of the late Sidney Poitier means to him.
Don't Look Up director Adam McKay discusses the polarizing reaction to the film and the future of environmental sustainability in cinema. Film critic Michelle Cho talks about Sandra Oh's latest film, Umma — the first Hollywood horror film written, directed and starring women of Korean descent. Comedian Trevor Noah shares a playlist of songs that remind him of Soweto, a neighbourhood in Johannesburg known for its vibrant street culture and its role in the struggle against apartheid. Upload star Robbie Amell talks about Season 2 of the show, plus why his roots are still firmly in Canadian soil.
Actor Alan Cumming discusses his new memoir, Baggage: Tales from a Fully Packed Life, about his stage and screen career, his time with the Spice Girls, and working with Stanley Kubrick. Singer-songwriter Donovan Woods introduces a track off his latest EP, Big Hurt Boy, and plays a very special game of Jam or Not a Jam. Singer-songwriter Nemahsis talks about growing up in a conservative Muslim household, hiding her passion for music from her father and making music about her relationship with the hijab.
Canadian music legend Anne Murray discusses a new CBC documentary about her life, Anne Murray: Full Circle, which follows her groundbreaking career and lifelong love of Nova Scotia. Toronto singer-songwriter JP Saxe tells us how his Grammy-nominated song If the World Was Ending changed his life. Canadian playwright and actor Makambe K Simamba talks about her powerful new show, Our Fathers, Sons, Lovers and Little Brothers, inspired by the killing of Trayvon Martin.
Sonia Rodriguez reflects on 32 years with the National Ballet of Canada, why she's chosen to retire and what changed in the world of ballet during her remarkable run. Oscar Peterson's widow, Kelly Peterson, talks about the new documentary Oscar Peterson: Black + White, plus her favourite stories about the late Canadian jazz legend.
Funk icon Bootsy Collins reveals how he got into music, why his mother knocked his star-shaped glasses off his face, and what led James Brown to call him Benedict Arnold. Our music panellists A. Harmony and Mastermind unpack the public's perception of Kanye West — and just how tricky it can be to untangle the art at the centre of it all. Entrepreneur and Canada Reads panellist Tareq Hadhad talks about defending Omar El Akkad's What Strange Paradise in this year's battle of the books.
The godmother of feminist art, Judy Chicago, reflects on her incredible career and the power of art to change the world. Actor Jamie Foxx discusses his memoir, Act Like You Got Some Sense, about his childhood in Texas and his experiences as a father. To mark the 25th anniversary of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, our screen panellists Teri Hart and Elamin Abdelmahmoud unpack the show's enduring appeal as well as some of its controversies. Some of the producers and one of the screenwriters behind Tim Burton's Beetlejuice share an oral history of the psychedelic ghost comedy.
Actor Dominique Fishback discusses her approach to understanding her character in The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey, plus what it was like working toe to toe with Samuel L. Jackson. Singer-songwriter Dallas Green of Alexisonfire introduces us to a track off the band's first new album in 13 years, Otherness, which drops June 24. Author Alberto Manguel talks about his lifelong love of libraries and a new virtual reality experience inspired by his 2006 book, The Library at Night.
Oscar-nominated actor Troy Kotsur tells us how he drew on his personal experience to play a Deaf father of a hearing child in the new film CODA. Actor and comedian Ben Schwartz talks about his latest role in The Afterparty, plus how his Parks and Recreation character, Jean-Ralphio, changed everything for him. Multi-Grammy-winning singer Cécile McLorin Salvant discusses her new album, Ghost Song, and the ghosts she's singing about.
Simu Liu talks about hosting the 2022 Juno Awards in Toronto this May, plus how his life has changed since the release of Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Aisling Chin-Yee discusses the ongoing legacy of the late Canadian director Jean-Marc Vallée. In light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, musicians Mark and Marichka Marczyk tell us how they're finding solace in the Ukrainian folk songs that first brought them together in Kyiv in 2014.
Country icon Dolly Parton and author James Patterson tell us why they wanted to team up to write a new novel, Run, Rose, Run. Actor and Canada Reads panellist Malia Baker talks about defending Scarborough by Catherine Hernandez in this year's battle of the books. Singer-songwriter Luna Li talks about her debut album, Duality, and why creating community through her work is a top priority. Actor and filmmaker Agam Darshi discusses her directorial debut, Donkeyhead, and how she's trying to create more space for South Asians in the film industry.
Grammy-winning pianist and producer Robert Glasper discusses his new album, Black Radio III, plus his thoughts on the past, present and future of R&B, hip hop and jazz. Turning Red director Domee Shi talks about drawing inspiration from her childhood in Toronto to create the first Pixar film set in Canada.
Broadway legend Harvey Fierstein talks about his new memoir, I Was Better Last Night, and shares some of his wildest stories from his life onstage and off. Singer Neil Smith of Peach Pit introduces us to a new song off the band's latest album, From 2 to 3. Danae Peart and Sharine Taylor tell us why Bob Marley should be played by a Jamaican actor in an upcoming biopic about the famed reggae singer.
Author Dan Charnas discusses his latest book, Dilla Time, about the legacy of the late hip-hop producer J Dilla. Our books columnist Jael Richardson fills us in on her latest pick: Getting His Game Back by Gia de Cadenet. The Harder They Fall director Jeymes Samuel explains why it was important for him to correct the story of the Old West by putting Black characters at the forefront. Primal Scream frontperson Bobby Gillespie talks about his new memoir, Tenement Kid, which tells the story of his life up until the band's hugely influential, genre-defying 1991 album Screamadelica.
Lake Bell talks about directing two episodes of Pam & Tommy — the new series about Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee's stolen sex tape — and how having her own intimate photos shared without her consent shaped how she directed the show. Author Roddy Doyle discusses his new short story collection, Life Without Children, which offers snapshots of 10 relationships shifting under the weight of the coronavirus pandemic. Actor Morgan Spector talks about venturing back to 19th century New York on HBO's The Gilded Age, a new historical drama from Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes.
The Temptations co-founder Otis Williams discusses the group's new album, its legacy and the stories behind some of its biggest hits. Olympic champion swimmer and Canada Reads panellist Mark Tewksbury talks about defending Esi Edugyan's globe-trotting historical novel Washington Black in this year's battle of the books. Ukrainian Canadian musician and educator Brian Cherwick of Kubasonics talks about the importance of music in times of crisis.
Actor and filmmaker Tyler Perry tells us why it was time to bring Madea out of retirement for his latest movie, A Madea Homecoming. Filmmaker Zacharias Kunuk discusses his new animated short, Angakusajaujuq: The Shaman's Apprentice, and the importance of preserving Inuit culture through film. Singer-songwriter Basia Bulat talks about reimagining a selection of her old songs on her latest album, The Garden.
In a career-spanning interview, '80s synth-pop icons Tears For Fears discuss their creative partnership, new album and why they think their music continues to resonate today. Acclaimed Tony winner Anaïs Mitchell talks about her latest solo album, plus how her life changed after her hit musical Hadestown took Broadway by storm. Singer-songwriter Fefe Dobson reflects on her experiences of racism in the Canadian pop punk scene, and how she's now staying true to herself and her vision.
Ahead of her last day as the co-host of As It Happens, Carol Off reflects on her most memorable conversations with artists. Actor Arian Moayed discusses his work on Succession and Inventing Anna, plus how his experience as an Iranian immigrant informs his art and life. Street dancer and choreographer Crazy Smooth talks about his new show, In My Body, which challenges the myth that aging is the death knell for a dancer.
Actor Alfre Woodard discusses her role in the new CBC/BET series, The Porter, about Black railway porters and their families in the 1920s. Mi'kmaw filmmaker Bretten Hannam talks about their new film, Wildhood, and the significance of depicting authentic two-spirit identity on the big screen. Musician Patrick Haggerty of Lavender Country discusses the role he's had in a budding queer country scene and what it's like releasing your sophomore album in your late 70s.
Arthur creator and author Marc Brown shares how his bestselling books evolved into television's longest-running animated show for kids. Vogue writer and Canada Reads panellist Christian Allaire talks about defending Michelle Good's Five Little Indians in this year's battle of the books. Singer-songwriter Faiza introduces us to her brand new single, Benchmark. Author Catherine Hernandez talks about bringing her debut novel, Scarborough, to the big screen. Actor and playwright Haley McGee discusses her one-woman show, The Ex-Boyfriend Yard Sale, in which she reassesses the worth of gifts she's received from past boyfriends.
Fashion and costume designer Bob Mackie discusses The Art of Bob Mackie, a new book that reflects on 60 years of his work. Author Sara Gay Forden tells us what fascinated her about the true crime story behind her meticulously researched book The House of Gucci. We look back on our favourite conversations about the art of food, including highlights from interviews with celebrity chefs Hawa Hassan, Marcus Samuelsson, Nigella Lawson and Jamie Oliver.
Author Andrew Neiderman discusses his new biography about Flowers in the Attic novelist V. C. Andrews, titled The Woman Beyond the Attic. Bel-Air writer, director and producer Morgan Cooper talks about his dramatic reimagining of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and the amazing journey he took making it. Comedian Brandon Ash-Mohammed tells us what it was like competing on Last One Laughing Canada, and how his identity as a Black, gay comic will always be at the heart of his work. Actor Chris Diamantopoulos talks about voicing Mickey Mouse for The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse and shares how he landed the gig.
Actor, author and Food Network personality Valerie Bertinelli discusses her new memoir, journey to self-acceptance and why she's saying goodbye to a decades-long obsession with her weight. Dalton Higgins and Mastermind unpack what the end of Flow 93.5 means for the future of hip hop on commercial radio in Canada.
The Worst Person in the World star Anders Danielsen Lie talks about splitting his time between acting and medicine — and why he doesn't feel the need to pick one path. Jeen-Yuhs directors Clarence "Coodie" Simmons and Chike Ozah discuss their decades-long journey documenting the life of Kanye West. Artist Susete Saraiva takes us inside the world of building miniatures as she competes against other tiny house architects on CBC Gem's new reality series, Best in Miniature. Filmmaker Valérie Lemercier talks about writing, directing and starring in the new unauthorized Céline Dion biopic, Aline.
Acclaimed musician and producer Don Was discusses his work with artists like Bonnie Raitt, Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones — plus, where he thinks genius comes from and what makes great new music. Canadian filmmaker Kelly Fyffe-Marshall opens up about her highly publicized experience with racial profiling and how she channelled that trauma into a short film called Black Bodies.
Comedy icon Tim Heidecker reflects on his groundbreaking Adult Swim series, Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!, on the occasion of its 15th anniversary this month. Our screen panellists, Teri Hart and Radheyan Simonpillai, discuss why Netflix's The Tinder Swindler and Inventing Anna have struck a chord with audiences. In a special Valentine's Day segment, drag queen Vanessa Vanjie Mateo shares her worst dating story, involving spilled drinks, flipped tables and lessons in love. Musicians Daniel Monkman and Adam Sturgeon of Ombiigizi introduce us to a track off their new album, Sewn Back Together. Actor Manny Jacinto (The Good Place, Nine Perfect Strangers) picks a few of his favourite rom-coms and tells us why they're so great.
Slash of Guns N' Roses talks about his new album with Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators, sobriety, animal rights advocacy and more. On this week's Q This music panel, A. Harmony and Lisa Christiansen discuss why it's taken so long for the Super Bowl to embrace hip-hop on its halftime stage. Olympic ice dancing champions Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir talk about joining the CBC Olympics team as special analysts for the Beijing 2022 ice dance competition.
Emmy winner Laverne Cox discusses her latest role in Inventing Anna, a new Netflix miniseries based on the true story of Anna Delvey, a fake heiress who defrauded New York's social elite out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Korn lead singer Jonathan Davis talks about the band's 14th studio album, Requiem, and how its managed to survive everything from addiction to firings to Woodstock '99. Filmmaker Jonas Poher Rasmussen talks about his award-winning documentary Flee, which uses animation and archival footage to tell the true story of a man who fled Afghanistan as a boy.
With the release of a new documentary about his life, Clerk, filmmaker Kevin Smith reflects on a groundbreaking career that's seen him evolve from DIY director to one-man pop cultural industry. Celeste Bell, the daughter of British punk icon Poly Styrene, tells us how making the documentary Poly Styrene: I Am a Cliché helped her see her mom in a whole new light.
Station Eleven author Emily St. John Mandel tells us why she thinks the TV adaptation of her hit post-apocalyptic novel has become comfort viewing for many during the pandemic. Actor and stuntman Johnny Knoxville discusses his latest film, Jackass Forever, and why he says it's really a story about friendship and brotherhood. Singer-songwriter Pierre Kwenders introduces us to a new track off his forthcoming album, José Louis and the Paradox of Love. Benjamin Oberman, a former professional figure skater turned film producer, gives us a crash course on some of the best movies about the art, athleticism and drama of figure skating.
Actor Brian Cox talks about his new memoir, the parallels between Succession's Logan Roy and himself, who he thinks the show's most intriguing character is, and why acting is a form of expiation. Our fashion correspondent Mosha Lundström Halbert breaks down the best and worst uniforms at the Beijing 2022 opening ceremony. Author Jon Tattrie discusses his "epic quest" to unearth the truth about the connection between Nova Scotia and Bob Marley's Redemption Song.
Black Lives Matter Canada co-founder Syrus Marcus Ware talks about the latest installment in his MBL: Freedom project, and what it means to intersect his art and activism with his concerns for climate change. Don't Look Up director Adam McKay discusses the polarizing reaction to the film and the future of environmental sustainability in cinema. Musician, writer and academic Leanne Betasamosake Simpson discusses her music, the climate crisis and the importance of seeing it all through an Indigenous lens.
Iqaluit-based multidisciplinary artist Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory discusses how climate change permeates all aspects of her art and life in the North. Our books columnist Jael Richardson fills us in on Jessamine Chan's debut novel, The School for Good Mothers. Canadian geneticist and broadcaster David Suzuki talks about bringing science into our living rooms for more than 40 years. Pianist Daniel Clarke Bouchard reflects on his early life as a child prodigy and his upcoming virtual concert series with Canadian soprano Measha Brueggergosman.
Actor Danny McBride talks about the latest season of The Righteous Gemstones, the challenge of writing comedies, and how watching his mom perform puppet shows for their church inspired his career. Singer-songwriter Bruce Cockburn reflects on his hit single If A Tree Falls, his environmentalism and how he feels artists can respond to the climate crisis today. Comedians Matt Winning and Rollie Williams tell us how they're using jokes to talk to people about climate change — and whether there's actually anything to laugh about. Amazonian drag queen Uýra Sodoma talks about using performance art to teach kids how to respect the natural world and protect Brazil's rainforest.
Big Blue creator Gyimah Gariba tells us why he thinks it's important to include kids in the climate change conversation by illustrating how caring for one another leads to caring for the planet. Elizabeth L. Cline, the author of Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion, talks about the current state of the sustainable fashion movement. Tamara Lindeman of The Weather Station discusses her latest album, Ignorance, which sees her grapple with climate grief over the destruction of our environment. Raising Dion creator Dennis Liu talks about his vision for a more diverse superhero world and how the TV series will push the envelope in its new second season.
Lead singer Peter Garrett of Midnight Oil looks back on the band's illustrious career and how it's put environmentalism at the forefront of its music from day one. Our screen panellists, environmental sustainability expert Zena Harris and entertainment reporter Teri Hart, unpack how film studios and production companies can embrace green filmmaking practices. Bestselling author Jodi Picoult discusses her latest book, Wish You Were Here, which begins in March 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Full Frontal host Samantha Bee talks about her podcast, Full Release, and what happens when you drop the script. Singer-songwriter Jann Arden introduces us to a track off her new album, Descendant. Superstar classical pianist Lang Lang discusses the making of his rendition of Bach's Goldberg Variations.
Superstar Canadian conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin reflects on his phenomenal rise to the peak of his profession. Toronto artist Lexxicon discusses his new album and novel, both titled Tropicon Islands. Canadian YouTuber Elle Mills talks about navigating fast success and burnout from the pressure to get views.
Musician and novelist John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats talks about his latest book, Devil House, and the connection between writing songs and novels. Ethan Eng discusses the inspiration behind his 2019 coming of age docu-film Therapy Dogs, which has become a rare time capsule of teenage life as it was just before the pandemic. Photographers Constance Hansen and Russell Peacock take us back to the day they shot the cover art for Janet Jackson's iconic 1989 record, Rhythm Nation 1814. One by one, each of this year's Canada Reads contenders reveal their identities and the books they're championing.
TV writer and producer Michael Schur (The Office, Parks and Recreation, The Good Place) discusses his hilarious and thought-provoking new book, How to Be Perfect, about how to live an ethical life. Actor Ray Strachan talks about stepping into the role of Martin Luther King Jr. in the stage play The Mountaintop, written by Katori Hall.
Puppeteer Ali Eisner discusses their career and what it was like working on one of the most anticipated reboots of the year: Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock. On this week's screen panel, Radheyan Simonpillai and Teri Hart talk about Season 2 of Euphoria and the upcoming Weird Al Yankovic biopic, starring Daniel Radcliffe. Guitarist and singer-songwriter Brad Barr of The Barr Brothers shares the backstory behind a new song off his latest solo instrumental album, The Winter Mission. Photographer Carrie Mae Weems discusses art, class and culture — and how she feels about being called an artist ahead of her time.
Singer-songwriter Deborah Cox looks back on her incredible career, including singing backup vocals for Céline Dion and breaking Billboard chart records with her own music. Animator Andrea Dorfman and poet Tanya Davis talk about their collaborative short film How to Be at Home — an illustrated poem featuring a set of tips for surviving the pandemic. Singer-songwriter Tanya Tagaq discusses her new song, Teeth Agape, and how it expresses her fierce desire to protect her children from harm.
PEN15 creators and stars Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle tell us why, as women in their mid-30s, they wanted to explore their pre-teen years and transform into their younger selves on screen. Melissa Etheridge talks about her new album of unreleased songs from the '80s and '90s, One Way Out, and how revisiting her earlier material made her reconsider her journey. Our fashion correspondent Mosha Lundström Halbert reflects on the life and legacy of former Vogue editor André Leon Talley, who died at age 73.
Actor and musician Kiefer Sutherland talks about paying homage to Toronto on his new album, Bloor Street, and why, for him, performing music feels more vulnerable than acting. We revisit Tom Power’s 2018 conversation with Vogue legend André Leon Talley on his incredible journey to the top. Comedian Darryl Lenox opens up about turning tragedy into comedy after going blind, getting divorced and losing a loved one to suicide.
Playwright and author Drew Hayden Taylor discusses his new collection of essays, Me Tomorrow: Indigenous Views on the Future, which imagines the bright points on the horizon for Indigenous people in Canada. Brothers Alejandro and Stephan of Hermanos Gutiérrez talk about their unique style of instrumental guitar music, inspired by what their grandfather used to listen to in Ecuador. Grammy-nominated folk artist Mary Gauthier opens up about her new book, Saved by a Song: The Art and Healing Power of Songwriting, and how hitting rock bottom helped save her life.
Actor Colman Domingo talks about Ma Rainey's Black Bottom — the Netflix adaptation of August Wilson's play of the same name — and what it means to have acted alongside the late Chadwick Boseman. Our screen panellists Teri Hart and Kathleen Newman-Bremang discuss the portrayal of teen girls on television, particularly in series like Yellowjackets and Cheer. DJ and producer Michael Brun takes us inside the joyful sounds of Port-au-Prince with a special playlist of songs. Golden Girls director Matthew Diamond tells us what it was like working with the late Betty White, from her masterful comic timing to her generosity on set.
Actor Neve Campbell discusses her return to the Scream franchise and why she wanted to reprise her role as Sidney Prescott in the latest film. Competitive speedrunner Mitch Fowler (a.k.a. Mitchflowerpower) talks about finishing Super Mario Bros. 3 as fast as possible for the semiannual video game fundraiser Awesome Games Done Quick. Wesley Schultz of The Lumineers discusses the inspiration behind the band's latest album, BRIGHTSIDE.
Figurative painter Peter Doig — one of the world's top-selling living artists — discusses his work, his upbringing in Canada and the underbelly of the art market. Yellowjackets star Sophie Nélisse talks about honing her survival skills and why she thinks the show is resonating right now.
Actor Denzel Washington talks about his turn as Lord Macbeth in the new film The Tragedy of Macbeth, and what the legacy of the late Sidney Poitier means to him. TV writer and producer Kurt Smeaton (Schitt's Creek, Kim's Convenience) discusses his latest comedy series, Children Ruin Everything, and how being a father informs his funniest work. Neuroscientist, author and musician Daniel Levitin tells us how Joni Mitchell encouraged him to make a new album, Sex & Math. Violinist Jennifer Koh discusses her album, Alone Together, based on a project of the same name she launched during the pandemic to help emerging composers.
Actor Malcolm McDowell discusses his illustrious career on stage and screen, plus his latest role on CBC's new comedy series Son of a Critch. In 2020, actor and comedian Bob Saget spoke with us about his new podcast, Bob Saget's Here for You, and how it allowed him to connect with fans on a deeper level. Celebrity chef Roger Mooking reflects on how his love of cooking and music helped make him the artist he is today.
Our screen panellists, Cameron Bailey and Eli Glasner, pay tribute to the late Sidney Poitier. Hollywood writer and producer Rodney Barnes discusses his graphic novel series, Killadelphia, and how it weaves together vampires, American history, race relations and horror. Actor Kelly Marie Tran talks about playing Disney's first princess of Southeast Asian descent in Raya and the Last Dragon.
Filmmaker Robert Weide discusses his new documentary about Kurt Vonnegut, as well as his decades-long friendship with the celebrated writer. On this week's Q This music panel, A. Harmony and Mastermind share their reviews of the Weeknd's surprise new album, Dawn FM. Singer-songwriter Melanie Doane, best known for her hit '90s song Adam's Rib, fills us in on her new CBC Kids show, Ukulele U. Transplant star Hamza Haq talks about Canadian medical drama's international popularity and how he's found confidence as an actor.
Dune director Denis Villeneuve explains why he was eager to helm a big-screen adaptation of Frank Herbert's seminal novel, despite its shaky cinematic past. Our books columnist Jael Richardson fills us in on two titles to check out: The Hidden Keys by André Alexis and The Annual Migration Of Clouds by Premee Mohamed.
Actor and comedian Andrew Phung (best known as the character Kimchee on Kim's Convenience) talks about co-creating and starring in the new CBC comedy series Run the Burbs. Toronto-born producer J. Miles Dale discusses his long-standing creative partnership with director Guillermo del Toro and their latest film together, Nightmare Alley. Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, talks about the "inquisitive and intriguing" choice for Color of the Year 2022.
Canada's Drag Race star Kimora Amour discusses Season 2 of the show, her two careers in drag and nursing, and her (now-postponed) cross-country tour. Singer-songwriter BJ The Chicago Kid talks about his new EP, his recent Grammy nomination and why he's creating music on his own terms after cutting ties with Motown Records. Singer-songwriter Marianne Faithfull opens up about surviving COVID-19 and recording a new album of classic romantic poems, titled She Walks in Beauty.
In an exclusive interview, The Tragically Hip's Gord Sinclair, Johnny Fay, Paul Langlois and Rob Baker open up about the band's career, their three decades of brotherhood, and the loss of their friend and bandmate, Gord Downie. Singer-songwriter Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child discusses her candid new memoir, Checking In, which follows her mental health journey from depression to healing.
Hannah Waddingham talks about her Emmy-winning role on Ted Lasso, how it's changed her life, and why audiences have fallen in love with the show's joy and vulnerability. Actor Simu Liu talks about his life-changing role in Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and how he felt saying goodbye to Kim's Convenience. Fifty Shades of Grey author E.L. James discusses her latest release, Fifty Shades Freed, which she says may be the final work in the series. Ivars Taurins, the director of the Tafelmusik Chamber Choir, explains how Handel's Messiah went from shunned performance to revered Christmas tradition.
Legendary singer Patti LaBelle dishes on her decades-long legacy of making both comfort food and soul music. Special creator and star Ryan O'Connell tells us what it's like to put the story of his life as a gay man with cerebral palsy on screen. Canadian geneticist and broadcaster David Suzuki talks about bringing science into our living rooms for more than 40 years.
Musician and Grammy-winning producer Jack Antonoff discusses his band Bleachers, how he writes to process loss, his relationship with Bruce Springsteen and what it's like working with some of the biggest pop stars of our time. Musicologist Nate Sloan breaks down why Mariah Carey's festive hit All I Want For Christmas Is You has emerged as a rare newcomer into the canon of classic Christmas songs. Musician Shawnee Kish talks about her self-titled debut EP, celebrating her two-spirit identity (despite pressure from record executives) and how music has always been medicine in her life.
Acclaimed Abenaki filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin reflects on her decades-long career in filmmaking, storytelling and activism. Musician, composer and activist Jon Batiste discusses his powerful new album, We Are.
Beatles drummer Ringo Starr discusses his new EP, his love of Zoom and the important role friendship has played in his long career. Comedian Mark Critch talks about his new memoir, An Embarrassment of Critch's, and the upcoming CBC adaptation of his first book, Son of a Critch. Grammy-winning singer and activist Angélique Kidjo discusses her latest album, Mother Nature, which sees her championing young talent from across Africa.
Canadian music legend Anne Murray reflects on her groundbreaking career and lifelong love of Nova Scotia in a new CBC documentary about her life, Anne Murray: Full Circle. It's been 20 years since The Lord of The Rings: Fellowship of the Ring came out in theatres. Dominic Monaghan and Billy Boyd who played two hobbits from the Shire, Merry and Pippin, discuss the film, friendship and their Lord of the Rings podcast The Friendship Onion.
Five-time WWE Heavyweight Champion Bret "the Hitman" Hart joins us to discuss his Canada's Walk of Fame honour and his iconic career in the squared circle. Canadian singer SATE remembers her late mother, Salome Bey, one of this year's inductees to Canada's Walk of Fame. Political songsmith Billy Bragg reflects on the life and legacy of his friend, the late singer-songwriter Kirsty MacColl.
Emmy-winning actor Yahya Abdul-Mateen II tells us how it feels to enter the ultimate cyberpunk action franchise with his latest role in The Matrix Resurrections. Ahead of her induction to Canada's Walk of Fame, singer-songwriter Jully Black joins us to look back on her journey and how her mom shaped the artist she is today. Canadian filmmaker, photographer and writer Bruce LaBruce discusses his latest film, Saint-Narcisse, which reimagines the myth of Narcissus.
Blue Rodeo bandleaders Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor reflect on their 50-year friendship and the songs that have made them Canadian country rock legends. Music journalist and author Dalton Higgins remembers the artistry and legacy of the late Greg Tate, the godfather of hip-hop journalism. Our screen panellists Teri Hart and Radheyan Simonpillai take a look back at the movies and shows that kept us glued to our screens in 2021.
Ahead of his induction to Canada's Walk of Fame, iconic Canadian singer-songwriter Bruce Cockburn joins us to look back on his illustrious career. Author Dan Ozzi talks about his latest book, Sellout, which traces the history of 11 punk bands that were branded as sellouts after they signed major label deals. Art collector and dentist Dr. Kenneth Montague discusses his new book of photos from his collection of works by Black photographers, As We Rise: Photography From The Black Atlantic.
Tony Award-winning actor David Alvarez discusses his role in Steven Spielberg's film adaptation of the classic musical West Side Story. Our Q This music panellists, Lisa Christiansen and A. Harmony, look back on the biggest music headlines of 2021 and share their picks for song of the year. Arkells lead singer Max Kerman talks about the band's upcoming performance at this year's Grey Cup halftime show in Hamilton.
Saulteaux and Anishinaabe artist Robert Houle and Art Gallery of Ontario curator Wanda Nanibush discuss the painter's new career retrospective, which spans 50 years of his work. Singer-songwriter Beatrice Deer talks about merging her Inuk-Mohawk heritage with indie rock sounds on her latest album, Shifting. Singer-songwriter Molly Johnson discusses her new holiday album, It's A Snow Globe World, which she hopes will unite people of all different backgrounds this festive season.
Fashion and costume designer Bob Mackie discusses The Art of Bob Mackie, a new book that reflects on 60 years of his work. Canadian singer-songwriter Begonia introduces us to her latest single, Heaven. National Ballet of Canada principal dancer Siphe November talks about taking on the lead role in The Nutcracker.
Ethan Hawke discusses his role as the notorious American abolitionist John Brown in Showtime's The Good Lord Bird. Amy Millan of Stars talks about returning to the stage for the band's annual Christmas show. Award-winning pianist Lara Downes talks about her new label, Rising Sun Music, which showcases the work of overlooked or forgotten Black composers. Neko Case and Carl Newman of the New Pornographers tell us how they're celebrating the 21st anniversary of the band's debut album, Mass Romantic.
Following the release of his band's 10th studio album, Power Trio, rocker Danko Jones reflects on 25 years of European success and North American indifference. Drummer Larnell Lewis talks about revisiting a selection of tracks off his debut album, In the Moment, and how his family lineage has informed his musical journey. Singer-songwriter Norah Jones introduces us to the title track off her debut holiday album, I Dream of Christmas. The Harder They Fall director Jeymes Samuel shares his three must-see Western movies. Marc Sinden and Joel Soroka present an oral history of the Beatles' Hey Jude.
Radiohead's Thom Yorke and artist Stanley Donwood talk about the band's new book and virtual exhibition, which dive into the symbiotic relationship between sound and art in the Radiohead universe. Our Q This music panellists, A. Harmony and Elamin Abdelmahmoud, discuss the New York Times's latest documentary, Malfunction: The Dressing Down of Janet Jackson. Music critic, author and producer Jessica Hopper takes us through a gateway to Joni Mitchell's Blue on the landmark album's 50th anniversary.
Saxophonist Kenny G discusses Listening to Kenny G, a documentary that explores his meteoric rise in the late '80s and early '90s, the backlash that followed, and why he's now being embraced by a whole new generation of musicians. Valérie Lemercier talks about writing, directing and starring in the new unauthorized Céline Dion biopic, Aline. Author and poet Hasan Namir discusses his new poetry book, Umbilical Cord, inspired by his first year of parenthood. Blues-soul-rock singer SATE talks about her new album, The Fool, and her late mother Salome Bey's upcoming induction into Canada's Walk of Fame.
Fourteen years after the release of their Grammy-winning album Raising Sand, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss discuss their latest album, Raise the Roof, and why they felt now was the time for a musical reunion. Comedian Matt Wright talks about his new comedy album, Here Live, Not A Cat, inspired by that viral video of the lawyer who couldn't figure out how to remove the cat filter on Zoom. Singer-songwriter Hunnah breaks down the title track on her new EP, Unloved, which explores the highs and lows of romance. Singer-songwriter Julie Doiron discusses her first solo record in nine years, I Thought of You, about finding your way back to yourself no matter how dark the circumstances.
Author Sara Gay Forden tells us what fascinated her about the true crime story behind her meticulously researched book The House of Gucci. Murdoch Mysteries star Hélène Joy explains how her own pregnancy got woven into the latest episode of the show. Director Danis Goulet discusses the real-life inspiration behind her dystopian thriller, Night Raiders, about a Cree mother and daughter on the run from a military state.
Oscar-winning actor Sandra Bullock talks about her new film, The Unforgivable, and why she only wants to accept comedic roles from now on. Canadian record producer Doc McKinney looks back on the Weeknd's early rise and tells us how the artist's debut mixtape, House of Balloons, helped change the sound of pop music. Alberta-born singer-songwriter MacKenzie Porter discusses her Grand Ole Opry debut and her upcoming performance at tonight's Canadian Country Music Awards. NASA engineer Brendan Chamberlain-Simon (also known as Proud Father) shares how he turned his career dread into an album that tells the story of an astronaut experiencing the same thing in space.
Actor Richard Jenkins explains why his latest film, The Humans, might make you reconsider how scary a Thanksgiving dinner can be. Michelle Cho, an assistant professor of South Korean film and media at the University of Toronto, discusses the success of Netflix's new horror series Hellbound. Rapper Haviah Mighty introduces us to a track off her new mixtape, Stock Exchange. Musician Jim James of My Morning Jacket talks about the band's new self-tilted album and what it meant to finally get back in the studio after a six-year hiatus.
The Harder They Fall director Jeymes Samuel explains why it was important for him to correct the story of the Old West by putting Black characters at the forefront. As the gift-giving season fast approaches, our books columnist Jael Richardson joins us to recommend some of her favourite Canadian titles of this year. Filmmaker Paul Saltzman shares the story of how he crossed paths with the Beatles in India while trying to cure his broken heart. Marianne McKenna, the lead architect who restored Toronto's Massey Hall, discusses her vision for the project and how she updated the iconic music venue for the 21st century.
Gaby Hoffmann discusses her starring role alongside Joaquin Phoenix in C'mon C'mon, and what the film might say about the connections between adults and children. Musician and former broadcaster Jim Corcoran talks about producing Gilles Vigneault's new album, Comme une chanson d'amour. Richard Carpenter discusses his new book, Carpenters: The Musical Legacy, which reflects on his and his late sister Karen's success as the pop duo the Carpenters.
Depeche Mode's Dave Gahan reflects on his career and his new covers album, Imposter, with his musical collaborators Soulsavers. Saturday Night Live star Cecily Strong opens up about her new memoir, This Will All Be Over Soon, which consists of diary entries she wrote amid the pandemic while grieving the loss of a close cousin. Los Lobos musician Louie Pérez shares a few stories behind the songs on Native Sons — the Grammy-winning band's tribute to their hometown of Los Angeles.
Actor John Cho talks about his starring role in Cowboy Bebop, Netflix's new live-action adaptation of the wildly popular Japanese anime of the same name. Our Q This music panellists, Lisa Christiansen and Laina Dawes, unpack Rolling Stone's investigation into the sexual assault and abuse claims against Marilyn Manson. Singer-songwriter Simon Ward of the Strumbellas discusses his new self-titled solo album, Simon and the Island. Kaya Usher, widow of Gord Downie, talks about her debut album, All This Is, and the role her late husband played in inspiring it.
Author David A. Robertson talks about winning his second Governor General's Literary Award for his picture book On the Trapline, illustrated by Julie Flett. Screen and stage actor Robin de Jesús discusses his latest role in Netflix's Tick, Tick... Boom! — an adaptation of Jonathan Larson's musical of the same name.
Limited Capacity is a collection of six short stories about the strange and twisted ways we interact with the internet, and with each other. Each immersive episode is packed with intimate and jarring stories that are both completely familiar and somehow confoundingly alien. It’s like Black Mirror for your ears. From the fiendishly clever mind of Rob Norman, co-creator of the hit podcast Personal Best. More episodes are available at: smarturl.it/limitedcapacity
Filmmakers Ivan and Jason Reitman talk about working together on Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and what it's like for the younger Reitman to now helm the franchise his father started. Actor Aubrey Plaza discusses her new children's book with creative partner Dan Murphy, The Legend of the Christmas Witch, about Santa Claus's misunderstood twin sister.
Succession star Hiam Abbass discusses her new film, Gaza Mon Amour, and the role spirituality plays in her acting. Actor Chris Diamantopoulos talks about playing the villain in Red Notice — Netflix's most expensive movie ever — and how voicing Mickey Mouse made him perfect for the role. Singer-songwriter Dallas Green, also known as City and Colour, opens up about his music, the loneliness of touring and the sudden loss of a friend.
Rebecca Hall talks about adapting Nella Larsen's novel Passing for the screen and how untold truths about her own family history began to crystallize as she made the film. Brian Baumgartner, the actor who played accountant Kevin Malone on The Office, fills us in on his new book, Welcome To Dunder Mifflin: The Ultimate Oral History Of The Office. Our fashion correspondent Mosha Lundström Halbert tells us how Chloé's creative director, Gabriela Hearst, is making the luxury fashion house more sustainable. Juno-winning musician Bahamas talks about his upcoming EP, Live To Tape: Volume II, and his brand new single, Modern Man.
Actors Michael Imperioli and Steve Schirripa talk about their new book, Woke Up This Morning: The Definitive Oral History of The Sopranos, and why they think a new generation has fallen in love with the series. Tyler Bancroft of Said the Whale fills us in on the band's new album, Dandelion. Riz Ahmed discusses his film Mogul Mowgli and why he's taken up the cause of Muslim representation in Hollywood.
Singer Kylie Minogue opens up about her career, her life changing battle with cancer and her new album, Disco Guest List Edition. Musician Ekkstacy gives us a personal look into his debut record, Negative. EDM band Keys N Krates talk about their new album, Original Classic, and safety at big stadium concert shows.
Michael J. Fox opens up about the long-term effects of Parkinson's disease and how he found his way back to optimism after experiencing a particularly brutal year. Documentary filmmaker Doug Knutson charts Trenton, Ont.'s rise and fall as the movie-making capital of Canada. Cynthia Erivo discusses her debut album, Ch.1 Vs. 1, and what prompted this new beginning in the midst of a very illustrious career.
Model and actor Emily Ratajkowski discusses her first book of essays, My Body, which examines feminism, artistry and her complex relationship with her own image. Director and producer Tom Vitale takes us through his new memoir, In the Weeds, about his years working behind the scenes with the late Anthony Bourdain. Choreographer Crystal Pite talks about debuting her dance piece Angels' Atlas with the National Ballet of Canada.
The winner of the 2021 Scotiabank Giller Prize, Omar El Akkad, shares how it feels to be honoured with Canada's most prestigious literary award. Multidisciplinary artist Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory talks about her path to becoming an artist. Musicians Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings discuss their new special edition box set, Bachman Cummings: The Collection, and the early days of the Guess Who. Ned Flanders-themed metal band Okilly Dokilly fill us in on their Simpsons-inspired origin story.
Alanis Morissette reflects on her massive hit record Jagged Little Pill on its 25th anniversary and discusses her first album in eight years, Such Pretty Forks in the Road. British author and columnist Caitlin Moran discusses her new book, More Than A Woman, and shares her hilarious take on middle age and feminism.
Rock legend Jon Bon Jovi talks about Bon Jovi's new album 2020, finding hope in challenging times, and why he regrets the key change in Livin' on a Prayer. Actor Ethan Hawke tells us about his latest role as the notorious American abolitionist John Brown in Showtime's new series The Good Lord Bird. Hamilton, Ont.-raised filmmaker Natalie Krinsky discusses her debut feature The Broken Hearts Gallery, and the importance of racial representation in the rom-com genre.
Author Nick Hornby — best known for his novels High Fidelity, About a Boy and Fever Pitch — talks about tackling race, Brexit and a surprising romance in his latest book, Just Like You. Honey Jam founder Ebonnie Rowe reflects on 25 years of championing Canada's women in music. Supalonely singer Benee tells us how TikTok propelled her to fame and turned her into a lockdown sensation.
Rapper Big Sean opens up about his struggle with depression, how he rediscovered his passion through therapy and meditation, and why Detroit 2 is his most honest album yet. Tech and culture journalist Alyssa Bereznak unpacks how more and more celebrities like Travis Scott and The Weeknd are using avatars to reach their fans virtually. Actor Jean Yoon reflects on the ongoing success of Kim's Convenience, and why she's been championing diversity on stage and on screen since the 1980s. Bestselling poet Billy Collins, the former poet laureate of the United States, discusses his new collection, Whale Day: And Other Poems, and how the pandemic has "slowed the world down to the speed of poetry."
Multi-disciplinary artist Fariha Róisín opens up about her powerful debut novel Like a Bird, its themes of survival and resilience, and the therapeutic nature of writing. Rapper Machine Gun Kelly talks about digging deep into his teenage pop-punk roots and reinventing himself as a rocker on his new album Tickets to My Downfall. Miles Davis's youngest son, Erin, and his nephew, Vince Wilburn Jr., show us a different side of the iconic jazz musician. Actor and comedian John Cleese discusses his new book Creativity: A Short and Cheerful Guide, and shares why he wants you to realize your own creativity.
Jazz pianist and singer Diana Krall talks about her latest album This Dream of You, honouring her late producer Tommy LiPuma, and what she looks for in a dream collaborator. On this week's q This music panel, Lisa Christiansen and Elamin Abdelmahmoud recap the highs and lows of the 2020 CCMA Awards, and discuss Rolling Stone's updated list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Artist Michael C. Thorpe explains how he went from playing college basketball to quilting, and what being an athlete and an artist have in common.
Canadian singer-songwriter Bruce Cockburn discusses his lyric-less instrumental album, Crowing Ignites. Audio engineer Susan Rogers breaks down some of the songs on Prince's album, Sign o' the Times, and shares what she felt he was trying to achieve at that moment in his career. Artists Simone Saunders and Tekikki Walker talk about finding common ground between their Canadian and American identities — and creating art that transcends geography.
Kajillionaire writer and director Miranda July talks about creative collaboration with strangers, why loneliness is her permanent state of being, and how all families are like cults. Artist Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory tells us about her work collaborating with artists of varying backgrounds to help build bridges and promote unity across cultural divides. Writer and director Billy Ray discusses his new two-part miniseries, The Comey Rule, adapted from the memoir of former FBI director James Comey.
In a new project, Canadian artists Adrian Stimson and AA Bronson explore the power of apology as it relates to their shared history: their ancestors were sworn enemies. Our books columnist Jael Richardson fills us in on a spooky new book to check out: Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. Musician Jyoti, better known as Georgia Anne Muldrow, talks about her latest album Mama, You Can Bet! and reflects on the ways her parents influenced her.
Superstar classical pianist Lang Lang discusses the making of his newly-released rendition of Bach's iconic Goldberg Variations. Singer-songwriter Rissi Palmer talks about her new show on Apple Music Country, Color Me Country, which aims to change the image of country music. In an exclusive travel guide to the real Schitt's Creek, we visit Goodwood, Ont., the small town where much of the hit Canadian comedy was shot. As statues topple, artist Ken Lum asks us to rethink the monuments in our cities and towns.
On this week's screen panel, John Semley and Kathleen Newman-Bremang recap the 72nd Annual Emmy Awards — a virtual ceremony full of historic wins, particularly for Canadian comedy Schitt's Creek. Mexican-Canadian artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer discusses how interactive art can work in a global pandemic and what connection looks like in the age of physical distancing. Academy Award-nominated actor Jude Law talks about his critically-acclaimed thriller, The Nest, about an American family plunged into uncertainty after moving into an English country manor.
Oscar winner Kate Winslet discusses her new film, Ammonite, and what it was like skyrocketing to fame after the release of Titanic. On this week's q This music panel, A. Harmony and Lisa Christiansen break down what happened at the rescheduled (and reimagined) Academy of Country Music Awards. Musician Neal Sugarman looks back on Amy Winehouse's final album, Back to Black, and celebrates its strong and spirited creator. Artist, filmmaker and hip-hop pioneer Fab 5 Freddy discusses hip-hop's early beginnings and the role he played in its evolution.
Actor Regina King talks about directing One Night in Miami, a film that imagines a real conversation in February of 1964 between four of the most important Black voices of the era: Sam Cooke, Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X and Jim Brown. CBC arts and entertainment reporter Eli Glasner recaps the highs and lows of this year's mostly virtual Toronto International Film Festival. Dancer and choreographer Marie Chouinard tells us about her latest piece, Time For Time, in which the performers transform the audience's most heartfelt wishes into dance. Halifax indie-pop artist Rich Aucoin discusses his latest album, United States, and how travelling alone across the U.S. on a bicycle inspired him.
Elamin Abdelmahmoud and the Pop Chat round-table invite you in to the group chat to help make sense of the cultural drama blowing up the internet. Bringing their hottest takes to the table, join them every week as they debate, discuss and work through the pop culture discourse. The Pop Chat panel consists of: Shireen Ahmed, Angelina Chapin, Kevin Fallon, Sarah Hagi, Hussein Kesvani, Stacy Lee Kong, Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Amil Niazi and Andrea Warner. More episodes are available at http://smarturl.it/popchat
Country star Reba McEntire looks back on her career and her hit album Rumor Has It on the 30th anniversary of its release. Director Unjoo Moon talks about her new Helen Reddy film, I Am Woman, which dramatizes the Australian singer's journey from immigrant to chart-topping feminist superstar. Freelance writer and artist Frankie Huang unpacks what the controversies surrounding Disney's Mulan remake reveal about broader issues in China today, including major human rights ramifications. Canadian illustrator Sydney Smith discusses his latest children's book, Small in the City, which was just awarded the inaugural Sheila Barry Picture Book Award.
Sir Anthony Hopkins discusses his latest role in The Father as a man with dementia locked in a power struggle with his daughter, and shares his own struggles with growing older. Canadian reggae musician Jay Douglas remembers the late Jamaican singer-songwriter Toots Hibbert, the lead vocalist for the reggae and ska band Toots and the Maytals. Director Tracey Deer talks about her powerful debut feature film Beans — a coming-of-age story based on her own childhood experience of the 1990 Oka Crisis.
Actress Lucy Liu fills us in on her return to the small screen with Why Women Kill, a dark comedy-drama that follows three couples who live in the same Pasadena mansion in three different eras. On this week's q This music panel, A. Harmony and Lisa Christiansen discuss the current state of rock and roll, and whether rappers are the new rockstars. Multi-platinum music producer David Bendeth and rising star CVRE explain how they used their common roots in north Toronto to jumpstart an unlikely musical collaboration. Artist Stuart Semple talks about making famous artworks accessible to all with VOMA, the world's first entirely virtual museum.
Viggo Mortensen discusses his new film Falling — which he wrote, directed and co-stars in — about a gay man who must care for his ailing, irritable and homophobic father. Artist and musician Jean Smith talks about her $100 USD paintings, why there's been a surge in sales during the pandemic, and how she's using her art to change the world. Author Emma Donoghue discusses The Pull of the Stars, her prescient new novel about the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic, and the ethical and political issues surrounding health. Director Charles Officer and writer Motion tell us about their new film Akilla's Escape, which takes a blunt look at Jamaican gang culture and the reach of its international drug trade.
Country music icon Shania Twain reflects on The Woman in Me on the hit album's 25th anniversary. Author Iain Reid talks about seeing his debut novel, I'm Thinking of Ending Things, adapted into a Netflix film by Oscar-winning screenwriter and director Charlie Kaufman. Canadian cartooning legend Seth tells us how he gives the mundane a "mystic significance" in his sprawling new comic, Clyde Fans. Directors Aisling Chin-Yee and Chase Joynt discuss their documentary No Ordinary Man, which centres on the life of Billy Tipton — a successful jazz musician whose trans identity was not publicly revealed until after his death.
Actor and activist Jane Fonda talks about her new book, What Can I Do?: My Path From Climate Despair to Action, and how activism has kept depression at bay. Composer Stephan Moccio on his new album, Tales of Solace, and what it's like being one of the most in-demand hit makers of the decade. Singer and rapper Koffee discusses her latest music and delves into the evolution of reggae music.
Jim Carrey and Dana Vachon talk about co-authoring the actor's new semi-autobiographical novel Memoirs and Misinformation, which melds fact with fiction — and turns Rodney Dangerfield into a rhinoceros. Choreographer Tanisha Scott discusses how she brought Jamaican dancehall to mainstream pop culture, as well as one of her latest projects: the CBC Gem series Utopia Falls. Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Alicia Keys opens up about her new autobiography, More Myself, in which she reflects on music, family, relationships and her struggles with self-worth.
Canada's Drag Race winner Priyanka reflects on what it means to be crowned Canada's first drag superstar. On this week's q This music panel, A. Harmony and Lisa Christiansen discuss BTS becoming the first all-South Korean act to top Billboard's Hot 100 with an English language single. Canadian singer Alana Bridgewater presents a gateway to the music of blues singer Ma Rainey, known as the "Mother of the Blues." Award-winning poet Kaveh Akbar shares his experience as an Iranian-American poet working in the U.S. during this divisive time.
Talking Heads frontman David Byrne apologizes after a 1984 promo video of him wearing blackface resurfaced this week. Indie pop duo Tegan and Sara open up about coming out, twin sisterhood and hitting the big time. Director Ang Lee discusses his groundbreaking new action thriller Gemini Man — a film that was 20 years in the making. Actress Tantoo Cardinal tells us what it was like to finally get her first starring role in a feature film at TIFF.
Actress Holland Taylor discusses her 50-year career on screen and on stage, as well as her latest role in Bill and Ted Face the Music. Refinery29 writer Kathleen Newman-Bremang reflects on the late Chadwick Boseman's legacy as the world's first Black superhero, Black Panther. Tech and culture journalist Alyssa Bereznak unpacks why some people are upset about celebrities like Cardi B and Bella Thorne joining the online subscription service OnlyFans. Hip hop veteran Sophia Chang shares how she came to be embraced by the Wu-Tang Clan.
Soul singer-songwriter Bettye LaVette reflects on her career and discusses her new album, Blackbirds — a compilation of songs made famous by Black women. Author Ibi Zoboi and activist Yusef Salaam of the Exonerated Five discuss their powerful new YA book, Punching The Air, about a young Black boy who is sent to prison for a crime he did not commit. Singer-songwriter Catherine MacLellan, daughter of Gene MacLellan, talks about examining her father's history with depression in a documentary, The Song and the Sorrow.
Alt-pop star Meg Remy of U.S. Girls tells us about her Polaris Prize-nominated album, Heavy Light, and how she manages to pack subversive anti-capitalist critiques into her catchy pop songs. Actor Clarke Peters remembers his Da 5 Bloods co-star, the late Chadwick Boseman, who died of colon cancer at the age of 43. Bestselling author Shari Lapena talks about her latest novel, The End of Her — a domestic thriller that keeps readers guessing until the very last page. Salome Bey's daughters, musicians tUkU and SATE, reflect on their late mother's journey to becoming one of the most beloved pioneers of Black Canadian theatre and music.
Pop star Katy Perry talks about her new single Daisies, and opens up about writing inspiring hits like Firework and Roar while "in the worst place" of her life. On this week's q This music panel, A. Harmony and Lisa Christiansen discuss how the music industry is facing the challenge of recreating the live concert experience during a pandemic. Musician Camille Thurman gives us a gateway to the influential sound of the late jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker in celebration of what would be his 100th birthday. Canadian actor and writer Avan Jogia explores race and identity in his new book, Mixed Feelings.
Opera singer Audrey DuBois Harris — known as Aretha Franklin's favourite soprano — reflects on her friendship with the late Queen of Soul, her musical influences and the importance of representation in the classical arts. Hollywood star Demi Moore opens up about some of the most difficult experiences of her life, and why she decided to take charge of her own story with a new memoir, Inside Out. If Beale Street Could Talk star Stephan James discusses his whirlwind year, his first Golden Globe nomination and why he's shining a light on Black stories.
Actor David Arquette talks about the new documentary, You Cannot Kill David Arquette, which follows his return to the wrestling ring. Film and TV graphic designer Annie Atkins discusses the painstaking creative process behind making graphic props such as maps, train tickets, letters and newspapers. Hip-hop duo Snotty Nose Rez Kids talk about their latest album Trapline, activism and the importance of empowering Indigenous youth. Ahead of its final season premiere, Schitt's Creek star Annie Murphy reflects on what she's learned from the humble Canadian comedy.
Toronto-based rapper and producer Clairmont The Second talks about his new album, It's Not How It Sounds, and what it means to be a 20-something Black artist trying to make it in 2020. YouTuber and motivational speaker Molly Burke tells us how making videos gave her confidence, and how she's now helping break barriers for people with disabilities. From online buzz to bonafide stardom, singer and producer blackbear opens up about his rise to fame, and his latest album, Everything Means Nothing.
Guitarist and songwriter Charlotte Caffey of The Go-Go's tells us why the all-female new wave band wanted to share their unvarnished story in the new documentary, The Go Go's. Actor Danny DeVito discusses his latest role in Disney's new CGI-live-action film The One and Only Ivan, and reveals why he thinks a laugh is better than a kiss. Country singer Lindsay Ell opens up about the traumatic experience that inspired her to write her vulnerable new album, Heart Theory. Queer Eye's fashion expert Tan France talks about the runaway success of the hit Netflix show and reflects on his candid memoir, Naturally Tan.
Deejay and promoter Dr. Jay de Soca Prince shows us what Toronto's cancelled 2020 Caribbean Carnival might have sounded like with an event called the Soca or Die! Drive-in. On this week's q This panel, music journalists A. Harmony and Stuart Berman discuss Barack Obama's annual summer playlist and determine the true song of summer 2020. Legendary songwriter and producer Linda Perry shares the stories behind the huge hits she's created with stars like Pink and Christina Aguilera.
The Simpsons and Spinal Tap star Harry Shearer talks about taking on the American political landscape with a new album of comic songs, The Many Moods of Donald Trump. Bad Religion's Greg Graffin reflects on the influential punk band's evolution and what it was like to finally put it all on the page in Do What You Want: The Story of Bad Religion. The National Ballet's former principal dancer-turned-artistic director, Karen Kain, discusses her 50-year career with the company.
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver discusses his new cookbook, Ultimate Veg, and traces his unconventional path in cooking. Griffin Poetry Prize winner Billy-Ray Belcourt talks about his debut memoir, A History of My Brief Body, and how autobiography has the power to heal yourself and others. Singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor opens up about overcoming anxiety and self-doubt to create her latest album, Treat Yourself.
Country icon Tim McGraw reflects on his long career and why connecting people through music has always been the mission. Author Joy Kogawa revisits the story of Japanese Canadian internment camps with a new augmented reality app. Nine-time Grammy winner Norah Jones talks about embracing Instagram during the pandemic to share her performances as well as raise money for charity. Director Alexandre O. Philippe explains why the shower scene in Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 film Psycho is an iconic moment in movie history.
Musician Orville Peck updates us on his new EP Show Pony, his musical and artistic growth, and how he got Shania Twain to appear on his new project. Author Raven Leilani discusses the runaway success of her debut novel, Luster, and what inspired the story about a 20-something Black woman who starts a relationship with an older white man in an open marriage. Dr. Seuss's longtime art director and publisher, Cathy Goldsmith, talks about bringing Dr. Seuss's Horse Museum to life 28 years after the author's death.
Poet, writer and professor Khadijah Queen discusses her new collection of poetry, Anodyne, and shares how she examines themes of the body and wellness through her work. On this week's q This music panel, freelance music writers A. Harmony and Erin Ashley take a look at Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion's latest single, WAP. Céline Peterson gives us a gateway to the music of her father, Canadian jazz piano legend Oscar Peterson. Actor and comedian Billy Eichner talks about voicing Timon — and following in his idol's footsteps — in Disney's live-action remake of The Lion King.
Judy Chicago, the godmother of feminist art, reflects on her incredible career and the power of art to change the world. Bassist and producer Orin Isaacs remembers the late blues singer Salome Bey as a musical mentor who brought up young Black talent. Actress Ellen Wong shares her memories of shooting the cult classic film Scott Pilgrim vs. the World on its 10-year anniversary. Grammy Award-winning R&B legend Brandy discusses the themes of B7, her first new album in eight years.
Singer Kiesza opens up about releasing her first album since getting into a 2017 car accident that left her with a traumatic brain injury and forced her to put her music career on hold. Tech and culture journalist Alyssa Bereznak unpacks what a U.S. ban on the Chinese-owned app TikTok would mean for its video creators and their work. Author Saleema Nawaz talks about her latest novel Songs for the End of the World — an almost unbelievably prescient story about a global coronavirus pandemic.
Actor Jesse Williams talks about his starring role in the new slasher horror film Random Acts of Violence, and shares why social activism has long been a part of his life. Musicians Joel Plaskett and Chris Murphy of Sloan honour their friend and fellow musician, the late Matthew Grimson, with a co-release of a new posthumous collection of his songs. World-renowned photographer Carrie Mae Weems discusses art, class and culture — and how she feels about being called an artist ahead of her time.
Filmmaker Oliver Stone reflects on how his experiences as a soldier in the Vietnam War shaped his raw and radical approach to filmmaking. On this week's q screen panel, entertainment writers Teri Hart and Ishani Nath unpack reported allegations of intimidation, racism and sexual misconduct behind the scenes on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Artist and author Douglas Coupland talks about revisiting his series Slogans for the 21st Century, and retooling old favourites to suit the current world crisis. Gospel singer Mavis Staples explains why she still feels she has to speak out against bigotry in America.
Actor and comedian Chelsea Peretti on her start in comedy, the struggles and triumphs of motherhood, and her first lead role in the feature film. The q This music panel is here: A. Harmony and Erin Ashley join guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about the mixed reaction to Beyonce's visual album, 'Black Is King,' and the 'memeification' of Black women's trauma. William Prince talks about his album that won him this years SOCAN Songwriting Prize in the English category. Singer and guitarist Baaba Maal talks about his life in music and how he's used his sound as a platform for social change.
Blair Underwood co-stars alongside Octavia Spencer in the Netflix series, Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker. He joined guest host Talia Schlanger to tell us more about the series. Jewelry designer Sewit Sium on her eponymous collection of African iconography, symbolism, and motifs. She speaks with Talia about the intersection between jewlery and political expression, and how it can be a tool for education. Landscape painter John Hartman spotlights 32 portraits of Canadian writers in Many Lives Mark This Place.
Blues singer Lady A explains why she won't be sharing her moniker with massive country group formerly known as Lady Antebellum. Theater director Mumbi Tindyebwa Otu on her now award winning direction of the play The Brothers Size. HBO's series Succession was just nominated for 18 Emmy's. Actor Nicholas Braun talks about what it's like to be on one of the biggest shows on TV.
Twilight author Stephenie Meyer on her long-awaited novel Midnight Sun, and why she almost abandoned the book entirely after a rough draft of early chapters leaked online almost a decade ago. Katie Munshaw, frontwoman of the Juno-award winning band Dizzy, on their sophomore album The Sun and her Scorch. Author Jenny Han on the film adaptation of her New York Times best-seller To All The Boys I've Loved Before. Jenny joined Tom Power to talk about why teenage experiences fascinate her and the importance of representation on screen.
Elton John opens up about his "rollercoaster life," how having children changed everything for him and why he decided to say goodbye to life on the road. Award-winning poet Reginald Dwayne Betts discusses his third collection of poetry, Felon — a personal examination of incarceration, family and justice. Carly Rae Jepsen sheds some light on the songwriting process, her latest album Dedicated, and the lasting legacy of her very first breakout hit Call Me Maybe.
Grammy Award-winning singer François Clemmons talks about his role as Officer Clemmons on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, and how he overcame racist and homophobic discrimination throughout his life. Journalist and author Dalton Higgins unpacks how Canada's Black-owned radio stations are facing trouble right now, and what it means for the sound of our cities. Singer iskwē performs some songs from her new album acākosīk. Folk icon Judy Collins reflects on her long career, why 80 is the new 20 and her latest album Winter Stories.
Author Judy Blume talks about breaking taboos when writing for kids, and why she's finally allowing Margaret to be adapted for the screen. Musician and author Bob Wiseman dives into the stories that make up his new book Music Lessons, a collection of musings on music and the music industry. Fashion designer Lesley Hampton on her gowns making waves on the Golden Globes red carpet and breaking down barriers in the fashion industry.
Musician and actor Jarvis Cocker talks about life after fronting the band Pulp, and his new band Jarv Is. Our book columnist Jael Richardson and author Whitney French discuss the lack of diversity in Canada’s publishing industry and what it means for the books that end up on your bookshelves. Singer-songwriter Alexandria Maillot performs live in the q studio. Queer Eye's food and drink expert Antoni Porowski dishes on food, fame and growing up in Montreal.
Actor Josh Hartnett talks about playing Canadian investigative journalist Victor Malarek in the film Target Number One, and explains why he eschewed his heartthrob status to take on more indie roles. Singer-songwriter Courtney Marie Andrews joins us for a performance and chat about her new album Old Flowers, which chronicles her split from her partner after a nine-year relationship. Pop icon Harry Styles tell us why he decided to come back on his own terms, stop playing it safe and make the album he wanted.
Actress Tracee Ellis Ross opens up about the real-life experiences that informed her portrayal of an international pop star in her latest film, The High Note. Irish singer-songwriter Dermot Kennedy explains how busking in Dublin prepared him for stardom, and how his songwriting has changed now that he has a massive audience. Actor Simu Liu talks about becoming Marvel's first Asian superhero, honouring his promise to a little boy, and how he's encouraging connection and compassion while isolating in Australia.
Canada Reads winner Samra Habib and defender Amanda Brugel tell us what they hope Canadians will take away from Habib's moving memoir, We Have Always Been Here. Coronation Street series producer Iain MacLeod explains how the pandemic will be incorporated into the long-running British soap opera's storyline, what it will look like, and what the actors and writers had to do to create new episodes during these uncertain times. On this week's q This music panel, A. Harmony and Lisa Christiansen unpack Kanye West's first presidential rally and the outrage it's caused from fans and spectators. Actor Ralph Macchio, the original Karate Kid, talks about reprising his role as Danny LaRusso in the web series Cobra Kai. Poet and author Elizabeth Acevedo discusses her new novel Clap When You Land, and what it's like to be caught between two cultures.
Rapper Killer Mike of the hip-hop duo Run The Jewels discusses police brutality, protest music and the timeliness of their new album RTJ4. Choreographer and artistic director Laurieann Gibson reflects on winning the Prism Prize’s inaugural Willie Dunn Award, which recognizes her trailblazing career in music video production.
Los Angeles-based band Haim discuss how California has influenced their sound and why they chose to open up about their sisterhood on their latest album, Women in Music Pt. III. Our fashion columnist Mosha Lundström Halbert talks about Milan's first Digital Fashion Week and what the future holds for fashion influencers. University of British Columbia medical students Braedon Paul and Andrew McDonald talk about releasing a pandemic-inspired album called Songs for Apollo.
Author Emma Donoghue talks about The Pull of the Stars, her prescient new novel about the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic, and the ethical and political issues surrounding health. Poet, author and teacher Ishmael Reed explains why people should rethink their love of the musical Hamilton, and tells us why being an iconoclast has always driven his mission.
Country pop group The Chicks (formerly known as The Dixie Chicks) discuss their new album Gaslighter, their controversial past and how it's helped build their legacy. Illustrator Adrian Tomine describes how a brush with death inspired his new graphic memoir, The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Cartoonist. Actor Hamza Haq discusses his starring role on the CTV medical drama Transplant, and shares how it feels to finally play a fully-formed character after years of getting one-note bit parts.
Singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding talks about her new album, overcoming impostor syndrome, and why she took a five-year break from music. Author and screenwriter David Mitchell takes us into the psychedelic music scene of 1960s London in his latest novel Utopia Avenue. Singer-songwriter Alessia Cara walks us through her new EP This Summer: Live Off The Floor and why she wants to donate all of the proceeds to Save The Children. Luce director Julius Onah explains why he wanted to explore race and class issues through the lens of a dark psychological thriller.
Singer-songwriter Aloe Blacc performs his new single from his forthcoming album All Love Everything, and talks about his work as both an artist and activist. Artist Nicholas Galanin discusses how monuments of controversial historical figures tell one-sided stories of our collective past, and what we can learn through the process of taking them down. The founder of Northside Hip-Hop Archive, Mark Campbell, shares a playlist of early influential Canadian hip-hop tracks. Choreographer Crystal Pite explains how reflected light inspired her powerful collaboration with the National Ballet of Canada, Angels' Atlas.
Actress Michaela Coel opens up about her new series I May Destroy You — a fictionalized story about the night she was sexually assaulted — and the process of turning personal trauma into art. The Old Guard director Gina Prince-Bythewood talks about becoming the first Black woman to direct a big budget comic book movie. Musician and activist Bob Geldof talks candidly about music, fame, his memories of Live Aid, and his concerns about the world today.
Actor Nick Offerman sets the record straight on what he has in common with his famous Parks and Recreation character Ron Swanson, and whether it's possible to move on from such a defining role. Refinery29 writer Kathleen Newman-Bremang shares her experience as a Black woman working in Canadian media — something she recently wrote about in an article titled For Black Women In Media, A "Dream Job" Is A Myth. Actor Patrick Stewart talks about reprising his iconic role as Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: Picard, and shares how he thinks the retired admiral would deal with our current world crisis. Playwright and showrunner Katori Hall discusses her new TV series P-Valley, and why she wanted to destigmatize strip club dancers by spotlighting their stories.
Filmmaker Atom Egoyan tells us how his latest movie, Guest of Honour, was inspired by his meetings with the city health inspector when he owned a bar 15 years ago. Artist Ekow Nimako explains how he uses Lego to create incredible sculptures that represent new monuments for Black youth. Bestselling poet Rupi Kaur talks about helping others find their voices through her online poetry workshops during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright discusses his first new pop album since 2012, Unfollow the Rules, and how fatherhood has changed the way he makes music.
Legendary Motown producer and songwriter Lamont Dozier shares the true stories behind some of Motown's biggest hits. On this week's q This music panel, A. Harmony and Stuart Berman unpack Kanye West's presidential run announcement, as well as Lady Antebellum's lawsuit to use the name Lady A, which Seattle blues singer Anita White has used for more than 20 years. Filmmaker Fernando Frias de la Parra discusses his new film Ya No Estoy Aquí (I'm No Longer Here), about a young gang leader in Monterrey, Mexico who finds himself in trouble after a misunderstanding with the local cartel. Comedian Mae Martin talks about starring in her own semi-autobiographical Netflix series, Feel Good, and shares how being a "weird kid" helped her get into comedy.
Golden Globe-winning comedian Ramy Youssef talks about his eponymous series Ramy, how he finds humour in religion, and the role of comedy in 2020. Oscar-winning screenwriter Charlie Kaufman discusses his debut novel Antkind, a surreal and satirical story about a film critic who's trying to rescue a classic movie from obscurity. Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, the 18-year-old Canadian star of Mindy Kaling's new Netflix show, Never Have I Ever, talks about beating out more than 15,000 others for the part of Devi. Former ballet dancer Theresa Ruth Howard discusses the history of Black people in ballet, why ballet institutions need to start diversifying, and what they can do now to make meaningful, genuine change.
Jim Carrey and Dana Vachon talk about co-authoring the actor's new semi-autobiographical novel Memoirs and Misinformation, which melds fact with fiction — and turns Rodney Dangerfield into a rhinoceros. Tech and culture journalist Alyssa Bereznak unpacks the controversy around the recent wave of prominent YouTubers who are issuing apologies for their past racist content. Toronto reggae legend Jay Douglas reflects on his incredible life and career, and talks about his new single, Jah Children.