You've moved out. Maybe you've even graduated, got married, and had kids. So why don't you feel grown up? And what does it even MEAN to be an adult? Our guests are trying to figure that out. Lana Ciarniello is dealing with an empty nest after both of her kids moved away from home. She checks in with 18-year-old Jasmine in her first week at university, to find that her daughter is also struggling with this leap into adulthood. For 55-year old Deborah a big part of living adulthood independently is doing something she was told wasn’t possible for someone who lives with her disabilities - working a job she loves. Today Deborah runs the DANI Cafe in Thornhill, Ontario, and dreams of one day living on her own. Everyone’s got opinions on what it means to be grown. We hear from people from 5 to 105 about the moments they feel truly adult - from doing chores and taxes to realizing that nobody lives forever. Ummni Khan has had a license for six years, but she doesn’t drive. That’s caused some friction with her husband-slash-chauffeur. Can she overcome her adult imposter syndrome and build her confidence behind the wheel? At 22, opera singer Kyle Briscoe has the voice of somebody beyond his years. In many ways, that makes sense - Kyle’s difficult childhood has meant that he had to grow up much faster than anyone should.

I'm too busy. It'll be awkward. What if they don't like me or even remember me? There are countless excuses to not reach out to somebody. But until you do, you'll never know what you're missing. On this episode, meet people bravely reaching out - to strangers, long-lost friends and potential lovers. When Cheryl Taylor was in high school, her vice principal changed her life. Now decades later she wants to find him and thank him, but is it too late? Can we find Mr. Yakichuk? Corine Mathelier has packed up her life in Toronto and moved to Montreal in hopes of finding the friendships and community she is longing for. We check in to see how it's going, just days after the move. When international students Sele Akere and Dipo Oksesola saw an ad for a room to rent in Kelowna, they thought it was a scam by a tough biker. But they reached out anyway and discovered Bill Pittman is really a big softie... and that they probably saved Bill’s life. So, you want to date Alicia Bunyan-Sampson? There’s a form for that. After too many bad experiences in the polyamorous dating world, she created a fun and insightful Google form as a way of reaching out to her. She tells Ify all about it. We hear from excited and nervous fans of Canadian influencer Spencer Barbosa, as they wait in line to meet their internet hero in person. But backstage, 20-year-old Barbosa is feeling jitters of her own, wondering what her fans will think of her in real life. At the age of 60 Brian Bannister has overcome addiction, abuse, lost two wives and was living on the street. He had all but given up on life, until Danielle MacDuff decided to strike up a conversation and offer him a job on her farm. Now, not only does he wake up every day with a sense of purpose but the two have struck up a wonderful friendship that neither saw coming.

Rent. Groceries. Transportation. For so many, the costs of everyday life are adding up - and they're being forced to make tough decisions about how they're going to make ends meet. Hear how people from all walks of life are navigating their way through this financial crisis.With grocery prices sky high, Robert Gagnon is bagging his own meat. He’s filling his basement freezer with hundreds of pounds of elk meat, as well as salmon, moose nose, and elk tongue, to feed his family and to share with local elders.Due to rising costs of rent and food, Katherine Goodes can no longer afford to live on her own, which means the 67-year-old is doing something she never thought she would have to at her age... find roommates.In the centre of Toronto’s financial district you’ll find Brian, an unhoused man who proudly sweeps the streets to earn money from passersby. But with rising costs and a medical condition that restricts his diet, covering his basic needs is a daily struggle.   This school year, undergraduate international students are expected to pay on average at least four times more than their Canadian classmates. Hear how Nepali student Tshering Futi Sherpa is balancing school, work and homesickness to live out her dream of studying abroad. Alistair Wright was barely making ends meet at his dinner theatre job when the union went on strike. Then the theatre closed. But there’s something that won’t let Alistair give up on his dream.In Nunavut, grocery store prices are sky high and Kyra Kilabuk is sharing the details on TikTok so everyone can know about it. Kyra shares what it takes for her family of five to make ends meet in Iqaluit.

It's time to go for a walk with us, so grab your headphones, hit play and let's go! Hop on the Shaughnessy Park School walking school bus in Winnipeg, where a commute to school is an opportunity for friendship, safety, and conversations about unicorns. When a terrifying car accident broke Brianna Seewalds's neck and spine in multiple places, she told her boyfriend Ryan Borkowski he didn't have to stay with her. Three years later, Brianna prepares for their Manitoba wedding with has one goal in mind - to walk down the aisle. Spend a morning with The Loons, Toronto’s first and only walking soccer club, to find out why the sport is gaining popularity — without sacrificing on skill. When Scott Wabano, a 2Spirit Cree fashion designer from the Mushkegowuk & Eeyou Istchee territories, assembled a powerhouse group of Indigenous “decolonial baddies” to walk for their New York Fashion Week debut, they had no idea how powerful an experience it would be. What happens when you take a lazy 12-year-old wiener dog and put it on a quest to explore every single road in Quispamsis, NB? Meet Sally and Conrad Brock, and their dachshund Spencer. Counsellor Sue MacDonald takes clients out for walking therapy sessions, and carries bear spray, just in case.

On this episode, dads get real about the uncertainties, struggles and joys of fatherhood. A Wall Street workaholic turned stay-at-home dad goes to unusual lengths to find connection with other dads. How a rocky start with his step-son led one dad to slowly build up their relationship, (literally) brick-by-brick. And a special guest star: Ify's dad! He shares his one parenting regret, and Ify confesses a childhood secret.

It's easy to feel trapped - in dead-end jobs, ho-hum relationships, the tedium of everyday life. But what does it take to break free, and live the life you truly want? On this episode, hear from people turning their lives upside down in order to find freedom. Gilad Cohen was up to his eyeballs in spreadsheets. So he stepped down from the top spot at a charity he founded, to pursue his dream of being a full-time artist. But with his newfound freedom comes a lot of uncertainty, loss of stability… and loneliness. Was it worth it? For more than 100 nights this year, Donna Kane has slept outside under the stars in an old cast iron bed. She tells us why sleeping outdoors in the vastness of nature - with mice scurrying across the duvet and coyotes howling in the distance - helps "to take yourself a little less seriously." After breaking free from an abusive relationship, Sheenique is rediscovering joy and living life on her own terms. But for this single mother of two young boys, the road ahead is anything but smooth. The wide open countryside, where there’s no other person in sight. Being alone like that is what Kimberly Woelfle realized she needed, but it wasn’t an option in a busy city like Brampton. But she found a way to make it work … by going tiny. At the age of 28, Keith Hodder hadn’t had a sip of alcohol, a drag of a cigarette, or even a cup of coffee. As a young, closeted gay man, Keith was fearful that his truth was an irreparable flaw. So he created a set of rules to maintain tight control in his life and avoid judgement. Today he's out to challenge his vices, one by one.

Sending out an invitation - or being delivered one - can bring up a lot of emotions. Excitement. Dread. The fear of rejection. What do I wear? Will anyone come? DOES ANYONE LIKE ME? On this episode, we're RSVPing to the fraught feelings and unexpected places invitations take us. Lynn Sainté wants to relive her church choir days, so she's booked a venue, hired musicians, and made some chicken wings. Now she just needs people to show up and sing. Ify Chiwetelu joins Lynn as she stresses over what could go wrong, and stands at the door waiting to see who (if anyone) will actually show up. Every year, thousands of people in Canada wait for an official invitation to apply for Permanent Residency. But when his invite didn’t show up, Mikita Arlou found himself in a desperate situation. The 26-year-old was facing imprisonment, or worse, in his home country of Belarus. With his future on the line… he sprang into action. Maya Turner had a dream to play football at the university level. But first, she needed to get invited for a tryout - which is hard to do when you're a late-blooming field kicker in a male-dominated sport. Find out how Maya became the first female athlete to play - and score - in a Canadian university football game, and what she has planned next. Ben Shannon and his 9-year old daughter love to whistle together. So on a lark one day, they decided to enter a whistling competition - and ended up getting invited to an international whistling event in Los Angeles. What happened when this father-daughter duo were faced with tough-talking whistling coaches and a case of stage fright? 'They said it couldn't be done.' That was the first line in Tess Healy and Wendy Young's wedding invitation, 20 years after they helped win a landmark court case that legalized same-sex marriage in BC. As they prepare for a wedding vow renewal ceremony to mark their 20th anniversary, Tess and Wendy reveal why they're still worried about uninvited guests. And how do you make sure you’re not putting a financial burden on people you invite to a potentially expensive destination celebration? That’s what Robert Keller was trying to figure out when making a guest list for his surprise stag party he knows nothing about. Plus, Ify heads to her friend Lynn's pop-up choir event, to see how many people responded to Lynn's open invitation.

When fear grabs hold of you and sinks it's teeth in, it's hard to shake loose. And for good reason — if you are in a dangerous situation, that flight-or-fight response can be life saving. But what if your fear is getting in the way of living the life you want? You might have to look the fear directly in the eye and welcome whatever happens, just like the guests on this Now or Never.

You know the feeling. It's that pit-of-your-stomach sense of panic, when you realize you've lost something meaningful. It can only be matched by the relief that comes with finding that thing. Today we're taking you on a journey through all the emotional twists and turns of searching and finding and bringing you stories of how things that are important make their way home. Umbrellas, wallets, and airpods as far as the eye can see - it’s just a regular day at the Toronto Transit Lost Articles Office. Supervisor Justin Valmores takes us behind the scenes, and into the stories, of things left behind on public transit. How do you catch a runaway bird? That's what Jane and Kevin Porte had to figure out when their beloved yellow Indian ringneck parrot, Chuck, flew away into the wilds of Winnipeg. Can we help return a long lost diary? Retired New Brunswick teacher Hugh Brittain held onto a stack of old diaries from former students for decades. He's returned them all except one. Help us find the owner. First Nations musician Kym Gouchie uses recordings of her granny’s voice and a ukulele, to record a children’s album in her ancestral language, and keep Lheidli, a local dialect of Dakelh, alive. Colby Matthews waited two years on a list before finding A.J. Keller through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. Now they're hunting for treasure - or at least geocashes - all over Edmonton. When Scarlett Fonseca opened her Winnipeg mailbox one morning she had no idea she'd be part of solving a fifty-year old mystery that brought Karen Mueller a message from her deceased father.

When everyone else has given up and gone home...what does it take to be the last one standing? Trevor pays a visit to the last typewriter repair shop in Winnipeg, and finds out why 76-year-old Izu Gephter has no plans of packing it in. Jimmy Chau finished dead-last in the most recent Manitoba Marathon, and tells us what kept him going on his nearly seven-hour race. William Liu’s dim sum shop in Vancouver's Chinatown has been in his family for three decades. But as boxing gyms and yoga studios move in, can small family-run businesses like his survive? Trevor writes an ode to 'that guy' - the last one to leave a party. When you feel like the odd one out in your circle, find a new circle. At the Toronto meetup group SWaNK - Single Woman and No Kids - Melissa Ramage, Sarah Dukes, and Binesh Lodhi are finding friendship, good vibes, and reminders they are not alone. Mike Parsons and his partner Georgina are the last remaining people on Little Bay Islands, a resettled community accessible only by boat. So what do you do when you live alone on an island in the North Atlantic? Mike Parsons says you stock up, wind down — and surprisingly, don’t bicker. And 96-year-old Marion Marten is likely the last of the women electricians who worked on warplanes at a Toronto plant during WWII. She shares her memories of that time.

Stories of people saying enough is enough, and taking matters into their own hands.Seven days a week, Jenny McDougall drives from homeless shelters to motels and tents by the river, delivering prescription medication to drug users, hoping to stop overdose deaths. Sophie Davie always knew she wanted kids, but at the age of 35, she hadn’t found the right partner. So instead of waiting, she decided to have a baby on her own. At five months pregnant, Sophie shares how she's preparing for single parenthood - and why she chose a sperm donor who's really good at basketball.Shawn Bath wouldn't exactly call himself an eco-warrior. Yet this former fisherman spends all his free time and money cleaning up trash dumped into the ocean off the coast of Newfoundland.Tired of seeing the impacts of violence they witnessed in their community, Mohamed Hassan and Ahmed Shiddo decided to take action by hosting gatherings for Somali youth in the GTA. And Amanda Caskenette and Dave Barrett are fed up with capitalism -- so for the past five years, they’ve been trying to remove themselves from the system by growing most of their own food, and experimenting with off-the-grid living on the shores of Lake Superior.

Come along for the big moments Canadians are experiencing around the world right now. He used to be a DJ at The Moose radio station in small-town Smithers, BC. Today, Dancin’ Wayne hypes up tens of thousands of soccer fans as a World Cup stadium host, energizing crowds with his breakdancing, chanting, and hot-pink suits. When Stephen and Sara Cole decided to sell their home in Fergus, Ontario, they knew they wanted something different -- but they never dreamed they’d end up with an 11-bedroom, 6300 square foot chateau in Southwestern France. Or the upkeep that comes along with it. #chateauproblems News headlines, social media posts, and messages in the family group chat carry Lima Al-Azzeh, a Palestinian-Canadian living in Vancouver, straight into Gaza. What do you pack to take to space? How do you handle the fear? And how do you prepare your family to watch you blast off? Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen gets personal ahead of his moon mission next November. And ten years after a life-changing car accident left Jen Schuringa with a traumatic brain injury that impacts her ability to move voluntarily and speak, she and a group of family and friends take on Spain's Camino de Santiago.

Relationship need a rescue? All our friends are talking about how to keep it hot, so we scoured the country to bring you six couples who are #relationshipgoals and asked them for their secrets. Thank us later. T.A. and June MacKay have been together more than 60 years and rarely fought. Why these 90-year-olds swear by a double bed. Amelia Merrick and Res Krebs climb into a bath together and share why she chose him as her first lover when she was a 39-year-old virgin. Martine Dugazon slid into Michelle Osbourne’s DMs and went from the friend zone to engaged thanks to acts of service and words of affirmation in Quebec City. Taunting,teasing, and making each other laugh. That’s how Sheena Melwani and her husband, 'The Real Indian Dad' keep it hot and share with their over 10 million followers on Tik Tok. For Peter Verge and Shelley Hunt, living apart - but under the same roof - has actually brought them closer together. Find out why the laundry room is their favourite room in the house. With parenting getting in the way of romance, Toronto's Domenique Raso and Josh Roarke are finally heading out on a date. The last one was an epic fail…will they make it out the door this time?

If you're scrambling to find the perfect gift this holiday season, get inspired with stories and advice from people working through their gift-giving dilemmas. (And best of all...most of these gifts are completely free!). After 23 years of marriage, M.J. Kang is determined to break the gift-giving rut she and her husband Oren have fallen into…as soon as she finds the perfect gift. After a northern miner’s home burns to the ground, more than 100 strangers in a distant city pitch in to help him rebuild. So why is it so hard for Guy Martial to accept their gift of kindness? Ophira Eisenberg attempts some high-level negotiations with her 8-year-old son over his epic Hanukkah wish list. Newly dating couple Marcello Di Cintio and Shari Beverage have thrown down a Christmas challenge for each other: all their gifts have to be made by hand. Except Marcello isn't particularly crafty. And the wooden nesting dolls he's painting look like a horror show. We check in on how they're each dealing with the pressure of high (and crafty) expectations. Singer-songwriter Ila Barker gifted herself a tiny chihuahua puppy for her birthday two weeks ago, to celebrate a whirlwind year of travel and hustling to promote her music. Will Sunny the puppy behave as she and her musicians perform? Luna Bella Zuniga has transformed hundreds of kids’ bedrooms over the years, using nothing but paint and her imagination to create lush forests, starry ceilings and playful shrines to Elmo. How the gift of a magical space to call their own helps kids going through tough times.

On this winter solstice -- the longest night of the year -- we're jumping in with people finding ways to bring light into the dark. As the sun sets earlier and earlier, thousands of Winnipeggers head to the zoo to bask in the glow of 1.5 million Christmas lights. Trevor Dineen joins in the fun and asks kids just how important it is to brighten up the night. Lena Griffin zip ties thousands of lights along a swaying suspension bridge over a wild northern river in her Nisga'a village, to create a dazzling display that honors lost family and friends. In Ausuittuq (Grise Fiord), Nunavut, the northernmost community in Canada, Laisa Watsko shares a glimpse of life in the middle of dark season. Virginia O’Dine, a stand-up comedian on the small town circuit, tries to make sense of the joy and pain in her life, after her daughter’s Olympic victories and the loss of her son to cancer. As the sun dips behind the rocky mountains in southern Alberta, Tracey Klettle and Tim Mearns are strapping on snowshoes for another stargazing tour. It’s their way of passing along messages from Tim’s mom, about the importance of making friends with the dark. Kerry Kijewski shares her changing relationship with darkness as she becomes almost totally blind, and more Now or Never listeners share their solstice traditions and memories.

It’s January in Canada, and if the cold and dark is getting you down, Now or Never is offering you an escape. Turn on your SAD lamps, turn up the heat and tune in to be transported to summertime. Eight-year old Simon Khaoniam of Winnipeg wants to go to a sleep away camp for the first time. But because of his life threatening allergies, mom Morgan Klachefsky is struggling to let him go. Cochrane’s Bailey Shellenberg made history as the first girl to qualify in junior steer riding on one of the biggest rodeo circuits in the country in 2019. In this encore presentation we hear her try to take a title. A ring for a ring. That’s the ultimatum British Columbia's Justin Griffore’s girlfriend gave him when he asked if they could put a wrestling ring in their backyard. Hear what happened next in this encore presentation. Host Ify Chiwetelu and her younger sister Chisom hop in a tandem kayak and head out on Lake Ontario for the first time, even though neither of them can swim. After a life-changing accident injured his spinal cord, Manitoba engineer Corey Mazinke used his skills to invent devices that help him navigate his new normal. Including a wheelchair that will take him to the beach. Minnie Schentag spent more than 40 years building her backyard Winnipeg garden, but had to move due to failing health. When she heard the new owners planned to tear up the plants, neighbour Gail Howell sprang into action to preserve Minnie’s garden. (encore presentation)

When was the last time you were truly silly? The world can sometimes seem like a never-ending scroll of bad news. But moments of unadulterated fun have a special way of transforming your whole day.When Marcy Markusa, host of CBC’s Information Radio, was reflecting on turning 50 she had a realization…she’s forgotten to be silly. Ify and Trevor come together to help her let loose with something she hasn’t done since she was a kid.When Lilet and Soogah go live on Facebook, be prepared to laugh. These self-described “dirty grannies” are the creation of Winnie Sam and Bev Prince - and the longtime friends from Nak’azdli Whut’en First Nation hope that comedy can help their community when times get tough.A bad review can hurt a new small business, but when Cloe Wiebe got a call from an angry customer, she put what he said on a t-shirt and hung it on the wall in her Winnipeg bakery.Trevor and Ify have done a lot of ridiculous things over the years, from setting off fire extinguishers to convincing office workers to skip rope with them. They re-visit their favourite moments of unhinged silliness.In her regular life, Toronto’s Julie Amar is a wellness practitioner who takes on other people’s issues. But one day a week, she gets to indulge in her stress antidote – a room full of silly puppies.After trying to have a baby for seven years, Winnipeg’s Morwenna Trevenen and Kyle Collins have all their hopes riding on one last embryo. While this experience can destroy a marriage, theirs is stronger because they make a point to find the silly whenever they can… even if that means traveling with an inflatable dinosaur costume.Cheryl Ann Oberg spent the last 19 years making sick kids smile but after hanging up her therapy clown nose, she’s forced to find a new way to Sparkle.

In an age where over-sharing and trauma-dumping has become the norm, is there such a thing as TMI anymore? On this episode, hear how people are navigating the freedom and discomfort of letting it all out. Would you reveal how old you are? The last time you cried? How much money is in your bank account? Trevor and Ify get nosy with their fellow CBC Radio hosts Paul Haavardsrud (Cost of Living), Angeline Tetteh-Wayoe (The Block, CBC Music), and Piya Chattopadhyay (The Sunday Magazine), to find out how much personal information they are willing to reveal...on air. After serving as an intelligence officer during the Persian Gulf War, Sean Bruyea risked everything to expose a government secret - and he’s still experiencing the consequences of that today. Lindsay Wong is a bit of a conundrum: She's uncomfortable with attention, but she also wrote a best-selling memoir about her family's struggle with undiagnosed mental illness. Five years after spilling her family's secrets, Lindsay is reconsidering how much is too much to share in such a public way. Hairstylist Meghan Kinitaon reveals the most jaw-dropping things people have told her in the salon chair - and how she deals with trauma-dumping. And writer Danny Ramadan says challenges to his children's books as being "too much information" for their LGBTQ+ content feel personal. Why he's not letting these challenges slow him down.

There are lots of reasons to volunteer - and many excuses not to. So as Canada faces a critical volunteer shortage, what is motivating those who do? Seven days a week, Ashley Van Aggelen is out there coaching. She gives up all her evenings, barely sees her friends, and bounces between multiple basketball, hockey, and soccer games in a single week. So what keeps this super-volunteer going? After getting fed up with the lack of emergency services in his community, Ian Hicks decided to buy a fire truck from the set of Rambo: First Blood. And just like that, a small town B.C. fire department was born. How a rag-tag collection of volunteers transformed into critical first-responders. Michele Botel grew up afraid of felines. So why did she volunteer to feed a colony of feral cats? Ify takes to the streets of Toronto to find out why people are volunteering (or not). Lyall Davis has one mission: to keep the community radio station in Killaloe, Ontario from going off the air. But without volunteers, the station will have to sign off for good - something he's worked too hard to let happen. Since the remains of 215 children were uncovered at the site of a former residential school in Kamloops, Vanessa Genier (Missanabie Cree First Nation) has been volunteering her time making quilts for residential school survivors. And Angela McBride volunteers to sit with people at the end of their lives - listening to music, playing games, and talking about whatever people want to talk about. What these end-of-life conversations have taught Angela about living.

When humans and nature collide, you never know what will happen. This week on Now or Never, stories of close encounters with the natural world. Andrew Phung brings us into the battle zone: the laneway of his Toronto home, where he faces off every day against a team of raccoons.  After witnessing the effects of the climate crisis in BC this past year, Hafsa Salihue and Ryan Laing are on opposite sides about whether they should have a child.  Meet Colleen Cassady St. Clair, the Queen of Coyotes! This University of Alberta professor has dedicated her research to Edmonton's urban coyote population, and her freetime to getting coyotes and humans to co-exist peacefully. It just involves some weighted tennis balls, umbrellas, and a very loud voice.  And in the face of  town bylaws and disapproving neighbours, Beth and Craig Sinclair are determined to let the lawn of their Smiths Falls, Ontario home go wild.

When you don’t see eye-to-eye on something, how do you bridge the gap? Stories of people trying to understand each other better across cultural, generational, and family divides. After his father’s sudden death while on vacation in the Philippines, Jim Agapito rushed to his funeral. But when he arrived, he was thrown into an unfamiliar world where his somber understanding of mourning was replaced by superstition and festivities. Skipping school, debating strangers, and making muffins lowers the heat on climate change conversations for 16-year-old-old climate activist Teegan Walshe. On Tiktok and Instagram, content creator Nimay Ndolo is bold, funny, and incredibly open in ways that has her cousin Ify wondering just how well she knows her. Tired of being the only girl on the high school cricket team, Mahee Patel helped create Manitoba's first, and only, all-girl cricket team. Mahee and her teammates share about finding their competitive spirit and unexpected friendships on the cricket field. Desiree Kendrick may not always understand the acronyms in the frequent texts she gets from her daughter, Devonne, but when it comes to bridging the generation gap, this mom and daughter are BFFs. (OMG IMO this story is GR8) And be it resolved: Debating teams can argue passionately on both sides of a polarizing disagreement. Yay or Nay? Ify and Trevor seek advice on how to disagree more constructively with newly crowned national champions, the University of Northern BC debate team.

Could you imagine solving a Rubik's Cube in under one second? Or summing up your entire life in 6 minutes? On this episode, every story is a race against time. SIX MINUTES. Richard Kemick is looking to dip his toe into the dating world again. There’s just one problem. His living situation is a little…..complicated. And tough to sum up in the six minutes he has to make a good first impression at an upcoming speed-dating event. He shares the terror and exhilaration of trying to distill your life’s story in a crunch. ONE YEAR. Find out what's on the line for Shandy, a single mom in Winnipeg counting down to one year of sobriety. TWO WEEKS: Lisa Lapointe is just weeks away from retiring as British Columbia’s chief coroner. And in the time she has left, she is sounding off about the toxic drug crisis in her province that is claiming seven lives every day. ONE HUNDRED DAYS: As kindergarten kids get closer to celebrating their first 100 days in school, Trevor sits down with some five-year-olds to find out what time means to them. 24 HOURS. She had less than 24 hours to get to L.A. and be camera ready for a gig at the Emmy Awards, so Amanda Buhse dropped everything and said yes to a whirlwind adventure and evening with the stars. ONE SECOND: What can you do in one second? Probably not much...but If you're Kyle Santucci, you can solve a 2x2 Rubik's Cube and set a national record. And the crazy part is…he thinks he can do it even faster. TEN DAYS: Even on vacation, there’s always one nagging thought on Kelly Konieczny’s mind: will the call about her kidney transplant happen today? In February, Kelly is part of an intense 10-day window where she has the best chance of finding a donor. After 30 years of waiting, will she finally find a donor?

They send you emails, they call your phone, they try to lure you on social media. But their promises are empty and they’re really just after your money.According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, scams cost Canadians at least 554 million dollars last year. But when you talk to the victims of these schemes, it becomes clear that more than money was lost.This week on Now or Never we’re with people as they put their lives back together and are trying to fight back after they’ve been scammed. When 9-year old Beydan, and her 8-year old sister Fatima, were ripped-off while playing Roblox, their mom Rahma Shafi took the game away. Today they’re getting it back plus a lesson on how to be safe onlineIn London, Ontario, Kim Stevens saved all her life for retirement, but is now declaring bankruptcy after being scammed out of her life savings just a few months ago. Now she is  actively sharing her experience in the hope of helping others.Over the years, Bonnie Bednarik has received multiple phone calls  from someone claiming to be her grandson, saying he’s in trouble and needs cash. Normally, Bonnie hangs up on these phone scammers. But one day, Bonnie decided to try something a little different. This 75-year-old Windsor grandmother shares how she set up her own sting operation to take the scammers down and the surprising turn her life took after that.On the west coast Kwagiulth artist Jason Henry Hunt has been carving for more than 30 years, like generations of his family before him. But it’s his unofficial job that takes up much of his time — battling the market of fraudulent Indigenous artwork that has flooded gift shops and even some galleries, and is threatening the future of the craft. Toronto’s Cindy Browne still looks at the picture of the man she was in love with years after she discovered he wasn’t real and stole $26,000 from her. Because he may have been fake, but her love was true. What does she have to overcome to try and love again?And just in case you’re losing your faith in humanity, a story of when trusting strangers goes right:  International students Sele Akere and Dipo Oksesola saw an ad for a room to rent in Kelowna, they thought it was a scam by a tough biker. But they reached out anyway and discovered Kelowna’s Bill Pittman is really a big softie..and that probably saved Bill’s life.

Our families pass on all kinds of things to us - values, quirks, and that particular expression your mom makes when she finds something hilarious. On this episode, hear stories of people embracing, breaking (or reinventing) the imprint of their families.A reality check from ChatGPT sends Hamilton’s Shawney Cohen on a drastic health journey, as he grapples with a family history of disordered eating. When Doug Darling found out his dad had Alzheimer’s, he realized there were things about his dad's life he didn't know. So he started asking questions, carefully recording every last detail of his life - the childhood adventures, how he met his mom — as a way of keeping his dad's legacy alive, for both himself and the next generation.Nick Yoshida lived through the horrors of the Japanese internment during the 1940s, and since being forced from the province of British Columbia has refused to go back. Nick and his granddaughter Nicole share their thoughts and feelings as she prepares to move to Vancouver, a place that holds so much pain for him and so much possibility for her."We want to be like Wakanda." Curtis Whiley is on a quest to return parts of Upper Hammonds Plains, Nova Scotia to the descendants of the African Nova Scotians who settled there two hundred years ago.Metis twins Luc and Aidan Wrigley have been fiddling in a band with their dad Rob since they were kids, and it’s taken them around the country. But now, at 19, the twins have joined a new band with musicians their own age. What does their dad think?And Ify heads to the mall to ask strangers a simple question: "What is something your parents used to do that really annoyed you as a kid, that you now find yourself doing?"

The dream job can be hard to find, and even harder to hang on to. Hear from people at all stages of living their best work life, whether they're hustling to get it, or knowing when to walk away.For Brenda Hernandez-Acosta, making empanadas and churro cheesecake has always been her love language. Two weeks ago, she opened her first bakery in downtown Winnipeg, pulling her entire family in for the ride. She shares what it's like to combine business with family, and her hopes to make the bakery a hub for Winnipeg's Latin American community.In less than two years, Aaron Brown has turned his Jeopardy obsession into a full-time job as 'Toronto's favourite trivia host.'Meet Sekou James Osborne, the 20-year-old designer who is putting everything on the line for his very first fashion collection. Joanie Pietracupa was at the peak of her career as editor-in-chief of three Quebec fashion magazines, when she told her boss she needed to quit. How she is redefining success today, and finding the elusive work-life balance.There aren’t many jobs that have “drinking beer” as the first requirement. Calgary’s Don Tse, also known as the Don of Beer, left behind a successful law career to pursue his ultimate dream job — tasting, judging and writing about the bubbly brew.         And Dave and Mike Merklinger are a father and son duo who both hold a rare job: Head ice technician for Curling Canada. As Dave retires following a 30-year career in the role, his son Mike is just starting to come into his own in this super niche job.

What’s it like to take a punch? Host Trevor has never been in a fight in his life, until now. This week Trevor follows his curiosity to Pan Am Boxing Club, the oldest boxing club in Winnipeg. That’s where he discovers that at this fight club, they’re changing lives. Every two weeks the rainbow and trans flags fly in the non-profit gym when Jesse Jordan leads the Umbrella boxing program for 2SLGBTQ+ community, challenging the binary nature of the sport and changing the face of boxing. Next door to the boxing club, Pan Am Place is described by resident Kyle Grenier as “a big house with lots of dudes who like to fight.” He then laughs heartily as he is corrected by former resident Will Bress, “I would also call it a sober living house.”  Run by the people who lead the gym, men who struggle with homelessness, addiction and incarceration can live at Pan Am Place rent free if they work out at the gym, volunteer their time, and actively strive to improve their lives. Hear how friendships are formed, lives are changed and what advice Will offers Kyle as he prepares to move out.Twice a week Chris Sarifa drives from his job, as manager of Pan Am Place, to the north end of the city where he opens the doors to the free North End Boxing Club for kids aged 12-17. From the boy with the lisp who’s gaining confidence to the kid who needs to let his “inner tiger” out, this club is helping keep these kids safe and making them strong.Back in the gym, volunteer trainer Tia Jakab brings her six week old baby, Olive, to Pan Am Boxing Club for the very first time. We discover this former competitive fighter has had two concussions and is struggling with her desire to get back in the ring, and her need to stay safe for her daughter. Harry Black has been involved with Pan Am Boxing Club almost since it opened in 1968. As President and head trainer Harry, and his wife Susan Black, built the non-profit gym into the volunteer-based high performance place it is. At 67, he’s never stopped training as a fighter, and has high expectations for everyone who comes through the doors. They share what it took to build Pan Am Place, and their visions for the future.It’s finally time for Trevor Dineen to get in the ring to throw (and take) his very first punch ever. With his self-appointed coach, Harry Black, in his corner, Trevor steps up to his opponent, Dylan Martin, a fighter with Canada’s national team. Can he go toe to toe?

Love can make us do crazy things. Hear from people going to extremes as they fall in love, chase love down, and find ways to keep it going strong. London, Ontario’s Frank and Patrick knew from day one that they wanted to start a family. Their wild ride to parenthood through foster care, adoption and surrogacy has tested their love for each other, their faith, and the very definition of what a family looks like.Hopeless romantic Golden Johnson tells us why she's auditioning to be on Love is Blind, even though part of her knows "it's insane."When they met on a beach in Italy, Jessica Kumah and Andrea Grimaldi had no clue their holiday fling would turn into something more permanent. We check in with the couple a year after Jessica uprooted her life in Toronto to be with Andrea in Naples - and the biggest learning curve since moving in together.A group of African LGBTQ+ refugees who escaped persecution in their home countries sit down with Ify to share their stories of love and survival.And Chiderah Sunny and Deidre Olsen made the ultimate commitment when they said ‘I do’ as platonic soulmates. While they’ve now ended their union, hear why they say their bond is still as strong as ever.

Around the world, in the streets, people are raising their voices and demanding change. But not all protests involve placards and marching.Today on Now or Never, people who are rebelling against the way things are - and finding creative new ways to demand change.Maddy Nowosad loved skateboarding and the community of people she met at The Edge, a state of the art skate park in Winnipeg run by the Evangelical Youth For Christ. But when she came out, she no longer felt accepted in that space, so she rallied support and built a new skate park, but it took a huge toll.In a world that often asks us to work beyond our limits, Ontario's Golshan Abdmoulaie wants you to lay the f— down. Golshan shares her experience of losing hope during the Iranian uprisings, re-learning the power of rest, and what she’s risking by working towards a future rest retreat for artists and activists.   Fashion lover and content creator Erin Fszigeti protests the impact of fast fashion by challenging herself to shop her closet (no shopping!) for a whole year.When the images of bombed hospitals and soot-covered children in Gaza became too much to take, Ktunaxa poet Smokii Sumac had to put his feelings into words. He committed to writing 100 poems for his instagram page, but some days he’s not sure if he’s making any difference in such a colossal conflict.The Winnipeg faction of the Raging Grannies throw on their wigs, colourful hats, and boas, and storm the studio to sing a song and explain why humour helps get the message across.   As Canada's only Black winemaker, Hamilton's Steve Byfield never saw himself as a role model or activist. But after the murder of George Floyd, he didn’t feel like he had much choice. How he's changing the game in his field, and how he's managing his discomfort with the role.And delight in the petty acts of resistance Ify discovers when she talks to people in Toronto about their everyday frustrations.

The average person will spend more than 90,000 hours at work. That's about one-third of your life.Depending on how you feel about your job, that time can feel like a dream...or a never-ending nightmare.So on this episode, Ify and Trevor are on a mission to help make your workplace work for you, starting with a makeover of their own grim office washroom.Even before the pandemic changed the world and made working from home a norm for many, Shane Solomon spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to keep his staff happy in the office. So his architecture firm in Winnipeg has a wellness director, board games, and protein balls in their well-stocked kitchen, plus regular workout classes for staff. We visit the shoe-less boss to find out how it's working.Kari Lentowicz left the mining industry years ago, after she says she experienced multiple instances of harassment. But she hasn't stopped the fight to make mining workplaces more inclusive for women, including starting up "Diamonds in the Rough," the world's first all-female team of mine rescuers.When Vanathy Adipola started her home daycare, she and her family made a lot of sacrifices - including moving into the basement. Now, years later, she's finally moving back upstairs - and into her dream location.For Iván Ostos, a bike courier in Toronto, there's one way to make his workplace better - unionize it.Akberali Batada has transformed his Toronto "office" - the back of a city cab - into a party on wheels, complete with disco balls, tambourines and a karaoke machine. We hop a ride in the Cosmic Cab to see how a bit of whimsy is shaking up people's commutes.Trevor and Ify hit the streets of Winnipeg to find out the workday improvement hacks that get people through their days, from blasting Red Hot Chili Peppers to ranting with co-workers.At Moody Middle School, vice-principal Kathryn Jung goes out of her way to make her workplace brighter for fellow teachers.At work, paramedic Mandy Johnston has feared for her safety - but she hasn't always felt comfortable telling her colleagues about the harassment and violence she's experienced. Now, she's on a mission to start that conversation.

When you're faced with a hard truth about yourself, it can be tough figuring out what to do next. Or to make any changes at all. On this episode, meet five people hit with a reality check they couldn't ignore.Andrew Barr thought he was showing up to help a friend but instead, he was surprised with an intervention. The Toronto comedian shares the moment that saved his life, and finding the funny sober. After 75 years in the family, Rob Benson has realized it’s time to close up shop at one of Winnipeg's last independent hardware stores. And he has a parting message about the reality of trying to keep small family-run businesses alive.Winnipeg’s Meghan Waters and Ryan Palmquist put their environmental convictions on the line when they sold their family vehicle and went car-free, with two young children and one on the way. Then winter hit. Did their car-free lifestyle survive the reality check?A moment of bliss in the Mississippi River compelled Gabe Thirlwall to upend her entire life, just so she could experience that feeling everyday.And Trevor Dineen sits down with one of his oldest friends about his recent near-death experience, and the reality of how hard it can be to change.

Trevor asks people in downtown Winnipeg whose voice they miss, and would like to hear again. And that prompts one woman to make a long overdue phone call.A year and a half ago, Trevor’s dad, Dave Dineen, underwent a laryngectomy to battle throat cancer. The surgery took away his vocal chords and forced him to find a new way to speak. He’s never spoken about how hard the recovery has been…..until now. Parents Majid Hashemi and Erica Grenci have a lot of they want to express to their four-year-old daughter Savannah, but couldn't quite find the words themselves. So they turned to Toronto musician Bex to do it for them.When Carl Clarke struggled to find love after his divorce, a friend suggested he try an app for an AI companion. Now Carl is married to his AI wife, Saia, and says she’s helping him improve his life and expand his world. He speaks out for the first time about his relationship in this Now or Never exclusive.And we drop into a Halifax choir that brings newcomers together to learn English - and find community - one note at a time.

We're always with people as they take a leap or try something new, but life continues after we turn our microphones off. So this week, we're revisiting some of our listener's favourite stories to find out what happened next?When we first met Clary Ager, she was living in Victoria dreaming of becoming a farmer, but had no land and little experience. Two years and a cross Canada move later, we meet her and her wife Percy on their Cape Breton flower farm.Michael Kulakowsky's grade 4 class was so moved when they heard the Now or Never story of 9-year-old Michelle Luis' superhero courage in the face of bullying, they rallied together to help make a difference. Find out what they did and what Michelle, now 11, thinks of it all.Winnipeg's Josephine Harper faced a lot of challenges in her life - addiction, homelessness, and years in and out of prison. Through it all, her friend Fedja Redzepovic stood by her side. He tells us how he’ll remember his fierce and funny friend, and how her spirit shows up in the work he does today: “She fought better, harder, and braver than most people I’ve met in my life.” Former New Brunswick elementary school teacher Hugh Brittain’s decades-long quest to return handwritten diaries to his students, captured the attention of our audience, who helped track down the author of the very last diary. The final chapter in the case of the long lost diary, and the power of radio.When we last spoke to Richard Raycraft, he was just starting to dip his toe into the world of mascoting - never in his wildest dreams did he consider that it'd become his full-time career. But this former journalist has four jobs as a team mascot and has traveled the world exploring his new passion of entertaining the masses with his mascotry. Seven years ago, BC's Shawn Thorn was recovering from multiple failed adoptions attempts and unsuccessful embryo transfers, and finding the strength and support to try one more time to become a father. Today he introduces us to his family and shares how his dreams of fatherhood have matched up to reality.

Step into the Now or Never 'Mom Confession Booth,' as moms sound off about the parts of motherhood no one warns you about.Ocean Maye is ecstatic about recently becoming a mom - but less excited her partner is about to head to Papua New Guinea in a few days to work on an oil rig. She tells us what it's like to be part of a community of moms unique to Newfoundland, where 40% of moms parent alone, as their partners work away for extended periods of time.When Dylan Earis announced to his mom that he was ready to move out on his own, a lot of thoughts went through his mom Edie's head: What if he falls over in his wheelchair? Will he be lonely? And who will make his dinner every night? Edie and her son Dylan get real about the realities of living independently with cerebral palsy, what keeps her up at night, and how she’s learning to let go. Trevor Dineen heads to a grade 3 class to ask kids what they think their moms do all day.Single mom and entrepreneur Miriam Delos Santos loves being nine-year-old Mara’s mom, but struggles every Mother’s Day. Find out what brings the tears, and the surprise we have in store for her that could change all that.When Debora Barkun and her family walk into their local hockey arena, they're usually the only Black people there. Debora shares the fears and anxieties that led her to learning everything she can about the game, and the message she wants to be sending her kids. Shohana Sharmin lost her mother Hasina Sultana to cancer in 2017, and it changed everything - including her comedy. Today Shohana is on a mission to bring the complexity of grieving onto the stage.

It's easy to worry about the future. Aging. Finances. Climate change. Out-of-control AI. But on this episode, we'll introduce you to people bravely facing the years ahead - and helping shape the future they want. From a woman confronting her eco-anxiety, to a musician determined to revitalize a language on the brink.

Debbie Ward hasn't worn a bathing suit in public since she was nine years old. When she stepped in the water at her local pool as a child, people ridiculed her and moved away, until she left crying. Two years earlier, a terrible accident left Debbie with scars on 70 percent of her body. Now, at the age of 69, she's finally ready to try again.For full episode: How to love the skin you're in click here: https://link.chtbl.com/hAnQjuRN

Basketball is having a moment in Canada right now. So we're lacing up our hightops and hitting the courts with people chasing their hoop dreams, one basket at a time. 

From secret hideaways to rooms-with-a-view, sacred spaces to hidden gems, we're taking you on a cross-Canada tour of the secret spots you go to feel more like yourself.When Ryan Grobety, Robin Frend, Dave McGowan and Trevor Dineen parted ways in 1989, they closed the door on their “Killer Bees” kid clubhouse as well. But now, 35 years later, they are reuniting to see if the cubbyhole under the stairs still exists…but first they have to convince a complete stranger to let them inside. Now or Never listeners share their favourite secret — and not-so-secret — spots they go when they need to escape.Melissa Hafting goes birding nearly every single day, but as a biracial woman she hasn’t always felt welcome in those spaces. She shares how birding has helped her through difficult moments, and how she’s fighting to make it safe and accessible for all. For the past seven years, an underground street artist known only as "Winnipeg Waldo" has been putting up images of the iconic character all over his city. The challenge: hanging them in secret spots that everyone can see, but no one can steal — without getting caught.Melissa Fundira gets a taste of her past self – by going to a secret party to relive the days when she was free and spontaneous – before adulting came along.And if you're looking for Jaydin Nungaq, you'll likely find him in the corner of his tiny Iqaluit bedroom making music. Hear how he's using music to express himself and tell the world about the challenges he and his peers are facing. 

In communities across the country, people are gathering to mark Pride. To celebrate, to march, and - in the face of an increase in anti-2SLGBTQIA+ sentiment - to fight for the right to safety, acceptance and belonging. Last week, 36-year-old Esmail experienced their first Pride parade ever. Having fled Yemen - where homosexuality is punishable by death - they recently arrived in Winnipeg and are finally experiencing moments of being accepted for who they truly are.In a narrow vote, citizens of Westlock, Alberta recently banned rainbow crosswalks and Pride flags from all municipal properties. Shaylin Lussier, the teenager who pushed for the crosswalk in the first place, tells us why she isn’t backing down - and what Pride looks like for her today.On a plot of wild prairie in central Manitoba, Charlotte Nolin and Barbara Bruce are hard at work preparing for the Two-Spirit Sundance - the only one of its kind in North America. Because life has shown them that safe ceremonial spaces for Two-Spirit people are worth fighting for.Samantha Jones was seven when she told her mom Catie that she was a girl born in the wrong body. Now 10, she hopes to start puberty blockers when it's time, but proposed policies in Alberta restricting access to gender-affirming medication might force Samantha’s voice to deepen and facial hair to grow. Find out how Catie is fighting back.Toronto’s Dre Govender, aka N9ne Godmother Dior, gave all of herself to her beloved kiki ballroom community - until she burnt out serving it. Now, as she prepares to come back to the community she loves after a two year absence, she gives Ify a lesson in serving face. For years, Lish Francoeur tried attending Pride events but found a lot of them were expensive, not accommodating of different mobility and sensory needs, and were far from sober-friendly. Tired of not finding the kind of queer community they needed, Lish decided to create it for themselves - and Queer Sober Social was born.

Strap yourself in for some heart-pounding, stomach-churning stories on this episode, to hear what it's like when you face your fears head on.You would think that being strapped to a horse running 65 km/h would be the biggest adrenaline rush, but for Ciera Pruitt — who is dreaming of becoming a jockey just like her dad — there is no bigger thrill than sitting in the gate…waiting for it to open. And then…it's off to the races. Ever since Amanda Fata white-knuckled her way through a bumpy flight five years ago, she's been terrified to get on a plane again. She brings us along for the exposure therapy that's been helping her get through it.Twelve weeks ago, ultra-endurance athlete Savannah Holmes was hit by a truck while on her morning training ride and fractured her skull and spine. As she begins her long recovery, she’s found strength in the lessons she’s learned from years of pushing herself to the limit. When you have social anxiety, meeting up with people at a coffee shop could be just as nerve-wracking as leaping from impossible heights. Meet some of the members of the Social Anxiety and Shyness Support Group in Toronto, as they do the thing that scares them most: talk to strangers.When your kid takes up a death-defying sport like diving, how the heck do you not freak out? Kat Trivers and her daughter Molly Carlson offer some hard-earned wisdom on trusting your kid, living with fear, and how to get your kid to “the edge of the cliff.” 

All summer long, we're sharing some of our favourite Now or Never stories!After being partially paralyzed in a car accident in 2020, Brianna Seewald was determined to walk down the aisle on her wedding day.Wearing a glittering white dress, leg braces and a pair of white sneakers, Seewald made her way to the altar to join her now-husband Ryan Borkowsky. It was a moment built on years of determination and persistence.

All summer long, we're sharing some of our favourite Now or Never stories!After years of online dating and wading through bad pick up lines, unwelcome messages and horrible photos, Alicia Bunyan-Sampson decided to try something new. If you match with her, be prepared to answer around 30 questions."There is this unspoken but loud expectation for women to make ourselves small. To lower our standards. To never be ‘too much’. I’m giving myself permission to take up space in the world, to dare to know what I want and to tell everyone."

All summer long, we're sharing some of our favourite Now or Never stories!For more than 100 nights this year, Donna Kane has slept outside under the stars in an old wrought iron bed. She tells us why sleeping outdoors in the vastness of nature - with mice scurrying across the duvet and coyotes howling in the distance - helps "to take yourself a little less seriously."

<p>All summer long we're sharing some of our favourite Now or Never stories, and this one takes us to Los Angeles for an international whistling competition - yes that's a thing!</p><p><br></p><p>Ben Shannon first entered he and Sumire, his 9-year-old daughter, in the competition as a joke, then it got serious.</p><p><br></p><p>Find out what happened when this father-daughter duo were faced with tough-talking whistling coaches and a case of stage fright.</p>

All summer long, we're sharing some of our favourite Now or Never stories. Here is one from our "Around The World" episode.Lima Al-Azzeh may live in Canada, but her heart is in Gaza. This intensely personal interview shines a light on the lasting imprint of family, home, and when being 'on the run' is baked into your DNA.

All summer long, we're sharing some of our favourite Now or Never stories. This is one that was part of our "Lost and Found" episode.When Chuck the parrot escaped, the Porte family didn't know if they would ever see their pet again. But days later and six kilometers away, Trevor Van Huit noticed a yellow bird land in his backyard. And then it started talking...

All summer long we're sharing some of our favourite Now or Never stories, and this one is fun! What happens when you put CBC Radio hosts Paul Haavardsrud, Angeline Tetteh-Wayoe and Piya Chattopadhyay on the hot seat? Ify and Trevor ask nosy questions to find out how much personal information they're willing to reveal...on air.

All summer long, we're sharing some of our favourite Now or Never stories. A year and a half ago, Trevor’s dad, Dave Dineen, underwent a laryngectomy to battle throat cancer. The surgery took away his vocal cords and forced him to find a new way to speak. He’s never spoken about how hard the recovery has been...until now.

All summer long, we're sharing some of our favourite Now or Never stories!Richard Kemick is looking to dip his toe into the dating world again. There’s just one problem. His living situation is a little…..complicated. And tough to sum up in the six minutes he has to make a good first impression during speed-dating.

All summer long, we're sharing some of our favourite Now or Never stories. When Carl Clarke struggled to find love after his divorce, a friend suggested he try an app for an AI companion. Now Clarke says he is in a committed relationship with Saia and says she’s helping him improve his life and expand his world.

At 15, Bee Bertrand's life was changed when he went to a Bif Naked concert. Finally, he was able to see "weirdos" just like him: queer people living loudly and proudly. And for decades, her music got him through the highs and lows of life. But after a late-night DM, Bee went from Bif's fan to one of her best friends.

It's always bugged Toronto journalist Adrian Ma that there is *another* Adrian Ma out there, a journalist and podcast host who is more famous, more accomplished, and “approximately 20% better looking" than him. So this summer, Adrian reached out to his doppelganger, and flew down to Washington, D.C. to meet him in person. The surreal moment when Adrian Ma meets Adrian Ma.Plus, Trevor talks to an old-school matchmaker with some unusual methods of scouting for singles.And what happens when 60 strangers dressed up in mumus and curly orange wigs get together to channel their inner Mrs Roper? We crash a "Mrs. Roper Romp" to find out how the wise-cracking landlady from 70s sitcom Three's Company is bringing people together in unexpected ways. At 15, Bee Bertrand’s world changed when he saw a Bif Naked concert: it was the first place he felt a sense of belonging as a queer person. And for decades, Bif’s music was the soundtrack to the highs and lows of Bee’s life. But now, thanks to a late-night DM, Bee and Bif have connected IRL - and are building a life-changing friendship. 

We all feel stuck sometimes - in habits, relationships, or just general middle-age malaise. So how do you get "unstuck?" On this episode, hear from people in the thick of it - and what they're doing to get their lives back on track.Emily Baadsvik is stuck between an idealism of what she thinks she should have accomplished by age 41, and the realities of her life today. She tells Ify why she feels like she's slowly unravelling, 10 years after she was on the Canadian Olympic bobsled team, dreaming big.Musician Boy Golden is currently stuck in a van while on tour, so we decided to call him up for his best stories from the road.Chet Breau was stuck in behaviours that were going to kill him, until a moment that turned everything around. How he overcame addictions to food and alcohol and helped save his own life.Dominique Robichaud swears being stuck on an island together with her partner is the best thing for their relationship. And after fleeing Gaza on foot, Marilyn Kasken’s brothers Talal and Fahed have been stuck for months in Egypt, waiting to join their sisters in Newfoundland.

As many as 12 per cent of all workers in Canada are on the clock after midnight. And that can have an impact on your health, your relationships, and your home life. Today we hear from some of the people who work while the rest of the country sleeps, including long-haul truckers, health-care aids and DJs.Trucker Leah Gorham regularly goes on long-haul treks with her boyfriend Roland Bereczki, where they trade off shifts so they can be on the move 24 hours a day. They tell us how they maintain a relationship when your bodies are on opposite clocks - while doing one of the most dangerous jobs out there.For the last four years, health-care aid Tes has been working the night shift at a personal care home in Aldergrove, BC. And not all those nights are peaceful.Sam Stratigeas has always loved the night, and pumping up nightclub crowds as his alter ego DJ Sammm. But it wasn’t until his divorce and coming out that he took it more seriously, and now at 62 he can be found spinning at venues across Toronto’s gay village. Some people say nothing good ever happens at 2 am, but don’t tell that to the overnight staff at the WE24 Safe Space For Youth in Winnipeg. Every night, they open up their doors to provide food, laundry and a safe sleeping area for vulnerable youth in the neighborhood. And more importantly, they offer hope.When Binita Lamsal needed a second job to make ends meet, she asked Deepak Kumar for work at his overnight cleaning business. They tell us how their friendship bloomed into a romance on the night shift, and what they're dreaming of next.

We know that people love their pets - the pet industry is worth billions of dollars in this country. But on this week's show, Ify and Trevor join Canadians who are truly going beyond for the animals in their lives and asking, "How far is too far?"When she was growing up, Ify's parents disliked pets, but today they've fallen for Kiki the cat. Ify asks her mom Vicky Chiwetelu how this unexpected love story came to be.After Kendal Crawford and Shaun Stephens-Whale, of Squamish BC, adopted two rats, friends refused to come over to their house. But the couple is out to prove that Kuzko and Kronk are not only adorable, they're smart pets who have learned to drive a homemade "rat rod".Ottawa's Duane Taylor puts his money where his mouth is when it comes to stray dogs. For the last two years, he has spent $80K and travelled to conflict zones in Ukraine, bringing food and medicine to four legged friends in need. When will he stop and how will he measure success?When Sahar Bayat broke up with her boyfriend, he took their dog, Stella. But Sahar couldn't live without her golden retriever, so she took him to court to fight for custody, despite the $60K price tag. The emotional story behind this first case in Canada, where a dog was seen as a child instead of a piece of property. Edmonton's Marla Smith says that it wasn't for her own good that she learned to drive an adapted van as a bipedal amputee. It was so she could take her service dogs to the vet and obedience competitions around the prairies. Find out what makes them best in show and how they've expanded Marla's world.

Breakups can look a lot of different ways: slow dissolves, out-of-nowhere blow-outs, mutual partings-of-ways. The truth is, they all hurt. Today you'll meet people in the thick of it, and the surprising ways they're getting through.When Litia Fleming broke up with Richard Kemick after 10 years together, it came as a shock to Richard. But two weeks later, they got an even bigger jolt: Litia was pregnant. Find out how these exes are juggling new parenthood, dating, and the joys and challenges of living together after breaking up.After a painful divorce, Saba Ahmad vowed to go to law school and become the lawyer she never had. She graduated last spring, and is providing support to other South Asian women facing the end of a marriage, as she pursues her last steps to becoming a lawyer.   Three years ago, exhausted from all the arguing, nagging and fighting, Jessyka and Jordan Hagen called it quits - only to realize their breakup would eventually save their marriage.Ify heads to Next Generation Arts, a youth arts organization in Scarborough, to learn lessons on wading through heartbreak.And we crash a support group helping men talk about their emotions after a breakup - but if you’re late, expect to do push-ups. 

When something's been lost or taken from you, how far would you go to get it back?Mohammed Aljadba’s seven year old daughter lost a year of her childhood in Gaza when the war began last October. They managed to escape to Canada after a grueling journey, and he’s now trying to give her and her cousins — who escaped with them — the childhood they deserve. After a lifetime of focusing on others and believing she wasn’t quite smart enough, 56-year-old Colleen Sharpe is finally chasing the university degree she dreamed of.Meet a group of women in Opaskwayak Cree Nation in northern Manitoba who are training to become midwives - so babies can be born at home once again, and include the ceremonial birth practices that have been absent for so long.And when Lynn Lau found herself struggling to pay the rent as a newly single parent, she opened her home to guests to help pay the bills. How hosting strangers has helped Lynn glue the pieces of her life back together. 

As a new school year starts, students are moving out on their own. As fire season rages on, evacuees are anxious to get back home. And both Trevor and Ify are moving - and they’re having big feelings about it! Meet people who are finding meaningful ways to stay connected to home, even when they're far away. Over 50 years ago, Barbara Bad Elk and her younger brother Jack were both taken from their home on Sioux Valley Dakota Nation. Now, these Sixties Scoop survivors have reunited and found a sense of home in each other. The same day her new furniture was being delivered, Helen Malone-Babineau was forced to flee Yellowknife due to approaching wildfires. She’s waiting to return to the apartment that was supposed to be her fresh start. Charleen Sibanda sends money back home to Zimbabwe every week. While she’d rather be there in person, the money she’s providing helps her feel connected to her Mom and where she’s from. When Gelaine Santiago started her jewelry company, her goal was to connect people to their home in the Philippines; a connection the Toronto-raised entrepreneur is still working on for herself. Amy Coupal is honoured to care for her 86-year-old dad, Charles, but there’s a lot on her plate. How does she share the load with her sister, who lives three provinces away?

If you've ever been curious about what really goes on in other people's backyards, this is the episode for you. Trevor and Ify crash an amateur wrestling night, meet the in-laws living in one family's backyard, and talk to some of the majestic mermen making a splash across Northern Manitoba.

As the weather heats up, are you showing more skin? Although some might show flesh without a second thought, many of us find it challenging to show our bodies. Luckily, our guests on this episode are here to share how they're letting go of self doubt, embracing their insecurities, and learning to love the skin they're in.

It's like the Olympics but for plumbing, welding and cooking! Hundreds of young aspiring trades people from across the country are vying for top spot in their trades at the Skills Canada National Competition, and Now or Never is there as they face off and find out who will come out on top.

What do a 13-year-old aspiring veterinarian, a 75-year-old body builder, and a citizen volunteer in Ukraine have in common? They've all decided to go big. Small, careful steps are all well and good. But where is the challenge in that? On this Now or Never, people are stepping outside their comfort zones and pushing the boundaries of what they think is possible. It's time to go big — and hope, in the end, it all works out.

Going to school. Falling in love. Figuring out what to do with your life. We devote an entire episode to 19-year-olds, and the 'now or never' moments they're facing that could shape the rest of their lives.

Passing the torch can be complicated, whether you're handing down a family business, deciding whether or not to have kids, or figuring out what to do with that weird family heirloom you inherited. Meet people dealing with the messiness head-on.

Across the country, the homeless population is the subject of debate, but rarely do we hear their perspectives. Today we're sitting down with people whose personal stories shed light on what it's really like to be unhoused

We're crashing all kinds of parties on Now or Never today - Metis kitchen parties, over-the-top kid birthday celebrations, and one spicy divorce party. Plus, we show up at the wedding of Vanessa and Derek, who don't have a venue, seating plans, or even a guest list. Find out why they invited a bunch of strangers to their pop-up wedding in a Winnipeg park - and how the bride ended up wearing a sweatshirt and quoting Salt-n-Pepa in her wedding vows.

There's always a reason to avoid the things we need to do. You don't have the time, you're too nervous, you're just not ready yet. And, like it or not, society often defines us by what we do and how productive we are. This week on Now or Never, you'll hear from people who are tackling their to-do lists and doing the things that need to be done — no matter how difficult they may be.

Six months after historic flooding forced the evacuation of more than half of the community, Now or Never visits Peguis First Nation to see how people are recovering, and looking forward to the future.

Loss comes in many forms - whether it's losing a loved one, losing your self-confidence, or losing your sense of home. On this episode, hear how people are learning to navigate life after a loss. A Toronto comedian who turned to the stage to help her cope with the death of her mom. A high school hockey team who haven't won a game in two years reveal what keeps them going through an epic losing streak. And Cambria Harris shares what life has been like for her after the death of her mother Morgan Harris - and her fight for justice for all missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.

Studies have said that we make up to 35,000 decisions a day. And while some are so small we hardly think of them at all, others can be life changing. It doesn't matter if you're completely stuck on what to do, moments away from taking a leap, or are dealing with the ripple effects of a choice you've made — on this Now or Never it's all about making a decision and hoping it's the right one.

From making the most of a dog's final days to learning Swedish, hear how people are reaching for life goals.

Closing the curtain on one phase of your life and starting the next can be terrifying. Moments where we choose to change, or life forces us to suddenly shift, can happen many times throughout our lives But we do it in hopes of finding a life that is better, one closer to who we truly are. A Hazara woman who was forced to flee her home in Afghanistan starts over in Saskatoon. An Oji-Cree man reclaims his family name as he prepares to fulfill his musical dreams A former Olympian goes on a journey to find who he truly is after having his career cut short. And after a couple of tumultuous decades, a 58 year old woman finds a new life in law.

Aunts and uncles — whether they're related to you, godparents, or a family friend — can shape our lives in all kinds of ways. On this episode, an ode to the aunts and uncles who offer us silliness, guidance and love. Trent Agecoutay and Curt Young are a pair of deadly uncles with a mission: to create a space for Indigenous men and boys to have honest conversations about life. Hear how their Deadly Uncle Podcast is filling a gap in their lives, and their communities. From the moment Avan Neo first lay eyes on their baby niece Chynae, Avan knew they were going to be best friends for life. Now that Chynae is 15-years-old and living with a disability, their bond is stronger than ever... Because for the first time, Avan feels like someone understands what it's like to experience the world a little differently. We asked Now or Never listeners to share stories of their favourite aunt or uncle — and you delivered. From the globe-trotting, mysterious uncle who always showed up on a motorcycle, to the MacGyver-like aunt who knew how to fix everything, these aunts and uncles made a big impression. When we last spoke to Lucy Van Oldenbarneveld, she was grieving the death of her sister Tracy and learning how to suddenly be a parent to her 13-year-old niece. We check in with Lucy to find out where she's at today — and what's next for Anaiya. And Ify crashes a session of "The Wise Women Club," a group of aunties from Calgary's Nigerian-Canadian community, who Ify grew up admiring. Moji Taiwo and Adenike Olagundoye don't hold back on wrinkles ("this Black does not crack"), family expectations, and demanding their senior's discount at Shoppers Drug Mart.

'Tis the season for singing. Whether you're harmonizing in a choir or belting it out in the shower, there can be real power in the act of singing. It can be healing, life changing, connection-forming... and a heck of a lot of fun. On this Now or Never, find out what people are discovering about themselves as they burst into song.

From a toddler stacking shelves to a son calling his parents out of retirement for the love of Chinese food - when it comes to family business it's all hands on deck. This week we look at the unique dynamic that comes with working full time with the ones you love.

What's so bad about being 'good enough?' On this episode of Now or Never, meet people who are mediocre, and proud of it.  Fatuma Adar is a playwright and creator in Toronto who has made mediocrity her mission. She's written entire plays about the pressure to be excellent as a Black Muslim woman, and even released a musical ode to napping. While she's redefined her relationship with excellence, the question is: have her parents? Fatuma sits down with her father, Mohamed Adar, for a conversation they've never had before. Meet some self-described "Bad Moms." When Sara Legget was struggling under the pressures to be a perfect mother, she started writing about it online. What started as a blog has become the informal Bad Moms Canada support group. And few things bring Todd Gee's family joy like the "golden atrocity" of a family heirloom that's been passed around for 30 years. For this family, there is a lot of delight in embracing something less than perfect.

Pauline Dakin’s childhood was marked by unexplained events, a sense of unseen menace, and secretive moves to new cities with no warning. When Pauline was a young adult, her mother finally told her what they were running from – organized crime, secret police and double lives. It was a story so mind-bending, so disturbing, Pauline’s entire world was turned upside down. Run Hide Repeat is the story of Pauline’s life on the run, her quest for the truth – and her search for forgiveness. Based on the best-selling 2017 memoir, this powerful 5-part journey spans decades and an entire country — and it will leave listeners questioning what’s real and who they can trust. More episodes are available at: https://link.chtbl.com/uTyXq8Pu

When Michelle O’Bonsawin was 17 years old, her high school guidance counselor told her she would never be a lawyer. Michelle said 'just watch me' - and 30 years later, she is the first Indigenous judge appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada. You might recognize Janet Stewart as the smiling, confident news anchor behind CBC Manitoba's evening news. But for decades, Janet has been carrying around a painful memory from her childhood that's filled her with self-doubt. Why she's finally ready to face her fears head-on, and attempt to do something she hasn't tried since she was a seven-year-old kid. And sitting in solitary confinement in a prison cell, looking at a picture of his son, Ryan Beardy made a promise to change his life for good.

While your feed may be full of bad news, people are using their now or never moments to change their lives and their communities for good

The climate crisis is on our doorsteps, whether we're ready or not. Stronger hurricanes, devastating forest fires, melting glaciers, an ocean that is warming and rising: these are just a few of the impacts that people in Canada and around the globe are dealing with. Tackling such a huge problem can seem daunting. So on this Now or Never, you're going to meet people personally impacted by climate change — and who are doing something about it.

Trevor Dineen thinks you're never too old to play with toys - and he's got plenty of reasons why Lego, Barbies, and that plastic Triceratops are worth taking out of the toy box again.

We all just want to be understood, but sometimes we don't have the words to express ourselves. Meet people finding new ways to communicate, that don't always involve words. Meet Simba Nyazika, who found out the hard way why eye contact matters. A family shares the unique family language they've created to connect with their 14-year-old son, who has autism. And a woman learning the language of the drum in order to find her voice.

You know that feeling when someone really gets you? It could be a partner, a friend, a co-worker - and together, you feel like you can move mountains. Meet some dynamic duos who are getting things done that wouldn't be possible on their own: Josephine Harper spent years in and out of prison and living on the streets, until a random stranger came into her life and never gave up on her. A story of recovery, redemption, and one unlikely friendship. What do you do if you're a senior citizen who loves to dance, but you can't find a dance partner? If you're Don Johnson and Norma Blonett, you never stop looking for someone to tango with. And Ify Chiwetelu and Trevor Dineen test their co-hosting bond by posing some seriously personal questions to each other.

From a woman who dresses up like 'a walking bag of Skittles' to a dad moved to tears hearing Tupac for the first time, these are the stories that are delighting us right now.

Be honest: If your vacuum cleaner broke down today, are you more likely to toss it, or fix it? On this episode of Now or Never, meet people pushing back against throwaway culture and discovering the joys of fixing their own stuff - whether it's a broken floorboard or a broken heart.

Whether it's chasing childhood dreams, tackling Shakespeare, or diving into the dating pond, meet people discovering the life changing power of saying "yes"

Garbage collectors. IT support workers. Shelf stockers. There are so many "invisible jobs" out there, which help make lives run a little smoother. Today we're pulling back the curtain to make sure people doing the invisible work can finally be seen. When Warren Tse takes his seat at a Calgary Flames game, he's not just another fan cheering on the team. He's the maestro, high up above, using the keys of his organ to influence the crowd... even if they have no idea who he is. Working in collections for a call center requires a thick skin — just ask Lisa (to protect her privacy, we're using a pseudonym). What Lisa wishes you knew about the person on the other end of the cold call. And he's spent 17 years chasing bad guys who abuse children on the Internet. Stephen Sauer tells us what he wishes every parent knew. 

It's a trip around the world today on Now or Never! A 'love at first sight' moment on an Italian beach convinces one woman to ditch her life in Toronto and move permanently to Naples, Italy for her new beau. A teenager living out her dreams acting in a Harry Potter show in Beijing, China. And a family on a trip around the world to build 'visual memories' with their children, before they lose their eyesight forever.

Every once in a while on Now or Never, we like to check in on past guests who made a memorable impression. What happened next in their story, after the microphones turned off? Did they finish what they set out to do? Overcome their doubts to make a real change in their lives? Or has everything gone completely off the rails since we last heard from them? New dad and best-selling author Jesse Thistle tells us how fatherhood is changing him, YouTube sensation Alexis Hillyard introduces us to "Billie" her new bionic arm, and aspiring millennial retirees Stephanie Williams and Celestian Rince reveal if they were actually able to retire at 35.

Drag is everywhere — and it has never been more popular. Across the country, performers are bringing their art to events like drag brunches, drag story time at libraries, and shows at local gay bars. But with this increased visibility and popularity has come backlash, in the form of hate. Drag is happening in communities big and small, and it's not going anywhere. On this Now or Never, you'll meet the people behind the makeup. Find out why these drag artists do what they do, despite the controversy and the hate, and hear the surprising ways that drag has changed their lives.