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.

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.”

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.”

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.

Richard Linklater (Dazed and Confused, Slacker, School of Rock) takes you back to the space race era with his film, “Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood.” It's an animated period piece that's steeped in ‘60s nostalgia, but also speaks to our world today. He joined Tom when the film first came out to talk about growing up by the NASA space station, what it meant to have a “free-range” childhood, and how it inspired “Apollo 10½.”

Jimmy Carter (NOT the 39th U.S. president) is a legendary gospel singer and co-founder of The Blind Boys of Alabama. The group has been around for decades and they’ve just released their first album in six years, “Echoes of the South,” which is also the title of the first radio show they ever appeared on in the mid-1940s. Jimmy tells Tom about his love of gospel, what it was like touring in the south during segregation, and the advice he’d give to young musicians as he’s just retired at 91 years old.

Afie Jurvanen, also known as Bahamas, talks to Tom about his new album, “Bootcut,” how he makes time to be creative, and the story behind his song, “Nothing Blows My Mind.”

For 60 years, Marcia Griffiths has left an indelible mark on Jamaican music, often being called the Queen of Reggae. She sat down with Tom to talk about her incredible career in music, being one of Bob Marley’s I-Threes, and how she’s feeling about being honoured with the Order of Jamaica.

The Rolling Stones are back with “Hackney Diamonds,” the band’s first album of original material in 18 years. In a Canadian exclusive interview, frontman Mick Jagger talks to Tom about the record, the changing music industry and losing their drummer Charlie Watts.

When Leslie Jones was in her late 40s, her brother — the last remaining member of her nuclear family — died. Leslie says that experience taught her to stop caring about whether or not people laughed at her jokes, and inspired her to become a more daring comic. In her new memoir, “Leslie F*cking Jones,” she details her journey to becoming a household name — the early days growing up in Memphis, the sense of identity she discovered in comedy, and her time as a writer and cast member on Saturday Night Live. She joined Tom to talk about the stories in her memoir, the advice she got from Jamie Foxx that changed her comedy career, and how she ended up on Saturday Night Live.

Bernie Taupin, who wrote lyrics for Elton John’s biggest hits, has never chased the limelight. But in his new memoir, “Scattershot,” the Grammy-winning songwriter opens up. Bernie joins Tom to share how his love of music started, his memories of working with Elton, and what he credits for their unbreakable bond.

Creators and cousins Mariko and Jillian Tamaki return this fall for their third publication together — a graphic novel called “Roaming,” which centres around three friends on a trip to New York in 2009. Tom speaks with Mariko and Jillian about illustrating the city that never sleeps, how they went from rarely seeing each other as kids to becoming successful collaborators, and what inspired their latest project.

Nicole Byer has made a living talking to people and being funny. She’s so good at it, she’s got three podcasts, two TV shows and a current Emmy nomination for hosting the reality show “Nailed It!” Now, somehow, Nicole has also found the time to take her stand-up on the road. She talks to Tom about growing up as a hyperactive kid, how having ADHD has helped her comedy career, and what you can expect at her show at this year's Just For Laughs.

Some of Alison Leiby’s most popular and transformational comedy has stemmed from an unwanted pregnancy. She tells Tom why she wanted to write about her experience with abortion in her one-woman show, “Oh God, A Show About Abortion,” which is currently at Just For Laughs in Toronto. Plus, Polaris Prize-winning Quebecois band Karkwa disappeared for 13 years. Now, they’ve decided it’s time to make new music and have just released a new album “Dans la seconde.” Keyboardist and songwriter François Lafontaine tells Tom where they’ve been and why they’ve decided to come back.

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 notable rock and pop hits that each represent a special childhood memory for Elisapie. She joins Tom to talk about the “healing journey” she's been on by reclaiming some of her most painful childhood memories through song.

It’s been 40 years since Talking Heads’ seminal concert film “Stop Making Sense” was released. Now, the film has been entirely restored and re-released in theatres. In a rare conversation, all four members of Talking Heads join Tom in studio to share some stories from the making of the film, what drew them together in the early days, and where the idea for the famous “big suit” came from.

Few vocalists in heavy metal are as recognizable as Corey Taylor, the lead singer of the band Slipknot. Corey talks to Tom about his brand new solo album, “CMF2,” what he credits for Slipknot’s longevity, and what the band members’ terrifying masks gave to them as artists.

At the height of lockdown there was a titanic struggle between power brokers on Wall Street and little retail investors — a battle that could be summed up in one word: GameStop. Director Craig Gillespie tells the story behind the infamous scandal in his new film, “Dumb Money.” He joins Tom to talk about his personal connection with it and why it felt urgent to get this story out now.

The new CBC miniseries “Bones of Crows” tells the multi-generational story of one family’s experience with Canada’s residential school system and their quest for justice. Tom speaks with writer, producer and director Marie Clements about adapting the series from the 2022 film of the same name, how nearly everyone on the cast and crew has a relative that went to residential school, and why telling this story feels like “sacred work.”

A few years ago, Canadian filmmaker Jonathan Lawrence spent some time researching the world of conversion therapy, and what he discovered became the backdrop for his first television series, “Alter Boys.” Jonathan tells Tom how he wants the series to be an examination of queer friendships, love and community.Plus, Jayli Wolf tells the story behind her song “Welcome Child” off her new EP, “God is an Endless Mirror.”

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.

New York Times bestselling YA author and champion slam poet Elizabeth Acevedo has written her first novel for adult readers, “Family Lore.” The story follows one Dominican-American family, as told through the voices of its women, as they await a gathering that will forever change their lives. Elizabeth talks to Tom about the book, how her family inspired the story, and how being a teacher influences her work as a writer.

Following the success of her award-winning novels “Half-Blood Blues” and “Washington Black,” acclaimed writer Esi Edugyan is back with her first children's book, “Garden of Lost Socks.” Esi tells Tom the laundry-related story that inspired her book, how it feels to write for kids after writing two research-heavy novels, and how she looks back on the childhood she had in comparison to her children’s.

You might know Neve Campbell from films like “Scream” and TV shows like “Party of Five,” but before Hollywood, her first love was ballet. Now, Neve is the executive producer for a documentary called “Swan Song” about legendary ballet dancer Karen Kain’s final performance. Neve joins Tom to talk about her love of dance, what it was like to meet and celebrate one of her first idols, and what makes ballet a great form of storytelling.

For his latest album, “Unreal Unearth,” Irish singer-songwriter Hozier looked to the nine circles of hell for inspiration. More specifically, “Dante’s Inferno.” Hozier talks to Tom about the new record and the resonance of his biggest hit, “Take Me to Church,” in 2023.Plus, Fawn Parker is a writer whose novel “What We Both Know” was longlisted for the Giller Prize in 2022. Now, she returns with her debut poetry collection, “Soft Inheritance.” Fawn tells Tom how her mother’s journey with cancer inspired the collection of poems. She also reads one of her poems, “Woof.”

Photographer Edward Burtynsky discusses his biggest project yet, In the Wake of Progress, which highlights the ways humanity impacts the planet. Musician Alan Doyle talks about his new musical, Tell Tale Harbour, and the Quebecois film it's based on.

Director John Carney (Sing Street, Once) talks to Tom about his new film, “Flora and Son,” what that moment feels like when you know you’re ‘creating something great,’ and how his best instincts paid off when he came up with the idea for his film “Once.”

David Ruben Piqtoukun is a Governor General's Award-winning Inuvialuk sculptor whose work channels the stories he's heard from Inuit elders and others in his community. His major exhibition “Radical Remembrance” highlights 50 pieces in honour of the 50 years he’s spent sculpting and stone carving. David talks to Tom about the exhibition, sculpting as a form of storytelling, and how his residential school experience felt like an “education in forgetting.”

James Ungalaq’s ground-breaking band Northern Haze is widely known for recording the first Indigenous-language rock album in North America back in 1985. Now in his late 50s, James is releasing his first ever solo album. James tells Tom what it was like making music in the remote hamlet of Igloolik, the bands he listened to growing up, and how he feels about retiring.

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.”

Grant Singer has directed music videos for everyone from Sam Smith to The Weeknd to Lorde. Now, Grant’s first feature film, “Reptile,” starring Benicio del Toro and Justin Timberlake, is available on Netflix. Grant joins Tom to talk about his greatest influences, how shooting a music video is like writing a short story, and the “fun” of deception in his new film.

Emma Donoghue’s new novel has been decades in the making. “Learned by Heart” tells the story of two young teenagers, Anne Lister and Eliza Raine, who fall in love at their boarding school in England in 1805. Except these characters aren’t that of fiction — they actually existed. Emma tells Tom about when she first discovered the story, how Anne Lister changed her life, and how it feels to finally finish this novel.

Carolyn Taylor is a Canadian actor, comedian, writer and director. She’s not, however, a choreographer or figure skater. But that didn’t stop her on her quest to choreograph a full-length pairs figure skating routine to “I Have Nothing” by Whitney Houston. In Carolyn’s new series of the same name, she sets out to make her dream come true with the help of some of Canada’s most celebrated Olympic figure skaters. Carolyn talks to Tom about the moment she came up with the idea, pursuing your dreams (regardless of the pushback), and facing fear head-on.

Anil Kapoor is the producer of the new Hindi sex-positive comedy “Thank You for Coming,” which had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival last month. The acclaimed Indian actor drops by to tell Tom about the challenges of working with family, the differences between Bollywood and Hollywood, and how Slumdog Millionaire changed the course of his acting career.

When Patrick Stewart was first cast as Captain Jean-Luc Picard on the hit TV series “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” the Los Angeles Times referred to him as “an unknown British Shakespearean actor.” But it didn’t take long for him to become a household name. Sir Patrick has just released a memoir, “Making It So,” about his life in acting. He joins Tom to talk about it and share stories from his career.

At this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, the best Canadian feature film award went to “Solo,” directed by Sophie Dupuis. Sophie tells Tom why she chose to tell a coming-of-age story in Montreal’s vibrant drag scene, and how building a queer community around the film's creation helped it not only be more authentic, but also helped her find confidence in her queer identity.

Two-time Oscar winner Tom Hanks (Forrest Gump, Philadelphia, A League of Their Own) on his debut 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.”

Lisa Moore’s novel “February” received international acclaim when it came out in 2009, earning nominations for both the Giller and Man Booker Prize. The novel is based on the tragic sinking of the Ocean Ranger oil rig off the coast of Newfoundland in 1982, with the loss of all 84 aboard. Now, Lisa has reimagined her book as an opera. Just before the world premiere of “February” the opera, she joined Tom in St. John’s, Newfoundland to talk about writing the novel, what she remembers about that fateful day in 1982, and what it’s like to retell the story as an opera.

Pedro Almodóvar (The Skin I Live In, Parallel Mothers) helped cement Spain’s place in cinematic history with bold films that are colourful, provocative and full of dramatic plot twists. But his defiant spirit and transgressive filmmaking style was hard-earned. Fresh off his second English-language project, “Strange Way of Life,” Pedro shares how growing up under a dictatorship shaped him as an artist, what it felt like to finally be “free” in his creative expression, and what he loves about working with actors like Antonio Banderas and Penélope Cruz.

Not much is known about Yasuke — an enslaved Black man from Africa who ended up working as a samurai in some of Japan’s most notable houses — but that didn’t stop Craig Shreve from writing about him in his new novel, “The African Samurai.” Craig tells Tom why he was drawn to the 16th-century story and the challenges he faced turning this forgotten history into a novel.

It’s been 25 years since Barenaked Ladies’ hit song “One Week” came out and topped charts all over the world. Frontman Ed Robertson tells Tom the stories behind some of the song's lyrics, what he remembers about “One Week” going to no. 1 in several countries (except in the band’s home country of Canada) and how they wrote it in a four-minute, freestyle session.

Few voices in folk music captured a time and place quite like Joan Baez’s. Now, her incredible life is on display in the new documentary “Joan Baez I Am a Noise.” It follows her career as she became one of the definitive singers of her generation, and reveals an intimate look at her life, loves, and traumas through diary entries, recordings and performances. She talks to Tom about her career, what it means to leave behind an honest legacy, and what she’s most proud of.

After winning the prestigious Polaris Music Prize back in 2018 for his debut album, “Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa,” Jeremy Dutcher is back with his long-awaited sophomore record, “Motewolonuwok.” Jeremy tells Tom about the pressure of writing your second record when your first was so successful, how he directed his trumpeter to “play grief,” and why he’s decided to sing partly in English on his new album.

When the Emmy award-winning actor and bestselling writer Bob Odenkirk (Mr. Show, Better Call Saul, Breaking Bad) was raising his kids, he wanted them to know they could do and create anything — and one of the ways he taught them that was by getting them to write a poem every time they read a book together. Now, years later, those collections of poems are available in a children’s book called “Zilot & Other Important Rhymes,” illustrated by Bob’s own daughter, Erin Odenkirk. Bob and Erin join Tom to talk about the importance of flexing your creativity as a young person, and the difference it makes as you become an adult.

Ron Pardo may not be a household name, but kids around the world will certainly recognize his voice. The Canadian voice actor and comedian plays Cap'n Turbot and Mayor Humdinger in “Paw Patrol,” one of the most popular franchises on childrens’ television. As another film in the franchise hits theatres, Ron talks to Tom about “Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie” and his unexpected journey to kids entertainment. Plus, before her career in music, Alberta-born pop singer Laur Elle competed internationally as a professional gymnast. After being forced to retire at age 16, she threw herself into songwriting with the same discipline she applied to her sport. Laur Elle talks to Tom about her switch from athlete to artist, and tells the story behind one of her latest singles, “Easy Way Out.”

In her new memoir, “Worthy,” Jada Pinkett Smith opens up about her early days growing up as a drug dealer in Baltimore, her relationship with the late rapper Tupac Shakur, and her complex marriage with the actor Will Smith. Jada joins Tom to share how having parents who struggled with addiction impacted her self-worth, plus some other stories from her incredible life and career.

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.”

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. George Clinton, Dr. Funkenstein himself, joins Tom to talk about his life in music.

Grammy-winning violinist James Ehnes is one of the most sought-after musicians in the world. Ahead of his shows with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, 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.

Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black, She-Hulk, Stronger) has been keeping busy during the Hollywood actors’ strike, starring in a play and lending her voice to a new Canadian animated film called “Butterfly Tale.” Tatiana talks to Tom about her love of voice acting, why she wanted to get into acting in the first place, and what’s been on her mind during the strike.

In 2020, Alanis Morissette celebrated the 25th anniversary of her massive hit record “Jagged Little Pill.” She joined Tom to reflect on her evolution from her 21-year-old self to the mother of three she is today, and how her changing approach to writing about topics like anger and abuse can be heard on her album “Such Pretty Forks in the Road.”

Vivek Shraya’s coming-of-age play and book “How to Fail as a Popstar” has been turned into a new series for CBC Gem. Vivek talks to Tom about adapting her autobiographical play for the screen, the power of failure, and how she still hopes this show will make her famous.

Julia Fox is the artist, actor and fashion icon who shot to fame after starring alongside Adam Sandler in “Uncut Gems.” Now, she’s sharing her story in her memoir, “Down the Drain,” which is a candid retelling of her journey with addiction, abuse and fame. Julia tells Tom about her childhood, how becoming a dominatrix changed her life for the better, and why being famous feels natural to her.

Sam Roberts tells Tom about his new album, “The Adventures of Ben Blank,” and reflects on the 20th anniversary of his hit debut record, “We Were Born in a Flame.”

The Canadian author Iain Reid writes electrifying, if unsettling, novels about what happens inside relationships. His first novel, “I’m Thinking of Ending Things,” was adapted for the screen by Charlie Kaufman. Now, his second novel, “Foe,” is coming out as a film, starring Saoirse Ronan and Paul Mescal. Iain wrote the screenplay himself. He talks to Tom about turning his dystopian novel into a movie filled with emotion, what it’s like to write novels that get adapted for the screen, and what draws him to writing about relationships.

Bobby Rush grew up in the cotton fields of Louisiana, going on to play the blues alongside the likes of Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and B.B. King. Despite writing big hits like “Chicken Heads” and putting out music for decades, he only got his first Grammy at age 83. Now, at 89, Bobby is back with a new record, “All My Love For You.” He tells Tom about growing up in the South during segregation, playing alongside some of the greatest blues players of all time, and how it felt to finally win a Grammy in his 80s.

This month is the 30th anniversary of Nirvana’s multi-platinum final album, “In Utero.” Released months before the death of lead singer Kurt Cobain, “In Utero” was the last musical statement from one of the biggest bands in the world at the time. The producer of the album was Steve Albini, who was sought out by Kurt himself as Nirvana wanted the record to be the opposite of their biggest album, “Nevermind.” Steve tells Tom about recording the album and reflects on his iconoclastic career as one of the most divisive producers in rock. Plus, Caroline Brooks of Good Lovelies calls in from a parking lot in Winnipeg to tell Tom about the group’s brand new song, “Tip to Toe.”

Acclaimed French director Justine Triet joins Tom to discuss her new film, “Anatomy of a Fall,” which was this year’s Palme d’Or winner. 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.

After an unforgettable final lip sync to Whitney Houston’s “So Emotional” in 2017, Sasha Velour was crowned the Season 9 winner of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” That performance went down in drag history and was even parodied on “SNL” two years later. Sasha’s latest book, “The Big Reveal: An Illustrated Manifesto of Drag,” chronicles drag’s history, interwoven with her own personal story. She tells Tom about her grandmother’s that encouraged her drag as a child, the moment she won “Drag Race” and how her mother’s battle with cancer inspired her signature bald look. Plus, Rêve burst onto the scene with her dance hit “CTRL+ALT+DEL” in 2021, winning her dance recording of the year at this year’s Juno Awards. Now, Reve’s just released her debut studio album, “Saturn Return,” inspired by the major astrological event that marks a transformative time in one's life. Rêve tells Tom the story behind the album’s title track.

“Friends” star Matthew Perry, the Emmy-nominated actor whose sarcastic but lovable character Chandler Bing was among the most famous and most quotable on television, has died at 54. Last year, he joined Tom for a live on-stage interview to talk about his memoir, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing.” Matthew shared his incredible story of survival and why he wanted to help others going through similar struggles.

Sasha Leigh Henry is a Canadian director and producer whose new comedy series, “Bria Mack Gets A Life,” follows the story of a 25-year-old Black woman who is navigating adulthood in a predominantly white world. Sasha talks to Tom about writing a show partly based on her own life experiences and making “weird” Canadian comedy.

At the height of her fame in the 1990s, Canadian supermodel Linda Evangelista was one of the most famous women on the planet. Now, a new book called “Linda Evangelista Photographed by Steven Meisel” documents her incredible career. Linda speaks with guest host Talia Schlanger about her decades-long collaboration with the American photographer Steven Meisel, what it’s like to have one of the most iconic and recognizable faces in the world, and her recent journey with breast cancer. Plus, Canadian social media star Celina SpookyBoo has 27.5 million followers on TikTok, and now she’s bringing her love for all things spooky to Audible with a new series called “SpookyBoo’s Night Frights.” Celina speaks with Tom Power about how her love of scary stories started, and we’ll hear a clip from her new show… just in time for Halloween!

Diablo Cody was only 29 when she won an Oscar for her first screenplay, “Juno”, catapulting her to celebrity status as a Hollywood screenwriter. Now, she’s adapted the Alanis Morissette album “Jagged Little Pill” for the stage. Diablo Cody speaks with Tom Power about why that album works so well as a musical theatre show, and how the music of Alanis Morissette has soundtracked her own life. Hana Shafi is an illustrator, essayist and poet whose new book “People You Know, Places You’ve Been” takes us on a journey from public transportation to antique stores to waiting rooms, looking at the connections we create with total strangers as we go through our daily lives. She speaks with Talia Schlanger about the book and the power of those seemingly mundane interactions. Plus, she reads a poem from her book.

Canadian comedian and television personality Rick Mercer is back with the highly anticipated follow-up to his first memoir, “Talking to Canadians.” Rick’s new memoir is called “The Road Years” and it features stories and behind-the-scenes moments from some of the most iconic episodes of the hit CBC show “Rick Mercer Report.” Rick speaks with Tom Power about some of the highlights from “Rick Mercer Report,” imposter syndrome, and why writing a second memoir is easier than the first.

Musician TALK has been called one of the most exciting new voices to come out of Canada in a long time. He’s currently on tour with Shania Twain, and is about to release his debut album, “Lord of the Flies & Birds & Bees.” Ahead of that release, he joins Talia Schlanger in studio to speak about the runaway success of his debut single “Run Away to Mars,” and how he uses his platform to lift others up.

While dreaming of pop stardom, Reneé Rapp built a resume that most performers dream of. She made her Broadway debut at nineteen in the Mean Girls musical, and starred in Mindy Kaling’s HBO series “The Sex Lives of College Girls.” But these days, she’s bringing her focus back to her original passion: music. Reneé speaks with guest host Talia Schlanger about her first full-length album, “Snow Angel”, and building an online following of millions.

Broken Social Scene’s co-founder Kevin Drew has just released his third solo record, “Aging” – a project all about love, loss and grief. Kevin joins Tom Power to reflect on his early days in Toronto, how he looks back on the success of Broken Social Scene, and what inspired him to dedicate an entire record to aging.

Actor Greg Kinnear talks about his latest role in the new Apple TV+ series Black Bird, plus the twists and turns his career has taken in show business. 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. Three-time Grammy winner Cedella Marley reflects on the legacy of her father, Bob Marley, as an immersive exhibit exploring his life opens in Toronto.

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.

Emmy-winning actress Uzo Aduba (known as Suzanne "Crazy Eyes" Warren on Orange Is the New Black) talks about taking on her first lead role in HBO's reboot of In Treatment. Cree-Métis baritone Jonathon Adams shares what they discovered when they began delving into the history of Indigenous music and how it was brutally suppressed by Canada's residential school system. Griffin Poetry Prize finalist Yusuf Saadi reads his poem Mile End from his debut poetry collection, Pluviophile. Elton John opens up about his "rollercoaster life," how having children changed everything for him and why he's now saying goodbye to life on the road.

Four-time Grammy winner Lenny Kravitz talks about his memoir, Let Love Rule, in which he writes about the first 25 years of his life, from his upbringing in New York to the release of his debut album in 1989. Photographer Tyler Mitchell reflects on what it was like to become the first Black photographer to land an image on the cover of Vogue, and why he's now on a mission to show more Black folks experiencing joy. Writer Margaret Atwood discusses her poetry collection, Dearly, plus, alien invasions, rare curse words and why reading poetry isn't like eating Cracker Jack.

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.

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 travelling stand-up comic. This month, he headlines the Just for Laughs Comedy Tour, with shows across Canada from St. John’s to Victoria. Roy drops by the studio to talk to Tom about his life in comedy, why it was time for him to leave “The Daily Show,” and what he thinks is in store for late-night TV. Plus, the Canadian rapper Classified tells the story behind his latest single, "People."

Patti LuPone is one of the most decorated Broadway performers of our time. Ahead of bringing her show “Don’t Monkey with Broadway” to Toronto, she joins Tom Power for a career-spanning interview that ranges from her early years to the state of Broadway today. British singer-songwriter Jorja Smith is back with her sophomore album, “Falling or Flying.” She joins Tom Power to discuss growing up in the spotlight, moving back home to the town she grew up in, and the key events in her life that inspired her new record.

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.

In just a handful of years, The Glorious Sons have gone from playing dirty rock clubs to sold out arenas all across Canada. Band members and brothers Brett and Jay Emmons tell Tom about their latest album, “Glory,” how the band came to be, and how criticism can be motivating.

“The Guide to Being Fabulous” is the new play created by and starring the stage and screen actor Sandra Caldwell. It follows her journey, including the glamorous and gritty parts that led her to becoming the successful artist she is today. But within Sandra’s story of artistry is her fear that her identity as a trans woman would be discovered. She joins Tom in studio to talk about her life and work – and what it’s like to finally openly talk about her true identity.

Since the ‘90s, DJ Shadow has been known for his scratching, sampling and crowd-inciting beats. The musician and producer’s 1996 debut album, “Endtroducing.....” is considered one of the best albums of all time. Now, nearly 30 years later, he’s releasing a new album, called “Action Adventure.” DJ Shadow talks to Tom about what it felt like to put out “Endtroducing.....,” how his views on sampling have changed over the years, and what’s required to make compelling instrumental music.

Aaron Jackson and Josh Sharp are the creators and stars of the most absurd and raunchy movie to hit theatres this year, “Dicks: The Musical.” It’s a profane spoof of the movie “The Parent Trap,” based on a show that Aaron and Josh created while they were young improv comedians with the Upright Citizens Brigade in New York. They talk to Tom about coming up with the idea, getting Megan Thee Stallion to be in their movie, and why it’s time for queer cinema to embrace more absurdity.

The duo Majid Jordan met while studying at the University of Toronto and quickly realised they had a creative kinship. Not long after, the two were signed to Drake’s record label OVO Sound and started touring the world, touted as the next big thing. Majid Jordan’s new album, “Good People,” is out now. They joined Tom to talk about writing a hit song with Drake, their creative process, and why surrounding yourself with Good People is so important.

Elliot Page (Juno, Inception, The Umbrella Academy) sits down with Tom to talk about his 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 a trans man. Plus, Juno Award-winning singer-songwriter Charlotte Cardin tells Tom what happens when your debut album wins a prestigious prize, and what was on her mind while writing her sophomore record, “99 Nights.” Charlotte also gives a stripped back performance of one of her latest songs “Confetti.”

The beloved alt-rock band Wilco has just released their latest record, “Cousin.” Frontman Jeff Tweedy talks to Tom about his creative process, why he doesn’t want to perform a song he wrote about mass shootings in front of an audience, and why he doesn’t feel beholden to his past music when writing new songs.

Twenty years ago, Metric burst onto the scene with an undeniably infectious album called “Old World Underground, Where Are You Now?” Metric’s Emily Haines and Jimmy Shaw tell Tom about the early days of the band, their unlikely hit that changed everything, and their new album, “Formentera II.”

Anne Michaels is an award-winning Canadian poet and novelist who just published her long-awaited third novel, “Held.” 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.

In just a few years, d4vd went from making music in his sister’s closet to performing in arenas around the world. d4vd talks to Tom about growing up homeschooled, how a copyright strike led to him making his own music, and how the first concert he’d ever gone to was his own.

Rush frontman and bassist Geddy Lee talks to Tom about his memoir, “My Effin’ Life.” He discusses his experience as the son of Holocaust survivors, dropping out of high school, and what he remembers about the late Neil Peart’s audition to be the band’s drummer.Watch us on YouTube

Edgar Wright (Baby Driver, Shaun of the Dead) talks to Tom about “Scott Pilgrim Takes Off,” a new animated spin-off of his beloved film “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.” Plus, he tells us what it’s been like to watch the cast of that movie go on to build massive careers, and where he draws his directorial inspiration from.

Canadian alt-comic Bobbi Summers is the star and creator of the new CBC series “I Hate People, People Hate Me.” The show follows best friends Jovi and Tabitha as they struggle to find purpose in their lives. Bobbi talks to guest host Saroja Coelho about how his own life inspired the series, how he went from being a recording artist in L.A. to making his own Canadian TV show, and why he thinks being considered “weird” is a good thing.

Good Kid are a band of computer programmers who are changing the way fans communicate online. Nick Frosst and Jacob Tsafatinos from the band join Tom to talk about the intersection between computer programming and music, creating a community with their fans on Discord, and making their music available to use royalty free on Twitch.

Zabrina Douglas is a full-time nurse and mother of five who started doing stand-up comedy to help with her intense anxiety. She talks to guest host Saroja Coelho about the shock of being nominated for comedy album of the year at the 2023 Juno Awards, and what she did to prepare for her newest live comedy special, “Nurse on Nights.”

After writing songs for the likes of Adele and The Chicks, Dan Wilson has returned to his band Semisonic to make their first album in more than 20 years. Dan tells Tom about Semisonic’s breakout hit “Closing Time,” how it felt to get the band back together, and what it’s been like to write smash hits for other artists.

Tim Meadows (Mean Girls, The Ladies Man, The Goldbergs) is an actor, comedian and writer who was on "Saturday Night Live" from 1991-2000, making him one of the show's longest-running cast members. Tim tells Tom about his latest project, “Dream Scenario,” co-starring alongside Nicolas Cage, and some of his favourite memories of working on “SNL.” Plus, he recalls memories of his late friends Chris Farley and Norm Macdonald.

Jerry cans, bottles of soy sauce, and canned meats — these are just some of the everyday objects portrayed in Tarralik Duffy’s latest exhibit, “Gasoline Rainbows.” The multidisciplinary Inuk artist tells guest host Saroja Coelho about finding beauty in everyday objects, the unexpected ways we remember “home,” and how her art connects her to her ancestors.

Linton Kwesi Johnson is one of the greatest poets of the modern era. His uncompromising political verse infused with reggae has influenced many people, and helped chronicle the lived experience of Black Britain for decades. This year, Linton has published a selection of his prose from the 1970s to 2021, titled “Time Come.” He joins Tom to talk about his life in words, poetry and music.

New Zealand’s Taika Waititi is prolific if nothing else. As an actor, he’s played roles from an endearing vampire in “What We Do in the Shadows,” to Adolf Hitler in his film “Jojo Rabbit.” Taika’s new film, “Next Goal Wins,” takes you to American Samoa and the attempt to turn the worst team in soccer around. Tom talks to Taika about what drew him to this “underdog” story, why he finds humour in the mundane, and why he thinks New Zealand humour translates across the world. Plus, the Nova Scotia rapper Kayo tells the story behind a new song off his EP “Trip.”

On the 30th anniversary of Blue Rodeo’s best selling album “Five Days in July,” bandmates Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor join Tom to recall how they found refuge in Greg’s Ontario farmhouse to create a Canadian masterpiece. Plus, k-os celebrates the 17th anniversary of his hit album “Atlantis: Hymns for Disco” by releasing a brand new song to add to his catalogue. The Canadian rapper, singer-songwriter and producer joins Tom to premiere the song, titled “Invulnerable.”

Drag superstars Jinkx Monsoon and BenDeLaCreme are in the middle of a tour for their internationally acclaimed “The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show.” Ahead of their stop in Toronto, Jinkx and DeLa join Tom in studio to talk about the holiday specials that inspired them, how they build a sense of safety and community at their shows, and what keeps them coming back to collaborate with one another every year.

Hilario Durán, the Juno-winning and National Jazz Award-winning pianist and bandleader, is back with his first big band record in 17 years. Hilario joins Tom in the Q studio to talk about the new album, titled “Cry Me a River”. He also tells Tom about his musical journey from growing up in Havana to playing with some of the most influential figures in Cuban music, and what brought him to Canada in the late 1990s.

After building an empire as one of the most successful country artists of all time, Dolly Parton has released her first-ever album of rock songs. She talks to Tom about the inspiration behind her new album “Rockstar,” earning a place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and why she’s never scared to try something new. Plus, Alam Khan talks about following in the footsteps of his father — the great sarod player Ali Akbar Khan — and blending Indian ragas with Western classical traditions on his new record, “The Resonance Between.”

When a wildfire ripped through Lytton, B.C. in June of 2021, the town burnt almost entirely to the ground. Meghan Fandrich lost her small business — the Klowa Art Café – to the fire, 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’.

Most know Jann Arden as one of Canada's most successful singer-songwriters, who captured the hearts of fans with her smooth voice and landmark record “Living Under June.” But for more than a decade, she's been following another dream – writing a novel. That dream has finally been realised in her first book of fiction, “The Bittlemores.”

What's it like working on a show with near universal acclaim? Danis Goulet is a Cree-Métis film and television maker who has first-hand experience with that after working on the beloved series “Reservation Dogs.” She talks about the show’s place in her career, watching it end on its own terms, and the wider legacy it leaves behind.

Jani Lauzon is a Métis multidisciplinary artist who says she can’t stop creating. Over the years, she’s eked out a living as a rock and roll singer, an actor on stage and screen, and a puppeteer for Jim Henson, among other things. She talks to Tom about turning to art as a way to cope with a turbulent childhood, and how all her talents collide in the new play “Prophecy Fog.”

Back in 2007, a video featuring 1,500 inmates in a Filipino prison dancing to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” was uploaded to YouTube, quickly becoming one of the internet’s first viral videos. The footage inspired a new Filipino-Canadian musical called “Prison Dancer,” created by Romeo Candido and Carmen De Jesus. Guest host Talia Schlanger speaks to Romeo about the production, and travelling to the Philippines to meet the real dancing inmates.

Comedian Matt Rogers is one-half of the hugely popular podcast “Las Culturistas.” He talks to Tom about finding his confidence in comedy through podcasting, and competing for a job on “Saturday Night Live” against his friend. He also chats about his debut album “Have you Heard of Christmas?” and his ongoing quest to be crowned the “Prince of Christmas” by the queen, Mariah Carey.

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.

Lily Gladstone had a tough task with her first major Hollywood film: she had to hold her own against Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro —and hold her own she did. Her character, Mollie Burkhart, is being praised as the star-making turn of Martin Scorcese’s latest film, “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Lily drops by Q to talk about the role of a lifetime, and the challenges in telling stories about murder and colonialism.

When Tony and Grammy Award winner Leslie Odom Jr. takes on a project, he puts everything he’s got into it. Admittedly a bit of a perfectionist, he’s tried to embrace imperfection on his new album of original songs, “When a Crooner Dies.” He chats with Tom about the album and reveals what it’s like to return to Broadway for the first time since his starring role in “Hamilton.”

Stephen Sanchez’s hit song “Until I Found You” is approaching two billion streams, has been certified platinum five times, and made Elton John a fan —all before the release of his debut album. Stephen speaks with Tom about following up a once in a lifetime hit, his 1960s crooner sound, and tackling imposter syndrome.

“Nanalan,” a Canadian children’s show from the 1990s has 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, drop by Q to talk about the viral success almost 25 years later and what that says about the show. Plus, they bring the puppets that started it all.

Back in 2005, the artist Michael McMillan created his critically acclaimed installation “The Front Room.” It was a life-size imagining of the front room of a house belonging to Caribbean migrants to Britain in the ‘60s and ‘70s. Since then, Michael has recreated front rooms in places like The Netherlands, South Africa, Curacao, and France. Now, it’s Canada’s turn. Michael joins Tom to talk about his latest front room creation “The Front Room: Inna Toronto/6ix.” and what material things in the home can tell us about the migrant experience.

Legendary writer and producer James L. Brooks transformed the types of stories you see on television, from “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” to “The Simpsons.” He then applied his same winning formula — character-driven stories with heart — to the world of film. James L. Brooks tells Tom about writing and creating some of the most successful comedies on TV, the secret behind “The Simpsons” success, and his latest project, “Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.”

Brenda Lee is the voice of the iconic holiday song “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” which turns 65 this year. Brenda tells Tom about recording that song at just 13 years old, how having the song in “Home Alone” changed its popularity, and what it was like knowing The Beatles before their massive fame.

When the poet Bradley Peters discovered sonnets while studying poetry and creative writing, he knew it was the perfect form to write about his experience with incarceration as a teenager and young adult. Bradley talks to Tom about his new poetry collection, “Sonnets from a Cell,” what it felt like to be in solitary confinement, and how he “held on to his humanity” in prison.

Tate McRae’s wildest dreams are coming true. She recently performed at the Billboard Music Awards, she was the musical guest on “Saturday Night Live,” and her song “Greedy” just reached the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10. Calgary’s Tate McRae talks to Tom about this pivotal time in her career, how she never wants to write a song with the intention of it being big on TikTok, and how her hit song “Greedy,” initially scared her.

Amanda Peters's debut novel “The Berry Pickers” has been getting rave reviews. She tells Tom how a road trip to Maine with her dad inspired the story, the complexity of writing about trauma, and how being a storyteller has helped her find a better sense of community.

One of the first times Daniel MacIvor ever felt confident in his writing was in the eighth grade when he saw the words “you have talent” written on a short story he wrote. Now, decades into his career as a playwright, Daniel's two renowned one-person shows, “Monster” and “Here Lies Henry,” are playing at Toronto’s Factory Theatre. Daniel tells Tom about his love of theatre, how his late friend and collaborator Daniel Brooks came to him in a dream and told him the title of his upcoming work, and what he thinks the greatest gift theatre has ever given him is.

Internet sensation Ziwe tells Tom about getting her first joke on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 20 years old, why she started asking her guests, “How many Black friends do you have?” and how she had to look inward to write her new book of essays, “Black Friend.”

For over six decades, the legendary Canadian actor Donald Sutherland has been a staple of film and television. Donald tells Tom about the enormous honour of being commemorated on a Canadian stamp, why he doesn’t want dual citizenship between Canada and the U.S., and why it relates to his sense of humour.

Bestselling crime writer Michael Connelly has published dozens of books and sold millions of copies worldwide. His work has also inspired popular TV shows like “Bosch” and “The Lincoln Lawyer.” Michael joins Tom to talk about the latest book in his "Lincoln Lawyer" series, titled “Resurrection Walk.” He also discusses the moment he found a gun at 16 and how it changed his life forever, and why he thinks the true crime genre has become so popular. Plus, comedian Gavin Matts joins Tom for Q’s inaugural segment of “Anatomy of a Joke,” where he explains how an idea turns into a full fledged joke for his latest stand-up special “Progression.”

Beloved action star Kurt Russell practically grew up on movie sets, acting alongside his famous father, Bing Russell. In recent years, Kurt’s own son, Wyatt, has also embraced the family industry. In the new show “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,” the father-son duo play older and younger versions of the same character. Kurt and Wyatt join Tom to share what it’s like working together, how they both pursued professional sports before considering acting as a career, and what it was like growing up with the famous Russell name.

Jeremy Larter has done what few other Prince Edward Islanders have been able to do — he made a feature film on the Island, about the Island, that was so popular that it beat Taylor Swift’s movie at the Island box office on opening weekend. Jeremy tells Tom about the film, titled “Who’s Yer Father?”, how his experience as a lobster fisherman helped him write the story, and what he hopes for the future of P.E.I. filmmakers on the Island.

Trans-Canada Highwaymen is a supergroup born out of four bands who were all over Canadian rock radio in the ‘90s. On their new album, “Explosive Hits Vol. 1,” they pay tribute to their favourite songs, covering classics from 1969 to 1975. Chris Murphy (Sloan), Craig Northey (Odds), Stephen Page (formerly of Barenaked Ladies) and Moe Berg (The Pursuit of Happiness) tell Tom how K-tel ads from the ‘70s inspired the band to make their supergroup, why they chose the songs they did, and what it’s like playing each other's music.

Few Canadian performances are as iconic or celebrated as Megan Follows as Anne Shirley in the 1985 miniseries “Anne of Green Gables.” Now, Megan has revisited Lucy Maud Montgomery’s beloved story in a new audiobook for Audible, which stars esteemed Canadian actors like Catherine O’Hara, Victor Garber and Sandra Oh. Megan talks to Tom about her role in the original series, bringing the story back to life nearly 40 years later, and how portraying Anne changed her life.

In his new film, “The Zone of Interest,” director Jonathan Glazer (Sexy Beast, Birth, Under the Skin) gives audiences a horrifying look at a German commandant and his family living just outside the walls of Auschwitz. Jonathan tells Tom why he wanted to shoot a film about the Holocaust at the site of an actual concentration camp, what he wanted to say about evil and humanity, and how the use of sound in this film told a whole other story.

Richard Thomas is best known for playing John-Boy in the ‘70s drama series “The Waltons.” Now, he’s taking on 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, how the play differs from the renowned book and film, and the legacy of his role as John-boy.

Guerilla filmmaker-turned-Hollywood-darling Matt Johnson talks to Tom about his critically acclaimed film “BlackBerry,” which is now available as a TV series on CBC Gem, how he’s dealing with mainstream success, and why his mission in life is to inspire young filmmakers to stay in Canada and make great films.

British Filipino director Paris Zarcilla’s new horror film, “Raging Grace,” tells the story of Joy, a young mother and undocumented immigrant from the Philippines who cleans houses and struggles to save money for a visa. The film also shows her experience with racism, which comes in the form of indignities and microaggressions. Paris tells Tom about how his mother inspired the main character, how he didn’t intend for the film to be a horror when he first started writing it, and why he doesn’t want to teach anyone a lesson with this story.

Comedian Mae Martin (Feel Good, Baroness von Sketch Show) talks about their latest Netflix special, “SAP,” dropping out of high school to pursue comedy, and the significance behind their oatmeal tattoo. Plus, Bruce Dern (Coming Home, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?) tells Tom about being trained in the esteemed Actors Studio in New York, his method of acting called a Dernsie, and the time he pulled a Dernsie in a scene with Brad Pitt.

“Nesting” is a new series on Crave about two best friends, Anna and Rosa — inspired by the show's stars and creators, Anna Hardwick and Rosa Labordé — who decide to get pregnant at the same time and co-parent together, without spouses. Anna and Rosa tell Tom how the series was inspired by their own lives and friendship, how they separate themselves from their characters despite having the same names, and why they talk about pain through comedy.

Jeremy Allen White (The Bear, Shameless) talks to Tom about the challenges of playing a real-life person in the new film “The Iron Claw,” how he learned that wrestling has much more to do with storytelling than he thought, and the similarities between himself and the character he plays on “The Bear.”

Veteran hip-hop choreographer Fatima Robinson talks about her legendary career, from working with Michael Jackson, Aaliyah and Dr. Dre, to choreographing two Super Bowls, and her latest project — choreographing the dance numbers in the film “The Color Purple.”

Sabrina Benaim became a viral success when her spoken word poem “Explaining My Depression to My Mother” went viral online. After a world tour and two bestselling books, the Canadian poet is ready to show you a different side of herself. In her latest audio-exclusive poetry collection, “Chaotic Good,” Sabrina embraces levity and joy. She tells Tom what it was like being called “that depression girl,” how she started to care less about what people thought of her, and what inspired her latest book.

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 notable rock and pop hits that each represent a special childhood memory for her. Elisapie joins Tom to talk about the “healing journey” she's been on by reclaiming some of her most painful childhood memories through song.

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.

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.” To celebrate the release of 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.

It’s been 25 years since Barenaked Ladies’ hit song “One Week” came out and topped charts all over the world. Frontman Ed Robertson tells Tom the stories behind some of the song's lyrics, what he remembers about “One Week” going to No. 1 in several countries (except in the band’s home country of Canada), and how they wrote it in a four-minute freestyle session.

You probably recognize Amanda Marshall for songs like “Birmingham," “Dark Horse,” or “Everybody's Got A Story.” Amanda’s music has been inescapable on Canadian radio for more than 20 years, but during that time, she sort of … disappeared. This year, Amanda came back with her long-awaited album, “Heavy Lifting.” She tells Tom 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.

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.” He 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.”

Robbie Robertson, the string-bending guitarist and principal songwriter of The Band, died at 80 earlier this year. Today, we revisit Tom’s 2019 conversation with the late Canadian musician.

Sleepy Jean is a Canadian musician who’s digging into her family history on her latest 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 guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about channelling her father’s experience.

The Rolling Stones are back with “Hackney Diamonds,” the band’s first album of original material in 18 years. In a Canadian exclusive interview, frontman Mick Jagger talks to Tom about the record, the changing music industry, and losing their drummer Charlie Watts.

New York Times bestselling YA author and champion slam poet Elizabeth Acevedo has written her first novel for adult readers, “Family Lore.” The story follows one Dominican-American family, as told through the voices of its women, as they await a gathering that will forever change their lives. Elizabeth talks to Tom about the book, how her family inspired the story, and how being a teacher influences her writing.

“Sex and the City” turned 25 last year, 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 more than two decades after the original series ended.

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 latest play, “Casey and Diana,” which 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.

New York-based Canadian fashion designer Aurora James tells Tom about founding her label Brother Vellies, her memoir “Wildflower,” and the story behind creating Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s famous “tax the rich'' dress she wore at the 2021 Met Gala.

Dan Levy’s (Schitt’s Creek) debut feature film he wrote and directed is a story all about grief, aptly titled, “Good Grief.” Dan tells Tom about the self-doubt he felt creating his first feature-length film, the real-life grief that inspired him to write it, and how he went from the hilarious David Rose of “Schitt’s Creek” to his mournful character Marc in “Good Grief.”

The actor Jeffrey Wright has transformed himself into dozens of characters over the years, from Jean-Michel Basquiat in the movie about the late artist’s life, to a conflicted programmer in “Westworld,” and now a disillusioned novelist in the new movie “American Fiction.” Jeffrey sits down with Tom to talk about his personal connection to his character in the film, his journey into acting, and what it was like to be friends with David Bowie. Plus, the Canadian actor and singer Jordan Alexander has had a big few years: she's become a model for Fenty, she's one of the stars of HBO’s “Gossip Girl,” and now she’s gearing up to release her debut album. Jordan tells Tom about the heartbreak that inspired her latest single, “Leaving Toronto.”

After decades stealing scenes as a supporting actor, Colman Domingo is now generating Oscar buzz for his first lead role in the Obama-backed Netflix film “Rustin.” He tells Tom about playing the underappreciated civil rights leader Bayard Rustin, what he learned about vulnerability when he was a professional clown, and why acting is a form of service to the public. Plus, Kaia Kater tells the story behind her new song, “The Internet,” and how a funny song can be just as meaningful as a serious one.

For decades, the visual artist Marcel Dzama has been attracting attention for everything from his root beer ink drawings of bears, bats and flapper girls enduring the Winnipeg winter of his youth, to his wild films, sculptures and installations. Now, the Brooklyn-based artist has his first major Canadian exhibition in almost a decade at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Ontario called “Ghosts of Canoe Lake.” Marcel talks to Tom about growing up in Winnipeg, how losing his earliest work in a fire allowed him to feel more freedom as an artist, and his new-found love for Tom Thomson.

Deantha Edmunds, Canada’s first Inuk professional opera singer, was just made a member of the Order of Canada. She sits down with Tom in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador to talk about her journey to classical music, what it feels like to bring Inuktitut to the world of classical music, and how finding out she was becoming a member of the Order of Canada felt like an “out of body experience.”

Bruce Liu is one of the world’s most exciting young pianists. In 2021, he gained worldwide recognition for winning the prestigious International Chopin Piano Competition, making him the only Canadian to ever do so. Now, he’s released his debut studio album, “Waves: Music by Rameau, Ravel, Alkan.” Bruce talks to Tom about this new record, and also reflects on winning the Chopin piano competition and why he didn’t start taking piano seriously until he won.

The new Marvel miniseries “Echo” is one of the first of its kind. The story focuses on a deaf Native American character named Maya Lopez, a.k.a. Echo. Sydney Freeland, the series director, tells Tom about the kind of comic books she read growing up on the Navajo reservation in New Mexico, the challenges of depicting action through the silent perspective of Maya, and how building a relationship with the Choctaw Nation helped bring the story to life.

Nicole Byer has made a living talking to people and being funny. She’s so good at it that she's got multiple podcasts and TV shows, and now multiple Emmy nominations for hosting the amateur bake-off show “Nailed It!” Nicole tells Tom about growing up as a hyperactive kid, how she initially wanted to be a dramatic actor and how having ADHD has helped her comedy career. Plus, Season 3 of “Son of Critch” premieres this week. Mark Critch, the show's creator and namesake, stops by to share the real-life story from his past that inspired a pivotal scene in the new season.

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.

D.J. Demers is a hard of hearing comedian who’s performed on some of the most famous stages in comedy, such as “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” “Conan,” and The Comedy Store in Los Angeles. Now, the Canadian comedian is out with his new CBC workplace comedy, titled “One More Time,” which follows a semi-fictionalized version of himself who is a manager of a used sporting goods store and is also hard of hearing. D.J.tells Tom about writing a show based on his personal experience, why he wanted to write a sitcom steeped in Canadiana and nostalgia, and what it means to him to have people who are hard of hearing at his shows.

Vanessa Morgan (Riverdale, My Babysitter’s a Vampire) stars in the new series "Wild Cards.” She tells Tom how playing highschoolers for so many years kept her young, what she remembers about her last day of shooting for the CW series “Riverdale,” and why she feels so ready to take on this new role.

R.L. Stine is one of the best-selling children's authors in history, made famous by his “Goosebumps” and “Fear Street” books. For decades, he’s kept a strict writing schedule, pumping out around 2,000 words (roughly 10 pages) each morning. More than 350 books later, he’s sharing what he knows with a new book of writing advice called “There’s Something Strange About My Brain: Writing Horror for Kids.” R.L. Stine joins Tom to talk about how growing up feeling like a fearful outsider inspired him to retreat in his room and write, how he accidentally ended up writing horror books for kids, and what his best advice is for young writers.

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 20 years. She tells Tom about the band's history, the advice she’d give her younger self and what inspired Paramore’s latest album, “This Is Why.”

Ibrahim Maalouf is no stranger to defying genre. The acclaimed trumpeter’s latest album, “Capacity to Love,” blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B, classical and Arabic music to create a unique record that sees him collaborate with the likes of Gregory Porter, De La Soul and even Sharon Stone. Ibrahim talks to Tom about his life in music, escaping war-torn Lebanon, and how music became a refuge for him as a child. Plus, he opens up about why he’s so interested in pushing the boundaries of the trumpet and why he doesn’t feel bound to the traditions he was schooled in.

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.

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.

This week, Matty Matheson made a memorable acceptance speech at the 75th Emmys where “The Bear” swept up several awards, including best comedy series. Matty joins Tom to talk about bringing authenticity to the kitchen environment in the series, what it was like kissing his co-star Ebon Moss-Bachrach on stage, and why he thanked the hospitality industry in his speech.

Fresh off her win of Season 4 of “Canada’s Drag Race,” Venus tells Tom about the surreal moment she won, what it means to her as a Metis person, and why she wanted to give her mom “her flowers” on the show.

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 brand new album “Saviors” could be that next era of Green Day.

In the late ‘60s, the visual artist June Clark fled the United States to Canada so her husband could escape the Vietnam draft. She wasn’t an artist when she settled in Toronto, but that huge change in her life kind of put her on the path to art. Since then, she’s used her work to reflect on her relationship with her homeland and what she left behind. The Art Gallery of Ontario and Toronto's Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery are now reshowing June’s striking exhibit “Unrequited Love” this year. It’s a collection of nine pieces, made over a period of decades, that incorporate the Stars and Stripes. June sits down with Tom to talk about her work and her path to becoming an artist.

The feminist punk band Sleater-Kinney was a huge part of the post-riot grrrl movement. After the sudden death of one of the member’s parents turned their lives upside down, the duo used music to get through it. Carrie Brownstein and Corin Tucker of Sleater-Kinney join Tom to talk about grief, getting by, and their new album “Little Rope.”

The latest film from director Ava DuVernay (Selma, 13th, A Wrinkle in Time) is called “Origin.” It follows writer Isabel Wilkerson as she writes the bestselling book “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents,” published in 2020. Ava tells Tom what drew her to adapt a book that seemed unadaptable, how she shot the film in under 40 days without the help of a major studio, and how she got her start in the business of filmmaking. A few years ago, Canada lost one of its greatest songwriters — Newfoundland and Labrador's Ron Hynes. Amelia Curran, a fellow Newfoundland songwriter, is now part of a new compilation record that pays tribute to Ron. Amelia talks about the skill that went into his songs, the significance of his music to the province of Newfoundland and Labrador and the country at large. Plus, you’ll hear her cover of one of his songs, “Dark River.”

Jake Johnson (New Girl, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Jurassic World) has a new film out called “Self Reliance” that he directed, wrote, and stars in. Jake joins Tom to talk about making a weird comedy, how he never felt like a particularly talented or handsome actor so he opted to be a funny one, and how he influenced the direction of his character Nick Miller in “New Girl.” Plus, the Canadian artist LU KALA has had a huge year – millions of streams of her music, Billboard hits, and touring the world. She tells Tom about venturing into more vulnerable songwriting on her new single, “Nothing But Love.”

Last month, Canadian playwright David Yee was awarded the Siminovitch Prize, Canada’s most valuable theatre award, which is given each year to an artist whose groundbreaking work has transformed Canada’s theatre scene. David talks to Tom about why his writing career started out of necessity, his theatre company Fu-GEN, and changing the game for the next generation of Asian Canadian playwrights.

What started as a meeting about Tanya Tagaq creating the score for the new season of “True Detective” ended with her being cast in her first acting role, alongside Jodie Foster. The Polaris Prize-winning singer and artist joins Tom to share that story, how she approached making the score for the series, and what it means to her to see Inuit representation in a mainstream show.

Kim Thúy's bestselling novel “Ru” has received a Governor General's Award for Fiction, been shortlisted for the Giller Prize, and won Canada Reads. Now, “Ru” has been made into a film, which tells the story of a woman born in Saigon during the Tet Offensive, her time in a refugee camp in Malaysia, and her subsequent life in Quebec. Kim speaks with Tom about how “Ru” is based on her own life story, why she felt a responsibility to say yes when she was asked if it could be adapted for film, and how she was transported back to her childhood during the filming of “Ru.” Plus, Toronto-based singer Tafari Anthony tells Tom how a new experience with polyamory and the loss of a friend inspired his new song “Evermore” off his latest album, “When I Met Your Girlfriend.”

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. Plus, Toronto R&B singer Liza tells Tom about making the leap from nurse to full-time songwriter and tells the story behind her new song, “In The End.”

Celine Song's first feature film “Past Lives” was just nominated for best picture at this year's Oscars. Celine joined Tom back when the film first premiered at Sundance and talked about capturing love in an honest and ordinary way, how her own experience inspired the film's story, and what the mystery is in the heart of her film.

Daisy Ridley’s first major role was in the multi-million dollar “Star Wars” franchise with “The Force Awakens.” Now that her time in the “Star Wars” universe is over, Daisy is pursuing projects that speak to her creativity, no matter the size. Her latest role is as a socially anxious office worker in the indie film “Sometimes I Think About Dying.” Daisy joins Tom to talk about her connection to the protagonist Fran, her journey into acting, and what it was like to be cast in a “Star Wars” film as her first lead role.

Terrace Martin is a rapper, singer, musician and highly sought after producer who’s worked with everyone from Snoop Dogg to Travis Scott to Herbie Hancock. Ahead of the Grammys, where he’s nominated for best progressive R&B album, Terrace joins Tom to talk about the artists who shaped him over the years, how music led him away from gang culture while growing up in South Central Los Angeles, and his work on one of hip-hop’s greatest albums ever: Kendrick Lamar’s “To Pimp a Butterfly.” Plus, rising Canadian artist bludnymph tells Tom about the inspiration behind her new single, “The Things I Do For Love” — an unhinged dark-pop song about obsessive love and jealousy.

Back to Back Theatre is an Australian theatre company that's driven by an ensemble of actors who are neurodiverse. Now, they're bringing their production of “The Shadow Whose Prey the Hunter Becomes” to this year's PuSh International Performing Arts Festival in Vancouver. At the heart of the play is the question: when artificial intelligence overtakes human intelligence, how will people be treated? Tom speaks to tour director Daniel Schlusser and actor Scott Price about the future of artificial intelligence and disability activism, and Back to Back's model of equality and diversity.

The show “Top Boy” has had an interesting life. The gritty British drama about drug dealers on a low-income housing estate was originally cancelled in 2014 — until an unlikely saviour stepped in. Turns out, Drake was a big fan of “Top Boy” and he was able to get the show back on the air for three more seasons. Now, the drama is back again, but in a different form: a novel. “Top Boy” creator and showrunner Ronan Bennett joins Tom to talk about the history of the series, and why he wanted to write a book based on the show.

Last year was a big one for Spiritbox. Dubbed the hottest new thing in heavy metal, the Canadian band scored a collaboration with Megan Thee Stallion and a Grammy nomination for best metal performance. Lead singer Courtney LaPlante talks to Tom about Spiritbox’s success and what this kind of recognition means to them.

You might know Bob Geldof as an activist and one of the organizers of Live Aid — the epic 1985 benefit concert to raise funds for Ethiopia famine relief — but first and foremost, he’s a musician. Bob is the lead singer-songwriter of the Irish rock band The Boomtown Rats, which is largely remembered for their 1979 hit “I Don't Like Mondays.” When The Boomtown Rats had a new album out a few years ago, Tom had a chance to talk to Bob about his music, his memories of Live Aid, how he’s used his platform to effect political change, and his concerns about the world today.

The Canadian director Domee Shi won an Oscar in 2018 for her animated short film “Bao.” For her debut feature, “Turning Red,” she mined her childhood in Toronto to create the first Pixar film set in Canada. A few years ago, around the time of its release on Disney+, Domee talked to Tom about making “Turning Red,” how she drew inspiration from her family life, and what it was like reliving the awkwardness of adolescence. Now, for the first time, audiences can see “Turning Red” on the big screen as it hits theatres this month.

Ilana Glazer is the actor and comedian who co-created and co-starred in the hilariously raunchy and unabashedly feminist comedy series “Broad City.” While she travels for a new stand-up comedy tour, she joins Tom to reflect on her life in comedy, her friendship with her “Broad City” co-creator Abbi Jacobson, and why she thinks stand-up can be a useful tool to ease anxiety.

Kathy Griffin has been doing stand-up for decades, but it hasn’t always been a smooth road. In 2017, she posted a photo of herself with a bloody mask of Donald Trump, which launched a massive controversy, a Department of Justice investigation, and fears about the future of her career. Things only got worse after that. Kathy’s mother died, her sister died, she lost half of her left lung to cancer, she got divorced, and she was diagnosed with PTSD. Now, after six years, she’s finally embarking on a new tour called “My Life on the PTSD-List.” Kathy joins Tom to talk about this new chapter of her career, the intense backlash she faced, and whether Trump is still part of her material.

In the new crime drama series “Allegiance,” Supinder Wraich plays a rookie cop who’s grappling with her job and the justice system as she fights to exonerate her politician father. It’s the first North American police procedural to focus on a Sikh Punjabi officer. Supinder sits down with Tom to talk about what that means — and how her character struggles to balance her job, her culture and her family.

If you want to hear your favourite artists as they truly are, like Billie Eilish, Denzel Washington or Seth Rogen, listen to Q with Tom Power. Five days a week, Tom has deep, funny, and insightful conversations with actors, musicians, and authors. Essentially, if they make great art, you'll hear them on Q with Tom Power.

The actor Molly Ringwald (Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink) has been a familiar face since the 1980s. After starring in some seminal John Hughes movies as a teenager, Molly’s fame sent her into the stratosphere. But growing up in the public eye wasn’t always easy. Molly tells Tom about what it was like being a child star, how she handled losing her privacy, and why she wanted to take on her latest role as Joanne Carson in the new series “Feud: Capote vs. The Swans.”

Cole Sprouse (Riverdale, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody) started acting when he was just a baby. As a kid, he got his big break when he and his twin brother Dylan landed a Disney show called “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.” At 18, Cole decided to retire from acting — but he later returned to star in the massively popular teen drama series “Riverdale.” Now, at age 31, he’s one of the biggest celebrities in the world and taking on his most challenging role yet as a zombie in the new Diablo Cody film “Lisa Frankenstein.” Cole tells Tom why he was happy to get a role where he doesn’t have to speak, what he remembers from his time as a child actor, and why getting death threats doesn't faze him anymore. Plus, if a band loses its lead singer, that usually means the end of the band — but not for The Strumbellas. Dave and Jimmy from the band drop by to introduce a song off their new album, “Part Time Believer,” and chat with Tom about keeping an act alive when the frontman changes.

Keyon Harrold is one of the most sought after trumpet players in music right now. He’s played with everyone from Beyoncé to Mary J. Blige and Rihanna. On his new album, “Foreverland,” he reflects on empowerment and vulnerability, while also processing a racial assault that he and his son suffered back in 2020. Keyon joins Tom to talk about the record and how he’s using music to find his peace.

The Canadian actor Pablo Schreiber (The Wire, Orange Is the New Black) stars as the cybernetically enhanced super-soldier Master Chief in “Halo” — the TV adaption of the massively popular video game of the same name. He sits down with Tom to chat about that character and some of his other iconic roles, including Nick Sobotka on “The Wire” and George ‘Pornstache’ Mendez on “Orange Is the New Black.”

Sunny Drake is an award-winning Australian-Canadian TV and theatre creator who interviewed more than 40 children about all manner of topics, from beauty to climate change. In his new theatre work, “CHILD-ish,” adult actors voice what the kids told him. Sunny joins Tom to share what he learned, how these kids’ words can help adults, and why this project gave him a sense of hope.

In his new series “In the Know,” Zach Woods (Silicon Valley, The Office) plays an insufferable public radio host who interviews artists and celebrities. His character also happens to be a stop motion puppet, but the guests he talks to are very real. Zach chats with Tom about the project, public radio stereotypes, and why it’s important to make fun of yourself and the things you love.

Amanda Parris is the type of artist who believes in sharing the spotlight. As an award-winning playwright, writer, TV producer and broadcaster, she’s used her success to amplify the work of other Black artists throughout her career. Amanda sits down with Tom to talk about the lightbulb moment that pushed her toward writing, how she convinced an Oscar-winning actor to drop a few bars on stage, and why her latest project has her reconsidering the direction of her life. Plus, Amy Nostbakken and Norah Sadava run a theatre company called Quote Unquote Collective where they create theatre that examines issues through a feminist lens. Their new production, “Universal Child Care,” is an eight-person a capella show that’s part theatre piece and part concert. Amy chats with Tom about how the show came to be and sets up a song from it.

“Bob Marley: One Love” is a new biopic about Bob Marley in the late ‘70s — a time when Jamaica was in political turmoil and Bob was conflicted about the direction of his music. Director Reinaldo Marcus Green (King Richard, Joe Bell) is no stranger to dramatizing the stories of real-life people. He tells Tom what a feature film brings to Bob’s story that a documentary could never do, why he casted a non-Jamaican and non-musician to play Bob, and how being a high-level baseball pitcher set him up as a filmmaker.

The rapper Vince Staples can kind of do it all, even if he doesn’t see himself as any sort of celebrity. “The Vince Staples Show,” which Vince wrote and stars in, just might change that. It's a funny and honest semi-autobiographical story about a guy named Vince Staples who’s navigating fame while also rubbing up against his past life in Compton and Long Beach. Vince tells Tom all about it.

The actor Paul Giamatti (Sideways, Private Parts) has reunited with “Sideways” director Alexander Payne for the new film “The Holdovers” — and now he’s nominated for best actor at the Oscars. Paul talks to Tom about the nomination, growing up in an academic world like his character in the film, and what sets Alexander apart from other directors.

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.

About five years ago, Seth Rogen posted a picture on Instagram of seven rudimentary clay objects with the caption: “So maybe I joined a pottery studio so I could start making my own ashtrays.” Now, he’s taken his love for pottery to the next level by signing up as an executive producer for the competition show “The Great Canadian Pottery Throw Down.” He also appears throughout the series as a guest judge. Seth tells Tom what inspired his love of pottery, if he finds it therapeutic, and how the imagery and design around weed paraphernalia has changed since legalization.

Daniel Caesar talks about his major-label debut “Never Enough,” the reality of fame, and collaborating with Justin Bieber on the song “Peaches.”

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.

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 playing for thousands — and earning a Grammy nod along the way. Chromeo drops by to chat with Tom about their new album, “Adult Contemporary,” which poses the question: how do you stay funky in your 40s?

Diane Flacks is an Emmy-nominated comedy writer who’s worked on shows like “Workin' Moms” and “Baroness Von Sketch Show.” Her latest project — a one-woman play called “Guilt (A Love Story)” — is a reflection on her divorce and the grief, fear and overwhelming guilt that followed. Diane joins Tom to tell us about the play and what’s funny about going through the worst time of your life.

Shea Couleé is known by many as the winner of “RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars” Season 5. But in the years since their win, Shea has gone on to do some other pretty incredible things, like recording their debut studio album and being cast in the upcoming Marvel series “Ironheart.” Now, they’re set to embark on a tour called “The Love Ball,” which features original music and choreographed performances. Shea talks to Tom about some of their latest projects, what fans can expect from their tour, and their journey from small-town Illinois to selling out shows around the world.

Adam Beach has been in more than 60 films and TV shows, from Canada’s “North of 60” to the cult classic movie “Smoke Signals,” to Clint Eastwood’s “Flags Of Our Fathers.” Adam tells Tom about how he began acting in Manitoba, how he looks back on his leading role as Victor in “Smoke Signals,” and why he’s drawn to his complicated character in the new film “Exile.”

Brittany Howard’s new album “What Now” is her second solo release since a hiatus with her band Alabama Shakes. Now more than ever, she’s 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.Plus, the boys from Mumford and Sons are back with their first new song since 2019, titled “Good People.” What you might find surprising about the track is that it features and was produced by Pharrell. Marcus Mumford, Ben Lovett and Ted Dwane from the band chat with Tom about the single and what it’s been like moving ahead with the band as a trio.

Last fall, the Calgary-based Inuvialuk artist Kablusiak was recognized with the $100,000 Sobey Art Award, one of the highest honours in the Canadian art world. Now, their work is on display at the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa until March 3. Kablusiak talks to Tom about their big win, the power of satire in visual art, and why having their work in the National Gallery makes them feel like a spy.

Marlon Wayans (In Living Color, Scary Movie, White Chicks) has been acting, writing, producing and directing comedy for more than 30 years. With his movies grossing more than $1 billion at the global box office, he’s achieved massive success, but he’s never been one to simply rest on his laurels. Marlon is currently taking his stand-up routine on tour, showing audiences who he really is. He tells Tom where his comedic instincts come from, what it’s like to come from a legendary comedy family, and how he reconciles his box office success with negative reviews.

Pam Grier (Coffy, Foxy Brown) is Hollywood’s original female action hero and the undisputed queen of 1970s Blaxploitation movies. This month, the Toronto Black Film Festival is presenting her with a career achievement award in honour of the five decades she’s spent representing Black women on screen. Pam sits down with Tom to talk about her incredible legacy, how she got cast in her very first film, and how running into Quentin Tarantino in traffic led to her comeback in “Jackie Brown.”

Alexandra Billings (Transparent, Never Have I Ever) is a groundbreaking trans actor who’s had some incredible firsts in her career, including playing one of the first openly trans characters on TV in 2005’s “Romy and Michele: In The Beginning.” Now, she stars in the new queer-led Canadian indie film “Queen Tut.” Alexandra joins guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about the emotional reaction she had to reading the script and how her own experience as a trans woman informed her performance.

The actor 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. He sits down with Tom 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.”Plus, the Canadian film “Seagrass” is getting a lot of attention. Set in British Columbia in the 1990s, it tells the story of a Japanese-Canadian woman named Judith who goes on a retreat with her family in an attempt to mend her marriage with her white husband, Steve. Director Meredith Hama-Brown tells guest host Talia Schlanger what she wanted to explore about the Japanese-Canadian experience and the generational trauma caused by Japanese internment during World War II.

For over 30 years, the “Law & Order” franchise has taken viewers inside a dramatized version of the American justice system. And though the series is most notably associated with New York City, the franchise has now come to Toronto. Canadian actor Karen Robinson talks to Tom Power about starring in “Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent,” her love of telling complicated stories, and why starring in a “Law & Order” spinoff series makes her father so proud.

How much do you really know about your grandparents? The Vancouver musician Adrian Glynn recently realized that he didn’t know much, so he went on a deep dive into his grandparents’ journey from refugee camps in Austria to Montreal — and now has a new album about their journey. Adrian joins Tom to explain how learning about your grandparents can help you understand yourself a little better, too.

The Japanese actor Kōji Yakusho is prolific, from his roles in Japanese films to parts in American movies like “Memoirs of a Geisha” and “Babel”. This year, Kōji won the best actor award at the Cannes Film Festival for his role in “Perfect Days,” directed by Wim Wenders. He tells Tom about his rise in film and TV, how working with renowned director Wim Wenders showed him the fun of filmmaking, and what “Perfect Days” can teach you about happiness.

Two heavyweights of Canadian culture have come together for an exciting new collaboration. Acclaimed soprano Measha Brueggergosman-Lee sings the words of literary giant Margaret Atwood on “Zombie Blizzard,” an album of musical interpretations for seven Atwood poems. Measha joins Tom to talk about the project, why she finds Margaret Atwood such an inspiration, and her own personal attachment to Margaret’s poetry.

Six-time Grammy award winner Jacob Collier has worked with everyone from Stormzy to Brandi Carlile to Shawn Mendes. He joins Tom to talk about his new album, “Djesse Vol. 4,” the isolation of being a child prodigy, and why he thinks the human voice is the most profound instrument in the world. Plus, what’s your relationship like with holy texts? Canadian poet Emily Austin sat down and rewrote some parts of the bible that didn’t sit right with her as a queer woman. She tells Tom what inspired her, and reads a poem from her new collection of poetry, “Gay Girl Prayers.”

After winning the prestigious Polaris Music Prize back in 2018 for his debut album, “Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa,” Jeremy Dutcher is back with his long-awaited sophomore record, “Motewolonuwok.” Jeremy tells Tom about the pressure of writing your second record when your first was so successful, how he directed his trumpeter to “play grief,” and why he’s decided to sing partly in English on his new album. Plus, the band Elliott Brood is set to release a new album called “Country” — it’s a companion to the album they released last year called “Town.” Tom catches up with Casey Laforet from the band to chat about their latest single, “Wind and Snow.”

The Albertan singer-songwriter Corb Lund dedicated his new album, “El Viejo,” to his late friend and hero, Ian Tyson. Corb joins Tom to talk about Ian’s legacy, the time they spent together, and he also sets up the album’s title track for us.

Tate McRae’s wildest dreams are coming true. At the end of 2023, her song “Greedy” topped the charts around the world, she made her “Saturday Night Live” musical guest debut and she performed at the Billboard Music Awards. In the middle of this pivotal time in her career, she talked to Tom about staying grounded, why her biggest hit initially scared her and how she never wants to write a song with the intention of it going viral on TikTok.

Lily Gladstone had a tough task with her first major Hollywood film: she had to hold her own against Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro — and hold her own she did. Her character, Mollie Burkhart, is being praised as the star-making turn of Martin Scorcese’s latest film, “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Lily talks to Tom about the role of a lifetime, and the challenges in telling stories about murder and colonialism.

For the past decade, the renowned photographer Mark Seliger has set up a pop-up studio inside the annual Vanity Fair Oscar Party, where he’s produced iconic portraits of Hollywood actors in the immediate afterglow of their big wins. Those portraits are now presented in a new book, “Vanity Fair: Oscar Night Sessions.” Mark joins Tom to share how he captures the raw emotion of an artist at the peak of their success, plus some incredible behind-the-scenes stories from his shoots and his best advice for everyday smartphone photography.

You may know Chelsea Peretti as Gina Linetti on “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” but her career started back in the ‘90s when she was doing improv, interning for Lorne Michaels and guest writing for “Saturday Night Live.” Now, Chelsea has made her debut feature film, titled “First Time Female Director,” which she also wrote, stars in and co-produced with her longtime friend Amy Poehler. It tells the story of a woman facing challenges in the entertainment industry. Chelsea talks to Tom about the project, how she drew on her own life for source material, and what she found funny about Hollywood's reaction to #MeToo.

When Chloé Robichaud decided to depict the world of conducting for her new film, “Days of Happiness,” she asked the acclaimed Canadian conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin to help her get it right. The film follows a female conductor looking to break through the glass ceiling of classical music while also breaking away from the control of her abusive father, who’s also her agent. Both Chloé and Yannick sit down with Tom to talk about “Days of Happiness,” the cycle of abuse that can haunt families for decades, and how you can tell when an actor playing a conductor is faking it.

For the first time in Disney’s century-long history, the company is collaborating with an outside animation studio for their new six-part series, “Iwájú.” Set in a futuristic Nigeria, the series follows a young girl and her best friend on their coming-of-age journey. Director and screenwriter Olufikayo Ziki Adeola joins Tom to talk about this incredible moment for African animation, what it’s like making your hometown the setting for a futuristic sci-fi show, and why calling out Disney works out for the best sometimes.

Shana Carroll has enjoyed a career in contemporary circus arts for more than 30 years. She was recently named a member of Quebec's Order of Arts and Letters for her work establishing the circus as a true art form. Now, her handiwork can be seen in the Broadway musical “Water for Elephants,” which premieres this month in New York. Shana joins Tom to share her story, what Quebec and Canada mean to the circus world, and what it’s like to tell your parents you’re literally joining the circus.

Kim Gordon is an alt-rock legend who rose to fame in the ‘80s and ‘90s as the frontwoman of the band Sonic Youth. Now, at age 70, she’s back with her second solo album, “The Collective,” and a whole new generation is discovering her music on TikTok. Kim talks to Tom about her sound, where her inspiration begins, and how she approaches her art.

The acclaimed Quebecois filmmaker Denis Villeneuve is back with “Dune: Part Two” — the highly anticipated sequel to his adaptation of Frank Herbert’s epic sci-fi novel of the same name. Denis joins Tom 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.

Steve Patterson has spent nearly two decades on the road as the host of “The Debaters” — one of the most popular comedy shows in CBC history. With a new comedy album out, he joins Tom to talk about how being a dad has changed his stand-up, how comedy itself has changed over the last few decades, and why he's making soap.

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. 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 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.”

Allison Au is an award-winning saxophonist who decided to step outside of her comfort zone to investigate her family history of immigration to Canada. She sits down with Tom to discuss her new record, titled “Migrations,” and how making music can help you come to peace with your own identity.

Diana Lee Inosanto spent years working as a stunt performer while dreaming of being an actor, but now she’s ready for her closeup. She’s joined the biggest franchise in entertainment history with a villainous role on “Ahsoka” — the latest series in the “Star Wars” universe. Diana talks to Tom about her beginnings as a stunt performer, what happens when you get everything you want a little later in life, and what it was like growing up with Bruce Lee as her godfather.

Avril Lavigne was a punk pop sensation who topped the charts in the early noughties, and she still performs to sold-out crowds today. But what if the Avril we’ve been following all these years is not the same Avril we fell in love with? What if — as a curious theory claims — Avril was replaced by a look-alike at the height of her fame? In 'Who Replaced Avril Lavigne' comedian Joanne McNally searches far and wide — from Avril’s hometown to the underbelly of the internet — to find out if the rumours are true. Along the way, she immerses herself in a mind-bending world of fake celebrity deaths, doppelgangers, conspiracy theories, and downright absurdity. Who Replaced Avril Lavigne? Joanne McNally Investigates is produced by What’s The Story Sounds – for BBC Sounds and CBC. More episodes are available at: https://link.chtbl.com/JSX5gqyS

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.

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. 

You can’t begin to talk about the history of hip-hop without talking about Maestro Fresh Wes. Dubbed the godfather of Canadian hip-hop, Maestro became widely known in 1989 for his debut single, “Let Your Backbone Slide,” which was a game-changer for Canadian music. He joins Tom to take us through his journey from writing rhymes at Scarborough’s Parkway Mall to releasing the first hit Canadian hip-hop record.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 lead singer Josh Homme's public divorce and custody battle with the singer Brody Dalle, and he lost several close friends, and had surgery to remove cancer. He tells Tom about how his first guitar teacher taught him polka, why he wanted to play Let's Dance at Taylor Hawkins tribute concert, and how he reflects on his spirituality after facing so many hardships.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.”

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.”

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.

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.

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 more than two years since the series debut of “We're All Gonna Die (Even Jay Baruchel),” 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 why he’s always loved Canada.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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 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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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 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 sophomore 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.

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.

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 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.”

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.