Q with Tom Power
CBC Podcasts & Radio On-Demand
Five days a week, Tom Power brings you candid conversations with the artists shaping our culture. Whether he’s chatting with A-listers or rising stars, his disarming warmth and meticulous research always gets below the surface, bringing us deeper into the art and lives of today's most compelling musicians, writers, actors and filmmakers.
As a Canadian institution, Q has attracted the biggest names in the world. But it's never been about the fame. It's always been about the art.
Since becoming the host of Q in October 2016, listeners have come to know Tom for his in-depth interviewing style (asking founding Wu-Tang Clan member RZA what was inside his teenage notebooks), his mischievous sense of humour (jokingly chiding actor Catherine O'Hara for her parenting skills in Home Alone), and his genuine enthusiasm and fearlessness (singing a duet with Mavis Staples).
You’re just as likely to hear from celebrities and cultural icons as you are to hear from emerging artists at the beginning of their career. Tom gives each and every artist the space to tell their story in their own words. He also has a track record for interviewing artists on the precipice of stardom, like Lizzo, Billie Eilish and Daniel Caesar, who appeared on Q well before they hit the mainstream.
On Q, we cover arts and culture in all its forms, including music, movies, film, TV, comedy, painting, photography, theatre, cinema, Broadway, fashion, dance, opera, documentaries, books, fiction and memoirs.
Look to our archives to hear some of Tom’s award-winning artist interviews, including his moving and insightful conversation with the Canadian actor Michael J. Fox, which was awarded the prestigious gold medal for best interview at the 2021 New York Festivals Radio Awards.
In 2022, Tom spoke with Friends star Matthew Perry in front of a live audience. Their warm and frank conversation about the actor's struggles with substance abuse struck a chord, leading to millions views on TikTok and Instagram, while also being picked up by news outlets internationally, including Vanity Fair and CNN.
Tom’s impactful discussions with top talent have included Adele, Bono, Chappell Roan, Pamela Anderson, Cate Blanchett, Dua Lipa, Cher, Denzel Washington, Mick Jagger, Florence Pugh, Francis Ford Coppola, Kristen Stewart, Emma Stone, Jim Carrey, Billy Porter, Tom Hanks, Jerry Seinfeld, Tyler Perry, Alicia Keys, Alan Moore, Bruce Springsteen, Dolly Parton, Barbra Streisand, Darren Aronofsky, Harry Styles, Simu Liu, Sean Penn, Sandra Bullock, Michaela Coel, Ryan Reynolds, Katy Perry, Neil Young, Shakira, George Clooney, Ava DuVernay, Omar Apollo, Trixie Mattel, Orville Peck, Big Sean, Anil Kapoor, Jane Fonda, Robert DeNiro, Antonio Banderas, Elton John, Celine Dion, Kerry Washington, Chuck D, Steven Soderbergh, Mikey Madison, Cillian Murphy, Sean Baker, Steve McQueen, Paris Hilton, Taylor Tomlinson, Gwen Stefani, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Kylie Minogue, Stanley Tucci, Rufus Wainwright, Caroline Polachek, Hans Zimmer, Denis Villeneuve, Alex Garland, Alan Ritchson, Britt Lower, Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, David Blaine, Brian Tyree Henry, Perfume Genius, Deepa Mehta, Tracy Chapman, Chloë Sevigny, Josh Hartnett and many more.
Location:
Canada, ON
Networks:
CBC Podcasts & Radio On-Demand
Description:
Five days a week, Tom Power brings you candid conversations with the artists shaping our culture. Whether he’s chatting with A-listers or rising stars, his disarming warmth and meticulous research always gets below the surface, bringing us deeper into the art and lives of today's most compelling musicians, writers, actors and filmmakers. As a Canadian institution, Q has attracted the biggest names in the world. But it's never been about the fame. It's always been about the art. Since becoming the host of Q in October 2016, listeners have come to know Tom for his in-depth interviewing style (asking founding Wu-Tang Clan member RZA what was inside his teenage notebooks), his mischievous sense of humour (jokingly chiding actor Catherine O'Hara for her parenting skills in Home Alone), and his genuine enthusiasm and fearlessness (singing a duet with Mavis Staples). You’re just as likely to hear from celebrities and cultural icons as you are to hear from emerging artists at the beginning of their career. Tom gives each and every artist the space to tell their story in their own words. He also has a track record for interviewing artists on the precipice of stardom, like Lizzo, Billie Eilish and Daniel Caesar, who appeared on Q well before they hit the mainstream. On Q, we cover arts and culture in all its forms, including music, movies, film, TV, comedy, painting, photography, theatre, cinema, Broadway, fashion, dance, opera, documentaries, books, fiction and memoirs. Look to our archives to hear some of Tom’s award-winning artist interviews, including his moving and insightful conversation with the Canadian actor Michael J. Fox, which was awarded the prestigious gold medal for best interview at the 2021 New York Festivals Radio Awards. In 2022, Tom spoke with Friends star Matthew Perry in front of a live audience. Their warm and frank conversation about the actor's struggles with substance abuse struck a chord, leading to millions views on TikTok and Instagram, while also being picked up by news outlets internationally, including Vanity Fair and CNN. Tom’s impactful discussions with top talent have included Adele, Bono, Chappell Roan, Pamela Anderson, Cate Blanchett, Dua Lipa, Cher, Denzel Washington, Mick Jagger, Florence Pugh, Francis Ford Coppola, Kristen Stewart, Emma Stone, Jim Carrey, Billy Porter, Tom Hanks, Jerry Seinfeld, Tyler Perry, Alicia Keys, Alan Moore, Bruce Springsteen, Dolly Parton, Barbra Streisand, Darren Aronofsky, Harry Styles, Simu Liu, Sean Penn, Sandra Bullock, Michaela Coel, Ryan Reynolds, Katy Perry, Neil Young, Shakira, George Clooney, Ava DuVernay, Omar Apollo, Trixie Mattel, Orville Peck, Big Sean, Anil Kapoor, Jane Fonda, Robert DeNiro, Antonio Banderas, Elton John, Celine Dion, Kerry Washington, Chuck D, Steven Soderbergh, Mikey Madison, Cillian Murphy, Sean Baker, Steve McQueen, Paris Hilton, Taylor Tomlinson, Gwen Stefani, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Kylie Minogue, Stanley Tucci, Rufus Wainwright, Caroline Polachek, Hans Zimmer, Denis Villeneuve, Alex Garland, Alan Ritchson, Britt Lower, Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, David Blaine, Brian Tyree Henry, Perfume Genius, Deepa Mehta, Tracy Chapman, Chloë Sevigny, Josh Hartnett and many more.
Twitter:
@CBCRadioQ
Language:
English
Contact:
416-205-3700
Website:
http://www.cbc.ca/q/
Email:
q@cbc.ca
Listen on a live station
Episodes
Little Simz split with her producer. Now she’s unstoppable
7/17/2025
Little Simz is one of the most acclaimed rappers in the world right now. In 2022, she won the prestigious Mercury Prize for her album “Sometimes I Might Be Introvert.” But after falling out with her longtime producer and collaborator, the British rapper started thinking maybe music wasn’t for her anymore. Little Simz joins Tom Power to tell us why and how she turned that around to create her latest studio album, “Lotus.”
Duration:00:25:09
How Stratford’s Richard Manuel became a rock and roll legend
7/17/2025
In his new book, “Richard Manuel: His Life and Music, from the Hawks and Bob Dylan to The Band,” renowned music archivist and podcaster Stephen T. Lewis explores the life and legacy of Richard Manuel, one of Canada’s most talented and influential musicians. Stephen joins Tom Power to tell why he was so enthralled by the story of a self-taught musician from Stratford, Ont., who became a rock and roll legend.
Duration:00:27:53
Nathan Fillion was a shy comic book kid. Now he stars in Superman
7/16/2025
When actor Nathan Fillion (Firefly, Castle, The Rookie) was growing up as a quiet comic book kid in Edmonton, he never imagined he would one day be up on the big screen with Superman. Now, he’s living out his childhood dream with his latest role as Guy Gardner — one of the characters known as Green Lantern — in the new “Superman” movie. Nathan joins Tom Power to talk about his path leading up to this pinch-me moment, how he got over his shyness, and why his advice to emerging actors is to “pretend to be bold.”
Duration:00:32:14
Why PIQSIQ wrote a song about Mahaha, the Inuit tickling demon
7/16/2025
What if the bad guy in your nightmare didn’t chase you, but tried to tickle you to death? That’s just one of the Inuit legends reimagined by the Inuit throat singing duo PIQSIQ on their haunting new album, “Legends.” Sisters Tiffany Ayalik and Inuksuk Mackay of PIQSIQ join Tom Power to talk about the record and why they’re embracing Inuit traditions in non-traditional ways. Plus, they set up their new song, “Mahaha: Tickling Demon.”
Duration:00:17:55
Simple Plan was both loved and hated for being pop-punk
7/15/2025
For nearly three decades, Simple Plan has been one of the most successful bands to come out of Canada, selling more than 10 million albums worldwide. Now, a new documentary, “Simple Plan: The Kids in the Crowd” offers a look into the band's journey from playing basement shows in Montreal to achieving global stardom. Simple Plan’s Pierre Bouvier and Chuck Comeau sit down with Tom Power to talk about their perseverance in the pop-punk genre, the brotherhood behind the band, and how beautiful and fragile that creative bond can be. In case you missed it, you might also like Tom’s interview with Blink-182's Mark Hoppus.
Duration:00:35:40
How Tarralik Duffy uses pop art to show her memories of Nunavut
7/15/2025
Jerry cans, bottles of soy sauce and canned meats — these are just some of the everyday objects portrayed in Tarralik Duffy’s exhibit, “Gasoline Rainbows.” Back in 2023, the multidisciplinary Inuk artist joined guest host Saroja Coelho to talk about finding beauty in everyday objects, the unexpected ways we remember home, and how her art connects her to her ancestors. If you want to see some examples of Tarralik’s work, visit our website at cbc.ca/q.
Duration:00:16:49
Steph Tolev wants to make farts less shameful for women
7/14/2025
Toronto-born comedian Steph Tolev has been described as "gross,” "dirty” and "painfully real.” She’s built an entire career on raunchy jokes about everything from bad dates to bathroom humour. Now, she’s releasing her first Netflix special, "Filth Queen.” Steph joins guest host Talia Schlanger to tell us how she developed her niche, why she had to leave Canada to get her big break, and why she wants women to feel comfortable farting in front of people.
Duration:00:23:08
The forgotten history of classical music among the Labrador Inuit
7/14/2025
Deantha Edmunds is Canada’s first Inuk professional opera singer. Last year, she was appointed to the Order of Canada, and earlier this month, she was honoured at the Canada Day ceremony in Ottawa. In this conversation with Tom Power from 2024, Deantha talks about the forgotten classical music tradition of the Labrador Inuit, as well as her own journey in music.
Duration:00:28:09
How Emma Donoghue’s new musical stands up for immigrants then and now
7/11/2025
Award-winning Irish Canadian novelist, screenwriter and playwright Emma Donoghue (Room, The Wonder) is back with her first musical, “The Wind Coming Over The Sea.” It’s based on the true story of Henry and Jane Johnson, a young married couple who left Ireland in the 1840s in search of a better life in Canada. Emma joins Tom Power to talk about what inspired the production, the traditional Irish folk music she used to tell the tale, and why this historical story about the immigrant experience still resonates today.
Duration:00:25:22
The dark side of writing a life-changing hit
7/11/2025
Twenty years ago, Canadian singer-songwriter Daniel Powter wrote the song “Bad Day,” which quickly became one of the biggest hits of 2005. It earned him a Grammy nomination, sold millions of copies and launched his career as an artist. But when “Bad Day” got bigger than anyone could have ever imagined, Daniel’s mental health started to decline, leading to addiction and substance abuse. On the song’s 20th anniversary, Daniel joins Tom Power to share the dark side of writing a life-changing hit, and what his relationship to making music is like today.
Duration:00:21:48
Finn Wolfhard is still that kid from Stranger Things
7/10/2025
At age 12, Canadian actor Finn Wolfhard shot to fame after landing the role of a lifetime on “Stranger Things.” But growing up in the spotlight wasn’t always easy. Finn often felt like he didn’t have control over his public identity or his artistic life. Now, as his tenure on “Stranger Things” comes to a close, he’s launched a music career with the release of his debut solo album, “Happy Birthday.” Finn sits down with Tom Po hometown of Vancouver to talk about the record, how he found his voice in music, and how “Stranger Things” changed his life. If you enjoy this conversation, check out Tom’s interview with Finn’s “Stranger Things” co-star Joe Keery (a.k.a. Djo) on his viral hit “End of Beginning.”
Duration:00:44:09
Jason Mantzoukas wants to be the ugly American villain
7/9/2025
When actor and comedian Jason Mantzoukas (The Good Place, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Parks and Recreation) finally got the chance to appear on his favourite TV show — the weird and hilarious British game show “Taskmaster” — he didn’t want to play along normally. He wanted to be the ugly American villain who creates chaos. Jason joins Tom Power to tell us what actually happened when he stepped onto set, what it was like going from superfan to contestant, and why he thinks that beloved British shows like “Taskmaster” have never fully taken off in North America.
Duration:00:32:08
Evan Redsky is exploring the cosmos
7/9/2025
When Evan Redsky sat down to write a song about his culture, he thought about three things: the movie “Interstellar,” the movie “Contact” with Jodie Foster, and the Ojibwe word that essentially means "see you later" (because there is no word for goodbye in Ojibwe). In this chat with guest host Talia Schlanger, Evan tells us how these elements make up his new single, “Cosmic Carousel.”
Duration:00:17:03
Atsuko Okatsuka was technically kidnapped by her grandma
7/8/2025
Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka is able to make the most difficult life experiences seem funny. In her new stand-up special, “Father,” she takes a look at her complex childhood growing up undocumented in the U.S. (she was technically kidnapped by her own grandma, though she doesn’t see it that way). Atsuko joins guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about turning those early experiences into comedy, and how she dives into her past with empathy and humour.
Duration:00:25:14
This play is an adaptation of the longest poem ever written
7/8/2025
The longest poem ever written is a 4,000-year-old Sanskrit epic called the “Mahabharata,” which clocks in at roughly 1.8 million words. But the poem’s daunting length didn’t stop Toronto’s Why Not Theatre from adapting it into a large-scale play of the same name. A few months ago, Miriam Fernandes, the co-creator and star of the show, joined Tom Power to tell us exactly what it took to bring this ancient Sanskrit epic to the stage, and why the story still feels urgent and deeply relevant today.
Duration:00:24:09
How The Young and the Restless led to more Black women becoming doctors
7/7/2025
Canadian actor Tonya Williams spent two decades playing Dr. Olivia Winters on “The Young and the Restless,” which made her one of the first Black actors to star on a soap opera. In 2001, she founded the Reelworld Film Festival, which champions diverse Canadian talent in the TV and film industry. Now, she’s been named an Officer of the Order of Canada. We revisit Tonya’s conversation with Tom Power about her groundbreaking career and how her soap opera character actually helped increase the number of Black women doctors in the U.S.
Duration:00:34:29
The Bear's Liza Colón-Zayas on the “cult” that tried to brainwash her
7/7/2025
On the hit series “The Bear,” Liza Colón-Zayas plays a middle-aged line cook named Tina who’s challenged by her mentors to learn new skills as a sous-chef. In some ways, her character’s story mirrors her own journey as an actor. With Season 4 of “The Bear” out now, we revisit Liza’s conversation with Tom Power about the scarcity and struggle she had to overcome on her path to success, her experience in a strict religious group that forced her to surrender all her wages to them, and how her setbacks continue to shape her as an artist. If you like this conversation, you should also check out Tom’s interview with Matty Matheson.
Duration:00:17:43
For George Takei, coming out has been a lifelong process
7/4/2025
George Takei is one of America’s most beloved actors and activists, known best for playing Hikaru Sulu in the “Star Trek” franchise. In 2019, he released a graphic memoir, “They Called Us Enemy,” which detailed his childhood experience at internment camps during the Second World War. Now, he’s released a follow-up book, “It Rhymes with Takei.” The new graphic memoir unpacks his experience living as a closeted gay man for most of his life. In this conversation with guest host Talia Schlanger, George opens up about fearing punishment for his differences, why he didn’t come out until he was 68, and how his involvement with LGBTQ+ advocacy work has shaped who he is today.
Duration:00:32:32
Phil Rosenthal is the luckiest person in the world
7/3/2025
Phil Rosenthal is the creator, writer and executive producer of “Everybody Loves Raymond,” one of the most successful sitcoms of all time. But after the show wrapped in 2005, it took nearly 10 years for him to get his next dream project off the ground. Now, Phil’s food and travel show “Somebody Feed Phil” is in its eighth season on Netflix. He joins Tom Power live on-stage at the Banff World Media Festival to talk about betting on himself, having the courage to stay positive, and why cynicism is a waste of time.
Duration:00:32:49
This post-apocalyptic thriller is a love letter to the director’s mom
7/3/2025
In his directorial debut, “40 Acres,” Canadian filmmaker R.T. Thorne imagines a post-apocalyptic world where food is scarce, society is in ruins and your family is under threat. It’s an intense movie about fighting for survival, but it also explores the complicated relationship between a mother and a son. R.T. joins Tom Power to share how his mother’s experiences as a Trinidadian immigrant in Canada shaped the mother-son relationship in the film, and how his background making music videos still informs his work today.
Duration:00:20:46