The Current
CBC Podcasts & Radio On-Demand
Three stories to expand your worldview, delivered daily. Matt Galloway cuts through a sea of choice to bring you stories that transcend the news cycle. Conversations with big thinkers, household names, and people living the news. An antidote to algorithms that cater to what you already know — and a meeting place for diverse perspectives. In its 20 years, the Current has become a go-to place for stories that shape and entertain us. Released daily, Monday to Friday.
The Current is produced in Toronto, Ontario, Canada — and has recently recorded live shows about the Canadian election in Surrey and Burnaby BC. And shows to come in Oshawa and the 905, Red Deer, Alberta, Quebec City and Halifax.
Location:
Canada, ON
Networks:
CBC Podcasts & Radio On-Demand
Description:
Three stories to expand your worldview, delivered daily. Matt Galloway cuts through a sea of choice to bring you stories that transcend the news cycle. Conversations with big thinkers, household names, and people living the news. An antidote to algorithms that cater to what you already know — and a meeting place for diverse perspectives. In its 20 years, the Current has become a go-to place for stories that shape and entertain us. Released daily, Monday to Friday. The Current is produced in Toronto, Ontario, Canada — and has recently recorded live shows about the Canadian election in Surrey and Burnaby BC. And shows to come in Oshawa and the 905, Red Deer, Alberta, Quebec City and Halifax.
Twitter:
@TheCurrentCBC
Language:
English
Contact:
The Current CBC Radio P.O. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6 (877) 287-7366
Email:
thecurrent@cbc.ca
Episodes
Will Trump’s peace push force Ukraine to give up territory?
8/19/2025
U.S. President Donald Trump says peace in Ukraine is “very attainable” after hosting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders at the White House just days after meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Trump has floated security guarantees for Ukraine, but also suggested Kyiv may need to give up territory. Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, a Ukrainian MP, tells us why many in her country fear being forced into concessions. Plus, Brookings Institution foreign policy expert Michael O’Hanlon and Atlantic Council’s Peter Dickinson on what Trump, Putin and Zelensky each stand to gain, and what a deal could mean for Ukraine’s future.
Duration:00:19:46
How smartphones took over our lives and how you can take back control
8/19/2025
Got bad phone habits? We know being on our phones too much isn’t good for us, especially for kids. Yet we all keep scrolling and scrolling and scrolling. Kaitlyn Regehr, author of Smartphone Nation, explains how our devices are designed to be addictive, and shares practical, effective tips for what parents can do to help kids build healthier habits.
Duration:00:24:21
What does Pierre Poilievre’s Alberta byelection mean for Canadian politics?
8/18/2025
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre is anticipated to win today’s byelection in Alberta’s Battle River–Crowfoot, one of the safest Conservative seats in the country. But with more than 200 independent candidates on the ballot and separatist sentiment simmering in the province, analysts say the campaign offers clues on what to expect when Parliament returns this fall. We hear from former Conservative cabinet minister Monte Solberg and former Alberta NDP cabinet minister Shannon Phillips.
Duration:00:22:46
What does Air Canada’s illegal strike mean for passengers and workers?
8/18/2025
Air Canada flight attendants say they will defy a federal back-to-work order and remain on strike, as more than 100,000 passengers face cancellations and disruptions. We hear from passenger Laurie Panagiotou, who spent thousands rebooking a family vacation, and aviation expert John Gradek on what’s at stake for workers, the airline, and the government.
Duration:00:19:15
Why are more women diagnosed with Alzheimer’s than men?
8/15/2025
Researchers are uncovering new reasons why more women are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease than men and it’s not just because they live longer. We hear from Fe Wyma, who cared for her mother with dementia for over a decade, about how that experience has changed her own approach to brain health. Plus, University of Toronto’s Gillian Einstein and Toronto Metropolitan University’s Natasha Rajah on how biology, menopause, and social factors all shape women’s risk, and what can be done to prevent cognitive decline.
Duration:00:20:19
Why is Europe getting warmer faster?
8/15/2025
Southern Europe is in the grip of another summer of extreme heat, with temperatures soaring to record highs and wildfires burning across the region. The Guardian’s Ajit Niranjan explains why Europe is heating faster than other continents, and what that means for people on the ground. Then, University of Waterloo’s Daniel Scott on how the tourism industry is adapting to rising temperatures and why more travellers are booking “cool-cations” in cooler destinations.
Duration:00:20:17
What’s at stake as Trump and Putin meet on Ukraine
8/14/2025
U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to meet in Alaska on Friday to discuss a possible ceasefire in Ukraine. We hear from Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, a Ukrainian MP who says leaving her country out of the talks is a win for Putin and ignores those living under Russian occupation. Plus, Brookings Institution foreign policy expert Michael O’Hanlon and Atlantic Council’s Peter Dickinson on what the two leaders might hope to gain, and whether the talks could bring the war any closer to an end.
Duration:00:19:36
Will Air Canada and its flight attendants reach a deal before a strike?
8/14/2025
Air Canada will begin cancelling flights today ahead of a possible weekend strike by more than 10,000 flight attendants. We speak with union leader Natasha Stea about the breakdown in negotiations over pay, work rules and unpaid hours — and what’s at stake for passengers if no deal is reached.
Duration:00:09:50
Can deleting emails help save water during a drought?
8/14/2025
With drought gripping the U.K., the government is urging people to delete old emails and photos to cut the water used by data centres. Civil engineering professor Venki Uddameri explains the link between cloud storage and water consumption, why individual actions have limits, and how to better manage resources as AI and other data-heavy technologies expand.
Duration:00:12:25
How a camera opened Eldred Allen’s eyes to Labrador’s beauty
8/13/2025
Picking up a camera taught Eldred Allen to look at his home in Labrador differently, from its dramatic coastlines to the shimmering northern lights. The self-taught Inuk photographer shares some portraits of his home, with a warning that its beauty is under threat from climate change.
Duration:00:22:39
Trump puts Washington, D.C police under federal power, but why?
8/13/2025
U.S. politics has not slowed down this summer. President Donald Trump says Washington D.C. is a “nightmare of murder and crime,” despite violent crime numbers going down. So, he has put the police in the capital under federal power. We talk to Molly Ball from The Wall Street Journal, David A. Graham from The Atlantic, and Andrew Egger from The Bulwark about what this means for the rest of the U.S. — and more.
Duration:00:19:24
Six journalists in Gaza killed by Israeli airstrike
8/12/2025
Six journalists were killed by a recent Israeli strike in Gaza. Anas Al-Sharif, with Al-Jazeera, was one of them. He had become the face and voice of the war in Gaza for many Palestinians. We speak with his former colleague and friend, journalist Ahmed Zakot — and Sara Qudah from the Committee to Protect Journalists about the threats Al-Sharif had been receiving, and the allegations from Israel that he was an active member of Hamas's military wing.
Duration:00:19:00
U.S. hits Canadian lumber with new anti-dumping duties
8/12/2025
Donald Trump often says 'tariff' is the most beautiful word in the dictionary. And it's been his favoured weapon in his global trade war. But it's not the only one. On Friday, the US commerce department announced a big hike in countervailing duties on Canadian softwood lumber. Combined with anti-dumping duties announced in July, Canadian lumber is now subject to duties of more than 35%. We talk about what this means for the industry.
Duration:00:23:09
Allegations of arson as wildfires rage across eastern Canada
8/11/2025
Wildfires are burning across Newfoundland and Labrador, prompting the provincial government to significantly increase fines and prison time for people who violate a fire ban. We speak to Scott Chandler, who lost his home in Conception Bay North, and ask Premier John Hogan about investigations into allegations of arson — and the latest on the firefighting effort. Plus, we hear from Janet Barlow of Hike Nova Scotia about the province’s sweeping ban on activities in wooded areas and the impact on outdoor recreation.
Duration:00:18:48
How the ultrarich get into petty fights, influence power and live so lavishly
8/11/2025
There are more billionaires in the world now than ever before, and the power of those select few is also growing. In a conversation from June, the journalist Evan Osnos tells Matt Galloway about the influence and excesses of the 0.01 per cent, which he charts in his book, The Haves and the Have Yachts.
Duration:00:24:11
What to know about the dark side of skin-lightening?
8/8/2025
Following decades of colourism shaped by colonialism, racism, and media, lighter skin was often seen as more desirable, even within Black communities. Now, that idea is experiencing “The Great Shift” on social media. We talk about the cultural turn where darker skin tones are being embraced, and the long-term health risks of skin-lightening creams and drugs.
Duration:00:23:56
E-scooters might be fun, but are they safe?
8/8/2025
They're cheap, ecofriendly, and fun. E-scooters are growing in popularity across Canada, but they are also safety concerns. A new report shows injuries caused when riding two-wheeled vehicles are higher than ever before. We talk about what needs to be done to regulate e-scooters better and keep riders safe.
Duration:00:18:54
How can Canada have closer trade ties with Mexico?
8/7/2025
When Canada was imposed with 35 percent tariffs by U.S. President Donald Trump last week, Mexico received a 90-day extension on trade talks. So, in the face of two very different trade talks with the U.S., Canada is working to strengthen its economic ties with Mexico. We discuss what closer trade ties between Canada and Mexico could entail, and how Canada should adjust its approach to trade talks with PresidentTrump.
Duration:00:12:00
What makes Victoria Mboko a tennis star?
8/7/2025
Victoria Mboko is only 18 years old, and she has already become a tennis sensation — and is capturing the hearts of millions of Canadians. At the Women's National Bank Open semi-finals in Montreal Wednesday night, she won against the former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, becoming one win away from taking the title. We discuss how the only Canadian woman left in the tournament rose to the top and how she is just getting started.
Duration:00:12:22
A look inside the aid airdrops into Gaza
8/7/2025
For months, getting aid into Gaza has been near impossible. This week, Canada made its first humanitarian airdrop during a multinational mission led by Jordan. CBC’s international correspondent, Susan Ormiston, was on board the Jordanian plane. She brings us that story and explains how these aid drops compare to the real need on the ground in Gaza.
Duration:00:19:10