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. Some of the topics we’ve covered recently, include: the results of the Canadian Federal election — a minority Liberal government — and Canada’s new Prime Minister-elect Mark Carney. Also, Pierre Poilievre, leader of the Conservative party, who lost his seat in the Ottawa riding of Carleton but also boosted Conservative popular vote share. Meanwhile, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, who also lost his seat, has resigned following historically low results for his party, which lost official party status in the House. Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet kept his seat in Beloeil–Chambly, but lost about a third of its seats. Elizabeth May’s Green Party held on to her seat but she also lost her co-leader Jonathan Pedneault. Also on our radar: Heather McPherson, the NDP’s re-elected MP for Edmonton Strathcona, who some observers are saying could be the NDP’s next leader. What Conservatives are thinking now about their leader Pierre Poilievre and the path forward for their party. And how Liberal Leader Mark Carney will govern for all Canadians in a politically divided country facing threats from U.S. President Donald Trump. We’re still keeping an eye on: annexation and “51st state” threats, tariffs impacting Canadian jobs, especially farmers, truckers, auto workers, energy sector workers, construction workers and steel and aluminum workers; raising the cost of living, inflation, and unemployment in Canada; straining cross-border relationships, including the historic friendship between Windsor and Detroit. We also discuss “Team Canada,” interprovincial trade, and the rise of “elbows up” Canadian patriotism; Canadian sovereignty and backlash to ‘51st state’ threats; on the world stage, including our relationship with China, Ukraine, India; security and our status in the Five Eyes spy network, NATO and NORAD, and shifting global alliances in general. Other recent topics include: Filipino community reeling after Lapu Lapu street festival killings; “Grey divorce” and the rise of separation in late life; Canadians’ top vacation spots; migrants affected by Trump’s deportation push; the death of Pope Francis; landmark antitrust trials against Meta and Google; the sexual assault trial of five ex-world junior hockey players; the liquidation of Hudson’s Bay; the surge in measles cases, hair loss drug finasteride, extremist network 764, protests against Elon Musk and Tesla; Starlink and the rural internet; the turmoil around Israel and Gaza’s ceasefire; more adults with ADHD, Blue Ghost on the moon, genetically modified pig organs; aging well, wellness, dementia and long term care, as well as cancer and “commonsense oncology,” Greenland and Arctic sovereignty, cuts to USAID; Canada’s critical minerals; inflation; mortgages; opioids and Fentanyl, parenting, Canada’s best vacation spots, teens ditching social media; crypto power brokers in the White House; NASA’s new telescope and the making of a 3D map of the universe. 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

Genres:

Public Radio

Podcasts

Interviews

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. Some of the topics we’ve covered recently, include: the results of the Canadian Federal election — a minority Liberal government — and Canada’s new Prime Minister-elect Mark Carney. Also, Pierre Poilievre, leader of the Conservative party, who lost his seat in the Ottawa riding of Carleton but also boosted Conservative popular vote share. Meanwhile, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, who also lost his seat, has resigned following historically low results for his party, which lost official party status in the House. Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet kept his seat in Beloeil–Chambly, but lost about a third of its seats. Elizabeth May’s Green Party held on to her seat but she also lost her co-leader Jonathan Pedneault. Also on our radar: Heather McPherson, the NDP’s re-elected MP for Edmonton Strathcona, who some observers are saying could be the NDP’s next leader. What Conservatives are thinking now about their leader Pierre Poilievre and the path forward for their party. And how Liberal Leader Mark Carney will govern for all Canadians in a politically divided country facing threats from U.S. President Donald Trump. We’re still keeping an eye on: annexation and “51st state” threats, tariffs impacting Canadian jobs, especially farmers, truckers, auto workers, energy sector workers, construction workers and steel and aluminum workers; raising the cost of living, inflation, and unemployment in Canada; straining cross-border relationships, including the historic friendship between Windsor and Detroit. We also discuss “Team Canada,” interprovincial trade, and the rise of “elbows up” Canadian patriotism; Canadian sovereignty and backlash to ‘51st state’ threats; on the world stage, including our relationship with China, Ukraine, India; security and our status in the Five Eyes spy network, NATO and NORAD, and shifting global alliances in general. Other recent topics include: Filipino community reeling after Lapu Lapu street festival killings; “Grey divorce” and the rise of separation in late life; Canadians’ top vacation spots; migrants affected by Trump’s deportation push; the death of Pope Francis; landmark antitrust trials against Meta and Google; the sexual assault trial of five ex-world junior hockey players; the liquidation of Hudson’s Bay; the surge in measles cases, hair loss drug finasteride, extremist network 764, protests against Elon Musk and Tesla; Starlink and the rural internet; the turmoil around Israel and Gaza’s ceasefire; more adults with ADHD, Blue Ghost on the moon, genetically modified pig organs; aging well, wellness, dementia and long term care, as well as cancer and “commonsense oncology,” Greenland and Arctic sovereignty, cuts to USAID; Canada’s critical minerals; inflation; mortgages; opioids and Fentanyl, parenting, Canada’s best vacation spots, teens ditching social media; crypto power brokers in the White House; NASA’s new telescope and the making of a 3D map of the universe. 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

Website:

http://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent

Email:

thecurrent@cbc.ca

Episodes

Antarctica’s landscape is changing, from melting ice to geopolitics

6/6/2025

Fifteen Canadian scientists turned a navy vessel into a research ship this February, and set out to explore Antarctica. The CBC’s international climate correspondent, Susan Ormiston, was along for the ride. Ormiston tells Matt Galloway about being chased by a seal in the planet’s strange, southern continent — and why melting Antarctic ice will impact the rest of the

Duration:00:18:24

The dirty work of preserving a blue whale skeleton

6/6/2025

The bones of a massive blue whale will soon hang at Dalhousie University. In a conversation from April, Veterinarian Chris Harvey-Clark tells us about the extensive effort it took to salvage the whale that washed up outside Halifax, the accompanying smell, and what we still don't understand about the largest mammal on earth.

Duration:00:24:16

How the ultrarich get into petty fights, influence power and live so lavishly

6/6/2025

There’s more billionaires in the world now than ever before. And as wealth is concentrated into the hands of a small group of people, the power of those select few is also growing – particularly in the US, where billionaires have been getting more and more access to Donald Trump. The journalist Evan Osnos tells Matt Galloway about the influence and excesses of the .01%, which he charts in his new book, The Haves and the Have Yachts.

Duration:00:24:07

Steel and aluminum tariffs hit businesses on both sides of the border

6/5/2025

Whopping 50 per cent tariffs are now in effect on steel and aluminum imports headed to the U.S. — and that’s causing pain for businesses on both sides of the border. We hear from Canadian and American businesses who say they will survive, but at a cost.

Duration:00:14:23

Are DEI rollbacks coming to Canada?

6/5/2025

Diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives have been under fire in the U.S. since Trump came back to the White House — and on this side of the border, some are worried about similar rollbacks. Equity and diversity experts discuss how company values are being “pressure tested,” and what DEI initiatives got wrong.

Duration:00:19:25

Hamas killed his mother. Now, he’s continuing her fight for peace

6/5/2025

Canadian-Israeli peace activist Vivian Silver dedicated her life to building bridges between Israelis and Palestinians. But her life was cut short when she was killed by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023 — and her son, Yonaten Zeigen, vowed to continue her work. Zeigen tells Matt Galloway why he quit his job to take up the often “dangerous” work of peace.

Duration:00:24:07

A Canadian cyclist’s fourth-place finish in a gruelling Giro d’Italia

6/5/2025

Canadian cyclist Derek Gee says five years ago, he wouldn’t have believed he’d ever make it to the Giro d’Italia – a gruelling, weeks-long cycling race. Gee tells Matt Galloway about his fourth place finish, and the blessing he received from Pope Leo along the way.

Duration:00:09:13

Why the son of a MAID pioneer is choosing to die on his own terms

6/4/2025

Price Carter travelled to Switzerland with his mom, Kay Carter, 15 years ago to be with her while she received an assisted death. The process was illegal in Canada at the time — something her kids went on to help change. Now, following a cancer diagnosis, Price has been approved for an assisted death. He spoke with Matt Galloway about the decision to die on his own terms.

Duration:00:19:36

Edmonton Oilers in 5? These superfans sure hope so

6/4/2025

The Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers will go head to head for the Stanley Cup starting tonight – a rematch of last year’s final matchup that saw the Oilers defeated. Will they pull off the win this time? Two superfans say they sure hope so — and they don’t mind welcoming hockey fans of other Canadian teams onto the bandwagon

Duration:00:21:50

“Truly a nightmare:” evacuees describe fleeing fire on the prairies

6/4/2025

Thousands of residents in Manitoba and Saskatchewan have been forced out of their homes by raging wildfires and are now sheltering, in some cases, hundreds of kilometres away. Despite harrowing journeys to safety and what they describe as a lack of support from governments, two evacuees discuss how proud they are of their communities, where neighbours have come together to support each other.

Duration:00:25:09

The Current Introduces | Uncover: Calls From a Killer

6/3/2025

What does a reporter do when they receive a cold call from one of the most horrific serial killers in Canadian history? The killer: Clifford Olson, who murdered at least eleven children in the 1980s. The reporter: Arlene Bynon, who recorded her jailhouse calls with Olson for years. Alongside legendary journalist Peter Worthington, Arlene spent hundreds of hours on the phone with Olson. It was kept secret from his prison guards; he wasn't allowed to speak to the media. In Calls From a Killer, from CBC’s Uncover, Arlene unearths secrets that have been buried for decades. More episodes of Calls from a Killer are available at: https://link.mgln.ai/vCRoV

Duration:00:32:55

Seeking aid in Gaza has become a terrifying experience: aid worker

6/3/2025

As limited aid begins to enter Gaza after a months-long blockade, civilians are scrambling to access much-needed food and supplies. Gaza health officials say Israeli forces have killed dozens of Palestinians trying to access aid in the past few days. A representative from Save The Children discusses the struggle to get aid to people who desperately need it — and about the humanitarian situation on the ground, which she says somehow gets worse every day.

Duration:00:12:05

Ready for a summer read? We asked the professionals for their picks

6/3/2025

Nothing beats a good book, especially at the cottage, by the pool — or even quietly at home with the kids away at camp. We ask two professional book lovers to share their tips for the best books of the summer, from beach reads and blockbusters to novels from Canada’s finest. Ann Shea, from Mill Street Books in Almonte, Ont., chose One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune, The Alternatives by Caoilinn Hughes, How to Survive a Bear Attack by Claire Cameron, The Mind Mappers by Eric Andrew-Gee and My Friends by Fredrik Backman. Cassidy Tooley, from Mosaic Books in Kelowna, B.C., chose Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy, Favourite Daughter by Morgan Dick, The Book of Alchemy: A Creative Practice for an Inspired Life by Suleika Jaouad, The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig, and Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Have you read any of these books already? Hit play to hear the conversation and find out why our book lovers think you should!

Duration:00:16:34

How Ukraine launched a drone attack deep inside Russia

6/3/2025

Ukrainian drones smuggled deep into Russian territory carried out a stunning attack over the weekend — and just this morning, another underwater bombing by Ukraine took out Russia’s bridge to Crimea. A journalist in Kyiv breaks down the military feat, and explains how much its boosted morale among Ukrainians.

Duration:00:12:22

Why a B.C. ostrich farm – and high-profile supporters – are pushing back against cull order

6/3/2025

The fight to save 400 ostriches from being culled at a B.C. farm where avian flu was detected late last year has attracted international attention — including from some big name supporters, including Dr. Oz and U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. A member of the family that’s owned the ostrich farm for 30 years tells Matt Galloway about why they have fought the cull order, while an immunology expert explains the risk the birds pose to public health.

Duration:00:19:35

Carney’s plan to build big things

6/2/2025

Mark Carney promised to “build, baby, build” on the campaign trail. Today, he’s meeting with provincial and territorial premiers to discuss his plans to build big projects in this country, including by fast-tracking the processes to get them approved. We’ll talk about balancing the rights of Indigenous nations with the new government’s proposed plans — and why red tape isn’t the only hurdle holding up development.

Duration:00:19:33

Rutger Bregman wants you to quit your job and make the world a better place

6/2/2025

From climate change to poverty or infant mortality, the world is facing a lot of big problems. And the historian Rutger Bregman says you — yes, you — are the exact right person to solve them. Bregman makes the case to Matt Galloway that today’s workforce should focus on “moral ambition” — channeling their entrepreneurial spirits toward social problems, rather than toiling in meaningless jobs

Duration:00:23:57

How a bear attack story helped this author understand her cancer diagnosis

6/2/2025

Claire Cameron has been obsessed with bears since hearing about a bear attack while she was working in Ontario’s Algonquin Park as a teenager. But when she was diagnosed with cancer, Cameron revisited the details of that attack and the wilderness environment that’s shaped much of her life. In a conversation from March, she told Galloway about her new memoir How to Survive a Bear Attack, and what facing death taught her about how to live.

Duration:00:25:39

Can you spell this word? Test your spelling bee knowledge

5/30/2025

Are you a self-identified “word nerd?” Jacques Bailly is, and he is a bit of a spell-lebrity… What is that you might ask? Well, he is the head pronouncer at the Scripps National Spelling Bee, the Olympics of competitive spelling, and he was a spelling bee champion himself when he was 14. He’ll talk about why spelling is a skill we should preserve in a world of spell check and AI — and put Matt Galloway to the test.

Duration:00:13:47

What to do about Sir John A. MacDonald statues?

5/30/2025

There are many statues of Canada’s first Prime Minister across this country — but in recent years statues of John A. Macdonald have been toppled or taken down to protest his role as an architect of the residential schools system and his treatment of indigenous people. We'll talk about what to do about the statues - and why the plans to clean up and uncover one John A. McDonald in Toronto is particularly controversial.

Duration:00:19:43