Best National Recording Artists And Authors Podcasts (2025)

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How Jully Black uses her singing “superpower” to advocate for others 24:53

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1m ago24:53

24:53

Jully Black is a powerhouse singer-songwriter from Toronto who’s often called Canada's queen of R&B soul. Earlier this year, Jully sat down with Tom Power to tell us how singing in church at age six put her on her artistic path, why she feels speaking out is always the right thing to do, and why her mother is her biggest influence.…

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Don’t call Jan Lisiecki a child prodigy 20:39

5m ago20:39

20:39

Calgary’s Jan Lisiecki was only nine when made his orchestral debut as a classical pianist. While most of us were still figuring out cursive, he was playing sold-out recitals — so, of course, he was called a child prodigy. But Jan has complicated feelings about that term. A few months ago, he joined guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about his new …

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How Sorry, Baby takes a nuanced look at sexual assault 25:55

24h ago25:55

25:55

In just under five years, Eva Victor went from being a viral video comedian to writing, directing and starring in their own feature film, “Sorry, Baby.” The film tells the story of Agnes, a grad school student turned professor whose life was altered by an incident they refer to as “the bad thing.” What follows is a sensitive, fraught and often funn…

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Stephen Graham Jones is reinventing the vampire 28:15

24h ago28:15

28:15

According to bestselling horror author Stephen Graham Jones, good stories don’t happen in heaven — they happen in hell. His latest novel, “The Buffalo Hunter Hunter,” is a chilling historical vampire story based on real events that happened to the Blackfeet Nation in the United States. Stephen joins guest host Talia Schlanger to discuss the metapho…

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Weekend Listen: Ocean Vuong finds beauty in a fast food shift 37:22

3d ago37:22

37:22

Long before he became a bestselling writer, Ocean Vuong sold rotisserie chickens at Boston Market. In his latest novel, The Emperor of Gladness, he explores the meaning that can be found in the daily grind of a fast food restaurant. The book follows a young addict named Hai as he unexpectedly becomes caretaker to an elderly woman and makes unlikely…

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Jerry Bruckheimer knows how to build a summer blockbuster 15:50

4d ago15:50

15:50

Jerry Bruckheimer is the Hollywood producer behind some of the biggest blockbusters of all time, including “Top Gun,” “Armageddon” and “Pirates of the Caribbean.” Now, he’s back with “F1,” which stars Brad Pitt as an aging Formula One driver who attempts to make a comeback 30 years after his career is derailed by an accident. Jerry joins guest host…

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U.S. Girls' Meg Remy is finally rooting for herself 26:12

4d ago26:12

26:12

American musician Meg Remy, the creative force behind the Toronto-based experimental pop project U.S. Girls, is back with a new record, “Scratch It.” She sits down with guest host Gill Deacon to talk about the process of recording the album live to tape in a Nashville studio, and why she says this is her first album to come from a place of love and…

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Anar Ali quit her corporate job and created a hit cop drama 25:15

5d ago25:15

25:15

Anar Ali was working as a business development executive at Procter & Gamble when she decided to quit her job to become a writer. After publishing her first couple books, she transitioned into working in TV, and now, she’s the creator and executive producer of the hit CBC police procedural “Allegiance,” which was recently renewed for its third seas…

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Tanika Charles confronts her complicated family relationships 28:22

5d ago28:22

28:22

You can’t choose your family. Even if they bring you joy or comfort, there’s almost always complexity too. On her new album, “Reasons to Stay,” Canadian R&B singer Tanika Charles explores all the hard conversations she’s wanted to have with her mom, dad and brother. The resulting record is raw, emotional, powerful and uplifting. Tanika sits down wi…

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How to Train Your Dragon author Cressida Cowell 32:44

6d ago32:44

32:44

“How to Train Your Dragon” is one of the most successful children's franchises of all time. A new live-action remake just hit the big screen and author Cressida Cowell, the creator of the original book series, has just released a new spin-off novel, “How To Train Your Dragon School: Doom of the Darkwing.” Cressida joins guest host Gill Deacon to te…

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How Refused’s New Noise became a global hit after the band broke up 16:10

6d ago16:10

16:10

It’s been more than 25 years since the Swedish hardcore punk band Refused released their seminal album, “The Shape of Punk to Come.” Their most famous song from that album, “New Noise,” has been called a political anthem and a protest song. It’s been used in the Palme d'Or'-winning film “Triangle of Sadness” as well as in the hit show “The Bear.” L…

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Misty Copeland honours trailblazing Black ballet dancer Raven Wilkinson 31:49

7d ago31:49

31:49

In 2015, Misty Copeland became the first Black woman to become principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre. Her heartfelt memoir “The Wind at My Back” pays tribute to her mentor and fellow dance pioneer Raven Wilkinson, who performed in the segregated South as a member of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo in the 1950s. A few years back, Misty joi…

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Ribbon Skirt found inspiration in renewing her antiquated “Indian” status card 16:12

7d ago16:12

16:12

The Montreal band Ribbon Skirt just released their debut album, “Bite Down.” Lead singer Tashiina Buswa joins Tom Power to tell us how the record was inspired by grief and reconnecting with her Indigeneity, how her first exposure to music was in the church, and the difference between knowing you’re free and actually feeling free. Plus, she tells th…

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Why the director of Materialists quit her past job as a matchmaker 25:14

8d ago25:14

25:14

Acclaimed Canadian filmmaker Celine Song (Past Lives, Materialists) is back with a new movie that takes a candid look at the inhumanity of matchmaking and modern dating. As it turns out, Celine used to be a matchmaker herself. She sits down with guest host Gill Deacon to talk about her experiences in the field, why she says her “drug of choice is p…

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Lido Pimienta and Owen Pallett march to their own beat 27:28

8d ago27:28

27:28

It’s been five years since the Grammy-nominated musician Lido Pimienta made waves with her breakout album, “Miss Colombia.” Now, she’s back with “La Belleza,” which takes an entirely new musical direction. Canadian composer Owen Pallett co-produced the album, which was recorded with help from the Medellín Philharmonic Orchestra. Lido and Owen sit d…

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For Tantoo Cardinal, there’s no turning back 24:44

11d ago24:44

24:44

For more than five decades, Canadian acting legend Tantoo Cardinal (Dances with Wolves, Killers of the Flower Moon) has worked tirelessly to bring nuanced Indigenous stories to the stage and screen — and she says there’s no turning back. The renowned actor was recently honoured with the Equity in Entertainment Award at The Hollywood Reporter's Wome…

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This driving school sitcom is a celebration of Black culture in Nova Scotia 16:09

11d ago16:09

16:09

Steve Lawrence and Alexandra MacLean are the stars and co-creators of the Bell Fibe series “0-60 Driving Academy.” They speak to guest host Talia Schlanger about creating a show based on Steve’s real-life experiences running a driving school, and why they wanted to see a Black Nova Scotian family on the screen.…

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Domee Shi on Elio, aliens and one-dimensional moms 19:03

12d ago19:03

19:03

The Oscar-winning Canadian animator and director Domee Shi (Bao, Turning Red) is back with a new Disney-Pixar movie, “Elio.” It’s about an 11-year-old who’s obsessed with getting abducted by aliens. Domee joins guest host Talia Schlanger to share how her own childhood inspired aspects of the film, why the theme of alien abduction is a great way to …

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Playwright Tim Crouch doesn’t want his actors to hear this podcast 24:16

12d ago24:16

24:16

There's a reason why the British theatre maker Tim Crouch doesn't want his actors to hear this podcast — it’s because they’re not supposed to know anything about their role until an hour before the show. This year, Tim’s award-winning play “An Oak Tree” turns 20. It’s one of the strangest and most influential theatre experiments in history, and it’…

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Joshua Jackson had to make a tricky transition before Dawson’s Creek 21:47

13d ago21:47

21:47

Joshua Jackson rose to fame more than 20 years ago as a teen heartthrob on the show “Dawson’s Creek.” But his latest role relies solely on the power of his voice. The Vancouver-born actor joins guest host Gill Deacon to talk about narrating the suspenseful Canadian audio series “Oracle 3: Murder at the Grandview,” embracing his Canadian roots, and …

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Endless Cookie is a psychedelic family portrait of two half-brothers 22:51

13d ago22:51

22:51

Imagine taking your favourite family memories and spinning them into a full-length movie. That’s exactly what the Toronto filmmaker Seth Scriver has done with the animated documentary “Endless Cookie,” which he created over nine years with his half-brother Peter. Though Seth and Peter lead radically different lives (they’re separated by age, cultur…

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Owen Wilson’s childhood was a real-life buddy comedy 22:27

14d ago22:27

22:27

Owen Wilson has played a misfit, a cowboy, a robber, a male model and now he can add pro golfer to that list. In the new sports comedy series “Stick,” Owen plays Pryce Cahill, an ex-pro golfer with a dark past who ends up coaching a troubled teen prodigy. Owen joins guest host Gill Deacon to talk about the show, how his carefree nature seeps into h…

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Comedian Malik Elassal on why it's important to make fun of everything 21:44

14d ago21:44

21:44

The Calgary-born comedian Malik Elassal has already been getting noticed on the stand-up circuit, but with a starring role on the new FX and Disney+ series “Adults,” a lot more people are going to start hearing about him. Malik sits down with Tom Power in our studio to talk about the show, his journey in stand-up, and why he says you can talk about…

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Adam Duritz wrote a song about wanting to be famous — and it came true 47:47

15d ago47:47

47:47

In 1993, Counting Crows’ debut album, "August and Everything After,” went multi-platinum, selling more than seven million copies in the U.S. alone. Lead singer Adam Duritz joins Tom Power for a wide-ranging conversation about “Mr. Jones” (the song that started it all), how there’s no going back after becoming famous, and what it was like playing hi…

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What made Graham Greene an icon? Talent, discipline and luck 33:09

18d ago33:09

33:09

Canadian icon Graham Greene (Dances With Wolves, The Green Mile, Wind River) is one of the most recognizable Indigenous actors in North America. Recently, he was honoured with a Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award from the Governor General's Awards, which recognizes his prolific career on stage and screen. In this career-spanning interview, Graham …

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How Boxcutter celebrates Toronto, hip-hop and young artists 17:15

18d ago17:15

17:15

Reza Dahya helped shape the sound of Toronto hip-hop as the host of “OTA Live” on the iconic Canadian radio station FLOW 93.5. Now, he’s released his debut film, “Boxcutter,” which is a love letter to Toronto and all the young artists who are trying to find their place. Reza joins guest host Gill Deacon to talk about the movie and how it pays tribu…

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What if Macbeth was set in the world of biker gangs? 36:39

19d ago36:39

36:39

Acclaimed Canadian theatre maker Robert Lepage is back at the Stratford Festival with a new take on Shakespeare's “Macbeth.” This new production tells the same classic story of greed, betrayal and murder, but it’s set during the brutal Quebec biker wars of the ‘90s. Robert joins Tom Power to talk about putting a new spin on this Shakespearean trage…

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Why Robert Adam won’t be singing their queer country music in the U.S. 14:54

19d ago14:54

14:54

Country artist Robert Adam is Calgary's self-proclaimed “Dream Angel Cowboy.” But they say celebrating queer identity isn’t always easy in their home province of Alberta or in Nashville, where they made their upcoming full-length album, “Governed by the Seasons.” Robert joins guest host Gill Deacon to talk about finding their musical community, mak…

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Alessia Cara is an introvert in an extrovert’s industry 25:09

20d ago25:09

25:09

Alessia Cara has a unique talent for capturing the inner life of someone growing up in the digital age as they deal with love, acceptance and rejection. On the Grammy-winning Canadian singer-songwriter’s fourth and latest album, “Love & Hyperbole,” she opens up about her feelings of being an introvert in an extrovert’s industry. Earlier this year, …

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What made Oscar Peterson so exceptional 27:39

20d ago27:39

27:39

Robi Botos is a Juno-winning Canadian jazz pianist who was hugely influenced by the late Oscar Peterson — one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time. He opened for Oscar in Switzerland and he even gave Oscar’s daughter piano lessons. In celebration of the Canadian jazz legend’s centenary (he would have turned 100 on Aug. 15), Robi sits down with…

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Teddy Swims was terrified to shift away from covers 36:19

21d ago36:19

36:19

Teddy Swims first won over the internet with his viral YouTube covers of hits like “You're Still The One” by Shania Twain and “I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Bonnie Raitt. But his success performing covers left him questioning whether he’d ever be capable of writing original songs that were just as good. Now, Teddy is one of the biggest artists in th…

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Alicia Moffet's pop career had a few false starts 13:10

21d ago13:10

13:10

Alicia Moffet grew up being told she was going to be the next big thing. She was 12 when her covers started going viral on YouTube, 14 when she won the Canadian singing competition show “The Next Star,” and 16 when she placed second on another singing competition show, “La Voix.” But during that time, Alicia learned that if you’re not prepared for …

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Hannah Moscovitch is trying to unredact her life 30:54

22d ago30:54

30:54

Hannah Moscovitch is a Governor General’s Award-winning Canadian playwright whose work often takes a sharp and uncompromising look at the internal lives of women. Her play “Red Like Fruit,” tells the story of Lauren, a journalist covering a high profile domestic violence case who starts to reexamine her own past experiences with men. Hannah tells T…

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How writing about love is similar to writing about murder 21:19

22d ago21:19

21:19

Bestselling romance writer Uzma Jalaluddin is switching gears. Her new novel, “Detective Aunty,” is a murder mystery, set in a fictional neighbourhood in Scarborough, Ont. Uzma joins Tom Power to talk about the overlap between writing a romance and a “cozy” murder mystery, how writing about love is similar to writing about murder, and why she alway…

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Cynthia Erivo says her new album makes her feel “totally naked” 35:45

25d ago35:45

35:45

Cynthia Erivo discusses her vulnerable new record “I Forgive You”, and all the big musical theatre roles that built her career. From her childhood obsession with Brandy to her performance as Elphaba in the movie musical Wicked, Erivo talks to Tom Power about her life as a singer, and all the surprises she encountered along the way.…

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Katie Tupper says that songwriting helped her settle into her identity 11:07

25d ago11:07

11:07

Hailing from Saskatoon, Katie Tupper didn’t have a big queer community to help her find herself. Now, she’s embracing her bisexuality, and singing soulful songs about the kinds of love she always wanted. Katie Tupper sits down to talk to Tom Power about bi erasure, and how fans are responding to her music.…

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“It becomes more personal as you go along” — Wes Anderson on creating films about family 25:09

26d ago25:09

25:09

The Phoenician Scheme is Wes Anderson’s latest feature film. And if you are a fan of deadpan screw ball humour, meticulously shot and edited behind a colour pallet of muted earth tones, you will not be disappointed. But for his thirteenth feature film, Wes is leaning a little more into action and even violence to tell his new father daughter comedy…

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Christopher Stowell on the future of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet 27:42

26d ago27:42

27:42

Christopher Stowell is the new artistic director of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet – Canada's oldest ballet company and the longest continuously operating ballet company in North America. He’ll speak with Tom about why ballet is his “family business,” his career as a principal dancer and ballet leader, and what the future holds for the Royal Winnipeg Ba…

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Suddenly struck by pain, Gabrielle Drolet learned to write and draw again 23:39

27d ago23:39

23:39

A few years ago, the cartoonist and writer Gabrielle Drolet developed a condition that made her unable to use her hands. It kept getting worse over time, and as Gabrielle searched for a diagnosis, she also had to find new ways to make art. Her new memoir “Look Ma, No Hands” is the story of an artist coming to terms with disability, adapting to the …

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Savannah Ré bet on herself, and it led to a creative breakthrough 23:09

27d ago23:09

23:09

Whenever life got tough, Savannah Ré’s mom always used to quote a specific, motivational verse from the bible. Those words have now inspired Savannah’s new album, “Formed.” She tells Tom Power about the creative turn she’s taken on her new record, and the risks and rewards that come with going independent. Fill out our listener survey here. We appr…

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Rebellious and reflective, Billy Idol looks back on a life in music 34:08

28d ago34:08

34:08

Turning 70 this year, legendary punk-rocker turned MTV Icon Billy Idol is back with his ninth studio album. “Dream Into It” reflects his life and career, with songs documenting his early days, his massive breakthrough, his drug addiction, and finally his rebirth. He tells Tom Power about why he’s looking back now. Fill out our listener survey here.…

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Dawn Macdonald on the mess and beauty of growing up in the Canadian North 18:39

28d ago18:39

18:39

Dawn Macdonald is a poet based in Whitehorse, Yukon whose 2024 debut poetry collection “Northerny” takes an honest, raw and unsentimental look at growing up and living in Canada’s North. Now, “Northerny” is the winner of this year’s Griffin Poetry Prize, Canadian First Book Prize. Dawn tells Tom Power about growing up off the grid without running w…

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Losing her voice taught Melanie Fiona to speak up for herself 21:43

29d ago21:43

21:43

After over a decade away from the spotlight, Canadian singer Melanie Fiona is back with an EP. “Say Yes” is her first record since she won two Grammys in 2012. She tells guest host Talia Schlanger how her intense burnout led to her spiritual awakening, and why she’s saying yes to singing again.

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The wrestling saga at the heart of The Halluci Nation’s new EP 20:28

29d ago20:28

20:28

When Bear Witness and Tim “2oolman” Hill of The Halluci Nation watched wrestling as kids, they had to look past stereotypes and tropes to find Indigenous heroes in the ring. Now, their new EP “Path of The Baby Face” uses wrestling to tell a more empowering story. The music duo tell guest host Talia Schlanger about their collaboration with wrestling…

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Power, Public Perception, and Collective Progress | Respect The Talk Ep033 1:05:34

1M ago1:05:34

1:05:34

Send us a text We start with the explosive trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs, where jury selection alone raises big questions about bias, trauma, and the challenges of fairness in high-profile cases. Then we dive into the viral AI image of Donald Trump as the Pope — what happens when satire and misinformation blur into one? From there, we look at Trump’s…

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George Floyd Anniversary, Graduations, and Memorial Day | Respect The Talk EP035 49:31

1M ago49:31

49:31

Send us a text On this episode of Respect The Talk, Jerry reflects on the five-year anniversary of George Floyd’s murder and what’s changed — or hasn’t — since 2020. We spotlight uplifting stories from the Class of 2025 and share thoughts on the meaning of Memorial Day in today’s America. Real stories, real talk. Support the show Send Us A Text: 🌐 …

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Trump Worship, Book Bans, and Bleach-Blonde Clapbacks | Respect The Talk EP034 1:05:37

1M ago1:05:37

1:05:37

Send us a text From MAGA mania to viral political shade, this week’s episode pulls no punches. We’re breaking down the cult of Trump, where policy takes a backseat to personality, and red hats are more of a fashion statement than a political symbol. Support the show Send Us A Text: 🌐 Visit www.respectthetalk.com https://facebook.com/respectthetalk …

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Faith, Deportations & Political Puppets | Respect The Talk Ep031 1:09:09

1M ago1:09:09

1:09:09

Send us a text In this powerful and unapologetic episode of Respect The Talk, we dive into some of the most controversial headlines of the week — starting with Easter weekend reflections and digging into the deep politics surrounding immigration, media spin, and modern-day propaganda. Support the show Send Us A Text: 🌐 Visit www.respectthetalk.com …

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Oscar Fakes, Constitutional Breaks, and Grocery Store Heartache | Ep032 1:09:25

1M ago1:09:25

1:09:25

Send us a text From Hollywood to the heartland, nothing’s adding up. The Oscars finally force voters actually to watch the movies—so were past wins just fake? Then, we dig into the quiet collapse of constitutional norms and ask: Where are the oathkeepers now? Finally, we hit the aisles for a grocery store gut check—prices are up, outrage is down, a…

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Wiz Khalifa found peace in not needing praise 25:29

1M ago25:29

25:29

Wiz Khalifa just dropped his latest album ‘Kush + Orange Juice 2,’ the sequel to his 2010 mixtape that introduced him to the world. Khalifa joins Tom to talk about his early days as a hip-hop artist, why he’s never cared about being a celebrity, and what important lessons he learned from Snoop Dogg.