Best Toronto Public Library Podcasts (2025)

1
What Does Being a Mother Mean Now? 21:49

30m ago21:49

21:49

From mommy bloggers and hyper-organized TikTok moms, to feminist manifestos on the value of domestic labour, motherhood is a hot topic. And in her new book, "Story of Your Mother," – partially written directly to her first-born son – Chantal Braganza looks for fresh ways to define the life-altering experience, both intellectually and very personall…

1
Jack Wang: Re-imagining the Life of a Chinese-Canadian Soldier in WWII 20:13

3d ago20:13

20:13

In his debut novel "The Riveter," author Jack Wang tells the story of two star-crossed lovers set amidst the backdrop of anti-Chinese racism in Canada that lasted decades before and well through the Second World War. And while the story may be fiction, there is an element of truth in this tale of love and war. Jack Wang joins Jeyan Jeganathan to di…

1
Why VE Day Is More Relevant Than It's Been in Decades 36:10

3d ago36:10

36:10

It's been 80 years since Allied forces defeated Nazi Germany in World War II. Why is it still important to recognize Victory in Europe, or VE Day? Three historians discuss the significance of this anniversary, not just to help us understand the past, but to comprehend the present. Margaret MacMillan, emeritus professor of International History at O…

1
Why Authoritarians Despise Experts 24:02

28m ago24:02

24:02

In 2017, Tom Nichols wrote, "The Death of Expertise: The Campaign Against Established Knowledge and Why it Matters". The book has been translated into 14 languages and has proved to be, unfortunately, quite prescient. Nichols has recently come out with a second edition of the book. He joins to discuss the on-going attack on expertise, why Elon Musk…

1
Is Fighting on the Rise in the NHL? 37:17

28m ago37:17

37:17

For years, fighting was on the decline in the National Hockey League and traditional enforcers lost their place on the roster. But is fighting coming back? It certainly was in that Four Nations Canada/USA game in Montreal, where there were three fights in nine seconds. Is that moment a turning point for fighting in the game? We've also seen our sha…

1
Is the U.S. Authoritarian Yet? 7:08

28m ago7:08

7:08

History is easy in the rearview. When you look back things are a lot neater and tidier - you can say this is authoritarianism, this is fascism, this is the obvious threshold or signpost for crossing into it. History though may not be as obvious when you are living it. Has the United States crossed the threshold into authoritarianism? Or fascism? Th…

1
What Does the U.S. Gain from Trump's Crypto Policies? 33:08

1d ago33:08

33:08

After tariffs, policies around crypto currency appear to be a domestic priority for the Trump Administration. As a presidential candidate, Trump vowed to make the U.S. the crypto capital of the world. But some of his moves in crypto – and those of his family – have left even ardent supporters of the sector recoiling. So, what does the U.S. gain fro…

1
Can a New Government Solve an Old Housing Problem? 22:25

1d ago22:25

22:25

Canada's middle class is being squeezed out of housing markets in Ontario's largest cities, harming not only those people but local economies, too. But the federal Liberals say they have a plan to build hundreds of thousands of affordable units, even creating a new crown corporation for the task. But a lot needs to happen before those homes can be …

1
Toronto Tempo: Bringing the WNBA to Canada 25:47

2d ago25:47

25:47

The Toronto Tempo will begin playing in the WNBA in 2026. How do you build a brand new team? And what does this team mean for Canadian basketball? We're joined by the team's president and general manager, Teresa Resch and Monica Wright Rogers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By TVO | Steve Paikin

1
Is Business Ruining Sports? 29:18

2d ago29:18

29:18

As ticket prices soar and ads for sports betting increase, are business interests taking some of the magic out of sporting events? We welcome Cheri Bradish, David Macfarlane, and Morgan Campbell to explore. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By TVO | Steve Paikin

1
From Frenemies to Friendly Foes 25:49

5d ago25:49

25:49

Michael Coren and Irshad Manji are back in studio to rehash the old days, as they once did on a segment called "Friendly Fire." The two went head-to-head weekly, debating hot topics on 'Studio 2,' The Agenda's predecessor. With career changes and political lines crossed, what has this dynamic duo learned over the last 30 years? See omnystudio.com/l…

1
Can Israelis and Palestinians Find Peace? 21:06

6d ago21:06

21:06

It seems nobody ever loses a bet forecasting that things can only get worse in the Middle East. And the last year-and-a-half has been particularly awful. The Hamas attack and hostage taking in Israel on October 7, 2023. The ensuing Israeli response which has killed so many in Gaza. Does it always have to be this way? Angela Mattar is a Palestinian …

1
Is Press Freedom Under Attack? 34:22

6d ago34:22

34:22

In their February report, the Committee to Protect Journalists revealed that 2024 was the deadliest year for press in CPJ history, with almost 70 per cent killed by Israel. In honour of World Press Freedom Day on May 3, The Agenda invites Jessica Jerreat, press freedom editor; Jodie Ginsberg, CEO of the Committee to Protect Journalists; Heather Bak…

1
Is Germany the Key Ally Canada Needs? 22:44

7d ago22:44

22:44

In the world of international affairs, more than 130 countries have diplomatic missions in Canada. But the German ambassador to Canada is a bit different. That's because there are two of them who split the job. They are the husband-and-wife team of Tjorven Bellman and Matthias Lüttenberg. They join host Steve Paikin for a wide-ranging discussion on…

1
Can Canada and Mexico Team up Against Trump? 33:00

7d ago33:00

33:00

With the federal election campaign over and Mark Carney's Liberals securing a new mandate from Canadians, what relationships should the government prioritize going forward in its trade war with the Trump Administration? One country we might look to is Mexico. Given its close geographic proximity and strained relationship with the U.S., what opportu…

1
Why This Canadian Comedian Is Heading to Ukraine 10:25

8d ago10:25

10:25

This week, Dave Thomas, of SCTV fame, will travel to Ukraine to talk to civilians, soldiers, and stand-up comedians. We discuss his upcoming trip and what he's hoping to achieve. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By TVO | Steve Paikin

1
At The Beaverton, Politics Is a Laughing Matter 21:53

8d ago21:53

21:53

For 15 years, the satirical news outlet has been skewering Canadian politics and culture, amassing a loyal following. How does the country's "most trusted, least accurate news source" manage to find the humour in grim times, and what serious lessons can we learn from comedy? We discuss with co-founder and editor-in-chief Luke Gordon Field and contr…

1
Claire Cameron: How a Cancer Diagnosis Led to an Obsession with a Bear Attack 24:23

13d ago24:23

24:23

Novelist Claire Cameron investigates the shocking true story of a couple killed by a black bear in Ontario's Algonquin Provincial Park in her debut memoir "How to Survive a Bear Attack." Why did this tragedy resonate with her? And what answers did she hope to find in her quest? Claire Cameron joins Nam Kiwanuka to discuss her latest book. See omnys…

1
Is Parkinson's Becoming a Pandemic? 16:17

9d ago16:17

16:17

The escalating rates of Parkinson's disease both globally, and here in Canada, have led some researchers to warn that it is becoming a pandemic. To help shed light on a disease that still has no cure, we welcome: Dr. Lorraine Kalia, neurologist and senior scientist at the University Health Network's Krembil Brain Institute. She is also an associate…

1
Is Road Salt Destroying Ontario's Waterways? 10:03

9d ago10:03

10:03

Every winter, Ontarians rely on road salt to keep streets safe - but where does all that salt go when the snow melts? Jeyan Jeganathan explores how excess salt is silently polluting lakes and rivers across the province and talks to the people working to protect our fragile freshwater ecosystems. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

51
Is Parkinson's Becoming a Pandemic? 15:15

11d ago15:15

15:15

The escalating rates of Parkinson's Disease both globally, and here in Canada, have led some researchers to warn that it is becoming a pandemic. To help shed light on a disease that still has no cure, we welcome: Dr. Lorraine Kalia, neurologist and senior scientist at the University Health Network's Krembil Brain Institute. She is also an Associate…

1
Max Kerman: Inside the Creative Mind of Arkells' Frontman 25:34

12d ago25:34

25:34

Fans of Canadian rock band Arkells might be wondering to themselves how all those songs came together in the first place. Well, wonder no more. Frontman Max Kerman has written a book all about his band and how they bring those songs to life. It's called "Try Hard: Creative Work in Progress". See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
How an Undercover FBI Agent Exposed America's Hate Groups 29:34

17d ago29:34

29:34

Imagine being in the backwoods of Georgia with a group of neo-Nazis slaughtering a goat and drinking its blood. For Scott Payne, he doesn't have to imagine it; he lived it. He's a former undercover FBI agent, and in his new book, written with veteran journalist Michelle Shephard, he chronicles his time exposing some of America's most dangerous extr…

1
What Boycotting U.S. Travel Means for Tourism 30:19

13d ago30:19

30:19

Punishing tariffs. The 51st state. Canadians are making their feelings known about threats coming from the United States by pulling back on travel into the country.But is the U.S. government taking notice? And while it might seem like an advantage for Canadian tourism, businesses near the borders are taking a hit. What are the lasting effects of th…

1
Are Canadian Voters Vulnerable to Online Disinformation? 19:29

14d ago19:29

19:29

In a high-stake federal election, accurate campaign information is essential, and the line between what's real and what isn't is blurry. The Canadian Digital Media Research Network is collecting data on disinformation and publishing their findings weekly to determine how vulnerable Canadians are during this election cycle. Taylor Owen, principal in…

1
Is Russia Weaker Than We Think? 30:02

14d ago30:02

30:02

Russia, you will often hear, poses a threat to the West, the world order, and democracy. Yet it has a smaller economy than Italy and ... Canada. It also has a shrinking population. There are fewer people living in Russia today than in 1991 during the collapse of the Soviet Union. So, is Russia really that powerful? Is it a waning power coasting on …

1
Are Great Lakes Funding Cuts a Cause for Concern? 35:07

15d ago35:07

35:07

Longstanding co-operation between the U.S. and Canada in keeping the Great Lakes safe, clean and healthy is at risk as a result of budget and staffing cuts to federal agencies south of the border. A look at the future of lake research and stewardship between the nations, and the threats that have arisen to them as U.S. support dwindles. See omnystu…

1
Documenting Invasive Quagga Mussels in the Great Lakes 21:32

15d ago21:32

21:32

Threats from the invasive Quagga mussel species are growing in deeper parts of the Great Lakes, just as zebra mussels have altered ecosystems in shallower water closer to shore. Quagga mussels compete for food with a number of young fish species, putting commercial and recreational fishing at risk, and also threaten historic wrecks. A look at how w…

1
Building a New Musical in Canada 14:52

19d ago14:52

14:52

When so much of the musical theatre available in Canada is based off of existing stories, what does it take to create a fully original musical? We hear from Britta Johnson, the composer and lyricist of the musical "Life After," which returns to Toronto at the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
Living as a Canadian in Trump's America 4:31

19d ago4:31

4:31

The Agenda's week in review features an interview with author and educator Irshad Manji about being a Canadian living in the U.S., and a discussion with Sergey Radchenko, author of "To Run the World: The Kremlin's Cold War Bid for Global Power". See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By TVO | Steve Paikin

1
What Makes a Political Speech Hit or Miss the Mark? 32:22

20d ago32:22

32:22

Political speechwriters have an important role to play in any election campaign. And of course, there's an art to their craft. So, what ingredients go into effective speechwriting? What makes some speeches memorable, and others miss the mark entirely? Host Steve Paikin asks: Jeni Armstrong, former lead speechwriter for Justin Trudeau, and Assistant…

1
What Can Soviet Foreign Policy Teach Us About Russia Today? 32:28

24d ago32:28

32:28

The West's relationship with Russia has been utterly fascinating, confusing, maddening, and encouraging for more than a century. Sergey Radchenko (Distinguished professor at Johns Hopkins University) is the author of a new book called "To Run the World: The Kremlin's Cold War Bid for Global Power." It's just won the Lionel Gelber Prize, presented b…

1
What Ontarians Need to Know Before Crossing the Border 29:43

26d ago29:43

29:43

High-profile cases of visitors to the United States being denied entry or detained have Canadians concerned about travelling south. How worried should travelers be, and what do you need to know about the risks and your rights? Kelley McClinchey: Instructor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University; Heath…

1
How Do Security Clearances Work, and Why Do They Matter? 15:49

22d ago15:49

15:49

Security clearances have become a flashpoint in the federal election campaign, with Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre standing by his decision to forgo vetting. So who needs a security clearance, what's involved in getting one, and what are the practical implications of going without? We discuss with Wesley Wark Senior fellow at the Centre for I…

1
How Libraries Meet the Needs of Communities 11:53

22d ago11:53

11:53

Over the years, libraries have become more than just places to borrow books or bring your kids for storytime. They offer newcomer services and advice -- a place where new Canadians can find community and learn about their new home. They have youth hubs where teens can meet and stay occupied, and plenty of children's programs that foster learning th…

1
Kicking Off Canada's First Professional Women's Soccer League 8:01

24d ago8:01

8:01

AFC Toronto is set to kick-off Canada's first professional women's soccer league this weekend at BMO field. The Northern Super League, co-founded by Canadian star, Diana Matheson, includes six teams across the country competing at the highest level. The Agenda joined an AFC Toronto practice at York Lions Stadium to see how head coach Marko Milanovi…

1
How Can Canada Deal with Trump's Tariff Fallout 35:04

23d ago35:04

35:04

The economic fallout from President Donald Trump's tariffs can be seen everywhere in Ontario and party leaders are taking various approaches to facing that challenge. The Agenda invites two economic watchers to get their takes on Canada's next move. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
A Dual Citizen's Perspective on Canada-U.S. Relations 14:12

23d ago14:12

14:12

Irshad Manji, educator, author and former journalist joins host Steve Paikin in studio to discuss life as a Canadian living in the United States of America. Having witnessed a pivotal election period and an ongoing trade war between the two countries she has called home, what's it like for dual citizens like Manji? See omnystudio.com/listener for p…

1
Demystifying the Art of Political Polling 15:47

27d ago15:47

15:47

The Agenda's week in review looked at the secret sauce behind political polling, whether Canada should use retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. and what Canada's relationship to the oil sector should be. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By TVO | Steve Paikin

1
Shannon Lee Simmons: What Do Young People Need to Know About Money? 19:12

1M ago19:12

19:12

When looking for financial advice, viewers of this program might want to turn to this familiar face. Shannon Lee Simmons is a financial planner and founder of the New School of Finance, and in her latest book "Making Bank: Money Skills for Real Life," she gives younger readers some key insights into how they should manage their money. See omnystudi…

1
Should Canada Rethink Its Relationship to Oil? 37:24

28d ago37:24

37:24

It's not an understatement to say the oil sector plays a significant role in the Canadian economy and has dominated life on this planet for the last century. But with Canada's emissions reduction goals, and Donald Trump's global tariffs, what's in store for this natural resource? And will it be an issue in our federal election campaign? Heather Exn…

1
What is the Future of Canadian Manufacturing? 34:53

29d ago34:53

34:53

Canada's manufacturing sector faced challenges even before President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on goods made here. The overall sector has shrunk, both in its contribution to our economy, and the number of workers it employs. So, how should Canada support existing companies and their workers as tariffs take hold? And what's the way forward to bui…

1
Anand Giridharadas: Why the Left Has Failed in the Trump Era 29:01

1M ago29:01

29:01

As the second term of President Trump enters its third month – yes it's only been three months – where has the left and the Democratic Party been? Have they risen to the occasion as President Trump pushes the bounds of executive power and ignores the judiciary? Or have the Democrats failed to meet the moment? Is it time for the younger generation o…

1
Should Canada Retaliate Against Trump's Tariffs? 31:11

1M ago31:11

31:11

Trump has launched a trade war against almost the entire world. Some countries have responded with retaliatory tariffs, including China. Others like Australia have not. What should Canada do? We've already slapped tariffs on American products such as Kentucky Bourbon and Florida Orange Juice. And we've responded in kind to Trump's auto tariffs. But…

1
How Does Book Banning Hurt Democracy? 21:46

1M ago21:46

21:46

Book banning is not new, but author Ira Wells argues it is taking new forms. He joins us to share his new book, "On Book Banning: Or, How the New Censorship Consensus Trivializes Art and Undermines Democracy." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By TVO | Steve Paikin

1
What's the Secret Sauce of Political Polling? 33:53

1M ago33:53

33:53

How does one know which pollster to trust? What happens when they get it wrong? And just how do they get those results in the first place? We're joined by David Coletto, David Valentin, Erin Kelly, and Clifton van der Linden. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By TVO | Steve Paikin

1
How the U.S. Almost Annexed Canada 14:42

1M ago14:42

14:42

The Agenda's week in review looks at the history of U.S. annexation threats to Canada, what direction the major parties might take Canada's foreign policy, and whether Canadian culture reflects Canadian identity. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By TVO | Steve Paikin

1
Does Canadian Culture Reflect Candian Identity? 33:57

1M ago33:57

33:57

Since the U.S. president has been talking about annexing Canada, there's been a surge of pride in Canadian identity. Yet over many years, Canadians have struggled to define their culture as separate from the U.S. since the two are intertwined, especially as it relates to most genres of the arts. What set Canada apart? And do Canadian art and artist…

1
Valerie Pringle Signs Off After Five Decades in Journalism 27:37

1M ago27:37

27:37

For five decades, she has been one of the most recognizable faces on Canadian television. Over that time, she has hosted some of the most iconic programs: Midday, Canada AM, Antiques Roadshow, and the Olympic Games. But having just done her final interview on the PBS show "Canada Files," Valerie Pringle has decided the time has come to put the came…

1
Will Foreign Policy Shape Canada's 2025 Election? 33:47

1M ago33:47

33:47

Whether it's Canada's trade war with the U.S., NATO spending, or our relations with China and India, whichever party forms Canada's next government is going to have a slew of challenges to deal with. To better understand where the major parties might take Canadian foreign policy, host Steve Paikin chats with: Richard Shimooka, Senior Fellow at the …

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