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Take a trip around the world with CBC Radio's As It Happens. Hear from the people at the centre of the stories of the day. From the complex to the weird and wacky, As It Happens brings you the voices ...

CBC Radio


    • Apr 10, 2026 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 53m AVG DURATION
    • 1,645 EPISODES

    4.4 from 295 ratings Listeners of As It Happens from CBC Radio that love the show mention: canadians, punny, canada, public radio, station, broadcast, sadly, happens, reporting, we're, except, theme, 11, news, moved, local, available, night, program, longer.


    Ivy Insights

    The As It Happens from CBC Radio podcast has been a long-standing favorite for many listeners, providing a delightful mix of serious and lighthearted stories. The hosts, Carol Off and Nil Koksal, are praised for their ability to conduct interviews with empathy and understanding. Listeners appreciate the diverse range of topics covered in each episode, as well as the witty and entertaining banter between the hosts. The podcast is often described as informative, engaging, and a highlight of the day.

    One of the best aspects of The As It Happens podcast is the variety of stories covered. From important current events to quirky and amusing anecdotes, there is something for everyone. Listeners appreciate that the show goes beyond just news reporting and includes segments on humorous or thought-provoking topics as well. Additionally, many reviewers commend Carol Off for her exceptional interviewing skills and her ability to dig deep into a subject matter while still making it personal and enjoyable.

    While The As It Happens podcast receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, some critics mention that at times there may be excessive use of certain words or phrases, such as "extraordinary." However, this minor criticism does not detract from the overall quality of the show.

    In conclusion, The As It Happens from CBC Radio podcast is highly regarded by its listeners for its informative yet entertaining approach to news reporting. With its diverse range of topics and engaging hosts, it has become a favorite for many who enjoy staying informed while being entertained. Whether it's listening during a drive or while going about daily activities, this podcast is praised for its ability to captivate audiences with its blend of serious journalism and lighthearted storytelling.



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    Latest episodes from As It Happens from CBC Radio

    What's next for Pierre Poilievre?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2026 66:51


    A former advisor to Stephen Harper's government concedes things are not going great for the Conservatives under Pierre Poilievre -- but he says MPs need to fix the party from within rather than cross the floor. The mayor of Sarnia, Ontario says some constituents feel betrayed by Marilyn Gladu's defection to the Liberal government -- and the only solution is a byelection. A Manitoba First Nations Chief describes the suicide crisis unfolding around her -- and what it will take to stop it.A small town in north west England is plagued by an overwhelming stench from a nearby landfill that residents say is not complying with environmental regulations.A man spent years building a precise replica of the Orca, from "Jaws". He says it's a dream come true -- with a touch of nightmare. You might think it's fun to add emojis to your work emails, but your colleagues may not agree -- according to a new study that looks at the big picture in terms of small pictures.As It Happens, the Friday Edition. Radio that knows a laughing emoji can drive you up the LOL.

    Is this the right path to a majority government?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2026 59:45


    A fourth Conservative MP defected to the Liberal government yesterday -- and another recent floor crosser tells us there are still more Tories who may be considering switching allegiances. Despite the ceasefire agreement between Iran and the US, traffic in the Strait of Hormuz is nowhere near back to normal. One shipping company says it could take weeks -- or months -- for things to stabilize.A Lebanese MP says Israeli strikes on her country were unjustified, but she doesn't think Lebanon should have anything to do with that ceasefire -- because she doesn't think Lebanon should have anything to do with Iran. We'll reach the 14-year-old winner of this year's Junior African Spelling Bee – who defeated opponents from more than 30 countries, spelling in more than 20 languages. We hear from a New Brunswick engineering student whose team was able to track the Artemis 2 mission using a tiny satellite dish on a campus rooftop.The CEO of McDonald's was mocked for a video in which he took a tiny bite of a burger he claimed to love -- and a new interview suggests it's really gnawing at him.As It Happens, the Thursday edition. Radio that thinks he bit off less than he could chew.

    A fragile ceasefire takes hold, but not for Lebanon

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2026 52:10


    Lebanon awoke to news of a ceasefire, and a surge of optimism -- which was shattered by deadly Israeli strikes. An aid worker in Beirut describes the aftermath. Despite the ongoing war of words between Iran and the U.S., Norway's Foreign Minister tells us the two-week ceasefire is the best possible result for the region and the world -- in the short term. It's been decades since the body of his first victim was found, and a 62-year-old New York architect has finally confessed to being the Gilgo Beach serial killer -- pleading guilty to killing eight women. Biologists in Northern California believe their conservation efforts are making a difference for the California Condor -- because a pair of birds appear to be tending to the region's first egg in a century.When their school board threatens to cut several middle school music programs, a trio of high schoolers in B.C. step in to ensure nobody pulls the strings. New research finds that merely doing hours and hours of meditation every day for a week can completely rewire your brain and body. As It Happens, the Wednesday Edition. Radio with namaste-ing power.

    Will a last minute reprieve in Iran lead to lasting peace?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2026 53:18


    Donald Trump has agreed to suspend promised attacks on civilian infrastructure in Iran for two weeks. A former State Department official tells us what likely happened behind the scenes today. And we hear from an Iranian-Canadian professor about her conversations with loved ones in the leadup to today's now-extended deadline -- and about the anxieties Iranians around the world are experiencing, day in and day out. With polls suggesting he might be headed for electoral defeat, Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán phones a friend: U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance. When our minds wander, our bodies are affected. A researcher explains the phenomenon of "body-wandering," and how it can affect our mental health.A senior in Washington State tells us how he managed to survive a crocodile attack -- and why the experience renewed his faith in humanity. A British Airways plane on its way to Houston, Texas is forced to land in St. John's -- and from the headlines, you'd think the passengers had been abandoned in a frozen wasteland.As It Happens, the Tuesday Edition. Radio that guarantees they got tundra loving care.

    An astronaut on the importance of getting back to the moon

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2026 44:07


    The members of the Artemis II mission will get an extremely rare glimpse of the dark side of the moon. A retired astronaut says that even watching this mission from Earth is a dream come true. After an Iranian missile kills four Israelis, a reporter in Haifa tells us the increasing cost of the war has people questioning the political leaders who pushed so hard for this fight.The former MP who introduced a bill to legalize single-game sports betting says he never imagined an explosion of online gambling ads was in the cards -- and now he's calling for tighter restrictions. A conservationist in Ukraine describes the moment hundreds of people gathered to watch endangered bats be released into the night. A new study takes a closer look at bee stomachs -- and finds the gut health of the individual members of a colony can tell us a lot about the strength of the whole colony. Scientists declare a Swiss court made the right decision when it ruled cheesemakers should be allowed to add hay powder to their cheese curd -- because it is responsible for the holes. As It Happens, the Monday Edition. Radio that emphasizes the importance of a hole-some diet.

    Is this the next escalation in the war in Iran?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2026 45:03


    After a U.S. fighter jet goes down in Iran, American forces launch a search-and-rescue mission. A defence expert and retired colonel tells us about that mission -- and what today's developments mean for the prospect of peace.Researchers in Denmark are painstakingly excavating the wreck of a ship that exploded in battle more than 200 years ago. Our guest tells us what it's like to get a close-up look.A Radio-Canada investigation spurred by a reporter's breakfast finds a major Quebec producer selling altered maple syrup. We get to the bottom of the sticky situation.We bring you Fireside Al's reading of the Oscar Wilde classic “The Selfish Giant” – a reminder that community makes a garden grow.Researchers discover a new way to cook french fries that makes them less greasy -- but just as crispy. Despite the use of a microwave.We reach an engineer who explains the technical features of the Orion spacecraft –- including a piece of infrastructure essential to the Artemis II mission: the toilet. As It Happens, the Friday Edition. Radio that boldly goes where no man has gone before.

    A former U.S. ambassador to NATO on American going it alone

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2026 59:26


    As the UK hosts an emergency meeting on the Strait of Hormuz, one country is notably absent. A former ambassador says the U.S. is snubbing international allies at a time when it needs them the most. A new report says that if Ottawa's ambitious military spending promises are met, Canadians will need to be prepared for big tax hikes -- and, possibly, deep cuts to other government services.When Syracuse International airport told a sexual harassment lawyer the ad she wanted to run there was a "bit harsh", she sued. And now she's got herself an even bigger billboard. Two, actually.A New Zealand helicopter crew rescues Molly the border collie -- who went missing after her owner accidentally fell 50 metres down a remote waterfall.Scientists discover that male octopuses have a favorite arm -- and, maybe unsurprisingly, it's the one that plays a crucial role in octopus sex. A tour guide in Iceland says even rising costs won't keep locals from lining up for their unofficial national dish: the hot dog. As It Happens, the Thursday edition, Radio that never shies away from a frank conversation.

    His great-grandfather's legacy at the U.S. Supreme Court

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2026 56:15


    A century ago, Wong Kim Ark took his fight for birthright citizenship in the U.S. all the way to the Supreme Court; today, his great-grandson was at the court as the government argued to overturn it. An American journalist is kidnapped in Baghdad by a militia allied with Iran; a former colleague tells us Shelly Kittleson is a "gutsy" reporter who believes in the importance of the work, despite the risks.A petition in support of Alberta separatism now has more than 170 thousand signatures; one of the organizers tells us why he's so keen to extricate his province from the country. We'll meet a Columbia Business School professor who decided the best way to deal with his students' use of AI was to create his own chatbot to help them learn. The detailed designs for hundreds of thousands of ships are being made available to the public for the first time -- including the plans for the Titanic.A once-wild mustang sets a new world record by performing dozens of complex tasks in under 3 minutes; his trainer explains how she taught an old horse new tricks.As It Happens, the Wednesday Edition. Radio that supposes the doubters were saddle-ly mistaken.

    What Stephen Lewis meant to activism in Africa

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2026 72:49


    Stephen Lewis tackled global issues such as poverty, AIDS and children in armed conflict. An African activist remembers her friend's "fiery" passion for justice -- and his ability to connect with anyone to bring about change. A member of the Knesset shares her objection to a new law that allows for the hanging of Palestinians convicted of killing Israelis -- legislation that doesn't apply to Israelis who commit similar crimes. As NASA prepares to send the first Canadian to the moon, fellow astronaut Joshua Kutryk shares his excitement about that journey -- and what could come next.Derek Sheely died after suffering a head injury during a college football practice. Now his mom is raising awareness by modifying a popular NFL video game to replicate what it's like to play after a big hit. A fourteen-year-old hockey player and a former NHLer pay tribute to the Dawson City Nuggets' attempt at a Stanley Cup victory, by transporting the trophy to a local tournament by dogsled. A Wisconsin petting zoo owner describes the three-day rescue effort after her adolescent kangaroo escaped, despite a 2-and-a-half-metre-high fence.As It Happens, the Tuesday edition. Radio that senses it was a roo'd awakening.

    Two takes on the NDP's new leader

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2026 63:13


    Avi Lewis marks his first full day at the helm of the NDP. A longtime strategist tells us why he thinks this puts the party back on a path to power...but not everyone is convinced. We reach Alberta NDP leader Naheed Nenshi who says the new leader has a lot of work to do...especially in western Canada. Donald Trump says the US is making "great progress" in negotiations with Iran. But with talk of a looming ground invasion, a professor in Qatar tells us what's likely happening behind the scenes. We'll reach a food bank in Moose Jaw that says steadily rising visits have forced it to take a step it never wanted to. As gas prices hit new highs around the world, two Australian states respond by giving transit users a free ride. Nestle wants consumers to be on the lookout after some sticky-fingered thieves make off with over four hundred thousand Kit Kats in a brazen candy heist. As It Happens, the Monday Edition. Radio that thinks, one way or another, we'll see the perpetrators behind bars.

    Which path will the NDP choose?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2026 50:37


    After a crushing defeat in last year's elections, the NDP are about to choose a new leader; a party strategist tells us each of the apparent front-runners offers New Democrats a different path forward. Because of a partial government shutdown, American airport security workers haven't been paid since mid-February. Now politicians say paycheques are on the way. Our guest says she'll believe it when she sees it. A new bill threatens to roll back transgender rights in India. The founder of an LGBTQ+ organization there tells us her community isn't about to let that happen without a fight. Scientists capture rare video footage of a sperm whale giving birth -- and discover that the whale's family and friends were there to help out. A resident of Annapolis, Maryland, tells us her community's unusual way of celebrating spring will really knock your socks off -- and then set them on fire. The mayor of Ottawa posted a photo of a city park on the brink of spring -- but critics, of whom there are many, think it looks more like a hellscape on the brink of the apocalypse.As It Happens, the Friday Edition. Radio that guesses he thought "Ottawa" -- but they thought he ought not-awa.

    Is the tide turning against social media giants in court?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2026 59:04


    A U.S. jury finds Meta and YouTube designed their products to be addictive. I'll speak with a woman whose daughter died by suicide -- in part, she says, because of what she saw when she scrolled. For the first time in decades, Canada has met its defence spending target. Former army commander Andrew Leslie tells us this kind of support is past due -- and the work is far from over. We've got an all-dressed, two-for-one, double-decker feast of tales about the sandwich-obsessed city of Philadelphia. First: roll reversal. We hear from a bestselling romance author who's in trouble because one of her characters commits the cardinal sin of calling a sandwich from a Philadelphia chain a "sub" rather than a "hoagie." And...high steaks. The only way to rescue the words "world's longest airport line" is to follow them immediately with "made entirely of cheese steaks"; we'll hear from the folks in Philly who made that dream a reality.As It Happens, the Thursday edition. Radio that gives you plenty to chew on.

    A former Lebanese politician on his country's predicament

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2026 58:42


    Israel announces plans to occupy part of Southern Lebanon, and Hezbollah vows to continue fighting “without limits.” A former Lebanese minister tells us his people are caught in the middle -- and paying a heavy price.Ontario's education minister tells schools to make sure that graduation ceremonies contain no "political views." A Toronto school board trustee says the minister is tackling an imaginary problem. A Canadian woman and her seven-year-old daughter are still in ICE custody after more than ten days. Her mother tells us she wouldn't wish this on anybody. A former student remembers a groundbreaking Canadian primatologist who changed the way we see and understand orangutans ... and ourselves. The people of a very small Texas town would appreciate it if people would stop stealing all their signs -- no matter how much the thieves are delighted by the fact that the town is called Bug Tussle.A German handball team is filled with angst after someone steals the silver plate they were awarded for winning the championship -- but then they find it in the weirdest place, and crack the trophy case themselves.As It Happens, the Wednesday Edition. Radio that hopes they appreciated those stolen moments.

    The system she knew was “unsafe” all along

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2026 58:33


    A new report issues dozens of recommendations to repair Canada's sports system after concluding abuse is rampant; our guest says this is just official recognition of what many athletes know all too well.Both sides are talking about how the U.S. and Iran are talking, or not talking -- but a pro-regime analyst in Tehran tells us that Donald Trump's claims about negotiations are more about calming the markets than ending the war.A years-long CBC investigation confirms that, in the late ‘60s and ‘70s, the RCMP infiltrated and spied on Indigenous organizations -- as part of what they called a “Native extremism program”. A new study reveals that Neanderthals may have figured out how to stave off infections with the help of birch bark -- much farther back than we knew.A pitbull went missing from her family's yard more than a decade ago -- and tonight, a Pennsylvania pet-owner tells us what it was like to be reunited with the long-lost pooch she never fur-got.An Austrian man sets out to break a record for inserting uninflated, oiled balloons into his nostril and pulling them out of his mouth -- an astonishing...where are you going? I'm not done explaining.As It Happens, the Tuesday Edition. Radio that reflects on the dangers of rampant inflation.

    What an air traffic controller sees in the LaGuardia crash

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2026 58:38


    After two pilots are killed at LaGuardia, a longtime air traffic controller tries to answer the question we're all asking: how was a fire truck cleared to cross a runway at the exact moment an Air Canada plane was landing?A doctor in Edmonton says she doesn't know what the Alberta government's new legislation restricting access to MAID is supposed to do, but she knows what it will do: make difficult conversations even harder. Turns out Nigel Farage isn't just making a political comeback in the U.K., he's also making personalized videos on Cameo -- including some for right-wing extremists, and a Canadian neo-Nazi group. Andrew Scott is being honoured by the Halifax art school he dropped out of to perform with a band that seemed promising -- and 35 years later, he says he still can't believe he gets to make music with Sloan. A herpetologist stumbles across a newly discovered species of spider that pretends to be covered in zombie-like fungus to avoid being eaten -- and to eat others.What's dung is dung. But in one Ontario city, people are demanding to know whose dung is making a huge mess -- and a pigeon expert insists her clients have a built-in alibi. As It Happens, the Monday edition. Radio that guess they may be dirty -- but they're not stool pigeons.

    How Iranians around the world are marking their new year

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2026 60:49


    Iranians at home and abroad grapple with how to celebrate Nowruz at a time when joy and optimism feel out of step with the bleak realities of war. To preserve confidentiality, the most comprehensive archive of abuse at Canadian residential schools will be destroyed. So journalist Connie Walker has set out to create her own archive of survivors' stories. A Florida priest says he has no plans to shut down his soup kitchen despite racking up more than a half a million dollars in penalties for violating zoning laws.A B.C. woman tells us about getting airlifted out of Coquitlam yesterday after being awoken by an early morning mudslide.Canada takes an unprecedented plunge in this year's World Happiness Report, largely due to the malaise of young people. We get the inside scoop on The Washington Post's annual Peeps diorama contest — an event that's a real chick magnet.Dressed to the canines. The publisher of Vogue is suing another fashion magazine for trademark infringement — even though that magazine has a much furrier demographic. Which is why it's called "Dogue".As It Happens, the Friday Edition. Radio that knows a "Dogue" cover model always looks fetching.

    What gas field attacks mean for the Iran war — and the world

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2026 59:08


    After Israel strikes the biggest gas field in the world, and Iran retaliates by hitting Qatar's main gas complex, a reporter in Doha tells us the war has entered a volatile new phase. Alberta is hoping to pass the strictest restrictions on medical assistance in dying in Canada. A disability advocate tells us why she fully supports new constraints. Charges against the self-proclaimed “Queen of Canada” have been stayed. Now the mayor of Richmound, Saskatchewan fears she'll return to his village, which is still recovering from her cult's takeover attempt. A Latino civil rights organizer shares his horror after the late, legendary labour rights activist Cesar Chavez is accused of numerous cases of sexual assault — some involving minors. A scientist in Fiji spends a lot of her time swimming with bull sharks and she's delighted to share that the ocean's apex predators are actually pretty good at making friends. A Belgian court rules that a former diplomat must stand trial for the murder of the first Congolese Prime Minister, Patrice Lumumba. Mr. Lumumba's granddaughter tells us that's a win for the family, but only the very beginning of justice for the country. At the end of this month, Yellowknife's only movie theatre will be going out of business — unless local movie lovers can find a way to keep the doors open. He never met a metaverse he didn't like. But after spending 80 billion dollars on that virtual world, Mark Zuckerberg is effectively shutting it down — to the chagrin of all the virtual characters stuck inside it.As It Happens, the Thursday Edition. Radio that guesses they're not going to live happily ever avatar.

    Life inside a Beirut neighbourhood on edge

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2026 57:37


    A woman in Lebanon's capital tells us she and her family are ready to flee at a moment's notice now that their home is on the edge of an evacuation zone. Canada's athletes brought home gold from the Games, but not as much as fans might have expected. And Own the Podium CEO Anne Merklinger thinks she knows why our medal count is slipping. More troops are preparing to head to Haiti, and a U.N. expert says he's hopeful they'll change things at last for those caught in the crossfire in a country overrun by gangs. Cuban journalist Daniel Montero tries to make sense of where his country is headed, as it deals with major blackouts and Donald Trump's renewed threats of a takeover. Nearly five years after wildfire destroyed Lytton, B.C., the province's auditor general finds the village wasn't given sufficient tools and support to rebuild. Margareta Magnusson — who spread the word about the Swedish art of death cleaning — has died. Her daughter tells us she leaves behind few possessions, but a big legacy. A team of researchers attends hundreds of boring, humourless talks at scientific conferences — and concludes that the presenters need to develop a stronger gag reflex. And...the saunter of attention. Scientists believe they've made great strides with a new study revealing that you can tell how people are feeling by the way they walk, but others resent their gait-keeping.As It Happens, the Wednesday Edition. Radio that really hates to overstep.

    ‘Not our war.' Germany responds to Trump's call for allies

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2026 62:35


    The European Parliament's top lawmaker on Iran tells us why the EU won't be sending warships to the Strait of Hormuz. One of the few aid workers still allowed in Afghanistan describes the moment Pakistani airstrikes hit Kabul and the devastation that followed.A Palestinian activist is out, after a year in US immigration detention. Leqaa Kordia's lawyer tells us that's a huge relief, but there's still a long road ahead until her client is truly free. Months after being forced from their homes yet again, Kashechewan First Nation got a visit from the Indigenous Services Minister. Mandy Gull-Masty tells us when they might finally be able to go home. When a waterfall owned by Oregon monks for over a century hit the real estate market, the public was shocked, then worried, then relieved.We remember Paula Doress-Worters, who drew on her own experience of post-partum depression to contribute to one of the most influential books on women's health: Our Bodies, Ourselves. A confident cat in South Surrey, B.C. is brazenly flouting international law with his cross-border travel. U.S. authorities haven't captured him, but he has captured millions of hearts. While trying to pull his cousin's ATV out of a swampy area, a Mississippi man got stuck in the muck himself. As It Happens, the Tuesday Edition. Radio that guesses he developed a sedimental attachment.

    Oscar winners spend five years on 17-minute masterpiece

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2026 58:47


    The Montreal filmmakers behind "The Girl Who Cried Pearls" tell us all about their Academy Award win for Best Animated Short Film. As oil prices climb, Donald Trump insists NATO countries could help reopen the Strait of Hormuz — suggesting refusal would be "very bad" for the alliance. But not all NATO members are convinced. The facts of life-giving. A new study shows dangerous — but largely preventable — pregnancy-related complications often happen outside labor and delivery, threatening lives. A recently discovered tape labelled "fish noises" turns out to be the oldest-known recording of humpback whales — and lets us hear what the oceans sounded like in 1949. For years, anti-cruising laws in cities across the US tried to keep lowriders off the roads. But now, the customized cars and the people who love them are getting their due, in the form of a new U.S. postage stamp.After two lost episodes of "Dr. Who" are discovered in a private archive, a TV historian tells us what it takes to keep classic film from getting lost in time. A renowned Italian museum is bending the rules — and letting visually impaired visitors touch some of their most famous sculptures.

    The waterway the world is suddenly watching closely

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2026 66:04


    American officials claim they've got the situation under control -- but a former diplomat tells us that Iran throttling the Strait of Hormuz could spell political disaster for Donald Trump.An Iranian strike hit a Canadian bunker on a military base in Kuwait, almost two weeks ago. No one was hurt, but the government said nothing about it -- and the Conservatives' defence critic says that's a problem. Bill Kurtis has deployed his dulcet tones on the airwaves for six decades now; tonight, he'll tell us about leaving his gig as the judge and scorekeeper of the NPR news quiz show "Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me!"This weekend, director Geeta Gandbhir is up for two Oscars; she's nominated in both the short and feature-length documentary categories. Nil talks to her about her short doc "The Devil is Busy" -- which covers one day at Georgia abortion clinic -- and her feature "The Perfect Neighbour," which tells the story of a neighbourhood shooting through police bodycam footage.A new high-tech glass floor for basketball courts is great at blasting your retinas with statistics and ads and graphics -- but it turns out to be not great at having basketball played on it. As It Happens, the Friday edition. Radio that finds itself in contempt of court.

    What a day in London, Ontario says about the overdose crisis

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2026 59:00


    Police in London, Ontario are searching for someone they say was driving around downtown handing out free drugs -- and triggering a wave of overdoses on the doorstep of a local outreach centre. History in the unmaking. American and Israeli strikes have severely damaged at least four cultural and historical landmarks in Iran. An Iranian-Canadian scholar she says it's heartbreaking to watch -- but eerily familiar. When two young women left a cinema in the early 70s, they found an abandoned newborn. And now, half a century later, they've all reunited. A Norwegian researcher has not-so-fond childhood memories of getting his tongue stuck to a frozen pole. Now that he's all grown up, he's delving into the science -- to tackle tundra tongue. Colm Dalton can tell you what makes a real Irish pub -- because he's been to more than a hundred of them on four continents, as he attempts to drink at every single one on Earth. Scientists discover that we blink unconsciously to the beat of music -- although so far, they've only tested that theory on the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. As It Happens, the Thursday Edition. Radio that thinks they should start thinking outside the Bach...s.

    A floor-crossing eases Carney's path to a majority

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2026 58:30


    Another MP -- this time from the NDP -- has crossed the floor to join the Liberals. A by-election candidate in what was a must-win riding in Quebec tells us what that means for her campaign.A neighbourhood in central Beirut is in shock after an Israeli airstrike hits an apartment building. A journalist on the ground describes the scene.The British government is mulling a social media ban for children -- but the father of a teenager who took her own life after being exposed to harmful content online says just blocking those platforms isn't the answer. An Alabama restaurant never thought anyone would take up their offer of free oysters to any customer 80 years old accompanied by his father. But we'll talk to two men who are putting that pledge to the test. A para-alpine skier shares his frustration over mild March weather in Italy that's messing with the Paralympics -- and argues they need to be held much earlier. A British construction worker rushes to hospital after he wakes up with a bright blue body -- but is relieved and embarrassed to discover the blue-ity is only skin deep. As It Happens, the Wednesday Edition. Radio that admires anyone who's so self-azured.

    The survival of Carney's government may come down to this

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2026 57:25


    The one thing standing between Mark Carney and a majority government may turn out to be a by-election in the Quebec riding of Terrebonne -- where the Bloc Quebecois candidate says she's confident she'll win. It's not clear when the war in Iran will end -- but we'll ask an Iranian-Canadian historian what kind of order he foresees after the chaos. New Brunswick serial killer Allan Legere dies in prison; a reporter who covered the murders, the manhunt, and the trial tells us a lot of people are breathing easier. Heavy rain in Nairobi last week led to deadly floods. And for many including our guest, those floods cut off electricity and running water. A neuroscientist tells us about the leap he's made in understanding how mice view their surroundings -- with the help of action movies.Just weeks before athletes were scheduled to run the Pyongyang Marathon, the North Korean regime cancels the event -- and the reason it gives is "reasons."As It Happens, the Tuesday Edition. Radio that assumes, for the out-of-shape runners, this is a staggering loss.

    The Iranians supporting the strikes

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2026 58:07


    I'll speak with an Iranian-Canadian who stands firmly behind the U.S and Israeli attacks on Iran -- saying he believes they're the only real hope for regime change.Donald Trump continues to suggest that Iran may be to blame for the strike on an Iranian elementary school that killed scores of children -- but a very different story is emerging.A para hockey player tells us about her journey to try and make the technically co-ed Canadian Paralympic hockey team -- which, at least for now, is really just a men's team. UNESCO has already recognized Dublin as a "city of literature," but an Irish arts organization thinks it's only right that an area farther north in the borderlands be named the world's first UNESCO literary region. We catch up with the Finnish couple that placed first in the UK's Wife Carrying Race -- and they attempt to convey how one of them conveyed the other. The centuries-old coat of arms of a Swiss canton features a black bear with visible genitalia -- and despite a parliamentarian's request, the local government won't be tucking it away.As It Happens, the Monday Edition. Radio that supposes it's a package deal.

    A rare voice speaks out from inside Tehran

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2026 65:45


    After many days trying to connect, we reach a defiant resident of Tehran -- who says U.S. and Israeli bombs are the wrong way to topple the regime he opposes. We also connect with a longtime rights activist in Kabul who tells us that despite a horrifying new decree, there's not much else the Taliban can take away from women in Afghanistan.An Ontario library dealing with open drug use and near-daily overdoses tries a last-ditch effort to keep from closing its doors completely. At a funeral in Chicago, three former presidents pay tribute to the late civil rights pioneer Jesse Jackson. Researchers turn to the study of trees to discover one of the few mysteries left about what makes the world famous Stradivarius violins the best of the best. An opera singer in Florida shifts gears when the gigs dry up...using his prodigious pipes to sell used vehicles. As It Happens, the Friday Edition. Radio that asks: Aria lookin' for some new wheels?

    One of the most dangerous places to be in Iran

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2026 65:40


    The brother of a Nobel Peace Prize winner detained in Iran says there's no escape for those trapped in prisons -- and he's afraid of what the regime will do to them in the fog of war. A Nova Scotia father says provincial cuts to programs for people with disabilities, like the one his daughter uses, are a real punch in the gut -- and he's not sure how families like his will cope. We'll pay tribute to Yanar Mohammed, who was killed by gunmen in Baghdad this week -- after decades of fighting for equality and safety for women in Iraq.A Canadian man has been held in ICE detention for the past four months; his brother says his family wants him back home -- but first, they just want him to go before a judge. A curator of old movies tells us about finding a lost gem by a true pioneer of silent film -- and the man who gave him that lost gem tells us just how close he came to chucking it in a dumpster. A Las Vegas casino magnate lays his cards on the table: he wants Canadians who are avoiding travel to the U.S. back at his blackjack tables and slot machines -- and he's willing to take a gamble of his own to get us there. As It Happens, the Thursday edition. Radio that's not sure it'll visit -- but won't roulette out.

    Spain's standoff with Donald Trump

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2026 59:09


    The government of Spain is adamantly against the U.S. - Israeli attack on Iran, and it repeated that position today, even in the face of Donald Trump's trade threats. A non-profit that monitors financial markets says it's concerned that online prediction markets were allowing people to place wagers on the strikes on Iran -- and that many of those betting appeared to know too much. A Texas firefighter tells us what it was like to climb a very, very, very tall communications tower -- to rescue a pair of hot-air ballooners who got tangled up up top.A Vancouver city councillor is baffled as to why the mayor accused him of handing out illegal drugs on Christmas Day. And despite the mayor's apologies, he's not feeling very forgiving. A Canadian comic working in the UK explains how Brits are responding to his blistering take on the peculiar culinary phenomenon known as "picky tea". When certain cockroaches couple up, they demonstrate their commitment by eating each other's wings -- an act of real tenderness. Or toughness, depending on the wings.As It Happens, the Wednesday Edition. Radio that knows sometimes you have plans for dinner -- and sometimes you just wing it.

    Lloyd Axworthy says Canada needs to be clear about Iran

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2026 62:24


    Ottawa has stated support for military action, but they've also made it clear that Canada had no involvement in that action. Former Foreign Affairs minister Lloyd Axworthy says the government is being unnecessarily unclear.As the U.S. and Israel continue to hammer Iran, an Alberta man fears for his family in Tehran; he tells us they all yearn for change, but he doesn't want them to die for it. A woman in Lebanon tells us about helping feed those who have been forced from their homes and onto the streets of Beirut -- as the conflict widens.Her B.C. town did away with daylight saving time over a century ago -- and now, our guest is welcoming the rest of the province to sit back instead of springing forward. The late Len Garry was a crucial part of the rhythm section in an up-and-coming skiffle band in the UK in the '50s -- but left before they became The Beatles.A partly blind refugee was found dead in Buffalo, New York, days after being released from federal custody. His family wants answers. The author of a new study says there's been a concerning increase in the number of young men in Ontario requiring help for their gambling. And he's pretty sure he knows why. A musician was forced to hold a very delicate, centuries-old violin on a flight, because the airline insisted its case was too big. Now, that airline has changed its policy. As It Happens, the Tuesday Edition. Radio that's glad she refused to play second fiddle.

    Why the way forward in Iran is anything but clear

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2026 63:06


    After three days of U.S. and Israeli airstrikes across Iran -- a journalist tells us that, despite the death of the Ayatollah, the regime remains in full crackdown mode. A pro-regime academic in Tehran tells us the government has a clear plan to stay in power -- and says Iranians are united against their true enemies: the U.S. and Israel. One of Canada's last diplomats in Iran tells us Prime Minister Carney did the right thing by supporting strikes on the country -- no matter the potential fallout at home. Our guest built a seasonings company called Spyce Girlz. But now that the '90s girl-power pop group is threatening to sue her, she's feeling kind of salty. With the world feeling like a dumpster fire, one New Yorker decided to focus on a problem she could do something about: cleaning up the Brooklyn Bridge.Major League Baseball has a new system that can tell for sure whether a pitch was high, low, or just right -- but for it to work, a lot of players are having to admit they're not as tall as they claimed to be.As It Happens, the Monday Edition. Radio that never shrinks from the truth.

    Paralympic skier Natalie Wilkie named flag bearer

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2026 64:17


    Wilkie has already won a phenomenal number of medals -- but says she's still surprised and thrilled to be representing Canada at the ceremony. After two women in Uganda are arrested for kissing in public, an activist tells us the LGBTQ+ community is on high alert -- and doing everything it can to push for their release. Mark Carney is in India looking to make new trade deals -- and our guest says it's just another instance of a Canadian prime minister putting economic interests ahead of the safety of the country's Sikh community. A Halifax mother tells us about her daughter, who died in a homeless encampment -- in the hope that it will encourage people to be more understanding of others caught in the throes of addiction. A researcher takes us beat by beat through a new study on the way some caterpillars use complex rhythms to gain access to ant colonies.A young pitching prospect believes he cracked the code of athletic excellence -- by cracking, and eating, 30 raw eggs a day for a month. As It Happens, the Friday Edition. Radio that's not sure you should rely on a deus eggs machina.

    Going back to school in Tumbler Ridge

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2026 66:49


    Just about two weeks after the deadly shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, students and their parents are touring new portable classrooms -- and still unsure about how to move forward. The company behind the AI chatbot Claude is hoping to put guardrails on the Pentagon's use of its tech. But the U.S. military is pushing back. Nova Scotia's government closes a dozen provincial heritage sites, to the shock of our guest -- whose family once lived in the now-shuttered Fisherman's Life Museum. For years, a pediatric surgeon at Winnipeg's Children's Hospital has been pushing for a designated space for Indigenous patients. And now, construction is finally underway. Having uncovered why Scotch tape squeals, we are once again providing an answer to a question you didn't ask: why basketball shoes squeak that squeak.To ensure customer courtesy, Burger King will deploy AI in employees' headsets, that will keep a tally of the number of times they say "welcome", "please", and "thank you."As It Happens, the Thursday edition, Radio that suggests they mind their cheese and Qs.

    Where is Canada's Immigration Minister?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2026 57:46


    Canada's Immigration Minister is under fire after Radio-Canada journalists reveal the organizations who work with her, and some of her own Liberal colleagues, says she's often unreachable -- and perhaps not up to the job. Hundreds of American nurses have been welcomed north of the border, after leaving the U.S. during Donald Trump's first year in office; one tells us he's never going back. Zambia needs to replace healthcare funding slashed by U.S. cuts -- and our guest tells us the sub-Saharan nation is about to accept some pretty unhealthy terms from the Trump Administration. A researcher wanted to test the so-called "drunken monkey hypothesis" -- and that meant he had to perfect a technique for collecting chimpanzee urine in the wild.An elementary school basketball team in Utah is obsessed with attending the local high school team's games. But their minds were blown when the high school team showed up to watch them. Researchers finally solve a mystery that has vexed...well, researchers: the mystery of why Scotch tape makes a sort of screeching sound when you peel a piece off.As It Happens, the Wednesday Edition. Radio that knows tape research is tough -- but you just stick to it.

    How St. John's is surviving Snowmageddon, the sequel

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2026 58:40


    The fire chief in St. John's tells us that, after a series of punishing snowstorms, he and his crew worked overtime to help dig Newfoundlanders out -- and also helped deliver a new one.Canada's Minister of Artificial Intelligence meets with OpenAI over the company's failure to report disturbing posts by the Tumbler Ridge shooter to law enforcement. Four years after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, there is still no end in sight. We'll return to a guest who's working to honour Bucha's dead and to help the city move forward.A brand new American inter-agency task force may have helped Mexico track down El Mencho -- another indication of the increased militarization of the battle against the cartels. WWII historian tells us the story that stopped him in his tracks -- a story that ended with a 108-year-old Ontario woman being presented with a long-overdue wartime medal. During a soccer game in Turkey, a gull is felled mid-flight when it's smacked by a ball -- and saved when a player immediately begins CPR.As It Happens, the Tuesday Edition. Radio that tells the whole story -- from death to rebirdth.

    When cartel violence “becomes something normal”

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2026 60:43


    A resident of Puerto Vallarta tells us what it's like in the Mexican city one day after the killing of a cartel leader triggered waves of violent retaliation across the country.A geopolitical analyst tells us how the U.S. is putting pressure on Mexico to rein in the cartels -- and reflects on the effectiveness of taking out the kingpins like El Mencho.Canada's Artificial Intelligence Minister summons OpenAI officials to Ottawa -- to explain what they knew about the Tumbler Ridge shooter, and when. A UN fact-finding mission to El Fasher says what they found after the capture of the Sudanese city by the RSF bears the "hallmarks of genocide".Profile writer Susan Sheehan's daughter remembers her mother's remarkable gift for disappearing into her subject's lives, and revealing the forces that shaped their struggles.A restaurant in a small British town installs up an official-looking plaque claiming the group Toto wrote a hit song on the premises -- but the local historical society does not bless the claims about "Africa".As It Happens, the Monday Edition. Radio that wouldn't expect this behaviour from a Toto stranger.

    Her family business led the case to overturn Trump's tariffs

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2026 58:30


    The U.S. Supreme Court strikes down a swath of Donald Trump's tariffs and Nil speaks with a VP from the family toy company behind the winning case -- who tells us what it's like to be insulted by the president. Joss Reimer will be Canada's next Chief Public Health Officer. We'll ask her what's at the top of her to-do list -- and what keeps her up at night. For decades, the United States' relationship with Cuba has been fraught, at best. Now, long-time observers say it's time to start calling American measures what they are: a blockade. He says a Toronto hospital changed his life by treating his mental health condition -- and now, he's hoping his $10-million donation to that facility will change other patients' lives too. A paleontologist sets off for the Sahara Desert with nothing but an old monograph of an ancient tooth and unearths something truly ferocious, with an appropriately ferocious nickname. Two Michigan men break a record that was exciting to them -- and annoying to everyone in their general vicinity -- by playing pickleball for 28 straight hours.

    With Andrew's arrest, anti-monarchists see an opening

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2026 61:17


    British police arrest former prince, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor – on suspicion of misconduct in public office. An anti-monarchist tells us he thinks pressure from his group helped lead to this moment.Manitoba's Health Minister responds to the family of a woman who died after a long wait for care in a Winnipeg hospital –- and says the province hears their calls for change.A new, peer-reviewed study that suggests that, if anything, official tolls of Gaza's wartime dead have understated the extent of the devastation. In a heartbreaking Olympic women's hockey final, Canada loses to the U.S. in overtime. A fan tells us through tears that she's still grateful she was there. Scientists reveal the shocking truth: not only are humans the only primates with chins, but the chins themselves may not actually serve much of a purpose.An operation in Bangkok combined police procedural with costume drama -- as officers track a suspect at a Lunar New Year celebration while disguised as lion dancers.As It Happens, the Thursday Edition. Radio that's glad they weren't injured in the lion of duty.

    The questions after a deadly avalanche in California

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2026 64:01


    At least, eight people are now confirmed dead after an avalanche in the Sierra Nevada mountains, near Lake Tahoe. A skier who just missed that storm wonders why the group -- and their guides -- left the safety of their hut.A Conservative strategist says MP Matt Jeneroux betrayed his principles and his constituents by crossing the floor to the Liberals -- but he doesn't believe people should read too much into the defection.Stacey Ross is now one of several Manitobans who've died after long waits in Winnipeg emergency rooms. Her sister tells us a full, province-wide public inquiry is the only response she'll accept. A mall owner in Minneapolis tells us about the Ramadan festivities he's organizing tonight -- and why he hopes they can be a source of support for his Somali neighbours.A producer of the mockumentary "Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie" tells us about recreating a bizarre Canadian beverage from the '90s called Orbitz. Think lava lamp -- but a drink.A courtroom drama for the ages, as an Illinois judge rules that a fast-food chain can leave "boneless wings" on the menu because it's not misleading -- even though boneless wings aren't boneless wings.As It Happens, the Wednesday Edition. Radio that's always seek nuggets of truth.

    Carney's plan to build and buy for the military in Canada

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2026 64:30


    The federal government announces a new -- and ambitious -- defence strategy that prioritizes Canadian-made military equipment -- and promises up to 125,000 new jobs.A U.S. radio host claims that a Google AI tool that creates uncannily real-sounding podcasts copied his voice without permission -- so he's taking the company to court. We remember the late civil rights activist, Jesse Jackson -- whose activism and presidential run fundamentally changed American politics. Determined divers found a Lake Michigan shipwreck after 150 years -- then sat on the news until they could fully document it. One diver tells us keeping the secret was a struggle. After an unfortunate error during the Olympic slalom, and a terrible personal tragedy, a Norwegian skier takes his skis off and walks into a nearby forest.In the '90s, photographer Anne Geddes dressed babies up as plants, cabbages, and pea pods for her first coffee table book "Down in the Garden." Now she's inviting the 30-something former models to get back in touch.As It Happens, the Tuesday Edition. Radio that assumes she's trying to make a peas offering.

    How much business can Canada really do with Mexico?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2026 49:23


    A large delegation of Canadian businesses are in Mexico this week to talk trade. We'll hear from an industry rep taking part, who says the sky's the limit when it comes to the two countries.Mourners in Solwezi, Zambia gather to remember a member of their community: Abel Mwansa -- one of the young victims of last week's mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge.A California mother pushes her school district to give her children homework that doesn't involve screens. She says despite the challenge, every parent should be given that option.Nordic combined is a sport that involves both ski jumping and cross country skiing. And you can watch it at these Olympics, but only the men's event. There isn't one for women , and a U.S. athlete tells us why she's fighting so hard to change that. A trio of New Yorkers take daily shifts to take care for -- and protect -- a now-famous wild turkey named Astoria who has made the streets of Manhattan her home. A herd of llamas thwart a suspected thief's escape by encircling him in their field. As It Happens, the Monday edition. Radio that respects a fleece and desist order.

    U.S. rolls back long-standing environmental protections

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2026 69:22


    The Trump administration strips the Environmental Protection Agency of much of its power to regulate greenhouse gas emissions -- revoking a ruling that said they pose a threat to public health. As the people of Tumbler Ridge, BC gather for a vigil, an Alberta father who lost his son in a school shooting also mourns their loss -- and tells us how he survived his. After student protests toppled the longtime leader of Bangladesh, the country elects a new government. One young voter tells us it was his first chance to vote for his future. Researchers discover that a nineteenth-century house-turned-museum in New York City was a stop on the Underground Railroad, after deciphering a cleverly hidden secret compartment. Scientists develop a wearable device to measure human flatulence -- with the noble goal of creating a complete flatus atlas. Italy's national broadcaster for airing an Olympics promo in which a famous male figure drawn by Leonardo da Vinci appears, with his genitals erased. As It Happens, the Friday Edition. Radio that thinks you've gotta draw the loin somewhere.

    As Tumbler Ridge mourns, local library becomes a refuge

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2026 56:08


    A librarian in Tumbler Ridge tells us who's been stopping by after this week's shooting -- and what she's doing to ensure everyone knows they have a place to go.There's another surge of measles cases in Manitoba; a doctor there explains where the highly contagious disease is believed to be spreading, and why.From the ashes, Part One. An Alberta woman fulfills a years-long wish and visits the mountain peak where the ashes of her late husband and daughter are scattered.From the ashes, part two. An art exhibit featuring the works of the late Jenifer Darbellay is set to open in B.C. -- nearly a year after she was killed in the Lapu-Lapu Day tragedy.Cool and calm -- but uncollected. A small town mayor tells us what it's like to live in one of 35 Ontario communities that were promised recycling pickup at long last -- only to learn they'll be waiting months, or maybe a year.And ... The family silver. Canadian flag bearer and skier Mikaël Kingsbury won a silver medal in Italy today after a history-making tiebreak. He says competing in front of his son was as good as gold.As it Happens, the Thursday edition. Radio that knows every second counts.

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