q: The Podcast from CBC Radio

Natalie MacMaster is a virtuoso Canadian fiddle player from Cape Breton who's brought traditional East Coast music to the rest of the world. She was nine when she got her first fiddle, but she felt like she already had nine years of experience at that point because she had been surrounded by fiddle music from the time she was born. Now, Natalie has released a new memoir, “I Have a Love Story,” which traces her incredible life in music. She sits down with Tom Power to talk about that first fiddle she got at nine, the advice Santana gave her when she broke a string on stage, and how to get your kids to practice the fiddle (she has seven children herself).

For nearly three decades, Boston's Dropkick Murphys have been the loud, proud voice of working class punk. They're the kind of band that's stood for something since day one. But these days, even their crowds aren't immune to the polarizing divides running through America. Knowing full well it might turn some fans away, frontman Ken Casey has been speaking out from the stage. Following the release of the band's 13th studio album, “For the People,” Ken joins Tom Power to talk about the history of Dropkick Murphys, their longevity and why he refuses to stay quiet.Fill out our listener survey here. We appreciate your input!

What do you do after you've released three albums that have all been nominated for or won the biggest music prize in your home country? Well, for the English rock band Wolf Alice, they decided to wander down a path leading to Laurel Canyon. On their beautiful and expansive new album, “The Clearing,” Wolf Alice drop (some of) the guitars and venture into a multi-harmonic landscape alongside Greg Kurstin, one of the biggest pop producers in the world. Lead singer Ellie Rowsell and bassist Theo Ellis sit down with Tom Power to reflect on their career and what it was like opening for Harry Styles.Fill out our listener survey here. We appreciate your input!

What does it mean to be a descendant and a future ancestor at the same time? In her latest book of poetry, “Procession,” Katherena Vermette aims to answer that question for herself — and she just might inspire you to think about it, too. Katherena is an award-winning, critically acclaimed Michif (Red River Métis) writer from Winnipeg, whose work spans poetry and fiction, but almost always takes on themes of family, intergenerational relationships, and the ties that bind us together. She joins Tom Power to talk about her new collection, and how parts of it were inspired by looking at old family photos.Fill out our listener survey here. We appreciate your input!

Two years ago, Rush frontman and bassist Geddy Lee joined Tom Power to talk about his memoir, “My Effin' Life.” He discussed his experience as the son of Holocaust survivors, dropping out of high school, and what he remembers about the late Neil Peart's audition to be the band's drummer.Fill out our listener survey here. We appreciate your input!

Seth MacFarlane (Family Guy, Ted, American Dad!) is a man of many voices. For more than 25 years, he's voiced Peter and Stewie Griffin, Brian the dog, and their neighbour Quagmire on “Family Guy,” the adult animated sitcom he created back in 1999. But when Seth's not recording a character for TV and film, he's recording music. Now, the five-time Grammy-nominated vocalist is back with his ninth album, "Lush Life: The Lost Sinatra Arrangements.” Seth joins Tom Power to talk about finding a treasure trove of unrecorded Sinatra songs, learning how to sing like Sinatra, and how he feels about the situation between Jimmy Kimmel and the FCC.Fill out our listener survey here. We appreciate your input!

Canadian film mogul Robert Lantos has spent his career bringing Canadian movies and TV shows to the screen. In fact, some say he kick-started the whole industry. Producing films for the likes of Atom Egoyan, David Cronenberg and Sarah Polley, Robert has truly shaped Canadian cinema over the last 50 years. He sits down with Tom Power to talk about his latest project, “Rise of the Raven,” which is a historical drama about the Hungarian army battling the Ottomans. Robert also tells us how his first film nearly caused a riot when the censors ordered a sex scene to be cut, and what his mother said when he made a movie about her family's past.Fill out our listener survey here. We appreciate your input!

What if the bad guy in your nightmare didn't chase you, but tried to tickle you to death? That's just one of the Inuit legends reimagined by the throat singing duo PIQSIQ on their haunting new album, “Legends.” Back in the summer, sisters Tiffany Ayalik and Inuksuk Mackay of PIQSIQ joined Tom Power to talk about the record and why they're embracing Inuit traditions in non-traditional ways. Plus, they set up their new song, “Mahaha: Tickling Demon.”Fill out our listener survey here. We appreciate your input!

Comedian Alex Edelman has had an exciting past couple of years. He won a Tony and an Emmy for his acclaimed Broadway show “Just For Us,” which then became an HBO comedy special. It recounts his experience as a Jewish man covertly attending a meeting of white nationalists in New York, and it earned him a spot on Time Magazine's list of the 100 most influential people of 2024. Now, Alex stars and writes on the new series “The Paper,” which is a loose spin-off of the hit sitcom “The Office.” He joins Tom Power to talk about his work and why joking about something doesn't mean you don't take it seriously. Fill out our listener survey here. We appreciate your input!

Maggie Andrew is one of the most exciting artists coming out of the East Coast right now. She drops by our studio to set up the title track off her new EP, “How To Sing For Money.” Plus, she talks about the tension between art and commerce, and how to keep the magic of making music alive. Fill out our listener survey here. We appreciate your input!

Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer, Peaky Blinders) doesn't like to do a lot of interviews — that's what people say. The Oscar-winning Irish actor now stars in the new Netflix movie, “Steve,” which follows a head teacher at a last-chance reform school. It's set in the mid-1990s, over the course of one critical day in the life of a student named Shy. During this year's Toronto International Film Festival, Cillian sat down with Tom Power to talk about the film, doing right by overworked teachers and why he's reluctant to talk about his work.Fill out our listener survey here. We appreciate your input!

Alyson Stoner is one of the most recognizable former child actors of the mid-2000s. They got their big break starring as “the little white girl” in the music video for Missy Elliott's “Work It,” before eventually appearing in successful film franchises like “Cheaper by the Dozen” and “Camp Rock.” But in their new memoir, "Semi-Well-Adjusted Despite Literally Everything," Alyson exposes the dark realities of child stardom, from working 80 hours a week at age eight, to learning how to distinguish fan mail from kidnapping plots, to eating disorders. They join Tom Power to talk about rebuilding their life.Fill out our listener survey here. We appreciate your input!

Celebrated filmmaker and actor Benny Safdie (Uncut Gems, Oppenheimer) did something outside his comfort zone when he made his latest film, “The Smashing Machine” — he directed it without his brother, Josh. Starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Emily Blunt, the film tells the true story of former wrestler and mixed martial artist Mark Kerr. During this year's Toronto International Film Festival, Benny sat down with Tom Power to talk about his first foray into directing on his own two feet, what it was like working with The Rock, and why mixed martial arts is more than just pure aggression.

Back in 1967, Igor Stravinsky, the legendary classical composer, ignored his doctors' advice and conducted the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in what would turn out to be his final public performance ever. Now, the TSO is honouring that concert and Stravinsky's legacy with a new recording of his 1920 ballet, “Pulcinella.” Gustavo Gimeno, the orchestra's music director, joins Tom Power to tell us about the record and why it was such a big deal for Stravinsky to do this performance.

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 now. Back in June, Tantoo joined Tom Power to reflect on her remarkable career, and why she'll never stop advocating for authenticity and accuracy when it comes to Indigenous representation.

As a kid growing up in Nipissing, Ont., Christian Allaire dreamed of being part of the glamorous world that he saw in his mother's Vogue magazines. Now, he's the senior fashion and style writer at Vogue in New York. Christian writes about that incredible journey in his new memoir, “From the Rez to the Runway.” Earlier this year, he sat down with Tom Power to talk about the book and how he learned to embrace his Ojibwe identity as his cool factor.

What happens when you build a career being a singer-songwriter and then you permanently lose your voice? That's what happened to acclaimed musician Patrick Watson, whose life was completely upended for months due to that traumatic surprise. Without being able to sing his own music, Patrick turned his attention to writing and composing music for other people to sing. He thought he'd never sing again, but after saving his voice using a hyperbaric chamber, he decided to make a record with a variety of singers to help him out. Patrick joins Tom Power to tell the story of how losing his voice became a catalyst for his new album, “Uh Oh,”

Sebastian Gaskin is a musician from Tataskweyak Cree Nation in Manitoba who fuses his culture with R&B, rock and pop music. Earlier this year, he joined Tom Power to talk about his debut album, “Lovechild,” how he came around to embrace his Indigenous identity in his art, and why writing joyful and hopeful songs is just as important to him as writing political songs.

What does the title of “highest-grossing actor of all time” actually mean for a Hollywood star? For Scarlett Johansson, who currently holds that position, it means directing her first feature film without any pressure of achieving box office success. In her directorial debut, “Eleanor The Great,” there's not an explosion or sex scene in sight, and the lead role is played by 95-year-old actor June Squibb. During this year's Toronto International Film Festival, Scarlett dropped by to talk about her new film, working with the late Robert Redford, and why she doesn't and has never used social media. If you like this conversation, check out Tom's conversation with June Squibb from 2024.

Hanorah is a singer-songwriter from Montreal who's opened for Mavis Staples, and grew up listening to Etta James and Joss Stone. But on her latest EP, “Closer Than Hell,” Hanorah moves beyond her early soul influences and explores a new voice. Earlier this year, she joined Tom Power to tell us how she started songwriting, why she's happy she didn't win “La Voix” (the Quebec version of “The Voice”), and what inspired her new song, “Barbed Wire.”

As a recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship (also known as the MacArthur Genius Grant), you could say filmmaker Sterlin Harjo is a certified genius. He's responsible for creating the groundbreaking series “Reservation Dogs,” which follows the lives of four Indigenous teenagers in rural Oklahoma. Now, Sterlin is back with a new series called “The Lowdown,” starring Ethan Hawke as a rough-and-tumble bookstore owner and "truthstorian" in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He sat down with Tom Power during this year's Toronto International Film Festival to talk about his career — and how being a genius really just means your friends will give you a hard time about it.

“It's not you, it's me.” That's the line Amy Millan used to break up with her guitar. The Canadian singer-songwriter had lost the love she had for her instrument and wasn't sure it would come back. But after taking a break from her band Stars, she found herself working on her first solo album in 15 years. It's called “I Went To Find You” and it came out earlier this year. That's when Amy sat down with Tom Power to talk about the record, and how it was inspired by the loss of her father at the age of five.

If you could take a test that told you who your soulmate was, would you do it? Would you trust it? That's the premise of the new movie “All of You,” starring and written by English actor Brett Goldstein (best known for his role as Roy Kent on “Ted Lasso”). Set in the near future, the story follows two best friends who are torn apart when one takes the test and the other won't. Brett joins Tom Power to talk about whether love can really be measured by an algorithm, plus, the moment he knew “Ted Lasso” had changed his life.

Earlier this year, a new movie called “My Father's Shadow” made history when it became the first Nigerian film to be officially selected for the Cannes Film Festival. Set over the course of a single day in Lagos in 1993 (a day that happens to be one of the most catastrophic in Nigerian history), the film follows two young boys who join their father on a trip to the city so he can collect his paycheck. The story is semi-autobiographical, based on director Akinola Davies Jr.'s own family experiences. During this year's Toronto International Film Festival, Akinola sat down with Tom Power to talk about memory, Nigeria's lesser known history, and the stuff you learn about your parents after they're gone.

Rachel Bobbitt is a Nova Scotian singer-songwriter who currently lives in Toronto, makes music in Los Angeles, and tours all around with bands like Men I Trust and Blonde Redhead — but her debut album is a homecoming of sorts. It's called "Swimming Towards the Sand” and it takes a sweeping and introspective look at the emotional landscape of the place where she grew up. Rachel joins guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about the album and her journey as a vocalist. Plus, she sets up a song off her new record.

Nine-time Grammy winner Mark Ronson is responsible for producing some of the biggest pop songs of the last few decades. He's worked with the likes of Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Dua Lipa and Amy Winehouse. Now, he's released a new memoir, “Night People,” which traces his early years working as a DJ in nightclubs around New York City. Mark joins Tom Power to tell us how that laid the groundwork for his acclaimed career as a producer, and how it also taught him what it takes to make a crowd dance.

Toni Collette (Hereditary, Little Miss Sunshine) is known as one the most dynamic and versatile actors of her generation. From her star-making turn in the Australian comedy “Muriel's Wedding” to her Oscar-nominated role as a struggling mom in “The Sixth Sense,” she's famous for playing visceral characters with big, messy emotions. In this candid interview from the Toronto International Film Festival, Toni sits down with Tom Power to talk about embracing emotionally authentic characters, and how she's managed to avoid being pigeonholed as an actor.

American singer-songwriter Joan Shelley is back with a new album, titled “Real Warmth.” She joins guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about recording it in Toronto (in the dead of winter during a blizzard, no less) with producer Ben Whiteley. Plus, she sets up a track called “New Anthem.”

Actor and writer Zosia Mamet is best known for playing the role of Shoshanna Shapiro on the hit HBO series “Girls.” But there's a lot more to Zosia's story that you may not know. In her new book of personal essays, “Does This Make Me Funny?” she writes about being bullied as a child, her experience with an eating disorder, and the ups and downs of life in the entertainment industry. Zosia joins guest host Talia Schlanger to share some stories and read from her book.

Are we all addicted to the internet? Digital technology feels like something we can't live without, but with all the physical and mental health issues it's creating, it's also starting to feel like something we can't live with. A new production of the musical “Octet” is looking at this dilemma. One of its stars, the Dora Award-winning stage and musical theatre actor Hailey Gillis, sits down with guest host Talia Schlanger to tell us how the musical uses the human voice to explore our internet addictions, and why she thinks the play is a detox for our brains.

Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan didn't just make some of her generation's greatest songs, she started a movement. In this special episode, Sarah sits down with Tom Power in front of a live audience to reflect on the challenges and joys of creating Lilith Fair — the groundbreaking, all-female music festival that changed the face of the music industry. The iconic festival is now the focus of a new documentary, “Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery,” which just premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. Sarah also performs two songs, including a new release off her latest album, “Better Broken.”

Throughout his 40-year acting career, Blair Underwood (L.A. Law, Longlegs) has always made it a priority to lead with his humanity. In the ‘80s and ‘90s, he came up against the stereotypical roles Black actors faced at that time, and his breakout role on “L.A. Law” stirred up some strong reactions in South Africa, where he was both loved and hated. Now, Blair stars in the Canadian re-make of the 1986 cult classic “Youngblood,” in which he plays a hockey dad who pushes his son to act tough on and off the ice. Blair sits down with Tom Power to talk about the new film and why he's drawn to unexpected stories. Plus, he tells us about the time he met Prince.

Barbie Ferreira got her start as a model before landing her big break starring on the gritty teen drama “Euphoria.” Since leaving the show, she's decided to pursue more creatively fulfilling work in indie film. Her latest project, “Mile End Kicks,” just premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. It was written and directed by Canadian filmmaker Chandler Levack, and it follows a young music journalist who's coming up in Montreal. Barbie joins Tom Power to talk about how she learned a Canadian accent for the film, taking risks in her career and how “Euphoria” changed her life.

The film “The Ballad of Wallis Island” tells the story of Charles, an eccentric lottery winner who uses his money to hold a private concert on the remote Welsh island where he lives. The band he hires is his favourite group of all time: the fictional folk rock duo McGwyer Mortimer. The only problem is they haven't spoken in years — and the concert is just for Charles. British poet and comedian Tim Key stars as Charles and co-wrote the movie, which is based on a short film he made in 2007. Earlier this year, he joined Tom Power to talk about the project and why it took 18 years to turn his short into a feature. Plus, he reveals how he persuaded Hollywood A-lister Carey Mulligan to get on board.

In his new film “Normal,” actor and writer Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul, Breaking Bad, Mr. Show) plays a small town sheriff who discovers a big secret. At this year's Toronto International Film Festival, he sat down with Tom Power to tell us how the feeling of embarrassment has actually fueled some of the best decisions in his life and career. Bob talks about chasing the things that scared him most, from early improv, to writing groundbreaking sketch comedy, to becoming an Emmy-nominated dramatic actor to his biggest risk yet: becoming an action star in his 60s.

When the Canadian singer-songwriter Basia Bulat was a kid, she felt embarrassed by the Polish disco music her dad listened to. But now that she's a parent herself, she's found a new appreciation for her parents' taste in music. It even inspired a tune on her latest album, “Basia's Palace.” Earlier this year, Basia joined Tom Power to talk about the album, the Polish music that soundtracked her childhood, and how she also drew inspiration from video games.

For decades, Stephen King fans have been clamouring for a movie adaptation of his dystopian horror novel “The Long Walk.” Now, 46 years after it was first published, the iconic story will finally hit the big screen. Director Francis Lawrence (The Hunger Games, I Am Legend) joins guest host Talia Schlanger to discuss the film, the surprising difficulty of making a movie where all the characters will walk and die, and how his old career as an acclaimed music video director shapes his work today.

Makram Ayache's play “The Green Line” blends together two queer storylines in Lebanon — one taking place in 2018, and the other in 1978 during the Lebanon Civil War. Makram wrote the play as a way to explore what it means to be a queer Lebanese Canadian. A new production will be staged in Toronto later this month at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. Ahead of that, Makram sits down with guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about “The Green Line,” how it was informed by his own travels to Lebanon and what he learned about grief from his younger self.

Canadian singer-songwriter Susan Aglukark was the first Inuk artist to have a top 10 hit in this country. She's won four Juno Awards, a Governor General's lifetime achievement award and she's an Officer of the Order of Canada. Now, Susan has released a memoir, titled “Kihiani,” in which she opens up about her journey in music, as well as the scars she's been living with after experiencing a traumatic event in her childhood. She sits down with Tom Power to share some stories from the book.

Lifelong best friends and creative partners Jay McCarrol and Matt Johnson began their careers making the viral web series-turned-TV show “Nirvanna the Band the Show.” Now, they've adapted that project into a buzzy new feature film, fittingly titled “Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie.” It just had its Canadian premiere in the Midnight Madness program at the Toronto International Film Festival. Jay and Matt sit down with Tom Power to discuss the film, their friendship, the perils of fame and how they convincingly staged a wild stunt to jump off the CN Tower and parachute into the SkyDome.

Growing up in a packed house on Vancouver's east side with her mother and four sisters, Jen Sookfong Lee became fascinated with female relationships — specifically, the stories and secrets passed down between mothers and daughters. In her new novel, “The Hunger We Pass Down,” Jen turns this fascination into a ghost story that asks the question: can you ever outrun your family history? She joins guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about it.

The Alberta folk singer-songwriter Sister Ray is known for writing songs about heartbreak and sadness. But they decided to try something different with their new album, “Believer,” which is all about love and connection. This past spring, Ella Coyes of Sister Ray joined Tom Power to talk about how “freeing” it is to write about joy, how growing up around Métis art influenced their love of music, and why they think the embarrassing parts of being human are what connect us most.