The Public

An interview with poet and award-winning novelist Ben Lerner about his gripping new book 10:04. On anxiety for the future, the importance of imagination, and why the line between fiction and reality is blurrier than we might suppose.

A new interview with world-renowned intellectual Noam Chomsky. In this conversation Chomsky reflects on the challenge to humanity posed by climate change, what ordinary citizens can do to combat it, and shares some of the lessons he's gleaned from his life including what his advice would be for present and future generations concerned about the fate of the planet."It's urgent for those who have the most privilege, the most opportunity, the greatest advantages, to be in the forefront instead of in the rear in trying to impede what is likely to be a serious catastrophe”

Award-winning Canadian author Michael Crummey has just come out with his latest novel 'Sweetland' which tells the story of one man's response to the resettlement of his small struggling Newfoundland community. What results is a fascinating meditation on death, resilience, and a way of life that is rapidly disappearing. In this wide-ranging conversation with Michael Crummey, we talk about the birth of his new novel, the complicated changes Newfoundland society is going through, and what the idea of 'home' means in the 21st century.

New York Times columnist David Carr has become one of the most insightful reporters of what is happening within the world of media and journalism today. From Glenn Greenwald and the NSA revelations, to the struggles of mid-size newspapers, to his own turbulent past with addiction, our wide-ranging conversation with David Carr.

Author Alexander Maksik has recently released his second novel called A Marker to Measure Drift. It tells the story of Jacqueline, a young liberian woman who has fled the civil war engulfing her country, and is now haunted by the memory of the trauma in her recent past. Alexander Maksik has written for publications including Harper's, The New York Times Magazine, and Slate, we speak about isolation, facing reality, and how one deals with trauma.

David Suzuki is not only one of Canada's best known environmentalists and scientists, he is also one of this country's most distinguished broadcasters. The longtime host of The Nature Of Things speaks about his life, his early days as a scientist, the importance of public broadcasting, and why communicating science to the general public is so essential.

This week a conversation with renowned progressive political icon Ralph Nader. In the interview Nader reflects on the four decades he's spent working as a consumer advocate and outspoken public figure, the current state of American democracy (including why things were better under Nixon than they are under Obama), and speaks to the challenges facing our society moving forward.

This week, a conversation with Toronto Filmmaker Alan Zweig about his new documentary 15 Reasons To Live, in which through fifteen separate chapters and personal portraits he reflects on the various facets of the human experience that make life worth living, from Love and Work to Humour and Friendship. A touching meditation on the art of living, and the aspects of the human experience that our lives meaning.

In 2010, indie rockers The National are about to embark on their biggest international tour yet when lead singer Matt Berninger invites his younger at times floundering brother Tom along to be part of the tour crew. Tom agrees, and brings his camera with him to document the journey. What follows is anything but smooth sailing. From Tom's highs to lows, the ensuing film "Mistaken For Strangers" is a entertaining meditation on success, failure, redemption, and brotherly love.

We have all clicked agree to lengthy "Terms and Conditions" documents in order to use of everything from iTunes to Facebook and Gmail. But exacty what does it say in these documents? And what does it mean for our right to privacy and the use of our data?  Now the new documentary film 'Terms And Conditions May Apply' takes a look at these questions, and examines what exactly we've signed away when we click "I Agree."

A conversation with humorist and best-selling author David Sedaris on writing, his public/private persona, and finding humour in the painful.  His latest collection of essays is called "Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls."

This week a look at two new documentary films 1) Tiny: A story about living small, examines the new trend of people opting to downsize and live in extremely tiny houses  and 2) Caucus, is a behind-the-scenes look back at the 2012 republican primary battle in Iowa

A conversation with filmmaker Matt Anderson on his stunning new documentary Fall & Winter. The film, which played to sold out theatres at the SXSW and Hot Docs film festivals, is a journey into the root causes behind the global environmental crises currently facing humanity, and a call to reimage the relationship we have as humans with the natural world. To find out more about the film visit www.fallwintermovie.com

Fred Penner, the renowned Canadian children's performer and beloved television peresonality speaks about his life growing up in Winnipeg, the TV show that endeared him to a generation, and his belief in the transformative power of music.

An interview with award-winning journalist Carl Honore on his new book The Slow Fix - why In a culture obsessed with speed, the way to deal with our complex problems might just be to take our time. 

Lewis Lapham, the founder of Lapham's Quarterly, and acclaimed editor emeritus of Harper's Magazine speaks about his days growing up in San Francisco and his time at Yale, as well as shares his reflections on history, journalism, and the state of American society today.

An interview with Noam Chomsky, the world renowned public intellectual and outspoken activist, on everything from his resistance during the Vietnam War, and early years in activism, to confronting the challenges that face humanity today, and the importance of speaking out

This week, Thomas Frank, journalist, writer, and columnist for Harper's Magazine, shares his thoughts on election 2012, Obama's second term, as well as a conversation about his own life and background - how he became the writer and cultural thinker he is today.

We're back from our break! This week on The Public we speak to Canadian philosopher, author and humanitarian, Jean Vanier, on spirituality, community, and his philosophy of becoming human. In the second half, award-winning documentary filmmaker Liz Marshall on her upcoming film The Ghosts in our Machine which examines how we treat animals in our modern industrial society. 

This week, an interview with Globe and Mail columnist Doug Saunders on his latest book 'The Myth of the Muslim Tide', which challenges the notion that Western values are being threatened by a wave of Muslim immigration.

Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, and outspoken public intellectual Chris Hedges on his latest book Days of Destruction Days of Revolt, and on his life spent fighting for political and social justice.

An in-depth interview with host of CBC's Definitely Not The Opera, and all around Canadian rennasaince woman, Sook-Yin Lee

Founder of True North Records and iconic figure of the Canadian music industry Bernie Finkelstein on his beginnings as a producer, the Toronto Yorkville scene of the 1960s, and his life spent celebrating and fighting for homegrown Canadian music and cultural talent.

A feature conversation with former mayor of Toronto David Miller on his childhood growing up in Britain and Canada, his life in politics and his ongoing efforts to make our cities more sustainable.

Writer and Professor of Philosophy Mark Kingwell reflects on modern society, valuing the intrinsic, and some of his early influences that turned him on to the world of philosophy and literature.

Sean Wainsteim is a Toronto-based filmmaker and director. He also happens to be the creative and award-winning mind behind some of the most imaginative music videos to come out of Canada in the past few years. Working with the likes of Tokyo Police Club, Hannah Georgas, and Wintersleep he's become known for his ability to take familiar songs and interpret them in new and novel ways. I sat down to talk with Sean about the creative process, the power of a good story, and the perennial challenge of creating art that rings true. Check out his work at http://www.seanwainsteim.com/

Writer and artist Lindsay Zier-Vogel speaks about her unique community art initiative The Love Lettering Project, and Juno nominated musician Jeremy Fisher on his latest album Mint Juleps and the virtues of the simple life.

Journalist and author Linda McQuaig, on her latest book The Trouble with Billionaires,  and her early political influences, including the time spent as co-editor of The Varsity, the campus newspaper at the University of Toronto.

An interview with Jonathan Goldstein, the host of CBC's Wiretap and an contributing editor for This American Life, on his life as a writer and his journey in public radio.

A full-hour interview with writer and public thinker John Ralston Saul-  On citizenship, corportism, and the experiences that influenced him as a young man.

Filmmaker Daniel Cross speaks about the recent culture cuts by the federal government and what it means for the future of documentary filmmaking and Rick Salutin shares his thoughts on democratic renewal

In this episode writer, activist and feminist Judy Rebick speaks about occupy, social movements, and the formative years she spent traveling around the world.