The Sunday Magazine

Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with The Globe and Mail writer-at-large John Ibbitson and IPSOS Public Affairs global CEO Darrell Bricker about the most urgent challenges facing Canada, former Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston and baseball historian Bill Humber explore the significance of the team's World Series return, former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre explains her decision to leave the Democratic Party and go independent, and Francis Plourde looks at the legacy of the so-called Unity Rally 30 years on.Discover more at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

Canada's push to stake out its digital future is reaching new heights, with a national artificial intelligence strategy expected in the coming weeks. But our race to compete in the global AI race is happening against the backdrop of what Cory Doctorow calls an "enshittified internet" – where big tech platforms have deliberately degraded to maximize profit at the expense of users. The tech activist and writer joins Piya Chattopadhyay to explore how the internet got worse, the promise and perils of AI, and why he thinks Canada is in a unique position to hit the escape button on policies he says are holding us back from a freer online world.

Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with the Toronto Star's Robert Benzie, Lisa Johnson from The Canadian Press and CBC British Columbia's Katie DeRosa about how regional headwinds are challenging the "Team Canada" approach to the U.S. trade war, curler and comedian John Cullen debunks stereotypes about the sport he loves, tech activist and writer Cory Doctorow charts Canada's digital future as the AI race heats up, and fantasy author Katherine Rundell reflects on the value of cultivating wonder in a chaotic world.Discover more at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

Whether through her bestselling cookbook, Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat, or the Netflix series by the same name, Samin Nosrat has a way of making cooking feel less like a chore and more like a celebration — of flavour, of curiosity, and most of all, of each other. Samin sat down with Piya Chattopadhyay in front of a live audience at Toronto's Massey Hall to talk about her immigrant upbringing, her relentless drive to succeed and the ways she is re-inventing herself, outlined in her new book, Good Things.

Guest host David Common speaks to the CBC's Margaret Evans and The Economist's Gregg Carlstrom for updates and analysis on ceasefire negotiations in Gaza, author Nancy Matsumoto explains how alternative supply chains work, and celebrity chef Samin Nosrat sits down with Piya Chattopadhyay in front of a live audience at Toronto's Massey Hall to talk about her immigrant upbringing, her relentless drive to succeed and the ways she is re-inventing herself, outlined in her new book, Good Things.Discover more at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

In our monthly challenge That's Puzzling!, Piya Chattopadhyay competes against one familiar voice and one clever listener in a battle of brain games devised by puzzle master Peter Brown. Playing this week are Ann Pornel, host of The Great Canadian Baking Show and listener Victor Boyko from Ottawa.

Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with Rabbi Louis Sachs about the issues facing Jewish communities two years after the October 7th attacks in Israel, Palestinian-Canadian author Saeed Teebi grapples with what it means to be Palestinian in this moment, journalists Molly Ball and Toluse Olorunnipa discuss how U.S. President Donald Trump is mixing the military and politics, legendary Blue Jays slugger Joe Carter gives his thoughts on the 2025 Blue Jays team, and our monthly challenge That's Puzzling! is back for October.Discover more at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

Justin Gregg studies and teaches about animal behaviour and cognition at St. Francis Xavier University. His new book, Humanish, breaks down the science behind the uniquely human habit of anthropomorphization, and brings a new lens to our evolving relationships with animals rights, tech, and even war.

Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with journalists Rob Russo and Tonda MacCharles to discuss the tricky politics facing the Carney government amid the Canada Post strike, adjunct professor at St. Francis Xavier University Justin Gregg breaks down the science behind the uniquely human habit of anthropomorphization, senior fellow with the Australian Strategic Policy Institute Elizabeth Buchanan explains why Greenland's future remains an open question, and Nobel Peace Prize-winning journalist Maria Ressa warns about the threats posed to democracy -- and ways to combat -- disinformation.Discover more at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

True crime stories dominate our screens and feeds. But John J. Lennon wants us to question how much truth they're telling – and whose. He reflects on those ideas in his book The Tragedy of True Crime: Four Guilty Men and the Stories That Define Us. And one of the guilty men he writes about is himself. Lennon is serving a 28-years-to-life sentence in New York state for murder, drug sales and gun possession, and has become a professional writer while in prison. He joins Piya Chattopadhyay to talk about his approach to telling crime stories, and the search for meaning, growth and identity inside the system.

Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with McGill University's Max Bell School of Public Policy director Jennifer Welsh about the stakes of this week's United Nations General Assembly talks, "Traveling Nanas" Eleanor Hamby and Sandra Hazelip share the life lessons they've learned from their world adventures, University of Toronto scholar Jason Stanley reflects on the state of speech and democratic institutions in the United States, and incarcerated journalist John J. Lennon explores the value of telling crime stories from the inside.Discover more at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

Twenty years ago, Jennifer Jones made what's widely considered one of the greatest shots in curling history – a hail-mary four-pointer that won her the 2005 Scotties Tournament of Hearts and cemented her legacy as an icon in the sport. Now, as she steps away from four-player curling, the six-time Canadian champion and Olympic gold medalist sits down with Piya Chattopadhyay to talk about her memoir, Rock Star, which leaves no stone unturned in looking back on her journey both on and off the ice.

Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with Queen's University energy policy expert Warren Mabee and CBC News journalist Jason Markusoff about the potential and politics of Prime Minister Mark Carney's "nation-building" energy project priorities, Canadian curling legend Jennifer Jones looks back on her journey both on and off the ice, Haaretz editor-in-chief Aluf Benn describes the challenges of covering the war in Gaza, and Julia Pagel explores how people living in Canada's North are thinking about renewed interest in Arctic security.Discover more at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday.

At 91-years-old, Jane Goodall hasn't just seen a lot of change in the world – she's made a lot of change. The legendary naturalist's field work with chimpanzees transformed how both science and the general public view our fellow primates. In later years, as an activist and conservationist, she's inspired countless young people to follow her lead and change the world. Today, when political leaders seem to be prioritizing the economy over the environment, Goodall speaks with Piya Chattopadhyay about how to stay hopeful, and to keep on sparking positive change.

Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with The Economist's Rob Russo and The Globe and Mail's Shannon Proudfoot about Prime Minister Mark Carney's priorities heading into fall, mathematician and educator Eugenia Cheng explains how math can help us better understand the world, legendary activist and conservationist Jane Goodall shares how to stay hopeful amid climate and political instability, and Canadian hip hop icon Shad and Toronto listener Clare Hodge kick off an all-new season of our monthly challenge That's Puzzling!Discover more at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

In many ways, personal devices like smartphones, tablets and smartwatches feel less like tools… and more like constant companions. Stephen Monteiro says that's by design. The assistant professor of communications studies at Concordia University joins David Common to discuss his book Needy Media, in which he breaks down how our devices evolved – from the way they feel in our hands, to how they light up when we look at them – to make us more dependent on them.

Guest host David Common speaks with The Atlantic staff writer Toluse "Tolu" Olorunnipa and New York Times White House correspondent Luke Broadwater about the enduring effects of Donald Trump's whirlwind summer, assistant professor of communications studies at Concordia University Stephen Monteiro breaks down how our devices evolved to make us more dependent on them, science journalist Peter Brannen enriches our understanding of carbon dioxide, and activist Loretta Ross reflects on her social justice journey.Discover more at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

Four months since Mark Carney was elected prime minister, journalist Justin Ling is examining the forces that drove – and divided – Canadians during the federal election campaign in his new book, The 51st State Votes. David Common speaks with Ling about the existential crisis Canadians faced at the ballot box in the form of Donald Trump, how it fundamentally shifted the fortunes of Conservative leader Pierre Poilieve, and how all federal parties need to adapt to meet this moment as Parliament gets ready to return.

Guest host David Common speaks with global affairs experts Janice Stein and Roland Paris about how much merit there may be behind the momentum of Russia-Ukraine peace prospects, famine expert Alex de Waal discusses the confirmation of famine in Gaza City, journalist Justin Ling explores how the forces behind the federal election are shaping Canadian politics now, Dr. Chika Stacy Oriuwa shares her journey to becoming a doctor and finding her voice, and music historian Steve Waksman walks through how stadium shows evolved and changed live music.Discover more at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

As record temperatures scorch Canada, you may find yourself walking on the shady side of the street, or ducking under a tree. But in many cities, keeping public spaces sunny has long been a key priority. The Globe and Mail's architecture critic Alex Bozikovic explains how sun and shade wars have broader implications on critical city infrastructure. Then, Saroja Coelho speaks with environmental journalist Sam Bloch about how prizing sun over shade has cast a long shadow on urban design and public health in our warming world.

Guest host Saroja Coelho speaks with New York Times White House correspondent Katie Rogers and McGill University political science associate professor Maria Popova about Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin's meeting in Alaska, The Globe and Mail's architecture critic Alex Bozikovic and environmental journalist Sam Bloch make the case for city shade, aviation expert John Gradek discusses the the Air Canada flight attendant labour dispute, Canadian history professor Alan MacEachern reflects on the evolution of Canada's parks, and Canadian author Vinh Nguyen retraces his family's journey 50 years after the end of the Vietnam War.Discover more at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

If you've ever been told to stop saying "like" so much, or caught yourself cringing when someone else does it... you might want to reconsider. Journalist Megan Reynolds says the much-maligned word is actually a linguistic powerhouse. In the latest edition of Word Processing, our ongoing look at language, Reynolds speaks with Saroja Coelho about the history, gender politics and surprising functionality of "like", as she explores in her book Like: A History of the World's Most Hated (and Misunderstood) Word.

Guest Host Saroja Coelho speaks with The Globe and Mail's Shannon Proudfoot, Angus Reid Institute's Shachi Kurl and Joël-Denis Bellavance from La Presse about Prime Minister Mark Carney's first 100 days since being elected, journalist Megan Reynolds unpacks our love-hate relationship with the word "like," CBC News senior correspondent Susan Ormiston brings us the latest on Israel's plan to take over Gaza City, Foreign Policy's Ravi Agrawal and Eurasia Group's Graeme Thompson discuss how U.S. tariffs will affect developing countries, and writer Roland Allen shares why physical notebooks still endure in our digital age.Discover more at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

August marks 80 years since the United States dropped two atomic bombs on the Japanese cities Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing an estimated 210,000 people. Setsuko Thurlow, who survived that day, shares her experience and her message for us all amid today's nuclear tensions. Then, Megan Williams speaks with historian and journalist Garrett Graff and national security analyst Joe Cirincione about how this event paved the path to our current nuclear world, and where things may go next.

Guest host Megan Williams speaks with senior economics lecturer Moshe Lander and Canadian Global Affairs Institute vice president Colin Robertson about Canada's options without a Trump trade deal in place, we reflect on the legacy of the atomic bombings of Japan with survivor and nuclear disarmament advocate Setsuko Thurlow, historian Garrett Graff and national security analyst Joe Cirincione, Canada's former ambassador to Israel Jon Allen and former adviser to the Palestine Liberation Organization Diana Buttu discuss Canada's plan to recognize Palestinian statehood, and automotive journalist Mark Richardson uncovers the stories that paved the Trans-Canada Highway.Discover more at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

Questions surrounding the line between private and public lives were among the many raised earlier this month when a video of a tech CEO and his company's HR manager embracing at a Coldplay concert went viral. In her book Strangers and Intimates, cultural historian Tiffany Jenkins explores the relatively short history of the notion of a private life. She joins David Common to explain how the phenomenon came to be, the value she thinks it holds, and why she fears it may be disappearing as technology continues to erase the line between private and public.

Guest host David Common speaks with CBC Sports senior contributor Shireen Ahmed and The Athletic senior writer Dan Robson about the broader implications of the world junior sexual assault case for hockey culture, cultural historian Tiffany Jenkins explores the rise and potential fall of private life, The Economist's Rob Russo and The Toronto Star's Rob Benzie look at the state of Canada-U.S. trade negotiations and federal-provincial relations, and Nathan Law reflects on his unlikely journey to activism and what he makes of the prospects for democracy in Hong Kong.Discover more at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

If "unalive," "seggs" and "rizz" are all foreign-sounding words to you... perhaps you're not fluent in algopeak. That refers to the way language is being shaped by algorithms, censorship and the relentless drive to go viral. For the latest instalment of Word Processing, our ongoing look at language, linguist and influencer Adam Aleksic tells Piya Chattopadhyay about how online culture is transforming the way we speak and communicate in unprecedented ways – and whether we're simply all "cooked."

Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation Chief Craig Nootchtai and columnist and professor Niigaan Sinclair about the bigger meaning of consultation with Indigenous communities, linguist and influencer Adam Aleksic breaks down the way online culture is shaping language, journalist Matthew Scace looks at the legacy of the Jasper, Alta. wildfire, and philosopher Susana Monsó offers death lessons from the animal kingdom.Discover more at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

When disability upended Jessica Slice's world, her life grew richer in unexpected ways. The writer found herself with newfound perspective and skills that made her feel uniquely equipped to become a mother. She shares her reflections on disability culture and parenthood in her new book.

Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with former federal NDP candidate Joel Harden and political strategist Jordan Leichnitz about the future of the NDP, we look at parenting with a disability through the eyes of author Jessica Slice, researcher Carolyn Whitzman and real estate expert Romana King explain why intervention is needed in the Canadian housing market, and Adrian Ma brings us a documentary exploring how Vince Carter helped put Canadian basketball on the map.Discover more at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

As a child, Stephen Fry says he was obsessed with the gods and heroes of ancient Greek myth the way other boys were obsessed with comic books or football players. Today, the actor, author and director's enthusiasm for those stories is undiminished. Fry joins Piya Chattopadhyay to talk about his epic project of reimagining and retelling these timeless tales for a modern audience – including his fourth and final book in the series, Odyssey – and why he believes its hero, Odysseus, remains a hero for our times.

Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with The Globe and Mail's Paul Waldie and Kelly Malone from The Canadian Press about tensions facing Canada's trade relationships, The Sunday Magazine's Pete Mitton looks at what's lost when physical signatures are replaced by digital analogues, actor and raconteur Stephen Fry explores why ancient Greek myths still have great resonance in our modern world, and as the beaver marks 50 years as an official symbol of Canada, we consider what our national markers say about us.Discover more at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

Whether whiling away a rainy afternoon at the cottage, or winding down after a day on the lake… for many, games are key parts of long summer days. But moving pieces around a board can mean a lot more than just entertainment. Author and board game journalist Tim Clare's book Across the Board examines the history and culture of games. He tells Nora Young how they hold big lessons on politics and civilizations, and can make radical statements on productivity, autonomy and freedom.

Guest host Nora Young speaks with CBC News senior business reporter Peter Armstrong and The Economist's Canada correspondent Rob Russo about Donald Trump calling off trade talks with Canada, The Economist's Middle East correspondent Gregg Carlstrom and Iranian-Canadian journalist Maziar Bahari consider Iran's future, writer Tim Clare explores how board games are a portal to the past, and we revisit Piya Chattopadhyay's conversation with entertainment legend Barbra Streisand about her memoir My Name is Barbra.Discover more at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

You may know Ed Helms from The Daily Show, The Office and The Hangover movies. But the actor and comedian is also a history buff. And he thinks there's a lot we can learn – and laugh about – by delving into history's greatest, zaniest and funniest screw-ups. Helms explores those stories in his podcast and book SNAFU. He joins Piya Chattopadhyay to share some of his favourites – from a CIA plot to make Fidel Castro's beard fall out, to a nuclear scare in Canada where a 20-something future-president named Jimmy Carter saved the day.

Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with historian Arash Azizi and foreign policy expert Barbara Slavin about what may come next following U.S. strikes on Iran, astrophysicist and science journalist Adam Becker interrogates tech moguls' visions of the future, The Economist's Rob Russo and Ottawa-based journalist and author Paul Wells take stock of the new government's progress as the House rises for summer, and actor and comedian Ed Helms talks about finding laughs and lessons in historical 'screw-ups'Discover more at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

One year ago this month, Joe Biden's performance at the first U.S. presidential debate against Donald Trump sparked global headlines – and rang alarms – about his mental and physical acuity, culminating in Biden's eventual withdrawal from the race. After the Democrats went on to lose the election, CNN anchor Jake Tapper and Axios political reporter Alex Thompson began investigating the roots of Biden's decline. In their new book Original Sin, they argue that his inner circle went to great lengths to cover it up. Tapper joins Piya Chattopadhyay to make his case, and respond to the criticism his reporting has received from across the political spectrum.

Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with global affairs experts Arif Lalani and Jennifer Welsh about how heightened tensions between Israel and Iran are looming over the G7 leaders' summit, historian Augustine Sedgewick looks at how fatherhood has evolved through the ages, CNN anchor Jake Tapper defends his case that Joe Biden's cognitive decline was covered up, and literary food historian Nathalie Cooke muses on what menus can reveal about art, culture and class.Discover more at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

Erica Jong became a literary sensation and feminist icon in the 1970s and 80s for her depictions of female agency, sexuality and relationships. And her work often drew from her real life, with friends and family members inspiring her characters... including her daughter, Molly Jong-Fast. Jong-Fast joins Piya Chattopadhyay to discuss her new memoir How to Lose Your Mother, which lays bare her perspective on her upbringing, relationship with her mom – and the conundrum of competing narratives in families.

Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with defence and security experts David Perry and Stephen Saideman about how Canada should prepare for less U.S. involvement on the world stage, Julia Pagel explores how tariffs are causing chaos for customs brokers, The Atlantic's David A. Graham outlines how Project 2025 is reshaping U.S. policy, and Molly Jong-Fast discusses her new memoir about her relationship with her famous feminist novelist mother, Erica Jong.Discover more at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

In the latest edition of our monthly challenge That's Puzzling!, Piya Chattopadhyay competes against one familiar voice and one clever listener in a battle of brain games devised by puzzle master Peter Brown. Playing along this month are Brent Bambury, host of CBC Radio's Day Six, and Truro, N.S. listener Katherine Reed.