Podcasts about because news

Because News is Canada's funniest news quiz. Each week, host and comedian Gavin Crawford makes games out of the headlines, along with a panel of comedians and celebrities. This week's episode features a special appearance from our very own Chris Locke! Brought to you By: The Sonar Network https://thesonarnetwork.com/

HO HO HO! Today we're chatting with ‘Because News' producer and holiday enthusiast, Erin Conway, about the most wonderful time of the year; CHRISTMAS! We discuss the real (non-capitalist) spirit of the season, unusual traditions, Mariah Carey's rebirth, thrifty gifting, eclectic ornaments, and why seasonal magic can be real if you let yourself enjoy it. Plus, a battle royale of Christmas movies and the hosts share their strangest holiday decorations (hint: some Halloween decor simply never got put away).  Produced by Andrew Ivimey as part of The From Superheroes Network.

We both feel like we know her, Martha Chaves is after all the funniest Nicaraguan Canadian LGBTQ+ Stand Up Comedian in the World! We know her best from radio shows like “The Debaters”, and “Because News”. She also teaches comedy at Humber and Metropolitan Toronto University, showing the ropes to people just starting out. Martha tells us she's heard and seen lots of sexism, racism and homophobia over the years in Stand Up, but she just pushes ahead. On her own at 17, (leaving Nicaragua is quite the story!) she figured out how to be positive and stay that way. One of her jokes is about Preparation H, and let's just say it stirred a TV confession…. We love writing and would love for you to read what we write. Sign up for our Substack Newsletter. If you would like to support the show, we do have partner opportunities available. Please email Wendy and Maureen at womenofir@gmail.com A Transcription of the show is available on the episode page. You can also watch the show here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Being on the (D)ivorced List is never DULL……and in today's NEW laugh-out-loud episode, the Irish Queen of Comedy, Fiona O'Brien, finds the funny side of landing on the Divorced and Happy “D” list.Fiona shares how her first few years on the D(ivorced) List led to a comedic pot of GOLD! Listen in as she shares numerous post-divorce shenanigans along with how her divorce journey influenced her comedy career. Get your giggle-fix today at DivorcedandHappy.net Visit Fiona's website for her show info: https://fionaobriencomedy.com/Fiona O'Brien's Bio: After Emigrating from Dublin Ireland to Toronto Canada in 2012 Fiona began on a quest to stamp out the racism that the Irish face….One Lucky Charm at a time. Fiona quickly established herself by winning over audiences. Fiona has been featured on Funny Women UK, Halifax Comedy Festival, Boston Comedy Festival. Winnipeg Comedy Festival. A regular on CBC's Lol and CBC's Because News. JFL Toronto. JFL Canada on Sirius XM. Yuk Yuks. Comedy Album ‘Magically Malicious' and EP ‘Finger Licker' out now on iTunes and Spotify.After providing the world with three future tax payers (all born by C Sections, just saying) Fiona has decided to dedicate her life to making sexually frustrated, disillusioned and bored people laugh with her no restraint provocative humour.Learn Your Dating Flavor Profile. Take the Vanilla, Strawberry, Sprinkles quiz for free here: https://www.divorcedandhappy.net/vssquizLeave Your Sweet and Creamy Quiz Comments Here: SpeakPipebit.lyFollow me on Social Media (IG, FB, Tiktok, Youtube and Pinterest): @sadies@divorcedandhappySponsorship: Interested in sponsoring the podcast? Email contact@divorcedandhappy.net to learn more. What's Your Burning Question? Leave me a burning question OR answer mine on Speak Pipe using this link: https://bit.ly/SDHSpeakPipeYou can also visit the home page of my website, DivorcedandHappy.net to leave your Burning Question! Rate & Review on iTunes and Spotify: If you found value in today's episode or have been enjoying the podcast for some time now, please rate, review and share with your community! iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sadies-divorced-and-happy/id1546035678Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3qyUfz9Podcast Episodes: Listen to all the Sadie's Divorced and Happy episodes at https://www.divorcedandhappy.net/podcastJoin the Twin Cities Divorced and Happy Meet Up Page: https://www.meetup.com/divorced-and-happy/Join the Chicago's Divorced and Happy Meet Up Page: https://www.meetup.com/chicago-divorced-singles/Join the Denver's Divorced and Happy Meet Up Page: https://www.meetup.com/denver-divorced-singles/Buy Me a Coffee: If you found value in today's episode please consider buying me a "cup of coffee" @ https://www.buymeacoffee.com/sadiemarieDivorced and Happy Blog: Visit my blog at divorcedandhappy.net/blog#sadiesdivorcedandhappypodcast #divorce #lifeafterdivorce #getsprinkled #divorcehumor #divorcecommunity #soloeposide #divorcedwoman #divorcedman #dessert #divorcepodcast #divorcedsingles #meetupevents #divorcedandhappymeetups #contestwinner #burningquestions...

In this unforgettable episode from Season 13, Corner Gas's Eric Peterson and Because News's Gavin Crawford go wild over nature programs. Then, Debra DiGiovanni and Arthur Simeon get from point A to point B in their debate on public transit.

Spend your summer re-listening to your favourite Because News episodes, and stay subscribed for our season 9 release. Missing us already? Find us on Tik Tok for daily clips: @CBCBecauseNews

Let's Not Be Kidding may be over, but Gavin isn't going anywhere! Hear him, joined by his funniest friends in the biz, every week on Because News: the funniest news quiz out there. Find the show here: https://link.chtbl.com/9DpgoSe9 In this episode: Cliff Cardinal, Jan Caruana, and Craig Lauzon take the news quiz with host Gavin Crawford.

Jackie Pirico is a fast-rising and highly coveted stand up comedian originally from Guelph, Ontario, and currently based in Toronto, Canada. Jackie landed her first professional opportunity in her hometown at the Guelph Comedy Festival. Her first big break came in 2016 when she was called to do a network television taping for the largest International Comedy Festival in the world, Montreal's Just For Laughs.  Since then, Jackie has had multiple television tapings under her belt. Her stand-up performances can be seen in Crave's JFL All Access, CTV's The Stand Up Show, and CTV's Roast Battles Canada among others. Most recently, she made her sitcom debut on the award-winning series Children Ruin Everything. Jackie has released two stand-up albums: Dream Phone (2019) and Splash Pad (2022). Most recently, she received the prestigious 2023 JUNO Awards nomination for Best Comedy Album of the Year for Splash Pad. On March 2nd, Jackie  appeared as a guest on CBC's hit quiz show Because News with Gavin Crawford. Up next, she can also be seen in season three of CBC Gem's The New Wave of Stand Up. Coming soon, she will be launching her new podcast How Can We Help produced and hosted alongside prolific and cherished Canadian comedian Mark Little where listeners write in anonymously with their problems, and they do their best to give them some good life advice. Jackie can also continue to be seen in her weekly show Laugh Sabbath at Comedy Bar.  Named by Exclaim! Magazine as a quick rising force in comedy and an “adept comic scene stealer” by The Hollywood Reporter, Jackie delights audiences with her oddball material and high-energy style. Want to watch: YouTube Meisterkhan Pod (Please Subscribe)

Today the guys discuss the implication for Artificial Intelligence (AI) in comedy/entertainment and medicine. The guys go over the basics of AI (1:10) and discuss the rise of Chat GPT. Ali then references how he was on the CBC show “Because News” and how he competed with Chat GPT to come up with a sonnet about hamburgers. Ali then talks about AI in comedy and how some developers created a robot who does stand up comedy. Ali then gives examples of how AI created an “Ali Hassan” stand up routine as well as a screenplay based on Ali and Asif's (and friends') lives. They then discuss the use of ChatGPT by students and the concerns raised by academia.    Then Asif discuss AI in medicine (34:23. Asif starts the “Pie in the Sky” ideal of AI assisting doctors and patients. Asif reviews the use of AI to date in radiology, pathology, cardiology, neurology and in endoscopies. He then goes over the significant limitations and concerns associated with AI in medicine.    The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.    Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay   Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com   Follow us on Social media: Twitter: @doctorvcomedian Instagram:   doctorvcomedian   Show Notes: The College Essay Is Dead: https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2022/12/chatgpt-ai-writing-college-student-essays/672371/ Comedian Ali Hassan takes the news quiz: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/becausenews/comedian-ali-hassan-takes-the-news-quiz-1.6713577 Artificial Intelligence Can Now Craft Original Jokes—And That's No Laughing Matter: https://time.com/6132544/artificial-intelligence-humor/ Bot or not? This Canadian developed an app that weeds out AI-generated homework: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/day6/ai-generated-homework-1.6725710 Elon Musk Sounds the Alarm About ChatGPT: https://www.thestreet.com/technology/elon-musk-sounds-the-alarm-about-chatgpt AI revolution in medicine: https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2020/11/risks-and-benefits-of-an-ai-revolution-in-medicine Machine Learning in Medicine: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMra1814259 AI 'outperforms' doctors diagnosing breast cancer: https://www.bbc.com/news/health-50857759 International evaluation of an AI system for breast cancer screening: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-019-1799-6.epdf?sharing_token=73p_xddYYfCXR223Djr_ONRgN0jAjWel9jnR3ZoTv0M5zwPVx5jT4z_z-YkUZTBTbM27UWphyoF6vHoR667kKgqCi8GNWj2oxgaEK9QGM_J8TQydlaQ1nMXBUQrsn-83UCUXO7SuwGbD3s5OuqoOSNwRSESFwlfAfcnd7hRZOIcdlNH55gszgA7eOZvj2vKQU5Hli2dyISwrlxvPJ62f4A%3D%3D&tracking_referrer=www.bbc.com Artificial Intelligence Achieves Near-Human Performance in Diagnosing Breast Cancer: https://www.bidmc.org/about-bidmc/news/artificial-intelligence-achieves-near-human-performance-in-diagnosing-breast-cancer Artificial Intelligence Can Now Prevent Heart and Brain Strokes: https://industrywired.com/artificial-intelligence-can-now-prevent-heart-and-brain-strokes/ How this Canadian start-up spotted coronavirus before everyone else knew about it: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/03/bluedot-used-artificial-intelligence-to-predict-coronavirus-spread.html AI in health and medicine: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-021-01614-0 AI in Medicine Is Overhyped: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/ai-in-medicine-is-overhyped/

Aisha Brown is the first Black Women Ever … to have a comedy special on Crave TV. That was back in 2020, and a lot has changed since then, but maybe not enough. Aisha fights the same demons that many comedians do, be they female, or people of colour, or both. Am I funny enough? Pretty enough? Can I be smart and truthful and still have people like me? We say yes, and also who cares? Topics covered include getting older, social media and penis size, none of which matter as much as you might think. Aisha Brown is a Toronto based comedian, writer and actress. She has written for Baroness Von Sketch, This Hour has 22 Minutes, the Beaverton and the Canadian Screen Awards. You might have also heard or seen her on all those shows, as well as The Debaters, Because News, Day 6 and Just For Laughs. Witty and self-confident on stage, Aisha shows us a more reflective mood. Comedy, after all, is serious business.  We love writing and would love for you to read what we write. Sign Up for our Substack Newsletter. We also want to thank everyone at Schneider & Pollack Wealth Management for making this podcast possible. If you would like to support the show, we do have partner opportunities available. Please email Wendy and Maureen at womenofir@gmail.com We now have a YouTube Channel! Please hit the Subscribe button when you get there. And because you asked for it - Future episodes will be in video form. https://www.youtube.com/@WomenofIllRepute Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We have the Founder, Editor-in-Grand-Chief and Head Writer of Walking Eagle News – Tim Fontaine! He also has writing credits on The Beaverton, Acting Good, Because News, and a few other fun projects we talked about. Tune in to hear us rebrand Winnipeg and tell you to eat at Stellas! Follow Walking Eagle News on all social media accounts. Do it! @walkingeaglenews And follow us @hunkscomedy Brought to you By: The Sonar Network

In a surprisingly horny episode, comedian Ashley Botting (Second City, Because News) is here for the story of Sir Henry Holland: physician to the wealthy, confidante to the elite, and – to spread a rumour we can in no way substantiate – hot lover to them all? Brought to you By: The Sonar Network

After 94 weeks of making a comedy show with no laughter, Gavin announces that the Because News audience is returning

Our guest this week is Toronto based award-winning comedian, actor, activist, emerging playwright and podcaster - MARTHA CHAVES!  Martha describes herself as, “the most famous LGBTQ-Nicaraguan-Canadian stand-up comic in the world.”   Martha first came to Montreal to study at Concordia University and when her student VISA expired she couldn't return to Nicaragua to reunite with her family because they had to flee during the Contra War.  She had to claim refugee status in Montreal and has been in Canada since. Martha has two national comedy specials: CBC's COMICS! and SOMETHING ABOUT MARTHA on the Comedy Network. She makes regular appearances on: CBC's LAUGH OUT LOUD, the Just For Laughs Festival, Winnipeg Comedy Festival, and CBC's THE DEBATERS. She's also a regular on the hit CBC show, BECAUSE NEWS. You may also recognize Martha on the big screen with Denzel Washington in JOHN Q, with Chris Rock in DOWN TO EARTH and with Fifty Cent in GET RICH OR DIE TRYING. As an emerging playwright, Martha has written and performed several successful One Woman Shows like STAYING ALIVE and IN TIMES OF TROUBLE, featured in the Soulo Festival and the Aluna Theatre Festival in Toronto.  AND she took THE DIARIES OF A YOUNG LEZBO to New York City's SOLOCOM. Martha won Stand-up Comic of the Year at the 2018 Canadian Comedy Awards. Her album, CHUNKY SALSA, was featured among the 11 Best Comedy Albums of 2019 in Interrobang Magazine.  WHEN FEMINIST RULE THE WORLD is Martha's podcast series where she talks to international feminist guests about the future that they are creating.   Twitter: @TheMarthaChaves Instagram: @comedianmarthachaves Facebook Fan page: @ComedianMarthaChaves  WHEN FEMINIST RULE THE WORLD https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/when-feminists-rule-the-world/id1485407600 https://www.feministsruletheworld.com/ Podcast Team Head Producer and Editor: Winnie Wong @wonder_wong Editor:  Shayne Stolz @shaynestolz Graphic: Vicki Brier @brier2019 To listen to the podcast: https://linktr.ee/firecrackerdept   Subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.firecrackerdepartment.com and follow us @firecrackerdept!

We take a look back at some of Candy's finest moments on Because News.

To mark Justin Trudeau's 50th birthday, Because News looks back at the highs and lows of his years in office.

Martha Chaves is one funny lady. Originally from Nicaragua, Martha is a Canadian comedian who has appeared in many major festivals, and is a regular contributor on CBC Radio's Because News. This week, Martha joins Travis & John to talk about her own coming out story, how it brought her to Canada, and how coming out impacted her career in entertainment.

Canadian farmers are bringing in the harvest. Jane sifts through the bounty and serves up the plumpest, juiciest, most ripe bits of comedy! Featuring This Hour Has 22 Minutes and Because News!

Actor/writer/comedian Jan Caruana (CBC’s Because News) is here for the life and times of 19th Century Italy’s second-greatest sculptor! From his pitifully sad childhood to the creepy courtship of his wife, learn what made this talented man who could simply NOT turn down a gig – be it from despotic Dukes, or even one of the most brutal butchers of the age. Follow along with the images below! Portrait of Giovanni Dupré Abel, G. Dupré, c.1839 Abel – alternate angle Cain, G. Dupré, 1840 Marshall Julius Jacob Von Haynau Marshall Haynau (mounted), Giuseppe Bezzoli La Pietà, G. Dupré, 1863 La Pietà – close-up Brought to you By: The Sonar Network

This week, Shohana sits down with Canadian Comedy award-winning writer and performer Jan Caruana, to discuss singing in your sleep, audition angels, and writing happy comedy about sad things. Follow Finders Grievers on Instagram & Twitter @findersgrievers and write to us at findersgrievers@gmail.com About Jan Caruana: Jan's career has been interesting and varied. She is a multiple Canadian Comedy Award winner and has performed across North America in a variety of comedy shows. A mainstay of many Toronto stages, Jan co-wrote and performed in the Second City Toronto's critically and audience acclaimed revues The Meme-ing of Life and We Can Be Heroes (named one of NOW Magazines Top Ten Shows of that year). Jan was a member of the cast of “One Night Only”, a fully improvised two-act musical and was part of the Off- Broadway workshop production in 2018. She was also the winner of a Dora Award as part of the ensemble for “The Wonder Pageant”. She has appeared in films and television shows including Baroness Von Sketch (where she is also a writer), Pretty Hard Cases, Odd Squad, Mean Girls and Kim's Convenience. Jan is a Canadian Screen Award nominated writer for her work on City TV’s Sunnyside and the YTV youth sketch show That's So Weird, creating some of the series most memorable and colourful characters. She is also very proud to have written for the Nickelodeon shows Make it Pop and The Other Kingdom,  the international sensation The Next Step. Jan is a writer and panelist for CBC’s Because News with Gavin Crawford and you can follow her adventures in the kitchen on Instagram @twolittlesandwiches. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network

Is there a role model out there who could bribe people into taking COVID safety measures more seriously? Perhaps one with a belly that shakes...like a bowlful of jelly? Featuring This Hour Has 22 Minutes, Because News, The Debaters, and the conclusion of Peter Brown's Office Experience at Home.

This episode of The Feminist Agenda features Martha Chaves, a Hispanic-Canadian award-winning comedian, actor, activist, and playwright. Join the conversation as we touch on feminism in comedy, growing up under a dictatorship, witnessing Black Lives Matter, and her learning curve within the Nobel Peace Prize sisterhood. Martha is a regular in the comedy circuits in North and Latin America, and during quarantine, in the confines of the Zoom where it happens and the Twitch where it 'itch.' In 2020 she even managed to perform in the We are Funny That Way Festival for CBC GEM, directly from her living-room. Martha has been featured multiple times in all the prestigious festivals in Canada: Just for Laughs, The Winnipeg Comedy Festival, The Comedy Halifax, and the We are Funny That Way, LGBTQ+ festival. She's a regular host at the Calgary Folk Music Festival. She's often heard in Laugh out Loud and The Debaters on CBC Radio. She's a regular panelist on Because News, also on the CBC. Her numerous TV appearances include her Just for Laughs and Winnipeg Comedy Festival Galas and her two national comedy specials: Comics! on the CBC and There's Something' About Martha on the Comedy Network. She was voted Stand-up Comic of the Year at the 2018 Canadian Comedy Awards. Her debut comedy album,"CHUNKY SALSA," was featured among the 11 best comedy albums of 2019 (Interrobang Magazine.) She is also a fierce human rights advocate, using humour to challenge the status quo in four different languages. In her own words, she's the "most famous LGBTQ Nicaraguan-Canadian stand-up comic in the world." In this episode we mention: The Nobel Women's Initiative including Jody Williams 2012 Mesoamerica Delegation Report [PDF] Canada & their role in ecodestruction in MesoAmerica When Feminists Rule the World, a NWI podcast Hay libros en la casa tees & totes You can find Martha on Instagram and Twitter. The Feminist Agenda logo is by Valency Muldoon.

Because News is on hiatus for the summer. Gavin Crawford and the gang will be back to make fun of the news in September. See you then!

Guest: Martha Chaves Music: The Salt Cellars Martha Chaves is a dynamo - you can hear her on her regular guest appearances on the CBC's Because News and The Debaters. Despite the pain of a root canal, she brought it all to this Hybla Minute. We talk about comedy, breaking into the business and all the serendipity of her life in comedy. The conversation covers how Martha got into the business of comedy and how she is dealing with the pandemic. Martha is an activist, comedian and great story teller. Hybla Minute will refund your money if you don't laugh! Episode 21 cover illustration of Martha by illustrator and comedian Kyle Brownrig The Salt Cellars The Salt Cellars are Virginia deCarle, Rob Bersan, Ron Kapitain, Richard Joudrey, Anne Wilde and Brendon Burgess Music mixed music at Anax Junius studios by Richard Joudrey. Links for Martha Chaves Check out Martha's Podcast When Feminists Rule the World And she has a Wikipedia page! Martha Chaves and check out Martha's comedy album Chunky Salsa Links for Salt Cellars Video of Wanna Be With You (featured on this podcast) Band's Debut Video You Don't Know Me The Salt Cellars Bandcamp Page --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/roy-mitchell5/message

Host Gavin Crawford answers comments from Because News' Facebook page.

Because News is on hiatus this week. Bonus content will be back next week.

Guest host Emma Hunter chats with Because News' senior producer, Elizabeth Bowie.

  Get ready! Actor/Writer/Producer, Sharron MatthewsJoins the conversation on Cue To Cue! Sharron takes us on a journey today of expanding what we perceive as possible for ourselves as artist, learning to speak your truth and have constructive conversations, and to use transitions in life as a tool to grow as an artist! Grab your favorite bevy and listen up for this one!  Share this episode>>> https://www.thisischelseajohnson.com/155/ In this episode: the power of affirmations and how to use them to empower your life as an artist how to stand up for your beliefs and have a constructive dialogue with a creative team What you need to know  and what to expect as a series regular on a TV series the importance of learning to trust your body to give you the information you need as an actor how to let transitions in your personal life heal you and use them in your art.   A little about Sharron: Sharron Matthews is one of the stars of CBC’s new hit period detective drama “Frankie Drake Mysteries” playing “Flo Chakowitz, the morgue attendant,” a role for which The Globe and Mail’s John Doyle proclaimed her “comedy heaven.” and for which she was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award. Frankie Drake Mysteries is in it’s third season, is now airing in countries around the world! Best known for her portrayal of “Joan The Secretary” in Tina Fey’s iconic Mean Girls, Sharron Matthews is an excitingly diverse, award-winning Canadian artist, actress, singer, comedienne, writer and producer. Sharron is known internationally as the “Canadian Goddess of Cabaret.” Named “Best Cabaret Performer” by both Now Magazine and Broadway World, her award-winning solo cabaret work has taken her across Canada and around the world, selling out her shows at the prestigious Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the world’s largest arts festival, three years in a row and winning Best of the Fest! (besting 3,000 other productions for the honour).  Sharron has played international festivals as far away as South Africa and headlined the legendary cabaret rooms 54 Below and Joe’s Pub in New York. In 2017, she premiered at Just For Laughs in Montreal and, one week later, packed Toronto’s High Park Amphitheatre for one night only with her acclaimed show Girl Crush. In 2018, her hit Cabaret for Kids was nominated for 3 Dora Mavor Moore awards.   Sharron has worked on stage and screen with artists like John Travolta, Andrea Martin, and Colm Wilkinson; sang back-up on Jann Arden’s award-winning Christmas album; toured all across Canada on a double bill with Canadian comedy icon Mary Walsh; and collaborated with Gavin Crawford on CBC’s Because News sell-out World Pride show. For two seasons, Sharron was one of the stars of Global’s hit TV show “Canada Sings,” a project for which she was named “Queen of the Mash Ups” by the Toronto Star.  In addition to Mean Girls,  Sharron was also featured in the films Cinderella Man, Take the Lead, Hairspray and “The Music Man” TV movie for Disney. She had a guest role in last season’s finale episode of NBC’s newest hit “Taken,” played “Daphne” for two seasons on “She’s The Mayor,” and is currently “Chef Sylvia” on the multi-Emmy Award-winning children’s TV show “Odd Squad,”  In addition, Sharron co-wrote, hosted and consulted on Slice TV’s “Meme gURL.” Upcoming roles include “Officer Cheryl Kellogg” in the feature horror film Buckout Road with Danny Glover.  Sharron toured North America in the Broadway musicals Les Miserables and Showboat, directed by Hal Prince.  She can heard on the cast recordings for both Showboat and “The Music Man” with Matthew Broderick and Kristin Chenowith.  Her debut recording, “Party Girl” is available on iTunes.  A badass body warrior lauded not only for her musical talents but also for the jubilant celebration of her zaftig form and lush style, Sharron has written essays and articles for publications around the world and is very active on social media.   Follow Sharron! I: @sharronmatthews T: @SharronMatthews F: @sharronmatthewssuperstar

Martha Chaves Nicaraguan born, Martha began her life in Canada as a refugee, but is now thriving in Canadian Show business. She’s a seasoned comedian with 20 years of experience and has performed at Just For Laughs multiple times, as well as all the other major comedy festivals in Canada. She also received 2018 Best Stand-up Comic in Canada at the the Canadian Comedy Awards. She's a regular on CBC Radio's LOL, part of the cast of Because News, and The Debaters. Entertained Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the Egale Identity Gala, which she emceed.  Nelu Handa is an actor, comedian and writer based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Trained extensively in Improv comedy, she is a graduate of The Second City Conservatory program, a Bob Curry Fellow, and has studied at Bad Dog Comedy Theatre and Upright Citizens Brigade. Nelu has performed on a variety of TV shows, including “Workin Moms”, “The Beaverton”, She’s a writer and performer on Baroness Von Sketch Show (CBC/IFC), and the upcoming series Jann. Nelu is the creator, producer, and host of YAS KWEEN, a groundbreaking monthly night of comedy that showcases ethnic women. It's the first Thursday of every month.  Hoodo Hersi is a Somali-Canadian comedian based in Toronto, but has performed her comedy across the US and Canada. She studied improv at Second City. She was recently featured on The Comedy Network's Homegrown Comics. TVO’s recent documentary, “Stand UP Toronto”, features Hersi as she shares her experience as a up-and-coming woman-of-color comic.   Always hosted by Marina Franklin- Trainwreck, Louie Season V, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Conan O'Brien, and HBO's Crashing

Brandon is an alumnus of the Second City National Touring Company, the award-winning sketch collective The Sketchersons, and the Bob Curry Fellowship, through which he was selected to showcase in Chicago at the NBCUniversal & Second City Breakout Comedy Festival. Brandon's TV credits include: writing and performing on This Hour Has 22 Minutes (CBC), and appearing on Odd Squad (PBS) and The Other Kingdom (DHX, Nickelodeon). You may have even heard him once or twice on CBC Radio's Because News. In 2015 Brandon was named one of the Toronto Star's “Entertainment Rookies of the Year.” Twitter Instagram

My guest today is Ashley Botting. Ashley is an alumna of Toronto’s Second City Mainstage, and has starred in The Second City Guide to the Symphony, Cam Baby, and One Night Only. Ashley has been a talking-head on CTV News Channel’s Straight Talk segment with Sandie Rinaldo. She is also a regular panelist, writer, and guest host on CBC Radio One’s quiz show, Because News. As a writer, she has penned episodes for PBS’ Odd Squad, Nickelodeon’s upcoming Zoofari and pieces for NOW Magazine, The Toronto Star, TheLoop.ca, and was shortlisted for The CBC Canada Writes: Bloodlines prize. She’s won three Canadian Comedy Awards and been nominated for three Dora Awards. On this episode, we discuss our similarities: our challenges with faith, our experiences growing up with one Jewish and one non-Jewish parent, and our experiences with improvisation.

Gavin Crawford (This Hour Has 22 Minutes, Because News) is our guest this week. He brings with him his quick improv skills and discusses Musical Theatre, Sci-Fi and Alan Rickman.

Gavin Crawford is a very talented character comedian and improviser. He has had his own show, The Gavin Crawford Show, was a cast regular on This Hour Has 22 Minutes, and is now the host of the new CBC Radio news and comedy show Because News on every Saturday at 11 am. Check it out! And also check out our fun hang times on my couch plus Gavin's super relaxed Utopian world.   Follow Gavin on Twitter @TVGavin   Follow the show on Twitter @UtopiaToMe   Follow Chris on Twitter @ChrisLockeFun  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices