The Current

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An undercover look at the deadly fentanyl trade

Journalist Ben Westhoff went undercover to investigate the dangerous world of synthetic drugs like fentanyl. He tells us about the labs in China where fentanyl is made, how the internet brought the recipes for these synthetic drugs from research labs to the streets, and why he thinks the war on drugs is failing.

Download An undercover look at the deadly fentanyl trade
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Federal parties aren't really listening to First Nations communities, says Indigenous voter

We speak to three Indigenous voters about the issues they want to see highlighted this election, and how seriously they feel the parties are treating the issues that impact Indigenous communities.

Download Federal parties aren't really listening to First Nations communities, says Indigenous voter
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The latest on violence in Hong Kong

On the 70th anniversary of the People's Republic of China, as a huge military parade rolled through Beijing, tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters demonstrated in the streets of Hong Kong, and police shot a protester with live ammunition. The Globe and Mail's Asia correspondent Nathan VanderKlippe gives us the latest from Hong Kong after a day of intense violence.

Download The latest on violence in Hong Kong
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Three federal candidates debate immigration

From safe third country agreements to skilled foreign workers, we discuss the big questions about Canada's immigration policies with three federal candidates. On the show today we have NDP candidate Jenny Kwan, Conservative candidate Arpan Khanna, and Liberal candidate Ahmed Hussen.

Download Three federal candidates debate immigration
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The West needs 'collective action' to push China on human rights: expert

This week marks the 70th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China, but tensions between Canada and the superpower have been on the rise in recent years. We speak to a panel of experts about the West's evolving relationship with China.

Download The West needs 'collective action' to push China on human rights: expert
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Rebecca Solnit on ditching "hero" stories

Author Rebecca Solnit spoke to us about her new book, "Whose Story Is This?: Old Conflicts, New Chapters," the cultural shift in who gets to be at the centre of the stories we tell, and about how, while working at a restaurant at 18 years old, she used a tray of glasses to outsmart the cook who was harassing her.

Download Rebecca Solnit on ditching "hero" stories
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David Cameron regrets losing Brexit vote, but says referendum was always inevitable

David Cameron regret losing the Brexit referendum, but not calling it. He tells The Current interim host Laura Lynch that the EU was a "running sore" in British politics.

Download David Cameron regrets losing Brexit vote, but says referendum was always inevitable
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‘I don’t think it’s realistic to say I’m going to have a future’: Why climate change is weighing heavily on some young people’s minds

The Current’s producer Liz Hoath talks to Laura Lynch about the pessimism young people are feeling around climate change — something he sees even in her own children.

Download ‘I don’t think it’s realistic to say I’m going to have a future’: Why climate change is weighing heavily on some young people’s minds
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The Current Weekly - Edward Snowden, Beverley McLauchlin, Robin Doolittle

Laura Lynch talks to former Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin about her new memoir, NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden about coming home, and journalist Robin Doolittle about her new book on sexual assault investigations in Canada.

Download The Current Weekly - Edward Snowden, Beverley McLauchlin, Robin Doolittle
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The Current Weekly trailer

A weekly collection of the most insightful, in-depth interviews and audio documentaries from CBC Radio's flagship morning program, The Current.

Download The Current Weekly trailer
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As Canadians join the climate strike, what does it take to turn a day of protest into lasting change?

We talk to Rachel Plotkin, who’s taking part in today’s climate strike; and Zeynep Tufekci, an expert on protest in the age of Twitter. What makes the difference between a day of action leading to change, or just fizzling out?

Download As Canadians join the climate strike, what does it take to turn a day of protest into lasting change?
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Trump's former defence secretary says whistleblower probe just a 'raucous' period for U.S. democracy

Former U.S. defence secretary James Mattis says the whistleblower scandal threatening U.S. President Donald Trump with impeachment is just the "normal heave and ho of democracies."

Download Trump's former defence secretary says whistleblower probe just a 'raucous' period for U.S. democracy
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Democrats must pursue impeachment or risk Trump appearing ‘above the law,’ says Charlie Sykes

Democrats decided this week that President Donald Trump’s actions merit an impeachment inquiry. They should have made that decision sooner, says Charlie Sykes, founder and editor of The Bulwark and the author of How the Right Lost its Mind.

Download Democrats must pursue impeachment or risk Trump appearing ‘above the law,’ says Charlie Sykes
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Canadians are 'addicted to fossil fuels,' but the Green Party can change that, says Elizabeth May

We talk to Green Party Leader Elizabeth May about her party's platform and electoral prospects.

Download Canadians are 'addicted to fossil fuels,' but the Green Party can change that, says Elizabeth May
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A 'simple, clear' case: Why Edward Snowden thinks U.S. Congress will support the Trump-Ukraine whistleblower

Former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden says a whistleblower's complaint, which triggered Donald Trump's impeachment inquiry, is strategically "quite wise."

Download A 'simple, clear' case: Why Edward Snowden thinks U.S. Congress will support the Trump-Ukraine whistleblower
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Is it time to move on from The Beatles?

As Beatles fans soak up the 50th anniversary remix of Abbey Road, we look at why Baby Boomer culture has loomed so large, for so long. Is it time to make way for some more modern loves.

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National affairs panel: Election battlegrounds, and the fallout from photos of Justin Trudeau in blackface

We're into the third week of the election campaign — where are the leaders focusing their time and messaging? Our national affairs panel discusses the party pledges, and the fallout from the photos of Justin Trudeau in blackface.

Download National affairs panel: Election battlegrounds, and the fallout from photos of Justin Trudeau in blackface
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The dos and don'ts of protest signs: A good sign can empower you, no matter what it looks like, says graphic designer

As students across Canada are gearing up for the climate strike tomorrow, we talk to graphic designer Bonnie Siegler about the dos and don'ts of the best protest signs.

Download The dos and don'ts of protest signs: A good sign can empower you, no matter what it looks like, says graphic designer
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British MPs are back in Parliament — but can they do anything to solve the Brexit saga?

After British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s suspension of parliament was deemed unlawful, MPs are back in the mother of parliaments today. We speak to Labour MP Ben Bradshaw about the latest twist, and what’s next, in the Brexit saga.

Download British MPs are back in Parliament — but can they do anything to solve the Brexit saga?
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Former Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin on her remarkable life and legacy

Beverley McLachlin, the first woman to be named Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, spoke to us about her remarkable ascent from a small Alberta town to the highest court in the country, the people who encouraged her to get there, and some of the most difficult legal and personal decisions she's had to make along the way.

Download Former Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin on her remarkable life and legacy
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Jody Wilson-Raybould wants a minority government and is willing 'to work with whomever' is in power

Jody Wilson-Raybould says she hopes the result of next month's federal election is a minority government, and she'd be "willing to work with whomever forms government."

Download Jody Wilson-Raybould wants a minority government and is willing 'to work with whomever' is in power
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SATIRE | Boom the Vote: This election, baby boomers are fighting to finally have their voices heard

Pat Kelly and Peter Oldring — the satirical showmen of This is That fame — bring us some of the most unheard voices in this election: baby boomers.

Download SATIRE | Boom the Vote: This election, baby boomers are fighting to finally have their voices heard
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Republican dam of support for Trump 'could break in a hurry,' says impeachment expert

Presidential historian Jeffrey Engel talks us through how the new impeachment inquiry into U.S. President Donald Trump compares to older cases, and why the Democrats may have decided to make their move now.

Download Republican dam of support for Trump 'could break in a hurry,' says impeachment expert
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The financial sector's role in fighting climate change

A growing movement is calling on investors to stop the flow of money to industries that contribute to climate change, which they say could achieve faster results than government action. We look at why some investors think this might make economic sense — while others think it's risky.

Download The financial sector's role in fighting climate change
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Robyn Doolittle on where the #MeToo movement goes from here

Globe and Mail reporter Robyn Doolittle talks to us about her new book, "Had It Coming: What's Fair in the Age of #MeToo?"

Download Robyn Doolittle on where the #MeToo movement goes from here
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Trump, Ukraine, and the renewed buzz around impeachment

We're breaking down the Trump-Ukraine allegations, what they could mean for both Republicans and Democrats, and the growing number of Democrats supporting the possibility of impeachment.

Download Trump, Ukraine, and the renewed buzz around impeachment
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The journalists who helped bring down Harvey Weinstein on their new book

The dogged work of New York Times journalists Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey helped break open the Harvey Weinstein scandal and launch the #MeToo movement. The two women have now written a book pulling back the curtain on their investigation - and the network of people who worked to keep the story buried.

Download The journalists who helped bring down Harvey Weinstein on their new book
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Lessons from Germany’s troubled shift towards green energy

Germany was once held up as a global leader in the shift to renewable energy. But, despite pouring billions of dollars into the transition to solar and wind power, the country will still miss its 2020 Paris emission reduction targets. Does Germany need more time, or has the experiment failed? And what are the lessons for Canada? Kristin Nelson explores this issues in her documentary, “The Power Struggle.”

Download Lessons from Germany’s troubled shift towards green energy
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Youth activists want action from this week’s UN climate summit

Today is the beginning of the UN Climate Action Summit, so we've convened a panel of teen — and tween — activists who are watching closely. Sophia Mathur, Joe Crabtree and Aditi Narayanan have watched momentum around climate issues growing in recent months, and they’re cautiously optimistic that a turning point is close.

Download Youth activists want action from this week’s UN climate summit
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The return of monarch butterflies

Some good news: we look at why Canada's monarch butterfly numbers are on the up. Then, as conversations heat up around handgun bans, The Fifth Estate’s Mark Kelley gives us a look inside Canada’s gun lobby.

Download The return of monarch butterflies
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Canada's media diversity problem

Most of the journalists peppering Trudeau with questions about the brown and blackface images have been white. And many journalists of colour say when you’re covering an explosive story about race, that’s a big problem. Manisha Krishnan of Vice, Anita Li of Canadian Journalists of Colour, and Tanya Talaga from the Toronto Star discuss what Canadian newsrooms need to change.

Download Canada's media diversity problem
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Confronting Canada's history of racism

What do those images of Justin Trudeau in blackface say about confronting racism in Canada, and how we reckon with our past? El Jones, activist and former poet laureate for Halifax, and Kamal Al-Solaylee, from the School of Journalism at Ryerson University, dive into what it means and where we go from here.

Download Confronting Canada's history of racism
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Following in the footsteps of three legendary female primatologists

In the documentary 'She Walks With Apes,' Mark Starowicz and his daughter, Caitlin Starowicz, trace the work of primatologists Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey and Birute Galdikas. The father-daughter team discuss their work alongside primatologist Julia Badescu, who is featured in the film.

Download Following in the footsteps of three legendary female primatologists
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Political chaos in Israel as the fight to form a new government continues

Two days after election night, there's still no clarity on who the next prime minister of Israel will be. Washington Post reporter Ruth Eglash describes where things stand and what could happen next. Plus, conversations with Einat Wilf, a former member of the Israeli Parliament, and Nour Odeh, a political analyst based in Ramallah.

Download Political chaos in Israel as the fight to form a new government continues
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Political strategists react to Justin Trudeau's brownface photo

Political strategists Omar Khan and Shuvaloy Majumder react to the latest bombshell to surface for the Trudeau campaign: a 2001 photo of the Liberal leader in brownface and a turban. Plus, a talk with CBC reporter Tom Parry on Trudeau's reaction when the news broke.

Download Political strategists react to Justin Trudeau's brownface photo
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‘Damage-control mode’: Canada will have to rebuild trust with international allies after RCMP spy allegations, says former CSIS analyst

After the arrest of one of our top intelligence officials, former CSIS analyst Jessica Davis says Canada will need to be in “a bit of a damage-control mode” with allies in the international intelligence community. She talks us through the damage done

Download ‘Damage-control mode’: Canada will have to rebuild trust with international allies after RCMP spy allegations, says former CSIS analyst
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The ‘Joe-bituary’: An extraordinary obituary, for a man who was anything but ordinary

When Joe Heller died earlier this month at the age of 82, his family wanted to commemorate him with an obituary that captured his humour, mischievousness and striking individuality. When it was printed in a Connecticut newspaper, it was quickly shared around the world. Monique Heller, Joe’s youngest daughter, tells us more.

Download The ‘Joe-bituary’: An extraordinary obituary, for a man who was anything but ordinary
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Author Alexandra Fuller reflects on Rhodesia, the racism she grew up with, and the agony of losing a child

Author Alexandra Fuller grew up in the violence and racism of the bloody bush war in Rhodesia, the country that would become Zimbabwe. She tells us about her childhood, and why she sees shadows of Rhodesian racism in Donald Trump's America.

Download Author Alexandra Fuller reflects on Rhodesia, the racism she grew up with, and the agony of losing a child
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The ‘My-Plan-is-Better Olympics’: Party leaders are making pledges — but how are voters reacting?

Our national affairs panel looks at party pledges about the money in your pocket, and Maxime Bernier’s participation in the leaders debates.

Download The ‘My-Plan-is-Better Olympics’: Party leaders are making pledges — but how are voters reacting?
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Forget the treadmill, an intense game of chess can burn hundreds of calories, research suggests

Research shows high-level chess players can burn hundreds of calories while competing. We talk to grandmaster Maurice Ashley about why the game needs brains, and brawn.

Download Forget the treadmill, an intense game of chess can burn hundreds of calories, research suggests
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What we know so far about the the attack on Saudi oil facilities, and what could happen next

We’re discussing tensions between Iran and the U.S., and what we know so far about the Saudi oil attacks.

Download What we know so far about the the attack on Saudi oil facilities, and what could happen next
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'A transformational vision for the next economy': Naomi Klein on the Green New Deal

Canadian author Naomi Klein's new book of essays, On Fire: The (Burning) Case for a Green New Deal, argues that fighting climate change requires a fundamental economic shift.

Download 'A transformational vision for the next economy': Naomi Klein on the Green New Deal
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Handgun bans, social programs, more police powers: Three candidates on what they'd do to fight gun violence

After a fatal shooting in Mississauga, Ont., over the weekend, we ask a panel of federal election candidates what their parties are planning to do about gun violence.

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What an alleged spy scandal could mean for Canada's national security

After the arrest of senior RCMP official Cameron Ortis under the Security of Information Act, we speak to members of the Canadian intelligence community about what a spy scandal could mean to Canada's national security and relationship with our Five Eyes spying partners.

Download What an alleged spy scandal could mean for Canada's national security
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What's at stake as the Alberta government fights back against groups critical of the oilsands?

As the Alberta government fights back against groups critical of the oilsands, we look at the strategy, the reaction and what's at stake.

Download What's at stake as the Alberta government fights back against groups critical of the oilsands?
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David Byrne on why we all need reasons to be cheerful

Former Talking Heads frontman David Byrne has a new project: an online magazine delving into solutions to issues around the world. He tells us about why there are actually plenty of reasons to feel positive about the state of the world.

Download David Byrne on why we all need reasons to be cheerful
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'Dog-whistle politics': Liberals trying to 'provoke fear' over abortion, says Conservative strategist

Conservative leader Andrew Scheer insisted the debate on abortion will not be reopened if he's elected, but one political strategist says fear around the issue is understandable.

Download 'Dog-whistle politics': Liberals trying to 'provoke fear' over abortion, says Conservative strategist
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‘Portholes to another world’: Cave diver Jill Heinerth on what draws her to the depths, even when faced with fear of death

Cave diver Jill Heinerth reached the top of her field by exploring the depths of the Earth. She's here to tell us about fighting for her place in male-dominated field, mastering her fear, and her closest calls.

Download ‘Portholes to another world’: Cave diver Jill Heinerth on what draws her to the depths, even when faced with fear of death
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'This is why I revolt': How Alanis Obomsawin's painful childhood experiences inform her filmmaking

Alanis Obomsawin's 53rd film tackles the legal battle for Indigenous children to receive equal healthcare services. She spoke to Laura Lynch about how her own experiences of discrimination as a child have informed her long career as a filmmaker.

Download 'This is why I revolt': How Alanis Obomsawin's painful childhood experiences inform her filmmaking
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Meet the woman who designed an early version of Monopoly — and only made $500

Hasbro has released a new version of Monopoly that celebrates female entrepreneurs, but is now facing criticism for not acknowledging Elizabeth "Lizzie" Magie, an inventor who designed an early version of the game. We talk to author and journalist Mary Pilon about Magie's role in the game's roots.

Download Meet the woman who designed an early version of Monopoly — and only made $500
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Alleged extraction of U.S. spy was meant to calm nerves over Trump's handling of secrets: former agent

The alleged exfiltration of a U.S. spy from Russia was a message to calm other agents nervous about U.S. President Donald Trump's handling of sensitive information, according to author and former spy Naveed Jamali.

Download Alleged extraction of U.S. spy was meant to calm nerves over Trump's handling of secrets: former agent
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Does Canada's new Arctic policy go far enough to protect sovereignty in the North?

The Liberals have released the long-awaited Arctic policy, which vows to tackle poverty, hunger and eliminate homelessness in Canada's North. But some experts argue the framework doesn't pay attention to protecting threats to Canada's sovereignty from international players.

Download Does Canada's new Arctic policy go far enough to protect sovereignty in the North?
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House of Commons to review MPs' websites after CBC investigation finds advertising trackers

CBC reporter Andrea Bellemare tells us about concerns around political websites and your data.

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Federal election campaign won't focus on a single issue, but rather a 'visceral' appeal to voters: journalist

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is visiting the Gov. Gen. Julie Payette this morning, asking her to dissolve Parliament so Canadians can go to the polls on Oct. 21. Our national affairs panel is here to discuss what voters can expect over the next five-and-a-half weeks of campaigning.

Download Federal election campaign won't focus on a single issue, but rather a 'visceral' appeal to voters: journalist
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'Campaigns are all about leaders': Three former MPs on what to expect on the road to the federal election

Liberal leader Justin Trudeau visited Gov. Gen. Julie Payette Wednesday, asking her to dissolve Parliament so Canadians can go to the polls on Oct. 21. We speak to a panel of former MPs about what to expect from the campaign ahead.

Download 'Campaigns are all about leaders': Three former MPs on what to expect on the road to the federal election
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Passion and pain: Why this writer studied women's most intimate desires

Journalist Lisa Taddeo spoke to hundreds of women for her book about human desire, but one thing stood out about the three women who eventually became her focus: their bravery.

Download Passion and pain: Why this writer studied women's most intimate desires
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‘Floating in water … for almost two days’: Bahamians share stories of what it took to survive Hurricane Dorian

Aid efforts are continuing in the Bahamas following Hurricane Dorian, as harrowing stories emerge. We talk to two survivors: a man who had to flee rising waters with his heavily pregnant wife, and a woman who had to keep her elderly mother alive, as she floated in water for two days.

Download ‘Floating in water … for almost two days’: Bahamians share stories of what it took to survive Hurricane Dorian
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Is it time to give up on changing the clocks?

More than 200,000 people in B.C. responded to a poll asking if they wanted to ditch daylight saving time — and 93 per cent said yes. We talk to historian and author Michael Downing about how the ritual came about, and whether it still makes sense today.

Download Is it time to give up on changing the clocks?
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Think you can read a stranger's intentions based on their demeanour? Think again, says Malcolm Gladwell

Canadian author Malcolm Gladwell explains why people aren't as good at reading strangers as they might think.

Download Think you can read a stranger's intentions based on their demeanour? Think again, says Malcolm Gladwell
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Introducing Uncover: Sharmini

On June 12, 1999, 15-year-old Sharmini Anandavel disappeared. Michelle Shephard returns to an investigation that has haunted her for 20 years. Subscribe to Uncover: Sharmini now: hyperurl.co/uncovercbc

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“Any tool can be used as a weapon”: Microsoft’s global president on how to fight back against the dangers of the internet

Microsoft president Brad Smith wants technology companies and governments to work together to affect how technology is used, because he fears that the tools of the digital age could be turned into dangerous weapons. He's just co-authored a new book on the topic: 'Tools and Weapons: The Promise and the Peril of the Digital Age.'

Download “Any tool can be used as a weapon”: Microsoft’s global president on how to fight back against the dangers of the internet
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'Disturbing' sexist abuse towards Catherine McKenna common for women climate leaders, say experts

Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna has been assigned an RCMP security detail after attacks against her have moved from the internet into the real world. Experts say that kind of attack is not uncommon for women in climate — and that there's a link between climate denial and misogyny.

Download 'Disturbing' sexist abuse towards Catherine McKenna common for women climate leaders, say experts
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In new series of CBC podcast Uncover, Michelle Shephard investigates 1999 murder of 15-year-old Sharmini Anandavel

Twenty years after Sharmini Anandavel's death in Toronto, no one has been charged.

Download In new series of CBC podcast Uncover, Michelle Shephard investigates 1999 murder of 15-year-old Sharmini Anandavel
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Smelly neighbours? Complaints in close quarters are only going to get worse as cities become denser, says lawyer

A vegan in Australia has taken legal action over the smell of her neighbours barbecuing meat. Lawyer Karen Andrews says the solution lies in building homes that don't "leak" sound and odour, but that "we have to be generous with each other, we have to be understanding."

Download Smelly neighbours? Complaints in close quarters are only going to get worse as cities become denser, says lawyer
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'Staying in the zone': Why Bianca Andreescu credits meditation for helping keep her mind on the game

Bianca Andreescu's U.S. Open win has propelled her into the top 5 tennis players in the world, after she started the year at a ranking of 152. We're looking at her meteoric rise, and also discussing the value of meditation in sport — something Andreescu and many other athletes utilize.

Download 'Staying in the zone': Why Bianca Andreescu credits meditation for helping keep her mind on the game
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Why Margaret Atwood waited more than 30 years to write The Testaments

Margaret Atwood had notes about a sequel to The Handmaid's Tale that date back to the early 1990s, but didn't notify her publishers until 2017. For those intervening decades, she wrestled with the idea. She talks to Laura Lynch about her new novel The Testaments.

Download Why Margaret Atwood waited more than 30 years to write The Testaments
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'I love her': Why one man risked waiting out Dorian aboard his 53-foot wooden schooner

As post-tropical storm Dorian bore down on Atlantic Canada at the weekend, Tom Gallant decided to stay aboard his home — a 53-foot wooden schooner in Nova Scotia's Lunenburg Harbour. He tells us why he took that risk.

Download 'I love her': Why one man risked waiting out Dorian aboard his 53-foot wooden schooner
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In Syrian refugee camp, alleged ISIS wives intent on enforcing rules of the former caliphate: reporter

Journalist Louisa Loveluck visited the camp in northern Syria that is holding thousands of women displaced from ISIS’s former strongholds. She found people living in terrible conditions — and a contingent intent on enforcing the rules of the former, self-declared caliphate in their new surroundings.

Download In Syrian refugee camp, alleged ISIS wives intent on enforcing rules of the former caliphate: reporter
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Friends TV series may not have aged well but it's still popular due to a 'nostalgia boom'

As the TV series Friends turns 25, we're taking a look at the show's complex legacy — and what all this yearning for the past says about us.

Download Friends TV series may not have aged well but it's still popular due to a 'nostalgia boom'
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Closure of B.C. sawmill will devastate entire town, says woman who has worked there for 30 years

Madeleine Devooght has worked at a sawmill in Vavenby, B.C. for decades, and considers the people she works with to be family. It’s closure won’t just affect that “family,” she says, but the entire town — from restaurants to hardware stores — that relies on it.

Download Closure of B.C. sawmill will devastate entire town, says woman who has worked there for 30 years
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‘Charisma on the court’: Former tennis champion says Bianca Andreescu is a great role model for young female players

We also talk to former Canadian national tennis champion Patricia Hy-Boulais about Bianca Andreescu's prospects, and what her rise could mean for future generations.

Download ‘Charisma on the court’: Former tennis champion says Bianca Andreescu is a great role model for young female players
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Health Canada caught 'flat-footed' by rise of popularity of vaping among youths, expert says

We explore how Canada is addressing health concerns over vaping, as hundreds of people in the United States fall victim to serious illness that doctors fear may be related to the practice.

Download Health Canada caught 'flat-footed' by rise of popularity of vaping among youths, expert says
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The Current presents Party Lines

Podcast bonus! Following our chat with Rosemary Barton and Elamin Abdelmahmoud we're excited to share the first episode of Party Lines, a political primer for every kind of concerned citizen, from CBC News and CBC Podcasts.

Download The Current presents Party Lines
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Election 2019: A new CBC podcast aims to keep you informed, and the reporters helping you assess information online

We look ahead to the federal election with a preview of new CBC podcast Party Lines, and a discussion about how to trust the information you see online.

Download Election 2019: A new CBC podcast aims to keep you informed, and the reporters helping you assess information online
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'Disappeared into thin air': New book tells the story of the schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram

Author and journalist Isha Sesay has followed the story of Boko Haram's kidnapping of the Nigerian schoolgirls from the very beginning — getting so close that some of the girls even call her Auntie. She tells us the story that the world missed, when the media's cameras turned elsewhere.

Download 'Disappeared into thin air': New book tells the story of the schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram
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This woman could have left the Bahamas before Dorian hit — she tells us why she stayed

We look at the devastation in the Bahamas left by Hurricane Dorian, and ask what climate change means for life on small islands.

Download This woman could have left the Bahamas before Dorian hit — she tells us why she stayed
[mp3 file: runs 00:20:50]

Internet words like LOL can cause confusion between generations, but it's nothing to be afraid of, says author

The internet has changed the way we speak and write to each, with emojis and acronyms like LOL now commonplace — but often causing confusion between the generations. Author Gretchen McCulloch argues that's not necessarily a bad thing, she joins us to discuss her new book Because Internet: Understanding The New Rules of Language.

Download Internet words like LOL can cause confusion between generations, but it's nothing to be afraid of, says author
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New investigation finds a stubborn gender disparity in Canadian politics

A new CBC/Radio-Canada investigation found a stubborn gender disparity in politics. The CBC's senior data journalist Valérie Ouellet is here with the findings of her investigation Set up to fail: Why women still don't win elections as often as men in Canada.

Download New investigation finds a stubborn gender disparity in Canadian politics
[mp3 file: runs 00:23:50]

‘Freedom, sunlight and joy’: How schools around the world are rediscovering the connection between play and learning

Play-based learning is an important part of Canada's kindergarten curriculum, but two experts argue it shouldn't be limited to younger students. Pasi Sahlberg and William Doyle talk to Laura Lynch about their new book Let the Children Play: How More Play Will Save Our Schools and Help Children Thrive.

Download ‘Freedom, sunlight and joy’: How schools around the world are rediscovering the connection between play and learning
[mp3 file: runs 00:23:47]

Brexit decision was 'based upon lies,' says voter who wants another referendum

We look at the latest twists and turns in the Brexit saga, as the British Labour party seeks an extension to the Brexit deadline, and U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson threatens to call a general election.

Download Brexit decision was 'based upon lies,' says voter who wants another referendum
[mp3 file: runs 00:20:08]

The spy inside Auschwitz: How a volunteer went inside the death camp to fight Nazis

Author Jack Fairweather tells the story of Witold Pilecki, a Polish officer who wanted to save his country and the world from the horrors of the Nazi regime, so he became a spy inside Auschwitz.

Download The spy inside Auschwitz: How a volunteer went inside the death camp to fight Nazis
[mp3 file: runs 00:25:18]

Fired airline union head says staff are targets of censorship campaign over Hong Kong protests

Rebecca Sy, former Cathay Pacific cabin crew union head, says the recent dismissal of several employees underscores the very fears that sparked the Hong Kong political crisis: that China is intervening in the freedoms of the one-country, two-systems formula.

Download Fired airline union head says staff are targets of censorship campaign over Hong Kong protests
[mp3 file: runs 00:19:16]

Are saltwater beavers a thing? Scientists observe Canadian critters in potentially deadly habitat

Our documentary A Salty Tail explores beaver behaviour that is puzzling scientists. Canada's national animal is being discovered in saltwater zones, despite the long-held understanding that the rodents only live in freshwater. Are saltwater beavers actually a thing?

Download Are saltwater beavers a thing? Scientists observe Canadian critters in potentially deadly habitat
[mp3 file: runs 00:27:36]

This man is unfriending every one of his more than 500 Facebook friends — one at a time, with a phonecall

James Avramenko is calling one of his Facebook friends every week — to tell them he's unfriending them online. He tells us why he's hoping those phone calls will move those online friendships back into the real world.

Download This man is unfriending every one of his more than 500 Facebook friends — one at a time, with a phonecall
[mp3 file: runs 00:05:41]

Math curriculum needs to get back to using 'more numbers than words,' says teacher

Ontario's provincial government is shaking up the math curriculum after fewer than half of Grade 6 students met the standard last year. We're asking teachers whether "going back to basics" adds up.

Download Math curriculum needs to get back to using 'more numbers than words,' says teacher
[mp3 file: runs 00:20:32]

Wildly popular Popeyes chicken sandwich doesn't have to be a 'referendum on black culture': writer

A new Popeyes chicken sandwich became a viral sensation, with customers lining up for hours and a lot of overworked staff. But the online discussion quickly became a vehicle to shame black people, according to one writer. He argues that instead of a "referendum on black culture," maybe a sandwich can just be a sandwich.

Download Wildly popular Popeyes chicken sandwich doesn't have to be a 'referendum on black culture': writer
[mp3 file: runs 00:19:48]

Doctors share responsibility in the 'perfect storm' of Canada's opioid crisis, expert says

What role did doctors play in the opioid crisis, and what responsibility do they bear? We talk to two physicians about the crisis, and how to move forward in helping those whose lives are caught up in it.

Download Doctors share responsibility in the 'perfect storm' of Canada's opioid crisis, expert says
[mp3 file: runs 00:20:13]

Removing anti-immigration billboards is censorship, says columnist

We're discussing the removal of billboards telling Canadians to "Say NO to Mass Immigration," after complaints they were promoting anti-immigrant and racist rhetoric. With the federal election just weeks away, what are Canadians concerns about immigration, and how do we discuss them?

Download Removing anti-immigration billboards is censorship, says columnist
[mp3 file: runs 00:19:54]

People using CBD oil for depression, bipolar disorder without consulting doctors: expert

The cannabis extract CBD oil has become popular for claims it relieves a list of ailments including chronic pain, depression — and your cat's anxiety. But beyond the hype and hope, experts argue we need more research into how — and if — it works.

Download People using CBD oil for depression, bipolar disorder without consulting doctors: expert
[mp3 file: runs 00:20:19]

Brazil wary of foreign help with Amazon fires over fear region is 'ripe for invasion': writer

As fires rage across South America and the Amazon Rainforest, we look at the public anger and pressure being directed at politicians to do more to save what's often called "the lungs of the Earth."

Download Brazil wary of foreign help with Amazon fires over fear region is 'ripe for invasion': writer
[mp3 file: runs 00:19:13]

Protests in Hong Kong are a source of discord for families here in Canada, says activist

The protests in Hong Kong are causing divisions among families and friends in the diaspora. We talk to two Hong Kong Canadians about what kinds of conversations they're having at the dinner table.

Download Protests in Hong Kong are a source of discord for families here in Canada, says activist
[mp3 file: runs 00:20:06]

Your smartphone is ruining your sex life, says renowned sex therapist Dr. Ruth

Dr. Ruth Westheimer has been offering advice on sex and intimacy for decades, and she's not done yet. She speaks to Anna Maria Tremonti about a new documentary on her life and career, and why she thinks our smartphones are ruining our sex lives.

Download Your smartphone is ruining your sex life, says renowned sex therapist Dr. Ruth
[mp3 file: runs 00:14:18]

Protecting jobs is no defence in wake of SNC-Lavalin ethics report: Conservative strategist

Our national affairs panel looks at how the SNC-Lavalin report could affect the fall election, and whether the prime minister's defence that he was looking out for jobs holds water.

Download Protecting jobs is no defence in wake of SNC-Lavalin ethics report: Conservative strategist
[mp3 file: runs 00:19:18]

'I'm myself now': What it's like to come out as gay late in life

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson spoke openly about his sexuality for the first time in a column in the Ottawa Citizen. Coming out of the closet is an intensely personal decision no matter what the age. We speak to two people who, like Watson, came out later in life.

Download 'I'm myself now': What it's like to come out as gay late in life
[mp3 file: runs 00:19:27]

Canadian-made Ebola vaccine could have saved more lives if research was funded earlier: microbiologist

A Canadian microbiologist who helped develop the Ebola vaccine currently being used to save lives in Congo is frustrated because he believes it could have been used to save more lives if governments and pharmaceutical companies committed to its funding and support years earlier.

Download Canadian-made Ebola vaccine could have saved more lives if research was funded earlier: microbiologist
[mp3 file: runs 00:16:55]

Shaming people into fighting climate change won't work, says expert

First up on the show today, we're asking whether the "flight shame" movement helps — or hurts — climate activism. One expert says inspiring people is a more effective way to create change.

Download Shaming people into fighting climate change won't work, says expert
[mp3 file: runs 00:19:59]

Mosquitoes are 'our most deadly predator,' even weaponized by Nazis, says author

Author Timothy Winegard tells about his new book The Mosquito: A Human History of Our Deadliest Predator. It's abuzz with facts about the insects, including the role they played in creating gin and tonic, and how they are implicated in the rise (and fall) of the Roman Empire.

Download Mosquitoes are 'our most deadly predator,' even weaponized by Nazis, says author
[mp3 file: runs 00:23:24]

Conspiracy theories over Jeffrey Epstein's death will always move faster than evidence: expert

We discuss why the death of Jeffrey Epstein has spawned a rash of conspiracy theories. One expert tells us that while social media may have played a role in spreading the theories, the simple fact is that evidence moves slowly, and chatter moves fast.

Download Conspiracy theories over Jeffrey Epstein's death will always move faster than evidence: expert
[mp3 file: runs 00:20:04]

Conservatives may not win new voters, but will use SNC-Lavalin ethics report to galvanize base: pollster

Our national affairs panel weighs in on the ethics commissioner's findings on the SNC-Lavalin affair. As party leaders line up to condemn the prime minister, we explore how different parties will try to leverage the report ahead of the federal election.

Download Conservatives may not win new voters, but will use SNC-Lavalin ethics report to galvanize base: pollster
[mp3 file: runs 00:20:34]

Google Earth project about Indigenous languages feels like 'tourism,' scholar says

A new Google Earth project aims to celebrate Indigenous languages, but Canadian scholar Jennifer Wemigwans is less than impressed. She tells us why we need better tools to preserve and revitalize endangered tongues.

Download Google Earth project about Indigenous languages feels like 'tourism,' scholar says
[mp3 file: runs 00:10:32]

Summer camps and facial recognition

Today on The Current, we explore summer camps that are deploying facial recognition technology to send anxious parents image updates of their unsuspecting kids.

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[mp3 file: runs 00:20:29]

Bianca Andreescu could be role model for next generation of Canadian tennis stars, says Patricia Hy

Former professional player Patricia Hy says that Bianca Andreescu's Rogers Cup win could turn her into an amazing role model for the next generation of Canadian players — but she'll need to be wary of the distractions that come with being a high-profile athlete.

Download Bianca Andreescu could be role model for next generation of Canadian tennis stars, says Patricia Hy
[mp3 file: runs 00:10:27]

Chinese intervention in Hong Kong protests could change the region 'as we know it': former diplomat

As protests close Hong Kong airport for a second day, we explore how the unrest is being portrayed in mainland China. We speak to an activist in Canada, and a former diplomat who warns that an intervention could be on the table.

Download Chinese intervention in Hong Kong protests could change the region 'as we know it': former diplomat
[mp3 file: runs 00:20:33]

This filmmaker wanted to help people get over their Islamophobia. So he offered them a free trip to Egypt

Canadian-Egyptian Tarek Mounib wanted Islamophobes in the U.S. to explore what drove their prejudice, so he offered them a free trip to Egypt. We talk to the filmmaker, and a woman who took him up on his offer.

Download This filmmaker wanted to help people get over their Islamophobia. So he offered them a free trip to Egypt
[mp3 file: runs 00:16:33]

Ordinary people paying the real price as governments face off over Kashmir: analyst

We discuss the situation in Kashmir, talking to people with family caught up in the political tensions.

Download Ordinary people paying the real price as governments face off over Kashmir: analyst
[mp3 file: runs 00:20:41]

Canada's oldest nudist club is marking its 80th anniversary

Birthday suits of all shapes and sizes will be on display Saturday as Canada's oldest nudist club marks its 80th anniversary in Vancouver.

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[mp3 file: runs 00:07:51]

How Canadian farmers are 'leading the front' on sustainable agriculture to protect food stability

In the wake of a damning UN-backed report about the links between climate change, land use and food resources, Megz Reynolds says Canadian farmers are "leading the front" on sustainable agriculture practices that curb greenhouse gas emissions.

Download How Canadian farmers are 'leading the front' on sustainable agriculture to protect food stability
[mp3 file: runs 00:12:48]

'A lot of speculation': Mystery replaces fear in Gillam, Man., where pursuit of B.C. suspects ended

A sense of relief and mystery has replaced weeks of fear in a remote northern Manitoba community where a lengthy cross-Canada hunt for homicide suspects Kam McLeod and Bryer Schmegelsky ended Wednesday with the discovery of two bodies, says Tessa Vanderhart.

Download 'A lot of speculation': Mystery replaces fear in Gillam, Man., where pursuit of B.C. suspects ended
[mp3 file: runs 00:18:05]

Domestic terrorism charge would help track 'mobilization of violence' online, former FBI agent says

U.S. authorities need to attach a federal penalty to domestic terrorism in order for law enforcement to combat violent ideology online that apparently triggered the El Paso, Texas, attack, says Clint Watts.

Download Domestic terrorism charge would help track 'mobilization of violence' online, former FBI agent says
[mp3 file: runs 00:19:59]

This Syrian refugee spent months stuck in a Malaysian airport. Now he wants to bring 200 migrants to Canada

Hassan Al Kontar wants to give up to 200 asylum seekers who have spent years detained in Australia's disputed offshore immigration system the same freedom he was given: a chance to resettle in Canada.

Download This Syrian refugee spent months stuck in a Malaysian airport. Now he wants to bring 200 migrants to Canada
[mp3 file: runs 00:19:07]

Victims of El Paso attack could sue 8chan forum linked to alleged gunman, extremism expert says

Survivors and the families of those killed in the El Paso, Texas, shooting over the weekend could sue the alt-right forum 8chan because it appears responsible for stoking violence, an extremism expert says.

Download Victims of El Paso attack could sue 8chan forum linked to alleged gunman, extremism expert says
[mp3 file: runs 00:19:55]

How the Conservatives and Liberals are trying to score political points ahead of the election

As party leaders test out their campaign messages ahead of the October federal election, Richard Warnica highlights the hurdle Justin Trudeau's Liberals face is being able to convey a decisive plan to voters.

Download How the Conservatives and Liberals are trying to score political points ahead of the election
[mp3 file: runs 00:17:48]

Canada has 'no reason' to support U.S. plan to import prescription drugs, expert says

Canada has "no reason" to support the U.S. government's plan to allow imports of cheaper prescription drugs from north of the border, says Andre Picard, health reporter and columnist for The Globe and Mail.

Download Canada has 'no reason' to support U.S. plan to import prescription drugs, expert says
[mp3 file: runs 00:20:46]

Son of Wettlaufer victim hopes 'more vigilance' will come from Ontario long-term care inquiry

The son of serial killer Elizabeth Wettlaufer's last victim hopes the release of the highly anticipated public inquiry report into how the former nurse's attack on patients in Ontario long-term care facilities went undetected for years "will make the whole system better" and prevent similar crimes.

Download Son of Wettlaufer victim hopes 'more vigilance' will come from Ontario long-term care inquiry
[mp3 file: runs 00:20:21]

'He will never stop looking for us': Saudi sisters who fled allegedly abusive father seek asylum in Canada

Saudi sisters Dua and Dalal al-Showaiki claim they "didn't have any choice" but to flee their controlling and abusive father who tried to force them to abandon their dreams of independence in order to marry older, religious men.

Download 'He will never stop looking for us': Saudi sisters who fled allegedly abusive father seek asylum in Canada
[mp3 file: runs 00:20:00]

'Not supported by foreign forces': Critics dispute China's claim Hong Kong protests fuelled by West

A Hong Kong pro-democracy activist is firing back at the Chinese government’s accusation the ongoing political crisis is fuelled by Western forces, calling it "absurd" and a tactic used to "stigmatize our movement."

Download 'Not supported by foreign forces': Critics dispute China's claim Hong Kong protests fuelled by West
[mp3 file: runs 00:19:47]

Canada-wide pursuit for fugitives in B.C. killings is distinct from other landmark searches: criminologist

The nationwide hunt for two young B.C. men sought in three high-profile killings is distinct from other landmark pursuits of some of the most elusive criminals in Canada and the United States because of where they are believed to be hiding, according to a criminologist and former police officer.

Download Canada-wide pursuit for fugitives in B.C. killings is distinct from other landmark searches: criminologist
[mp3 file: runs 00:10:16]

Gun violence takes heavy toll on families of victims, trauma surgeon explains

As part of our One Bullet series, we spoke to two trauma surgeons who are faced with the reality of what bullets do to bodies and say gun violence is a public health issue.

Download Gun violence takes heavy toll on families of victims, trauma surgeon explains
[mp3 file: runs 00:24:28]

Ignoring climate change is like 'putting off homework,' teen says

Young people fearing the effects of climate change walked out of school this spring, hoping their global day of action would push the older generation to take action. We speak to some of the youth involved.

Download Ignoring climate change is like 'putting off homework,' teen says
[mp3 file: runs 00:23:15]

18-year water crisis in Eabametoong First Nation 'would not be tolerated' anywhere else, chief says

A long-standing water crisis in Eabametoong First Nation in northern Ontario "would not be tolerated" anywhere else in Canada, said Chief Harvey Yesno.

Download 18-year water crisis in Eabametoong First Nation 'would not be tolerated' anywhere else, chief says
[mp3 file: runs 00:10:23]

What Robert Mueller's testimony means for Democrats and Trump's political future

Former special counsel Robert Mueller's long-awaited testimony Wednesday did not deliver any bombshell revelations that Democrats sought but a political commentator highlights it was a "really important moment" to draw more attention to his final report.

Download What Robert Mueller's testimony means for Democrats and Trump's political future
[mp3 file: runs 00:20:19]

Jurors in traumatic trials need counselling and support, not just 'a coffee and a handshake': advocate

Jurors are often expected to examine extremely violent and disturbing cases, but despite a report from the justice committee urging change, advocates argue there is still a lack of counselling and support.

Download Jurors in traumatic trials need counselling and support, not just 'a coffee and a handshake': advocate
[mp3 file: runs 00:23:57]

Trying to get your dad joke to land? Just add a laugh track, study says

A new study has found that even the most groan-inducing dad joke can seem funnier with a bit of canned laughter. 

Download Trying to get your dad joke to land? Just add a laugh track, study says
[mp3 file: runs 00:03:57]

As manhunt for 2 men rocks Northern B.C. community, some are 'thinking twice' about hiking, camping trips

The bombshell revelation that two men initially considered missing are now the main suspects in the deaths of three people in Northern B.C. is a "step towards closure" for residents, a CBC journalist says.

Download As manhunt for 2 men rocks Northern B.C. community, some are 'thinking twice' about hiking, camping trips
[mp3 file: runs 00:10:01]

Why there's a cross-border fight to save B.C.'s killer whales

A new CBC original podcast, Killers: J pod on the brink, dives deep into the elements putting B.C.'s orca population at risk and explores climate change, pollution and politics.

Download Why there's a cross-border fight to save B.C.'s killer whales
[mp3 file: runs 00:24:17]

Puerto Ricans are 'tired of corruption,' activist says amid reports Gov. Ricardo Rossello set to resign

As Puerto Ricans anticipate Gov. Ricardo Rossello's resignation Wednesday after nearly two weeks of protests against his administration, a resident says many are hopeful his departure will clear the way for a "clean government."

Download Puerto Ricans are 'tired of corruption,' activist says amid reports Gov. Ricardo Rossello set to resign
[mp3 file: runs 00:10:48]

Clint Malarchuk suffered a horrific sporting injury. But PTSD put his life in peril again, decades later

Clint Malarchuk suffered one of the most horrific accidents in NHL history in 1989, when another player's skate severed his jugular vein. But decades later, undiagnosed PTSD from the incident would put his life in peril again. His story is part of our One Bullet series that takes a closer look at shootings in Canada.

Download Clint Malarchuk suffered a horrific sporting injury. But PTSD put his life in peril again, decades later
[mp3 file: runs 00:22:41]

Will Boris Johnson deliver Brexit? Critics say new U.K. PM has 'been making up fiction' for decades

Boris Johnson handily won the Conservative leadership race on Tuesday and will succeed Theresa May as U.K. prime minister within a day. But critics warn the party has voted to "put a giant clown face on top of the country" who won't be able to deliver on his campaign promises.

Download Will Boris Johnson deliver Brexit? Critics say new U.K. PM has 'been making up fiction' for decades
[mp3 file: runs 00:20:26]

Fatal sniper bullet was 'only solution' to end 2004 Union Station standoff, negotiator says

On the morning of Aug. 25, 2004, an armed man with a long history of spousal abuse took a stranger hostage in front of Union Station in downtown Toronto. The gunman had just tried to kill his estranged wife at a nearby food court and was cornered by police in a tense standoff that captivated Canadians and ended with a sniper’s bullet. Hostage negotiator recalls the dramatic moment before he ordered a sniper to kill the gunman in The Current's series One Bullet.

Download Fatal sniper bullet was 'only solution' to end 2004 Union Station standoff, negotiator says
[mp3 file: runs 00:20:42]

This author is writing 365 children's stories, one each day, to 'make a better world' for his daughter

Matt Zurbo isn't the first person to write a book, or even a story, after being inspired by the birth of a first child. But he's going several hundred steps further: he's resolved to write one story a day, every day for an entire year.

Download This author is writing 365 children's stories, one each day, to 'make a better world' for his daughter
[mp3 file: runs 00:23:12]

8 years ago, a retired RCMP officer shot his spouse — and shattered multiple lives in the process

Four out of five victims in solved homicides are known to their killer. That was exactly the case for Lynn Kalmring, who was shot and killed by her common-law partner in 2011. As part of The Current's One Bullet series, we look at the dramatic effect her death continues to have on the people close to her.

Download 8 years ago, a retired RCMP officer shot his spouse — and shattered multiple lives in the process
[mp3 file: runs 00:23:45]

'Far too many commonalities': Trump's tweets serve as reminder Canada and U.S. need to combat racism

U.S. President Donald Trump's tweets attacking four ethnically diverse congresswomen has launched a firestorm of national discourse around racism, but a Canadian activist points out rhetoric that stokes fear and hatred toward minority groups doesn't stop at the border.

Download 'Far too many commonalities': Trump's tweets serve as reminder Canada and U.S. need to combat racism
[mp3 file: runs 00:20:27]

Unsolved death of high school basketball star leaves mother pleading for a witness

Justin Shephard, a promising high school basketball star, was 19 when he was gunned down near his Toronto home in 2001. Nearly two decades later, his mother Audette is still waiting for someone to come forward and identify the shooter. Her story is part of The Current's series, One Bullet, which examines the impact of gun violence in Canada.

Download Unsolved death of high school basketball star leaves mother pleading for a witness
[mp3 file: runs 00:19:47]

Love, anger and grief: Animals can display wide range of humanlike emotions, says author

Do chimpanzees feel love the same way that humans do? Author and primatologist Frans de Waal says yes — and not only that, he claims many animals feel a wide range of emotions that have historically been considered exclusive to the human race.

Download Love, anger and grief: Animals can display wide range of humanlike emotions, says author
[mp3 file: runs 00:27:03]

How should Canada adopt e-scooters? These experts say regulation and safety measures are key

A number of Canadian cities are divided over how to tackle the electric scooter. The transportation method has already rolled into major metropolitan areas throughout the United States, along with a focus on enforcement and safety. We speak to three experts about whether the challenges of this dockless technology overshadow the benefits.

Download How should Canada adopt e-scooters? These experts say regulation and safety measures are key
[mp3 file: runs 00:16:24]

CBC podcast The Pit traces disappearance of Saskatchewan woman, co-host says

In 2015, Sheree Fertuck left her parent's farm in Kenaston, Sask., to work at the nearby gravel pit. Her semi-truck was found the next morning abandoned at the site. Investigators tirelessly searched the area with no trace. Fertuck's husband, Greg, has been charged with first-degree murder in the case. Co-host Alicia Bridges interviewed him from behind bars for CBC's investigative podcast series, The Pit.

Download CBC podcast The Pit traces disappearance of Saskatchewan woman, co-host says
[mp3 file: runs 00:12:56]

The Lion King is a fascist fable that portrays a 'hyper-conservative political view,' cultural theorist argues

The new remake of The Lion King opened in theatres Friday, and Dutch cultural theorist Dan Hassler-Forest says the narrative path of the Disney classic unpacks an ideological agenda by way of who rules the animal kingdom.

Download The Lion King is a fascist fable that portrays a 'hyper-conservative political view,' cultural theorist argues
[mp3 file: runs 00:09:53]

Refusing to be ignored, Roberta Bondar took up space as Canada's 1st female astronaut

When she was a girl, Roberta Bondar dreamed of going into space. But at the time, every astronaut she saw on the evening news was a man. She resolved to make sure she was so qualified to join them that no one could ignore her — so she got four degrees.

Download Refusing to be ignored, Roberta Bondar took up space as Canada's 1st female astronaut
[mp3 file: runs 00:24:10]

Astrophysicist hopes history's trailblazing women can help young girls look to the stars

In a conversation last February, astrophysicist Jo Dunkley told Anna Maria Tremonti that as our understanding of the universe gets more complex, she's worried that people are daunted by trying to understand outer space. She wants everyone to look to the stars, especially young girls who could be inspired by trailblazing female scientists that came before them.

Download Astrophysicist hopes history's trailblazing women can help young girls look to the stars
[mp3 file: runs 00:27:00]

Behind the scenes of the moon landing: NASA did incredible work, but almost forgot the flag, says author

Author Charles Fishman recounts the amazing behind-the-scenes efforts to get Apollo 11 to the moon 50 years ago. His new book, One Giant Leap: The Impossible Mission That Flew Us to the Moon, takes a look back on that achievement.

Download Behind the scenes of the moon landing: NASA did incredible work, but almost forgot the flag, says author
[mp3 file: runs 00:19:43]

Nuking the oilsands: Why Ernest Manning wanted nuclear weapons to jumpstart Alberta's oil industry

Darren Dochuk's new book, Anointed with Oil, looks at the connection between Christianity and the oil industry, including how late premier Ernest Manning opened up the oilsands for development in the late 1960s. Dochuk talks us through that history, including an aborted plan to set off nuclear weapons under the oilsands.

Download Nuking the oilsands: Why Ernest Manning wanted nuclear weapons to jumpstart Alberta's oil industry
[mp3 file: runs 00:22:20]

The new 007 will be a 'strong, black woman.' How are fans of James Bond reacting?

We speak to writer Eliana Dockterman about how James Bond fans are reacting to the reported casting of Lashana Lynch as the new 007.

Download The new 007 will be a 'strong, black woman.' How are fans of James Bond reacting?
[mp3 file: runs 00:07:52]

Social media can be a 'toxic space' for young people, says woman who took 2-year hiatus

A new study looks at how social media is affecting teenagers' mental health. We talk to two young people about how they use those platforms, and what they do to manage the potentially harmful effects.

Download Social media can be a 'toxic space' for young people, says woman who took 2-year hiatus
[mp3 file: runs 00:18:46]

Want to fight the hordes of rats in our cities? Start with the data, expert says

Our cities may be an appealing habitat for rats, but what can we do when their numbers reach infestation levels? We hear from two women whose homes have fallen victim to a network of rat tunnels, and an expert who says our approach to eradicating them might be part of the problem.

Download Want to fight the hordes of rats in our cities? Start with the data, expert says
[mp3 file: runs 00:09:52]

'Call a spade a spade': Trump tweets about congresswomen were racist: liberal activist

U.S. President Donald Trump drew global criticism after tweeting that four congresswomen of colour should "go back" to the countries they came from, but many Republicans remained silent. We discuss the controversy with people on both sides of the political divide.

Download 'Call a spade a spade': Trump tweets about congresswomen were racist: liberal activist
[mp3 file: runs 00:20:36]

Space archeologist says heritage protections needed to stop people trampling the moon landing site

Fifty years after Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin first set foot on the moon, some scientists are arguing that we should preserve our space heritage the way we would any historical site on Earth. We look at the push to protect historical sites that are out of this world.

Download Space archeologist says heritage protections needed to stop people trampling the moon landing site
[mp3 file: runs 00:11:24]

New Orleans spared worst predictions of downgraded Barry, but hurricane season is just beginning

Barry was downgraded to a tropical depression on Sunday, but that doesn't mean the threat is over for the Gulf Coast U.S. states. We speak to people on the ground who are trying to cope with power outages and flash-flood warnings.

Download New Orleans spared worst predictions of downgraded Barry, but hurricane season is just beginning
[mp3 file: runs 00:20:18]

Climate change is making flights more turbulent, meteorologist says. Here's what to do about it

More than three dozen people were injured when Air Canada Flight 33 suddenly hit clear air turbulence early this week. Paul Williams, an atmospheric science professor at the University of Reading, warns that changes in the jet stream are "completely invisible" and almost impossible to detect.

Download Climate change is making flights more turbulent, meteorologist says. Here's what to do about it
[mp3 file: runs 00:12:32]

After deadly 2018 heatwave, Montreal scientists are working on science of keeping cool

We visit a heat lab in Montreal, where scientists are testing the tricks we all use to keep cool. They're looking for the science behind how we cope when the mercury is rising.

Download After deadly 2018 heatwave, Montreal scientists are working on science of keeping cool
[mp3 file: runs 00:17:25]

Jeffrey Epstein case suggests a 'panoply of different powerful men covering for each other': Molly Jong-Fast

Writer Molly Jong-Fast thinks the allegations of sex trafficking against wealthy financier Jeffrey Epstein point to a wider problem of power and corruption in society. "This has been a sort of panoply of different powerful men covering for each other," she said.

Download Jeffrey Epstein case suggests a 'panoply of different powerful men covering for each other': Molly Jong-Fast
[mp3 file: runs 00:20:01]

Flying fish? Migrating salmon trapped in Fraser River Canyon could be helicoptered out, says biologist

A landslide has trapped thousands of salmon in B.C.'s Fraser River Canyon, preventing the fish from making it to their spawning ground. Scientists are racing to find a way to free them — including the option of using helicopters to airlift the fish.

Download Flying fish? Migrating salmon trapped in Fraser River Canyon could be helicoptered out, says biologist
[mp3 file: runs 00:09:02]

Conservative premiers' unity means the system is working 'in a weird and twisted way,' says columnist

Our national affairs panel discusses what to expect from the provincial premiers' annual meeting, and what it can tell us about the upcoming federal election.

Download Conservative premiers' unity means the system is working 'in a weird and twisted way,' says columnist
[mp3 file: runs 00:20:10]

Introducing Uncover: The Cat Lady Case

What happened to Joan Lawrence? In episode one of Uncover: The Cat Lady Case, investigative journalist Zander Sherman sheds light on one of cottage country’s darkest crimes. All six episodes are available right now. Subscribe to Uncover for free wherever you get your podcasts.

Download Introducing Uncover: The Cat Lady Case
[mp3 file: runs 00:34:15]

Protecting right whales needs a more proactive approach: researcher

Three right whales were spotted tangled in fishing gear this week. We ask Fisheries Minister Jonathan Wilkinson if enough is being done to protect them, and speak to a frustrated researcher who argues that it isn't.

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Separation of families at Canadian border is creating 'invisibly detained children': advocate

We explore the impact on children being separated from their parents at border crossings — not just in the U.S., but around the world.

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CBC podcast Uncover: The Cat Lady Case looks at how a local legend disappeared — and became a mystery

An enigmatic woman called Joan Lawrence became a local legend for the community of Huntsville, Ontario, where she became known as "Cat Lady." That legend became a mystery when she disappeared twenty years ago, but now a new CBC podcast, Uncover: The Cat Lady Case, takes another look at her story.

Download CBC podcast Uncover: The Cat Lady Case looks at how a local legend disappeared — and became a mystery
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Migrants killed in Libyan airstrike were waiting to go home, says UN worker

Migrants stopped from entering Europe are often detained in Libya, but an airstrike on a detention centre near Tripoli on Tuesday has renewed safety concerns. We discuss the dangers for people in detention, and ask whether there's a political will to address them.

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Why E. Jean Carroll waited almost 25 years to accuse Donald Trump of sexual assault

Last month, advice columnist E. Jean Carroll accused U.S. President Donald Trump of sexually assaulting her in the mid 1990s. While he denies the allegation, she tells us why she waited so long to make it.

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Canada needs to do more to combat disinformation in upcoming election: ex-justice minister

Canada needs to do more to guard against potential meddling in the upcoming federal election by cracking down on social media giants, says former justice minister Allan Rock.

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Newspaper editorial cartoons face 'existential threat' from advertisers, online memes: artist

Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Nick Anderson says that newspapers are growing increasingly "gun-shy" about running editorial cartoons about controversial topics, thanks in part to growing pressure from advertisers, shrinking newsroom budgets and online meme culture.

Download Newspaper editorial cartoons face 'existential threat' from advertisers, online memes: artist
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