Author Allyson McOuat loves horror stories, especially those real and fictional specific to gen X pop culture. So much so that she wrote a book of essays with 1980s and '90s as their backdrop. "The Call is Coming from Inside the House," is a raw look at McOuat's influences and touchstones as she navigates her life from early adulthood on as a queer…

The 400 series highways. The 401. Hundreds of schools. Hospitals. Canada's first subway. Metro Toronto itself. He helped make much of modern Ontario. But behind every great man is, of course, a good barber. This is the story of Old Man Ontario, the Silver Fox, the Laird of Lindsay, Leslie Frost and the peculiar influence his barber had over policy …

Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath round off another season of the #onpoli podcast with a mailbag episode. They answer audience questions including one about the Ontario Science Centre closure, talk about the Toronto St. Paul's by-election, and announce the winners of the book giveaway. You can also see the podcast on the TVO Today YouTube chann…

It's a beloved game found in cottages and farm houses across the province. And every year on the first Saturday in June, the top players from around the world gather in Tavistock, Ontario to compete in the World Crokinole Championship. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By TVO | Steve Paikin

"In a Violent Nature" is a new horror film by director Chris Nash and producer Peter Kuplowsky. Shot in Sault Ste. Marie, its fresh take on the slasher flick - this one told from the point-of-view of the killer - has earned rave reviews from critics and horror fans. It joins a long list of horror movies made in Ontario - from "Black Christmas" to "…

A cook's knife is their most important tool and Eugene Ong has been obsessed with cutlery for a long time. As a chef, he came to appreciate the necessity of a perfect edge - from there, knife sharpening became a full-time obsession. For 15 years, Eugene has run KNIFE in Toronto, teaching young cooks how to hand-sharpen their gear as well as passing…

From the Grand Theatre in London, Ont., author Mark Kearney tells Steve Paikin about his book, "Al Christie: Hollywood's Forgotten Film Pioneer." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By TVO | Steve Paikin

Cultural long-term care homes have provided elder care for seniors steeped in their language, diet, and cultural traditions. But recent legislation has left these homes grappling with an influx of new residents from outside those cultures, and are seeing what they say are serious consequences. How can care homes that cater to specific culturally ne…

How has Toronto changed in 15 years? Shawn Micallef, urban affairs columnist for the Toronto Star and co-founder of Spacing magazine brings readers along on 31 walks around the city to highlight how the landscape, landmarks, and neighbourhoods have changed since the original 2010 publication of the book. Host Jeyan Jeganathan joins him on a brief t…

Since the end of the Second World War, Canada has had increasingly close ties with Germany. In March of this year alone, Germany exported almost $1.5 billion worth of goods to Canada - mostly cars and pharmaceutical products. Sabine Sparwasser has been Germany's ambassador to Canada for the past seven years. Her ambassadorship is about to come to a…

There was a time when Richard Peddie couldn't have been more urban. He was the chief executive officer of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, responsible for bringing the population of a small town into the Scotiabank Arena most nights of the year. So it's somewhat ironic that Peddie's latest book is called, "Great Small Towns of Ontario," in whic…

Extreme heat events are becoming more frequent and more intense in Canada. The public health risk of heat waves is growing, especially in cities where renters may not have air conditioning. How is this extreme heat affecting our lives, and what can we do to protect ourselves? For insight, we welcome How-Sen Chong, climate campaigner, Toronto Enviro…

The new revision of Rosemary Sadlier's "The Kids Book of Black History in Canada" includes African acknowledgments that asserts how Black Canadians are an integral part of shaping this country's history and includes a look into the issue of lack of representation this community experiences. Sadlier, the former president of the Ontario Black History…

LCBO workers are in legal strike position, and they've set a deadline of July 5 to get a deal made. Steve Paikin and John Michael McGrath discuss how this mixes with recent policy decisions surrounding beer, wine, and mixed drinks in corner stores. A legal challenge surrounding the redevelopment of Ontario Place has been dismissed by the Superior C…

As Canada marks National Indigenous Peoples Day, what lessons can be drawn from this country's experience with reconciliation, reckoning with residential schools, and treatment of Indigenous people? For insight, we welcome: Deborah Parker, CEO of The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition; Chief Robert Joseph, Ambassador Reconci…

The Ontario Provincial Air Service will be celebrating its 100th anniversary in Sault Ste. Marie. Ontario's fleet of yellow aircrafts conduct a number of resource management programs including aerial wildlife surveys, fishing stocking, rabies vaccination distribution, but it's best known for its expertise in forest fire patrol and suppression. The …

Our review of the week begins with Andrew Lawton discussing his book on Pierre Poilievre. Then, how food can bridge cultural, political, and religious divides. What does a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas look like? And, assessing Canada's record on reconciliation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

In 1911, a northern Ontario boomtown that had sprung up around massive new gold mines was incorporated into a bedroom community called Timmins. In the years that followed, those mines, and the people who worked in them, drove the local economy in more ways than one. And not all of them on the level. According to our guest, theft was so common, it c…

The long-awaited ceasefire plan announced by President Biden for what he called a ,durable end to the war, between Hamas and Israel has brought some hope for an end to hostilities. For more on what this ceasefire proposal means for Israelis and Palestinians, Benjamin Netanyahu's future as prime minister, and the geopolitical implications for the re…

As Palestinian Muslims contend with the horrors of ongoing war and violence overseas, friends and family here at home struggle to maintain their sense of hope and peace. Aishah Ashraf talks with Shaykh Hosam Helal and Dalia Hashim of ISNA Canada to learn how a bustling Mississauga Mosque supports their community at a time of utter devastation. See …

For NHL players, winning the Stanley Cup is the ultimate goal. After facing the challenge of winning hockey's biggest trophy, tradition states that each winning player and coach gets to spend a day with the cup. On the Stanley Cup's official summer tour, the winners welcome family, friends, and their hometown community to join in their celebration.…

An insightful conversation with Yael Splansky, the Senior Rabbi of Holy Blossom Temple, Toronto's historic first synagogue. Amidst a time of emotional turmoil within her community, Rabbi Splansky faces unprecedented challenges in her rabbinical leadership. She tells us how she works to foster peace and resilience during these trying times. See omny…

In the summer of 2021, The Haifa Room, a standout Middle Eastern restaurant in Toronto's west end, started as a take-out window. It has grown into a beloved dining spot. Run collaboratively by Palestinian and Israeli owners, The Haifa Room offers a menu rich with flavours from their childhoods. It's a place where food transcends cultural, political…

Pierre Poilievre has led the polls for months and all indications are the Conservative Party of Canada leader could be the next prime minister. But how much do Canadians really know about him? That's a question broadcaster Andrew Lawton attempts to answer in his new book, "Pierre Poilievre: A Political Life." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy…

The biggest question in Ottawa these days is will Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stay on to lead the Liberals into the next election, or is he simply too unpopular to win a fourth term? Author and journalist Paul Wells considers that and Trudeau's nine years in power in his new book, "Justin Trudeau on the Ropes: Governing in Troubled Times." Steve …

The Royal Canadian Mint is where Canadian coins are made. It makes circulation coins and precious metal products, such as bullion bars and coins, and collector coins. But in the digital age, what role will the Mint play? Jeyan Jeganathan meets with the team in Ottawa to find out and gets to see how some of the precious metal products are made. See …