Golden Globe-winning comedian Ramy Youssef talks about his eponymous series Ramy, how he finds humour in religion, and the role of comedy in 2020. Oscar-winning screenwriter Charlie Kaufman discusses his debut novel Antkind, a surreal and satirical story about a film critic who's trying to rescue a classic movie from obscurity. Maitreyi Ramakrishna…

Jim Carrey and Dana Vachon talk about co-authoring the actor's new semi-autobiographical novel Memoirs and Misinformation, which melds fact with fiction — and turns Rodney Dangerfield into a rhinoceros. Tech and culture journalist Alyssa Bereznak unpacks the controversy around the recent wave of prominent YouTubers who are issuing apologies for the…

Host John Floridis interviews Rob Quist, Don Collins and Don MacDonald of the New Big Sky Singers . At the time of this interview, the group was planning a CD release and reunion concert for their new recording, 50 Years Ago Today , right when the COVID-19 pandemic brought live music performances to a halt.…

Grammy Award-winning producer and sound engineer David Strickland tells us how his Indigenous heritage shaped the making of his new album, Spirit of Hip Hop. Grammy Award-winning banjoist Béla Fleck discusses the re-release of his film, Throw Down Your Heart, which explores the racialized history of the banjo. On the 35th anniversary of Murder, She…

From the CBC archives comes WireTap. WireTap was a podcast... before there were podcasts. The program, which ran on CBC Radio for 11 years, invites listeners to eavesdrop on host Jonathan Goldstein's phone calls with his friends and family. Subscribe and listen to WireTap at smarturl.it/cbcwiretap

The author of Crazy Rich Asians and Rich People Problems, Kevin Kwan, talks about his latest novel of love among the jet-setting mega-rich, Sex and Vanity. On this week's screen panel, John Semley and Kathleen Newman-Bremang discuss the impact of white voice actors stepping down from their roles as non-white animated characters. Polaris Prize-nomin…

Phil’s guest on this episode of the IT Career Energizer podcast is Austin Belcak. He teaches people how to land jobs they love in today’s market without traditional ‘experience’ and without applying online. His strategies have been featured in Forbes, Business Insider, Inc., Fast Company, and USA Today. His clients have landed job offers at Google,…

Welcome to the super summer spectacular 4th of July episode where Joe and Zane go Lady Hunting with special guest writer/director/producer/actress the multi-talented Angela Atwood. Angela discusses her film "The Lady Hunters" that killed it on the film festival circuit, her influences, turning Halloween into Mardi Gras and the "sexy talk" of unlimi…

Grammy Award-winning music director Alex Lacamoire tells us about his work on the Broadway production of Hamilton and what it's like being Lin-Manuel Miranda's right-hand man. Award-winning Canadian director Nisha Ganatra discusses her new movie, The High Note, how she broke into the film industry, and how she's made diversity a priority in everyth…

Fifteen-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Alicia Keys opens up about her new autobiography, More Myself, in which she reflects on music, family, relationships and her struggles with self-worth. Chika Okeke-Agulu, a professor of African art at Princeton University, talks about his fight to repatriate a pair of looted Nigerian sculptures th…

Singer-songwriter Neil Young talks about reuniting with his longtime band Crazy Horse, and explains how their lifelong bond inspires his creative process and artistic voice. Brooke Lynn Hytes, the Canadian breakout star of RuPaul's Drag Race and the judge of Canada's Drag Race, discusses the importance of having a drag competition show in Canada. P…

Atwood chats with Rob Juarez from Lost 80s Live about the September 6, 2020 Lost at Sea show on Catalina Island, CA. Rad!

Emmy-nominated Mad Men writer Semi Chellas talks about making her feature directorial debut with American Woman, a film inspired by the Patty Hearst kidnapping story. On this week's q This music panel, A. Harmony and Lisa Christiansen recap the 2020 Juno Awards ceremony, which was live streamed on CBC Gem and CBC Music. Fashion designer Aurora Jame…

Musician Ziggy Marley remembers his father, Bob Marley, and opens up about how he's honouring his dad's legacy publicly and privately at the same time. On this week's screen panel, John Semley and Teri Hart dive into Eurovision and compare how Netflix's new Eurovision movie stacks up against the real-life singing competition. Emmy-winning screenwri…

Phil’s guest on this episode of the IT Career Energizer podcast is Nyari Samushonga. Nyari is the Chief Executive Officer of WeThinkCode_ where her primary responsibility is to gear the organization up for growth. She also co-founded FoldLeft, a digital consultancy that uses hypothesis-driven models to design and deliver impactful software solution…

Oh what a treat we have in store for you this week! The boys were extremely giddy as they welcomed the legendary producer of "Spookies" and "Street Trash" Frank Farel! If you haven't heard of these 80's gems or have not watched them, you really need to immediately stop what you are doing and seek them out. Frank shares the battles of getting "Spook…

Pop icon Katy Perry discusses her new single Daisies, and opens up about writing inspiring hits like Firework and Roar while "in the worst place" of her life. On this week's q This music panel, A. Harmony and Lisa Christiansen unpack the fallout from J. Cole's new song Snow On Tha Bluff, and what it might say about the state of gender relations in …

By john@johnfloridis.com (John Floridis)

Music icon John Legend discusses his new album Bigger Love, how George Floyd's murder is spurring change, and how people can help. Artist and activist Syrus Marcus Ware and CBC Arts host Sean O'Neill unpack why we need Black and Indigenous leadership at Canada's top museums now more than ever. Ottawa rapper Tiagz talks about achieving massive succe…

Actress Tatiana Maslany talks about her new role in HBO's Perry Mason, her love of Ryan Heffington and her journey to becoming a better ally to marginalized communities. Fashion designer Sage Paul and fashion director Mosha Lundström Halbert unpack the reckoning that's starting to happen in the fashion industry, as people call for more racial diver…

Atwood chats with Cherie Currie about her new album and life in the rock limelight from The Runaways to today.

Singer Ricky Martin reflects on his long career, his new "introspective" EP Pausa, and what it's been like writing music in quarantine. Artist Bisa Butler talks about her unique quilted portraits — life-sized pieces that celebrate the fabric of Black life and honour the accomplishments of Black Americans. Writer Jon Tattrie walks us through his "ep…

World War Z author Max Brooks discusses his new novel, Devolution — a timely tale about an eco-community under siege from Bigfoot-like creatures. On this week's screen panel, Kathleen Newman-Bremang and Teri Hart unpack how the Black Lives Matter protests are changing our appetite for film and TV. Author Kiley Reid talks about her debut bestselling…

Phil’s guest on this episode of the IT Career Energizer podcast is Bret Fisher. Bret is a freelance DevOps and Docker consultant, Udemy Instructor, trainer, speaker, and Open Source volunteer. He teaches courses on Docker and Container technology and often does live training workshops. He’s also a volunteer Docker Captain and has been blogging abou…

Artist Titus Kaphar shares the story behind his Time magazine cover, the symbolism of his cover painting and the current context in which he creates his art. On this week's q This music panel, A. Harmony and Lisa Christiansen delve into the significance of Juneteenth and how Canadian artists are speaking up about racism in our music industry here a…

Comedian Mike Birbiglia opens up about his doubts about having a child — a subject that he tackles in his latest Netflix special and book, The New One: Painfully True Stories from a Reluctant Dad. Broadcaster, comedian and activist Sandi Toksvig talks about The Great British Bake Off, QI and Vox Tox — her new web series devoted to unsung female his…

Professional wrestler Chris Jericho discusses the new documentary series Dark Side of the Ring, which explores some of professional wrestling's most difficult moments, from drugs to murder. Mi'kmaw author and poet Rebecca Thomas shares her top book recommendations for National Indigenous History Month. Artist Michelangelo Lovelace talks about his n…

Singer-songwriter Yusuf/Cat Stevens reflects on his groundbreaking folk album, Tea for the Tillerman, 50 years after its release. This Is Not a Drake Podcast host Ty Harper talks about the much-anticipated CBC Podcasts series, which uses the milestones in Drake's career to explore the evolution of hip-hop, R&B, and Black culture. Jazz historian and…

This is Not a Drake Podcast is a new series that uses seminal moments in Drake’s career to explore the history and evolution of hip-hop, R&B, and Black culture. It’s about the rapper who’s blurred genres and dominated the world stage, and the larger hip-hop movement that made him.The podcast dives deep into the evolution of gender dynamics in hip-h…

Hip-hop duo Little Brother open up about their breakup, their reunion and what they remember about releasing their critically-acclaimed debut album, The Listening, back in 2003. On this week's screen panel, Kathleen Newman-Bremang and Teri Hart discuss what the recent cancellations of the reality TV shows Cops and Live PD say about the current mome…

Phil’s guest on this episode of the IT Career Energizer podcast is Chani Simms. She is an award-winning cybersecurity leader and keynote speaker with more than 17 years’ experience in the IT industry. Chani is an advisor and a specialist in helping organizations to understand, implement, and manage information security and privacy requirements. She…

The "Queen Diva" of New Orleans bounce culture, Big Freedia, opens up about her personal connection to George Floyd and how important it is to keep shaking through the grief. On this week's q This music panel, A. Harmony and Lisa Christiansen unpack how the country music industry is responding to the Black Lives Matter protests — and facing its own…

Actress Sarah Chalke talks about Rick and Morty's massive fan base, playing "Second Becky" on Roseanne, and what her time starring on Scrubs was like. Poet Evelyn Lau discusses her eighth book of poetry, Pineapple Express, and tells us why she's remained so unflinchingly honest in her work ever since releasing her searing 1989 memoir, Runaway: Diar…

Author Angie Thomas's 2017 novel The Hate U Give is back in the spotlight because of protests happening across the U.S. and Canada. Angie Thomas reflects on the lasting resonance of her novel and the uphill battle of getting it published. Online columnist Elamin Abdelmahmoud drops by to take a look at how fandoms are creating social change online. …

Master classes in songwriting and online “Kitchen COVID” concerts: when the going gets tough, folk-pop maven and playwright Jonatha Brooke gets improvisational. The enforced touring hiatus brought on by COVID-19 is hardly her first career obstacle: as part of the harmony-rich duo The Story (with college buddy Jennifer Kimball), Brooke garnered rave…

Rapper and musician k-os reflects on his career, his timely new EP, Boshido, the longevity of folk music and the responsibility of artists during times like this. Singer-songwriter Steve Earle tells us why he thinks his new album, Ghosts of West Virginia, can change the minds of Trump voters in the south. Filmmaker Anne Koizumi discusses her new an…

Actor Clarke Peters talks about Spike Lee's new Vietnam War film, Da 5 Bloods, and how little has changed for African Americans to this day. On this week's screen panel, Kathleen Newman-Bremang and Constance Grady discuss how the protests against police brutality have forced TV writers and producers to rethink their depiction of law enforcement on …

Phil’s guest on this episode of the IT Career Energizer podcast is Dan Shappir. He has been involved in software development for more than 25 years, having worked in a variety of different roles including engineer, team lead, architect, and chief technical officer. Dan is currently the performance tech lead at Wix.com where he focuses on making the…

The full show--less Friday Flashback 9 @ 9 pm. Enjoy!

On this week's gem Joe and Zane welcome the dynamic duo from LA, Michael J. Epstein and Sophia Cacciola! Talk about a list of projects these two have quite and impressive catalog; if you looking for repetitiveness, well you aren't going to find it with them. Michael and Sophia chatted with the boys straight from the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon…

New York painter Darryl Westly shares his experience joining the protests against racism and police brutality. Pianist Michael Shand talks about virtually accompanying Keedron Bryant, the 12-year-old boy who went viral for his protest song inspired by George Floyd's death. Grammy Award-winning R&B legend Brandy discusses the themes of her forthcomi…

Actor, singer and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt star Tituss Burgess discusses how his music is helping spread positivity and calling listeners to action in times of crisis. Deadpan comedian Tom Henry talks about his new stand-up special, 66 Jokes, in which he somehow manages to share his hilarious and absurd thoughts without ever even breaking into a s…

Artist Cadex Herrera talks about memorializing George Floyd with a huge mural located at the intersection where Floyd died at the hands of police. Famed choreographer Ryan Heffington tells us how he's making modern dance accessible by offering free online dance classes that Vogue has called "a revolution from his living room." Our books columnist, …

In this special edition of the q This music panel, freelance music journalist A. Harmony and CBC arts reporter Lisa Christiansen talk about Blackout Tuesday and #TheShowMustBePaused — a call for the music industry to stop everyday operations on June 2 in protest of systemic racism and police brutality. Musicologist Dr. Tammy L. Kernodle helps us ex…

Rapper and singer TOBi talks about joining forces with Shad, Haviah Mighty and Jazz Cartier for the remix of his song 24 — a blistering take on the inequalities faced by young black people in Toronto. Rapper Shad discusses his verse on TOBi's song 24 (Toronto Remix) and reflects on the protests that have erupted across the world following the death…