Best Poets Ers Podcasts (2023)

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
Danis Goulet: Endangered languages on screen, drawing inspiration from the horror genre, and the end of Reservation Dogs 24:58

4h ago24:58

24:58

What's it like working on a show with near universal acclaim? Danis Goulet is a Cree-Métis film and television maker who has first-hand experience with that after working on the beloved series “Reservation Dogs.” She talks about the show’s place in her career, watching it end on its own terms, and the wider legacy it leaves behind.…

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
Jann Arden: Confronting family history, writing through hardship, and her first novel The Bittlemores 21:36

4h ago21:36

21:36

Most know Jann Arden as one of Canada's most successful singer-songwriters, who captured the hearts of fans with her smooth voice and landmark record “Living Under June.” But for more than a decade, she's been following another dream – writing a novel. That dream has finally been realised in her first book of fiction, “The Bittlemores.”…

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
Dolly Parton enters her “Rockstar” era + Alam Khan on building musical bridges 47:54

1d ago47:54

47:54

After building an empire as one of the most successful country artists of all time, Dolly Parton has released her first-ever album of rock songs. She talks to Tom about the inspiration behind her new album “Rockstar,” earning a place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and why she’s never scared to try something new. Plus, Alam Khan talks about follow…

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
Jinkx Monsoon and BenDeLaCreme: The art of drag, their creative collaboration, and creating a sense of community at their shows 31:17

2d ago31:17

31:17

Drag superstars Jinkx Monsoon and BenDeLaCreme are in the middle of a tour for their internationally acclaimed “The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show.” Ahead of their stop in Toronto, Jinkx and DeLa join Tom in studio to talk about the holiday specials that inspired them, how they build a sense of safety and community at their shows, and what keeps them co…

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
Hilario Durán: Cuban music, playing with some of the most influential figures in jazz, and his new big band album 18:47

2d ago18:47

18:47

Hilario Durán, the Juno-winning and National Jazz Award-winning pianist and bandleader, is back with his first big band record in 17 years. Hilario joins Tom in the Q studio to talk about the new album, titled “Cry Me a River”. He also tells Tom about his musical journey from growing up in Havana to playing with some of the most influential figures…

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
How Blue Rodeo got big by going small on Five Days in July + why you have Drake to thank for new k-os music 50:15

5d ago50:15

50:15

On the 30th anniversary of Blue Rodeo’s best selling album “Five Days in July,” bandmates Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor join Tom to recall how they found refuge in Greg’s Ontario farmhouse to create a Canadian masterpiece.Plus, k-os celebrates the 17th anniversary of his hit album “Atlantis: Hymns for Disco” by releasing a brand new song to add to his …

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
Linton Kwesi Johnson: Dub poetry, the Black Panther Party, and poetry as a ‘cultural weapon’ 24:41

6d ago24:41

24:41

Linton Kwesi Johnson is one of the greatest poets of the modern era. His uncompromising political verse infused with reggae has influenced many people, and helped chronicle the lived experience of Black Britain for decades. This year, Linton has published a selection of his prose from the 1970s to 2021, titled “Time Come.” He joins Tom to talk abou…

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
Tarralik Duffy: Pop art, finding beauty in unexpected places, and Gasoline Rainbows 19:18

6d ago19:18

19:18

Jerry cans, bottles of soy sauce, and canned meats — these are just some of the everyday objects portrayed in Tarralik Duffy’s latest exhibit, “Gasoline Rainbows.” The multidisciplinary Inuk artist tells guest host Saroja Coelho about finding beauty in everyday objects, the unexpected ways we remember “home,” and how her art connects her to her anc…

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
How Taika Waititi finds comedy in the mundane + new hip-hop out of Nova Scotia with Kayo 37:31

7d ago37:31

37:31

New Zealand’s Taika Waititi is prolific if nothing else. As an actor, he’s played roles from an endearing vampire in “What We Do in the Shadows,” to Adolf Hitler in his film “Jojo Rabbit.” Taika’s new film, “Next Goal Wins,” takes you to American Samoa and the attempt to turn the worst team in soccer around. Tom talks to Taika about what drew him t…

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
Tim Meadows: Saturday Night Live, Dream Scenario, and memories of Norm Macdonald 34:08

8d ago34:08

34:08

Tim Meadows (Mean Girls, The Ladies Man, The Goldbergs) is an actor, comedian and writer who was on "Saturday Night Live" from 1991-2000, making him one of the show's longest-running cast members. Tim tells Tom about his latest project, “Dream Scenario,” co-starring alongside Nicolas Cage, and some of his favourite memories of working on “SNL.” Plu…

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
Good Kid: Making music as computer programmers, the life changing power of Fortnite, and how to navigate music in 2023 19:47

8d ago19:47

19:47

Good Kid are a band of computer programmers who are changing the way fans communicate online. Nick Frosst and Jacob Tsafatinos from the band join Tom to talk about the intersection between computer programming and music, creating a community with their fans on Discord, and making their music available to use royalty free on Twitch.…

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
Dan Wilson: Closing Time, Semisonic, and learning to be himself again 35:11

9d ago35:11

35:11

After writing songs for the likes of Adele and The Chicks, Dan Wilson has returned to his band Semisonic to make their first album in more than 20 years. Dan tells Tom about Semisonic’s breakout hit “Closing Time,” how it felt to get the band back together, and what it’s been like to write smash hits for other artists.…

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
Zabrina Douglas: Being a comic and an ER nurse, getting that first big laugh, and coping with anxiety 16:06

9d ago16:06

16:06

Zabrina Douglas is a full-time nurse and mother of five who started doing stand-up comedy to help with her intense anxiety. She talks to guest host Saroja Coelho about the shock of being nominated for comedy album of the year at the 2023 Juno Awards, and what she did to prepare for her newest live comedy special, “Nurse on Nights.”…

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
Edgar Wright: Scott Pilgrim, his love for Canada, and his best advice for filmmakers 32:36

12d ago32:36

32:36

Edgar Wright (Baby Driver, Shaun of the Dead) talks to Tom about “Scott Pilgrim Takes Off,” a new animated spin-off of his beloved film “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.” Plus, he tells us what it’s been like to watch the cast of that movie go on to build massive careers, and where he draws his directorial inspiration from.…

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
Bobbi Summers: I Hate People, People Hate Me, dark comedy, and feeling like an outsider 15:49

12d ago15:49

15:49

Canadian alt-comic Bobbi Summers is the star and creator of the new CBC series “I Hate People, People Hate Me.” The show follows best friends Jovi and Tabitha as they struggle to find purpose in their lives. Bobbi talks to guest host Saroja Coelho about how his own life inspired the series, how he went from being a recording artist in L.A. to makin…

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
Geddy Lee: His 'effin' life' and the Rush show he'll never forget 42:54

13d ago42:54

42:54

Rush frontman and bassist Geddy Lee talks to Tom about his memoir, “My Effin’ Life.” He discusses his experience as the son of Holocaust survivors, dropping out of high school, and what he remembers about the late Neil Peart’s audition to be the band’s drummer. Watch us on YouTube

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
Anne Michaels: Held, how she knows she’s finished writing a book, and the unexpected reason she’s so private 32:30

14d ago32:30

32:30

Anne Michaels is an award-winning Canadian poet and novelist who just published her long-awaited third novel, “Held.” The story spans 115 years and deals in themes familiar to her work: history, grief and the power of love. Anne tells Tom why it took nearly 15 years to write the novel, why she’s so interested in writing about war, and why she choos…

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
Jeff Tweedy: Cousin, writing songs about tragedy, and how Wilco’s creative process is an act of discovery 25:32

14d ago25:32

25:32

The beloved alt-rock band Wilco has just released their latest record, “Cousin.” Frontman Jeff Tweedy talks to Tom about his creative process, why he doesn’t want to perform a song he wrote about mass shootings in front of an audience, and why he doesn’t feel beholden to his past music when writing new songs.…

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
Metric: Finding their sound, performing with Lou Reed, and Formentera II 34:29

15d ago34:29

34:29

Twenty years ago, Metric burst onto the scene with an undeniably infectious album called “Old World Underground, Where Are You Now?” Metric’s Emily Haines and Jimmy Shaw tell Tom about the early days of the band, their unlikely hit that changed everything, and their new album, “Formentera II.”

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
d4vd: his new EP, making music in a closet, and how the first concert he went to was his own 19:28

15d ago19:28

19:28

In just a few years, d4vd went from making music in his sister’s closet to performing in arenas around the world. d4vd talks to Tom about growing up homeschooled, how a copyright strike led to him making his own music, and how the first concert he’d ever gone to was his own.

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
Elliot Page on his memoir + Charlotte Cardin performs in the Q studio 47:57

16d ago47:57

47:57

Elliot Page (Juno, Inception, The Umbrella Academy) sits down with Tom to talk about his memoir, “Pageboy,” how finally writing his story helped him heal from years of having to hide his true self, and what brings him joy now that he’s living openly as a trans man. Plus, Juno Award-winning singer-songwriter Charlotte Cardin tells Tom what happens w…

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
Majid Jordan: Good People, writing a hit with Drake, and the importance of staying grounded 31:46

19d ago31:46

31:46

The duo Majid Jordan met while studying at the University of Toronto and quickly realised they had a creative kinship. Not long after, the two were signed to Drake’s record label OVO Sound and started touring the world, touted as the next big thing. Majid Jordan’s new album, “Good People,” is out now. They joined Tom to talk about writing a hit son…

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
Aaron Jackson & Josh Sharp: Dicks: The Musical, writing lyrics for Megan Thee Stallion, and absurdity in queer cinema 20:02

19d ago20:02

20:02

Aaron Jackson and Josh Sharp are the creators and stars of the most absurd and raunchy movie to hit theatres this year, “Dicks: The Musical.” It’s a profane spoof of the movie “The Parent Trap,” based on a show that Aaron and Josh created while they were young improv comedians with the Upright Citizens Brigade in New York. They talk to Tom about co…

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
Sandra Caldwell: Running away from home at 13, the New York ballroom scene, and living openly as a trans woman 36:21

20d ago36:21

36:21

“The Guide to Being Fabulous” is the new play created by and starring the stage and screen actor Sandra Caldwell. It follows her journey, including the glamorous and gritty parts that led her to becoming the successful artist she is today. But within Sandra’s story of artistry is her fear that her identity as a trans woman would be discovered. She …

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
DJ Shadow: Endtroducing....., Action Adventure, and the joy of digging for records 31:27

21d ago31:27

31:27

Since the ‘90s, DJ Shadow has been known for his scratching, sampling and crowd-inciting beats. The musician and producer’s 1996 debut album, “Endtroducing.....” is considered one of the best albums of all time. Now, nearly 30 years later, he’s releasing a new album, called “Action Adventure.” DJ Shadow talks to Tom about what it felt like to put o…

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
The Glorious Sons: Glory, proving the music industry wrong, and writing songs about real people 22:10

21d ago22:10

22:10

In just a handful of years, The Glorious Sons have gone from playing dirty rock clubs to sold out arenas all across Canada. Band members and brothers Brett and Jay Emmons tell Tom about their latest album, “Glory,” how the band came to be, and how criticism can be motivating.

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
Why Roy Wood Jr. doesn't want to be host of The Daily Show + Classified shares new music 46:37

22d ago46:37

46:37

You might know Roy Wood Jr. from his time as a correspondent on “The Daily Show.” But for years, Roy has honed his comedy as a travelling stand-up comic. This month, he headlines the Just for Laughs Comedy Tour, with shows across Canada from St. John’s to Victoria. Roy drops by the studio to talk to Tom about his life in comedy, why it was time for…

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
Broadway legend Patti LuPone + British singer-songwriter Jorja Smith 50:28

23d ago50:28

50:28

Patti LuPone is one of the most decorated Broadway performers of our time. Ahead of bringing her show “Don’t Monkey with Broadway” to Toronto, she joins Tom Power for a career-spanning interview that ranges from her early years to the state of Broadway today. British singer-songwriter Jorja Smith is back with her sophomore album, “Falling or Flying…

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
Kevin Drew: Broken Social Scene, his early days in Toronto, and his new album Aging 32:12

26d ago32:12

32:12

Broken Social Scene’s co-founder Kevin Drew has just released his third solo record, “Aging” – a project all about love, loss and grief. Kevin joins Tom Power to reflect on his early days in Toronto, how he looks back on the success of Broken Social Scene, and what inspired him to dedicate an entire record to aging.…

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
Reneé Rapp: The relationship between confidence and self-doubt, why music has always been her passion, and her album Snow Angel 17:47

26d ago17:47

17:47

While dreaming of pop stardom, Reneé Rapp built a resume that most performers dream of. She made her Broadway debut at nineteen in the Mean Girls musical, and starred in Mindy Kaling’s HBO series “The Sex Lives of College Girls.” But these days, she’s bringing her focus back to her original passion: music. Reneé speaks with guest host Talia Schlang…

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
Rick Mercer: Highlights from his hit TV show, imposter syndrome, and his new memoir 27:29

27d ago27:29

27:29

Canadian comedian and television personality Rick Mercer is back with the highly anticipated follow-up to his first memoir, “Talking to Canadians.” Rick’s new memoir is called “The Road Years” and it features stories and behind-the-scenes moments from some of the most iconic episodes of the hit CBC show “Rick Mercer Report.” Rick speaks with Tom Po…

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
TALK: Opening for Shania Twain, his hit debut single, and the pressures that come with viral success 16:43

27d ago16:43

16:43

Musician TALK has been called one of the most exciting new voices to come out of Canada in a long time. He’s currently on tour with Shania Twain, and is about to release his debut album, “Lord of the Flies & Birds & Bees.” Ahead of that release, he joins Talia Schlanger in studio to speak about the runaway success of his debut single “Run Away to M…

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
Oscar-winning screenwriter Diablo Cody + Poet and illustrator Hana Shafi 42:06

28d ago42:06

42:06

Diablo Cody was only 29 when she won an Oscar for her first screenplay, “Juno”, catapulting her to celebrity status as a Hollywood screenwriter. Now, she’s adapted the Alanis Morissette album “Jagged Little Pill” for the stage. Diablo Cody speaks with Tom Power about why that album works so well as a musical theatre show, and how the music of Alani…

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
Canadian supermodel Linda Evangelista + Celina SpookyBoo’s thrilling new audio series 41:59

29d ago41:59

41:59

At the height of her fame in the 1990s, Canadian supermodel Linda Evangelista was one of the most famous women on the planet. Now, a new book called “Linda Evangelista Photographed by Steven Meisel” documents her incredible career. Linda speaks with guest host Talia Schlanger about her decades-long collaboration with the American photographer Steve…

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
Remembering Matthew Perry 35:33

1M ago35:33

35:33

“Friends” star Matthew Perry, the Emmy-nominated actor whose sarcastic but lovable character Chandler Bing was among the most famous and most quotable on television, has died at 54. Last year, he joined Tom for a live on-stage interview to talk about his memoir, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing.” Matthew shared his incredible story of s…

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
Sasha Leigh Henry: Why Bria Mack Gets A Life is a weird Canadian TV show 20:50

1M ago20:50

20:50

Sasha Leigh Henry is a Canadian director and producer whose new comedy series, “Bria Mack Gets A Life,” follows the story of a 25-year-old Black woman who is navigating adulthood in a predominantly white world. Sasha talks to Tom about writing a show partly based on her own life experiences and making “weird” Canadian comedy.…

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
Iconic drag queen Sasha Velour + Rêve on her new song Saturn Return 48:33

1M ago48:33

48:33

After an unforgettable final lip sync to Whitney Houston’s “So Emotional” in 2017, Sasha Velour was crowned the Season 9 winner of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” That performance went down in drag history and was even parodied on “SNL” two years later. Sasha’s latest book, “The Big Reveal: An Illustrated Manifesto of Drag,” chronicles drag’s history, interw…

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
Justine Triet: Anatomy of a Fall, being the third woman to win a Palme d’Or, and the future of French cinema 22:44

1M ago22:44

22:44

Acclaimed French director Justine Triet joins Tom to discuss her new film, “Anatomy of a Fall,” which was this year’s Palme d’Or winner. Set against the backdrop of a courtroom, the film puts the intimate details of a marriage on trial when a woman is charged with the murder of her husband after he falls to his death in their home.…

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
Bobby Rush: Touring during segregation, B.B. King, and winning his first Grammy at 83 26:42

1M ago26:42

26:42

Bobby Rush grew up in the cotton fields of Louisiana, going on to play the blues alongside the likes of Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and B.B. King. Despite writing big hits like “Chicken Heads” and putting out music for decades, he only got his first Grammy at age 83. Now, at 89, Bobby is back with a new record, “All My Love For You.” He tells Tom ab…

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
Steve Albini on Nirvana’s In Utero + Caroline Brooks of Good Lovelies 47:47

1M ago47:47

47:47

This month is the 30th anniversary of Nirvana’s multi-platinum final album, “In Utero.” Released months before the death of lead singer Kurt Cobain, “In Utero” was the last musical statement from one of the biggest bands in the world at the time. The producer of the album was Steve Albini, who was sought out by Kurt himself as Nirvana wanted the re…

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
Julia Fox: Being a dominatrix, Uncut Gems, and feeling “born ready” to be famous 36:05

1M ago36:05

36:05

Julia Fox is the artist, actor and fashion icon who shot to fame after starring alongside Adam Sandler in “Uncut Gems.” Now, she’s sharing her story in her memoir, “Down the Drain,” which is a candid retelling of her journey with addiction, abuse and fame. Julia tells Tom about her childhood, how becoming a dominatrix changed her life for the bette…

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
Sam Roberts: His new alias, the 20th anniversary of We Were Born in a Flame, and new music 13:42

1M ago13:42

13:42

Sam Roberts tells Tom about his new album, “The Adventures of Ben Blank,” and reflects on the 20th anniversary of his hit debut record, “We Were Born in a Flame.”

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
Iain Reid: Foe, film adaptations of his books, and writing about relationships 24:47

1M ago24:47

24:47

The Canadian author Iain Reid writes electrifying, if unsettling, novels about what happens inside relationships. His first novel, “I’m Thinking of Ending Things,” was adapted for the screen by Charlie Kaufman. Now, his second novel, “Foe,” is coming out as a film, starring Saoirse Ronan and Paul Mescal. Iain wrote the screenplay himself. He talks …

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
Vivek Shraya: How to Fail as a Popstar, the pursuit of fame, and self-compassion 22:52

1M ago22:52

22:52

Vivek Shraya’s coming-of-age play and book “How to Fail as a Popstar” has been turned into a new series for CBC Gem. Vivek talks to Tom about adapting her autobiographical play for the screen, the power of failure, and how she still hopes this show will make her famous.

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
James Ehnes: Violin, the reality of being a child prodigy and why a great violinist should stay away from basketball 39:00

1M ago39:00

39:00

Grammy-winning violinist James Ehnes is one of the most sought-after musicians in the world. Ahead of his shows with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Order of Canada member violinist drops by the studio to tell Tom about his life in music and what it was like growing up as a child prodigy in Brandon, Manitoba.…

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
Tatiana Maslany: Butterfly Tale, voice acting, and the actors’ strike 23:00

1M ago23:00

23:00

Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black, She-Hulk, Stronger) has been keeping busy during the Hollywood actors’ strike, starring in a play and lending her voice to a new Canadian animated film called “Butterfly Tale.” Tatiana talks to Tom about her love of voice acting, why she wanted to get into acting in the first place, and what’s been on her mind during …

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
Alanis Morissette: Jagged Little Pill, music as medicine, and what she thinks happens when we die 39:37

1M ago39:37

39:37

In 2020, Alanis Morissette celebrated the 25th anniversary of her massive hit record “Jagged Little Pill.” She joined Tom to reflect on her evolution from her 21-year-old self to the mother of three she is today, and how her changing approach to writing about topics like anger and abuse can be heard on her album “Such Pretty Forks in the Road.”…

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
George Clinton: Funkadelic, James Brown and Kendrick Lamar 33:41

1M ago33:41

33:41

Ever since telling people to “Free Your Mind... and Your Ass Will Follow” in the late ‘60s, George Clinton’s P-Funk sound has influenced countless artists, including the likes of Prince, Snoop Dogg and Janelle Monáe. George is the mastermind behind groups like Funkadelic and Parliament, and he’s carved out a massive career in his own right. George …

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
Chappell Roan: The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, perseverance, and the freedom of drag 17:41

1M ago17:41

17:41

When she was just 17, Chappell Roan signed her first record deal with a major label and moved to Los Angeles. But when the deal fell through, she returned home to Missouri where she began soul searching and trying to figure out her next steps. Chappell talks to Tom about being discovered on YouTube, how she responded when she was dropped from her r…

Q

Q with Tom Power

1
Jada Pinkett Smith: Feeling unworthy, her friendship with Tupac, and the infamous Oscar slap 25:31

1M ago25:31

25:31

In her new memoir, “Worthy,” Jada Pinkett Smith opens up about her early days growing up as a drug dealer in Baltimore, her relationship with the late rapper Tupac Shakur, and her complex marriage with the actor Will Smith. Jada joins Tom to share how having parents who struggled with addiction impacted her self-worth, plus some other stories from …

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Poets Ers Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide