Best Toronto Public Library Podcasts (2025)

1
Adam Silverstein, "Haman" (Princeton UP, 2025) 37:32

1h ago37:32

37:32

Haman, infamous as the antagonist in the book of Esther, appears as a villainous figure in virtually all varieties of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In this “biography” of Haman (Princeton UP, 2025), Dr. Adam Silverstein traces the evolution of this villainous character from the ancient Near East to modern times, drawing on sources in a variety …

1
Ali Anooshahr, "Slavery in the Early Mughal World: The Life and Thoughts of Jawhar Aftabachi (1520s–1580s)" (Oxford UP, 2025) 54:05

1h ago54:05

54:05

Jawhar Aftabachi was enslaved as a child by the Ottomans in the Black Sea region in the early sixteenth century. He was then sold to the Ottoman admiral Selman Reis, who took him with his fleet to Egypt and Yemen during his wars with the Portuguese; carried, after the admiral's death, by the admiral's nephew Mustafa Bayram to Gujarat on the western…

1
Confusion for BC Cons 10:18

1d ago10:18

10:18

The leader of the BC Conservatives, John Rustad says he's not going anywhere. His party says they've voted in a new leader and Rustad is out. We hear from Rob Shaw about a very confusing day in British Columbia politics.

1
Are AI toys safe for your kids? 23:05

1d ago23:05

23:05

Imagine your toddler playing with a soft teddy bear, but with ChatGPT baked in. These AI toys can chat to your kid, play games, and even say ‘I love you.’ But as more of them hit the market, experts are warning that we don’t know how they will impact a child’s creativity and social development — while a recent report found that one toy was able to …

1
How sustainable is the Buy Canadian movement? 20:02

1d ago20:02

20:02

Buying Canadian has been top of mind this year — but some people are warning that it might not survive the holiday season. With the cost of living crisis and holiday expenses, some research suggests people do want to buy Canadian — but don't always follow through with their wallet. We speak with a couple local business owners about how impactful th…

1
Why are these firefighters recreating a Twilight scene? 11:42

1d ago11:42

11:42

Volunteer firefighters on Pender Island, B.C. are getting plenty of attention for some of their fire safety videos that have remade an iconic scene from the film Twilight to get their message across. We speak with Todd Bulled, the volunteer firefighter behind the videos about where the inspiration came from.…

1
Death toll climbs from deadly floods across Indonesia 10:05

1d ago10:05

10:05

There’s been at least 16 storms since the start of the year across Asia. Most recently a series of cyclones, monsoons and floods have killed more than 1,000 people in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Hundreds are still missing, hundreds of thousands are displaced, and several million are impacted. We speak with Lesthia Kertopati, senior journalis…

1
Alexander Cooley and Alexander Dukalskis, "Dictating the Agenda: The Authoritarian Resurgence in World Politics" (Oxford UP, 2025) 1:06:12

2d ago1:06:12

1:06:12

Following the end of the Cold War, the world experienced a remarkable wave of democratization. Over the next two decades, numerous authoritarian regimes transitioned to democracies, and it seemed that authoritarianism as a political model was fading. But as recent events have shown, things have clearly changed. In Dictating the Agenda: The Authorit…

1
Grist for the mill… 9:23

2d ago9:23

9:23

We grow a lot of wheat in Canada and export most of it. Could we do more value-added processing here? In central Alberta, that's the hope as a new flour mill gets built south of Red Deer.

1
Cheaper weight loss drugs “gamechanger” for Canadians 19:48

2d ago19:48

19:48

Generic GLP1-1s are set to come to Canada next year — significantly lowering the price. What will this mean for people's lives and health? With as many as ten per cent of Canadian adults on these drugs — we look at how consumer spending is changing.

1
Scott Galloway’s operating manual for being a man today 24:32

2d ago24:32

24:32

Podcaster, professor and entrepreneur Scott Galloway believes young men are struggling with feelings of alienation, loneliness, and failure. And that's a danger to all of us, especially when they buy into the dangerous rhetoric they hear online. We talk to him about his new book, Notes on Being a Man, what he's learned from his own life, and why th…

1
What 1,000 steel layoffs mean for Sault Ste. Marie 15:54

2d ago15:54

15:54

Algoma Steel has announced 1,000 layoffs in the coming months even though it received millions of dollars in taxpayer dollars. We talk to the Union president Bill Slater, and Mayor Matthew Shoemaker to discuss what happens next in the community.

1
Brooke Barbier, "King Hancock: The Radical Influence of a Moderate Founding Father" (Harvard UP, 2023) 49:32

3d ago49:32

49:32

King Hancock: The Radical Influence of a Moderate Founding Father (Harvard UP, 2023) is a rollicking portrait of the paradoxical patriot, whose measured pragmatism helped make American independence a reality. Americans are surprisingly more familiar with his famous signature than with the man himself. In this spirited account of John Hancock's life…

1
Thousands of criminal cases dismissed because Jordan rule 19:48

3d ago19:48

19:48

The Supreme Court is set to hear a case about the time limits it placed on criminal trials in 2016. Victims who watched those they accused walk free are demanding change — and justice. But a criminal defence lawyer says governments need to fix the justice system, not violate the rights of the accused.…

1
Why are more kids missing school? 19:57

3d ago19:57

19:57

Exclusive data collected by CBC shows absenteeism from school is on the rise in Canada, but why are kids missing school? Parents and researchers say it's hard to know for sure, but youth mental health and a lack of support for different learning needs at school is part of the problem.

1
What's driving Gen Z's return to Christianity? 24:23

3d ago24:23

24:23

Christian churches across Canada say more young people are turning to faith — reversing a decades long trend. Current producer Juliana Konrad wanted to find out why and talked to young people, church leaders, and experts about why Gen Z is turning to Christianity — and what it says about what it means to be young today and face an uncertain future.…

1
Dennis Deletant, "In Search of Romania" (Hurst, 2022) 53:25

4d ago53:25

53:25

The imposition of Communist ideology was a misfortune for millions in Eastern Europe, but never for Dennis Deletant. Instead, it drew him to Romania. The renowned historian’s association with the country and its people dates back to 1965, when he first visited. Since then, Romania has made Dennis appreciate the value of shrewd dissimulation, in the…

1
Mark Carney’s energy gamble 19:09

4d ago19:09

19:09

Our National Affairs Panel gets you caught up on all the latest politics. Rosemary Barton, CBC's Chief Political Correspondent, Stephanie Levitz, the Globe and Mail's Senior Reporter in the Ottawa bureau and Ryan Tumilty a political reporter with the Toronto Star join host Matt Galloway.

1
ALS patient dies alone after paying $84K US to a Sask. facility 17:07

4d ago17:07

17:07

A 70 year old American woman — died alone in a Montana hospital Susie Silvestri put her home up for sale so she could afford to come to a private, unregulated health centre in Moose Jaw. She eventually was forced to flee Canada after falling through gaps in Saskatchewan’s health care system. The CBC’s investigative reporter Geoff Leo shares Susie’s…

1
What can brain phases tell us about our stage of life? 10:24

4d ago10:24

10:24

Scientists have discovered our brain organizes itself differently based on different life stages, with some stages working more efficiently than others. A new study from the University of Cambridge identified five main brain "eras" - child, adolescent, adult, early ageing, and late ageing. We speak with the lead author of the study to find out more…

1
If flying is miserable, who's to blame? 21:28

4d ago21:28

21:28

Is it the airlines? The airports? The regulators? Or us? U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is urging airplane passengers to dress and behave better to bring back the "golden age" of travel.

1
Resource Library - The Evolution of Podcasting 1:04:40

4d ago1:04:40

1:04:40

Summary In this episode, Vince Quinn discusses the evolution of podcasting, his journey from radio to podcasting, and the importance of strategy and data for small business owners looking to leverage podcasts for growth. He emphasizes the need for a clear business plan, audience engagement, and the role of AI in streamlining processes. Vince also s…

1
Chris Yogerst, "The Warner Brothers" (UP of Kentucky, 2023) 1:07:36

7d ago1:07:36

1:07:36

One of the oldest and most recognizable studios in Hollywood, Warner Bros. is considered a juggernaut of the entertainment industry. Since its formation in the early twentieth century, the studio has been a constant presence in cinema history, responsible for the creation of acclaimed films, blockbuster brands, and iconic superstars. In The Warner …

1
Sarah Ruden, "Vergil: The Poet's Life" (Yale UP, 2023) 1:05:35

7d ago1:05:35

1:05:35

The Aeneid stands as a towering work of Classical Roman literature and a gripping dramatization of the best and worst of human nature. In the process of creating this epic poem, Vergil (70–19 BCE) became a living legend. But the real Vergil is a shadowy figure; we know that he was born into a modest rural family, that he led a private and solitary …

1
How the giant heads of Easter Island “walked” 13:14

7d ago13:14

13:14

We might be getting closer to understanding how those giant heads on Easter Island ended up there — and no, it’s not aliens! Instead they may have “walked” with the help of ropes. We speak with Carl Lipo, professor of anthropology at Binghamton University in New York, and Terry Hunt, professor of anthropology at the University of Arizona. They have…

1
What’s behind Quebec’s sweeping secularism bill 11:08

7d ago11:08

11:08

The Quebec government tabled a new secularism legislation that would impose strict rules about religious expression in public. This comes on top of the current ban of religious symbols worn by teachers, judges and police officers. The province says the changes will ensure equality, but religious groups argue the opposite is happening. We speak with…

1
Ottawa and Alberta's pipeline memorandum 19:54

7d ago19:54

19:54

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith were all smiles in Calgary on Thursday as they inked an energy deal that promises a new era of cooperation.The memorandum of understanding is aimed at clearing a path toward a new oil pipeline from Alberta to the west coast and Asian markets.That path gets rocky in British Columbia. We s…

1
Could deep brain stimulation be a cure for depression? 22:54

7d ago22:54

22:54

Toronto journalist Anna Mehler Paperny had experimental surgery that placed electrodes in her brain in the exact location neurologists believe could be the source of her depression. She's part of a clinical study out of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre that uses deep brain stimulation to treat mood disorders. She speaks about the procedure and her…

1
Jonathan Eig, "King: A Life" (FSG, 2023) 39:22

8d ago39:22

39:22

Vividly written and exhaustively researched, Jonathan Eig's King: A Life (FSG, 2023) is the first major biography in decades of the civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr.--and the first to include recently declassified FBI files. In this revelatory new portrait of the preacher and activist who shook the world, the bestselling biographer gives us …

1
Bob Rae: "The world is turning upside down" 24:07

8d ago24:07

24:07

The veteran politician says we are living through a time of upheaval, but he still has hope, as he leaves his post at the United Nations. "If I fall into pessimism or cynicism, then all I'm doing is basically giving up the space to the people who I know would like to do bad things."

1
Raccoons: Pests or Pets 18:20

8d ago18:20

18:20

For many, the raccoon is a pest, a pesky critter getting into your garbage, your attic, anywhere it doesn't belong. But for some these little trash pandas are pets, not pests. Turns out there's new science to support the idea that raccoons are moving towards domestication. Hear from a raccoon owner about the joys of raising these wild creatures - a…

1
The literary icon who isn't Indigenous after all 19:23

8d ago19:23

19:23

Thomas King was one of Canada's best-known Indigenous writers. But it turns out he is not Indigenous at all. His books, including The Inconvenient Indian and Green Grass, Running Water were critically acclaimed and taught in schools. We speak to Anishnaabe writer and humourist Drew Hayden Taylor who considers Thomas King a friend and mentor, and sc…

1
What to know about the deadly fire in Hong Kong 8:06

8d ago8:06

8:06

Firefighters in Hong Kong battled a deadly blaze for a second day today. At least 65 people are confirmed dead, but there may be hundreds still missing. The Wang Fuk Court public housing complex is home to nearly 5000 people. Three construction company employees have been arrested for manslaughter. We speak with James Griffiths, the Asia correspond…

1
Treena Orchard, "Sticky, Sexy, Sad: Swipe Culture and the Darker Side of Dating Apps" (Aevo, U Toronto Press, 2024) 40:57

9d ago40:57

40:57

In this NBN episode, host Hollay Ghadery speaks with Treena Orchard about her memoir, Sticky, Sexy, Sad: Swipe Culture and the Darker Side of Dating Apps (Aevo, U Toronto Press, 2024). Jane Goodall meets Carrie Bradshaw in Sticky, Sexy, Sad – an insightful, empowering memoir by an anthropologist who lays her own life bare as she explores the cultur…

1
Christina Cecelia Davidson, "Dominican Crossroads: H.C.C. Astwood and the Moral Politics of Race-Making in the Age of Emancipation" (Duke UP, 2024) 40:44

9d ago40:44

40:44

H. C. C. Astwood: minister and missionary, diplomat and politician, enigma in the annals of US history. In Dominican Crossroads: H.C.C. Astwood and the Moral Politics of Race-Making in the Age of Emancipation (Duke UP, 2024), Christina Cecelia Davidson explores Astwood’s extraordinary and complicated life and career. Born in 1844 in the British Car…

1
Russia holds cards in Ukraine peace deal 19:36

9d ago19:36

19:36

As Washington continues to negotiate between Ukraine and Russia, a Ukrainian MP hopes diplomacy can end the war and secure his country's future. But a Russia watcher says getting Putin to lay down his arms won't be easy.

1
Jim Balsillie's prescription for Canadian business 24:31

9d ago24:31

24:31

He built a global company from Waterloo, Ont. and he says more Canadian businesses could do the same, if they didn't keep making the same strategic mistake. The former co-CEO or Research in Motion argues Canadian businesses and policy-makers aren't doing enough to create and protect its intellectual property — and that's holding us back more than t…

1
How ChatGPT drove this man to psychosis 24:25

9d ago24:25

24:25

When Allan Brooks opened ChatGPT to help his son with a simple question, he didn’t expect the conversation to turn dark. But over three weeks, he says the chatbot fed into a growing delusion – telling him “You are not crazy. You are ahead.” and urging him not to “walk away” from what it framed as a world-changing discovery. The experience left Alla…

1
The extortion threats facing B.C’s South Asian community 19:30

10d ago19:30

19:30

There’s fear and frustration in Surrey, BC..The city is facing a wave of violent extortion threats that have been gripping the province for the last two years. We speak with CBC’s Sohrab Sandhu about how the community is feeling. B.C. RCMP Assistant Commissioner John Brewer talks about whether law enforcement is doing enough and criminologist Wade …

1
What's the best way to manage grizzly bears? 14:09

10d ago14:09

14:09

A grizzly bear attacked a school group in a remote Indigenous community in central B.C. last week — and it brought to light an ongoing debate about what the best way to manage and co-exist with grizzly bears is. Some think hunting should be allowed back on the table — others say there's ways to co-exist with bears safely without resorting to killin…

1
Ryan Wedding: From champion snowboarder to FBI's most wanted 11:32

10d ago11:32

11:32

Ryan Wedding is now at the centre of one of the biggest international crime investigations in the world. He's wanted in connection with multiple drug and conspiracy crimes, including ordering and orchestrating murder. He's one of the FBI's most wanted criminals and there's a reward of up to $10 million US for any information that could help catch h…

1
Why Bill McKibben thinks solar energy could save the world 20:42

10d ago20:42

20:42

For decades Bill McKibben has been warning the world about the risks of climate change. But his latest book is surprisingly hopeful, even if he does think it's too late to save the world from climate change. "Here Comes The Sun" documents the remarkable growth of solar power — and the dramatic drop in its cost. He joins us for a conversation about …

1
Searching for Fela Kuti 26:55

11d ago26:55

26:55

Jad Abumrad’s new podcast, Fela Kuti: Fear No Man, digs into Fela Kuti’s life, the good and the bad because he not only pioneered Afrobeat and pushed against the impacts of colonialism but he was also a deeply complicated and flawed man who left a wake of inspiration and trauma.

1
"Lentil King" wants Canadian businesses to think bigger 23:20

11d ago23:20

23:20

Murad al-Katib started his pulse crop business in his basement. Now it's worth $3B a year and in 120 countries. At a time when many Canadian businesses are trying to diversify their markets, and get into value-added manufacturing, al-Katib's company AGT has actually done it. He's built rail infrastructure, manufacturing businesses, and partnerships…

1
Alberta opts for a public-private health-care system 19:14

11d ago19:14

19:14

Alberta says allowing doctors to work in the public system and bill patients privately will shorten wait times for everyone, while keeping costs down. But critics — including many Alberta doctors — say the plan will make care worse for everyone.

1
Resource Library - Unlocking the Secrets of Public Relations 52:54

11d ago52:54

52:54

Summary In this episode of the Koyoti Small Business Podcast, host Thomas speaks with Laura Perkes from PR Worth Perks about the intricacies of public relations. They discuss the evolution of PR, the importance of building relationships with journalists, and when small businesses should start considering PR. Laura shares her journey from agency wor…

1
Emma Heaney, "This Watery Place: Four Essays on Gestation" (Pluto Press UK, 2025) 1:15:49

12d ago1:15:49

1:15:49

What does it feel like to experience your body cleaving into two while public discussion of reproductive healthcare centers around the viability line: the fantasized moment when a fetus could feasibly be extracted from a uterus? What happens to the psychology of parents who spend years scrolling through photographs of children crushed in war while …

1
Adam Jones, "Sites of Genocide" (Routledge, 2022) 1:11:41

12d ago1:11:41

1:11:41

Adam Jones will be familiar to anyone interested in the field of genocide studies. He's published one of the leading textbooks in the field. He's been influential in drawing attention to the intersection of gender and mass violence. And he's particpated in the emergence of attention to genocides of indigenous peoples over the past decade. Sites of …

1
How did Louise Penny predict the future in her new book? 33:47

13d ago33:47

33:47

Louise Penny’s new novel explores a sinister plot to make Canada the 51st state, but she’s keen to point out that she wrote it before Donald Trump was re-elected as U.S. president. She spoke with Matt Galloway live on stage at the Haskell Free Library — right on the U.S.-Canada border — about life imitating art, and why she cancelled her U.S. book …

1
David Chanoff, "Anthony Benezet: Quaker, Abolitionist, Anti-Racist" (U Georgia Press, 2025) 46:50

13d ago46:50

46:50

Wilberforce, Clarkson, Wesley. Britain’s great abolitionist activist Granville Sharp. Each of these consequential figures of the eighteenth-century Atlantic world were galvanized by the moral power of a modest Quaker teacher who never ventured more than a few miles from his home in Philadelphia: Anthony Benezet. While Benezet was buried in an unmar…

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