The Sunday Magazine

As a former cabinet minister, Chrystia Freeland was a central figure in Canada's negotiations with United States President Donald Trump. Now, while Prime Minister Mark Carney sees a rupture in the U.S.-led world order, Freeland isn't giving up on the possibility of a unified Western alliance to keep adversaries at bay. She makes her case for rebuilding it – with America included, and Canada playing a different role – in her new book Unreliable Boyfriend. Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with Freeland about her vision, her time in government with former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and her take on Carney's tack during the current trade war.

The celebrated Olympic athlete was rocked by menopause alongside a major knee injury. It set her on a path she didn't expect, including taking psychedelics and other drugs. Clara Hughes discusses how this experience led her to finally connect with and love her body and herself. Plus: Veteran journalist Carol Off explores how Canadians can embrace a renewed sense of national pride without slipping into the dangers of nationalism that have torn other countries apart.

A new study suggests the holiday will be 10 per cent more expensive this year. Retail analyst Bruce Winder and economist Jim Stanford break down how everything from war in the Middle East to tariffs are driving the high cost of living, and what – if anything – Ottawa can do to ease the pain. Plus: It's been 10 years since Medical Assistance in Dying became legal in Canada. As the federal government plans upcoming changes to its framework, Dr. Ramona Coelho and Dr. Stefanie Green reflect on MAID's legacy a decade on, and what they think its future should hold.

A student in Calgary, an electrician in Okotoks, and a new Canadian in Red Deer with a range of perspectives on the ballot questions talk about what's informing their decisions ahead of the big vote, and how they feel about building a future in Alberta – regardless of the referendum's results. Plus: Piya faces off against sports broadcaster Donnovan Bennett and Pemberton, B.C. listener Nina Morley in an all-new round of our monthly challenge, That's Puzzling!

Quebecers will choose their next provincial government on Monday. Polls have consistently shown the Parti Québécois leading, with a potential majority government in sight. A victory could bring their separation referendum promise to life – but is it what Quebecers want? La Presse Ottawa bureau chief Joël-Denis Bellavance and Le Devoir columnist Emilie Nicolas break down the stakes of the race ahead of voting day. Plus: The Atlantic Council's Victoria Taylor and The Economist's Gregg Carlstrom unpack what this past week's U.S. withdrawal from Iraq could mean for the country and the region at large.

Laugh, cry, and play along as Piya squares off against Alberta country music star Brett Kissel and Redcliff, Alta. listener Gail Thompson in our monthly battle of brain games devised by Edmonton-based puzzle master, Peter Brown.

Piya heads to the prairies in the run-up to October's referendum to hear how neighbors on either side of the separation question are bridging their divide, discover how Banff National Park serves as an example of just how messy a potential provincial breakup would be, and unpacks the potential stakes of immigration questions with affected communities and Alberta's minister in charge of that file

Our understanding of common phrases doesn’t always line up with what they originally meant. Writer and humourist Eli Burnstein helps us discover the true origins behind "carpe diem," "you are what you eat," and "ignorance is bliss"... and reflects on what we can learn by putting their historical, literary and philosophical contexts back in place. Plus: David Suzuki says he has done everything he could to protect the Earth, but fears he has fallen short. The environmental activist and broadcaster reflects on his nine decades on the planet he loves, and what he envisions for its future.

MPs head back to the House of Commons on Monday, with Canada embroiled in a trade war with the U.S. and a curious bond forming between our country and Europe. The Toronto Star's Tonda MacCharles, Politico's Nick Taylor-Vaisey and journalist and author Paul Wells break down the politics at play, both at home and abroad. Plus: After 30 years, the WNBA is making headlines. Is it for the right reasons? Veteran WNBA journalist Tamryn Spruill reflects on how far the league has come, and what conversations surrounding players Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham say about its place in culture today.

The 20th century fascism you know is over – and a decidedly modern version is taking its place. So say Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor. The writers and activists discuss how they see today's far right defined by tech billionaires, religious fundamentalists, and ethnonationalists, and their prescription for fighting the threat this movement poses to democracies. Plus: University of Toronto English professor Randy Boyagoda considers the future of civil discourse in higher education amid fraught campus politics.

It's been a big week in the trenches of the Canada-U.S. trade war. And Canada's former ambassador to the United Nations wants us to take a step back to reflect on what Canadians are fighting for. Bob Rae talks about how he thinks our country can best defend itself in this moment, and why Canada's values – including humanitarian assistance and Indigenous rights – should be central to that effort. Plus: As Prime Minister Mark Carney courts the world in an effort to expand beyond the American market, The Economist's Rob Russo, The Toronto Star's Adam Radwanski and Bloomberg's Nojoud Al Mallees discuss whether the bet will pay off.

For more than 30 years, the show has been an unlikely cultural institution in the province. Its unique dubbed version, featuring local dialect and cultural references, was set to be axed last year. The Sunday Magazine's Pete Mitton meets the players who brought it back, and explores the bigger story that its rise, fall and rebirth tells. Plus: In their eighties, Sandra Hazelip and Eleanor Hamby set out on a world tour... and went viral along the journey. The "Traveling Nanas" reflect on their adventures, and offer insights into longevity, lasting friendships and staying curious.

Harvard Kennedy School political economy professor Ricardo Hausmann discusses the potential and pitfalls of Venezuela's oil reserves, and the politics that could play into the deal's viability. Then, Macdonald-Laurier Institute energy expert Heather Exner-Pirot and Grant Sprague, a consultant and former Alberta deputy energy minister, explore how much it could really threaten Canada's oil industry, and how it factors into our push to diversify trading partners. Plus: Afghan-Canadian writer Jamaluddin Aram reflects on the personal and collective legacy of war for Afghanistan, and why he believes his country can overcome the upheaval that conflict has wrought.

This week marks two years since Gisèle Pelicot became known as the victim in one of the most notorious rape trials in France's history. Her ex-husband, Dominique Pelicot, was found guilty of drugging and raping his then-wife – and recruiting scores of men online to abuse her while she was unconscious, over the course of a decade. Fifty other men were also found guilty, most on rape charges. What made the trial all the more remarkable is that Gisèle Pelicot waived her right to anonymity, inviting the world into the courtroom. In a rare interview, she tells Piya about the shocking crimes, the ripple effects within her family, and how going public made her a feminist hero.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has received praise globally for walking away from trade talks with the United States. Will the world follow his show of defiance? Political economist John Rapley and Politico finance reporter Kathryn Carlson discuss how different countries are responding, and whether this saga could breathe new life into Carney's middle powers pitch to the world. Plus: CBC's Briar Stewart shares the latest on the aftermath of catastrophic flooding in Nepal and Tibet. And literary scholar Florence Hazrat explores the surprising power of punctuation.

His hobby list is long. His social calendar’s full. And while his mind and body aren’t immune to the effects of aging, the veteran journalist sees fragility as a kind of “enhanced humanity”. Ian Brown reflects on joining the ranks of Canada's "super-aged" society while that society changes rapidly around us. Plus: Sanna Marin steered Finland through the pandemic and neighbouring Russia's invasion of Ukraine as the country's prime minister. But her life outside work, having fun with friends, tended to catch the press's attention. She reflects on the double standard she sees for women in politics, and how to ensure they're not discouraged from getting involved.

Canada-U.S. trade negotiations fell apart on Friday night, leading to new American tariffs being imposed on tens of billions of dollars worth of Canadian goods. Piya Chattopadhyay explores the implications for Canadian industry. Then, The Economist's Canada correspondent Rob Russo and Inu Manak, a global trade law expert at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, discuss the political reverberations on both sides of the border.

Nobel Prize-winning economist Daron Acemoglu argues liberalism has lost touch with the working people it once championed. He makes the case for what it will take to rebuild a politics of shared prosperity and defeat anti-democratic forces. Plus: Sportscaster Hazel Mae on her journey from convincing her immigrant parents her career choice would work out to being inducted into Canada's baseball hall of fame -- and how she really feels about all those Gatorade showers from the Blue Jays.

The narrow defeat of democratic socialist Francesca Hong in the primary for Wisconsin governor is the latest flashpoint in a divisive election season, pitting the Democrats' left flank against its centre. NPR's Tamara Keith and The Nation's John Nichols discuss the factions seeking to define the party's future. Plus: The clock is ticking on a trade deal with the U.S. The Globe and Mail's Marieke Walsh and the New York Times' Ian Austen discuss the latest from the negotiating table and what the relationship could look like after the Wednesday deadline for more tariffs.

Carlos Barragán's mother fell victim to a fraudster she met on a dating app. So he set off to find the truth behind the fake persona. The Spanish journalist shares his journey to Lagos, Nigeria, and what he learned from the men perpetrating these scams about loneliness and lack on both sides of the equation. Plus: She's been studying ancient history for more than half a century... and it still gives her "tingles". Renowned classicist Mary Beard reflects on how worlds both familiar and alien still have the power to shock today. Like this story? You may also like: You've seen The Odyssey. Now meet the woman whose translation inspired it

British Columbia has declared a state of emergency as more than 21,000 residents flee ferocious wildfires. Forest ecologist Lori Daniels explains how the government declaration could unlock additional tools in the battle against the flames. She also describes the enormous and dangerous task firefighters are facing in battling these expanding infernos and gives advice on how to prepare for the possibility of being ordered to evacuate your home. Plus: The RCMP's institutional problems are becoming as well known as its iconography. University of Toronto law professor Kent Roach considers the future of Canada's national police service, as provinces and territories ramp up calls to re-examine its role in our communities.

Roopika Risam says human history has been a story of data. And in today’s world, where states partner with tech giants, she says it’s less clear – and more important than ever – to understand what’s happening to our information. The author of Data Empire traces how we got here. Plus: Need some inspiration for your summer road trip? Longtime travel writer Will Ferguson shares the Canadian hidden gems you need to check out, and explores why now is the perfect time to meet your neighbours. Like this episode? You may also like this: Uncovering the stories that paved the Trans-Canada Highway

The Guardian's Europe environment correspondent Ajit Niranjan explains how a wet winter and extremely hot summer have turned much of the region into a tinderbox, leading to fires that have displaced hundreds of thousands of people. Then, University of Alberta wildland fire expert Jen Beverly shares the latest on the state of Canada's wildfire season. Plus: Our producer Andrea Hoang explores how huge waitlists and a rival court sport are putting tennis in a pickle. Like this episode? You may also like this: Bianca Andreescu on rising to the top of the tennis world, and how she stays grounded

Emily Wilson is the first woman to translate the epic Greek poem into English. She takes us inside her approach to bringing modern clarity to ancient text, and shares what she thinks of Christopher Nolan's smash adaptation, which her work helped shape. Plus: Salman Rushdie suffered life-altering injuries after being stabbed on stage before a lecture. The Booker Prize-winning author opens up about confronting life's fragility, finding humour in survival, and reflecting on mortality with his latest story collection. Like this story? You may also like: Stephen Fry says Odysseus is a hero for our times Why Mary Beard still gets 'tingles' when she confronts the Classics

The opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge was meant to celebrate Canada-U.S. trade, but it comes as tensions between the two countries reach a new high. The Economist's Rob Russo and The Globe and Mail's Marieke Walsh break down U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest tariff threat and what's next for the Canada-U.S. relationship. Plus: The risks of excess sun exposure are well established. But sunlight also offers health benefits. Rowan Jacobsen argues that we should make more space for the good, without tossing out the bad. The science journalist makes his case and responds to concerns and critiques some have raised about it.

We tend to think of cities as places where nature has been pushed aside. But Dan Werb says wildlife is thriving alongside us. The epidemiologist explores how that's reshaping our understanding of nature, coexistence and the future of urban life. Like this story? You may also like this: Rethinking why we villainize rats, raccoons and squirrels

Wildfire season is back, prompting evacuations and compromised air quality in several parts of Canada. Forest ecologist and Koerner Chair in wildfire coexistence at the University of British Columbia, Lori Daniels, explains how she thinks we need to transform our approach to preparing for and managing our future with fire. Plus: MVP sports watchers Shireen Ahmed and Noah Eliot Vanderhoeven chat about the stories that will endure from the men's World Cup as the tournament reaches full-time. And later: Dania Thafer from the Gulf International Forum explores how Gulf countries are reckoning with being on the front line of Middle East war.

From war and nationalism to emigration patterns – there are many reasons languages go extinct. Author and journalist Sophia Smith Galer explains how so-called linguicide happens – and why it’s not too late to bring languages that have been killed back to life, as discussed in her book, How to Kill a Language: Power, Resistance, and the Race to Save Our Words. Plus: From the World Cup to Eurovision, Canada has been doing a lot lately to make a bigger mark on the world stage, but what it means to be Canadian remains an open question. Comedian Charles Demers shares the language, symbols and quirks that he thinks define us – and why talking about identity together may be the most Canadian thing of all.

Fresh off a NATO summit that saw U.S. President Donald Trump offering assistance to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s allies are meeting Monday to talk about next steps. This as drone attacks, gas shortages and public dissent are rocking Russia. The Atlantic’s Simon Shuster says the Trump meeting may have marked a turning point in the conflict. Plus: As Canada looks to strengthen ties with Saudi Arabia, Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit marks a new chapter in the relationship. University of Ottawa professor Thomas Juneau discusses what Canada stands to gain from closer ties with the kingdom, while former Pentagon advisor Jasmine El-Gamal examines how the latest violence between the U.S. and Iran is reshaping security across the Gulf.

Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Jill Lepore says the United States is out of step with its history. She discusses how the country's tendency to look back to its origins when making legal decisions today is unique – and can be detrimental – to Americans. Plus: Want a soundtrack to America 250? Spin some jazz. Musicians Christian McBride and Terri Lyne Carrington, and musicologist Tammy Kernodle, reflect on hearing America's history – its promise, pain and highest ideals – in one of the country's top homegrown artforms.

He's reshaped the United States federal government, executive power and foreign policy... and that's just in his first year-and-a-half back in the White House. Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan from The New York Times take us inside Donald Trump's second term through years of reporting and extraordinary access to the president and his inner circle. Plus: The Hub's Falice Chin unpacks Alberta's pipeline proposal, what fans and critics are saying, and the broader tensions and symbolism the project holds.

Most people spend their lives trying to avoid garbage, but Simon Paré-Poupart has spent the last 20 years immersed in it. The Montreal garbage collector and sociologist joins Piya Chattopadhyay to discuss his memoir, Trash!: A Garbageman's Story, and why he believes our waste reveals a lot about what we value and what we would rather throw away.

Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with The Economist's Rob Russo and The Globe and Mail's Shannon Proudfoot about the imminent CUSMA joint review, and other top stories in Canadian politics Zoologist Jo Wimpenny explores the lesser-known merits of animals we often loathe Montreal garbage collector and sociologist Simon Paré-Poupart reflects on what his career as a garbage collector has taught him about what and who we value Diane Foley reflects on meeting one of the ISIS members who killed her journalist son, James Foley

Every year around this time, a new crop of graduates grapples with a familiar question: "How do I find my life’s work?" But with the work world being upended by AI and mounting economic uncertainties, answering it today may be harder than ever. The New York Times investigative journalist Jodi Kantor, best known for helping expose Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein's abuse of women, has been applying her tenacious mind to it lately. She joins Piya Chattopadhyay to share advice from her new book, How to Start.

Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with Aaron David Miller, from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and national security analyst Joseph Cirincione about the initial agreement between the United States and Iran. University of Alberta professor Crystal Gail Fraser and anthropologist Sara Komarnisky discuss the evolution of treaties and how they're playing into a range of issues today. The Guardian's Brussels correspondent, Jennifer Rankin, unpacks the relationship between the EU and UK, 10 years post-Brexit. Then, former British Conservative MP Andrew Percy and political scientist Ian Cooper discuss the lessons Canada can take from the UK's experience as Alberta considers separation. The New York Times investigative journalist Jodi Kantor shares advice for new grads and finding your life's work.

This week marks 60 years since the United States military first tested Agent Orange and other toxic herbicides at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown in New Brunswick. The base is an economic lifeline for the area, and the federal government is spending more than a billion dollars to modernize it. But some Canadian veterans say the chemicals sprayed there have contributed to long-lasting illnesses. The Sunday Magazine's Andrea Hoang explores how this legacy still touches lives today, and why some veterans feel the government is investing in the future without reckoning with the past.

Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with The Economist's Middle East correspondent Gregg Carlstrom about the latest in the United States and Israel-Iran war. Then, journalist and historian Linda Kinstler explores why this war and other enduring conflicts have become so difficult to end. Journalist Katherine Dunn traces the evolution of GPS, why it's under threat today, and what lessons its adoption might hold as we face a future infused with AI. Psychiatrist Dr. Shimi Kang and McGill University child development and technology expert Sara Grimes assess Ottawa's long-awaited online harms bill, and whether big tech will just scroll on by Canada’s threats. Andrea Hoang looks back on the history of the United States military's testing of Agent Orange and other chemicals at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, and how this legacy still touches lives today.

The FIFA World Cup kicks off in North America this week. And whatever happens on the field, Darragh McGee says you can bet this tournament will shatter records as the biggest gambling event in history. The author, sociologist and former University of Toronto soccer team captain joins Piya Chattopadhyay to lay out why he believes legal online betting is "hijacking" sports, and why he thinks there's still time to save the beautiful game.

Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with University of Ottawa's Michael Geist, tech critic and journalist Paris Marx and Benjamin Bergen from the Canadian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association about whether Canada's new artificial intelligence strategy hits the mark. Fay Bound-Alberti, a historian and founder of King’s College London's Centre for Technology and the Body, explains how technology has long shaped our relationship with our face. Author, sociologist and former University of Toronto soccer team captain, Darragh McGee, lays out why he believes legal online betting is "hijacking" sports. Our monthly challenge That’s Puzzling! returns with Chris Glover, the new host of CBC Toronto's morning radio show Metro Morning, and Denman Island, B.C. listener Nairn Stewart.

You've probably heard the phrase, "There are no winners in a trade war." But that doesn’t mean we don't all have to fight one these days. That’s according to Financial Times columnist Soumaya Keynes and former White House economic advisor Chad P. Bown. They join Piya Chattopadhyay to talk about their new guidebook to the new normal of economic battle, How to Win a Trade War, and offer advice to Canada on taking on the world – and Washington – especially as the CUSMA joint review approaches.

Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with Kelley Lee, Canada Research Chair in global health governance at Simon Fraser University, about Canada's travel restrictions amid the Ebola outbreak, and what past events can tell us about how and when to use travel measures to mitigate health risks Criminologist Michael Kempa unpacks what recent shoplifting data says about who's stealing and why, and culture critic Rachel Shteir explores the story that shoplifting has told about society over time Economists Soumaya Keynes and Chad P. Bown discuss their guidebook to the new normal of economic battle, How to Win a Trade War, and offer advice to Canada about taking on the world Navigator founder Jaime Watt sheds light on how crisis management works, and how it's changed in today's fast-paced and politically polarized information environment

Her brother was the captain of Iran's national soccer team. But being a woman meant she wasn't allowed to watch him play in their home country. Maryam Shojaei spent years fighting to overturn Iran's ban on women in soccer stadiums – and faced arrest and intimidation along the way. The Iranian-Canadian activist joins Piya Chattopadhyay to share her journey, and what it’s like to see Iran scheduled to play in the FIFA World Cup while at war with one of the host countries.

Host Piya Chattopadhyay breaks down the politics and context of Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's separation referendum question with The Economist's Rob Russo and CBC's Kathleen Petty Activist Maryam Shojaei shares her fight to overturn Iran's ban on women in Iran's soccer stadiums The Guardian's Ruaridh Nicoll and Canada's former ambassador to Cuba, Mark Entwistle, discuss rising U.S.-Cuba tensions and the stakes for people in the country The Logic's Murad Hemmadi and Sustainable AI Group's Boris Gamazaychikov explore sustainability concerns around AI data centres

After more than 50 years as a scholar of the ancient Greek and Roman worlds, Mary Beard is looking back on her career and considering why studying the Classics is still worthwhile today. She says they may not give us answers to modern questions, but believes they can offer crucial ways of seeing ourselves differently. She joins Piya Chattopadhyay to explore why this history still has the power to shock.

Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with The Hub's Falice Chin, The Globe and Mail's Marieke Walsh and Max Fawcett from Canada's National Observer about the politics of Ottawa and Alberta's energy deal Travel journalist Will Ferguson shares his favourite Canadian hidden travel gems Farmers Carl Stewart and Morgan Charlton, and agriculture economist Stuart Smyth, discuss how rising fuel and fertilizer costs are affecting the industry Classicist Mary Beard considers why studying the ancient Greek and Roman worlds is still worthwhile today

From grades and rankings to follower counts and performance metrics, our lives are constantly being measured, compared and optimized. But at what cost? Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with philosopher C. Thi Nguyen about how the systems we use to measure success can reshape our goals – and even change who we become.

Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with Yeganeh Torbati, The New York Times' Iran correspondent, about how sentiment in Iran has changed over the course of the war in the Middle East. Then, Iranian-Canadian author and activist Marina Nemat discusses how diaspora communities view the country's future. Biologist David George Haskell makes the case that flowering plants are critical architects of life on Earth. NPR's Emily Feng and The Economist's Simon Rabinovitch set up U.S. President Donald Trump's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, and explore how China is positioning itself on the world stage. Philosopher C. Thi Nguyen reflects on how the systems we use to measure success can reshape our goals – and even change who we become.

In our monthly challenge, That's Puzzling!, Piya Chattopadhyay competes against one familiar voice and one clever listener in a battle of brain games devised by puzzle master Peter Brown. Playing this week are retired Olympic gold medal-winning swimmer Mark Tewksbury and Winnipeg listener Nancy Voth.

Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with political science professor Amy Verdun and The Economist's Canada correspondent Rob Russo about Prime Minister Mark Carney's courting of Europe, and how the federal government's spring economic update is landing at home Philosopher Vincent Delecroix discusses his novel Small Boat, which fictionalizes a real-life migrant boat disaster in the English Channel to probe questions of apathy and complicity in tragedy The Atlantic's David A. Graham surveys the state of American democracy and the fight over the integrity of the U.S. midterm elections Our monthly challenge That’s Puzzling! returns with Olympic gold medal-winning swimmer Mark Tewksbury and Winnipeg listener Nancy Voth

Winnie-the-Pooh first appeared in book form in 1926, and the fictional teddy bear has only grown more beloved in the century since. Author Gyles Brandreth joins Piya Chattopadhyay to explore how the "pure happiness" and childhood innocence that Pooh and his friends represent help explain the enduring appeal, and why creator A.A. Milne and his son – the real-life Christopher Robin – had a love-hate relationship with Winnie-the-Pooh.