Q with Tom Power

The Quebec singer-songwriter Klô Pelgag has gone through some big changes since being shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize in 2021. She wrote her latest album, “Abracadabra,” after becoming a mother for the first time, which completely changed her relationship to music and the world. Klô joins Tom Power to discuss how she’s rediscovering herself as an artist. Plus, she sets up a song called “Lettre à une jeune poète” and talks about the challenges of being a francophone musician in Canada.

John Adams (Nixon In China, Doctor Atomic) is a Pulitzer and Grammy-winning composer who’s one of the biggest living names in the world of opera and classical music. He’s helped give opera a more contemporary lens by steering his work toward big political events in modern history. His latest opera, “Girls of the Golden West,” looks at the California Gold Rush, and it was recently nominated for two Grammys. John joins Tom Power to discuss his decades-long career in music, his Pulitzer Prize-winning composition inspired by 9/11, and what role he thinks classical music can play when it comes to telling contemporary stories.

The actor Allan Louis has stepped into the role of Henry Higgins in the beloved Broadway musical “My Fair Lady,” which is on now at the Shaw Festival in Ontario. Allan took over the role from another actor earlier this fall. He joins Tom Power to talk about his transition from understudy to leading man, and how the character of Henry Higgins changes when a Black actor takes on the role.

The Mohawk artist Shelley Niro was inspired to professionally pursue art after seeing prints of Norval Morrisseau's work on the wall at her dentist’s office. Now, she has two prestigious Canadian contemporary art awards under her belt (the Governor General's Award in Visual and Media Arts and the Scotiabank Photography Award) and she’s celebrating her first major career retrospective, “500 Year Itch,” at the Vancouver Art Gallery. Shelley joins Tom Power to talk about the show, how her work uses pop culture and satire to puncture stereotypes about Indigenous people, and how she developed her unique sense of humour.

Jeremie Albino is one of the most soulful voices in Canada right now. He grew up in Scarborough, Ont., but spent many years in rural parts of Ontario and Quebec, where he focused on his dual passions for farming and music. While he still has a green thumb, music kind of won out in the end. His new album, “Our Time in the Sun,” was produced by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys who brought in some of Nashville’s best musicians to help out. Jeremie sits down with Tom Power to talk about the record and to set up his song “So Many Ways To Say I Love You.”

The American fashion designer Anna Sui helped create and define the styles that we now associate with ‘90s fashion. Widely regarded as a visionary and a trailblazer, Anna is known for her incredibly thoughtful yet whimsical designs that draw inspiration anywhere from Pre-Raphaelite art to Agatha Christie novels to coral reefs. She joins Tom Power to discuss some of her career highlights from that golden era, her lasting influence on the ‘90s aesthetic, and her new collaboration with Fluevog Shoes.

Three years after the release of her acclaimed debut album, “Anything Can’t Happen,” the Canadian singer-songwriter Dorothea Paas has returned with a brand new record, “Think of Mist.” She sits down with guest host Talia Schlanger to set up a song from the album.

For the last two decades, the artist and author Oliver Jeffers has created children’s books, such as “How to Catch a Star” and his latest book “Where to Hide a Star,” that have become staples in homes around the world. Oliver joins Tom Power to talk about his new book and how growing up amid the conflict in Northern Ireland gave him his life's mission to change the stories we tell.

When you read about a global climate summit in the news, you probably don't see a lot about Jenga. But at this year’s UN Biodiversity Conference (also known as COP16), the Canadian artist Benjamin Von Wong unveiled a provocative large-scale art installation called “Biodiversity Jenga,” which really got people thinking about climate change. Some of Benjamin’s past work includes giant skulls made of electronic waste and a massive structure made of drinking straws. His work is accessible, whimsical and in-your-face. Benjamin talks to Tom Power about his latest installation, his “clickbait approach” to activist art, and why he believes art is a key player in the survival of our planet.

More than 20 years ago, Paris Hilton started building an entertainment empire that went hand in hand with her reputation for being a ditzy blonde heiress. But that wasn’t her true self — it was a character she played in public as a trauma response. Now, she’s dropped the character and is showing the public the real her. In this conversation with guest host Talia Schlanger, Paris opens up about her mental health struggle and the abuse she faced at a boarding school for troubled teens. Plus, she talks about making her return to music with her new album, “Infinite Icon,” and reuniting with Nicole Richie to celebrate 20 years of “The Simple Life.”

Tokyo Police Club started as a high school band in an Ontario suburb, but it didn’t take long for them to become Canadian indie rock darlings. Now, after nearly 20 years together, Tokyo Police Club is calling it quits. Dave Monks and Graham Wright from the band sit down with Tom Power to tell us how they’re feeling as they head into their final shows this week.

The actor Henry Winkler spent 11 seasons playing The Fonz on “Happy Days,” and for much of that time, he was struggling with an undiagnosed learning disability. He only realized he had dyslexia at age 31, when his stepson was diagnosed. Now, Henry is a prolific children’s author who’s helping kids who have trouble with literacy. He joins Tom Power to talk about the latest book in his “Detective Duck” series, the shame he felt as an actor who struggled with reading, and what happens when you admit you need help.

At this year’s Cannes Film Festival, the director Payal Kapadia won the prestigious Grand Prix award for her debut narrative feature, “All We Imagine as Light.” It’s one of the buzziest films of the year and the first Indian film in 30 years to compete at Cannes. The story centres around three women who are each living and working in Mumbai. Though they’re all financially independent, they’re not free from the expectations of what it means to be women in a patriarchal society. Payal joins guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about making a film that celebrates female friendship, how she addressed some of her own biases against women in the film, and how she feels about it not being selected to represent India at the next Oscars.

Malcolm Washington knows a thing or two about legacy. As the youngest son of Denzel and Pauletta Washington, he grew up in a movie-making family of actors, directors and producers. Now, Malcolm is entering the family business with his debut feature film, “The Piano Lesson,” which is an adaptation of the revered August Wilson play of the same name. It’s about what we pass on from one generation to another and the legacy we leave. Malcolm sits down with Tom Power to discuss his directorial debut, how he personally connected with the story’s themes of legacy, and what it’s like to carve out your own path when your father is a truly legendary actor.

Whether you call it naan, roti, lavash or tortilla, flatbread represents our cultures and traditions, showing us how food can unite us across borders. It's for that reason that the Canadian artist Sameer Farooq believes that flatbread belongs in a museum. His latest project, “Flatbread Library,” is a large-scale sculpture that indexes flatbread from different regions, sourced from bakeries around Toronto. Sameer sits down with Tom Power to tell us how a trip to Pakistan sparked the idea for the project, why bakers are the best sculptors, and how “Flatbread Library” challenges what we typically see in museums.

As a cinematographer, director and producer, Barry Sonnenfeld (Men in Black, The Addams Family, Get Shorty) has done a lot in the world of film and TV. Last month, he released his second memoir, “Best Possible Place, Worst Possible Time,” which is full of candid stories from his blockbuster career. Barry joins Tom Power to share some of those Hollywood stories, including the unique challenges of directing Michael Jackson on “Men In Black II” and the time he fired Donald Trump off of a Macy’s commercial. Plus, he tells us why he became a Canadian permanent resident in 2016.

Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas is a Haida artist who’s considered the father of Haida manga — a distinct style that combines the traditional art of his culture with contemporary Japanese comic book storytelling. His work explores themes of cultural identity, environmentalism and colonialism, while making it accessible in the graphic novel form. Michael sits down with guest host Talia Schlanger to discuss Haida manga and his new exhibit, “Diaries After a Flood,” which is on now at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Toronto.

People don’t think Graham Isador is losing his sight. They think he’s an asshole.

Short Sighted is an attempt to explain what vision loss feels like by exploring how it sounds.

Written and hosted by master storyteller Graham Isador, the show’s mini episodes are an intimate and irreverent look at accessibility and its personal impacts.

Get lost in someone else’s life. From a mysterious childhood spent on the run, to a courageous escape from domestic violence, each season of Personally invites you to explore the human experience in all its complexity, one story — or season — at a time. This is what it sounds like to be human.

More episodes of Personally are available at: https://link.chtbl.com/6dEWdP7z

Leon Bridges is back with his fourth studio album, “Leon.” It’s a moving collection of 13 songs that take a look at the place that shaped him as a person and as an artist: his home of Fort Worth, Texas. Leon joins Tom Power to reflect on his supersonic rise to fame after the release of his debut album, his evolving relationship with his faith and how that shows up in his music, and why Fort Worth is such a meaningful place to him.

Graham Isador is a Canadian writer and playwright who’s living with a degenerative eye disease called keratoconus, which means he’s losing his sight. But since there’s no obvious sign of it, people don’t always believe him. His new project, “Short Sighted,” started as a one-man play and is now a five-part podcast series that explains what it’s really like for him to lose his vision. Graham joins guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about the project and what he’s learned about himself along the way.

It's not uncommon for big musical artists to take a break in between albums, but it is uncommon for them to use that break to go to Harvard Divinity School. That's exactly what Maggie Rogers did a few years ago at the height of her success. She sits down with Tom Power to talk about that decision, how she applied her theological studies to her work as a singer-songwriter, and how trusting her instincts and prioritizing fun on her latest album, “Don’t Forget Me,” changed her approach to songwriting.

As one of Bono and Ali Hewson’s four children, Eve Hewson (The Perfect Couple, Flora and Son, The Knick) might be as close to Irish royalty as you can get. But she’s also managed to carve out her own path in acting. While she has a few high-profile Hollywood films in the works, it’s the Irish stories, like the Emmy-nominated black comedy series “Bad Sisters,” that she holds closest to her heart. Eve talks to Tom Power about where that Irish pride comes from and what drew her to her latest role in “Bad Sisters,” which is back for Season 2.

Samuel D. Hunter is the award-winning playwright and screenwriter behind “The Whale.” His latest play, “A Case for the Existence of God,” is about an unlikely friendship between two men who have one thing in common: they’re single fathers of young daughters. Samuel was inspired to write the play after he adopted his own daughter and realized that as a parent he no longer had "the luxury of being cynical.” He joins guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about the play, and why he puts so much of himself in his work.

Mike Burkett, also known as Fat Mike, is the lead singer and bassist of NOFX, which is not only one of the most influential and successful punk bands of all time, but also one of the longest-serving. They’ve been together for 41 years, but just last month, it all came to an end when they wrapped up the last few shows on their final tour. In this chat with guest host Talia Schlanger, Mike opens up about how it feels to say goodbye, what he regrets, and what he calls his “desperate need for validation.”

The Canadian singer-songwriter and musician Logan Staats has had one heck of a month. He performed alongside Eric Clapton, Taj Mahal and Allison Russell at a Robbie Robertson tribute concert in Los Angeles, and then he took part in the inaugural Reverie Indigenous Music Residency presented by CBC and the SOCAN Foundation. Ahead of a special performance at Massey Hall in Toronto, Logan sits down with guest host Talia Schlanger to tell the story behind his new song “Deadman” off his latest record.

Anna Marie Tendler is a multidisciplinary artist known for her evocative self-portraits that explore grief and isolation. In 2021, following her high-profile divorce with comedian John Mulaney, Anna checked herself into a psychiatric facility, seeking treatment for self-harm and suicidal ideation. She details that experience in her new memoir, “Men Have Called Her Crazy,” which is her reintroduction to the world as an artist on her own terms. Anna joins guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about her mental health journey, how photography kept her grounded and why she chose to leave her ex-husband out of the book.

Before he started working on his new album, the rapper Tristan Grant (also known as Wolf Castle) suffered a concussion following a skateboarding accident. The long recovery process got him thinking about his life and the man he wants to be. Tristan sits down with Tom Power to talk about that personal growth journey and how it impacted his latest record, “Waiting for the Dawn.”

What’s our individual responsibility when we see atrocities happening in our world? That question is the central premise of the new film “Small Things Like These,” which sheds light on Ireland’s infamous Magdalene laundries. Set in a small Irish town in 1985, the film stars Cillian Murphy as Bill Furlong, a coal merchant and father of five girls who discovers that the local convent in his community is forcing the young women in their care to live under inhumane conditions. Cillian joins Tom Power to talk about the film, why he didn't want to portray his character as a hero, and what life has been like for him after winning an Oscar for “Oppenheimer” earlier this year.

Before making her name as a singer-songwriter, Jennifer Castle worked at a restaurant in Toronto with celebrity chef and restaurateur Matty Matheson. Now, nearly 20 years later, Matty is an executive producer and actor on the hit series “The Bear” and Jennifer has a song featured in Season 3. She joins Tom Power to talk about waiting tables in her 20s, reuniting with her old friend, and her new song, “Blowing Kisses.”

The Oscar-winning British film director Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave, Shame) is renowned for his cinematic portrayals of difficult realities. His latest film, “Blitz,” is a war drama that follows George, a young Black boy living in London during the Blitz — Germany’s bombing campaign against the U.K. during the Second World War. Steve joins Tom Power to talk about the film and why he thinks this story matters in 2024.

Naomi Snieckus and Matt Baram are a married Canadian comedy duo who have teamed up to create a new stage show called “Big Stuff.” It’s part storytelling, part duo stand-up and part improvised — but most importantly, it’s a personal reflection on the treasured keepsakes and unresolved emotions that are left behind when we lose someone we love. Naomi and Matt join Tom Power to tell us more about the show and what inspired it.

For decades, the Canadian visual artist Marcel Dzama has been attracting attention for his drawings, films, sculptures and installations. Earlier this year, Tom Power spoke with the Brooklyn-based artist about his new solo show, “Ghosts of Canoe Lake,” which opened at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Ontario. Now, the exhibit is making its way to Marcel’s hometown of Winnipeg at the gallery where he got his first big break, the Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art. In this conversation, Marcel talks about his work, his newfound appreciation for Canadian artist Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven, and how losing his earliest work in a fire allowed him to feel more freedom as an artist.

Back in April, the award-winning Canadian writer Ian Williams was named this year’s Massey lecturer. Since 1961, the Massey Lectures have invited distinguished writers, thinkers and scholars to present their ideas in a five-part lecture series across Canada. In this conversation with Tom Power, Ian tells us how to have better conversations with one another,  why it’s important to have difficult conversations even at the risk of offending people, and how listening can be a courageous thing to do.

Sean Baker (Tangerine, The Florida Project, Red Rocket) is an award-winning filmmaker whose work often explores the lives of people living on the fringes. His latest film, “Anora,” follows a sex worker who quits her job after a whirlwind romance with a Russian billionaire, but soon realizes her fairytale ending isn’t all she’d hoped. Sean joins Tom Power to tell us why this story spoke to him, how a Canadian sex worker’s memoir helped shape the film, and what it felt like to win the prestigious Palme d'Or at this year's Cannes Film Festival — a dream he’s had forever.

The Juno-winning Canadian jazz singer and pianist Laila Biali is back with a new album, “Wintersongs,” which was inspired by some time she spent in Banff. She says the album brings her back to her roots as a classical pianist — a path that was cut short after a car accident changed her life at 15. Laila sits down with Tom Power to talk about the record, how it blends different sides of herself, and a difficult new challenge she’s facing in both her life and music.

If you’ve ever thought it was too late for you to try something new, you should listen to Sindhu Vee. She’s one of the most talked-about comics in the U.K. right now, but just a few years ago, she was an investment banker who was trying to figure out what to do with her life after having kids. Sindhu joins Tom Power to tell us how she got her start in comedy without ever having seen a live stand-up show, the strange similarities between investment banking and what she does now, and what attracted her to her new series, “The Pradeeps of Pittsburgh.”

The Canadian acting legend Saul Rubinek has returned to the stage to explore one of theatre’s most controversial characters: Shylock, the Jewish moneylender in Shakespeare’s comedy “The Merchant of Venice.” Saul stars as a fictionalized version of himself in Canadian Stage’s new production of “Playing Shylock,” which takes a poignant yet comedic look at cancel culture, representation and anti-Semitism. But for Saul, it’s about more than that — it’s about keeping an audience “off balance.” He sits down with Tom Power to talk about the play, and how “Q” actually ended up influencing the production.

When the award-winning author Jason Reynolds was visiting a juvenile detention centre, he asked what kind of books young boys checked out the most. The answer really surprised him: romance novels. Jason realized that young men have a real hunger to learn about love, sensitivity and intimacy. That sparked the idea for his latest book, "Twenty-Four Seconds from Now,” which follows a Black teen boy who’s about to have sex with his girlfriend for the first time. Jason joins Tom Power to talk about the book and how he’s writing the stories he wishes he had growing up.

One of the most famous tenors in the world, Andrea Bocelli, is celebrating three decades in music. In addition to a concert film and a new album called “Duets,” he’s the subject of a new documentary about his life, “Because I Believe.” It traces his journey from a rural farming village in Tuscany to sold-out stadium concerts with tens of thousands of fans. Andrea joins Tom Power to discuss his journey, including how Luciano Pavarotti helped launch his career, his special friendship with Celine Dion, and which singers he looks up to the most.

After signing a major recording contract at age 12, Joanna "JoJo" Levesque shot to the top of the pop charts with hits like “Leave (Get Out)” and “Too Little, Too Late.” She was on track to become one of the biggest pop singers of the 2000s — and then she seemingly disappeared overnight. In this interview with Tom Power, JoJo opens up about the betrayals she endured as a child star, the label issues that derailed her promising career, and why she’s telling her story now in a new memoir called “Over the Influence.”

The Canadian rapper, singer-songwriter and producer k-os is kind of like the Forrest Gump of popular music — he’s been everywhere. On the 20th anniversary of his smash hit album “Joyful Rebellion,” k-os sits down with Tom Power to share some wild stories from his life and career, like the time he hung out with Prince and how he has Shaquille O'Neal to thank for his first hit in the U.S.

A few years ago, the musician Tia Wood moved to Los Angeles from her home of Saddle Lake Cree Nation in Alberta. Though she comes from a musical family (her mom is in a drum group, her sister is a Juno winner, and her dad is a founder of the award-winning group Northern Cree), Tia has managed to find her own sound. Now, she’s the first Indigenous woman to be signed to Sony Music Canada, and she’s just released her debut EP, “Pretty Red Bird.” She sits down with Tom Power to set up a song from the record.

When the Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist Lindsay Ell moved from Calgary to Nashville, she found success, but she didn’t feel like she was being her authentic self. So she took a risk, left her record label and started getting more personal in her music, opening up about her experience as a victim of sexual assault and her recovery from an eating disorder. Now, she’s released her new EP, “love myself,” which exudes joy and self-acceptance. Lindsay sits down with Tom Power to talk about her journey, from getting discovered by Randy Bachman as a teenager to breaking the boundaries of country music and finding her authentic voice.

The Canadian pop duo Tegan and Sara Quin have been in the public eye for more than 25 years, during which they’ve released 10 studio albums and sold more than a million records. But for nearly 15 years, they’ve been quietly grappling with an elaborate catfishing scheme that’s changed their lives, careers and relationships. Now, they’ve decided to go public about it in a new documentary, “Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan and Sara,” which explores fandom, parasocial relationships and celebrity. Tegan and Sara join Tom Power to share their story.

A few years ago, the Canadian musician Brendan McLeod and his band The Fugitives wrote a collection of songs inspired by the real-life experiences of soldiers who fought at the Battle of Vimy Ridge during the First World War. Now, The Fugitives are getting ready to perform those songs in a new stage show, “Ridge,” at the Firehall Hall Arts Centre in Vancouver. Brendan joins Tom Power to talk about the project and the significance of Canada's sacrifice at Vimy Ridge.

The actor, writer and comedian Jenny Slate (Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, Obvious Child) isn’t afraid to bare it all in projects that are vulnerable, frank and touching. In her whimsical new book of essays, “Lifeform,” Jenny writes about meeting her husband and having her first child during the pandemic. Jenny joins Tom Power to talk about the book and her thoughts on motherhood. Plus, she reads one of her essays for us.

William Stanford Davis is a veteran actor who waited 40 years until his dream of becoming a series regular finally became a reality. He’s the breakout star of the hit sitcom “Abbott Elementary,” on which he plays the school’s enigmatic janitor Mr. Johnson. William joins Tom Power to share how he landed the role at 70, what his story can tell us about persistence, and how he managed to keep the faith for decades while waiting for his big break.

Before her sudden death in 2023, Lisa Marie Presley was working on a memoir with the help of her eldest daughter, Riley Keough. After her passing, Riley took it upon herself to finish her mother’s project, relying on hours of audio tapes that Lisa Marie left behind. The result is the posthumous memoir “From Here to the Great Unknown,” which looks at what it was like to grow up in the whirlwind of celebrity around Elvis Presley and Graceland. Riley joins Tom Power to explain why she felt so strongly about finishing her mother’s story, plus, she reflects her own legacy as Elvis’ eldest granddaughter.

Elle Mills doesn’t want her life to be the product anymore. She was just a kid when she started posting zany videos about her life on YouTube, racking up millions of views in the process. But by 19, she was burnt out and tired of playing a character. By 24, she quit. Now, Elle has found a new love in directing. Her first short film, “Reply,” is up now on her YouTube channel (@ElleOfTheMills). She joins Tom Power to talk about the project, the real-life demands of virtual fame, and how to live a better life online.

When the Canadian chef Matty Matheson was growing up, first in Nova Scotia and later in Ontario, he liked going to punk shows, he didn’t do particularly well in school, and he didn’t think he was athletic or cool like his brothers. But once he moved to Toronto to study cooking, he discovered what he was great at. With no big plan or ambition, Matty became one of the best-known chefs and restaurateurs in the world. Not only are his restaurants packed every night, but his YouTube videos have hundreds of millions of views, he’s one of the executive producers of the Emmy-winning series “The Bear,” and he’s just released his third bestselling cookbook, “Soups, Salads, Sandwiches.” In a conversation with Tom Power recorded in front of a sold-out live audience, Matty shares his story and what he thinks you might be able to learn from it.

When Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws” came out nearly 50 years ago, the Toronto cartoonist Paul Gilligan (Pooch Café) remembers cowering in the theatre and having recurring nightmares about the movie’s animatronic shark. He was only 10 at the time, but his fear left him with countless questions about what it means to be a man. Ahead of the film’s 50th anniversary, Paul has released a new graphic memoir, “Boy vs. Shark.” He joins Tom Power to talk about the book, what he hopes anxious kids might get out of it, and how “Jaws” transformed an entire generation’s definition of manliness.

After rising to fame as the world’s highest-paid model in the early ‘80s, Isabella Rossellini broke away from convention with daring and experimental film roles in “Blue Velvet” and “Death Becomes Her.” In recent years, she’s continued to follow her instincts by opening up her own hobby farm and only choosing to pursue projects that challenge her, like her new film, “Conclave,” which lifts the curtain on the Vatican’s mysterious ceremony to elect a new pope. Isabella sits down with Tom Power to talk about the film, her early life growing up in Rome as the daughter of Ingrid Bergman and Roberto Rossellini, and how she got into the family business.

A year ago this month, Matthew Perry suffered a fatal ketamine overdose following a lifelong struggle with addiction. The news became a big Hollywood story, but it was a deeply personal tragedy for Matthew’s family. Tonight, in the actor’s hometown of Ottawa, his family and friends will launch the Matthew Perry Foundation of Canada to support people recovering from addiction. Matthew’s stepfather, the Canadian journalist Keith Morrison (Dateline NBC), joins Tom Power to reflect on his stepson’s life and the work his family is now carrying out in Matthew’s name.

Ali Abbasi is no stranger to controversy. The Iranian-Danish filmmaker garnered a huge backlash from the Iranian government with his 2022 film, “Holy Spider,” and now his latest film, “The Apprentice,” is ruffling the feathers of Donald Trump. There’s no evidence that the former president has seen the film, but he’s already threatening to sue. Ali joins Tom Power to talk about “The Apprentice,” the reaction to the film from all sides of the spectrum, and the risk he took to explore one of the world’s most controversial living figures.

Earlier this year, the Canadian singer-songwriter Billianne premiered her new single “Daydream” live on “The Today Show.” She joins Tom Power to talk about the song, her big network debut, and what it was like to find out Taylor Swift is a fan.

Céline Dion is having a moment. It’s not her first, and millions of fans are hoping it won’t be her last. While Céline’s international stardom seems obvious now, it was all so unlikely.

Now, as a rare illness threatens to retire Celine’s more-than-four-decade long career, in Céline: Understood culture writer Thomas Leblanc reveals the surprising cultural, political and business alchemy that created one of the most enduring superstars the planet has ever seen.

Understood is an anthology podcast that takes you out of the daily news cycle and inside the events, people, and cultural moments you want to know more about. Over a handful of episodes, each season unfolds as a story, hosted by a well-connected reporter, and rooted in journalism you can trust. Driven by insight and fueled by curiosity…The stories of our time: Understood.

More episodes of Understood are available at: https://lnk.to/CelineUnderstood

Kaniehtiio Horn (Letterkenny, Reservation Dogs, Alice, Darling) is making her feature-length directorial debut with her genre-bending horror film “Seeds.” She joins Tom Power in studio to talk about the challenge of not only being a first-time director, but writing and starring in her film, what she learned from the late visionary horror director Jeff Barnaby, and what makes the rez such a perfect setting for a horror movie.

Maev Beaty, the Dora-winning Canadian actor, is taking on the lead role in the Canadian Stage production of the hit Broadway one-person show “My Name is Lucy Barton.” The play is based on Elizabeth Strout’s bestselling Booker-nominated novel of the same name. Maev joins Tom Power in studio to talk about why she wanted to take on this 90-minute solo performance, the challenges of that as an actor, and why this play was having so much relevance for her right now in her private life.

Not many bands get a second chance, but Brooklyn’s Nada Surf are one of the lucky few. They hit it big with the mid-‘90s smash “Popular,” but only a couple of years later found themselves dropped by their record label. They grabbed their second chance and evolved into one of the great indie-pop bands of the last three decades. Lead singer-songwriter Matthew Caws drops by the studio to chat about second chances and their 10th album, “Moon Mirror.”

Torquil Campbell and Amy Millan of the Canadian indie-pop band Stars drop by the studio to discuss the 20th anniversary of their landmark album “Set Yourself on Fire,” including how it launched their career and soundtracked weddings and breakups.

Sean Baker’s Palme d'Or-winning film “Anora” is generating major Oscar buzz this year and its star, Mikey Madison (Scream, Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood), is already the talk of the town. The story follows a sex worker from Brooklyn who meets and marries the son of a Russian oligarch. But their fairytale romance is threatened after news of their shotgun wedding reaches his parents in Russia. Mikey sits down with Tom to talk about her deep research and preparation for the role, why she feels protective of her character, and how the film has changed her life.

In 2014, after a long battle with mental illness, Andy Jones's son Louis died by suicide at age 28. Now, the Newfoundland comedian has created a one-man play about his son and his life navigating the health-care system. He joins Tom to talk about the play, titled “Don't Give Up On Me, Dad,” and why he wanted to shine a light on his son’s mental health struggles.

The new romantic drama “We Live in Time,” starring Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield, is one of the most talked about films of the year. It’s about what it really takes to live a happy and fulfilled life. In this conversation from the Toronto International Film Festival, Florence tells Tom how “We Live in Time” made her rethink life’s big questions — like wanting children — and the surprising lessons she learned while working in a kitchen to prepare for the role.

Brothers Jae and Trey Richards are Canadian comedians who got their start making YouTube sketches about their lives. They even managed to catch Drake’s eye, which led to a few collaborations with the Toronto rapper. But when Jae and Trey were younger, before they found success, they had to spend a lot of time helping their dad as office movers at his company. That experience inspired the idea for their new Crave series, “The Office Movers.” Jae and Trey sit down with Tom to talk about the show, their early days as content creators, and how they only achieved massive success after they stopped trying to reach everyone.

After a long battle with mental illness, Andy Jones’s son, Louis, died by suicide at age 28. Now, Andy, a veteran of the comedy troupe Codco, has staged a one-man play about his son and his life navigating health-care with a mental illness.

Early in her career, Heather Graham (Drugstore Cowboy, Twin Peaks, Boogie Nights) was advised by a publicist not to discuss her estrangement from her parents. Now, she’s had the chance to open up about her family struggles with the release of a new romantic comedy that she wrote, directed and stars in. It’s called “Chosen Family” and it’s about recognizing the people who hold you up in life while setting boundaries with those who don’t. Heather joins Tom to talk about the film and the vulnerability required to make it.

The Reklaws are a Canadian brother and sister country duo who got their start performing on their family farm as kids. They’re known for making fun party music that can hype you and your friends up before a night on the town. But after losing their mom at the height of their success in 2022, they decided to open up about what was really going on behind the party. Their new EP, “Outliving (For Mom),” is a heartfelt tribute to their mother on what would have been her 60th birthday. Jenna and Stuart Walker of The Reklaws sit down with Tom to talk about honouring their mom’s legacy and finding healing through music.

In 1983, Cameron Crowe (Jerry Maguire, Vanilla Sky, Almost Famous) was an ambitious young music journalist who had just released his debut film: a documentary about Tom Petty, titled “Tom Petty: Heartbreakers Beach Party.” It aired once on MTV and was never seen again. Now, that lost documentary is arriving for the first time in cinemas. The Oscar-winning director joins Tom to discuss his first film, his early life as a rock journalist, his upcoming Joni Mitchell biopic, and how Neil Young was originally cast in “Almost Famous.”

The Calgary indie folk group Reuben and the Dark has teamed up with Bullhorn Singers, a drumming and singing group from the Kainai Blood Tribe, to make a new collaborative music project called Reuben and the Bullhorn Singers. They call their music the conversation that happens after truth and reconciliation. Reuben Bullock of Reuben and the Dark and Billy Wadsworth of Bullhorn Singers join Tom to tell us what that means. Plus, they set up their debut single, “Powerful.”

Jelly Roll’s origin story isn’t that of the average country singer-songwriter. While growing up in Nashville's Antioch neighbourhood in the ‘90s, Jelly Roll developed an interest in hip-hop music and learned to rap. But from 14 to 25, he began cycling in and out of prison for various offences, including some felony charges. In the years since getting out, he’s gone from rapping to singing, ultimately finding a home in country music. Jelly Roll sits down with Tom to share his incredible story.

Last November, the Toronto-based singer Tafari Anthony dropped his debut album, “When I Met Your Girlfriend.” The album’s title was inspired by a new experience he had with polyamory, as well as the loss of a supportive friend. Tafari joins Tom to share his story and to set up a song off the record called “Evermore.”

Cate Blanchett (Elizabeth, The Aviator, Tár) is one of the most respected actors of our time. She's an onscreen chameleon who transforms into whatever role she plays, taking on whatever accent is required of her, so much so that she says it’s easy to forget what she actually sounds like. Cate sits down with Tom for a thoughtful conversation about two of her most recent projects — the unique political satire “Rumours” and the psychological thriller series “Disclaimer” — plus, her voice work and how she chooses her roles.

Amanda Peters is a Nova Scotian writer of Mi’kmaq and European ancestry whose debut novel, “The Berry Pickers,” became one of the most talked about books in North America last year. Now, she’s back with a collection of short stories, titled “Waiting for the Long Night Moon.” The book touches on heavy topics like residential schools, the fight for the right to clean water, systemic racism and abuse, as well as intimate stories based on her own life as a white-passing Indigenous woman. Amanda sits down with Tom to talk about her literary success, the heaviness and joy in her new collection, and why she calls these stories her “training wheels.”

Tobias Jesso Jr. is a Grammy-winning Canadian musician from Vancouver who’s written pop hits for superstars like Adele, Harry Styles, Dua Lipa, and Florence and the Machine. Last month, he was honoured with the international achievement award at the SOCAN Awards. In a rare interview, Tobias tells Tom about striking out in L.A. early in his career, stepping away from the spotlight after releasing one of the most talked about debut albums of 2015, and how he got his first session as a professional songwriter working with Adele.

Unlike a lot of other gold medallists at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Phil Wizard didn't grow up dreaming of becoming an Olympian. The Vancouver-based breakdancer sits down with Tom to reflect on his big win and why his personal motto is to “think like an artist, but train like an athlete.”

It’s Oct. 11, 1975, and the cast and crew of “Saturday Night Live” are scrambling to get the very first episode on the air. Director Jason Reitman (Juno, Up in the Air, Ghostbusters: Afterlife) chronicles those chaotic 90 minutes in his new movie, “Saturday Night.” He sits down with Tom to talk about how spending a week writing for “SNL” inspired the film, what it took to capture the excitement and tension of that night, and how truly revolutionary “SNL” was for its time.

You know that old quote about how the road to hell is paved with good intentions? That pretty much sums up “The Thanksgiving Play” by Larissa FastHorse. It’s a cringe comedy that follows a group of well-meaning white theatre nerds as they desperately try to create a politically correct Thanksgiving show, without the guidance of an Indigenous person. Larissa joins Tom to talk about the inspiration for the play, performative activism in the theatre world, and how wanting to be seen as doing the right thing isn’t actually the same as doing the right thing. 

As a self-described “image architect,” Law Roach is single-handedly responsible for styling Zendaya’s daring looks, as well as Celine Dion and Lindsay Lohan’s career comeback transformations. While he has no formal training, Law managed to become one of the most influential stylists in the world through sheer grit and instinct. Now, he’s released a new book, “How to Build a Fashion Icon,” which is both a memoir and a manual. Law joins Tom to tell us how thrifting with his grandmother helped him cultivate his style, how he rigged the “Who Wore It Best?” columns to put Zendaya on the map, and why he decided to announce his retirement at the height of his success.

Janelle Niles is a Black, Mi'kmaw, two-spirited comedian who’s been bringing her sharp humour to stages around Canada for the past few years. Now, she’s one of eight comedians featured in “Rez Comedy,” the first stand-up comedy film featuring all Indigenous Canadian comics. Janelle sits down with Tom to talk about the film and her life in comedy, from being the class clown in school to becoming a “progressive edgelord” on stage.

The Canadian actor Victor Garber (Titanic, Legally Blonde, Alias) has enjoyed an incredible career on stage and screen. This month, he’ll be honoured with a lifetime achievement award from the Forest City Film Festival — but there’s still at least one more thing he wants to accomplish. Victor sits down with Tom for a career-spanning chat about his time in the successful sunshine pop group The Sugar Shoppe, his starring role as Jesus Christ in the legendary Canadian production of “Godspell,” his iconic supporting role in James Cameron’s “Titanic,” and why he hopes his big film break is yet to come.

When the Montreal singer-songwriter Patrick Watson was tapped to write music for “So Long, Marianne” — a new scripted series about the romance between Leonard Cohen and Marianne Ihlen — he had to find a way to channel Leonard’s music without imitating his sound. Patrick ended up writing the theme song for the series and his involvement didn’t end there. He joins Tom to talk about his work on “So Long, Marianne” and his relationship with the late Canadian icon. 

For many of his fans, Kelsey Grammer is inseparable from his character Dr. Frasier Crane, who first appeared on “Cheers” and later got his own spin-off, “Frasier.” Last year, the actor reprised the role in a reboot of “Frasier” that’s now in its second season. But Kelsey’s connection to his most famous character runs deeper than simple nostalgia. He opens up about how the cast of “Frasier” became his family after he suffered several personal tragedies, why he didn’t always feel welcomed on “Cheers,” and how he ended up voicing Sideshow Bob on “The Simpsons.”

After years of struggling with auditions, the Canadian actor Carrie-Anne Moss landed the role of a lifetime playing Trinity in “The Matrix.” In her latest movie, “Die Alone,” she plays Mae, a hardened and eccentric survivor of a pandemic that’s caused a zombie-like outbreak. Carrie-Ann talks to Tom about the film, how “The Matrix” changed her life, and how she managed to maneuver fame and the Hollywood system after getting that breakthrough role.

Lead singer Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend has been called a generational voice in indie rock. From the band’s iconic first singles “A-Punk” and “Oxford Comma” to their acclaimed follow-up albums “Contra” and “Modern Vampires of the City,” their music defined the mid-‘00s for millions of people. Now, Vampire Weekend is back with their fifth album, “Only God Was Above Us.” Ezra joins Tom in the Q studio to talk about the new record, the early days of the band, and what it’s like having Quincy Jones for a father-in-law.

Toronto’s Dylan Sinclair is a rising star on the Canadian R&B scene. Last year, he and singer Savannah Ré won a Juno for their collaboration, "Last One." Now, he’s released his highly anticipated debut album, “For the Boy In Me,” which is some of his most honest and vulnerable music yet. Dylan sits down with Tom to talk about the record, and how meditation and self-discovery tie into his sound. 

On the hit series “The Bear,” Liza Colón-Zayas plays a middle-aged line cook named Tina who’s challenged by her mentors to learn new skills as a sous-chef. In some ways, her character’s story mirrors her own journey as an actor. Liza joins Tom to talk about the scarcity and struggle she had to overcome on her path to success, how her setbacks continue to shape her as an artist, and how as an actor you can feel invisible as you age.

Back in 2020, the Canadian singer-songwriter Leif Vollebekk found himself with a lot of extra time to think about the direction of his life and music. During that time, he allowed himself the space to dream, both figuratively and literally. Those dreams became the foundation of his new album, “Revelation.” Leif joins Tom to talk about the record and what he learned from reading Carl Jung’s “Memories, Dreams, Reflections.” 

For four decades, Nuno Bettencourt has been the lead guitarist and songwriter for the band Extreme. His style is so distinct that generations of guitar players have tried to sound just like him. In this career-spanning conversation, Nuno talks to Tom about Extreme, why a great guitar solo has nothing to do with how fast you can play or how proficient you are, and why Eddie Van Halen is his hero.

Back in July, the Palestinian Canadian singer-songwriter Nemah Hasan, a.k.a. Nemahsis, sat down with Tom to talk about her forthcoming debut album, “Verbathim.” The record was originally supposed to come out last year, but then she says her label unexpectedly dropped her. Now, with “Verbathim” finally out in the world, we revisit Nemah’s conversation with Tom where she explains exactly what happened in her own words.

Dr. Shirley Cheechoo is one of Canada’s most prominent voices in Indigenous film and theatre. At the annual Weengushk International Film Festival this past July, Dr. Cheechoo gave back to her community with a special event called Blanket of Stars: A Tribute to Resilience, dedicated to Canada’s residential school survivors — or as she calls them, residential school warriors. Dr. Cheechoo joins Tom to talk about her life on stage and screen, and what art can and can’t do when it comes to healing.

As a filmmaker, Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather, Apocalypse Now) is legendary for his vision, drive and propensity to risk it all. Now, he’s put it all on the line once again for his latest film, “Megalopolis” — a Roman epic set against the backdrop of New York City. In this wide-ranging interview, the acclaimed auteur tells us why he doesn’t want “Megalopolis” to be called a passion project, how making his masterpiece “The Godfather” turned his life upside down, and why he always ends up becoming the characters in his films.

Marek Tyler of the indie rock band nêhiyawak has just released his debut solo album, “Asko.” He joins Tom to talk about his process of using traditional nêhiyaw ceremony to make the record, what he learned by slowing down and shedding his ego, and the story behind his new single “wâhkôhtowin.”

The Australian author Liane Moriarty (Big Little Lies, Nine Perfect Strangers) is known for writing bestselling novels that tackle big questions. Her new book, “Here One Moment,” looks at fate and whether it’s something we can change or even avoid. Liane talks to Tom about the cancer scare that shaped her own thoughts on fate, how her dad gave her $1.00 to write her first novel, and how she blocks out the pressure that comes with success.

Lead vocalists Holly Laessig and Jess Wolfe of the indie pop band Lucius are used to being confused for twins. Not only do these inseparable best friends dress alike, but their voices blend together in perfect harmony. Now, they’ve re-recorded their breakout album, “Wildewoman,” to recreate the spark and energy of their early career. Holly and Jess join Tom to talk about the album, their friendship, and what they learned singing backup for Joni Mitchell.

The Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh (Erin Brockovich, Ocean's Eleven, Magic Mike) is shaking up the horror genre with his latest film, “Presence.” It’s a paranormal thriller with a twist in that it’s shot from the point-of-view of a housebound spirit. In this career-spanning chat, Steven looks back on his filmography and explains how moving into a house with its own spirit influenced his new movie.

In the 1886 play “Rosmersholm,” written by the Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen, an increasingly polarized country leads to an increasingly polarized election that begins to tear a household apart. Now, a critically-acclaimed adaptation, directed by Chris Abraham, is being staged at Crow’s Theatre in Toronto. Chris sits down with Tom to talk about what this politically-charged play can teach us about the upcoming elections in the U.S. and Canada.

The Canadian actor Elliot Page (Inception, Juno, The Umbrella Academy) and the British director Dominic Savage (I Am…) have come together to make “Close to You,” a powerful new drama about a young trans man who’s headed home to see his family for the first time in years. Elliot and Dominic join Tom to talk about the film and why it meant so much to them.

The Canadian actor and singer Maisy Stella stars alongside Aubrey Plaza in “My Old Ass.” It’s a new coming-of-age movie about a teenager named Elliott who comes face-to-face with her 39-year-old self during a mushroom trip on her 18th birthday. Maisy joins guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about her big-screen debut, what it’s like playing someone going through a major transition, and how she manifested her role in this movie.

At the height of her fame in the late ‘90s and early ‘00s, Eve seemed to have it all: stadium tours, a clothing line, and collaborations with the likes of Prince, Missy Elliott and Gwen Stefani. But in her new memoir, “Who’s That Girl?,” she tells the story of what was actually going on behind the scenes. Eve joins Tom to talk about some of the major highlights of her career, the negative side effects of fame, and the hip-hop industry’s double standard.