The Current
CBC
Three stories to expand your worldview, delivered daily. Matt Galloway cuts through a sea of choice to bring you stories that transcend the news cycle. Conversations with big thinkers, household names, and people living the news. An antidote to algorithms that cater to what you already know — and a meeting place for diverse perspectives. In its 20 years, the Current has become a go-to place for stories that shape and entertain us. Released daily, Monday to Friday.The Current is produced in Toronto, Ontario, Canada — and has recently recorded live shows about the Canadian election in Surrey and Burnaby BC. And shows to come in Oshawa and the 905, Red Deer, Alberta, Quebec City and Halifax.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 5, 2025 • 14min
‘Make the Season Kind’ with CBC
Anne Penman, a longtime CBC producer, discusses her decades-long role in leading the Make the Season Kind campaign to support food banks in British Columbia. She highlights the increasing demand for food assistance, with more families and young people relying on these vital services. Anne shares heartening stories of community kindness and the welcoming atmosphere in food banks. Her insights reveal how innovation and partnerships help meet rising needs, while reflecting on the powerful impact of kindness in addressing food insecurity.
Dec 5, 2025 • 14min
Does Canada stand a chance in the 2026 world cup?
Join soccer journalist John Molinaro, founder of tfcrepublic.ca, and political scientist Aaron Ettinger as they dive into Canada's hopes for the 2026 World Cup. They discuss the significance of Canada's historic qualification and evaluate the team’s potential. Molinaro shares insights on the vibrant atmosphere in Toronto and Vancouver, while Ettinger explores the political dynamics surrounding mega-events. Their conversation highlights the intersection of sport and politics, leaving listeners contemplating whether soccer can rise above the political fray.
Dec 5, 2025 • 20min
What’s the future of the Canada-US-Mexico trade deal?
Join Pete Kappelman, a fourth-generation dairy farmer, as he shares insights on U.S. dairy frustrations with limited access to Canadian markets under USMCA. Ed Bristwa highlights why technology firms deem the trade deal essential for global competitiveness and seeks a 16-year extension. Laura Dawson discusses the importance of Canada in U.S. trade and interprets the ongoing review process as a chance for thoughtful updates rather than drastic changes. Together, they navigate the intricacies of North American trade dynamics.
Dec 5, 2025 • 21min
This new drug could be a game-changer for HIV/AIDS
Dr. Darrell Tan, an infectious disease physician and Canadian HIV prevention leader, discusses the groundbreaking drug lenacapavir, which promises a revolutionary six-month injectable option for HIV prevention. He emphasizes the need for Canadian doctors to advocate for equitable access to this treatment. Dr. Catherine Martin, a senior researcher from Johannesburg, highlights the critical real-world testing of lenacapavir in southern Africa, particularly for young women, and addresses the challenges of implementation, including cost and regulatory hurdles.
Dec 4, 2025 • 10min
Confusion for BC Cons
Rob Shaw, a political reporter based in Victoria and host of the Political Capital podcast, dives into the chaotic leadership dispute in the BC Conservatives. John Rustad claims he's still the leader, despite the party naming an interim head. The tension escalates as MLAs express confusion over the legality of the vote. Rob discusses the 'quasi-coup,' the deep divisions within the party, and doubts over anyone's ability to bridge the gaps. He also touches on the awkward aftermath and how Premier David Eby may benefit from the Conservatives' turmoil.
Dec 4, 2025 • 20min
How sustainable is the Buy Canadian movement?
In this discussion, Julie Brown, co-founder of Province of Canada, reveals how her focus on local manufacturing nearly doubled her sales. Josephine Au, owner of Emery, shares her challenges with U.S. tariffs and how local support bolstered her brand. Melise Panetta, a marketing lecturer, analyzes the attitude-behavior gap, showing that while Canadians favor buying local, financial pressures complicate follow-through. The conversation highlights the impact of consumer choices on local economies and the persistent challenges faced by small businesses.
Dec 4, 2025 • 12min
Why are these firefighters recreating a Twilight scene?
Todd Bulled, a volunteer firefighter from Pender Island, B.C., crafts viral fire-safety videos inspired by Twilight, blending humor with life-safety messaging. He shares insights on adapting trends for social media to promote smoke detector checks and wildfire prevention. Todd reveals how his son helps with videography, and he discusses the surprising reach and international attention their creative sketches have garnered. With support from actor Bruce Greenwood, he highlights the power of entertaining content in making safety messages memorable.
Dec 4, 2025 • 10min
Death toll climbs from deadly floods across Indonesia
Lesthia Kertupati, a senior journalist with BBC Indonesia, shares her insights on the catastrophic flooding in Indonesia. She paints a harrowing picture of devastation in Sumatra with over 800 deaths, submerged villages, and destroyed infrastructure. Relief efforts are hampered by damaged roads, forcing volunteers to traverse great distances to deliver aid. Lesthia also discusses the escalating health and sanitation crises in overcrowded shelters and connects the storm's severity to climate change and deforestation, emphasizing urgent calls for national disaster status.
Dec 4, 2025 • 23min
Are AI toys safe for your kids?
Arwa Madhavi, a journalist known for her work on the impact of AI toys, and Cara Brisson-Boivin, Director of Research at MediaSmarts, dive into the world of interactive AI toys for kids. They discuss alarming findings about dangerous conversations some toys can initiate. Arwa shares her family's experience with an AI toy named Grimm, highlighting issues like inappropriate responses and privacy concerns. Cara emphasizes the importance of parental guidance and how these toys dangerously blur the lines of imaginative play versus AI-driven interactions.
Dec 3, 2025 • 9min
Grist for the mill…
Alison Dempster, a CBC reporter and producer from Calgary, dives into the construction of a new flour mill in Red Deer County. She highlights its impressive capacity of 750 metric tons per day and discusses the strategic choice of location due to proximity to farmers and market growth. Conversations on food security reveal the mill’s potential role amid trade uncertainties. Farmer Jim Wood shares local market opportunities, while entrepreneur Arlene Dickinson calls for a push in agri-food processing to bolster Canadian exports. The future looks promising!
