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
Oct 7, 2025 • 20min
Why Prime Minister Carney needs a win with President Trump
Mark Carney heads to the Oval Office to meet the U.S. president today. Almost six months after he was elected to fix Canada's Trump problem, there's still no relief on tariffs. Former Conservative leader Erin O'Toole says Canada can get a deal with the Americans by finding a way to give the president a win on defence or energy.
Oct 7, 2025 • 23min
What's it like to be a new grad and apply to 1000+ jobs
Youth unemployment in Canada is at its highest rate in over a decade, over 14%. How a weakening Canadian economy and fewer entry-level job jobs have left Canadian young people at loose ends. We hear from two young grads on their frustrating job hunt — and Mikal Skuterud, professor of economics at the University of Waterloo about what it will take to turn it around.
Oct 7, 2025 • 25min
“Maple Motors” could an all Canadian car hit the roads?
A domestic car brand is an idea that's been kicking around, especially in this time of uncertainty in the Canadian automotive sector. Flavio Volpe, the president of Canada's Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association believes the answer is to take back control of its car manufacturing sector and launch a local brand, but some experts say it's not that easy.
Oct 6, 2025 • 20min
Is this the beginning of the end of the war in Gaza?
Hamas and Israel have agreed to some parts of the 20-point US peace plan and talks continue today in Egypt. We talk to Janice Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, and Zaha Hassan, human rights lawyer and a Senior Fellow in the Middle East program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace about what this peace plan means for the region — and what happens next.
Oct 6, 2025 • 22min
These Calgary artists want a piece of your mind
Caitlind Brown and Wayne Garrett don't just create public art. They involve people in its creation and invite them to interact with it. That might mean picking up a colourful phone in an Edmonton park and talking to a stranger on the other side. Or peering through a spyglass into a glass globe to see a scene from a book that meant something to one of their neighbours.
Oct 6, 2025 • 24min
Should we protect kids from violent content online?
When Charlie Kirk was killed, graphic videos of his death went viral. Many kids opened up their social media and saw the gruesome footage. Experts estimate that by the time children reach middle school they've watched as many as 8,000 murders and 100,000 other acts of virtual violence online. What impact does this have on kids? And what does the exposure to these violent acts mean for their worldview? We're joined by New Yorker staff writer, and father, Jay Kang, who wrote an article titled "What the Video of Charlie Kirk’s Murder Might Do?"
Oct 3, 2025 • 13min
These Blue Jays fans are all in for the win
Maddie Cholette, from Oakville, Ont. and Debbie Rafuse, from Chester, N.S, tell us how they're preparing to watch their team go for baseball glory this weekend, why this year's edition of the Jays was so darn lovable — and why both of them have a special soft spot for George Springer.
Oct 3, 2025 • 24min
Can the U.S. constitution survive Donald Trump?
The men who wrote the American constitution included its goals right there in the preamble: Establish justice. Ensure tranquility. Secure the blessings of liberty. Lately, there have been plenty of reasons to question whether that document is living up to those goals — and there's real talk of a constitutional crisis. At a moment like this, when the future looks uncertain, Harvard historian and law professor Jill Lepore is an expert at explaining why history matters. We talk to her about her latest book, "We the People: A History of the U.S. Constitution."
Oct 3, 2025 • 11min
The perfect picture took years, but it was worth the wait
Liron Gertsman's award winning photo was years in the making. Then he got on a plane and took a boat to get it but it earned him the title of Bird Photographer of the Year out of 33 thousand other photos.
Oct 3, 2025 • 20min
Should Canada Make Young People Do a Year of Service?
There's a growing call for mandatory national service in Canada — asking 18- to 30-year-olds to spend a year in public health, the environment, youth services, civil protection, or the military. Esprit de Corps editor Scott Taylor says it could strengthen citizenship and even help the Armed Forces. Policy expert David McLaughlin argues it's a way to build unity but warns it won't come cheap. Seventeen-year-old Jaden Braves pushes back, saying young people need to shape the program themselves.
