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 2, 2025 • 20min
The fate of Marineland's beluga whales
Marineland wanted to ship their 30 captive beluga whales to an amusement park in China — but the federal government stopped them. And with the once iconic amusement park shutting its doors, the question of what to do with whales, and whose responsibility they should be, remains unclear. W
Oct 2, 2025 • 10min
Pick-Your-Own Apple farmers say theft is out of control
Farmer Paul Brooks is ringing the alarm over a surge in apple thefts on his farm in Uxbridge, Ontario. He is one of many other farmers across Ontario experiencing this and it's threatening the cultural-favourite activity of apple picking altogether.
Oct 2, 2025 • 24min
Remembering Jane Goodall and her ground-breaking career
Jane Goodall’s research into chimpanzees changed our understanding of the natural world. She died yesterday at the age of 91. So we’re bringing back our conversation with Jane Gooddall from October 2023, where she told Matt Galloway how her youthful curiosity sparked a ground-breaking career — and why her hope for curbing climate change lied with young people
Oct 2, 2025 • 11min
Comics face backlash for performing in Saudi Arabia
Comedians playing at a festival in Riyadh are being skewered by fellow comics for ignoring the country's human rights abuses. But former Canadian ambassador Dennis Horak says this isn't simply Saudi whitewashing. It's part of a move towards limited reforms — and that's good for both Saudis and regional stability.
Oct 1, 2025 • 24min
Dr. Mike vs anti-vaxxers: How Gen Z is changing debating
Gen Z is reshaping debate culture. Online, millions tune in to fiery clashes over politics, identity, and health. It’s raw, awkward, sometimes uncomfortable — and wildly popular.But is this about finding common ground, or just turning polarization into entertainment? We talk to Atlantic writer Spencer Kornhaber about why these debates resonate with Gen Z and what they reveal about how young people have discussions today. Then, physician and YouTube creator Dr. Mike Varshavski joins us to share why he stepped into one of these debates himself — and whether conversations like these can actually change minds.
Oct 1, 2025 • 16min
What raising minimum wage can and can't do
The minimum wage is going up in some provinces today — for the second time this year in some cases. What does this actually mean for poverty in Canada? And is this meant to tackle the cost of living crisis?
Oct 1, 2025 • 11min
Why Gen Z loves subtitles
A new survey shows that younger generations are watching TV with the subtitles way more than older people. Gen Z journalist Isabel Brooks says she gets why. Young people are watching in a noisy, distracted, TikTok-ified world. But that doesn't mean she likes it.
Oct 1, 2025 • 20min
What’s next for Alberta?
For the last three months Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has been hosting “Alberta Next” town halls. On the agenda — how to get a better deal from Ottawa...and more autonomyThe final town hall happens online tonight. But separatist and pro-Canada groups are also criss-crossing the province with their campaigns. The CBC’s Allison Dempster speaks with host Matt Galloway about what’s next for the province.
Sep 30, 2025 • 25min
The "Nouveau" Louvre: How can the museum improve?
The Louvre is the world's biggest, most visited museum in the world - about nine million visitors a year — and it's getting a makeover. Our conversation with the first woman to lead the Louvre, President-Director Laurence des Cars about the challenges of overtourism, their ambitious billion-dollar plan to modernize the venerable institution, the role of art and culture in 2025, and the future of museums.
Sep 30, 2025 • 12min
How a criminal gang from India made the Canadian terror list
Intimidation, extortion, and murder. After months of calls by political leaders, the Bishnoi Gang has been designated a terrorist organization by the federal government. But they're a group without a clear political ideology.
