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
Jul 3, 2025 • 24min
Summer’s here and the time is right for… “kidrotting”?
This summer, some parents are opting out of the packed schedules, the summer camps, and little leagues and instead are saying yes to slower days at home. Amil Niazi, a columnist for The Cut, shares how she’s embracing an unscheduled, unstructured summer — sometimes called “kidrotting.” And child psychologist Janine Hubbard explains why letting kids be bored might actually be good for them.
Jul 2, 2025 • 24min
What's a divorce registry and why are more people using them?
Divorce is costly — legally, emotionally, and financially. That’s why more people are using divorce registries – a list of things your friends and families can buy to help you start your post-divorce life. We talk to a woman who turned to friends and family to furnish a new life after splitting with her partner, and hear from the co-founder of a divorce registry helping others do the same. Plus, a certified financial divorce specialist lays out the cost of divorce.
Jul 2, 2025 • 19min
Why Gen Z's jobless rate should matter to everyone
More young Canadians are out of work than at any point in decades–excluding during the COVID-19 pandemic. The youth unemployment rate is now more than 14 per cent and for students returning to school this fall the anxiety of the world to come after school is daunting. We hear from two Gen Z job seekers about the emotional toll of a stagnant job market, and a labour expert on what this might signal about Canada’s economy.
Jun 30, 2025 • 24min
Bob McDonald: Science, Survival, and Self-Doubt
Quirks and Quarks host Bob McDonald says people are often surprised to learn he’s a university dropout — a fact that’s contributed to the impostor syndrome he’s felt for a large part of his life. In his memoir Just Say Yes, Bob McDonald charts his path from an unhappy and sometimes abusive home to Canada's foremost explainer of all things scientific.
Jun 30, 2025 • 20min
Cattle Sold, Crops Failing: Inside Saskatchewan’s Drought Crisis
Farmers' livelihoods are at stake in Saskatchewan in the middle of a historic drought. It’s been a while since Saskatchewan saw steady rainfall – and conditions are pushing some farmers to the edge. Ranchers are facing choices about whether to sell off cattle or take on more debt. We hear from two prairie farmers about the impact drought is having on their farms, and how they’re coping amidst climate extremes. We also speak to an expert on what it will take to make farming more resilient in the face of climate change.
Jun 27, 2025 • 8min
Fluoride set to flow again in Calgary Water
Fluoride is returning to Calgary’s drinking water. The city removed it more than a decade ago, but after a public vote and years of planning, it's back. A city councilor who once voted against fluoride explains why he’s changed his mind.
Jun 27, 2025 • 19min
Venetians protest Bezos’ billionaire wedding
Jeff Bezos is getting married in Venice, but not everyone is celebrating. As A-list guests gather, activists and locals are protesting what they see as a city being rented out to the ultra-wealthy. We hear from a protester with “No Space for Bezos,” and from a former luxury wedding planner who now writes about class and culture.
Jun 27, 2025 • 16min
How Police Busted a Lululemon Theft Ring
Yoga pants and stolen goods. Court documents obtained by CBC reveal a suspected organized crime ring behind a wave of high-value thefts from Lululemon stores across British Columbia. CBC journalist Jason Proctor breaks down how police tracked down the suspects.
Jun 26, 2025 • 19min
Where does Iran’s nuclear program stand now?
A fragile ceasefire is in place between Israel and Iran — but where does this leave Iran’s nuclear program? U.S. President Donald Trump is confident the program is destroyed but some intelligence reports suggest only setbacks. We speak with nuclear policy expert James Acton about what happens now.
Jun 26, 2025 • 24min
The hippie trail trip that changed Rick Steve’s life
Rick Steves had his first puff of a joint in Afghanistan while he was travelling the Hippie Trail in 1978, the overland route from Istanbul to Kathmandu. The travel writer and entrepreneur talks to Matt Galloway about how that trip made him think about the world differently — and why he says others should seek out mind-expanding travel, too.
