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
Sep 4, 2025 • 25min
This family says ChatGPT is to blame for their son’s death
A California family says ChatGPT acted as a “suicide coach” for their teenage son, Adam Raine, in a lawsuit filed against Open AI and and its CEO Sam Altman. Adam turned to ChatGPT initially for help with schoolwork. What developed was a disturbing and dark relationship, hidden from his parents. New York Times technology reporter Kashmir Hill talks about meeting Adam's parents and the troubling exchanges they found between ChatGPT and their son. We also hear from Meetali Jain, the tech lawyer who helped file the lawsuit and is on a mission to hold big tech accountable.
Sep 4, 2025 • 27min
“A better tomorrow” Inuit leaders talk future of the North
Politicians and industry both in Canada and afar have their sights on the arctic. For the Inuit who have called this place home for centuries, there’s real concern on what the future holds. Natan Obed is the president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and acting President of Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada and Jeremy Tunraluk is the president of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated. They speak with Matt Galloway about their dreams for this place and its people and why “the colonial days are over - and it is time for Nunavut to be included.”
Sep 4, 2025 • 19min
What’s the state of public education in Canada?
Canada’s public education system has been recognized globally for decades, ranking in the top 10 countries according to the Programme for International Student Assessment, or PISA. But, since 2006, this country has seen its overall scores drop in all three areas: reading, science and especially math — leaving experts, and parents, worried. In The Current’s new series, Learning Curve, we are taking a closer look into what’s leading to this drop — and can our education system be improved for everyone involved.
Sep 3, 2025 • 23min
How much energy did your ChatGPT prompt use just now?
Google is one of the first big tech companies to go public with how much energy it takes to use its AI tools.. AI’s carbon footprint is big - so how does Canada balance the energy guzzler with AI sovereignty?Tech reporter Casey Crownhart digs into the massive electricity demands of an AI future, and what it means for the climate. Plus, we talk with Phil Harris, President and CEO of Cerio, and Kate Herland of the Canadian Climate Institute, about what Canada can do to make AI data centres here more sustainable.
Sep 3, 2025 • 24min
Miriam Toews on why she writes, and how it helps her survive
People who read the fiction of Miriam Toews might think they know a fair bit about her life story. She's written about sister relationships, suicide, and her conservative Mennonite upbringing. Now her highly anticipated new memoir does away with the mirror of fiction — shining a light on why she writes, and the power of family.
Sep 3, 2025 • 20min
Alberta shelves school book ban — for now
Librarians are relieved the province has paused its order to remove sexually-explicit titles, which swept up Margaret Atwood’s Handmaid’s Tale, but some parents say some books need to be banned and the government should act. John Hilton-O'Brien , Executive Director of Parents for Choice in EducationLaura Winton, board member of Library Association of Alberta, join host Matt Galloway.
Sep 2, 2025 • 1h 14min
“Welcome to Iqaluit” - The Current in Canada’s North
Gwen Natsik, a passionate student and president of the National Inuit Youth Council, Janet Pitsilak Brewster, an Inuk MLA fighting for mental health support, and musician Nancy Mike discuss the vibrant, yet challenging life in Iqaluit. They tackle pressing issues like food insecurity, housing shortages, and the critical need for a public health emergency declaration. Amidst the struggles, they share stories of resilience, cultural pride, and the hope and joy that define their community, emphasizing the importance of mental health resources and youth support.
Sep 1, 2025 • 27min
How this conductor is bringing Powell River, B.C. together with musi
Many small communities across the country are struggling to survive, as people age and their children chase big city life. Powell River, B.C. is trying to keep its own numbers up with the help of a conductor who’s worked with some of the world’s biggest orchestras. In her documentary War and Peace, the CBC’s Liz Hoath hears from locals who say Arthur Arnold is bringing a lot more than music to their town of 13,000 people
Sep 1, 2025 • 19min
Is Canada ready for an unstable America?
The PSYOPS that the US has been carrying out in Greenland could easily come to Canada and we are woefully unprepared. That's according to author Stephen Marche. He says that trade negotiations and boycotts and national pride are not enough. He says everything from manipulating US elections, to sending spies overseas to mandatory military service - should be on the table. Stephen Marche's books include The Next Civil War, and The Last Election and he's also host of a new podcast called Gloves Off .
Aug 29, 2025 • 14min
Bonding over the Oxford comma
Do you silently judge someone who says “less” when they mean “fewer”? Do you have very strong feelings about the Oxford comma? You may want a word with Ellen Jovin. For years, the author of Rebel with a Clause has been setting up a folding table on the street to talk to people about grammar which she says can actually bring us together in divisive times.
