The Agenda with Steve Paikin (Audio)

Robert Francis Prevost – now Pope Leo XIV – is the first American elected to lead 1.4 billion Catholics around the world. He spent much of his time in Peru as a missionary before Pope Francis in 2023 made him a Cardinal, and therefore eligible to become Pope. To help us learn more about the new Pontiff and the direction he may lead the Catholic Church, we welcome: Megan Armstrong, professor of history at McMaster University in Hamilton, and a specialist on Early Modern Catholicism; and Michael Higgins, Basilian Distinguished Fellow of Contemporary Catholic Thought at the University of St. Michael's College, and author of "The Jesuit Disruptor: A Personal Portrait of Pope Francis."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From mommy bloggers and hyper-organized TikTok moms, to feminist manifestos on the value of domestic labour, motherhood is a hot topic. And in her new book, "Story of Your Mother," – partially written directly to her first-born son – Chantal Braganza looks for fresh ways to define the life-altering experience, both intellectually and very personally. She's also a senior editor at Chatelaine Magazine.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In his debut novel "The Riveter," author Jack Wang tells the story of two star-crossed lovers set amidst the backdrop of anti-Chinese racism in Canada that lasted decades before and well through the Second World War. And while the story may be fiction, there is an element of truth in this tale of love and war. Jack Wang joins Jeyan Jeganathan to discuss.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been 80 years since Allied forces defeated Nazi Germany in World War II. Why is it still important to recognize Victory in Europe, or VE Day? Three historians discuss the significance of this anniversary, not just to help us understand the past, but to comprehend the present. Margaret MacMillan, emeritus professor of International History at Oxford University and the University of Toronto and author of "War: How Conflict Shaped Us"; Tim Cook, chief historian and director of research at the Canadian War Museum and author of "The Good Allies: How Canada and the United States Fought Together to Defeat Fascism during the Second World War"; and Jeff Noakes, historian at the Canadian War Museum and author of "Forged in Fire: Canada and the Second World War" join Steve Paikin to discuss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

History is easy in the rearview. When you look back things are a lot neater and tidier - you can say this is authoritarianism, this is fascism, this is the obvious threshold or signpost for crossing into it. History though may not be as obvious when you are living it. Has the United States crossed the threshold into authoritarianism? Or fascism? The Atlantic's Tom Nichols weighs in. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For years, fighting was on the decline in the National Hockey League and traditional enforcers lost their place on the roster. But is fighting coming back? It certainly was in that Four Nations Canada/USA game in Montreal, where there were three fights in nine seconds. Is that moment a turning point for fighting in the game? We've also seen our share of brutal headshots in the Stanley Cup Playoffs so far. Is the league succeeding at all in cutting down on those? Guests include: Ryan Pinder, co-host of Barn Burner Podcast at Flames Nation; Sean McIndoe, Senior NHL writer at The Athletic and co-host of two podcasts: Puck Soup and The Athletic Hockey Show; Mary Ormsby, Toronto Star journalist for 35 years; and Ken Campbell, Freelance hockey writer and a long-time writer at The Hockey News.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tom Nichols, a Staff writer at The Atlantic and author of 'The Death of Expertise', explores the attack on expert knowledge and its societal implications. He discusses how skepticism towards expertise has burgeoned, partly fueled by internet research and the rise of non-expert voices like Joe Rogan. Nichols examines the dangers of politicizing expertise in authoritarian regimes and the erosion of trust during crises such as COVID-19. He argues that disrespect for informed knowledge threatens democracy and effective governance.

Canada's middle class is being squeezed out of housing markets in Ontario's largest cities, harming not only those people but local economies, too. But the federal Liberals say they have a plan to build hundreds of thousands of affordable units, even creating a new crown corporation for the task. But a lot needs to happen before those homes can be built at the scale and speed needed to get the middle class into homes they can afford. To discuss we welcome Mike Moffatt, Director of the University of Ottawa's Missing Middle Initiative and Leslie Woo, CEO of CivicAction.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After tariffs, policies around crypto currency appear to be a domestic priority for the Trump Administration. As a presidential candidate, Trump vowed to make the U.S. the crypto capital of the world. But some of his moves in crypto – and those of his family – have left even ardent supporters of the sector recoiling. So, what does the U.S. gain from Trump's crypto policies. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As ticket prices soar and ads for sports betting increase, are business interests taking some of the magic out of sporting events? We welcome Cheri Bradish, David Macfarlane, and Morgan Campbell to explore. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.