Amina, an out lesbian in Syria, documents her life on the blog Gay Girl in Damascus during the Arab Spring. Journalist Samira Mohyeddin investigates what happened when Amina is abducted, revealing a twisted global story challenging our notions of love, politics, and identity online.

Ashwin Rodrigues, a freelance journalist, discusses the rise of nicotine pouches in the U.S. and their potential as a quitting tool. Marina von Stackelberg, CBC's reporter, talks about the controversial brand, Zonnic, being sold in Canada. Topics include the popularity of nicotine pouches, concerns about accessibility and marketing targeting youth, and the high rates of teenage vaping.

Sam Adams, culture writer at Slate, discusses the declining popularity of superhero movies after the worst opening weekend for The Marvels. They explore Marvel fatigue, controversies, and the impact of Disney Plus series on the Marvel Cinematic Universe. They touch on upcoming projects and challenges faced by Marvel Studios, as well as the influence of Marvel movies on the film industry.

Protests in Panama over a Canadian mining deal have sparked violence, with casualties and police repression. The protests stem from concerns about exploitation, environmental impact, and the history of North American interests in Central America. The Panama Canal and its connection to the protests, economic impact, and media coverage are also discussed.

Demonstrators call for ceasefire in Israel-Hamas war, while US and Canada push for 'humanitarian pauses'. The difference between ceasefire and humanitarian pause explained. International pressure for ceasefire in Israeli-Palestinian conflict. US involvement and shifting public opinion. Challenges of implementing successful ceasefire and potential post-ceasefire plans.

This podcast discusses the delayed publication of Canada's official history of the war in Afghanistan, the significance of Operation Medusa, Canada's role and criticisms in the war, and the importance of questioning and debating history in times of war.

More than 80 women from around the world have accused the fast-fashion mogul Peter Nygard of rape, sexual assault, and human trafficking in incidents across four decades and at least four countries. He has been charged for sex crimes in three Canadian provinces and the state of New York. He denies it all, and has claimed his accusers are lying as part of a vast conspiracy. In his words, the acts he is accused of are things he “would never do.” Nygard had built a sprawling international retail empire over the past 50 years — but his professional achievements are now overshadowed by a sinister personal life, one that has earned him the moniker, ‘Canada’s Jeffrey Epstein’. Listen to the Podcast Evil by Design at: https://link.chtbl.com/AKYfQMOA

Adam Neumann, CEO of WeWork, discusses the rise and fall of the coworking company. Topics include lease arbitrage, WeWork's sales pitch, the founder's influence on the board, challenges faced in 2019, and aftermath of SoftBank's bailout.

Inside the trial of former RCMP intelligence director Cameron Ortis, who’s facing allegations he tried to sell secrets to some of the very people police were targeting. What sensitive documents do police say Ortis exposed? For transcripts of Front Burner, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/transcripts Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. How are an encrypted phone dealer and international money laundering network involved? What’s behind the defence’s bombshell claim that Ortis was acting on foreign intel? CBC Parliamentary reporter Catharine Tunney returns to explain.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s carbon tax exemption for home heating oil has renewed criticism of the entire scheme — a cornerstone of Canada’s plan to curb greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change. CBC’s Aaron Wherry weighs in on how the Liberal government is weathering a storm of its own making. For transcripts of Front Burner, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/transcripts Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.