

The Sunday Magazine
CBC
CBC Radio’s The Sunday Magazine is a lively, wide-ranging mix of topical long-form conversations, engaging ideas and more. Each week, host Piya Chattopadhyay takes time for deep exploration, but also makes space for surprise, delight and fun.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 24, 2025 • 28min
Incarcerated journalist explores the value of telling crime stories from the inside
True crime stories dominate our screens and feeds. But John J. Lennon wants us to question how much truth they're telling – and whose. He reflects on those ideas in his book The Tragedy of True Crime: Four Guilty Men and the Stories That Define Us. And one of the guilty men he writes about is himself. Lennon is serving a 28-years-to-life sentence in New York state for murder, drug sales and gun possession, and has become a professional writer while in prison. He joins Piya Chattopadhyay to talk about his approach to telling crime stories, and the search for meaning, growth and identity inside the system.

Sep 21, 2025 • 1h 33min
UN General Assembly, Traveling Nanas, U.S. speech, Incarcerated journalist
Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with McGill University's Max Bell School of Public Policy director Jennifer Welsh about the stakes of this week's United Nations General Assembly talks, "Traveling Nanas" Eleanor Hamby and Sandra Hazelip share the life lessons they've learned from their world adventures, University of Toronto scholar Jason Stanley reflects on the state of speech and democratic institutions in the United States, and incarcerated journalist John J. Lennon explores the value of telling crime stories from the inside.Discover more at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

Sep 17, 2025 • 29min
'Why not me?': How champion skip Jennifer Jones built community and confidence through curling
Twenty years ago, Jennifer Jones made what's widely considered one of the greatest shots in curling history – a hail-mary four-pointer that won her the 2005 Scotties Tournament of Hearts and cemented her legacy as an icon in the sport. Now, as she steps away from four-player curling, the six-time Canadian champion and Olympic gold medalist sits down with Piya Chattopadhyay to talk about her memoir, Rock Star, which leaves no stone unturned in looking back on her journey both on and off the ice.

Sep 14, 2025 • 1h 41min
Energy projects, Jennifer Jones, Haaretz editor, Arctic security
Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with Queen's University energy policy expert Warren Mabee and CBC News journalist Jason Markusoff about the potential and politics of Prime Minister Mark Carney's "nation-building" energy project priorities, Canadian curling legend Jennifer Jones looks back on her journey both on and off the ice, Haaretz editor-in-chief Aluf Benn describes the challenges of covering the war in Gaza, and Julia Pagel explores how people living in Canada's North are thinking about renewed interest in Arctic security.Discover more at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday.

Sep 10, 2025 • 25min
Amid climate and political instability, Jane Goodall keeps her hope for our planet alive
At 91-years-old, Jane Goodall hasn't just seen a lot of change in the world – she's made a lot of change. The legendary naturalist’s field work with chimpanzees transformed how both science and the general public view our fellow primates. In later years, as an activist and conservationist, she’s inspired countless young people to follow her lead and change the world. Today, when political leaders seem to be prioritizing the economy over the environment, Goodall speaks with Piya Chattopadhyay about how to stay hopeful, and to keep on sparking positive change.

15 snips
Sep 7, 2025 • 1h 31min
Carney's plan to transform our economy, Math's life lessons, Jane Goodall, That's Puzzling!
Join Rob Russo, Canada correspondent for The Economist, and Shannon Proudfoot from the Globe and Mail, as they dive into Prime Minister Mark Carney's plans for Canada's economy amidst current challenges. Mathematician Eugenia Cheng discusses how math can clarify complex issues and promote equality, while the legendary Jane Goodall shares inspiring insights on hope and environmental action in the face of adversity. Plus, grab a seat for some fun with a creative trivia game to engage the mind!

Sep 3, 2025 • 23min
How our personal devices became 'needy' for our touch and attention
In many ways, personal devices like smartphones, tablets and smartwatches feel less like tools… and more like constant companions. Stephen Monteiro says that’s by design. The assistant professor of communications studies at Concordia University joins David Common to discuss his book Needy Media, in which he breaks down how our devices evolved – from the way they feel in our hands, to how they light up when we look at them – to make us more dependent on them.

Aug 31, 2025 • 1h 34min
Donald Trump's whirlwind summer, Device design and dependence, Carbon dioxide, Loretta Ross
Guest host David Common speaks with The Atlantic staff writer Toluse "Tolu" Olorunnipa and New York Times White House correspondent Luke Broadwater about the enduring effects of Donald Trump's whirlwind summer, assistant professor of communications studies at Concordia University Stephen Monteiro breaks down how our devices evolved to make us more dependent on them, science journalist Peter Brannen enriches our understanding of carbon dioxide, and activist Loretta Ross reflects on her social justice journey.Discover more at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

Aug 27, 2025 • 17min
The long tail of the forces that drove Canada's federal election
Four months since Mark Carney was elected prime minister, journalist Justin Ling is examining the forces that drove – and divided – Canadians during the federal election campaign in his new book, The 51st State Votes. David Common speaks with Ling about the existential crisis Canadians faced at the ballot box in the form of Donald Trump, how it fundamentally shifted the fortunes of Conservative leader Pierre Poilieve, and how all federal parties need to adapt to meet this moment as Parliament gets ready to return.

Aug 24, 2025 • 1h 38min
Russia-Ukraine peace talks, Famine in Gaza, Trump's impact on Canadian politics, Dr. Chika Stacy Oriuwa, Stadium shows
Guest host David Common speaks with global affairs experts Janice Stein and Roland Paris about how much merit there may be behind the momentum of Russia-Ukraine peace prospects, famine expert Alex de Waal discusses the confirmation of famine in Gaza City, journalist Justin Ling explores how the forces behind the federal election are shaping Canadian politics now, Dr. Chika Stacy Oriuwa shares her journey to becoming a doctor and finding her voice, and music historian Steve Waksman walks through how stadium shows evolved and changed live music.Discover more at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday