

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

Jul 27, 2025 • 1h 38min
Hockey culture, Private life, Canadian politics, Nathan Law
Guest host David Common speaks with CBC Sports senior contributor Shireen Ahmed and The Athletic senior writer Dan Robson about the broader implications of the world junior sexual assault case for hockey culture, cultural historian Tiffany Jenkins explores the rise and potential fall of private life, The Economist’s Rob Russo and The Toronto Star’s Rob Benzie look at the state of Canada-U.S. trade negotiations and federal-provincial relations, and Nathan Law reflects on his unlikely journey to activism and what he makes of the prospects for democracy in Hong Kong.Discover more at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

Jul 23, 2025 • 23min
Are we 'cooked'? How social platforms are shaping the evolution of language
If "unalive," "seggs" and "rizz" are all foreign-sounding words to you... perhaps you're not fluent in algopeak. That refers to the way language is being shaped by algorithms, censorship and the relentless drive to go viral. For the latest instalment of Word Processing, our ongoing look at language, linguist and influencer Adam Aleksic tells Piya Chattopadhyay about how online culture is transforming the way we speak and communicate in unprecedented ways – and whether we're simply all "cooked."

Jul 20, 2025 • 1h 40min
Indigenous consultation, Social media and language, Jasper wildfire legacy, Animals and death
Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation Chief Craig Nootchtai and columnist and professor Niigaan Sinclair about the bigger meaning of consultation with Indigenous communities, linguist and influencer Adam Aleksic breaks down the way online culture is shaping language, journalist Matthew Scace looks at the legacy of the Jasper, Alta. wildfire, and philosopher Susana Monsó offers death lessons from the animal kingdom.Discover more at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

Jul 16, 2025 • 24min
How disability prepared one woman for parenthood
When disability upended Jessica Slice's world, her life grew richer in unexpected ways. The writer found herself with newfound perspective and skills that made her feel uniquely equipped to become a mother. She shares her reflections on disability culture and parenthood in her new book.

Jul 13, 2025 • 1h 30min
NDP leadership, disability and parenthood, Canadian housing, Vince Carter documentary
Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with former federal NDP candidate Joel Harden and political strategist Jordan Leichnitz about the future of the NDP, we look at parenting with a disability through the eyes of author Jessica Slice, researcher Carolyn Whitzman and real estate expert Romana King explain why intervention is needed in the Canadian housing market, and Adrian Ma brings us a documentary exploring how Vince Carter helped put Canadian basketball on the map.Discover more at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

Jul 9, 2025 • 37min
Stephen Fry says Odysseus is a hero for our times
As a child, Stephen Fry says he was obsessed with the gods and heroes of ancient Greek myth the way other boys were obsessed with comic books or football players. Today, the actor, author and director's enthusiasm for those stories is undiminished. Fry joins Piya Chattopadhyay to talk about his epic project of reimagining and retelling these timeless tales for a modern audience – including his fourth and final book in the series, Odyssey – and why he believes its hero, Odysseus, remains a hero for our times.

Jul 6, 2025 • 1h 32min
Canada's trade relationships, Wither the signature?, Stephen Fry, Canadian symbols
Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with The Globe and Mail's Paul Waldie and Kelly Malone from The Canadian Press about tensions facing Canada's trade relationships, The Sunday Magazine's Pete Mitton looks at what's lost when physical signatures are replaced by digital analogues, actor and raconteur Stephen Fry explores why ancient Greek myths still have great resonance in our modern world, and as the beaver marks 50 years as an official symbol of Canada, we consider what our national markers say about us.Discover more at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

Jul 2, 2025 • 24min
Rolling the dice on human nature: How tabletop games reveal ancient secrets
Whether whiling away a rainy afternoon at the cottage, or winding down after a day on the lake… for many, games are key parts of long summer days. But moving pieces around a board can mean a lot more than just entertainment. Author and board game journalist Tim Clare's book Across the Board examines the history and culture of games. He tells Nora Young how they hold big lessons on politics and civilizations, and can make radical statements on productivity, autonomy and freedom.

Jun 29, 2025 • 1h 34min
Canada-U.S. trade, Iran's future, Board games, Barbra Streisand
Guest host Nora Young speaks with CBC News senior business reporter Peter Armstrong and The Economist's Canada correspondent Rob Russo about Donald Trump calling off trade talks with Canada, The Economist's Middle East correspondent Gregg Carlstrom and Iranian-Canadian journalist Maziar Bahari consider Iran's future, writer Tim Clare explores how board games are a portal to the past, and we revisit Piya Chattopadhyay's conversation with entertainment legend Barbra Streisand about her memoir My Name is Barbra.Discover more at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

Jun 25, 2025 • 23min
Actor Ed Helms finds laughs and lessons in history's greatest 'screw-ups'
You may know Ed Helms from The Daily Show, The Office and The Hangover movies. But the actor and comedian is also a history buff. And he thinks there's a lot we can learn – and laugh about – by delving into history's greatest, zaniest and funniest screw-ups. Helms explores those stories in his podcast and book SNAFU. He joins Piya Chattopadhyay to share some of his favourites – from a CIA plot to make Fidel Castro's beard fall out, to a nuclear scare in Canada where a 20-something future-president named Jimmy Carter saved the day.