Q with Tom Power

CBC Podcasts & Radio On-Demand

Five days a week, Tom Power brings you candid conversations with the artists shaping our culture. Whether he’s chatting with A-listers or rising stars, his disarming warmth and meticulous research always gets below the surface, bringing us deeper into the art and lives of today's most compelling musicians, writers, actors and filmmakers. As a Canadian institution, Q has attracted the biggest names in the world. But it's never been about the fame. It's always been about the art. Since becoming the host of Q in October 2016, listeners have come to know Tom for his in-depth interviewing style (asking founding Wu-Tang Clan member RZA what was inside his teenage notebooks), his mischievous sense of humour (jokingly chiding actor Catherine O'Hara for her parenting skills in Home Alone), and his genuine enthusiasm and fearlessness (singing a duet with Mavis Staples). You’re just as likely to hear from celebrities and cultural icons as you are to hear from emerging artists at the beginning of their career. Tom gives each and every artist the space to tell their story in their own words. He also has a track record for interviewing artists on the precipice of stardom, like Lizzo, Billie Eilish and Daniel Caesar, who appeared on Q well before they hit the mainstream. On Q, we cover arts and culture in all its forms, including music, movies, film, TV, comedy, painting, photography, theatre, cinema, Broadway, fashion, dance, opera, documentaries, books, fiction and memoirs. Look to our archives to hear some of Tom’s award-winning artist interviews, including his moving and insightful conversation with the Canadian actor Michael J. Fox, which was awarded the prestigious gold medal for best interview at the 2021 New York Festivals Radio Awards. In 2022, Tom spoke with Friends star Matthew Perry in front of a live audience. Their warm and frank conversation about the actor's struggles with substance abuse struck a chord, leading to millions views on TikTok and Instagram, while also being picked up by news outlets internationally, including Vanity Fair and CNN. Tom’s impactful discussions with top talent have included Adele, Bono, Chappell Roan, Pamela Anderson, Cate Blanchett, Dua Lipa, Cher, Denzel Washington, Mick Jagger, Florence Pugh, Francis Ford Coppola, Kristen Stewart, Emma Stone, Jim Carrey, Billy Porter, Tom Hanks, Jerry Seinfeld, Tyler Perry, Alicia Keys, Alan Moore, Bruce Springsteen, Dolly Parton, Barbra Streisand, Darren Aronofsky, Harry Styles, Simu Liu, Sean Penn, Sandra Bullock, Michaela Coel, Ryan Reynolds, Katy Perry, Neil Young, Shakira, George Clooney, Ava DuVernay, Omar Apollo, Trixie Mattel, Orville Peck, Big Sean, Anil Kapoor, Jane Fonda, Robert DeNiro, Antonio Banderas, Elton John, Celine Dion, Kerry Washington, Chuck D, Steven Soderbergh, Mikey Madison, Cillian Murphy, Sean Baker, Steve McQueen, Paris Hilton, Taylor Tomlinson, Gwen Stefani, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Kylie Minogue, Stanley Tucci, Rufus Wainwright, Caroline Polachek, Hans Zimmer, Denis Villeneuve, Alex Garland, Alan Ritchson, Britt Lower, Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, David Blaine, Brian Tyree Henry, Perfume Genius, Deepa Mehta, Tracy Chapman, Chloë Sevigny, Josh Hartnett and many more.

Location:

Canada, ON

Genres:

Culture

Arts & Entertainment News

Media & Entertainment Podcasts

Networks:

CBC Podcasts & Radio On-Demand

Description:

Five days a week, Tom Power brings you candid conversations with the artists shaping our culture. Whether he’s chatting with A-listers or rising stars, his disarming warmth and meticulous research always gets below the surface, bringing us deeper into the art and lives of today's most compelling musicians, writers, actors and filmmakers. As a Canadian institution, Q has attracted the biggest names in the world. But it's never been about the fame. It's always been about the art. Since becoming the host of Q in October 2016, listeners have come to know Tom for his in-depth interviewing style (asking founding Wu-Tang Clan member RZA what was inside his teenage notebooks), his mischievous sense of humour (jokingly chiding actor Catherine O'Hara for her parenting skills in Home Alone), and his genuine enthusiasm and fearlessness (singing a duet with Mavis Staples). You’re just as likely to hear from celebrities and cultural icons as you are to hear from emerging artists at the beginning of their career. Tom gives each and every artist the space to tell their story in their own words. He also has a track record for interviewing artists on the precipice of stardom, like Lizzo, Billie Eilish and Daniel Caesar, who appeared on Q well before they hit the mainstream. On Q, we cover arts and culture in all its forms, including music, movies, film, TV, comedy, painting, photography, theatre, cinema, Broadway, fashion, dance, opera, documentaries, books, fiction and memoirs. Look to our archives to hear some of Tom’s award-winning artist interviews, including his moving and insightful conversation with the Canadian actor Michael J. Fox, which was awarded the prestigious gold medal for best interview at the 2021 New York Festivals Radio Awards. In 2022, Tom spoke with Friends star Matthew Perry in front of a live audience. Their warm and frank conversation about the actor's struggles with substance abuse struck a chord, leading to millions views on TikTok and Instagram, while also being picked up by news outlets internationally, including Vanity Fair and CNN. Tom’s impactful discussions with top talent have included Adele, Bono, Chappell Roan, Pamela Anderson, Cate Blanchett, Dua Lipa, Cher, Denzel Washington, Mick Jagger, Florence Pugh, Francis Ford Coppola, Kristen Stewart, Emma Stone, Jim Carrey, Billy Porter, Tom Hanks, Jerry Seinfeld, Tyler Perry, Alicia Keys, Alan Moore, Bruce Springsteen, Dolly Parton, Barbra Streisand, Darren Aronofsky, Harry Styles, Simu Liu, Sean Penn, Sandra Bullock, Michaela Coel, Ryan Reynolds, Katy Perry, Neil Young, Shakira, George Clooney, Ava DuVernay, Omar Apollo, Trixie Mattel, Orville Peck, Big Sean, Anil Kapoor, Jane Fonda, Robert DeNiro, Antonio Banderas, Elton John, Celine Dion, Kerry Washington, Chuck D, Steven Soderbergh, Mikey Madison, Cillian Murphy, Sean Baker, Steve McQueen, Paris Hilton, Taylor Tomlinson, Gwen Stefani, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Kylie Minogue, Stanley Tucci, Rufus Wainwright, Caroline Polachek, Hans Zimmer, Denis Villeneuve, Alex Garland, Alan Ritchson, Britt Lower, Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, David Blaine, Brian Tyree Henry, Perfume Genius, Deepa Mehta, Tracy Chapman, Chloë Sevigny, Josh Hartnett and many more.

Twitter:

@CBCRadioQ

Language:

English

Contact:

416-205-3700

Website:

http://www.cbc.ca/q/

Email:

q@cbc.ca

Listen on a live station

CBC Radio One Saskatoon

48 minutes remaining

Episodes

The Dears almost quit the band several times

12/5/2025

Murray Lightburn and Natalia Yanchak are a husband-and-wife duo who lead the acclaimed Montreal rock band The Dears. In the early 2000s, they put a heavy stamp on indie pop music in Canada. Now, they’re celebrating their 30th anniversary as a band with the release of a new album, “Life Is Beautiful! Life Is Beautiful! Life Is Beautiful!” Murray and Natalia sit down with Tom Power to talk about their hopeful new record, their partnership, and that very unique time in Canadian music when they got their start.

Duration:00:35:44

Mark Critch wants Trump to know he isn’t sorry

12/5/2025

After years playing U.S. President Donald Trump on the news parody show “This Hour Has 22 Minutes,” comedian Mark Critch has come up with a few ideas on how Canada should deal with him. He’s just released a new book, “Sorry, Not Sorry,” in which he argues that it’s time for Canadians to park their apologies and match the president’s bravado with some of our own. Mark joins Tom Power to share his unapologetic look at what makes Canada worth fighting for.

Duration:00:25:20

Dav Pilkey came up with Captain Underpants in the 2nd grade

12/4/2025

When author Dav Pilkey was in the second grade, he started drawing cartoons in his notebook. He ended up naming them “Captain Underpants” and “Dog Man.” Those two characters would end up becoming his life’s work. Together, they’ve led to nearly 40 graphic novels, two Hollywood movies and a TV series. Dav sits down with Tom Power to talk about being misunderstood as a kid with ADHD and dyslexia, how drawing gave him confidence, and why he thinks graphic novels are a great way to introduce kids to reading.

Duration:00:32:36

Cœur de pirate’s most toxic relationship is with anxiety

12/4/2025

On her seventh and latest album, “Cavale,” the award-winning Quebecois artist Cœur de pirate explores her longest and most toxic relationship — with anxiety. She sits down with Tom Power to talk about the record, the cost of fame, and how being “scared of everything” inspired her to write her first new song in two years.

Duration:00:21:19

Easy Rawlins exists to testify about Black history in America

12/3/2025

Walter Mosley has been writing Easy Rawlins detective novels for more than 40 years now. The National Book Award-winning author joins Tom Power to talk about his 17th and latest book in the series, “Gray Dawn: An Easy Rawlins Mystery.” Walter opens up about his beloved character, why he says Easy’s role is to testify about Black history in America, and why this time he’s done something he almost never does: written an introductory author’s note.

Duration:00:23:53

How the 1992 cod moratorium led to the rise of Newfoundland music

12/3/2025

This year, musician Con O’Brien is celebrating 35 years with his band the Irish Descendents. They’re local legends in Newfoundland and Labrador, but they’re also part of a wave of modern traditional music that swept across the country in the ’90s. As the Irish Descendents embark on their annual cross-country Christmas tour, Con joins Tom Power to talk about their journey — from the 1992 cod moratorium to their interpretation of Otto Kelland’s song “Let Me Fish Off Cape St. Mary's” and beyond.

Duration:00:21:04

Why we still need classical music

12/2/2025

Earlier this year, violin virtuoso Joshua Bell gave a TED Talk asking the question, do we still need classical music? Joshua is performing in Canada this year and next as the Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s Spotlight Artist. On a rare day off in his schedule, he sits down with Tom Power to make the case for why we need classical music in our lives now more than ever. He also explains why his Stradivarius violin is so special to play, aside from the multi-million dollar price tag.

Duration:00:35:55

Heather Ogden on dancing the Sugar Plum Fairy

12/2/2025

For more than 20 years, Canadian ballet dancer Heather Ogden has been performing the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy in the enduring Christmas classic “The Nutcracker.” Last December, Heather sat down with Tom Power to talk about the magic and opulence of this production at the National Ballet of Canada — and what makes the Sugar Plum Fairy’s solo so tricky.

Duration:00:17:30

How getting sober led Jenn Harper to launch a groundbreaking beauty brand

12/1/2025

One night, Jenn Harper had the most vivid dream of three smiling Indigenous girls covered in colourful lip glosses. That dream, along with her newfound sobriety, led her to launch the company Cheekbone Beauty, which aims to bring positive representation of Indigenous folks into the beauty space. Lauded as a trailblazer in both sustainability and diversity, Jenn is now one of the cosmetics industry’s most influential Canadians, and her groundbreaking beauty brand is sold in Sephora locations across the country. Jenn sits down with Tom Power to talk about her long, hard road to success, why Indigenous joy is the cornerstone of her business, and why representation is at the forefront of everything she does.

Duration:00:26:06

Rheostatics are wearing their Canadianness proudly

12/1/2025

After 45 years together, the Canadian band Rheostatics decided they needed a new challenge. So they enlisted the help of Rush’s Alex Lifeson, who joined them for four hours as they improvised music and spoken word pieces inspired by the Great Lakes. The only problem is they forgot to hit record. Dave Bidini and Kevin Hearn of Rheostatics sit down with Tom Power to tell us what happened next, and how it all led to their new album, “The Great Lakes Suite.”

Duration:00:28:44

Chantal Kreviazuk is reclaiming her most famous hits for other artists

11/28/2025

Canadian singer-songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk is known for her distinct voice and gift for writing songs rooted in honesty and vulnerability. It’s a talent that’s earned her a Grammy and multiple Junos. But you might not know that beyond her career as a successful solo artist, Chantal has also penned songs for some of the biggest artists working today, including Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Gwen Stefani and Kelly Clarkson. Now, she’s reimagining those songs on her new cover album, “In My Own Voice.” Chantal joins Tom Power at the piano in our studio to talk about the hits that made her a star in Canada, and why she wanted to reclaim some of the songs she’s written for others.

Duration:00:43:39

The joy of gay, smutty TV

11/27/2025

After helping make some of the most successful TV shows out of Canada ever — “Letterkenny” and “Shoresy” — Jacob Tierney figured he was done telling stories about hockey. But then he read a steamy romance novel about two hockey players who fall in love, and he realized that was the story he needed to tell. His new show, “Heated Rivalry,” comes out tomorrow. Jacob sits down with Tom Power to tell us why he thinks so many bestselling romance novels are about hockey players, and how he managed to get a “joyfully smutty” TV show greenlit.

Duration:00:25:54

Meadowlarks is a family drama about the 60s Scoop

11/27/2025

In the new film “Meadowlarks,” four Cree siblings separated at birth as a result of the Sixties Scoop reunite for a week in Banff, Alberta. Tasha Hubbard, the award-winning director behind the film, joins Tom Power to tell us about the real-life family that inspired the story, and her own experience as a Sixties Scoop survivor.

Duration:00:19:47

Why Nia DaCosta wants to see Black women behaving badly on-screen

11/26/2025

When the filmmaker Nia DaCosta (Candyman, The Marvels, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple) was growing up, she says she only saw Black women portrayed in one of two ways: either as harmful stereotypes or as noble figures who became one-dimensional in their wisdom and perfection. Nia has dedicated her career to presenting complex and nuanced portrayals of Black women on-screen. Her new movie, “Hedda,” is loosely based on Henrik Ibsen’s classic 1891 play “Hedda Gabler,” which features one of literature’s most controversial characters. But in this new adaptation, the title character is reimagined as a biracial and bisexual woman in 1950s England. Nia joins Tom Power to talk about the film and what happens when we let people be imperfect.

Duration:00:24:52

The Barr Brothers had to get honest with themselves

11/26/2025

The Barr Brothers are a Montreal band who are back with their first new album in eight years, “Let it Hiss.” Brad Barr joins Tom Power to share how getting sober gave him a new perspective on his life and career, and how that led to their most honest record yet. He also sets up a song called “Naturally.”

Duration:00:16:59

Joe Hill’s new novel is in conversation with dad Stephen King’s work

11/25/2025

Acclaimed bestselling horror writer Joe Hill (Heart-Shaped Box, NOS4A2, Locke & Key) is back with his first novel in nearly a decade, “King Sorrow.” He sits down with Tom Power to talk about writing scary stories, creating characters who are on different ends of the political spectrum, and what happened after fans figured out that his dad is Stephen King.

Duration:00:34:29

Remembering Jimmy Cliff

11/24/2025

Today, we’re remembering Jamaican musician and trailblazer Jimmy Cliff, who has died at age 81. A few years ago, the Grammy-winning reggae legend joined Tom Power to talk about his incredible journey in music, what inspired his song “Many Rivers to Cross,” and why he thought reggae was able to find an audience around the world.

Duration:00:28:26

Gerry Dee’s dad was obsessed with serial killers

11/24/2025

Gerry Dee was a Toronto high school teacher when he started moonlighting as a comedian more than a decade ago. Now, he’s the host of “Family Feud Canada,” he has a recurring role on the Fox sitcom “Animal Control,” and he’s just released a brand new Netflix stand-up special called “Funny You Should Say That.” Gerry sits down with Tom Power to talk about his journey in comedy, why his father is a main character in his act, and the key difference between being a “celebrity” and being a “Canadian celebrity.”

Duration:00:22:09

Meredith Moon found her voice busking

11/24/2025

When she’s up on stage, Meredith Moon comes across as a confident, powerful performer. But when she was growing up, she struggled with stage fright. The Canadian singer-songwriter conquered her fear by busking on sidewalks from Halifax to Vancouver. Now, she’s released her third and latest album, “From Here to the Sea.” Meredith joins Tom Power to tell us about the record, and how it's the first without her late father and mentor, a Canadian music legend.

Duration:00:24:09

William Prince on his new music, the Opry and all things Winnipeg

11/21/2025

On his latest album, “Further From the Country,” William Prince moves away from his usual country sound into new sonic territory. Known for his intimate acoustic songs, the smooth-voiced Manitoban singer-songwriter from Peguis First Nation has now decided to add a rollicking band behind him. William sits down with Tom Power to discuss his bold new album and his performance at the Grand Ole Opry. Plus, he ranks iconic Winnipeg things, from slurpees to steakhouses to the Winnipeg Jets.

Duration:00:33:09