The Sunday Magazine

When she became prime minister of Finland at age 34, Sanna Marin was the youngest government leader in the world. During the day, she steered her country through crises including the pandemic and neighbouring Russia's invasion of Ukraine. But her life off-the-job, having fun with friends, tended to catch the attention of the global press and led to scandals at home. Marin joins Piya Chattopadhyay to reflect on that experience, and the changes she wants to see, to ensure women aren't discouraged from stepping up and getting involved.

Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with The Hub's Alberta bureau chief Falice Chin, Calgary-based CBC News journalist Jason Markusoff and The Logic's Ottawa correspondent Laura Osman about Ottawa's energy deal with Alberta, psychologist Robert Coplan explores the virtues of being alone, former Finnish prime minister Sanna Marin reflects on the challenges she faced in office, and forester Peter Kuitenbrouwer traces how maple syrup became a cornerstone of Canadian identity, independence and pride.

In his hit 2003 pop science book, A Short History of Nearly Everything, writer Bill Bryson took readers on a journey from the birth of the universe to the inner workings of a cell, and had them laughing along the way. Over 20 years on, Bryson joins Piya Chattopadhyay to explain why he's now updating his seminal work to explore what’s changed, what hasn’t, and what still amazes him, even in times of existential dread.

Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with The Globe and Mail's Tony Keller about how Canada's desire for immigrants gave way to debate, writer Bill Bryson brings wonder to science in a refresh of his seminal work A Short History of Nearly Everything, former national security analyst and policy advisor Dennis Molinaro explores the complicated history of Canada-China relations, and comedian Charles Demers finds the funny in Canadianisms that define us – from goose poop to butter chicken. Discover more at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

Do you ever peer into your pet's face and wonder... what's going on in there? Jay Ingram has been wondering, too. The science writer and broadcaster joins David Common to discuss his new book, The Science of Pets, and delve into what scientific research says about the bond between humans and non-human animals, the ways we try to understand our fellow creatures, and how pets and their ilk have reshaped humanity in ways great and small.

Guest Host David Common speaks to The Toronto Star's Susan Delacourt and Rob Russo from The Economist about the week in politics, science writer and broadcaster Jay Ingram delves into the bond between humans and non-human animals, the CBC's John Chipman considers whether double-crested cormorants should be purged or preserved in our Sunday Documentary, The Cormorant Conundrum, and essayist and travel writer Pico Iyer explains what solitude can teach us about how to live, love and lose. Discover more at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

In summer of 2022, Salman Rushdie came face to face with death. The Booker Prize-winning author was stabbed multiple times, while on stage, about to give a lecture. He survived, but suffered life-altering injuries. Rushdie has since returned to writing, including his new story collection The Eleventh Hour, which reflects on mortality. He joins Piya Chattopadhyay to talk about confronting his own fragility, finding humour in survival, and why ideas often outlive the people who imagine them.

Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with scientist Katharine Hayhoe about signs of climate progress and concerns about global commitments ahead of COP30, Slate justice reporter Mark Joseph Stern unpacks this past week's tariff hearing at the U.S. Supreme Court, historian Allan Levine shares a lesser-known Second World War story about Canadian business leaders, Booker Prize-winning author Salman Rushdie reflects on mortality and his new story collection The Eleventh Hour, and TSN senior correspondent Rick Westhead sheds light on problems facing hockey culture – and potential solutions. Discover more at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

In our monthly challenge That's Puzzling!, Piya Chattopadhyay competes against one familiar voice and one clever listener in a battle of brain games devised by puzzle master Peter Brown. Playing this week are comedian and actor Andrew Phung, and Toronto listener Simon Eisner.

Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with fans following the Toronto Blue Jays' World Series run and unpacks its significance with The Athletic's Dan Robson, The Toronto Star's Susan Delacourt and Rob Russo from The Economist break down Prime Minister Mark Carney's balancing act on the budget and trade talks, The New York Times' White House and national security correspondent David Sanger reflects on Donald Trump's impact one year since winning re-election, and our monthly challenge That’s Puzzling! returns with special guest Andrew Phung. Discover more at https://cbc.ca/Sunday

In the weeks leading up to former U.S. President Joe Biden’s decision to drop out of his re-election campaign, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said she felt trapped between her loyalty and "her truth". Jean-Pierre joins Piya Chattopadhyay to discuss why she felt betrayed by fellow Democrats in the final days of the Biden administration and her reasons for ending her membership with the party and becoming an independent.

Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with The Globe and Mail writer-at-large John Ibbitson and IPSOS Public Affairs global CEO Darrell Bricker about the most urgent challenges facing Canada, former Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston and baseball historian Bill Humber explore the significance of the team's World Series return, former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre explains her decision to leave the Democratic Party and go independent, and Francis Plourde looks at the legacy of the so-called Unity Rally 30 years on. Discover more at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

Canada's push to stake out its digital future is reaching new heights, with a national artificial intelligence strategy expected in the coming weeks. But our race to compete in the global AI race is happening against the backdrop of what Cory Doctorow calls an "enshittified internet" – where big tech platforms have deliberately degraded to maximize profit at the expense of users. The tech activist and writer joins Piya Chattopadhyay to explore how the internet got worse, the promise and perils of AI, and why he thinks Canada is in a unique position to hit the escape button on policies he says are holding us back from a freer online world.

Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with the Toronto Star's Robert Benzie, Lisa Johnson from The Canadian Press and CBC British Columbia's Katie DeRosa about how regional headwinds are challenging the "Team Canada" approach to the U.S. trade war, curler and comedian John Cullen debunks stereotypes about the sport he loves, tech activist and writer Cory Doctorow charts Canada's digital future as the AI race heats up, and fantasy author Katherine Rundell reflects on the value of cultivating wonder in a chaotic world. Discover more at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

Whether through her bestselling cookbook, Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat, or the Netflix series by the same name, Samin Nosrat has a way of making cooking feel less like a chore and more like a celebration — of flavour, of curiosity, and most of all, of each other. Samin sat down with Piya Chattopadhyay in front of a live audience at Toronto’s Massey Hall to talk about her immigrant upbringing, her relentless drive to succeed and the ways she is re-inventing herself, outlined in her new book, Good Things.

Guest host David Common speaks to the CBC's Margaret Evans and The Economist’s Gregg Carlstrom for updates and analysis on ceasefire negotiations in Gaza, author Nancy Matsumoto explains how alternative supply chains work, and celebrity chef Samin Nosrat sits down with Piya Chattopadhyay in front of a live audience at Toronto’s Massey Hall to talk about her immigrant upbringing, her relentless drive to succeed and the ways she is re-inventing herself, outlined in her new book, Good Things. Discover more at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

In our monthly challenge That's Puzzling!, Piya Chattopadhyay competes against one familiar voice and one clever listener in a battle of brain games devised by puzzle master Peter Brown. Playing this week are Ann Pornel, host of The Great Canadian Baking Show and listener Victor Boyko from Ottawa.

Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with Rabbi Louis Sachs about the issues facing Jewish communities two years after the October 7th attacks in Israel, Palestinian-Canadian author Saeed Teebi grapples with what it means to be Palestinian in this moment, journalists Molly Ball and Toluse Olorunnipa discuss how U.S. President Donald Trump is mixing the military and politics, legendary Blue Jays slugger Joe Carter gives his thoughts on the 2025 Blue Jays team, and our monthly challenge That’s Puzzling! is back for October. Discover more at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

Justin Gregg studies and teaches about animal behaviour and cognition at St. Francis Xavier University. His new book, Humanish, breaks down the science behind the uniquely human habit of anthropomorphization, and brings a new lens to our evolving relationships with animals rights, tech, and even war.

Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with journalists Rob Russo and Tonda MacCharles to discuss the tricky politics facing the Carney government amid the Canada Post strike, adjunct professor at St. Francis Xavier University Justin Gregg breaks down the science behind the uniquely human habit of anthropomorphization, senior fellow with the Australian Strategic Policy Institute Elizabeth Buchanan explains why Greenland’s future remains an open question, and Nobel Peace Prize-winning journalist Maria Ressa warns about the threats posed to democracy -- and ways to combat -- disinformation. Discover more at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday