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Q with Tom Power

CBC Podcasts & Radio On-Demand

Five days a week acclaimed interviewer Tom Power sits down with the artists, writers, actors and musicians who define pop culture. Whether he’s ribbing Adele, singing a boyband classic with Simu Liu, or dissecting faith with U2 frontman Bono – Tom brings the same curiosity, respect and meticulous preparation into every conversation. He also has a track record for interviewing artists on the precipice of stardom – like Lizzo and Billie Eilish — who appeared on Q well before hitting the mainstream. Hear your favourite artists as they truly are, every weekday with Tom Power.

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Location:

Canada, ON

Description:

Five days a week acclaimed interviewer Tom Power sits down with the artists, writers, actors and musicians who define pop culture. Whether he’s ribbing Adele, singing a boyband classic with Simu Liu, or dissecting faith with U2 frontman Bono – Tom brings the same curiosity, respect and meticulous preparation into every conversation. He also has a track record for interviewing artists on the precipice of stardom – like Lizzo and Billie Eilish — who appeared on Q well before hitting the mainstream. Hear your favourite artists as they truly are, every weekday with Tom Power.

Twitter:

@CBCRadioQ

Language:

English

Contact:

416-205-3700

Email:

q@cbc.ca

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Episodes

Tegan and Sara + Sean Towgood

3/30/2023
Singer-songwriters Tegan and Sara (The Con, Crybaby) on changing direction in your life and in your art, their frustration with how twins are depicted in the media, and what they think when they look back on their career so far. Plus, Sean Towgood (35:52) on how his show “You’re My Hero” gives a realistic depiction of someone living with cerebral palsy, the absurd things people say to him in grocery stores, and using comedy as a way to cope.

Duration:00:50:59

Guillermo del Toro + Jeremy Dutcher

3/29/2023
Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro (Pan's Labyrinth,The Shape of Water, Nightmare Alley) on the darkness within Pinocchio, why he included facism in his retelling of the classic story and the time he may have encountered a ghost. Plus, composer Jeremy Dutcher (35:24) and his mother Lisa Perley-Dutcher on the importance of language preservation and why they want to create the first-ever Wolastoqey immersion school (which is now up and running since they last spoke!!).

Duration:00:49:55

Melanie C + Aysanabee

3/28/2023
Singer-songwriter Melanie Chisholm (a.k.a. Sporty Spice) on the Spice Girls, the challenges that come with international fame, and life after being in one of the biggest pop groups in the world. Plus, singer-songwriter Aysanabee (37:52) on his breakthrough album “Watin” and the significance of including the voice of his grandfather ⁠— a residential school survivor ⁠— in his music.

Duration:00:51:26

Sheila McCarthy + Vir Das

3/27/2023
Actor Sheila McCarthy (Women Talking, I’ve Heard the Mermaids Singing) on working with Sarah Polley, meeting Robin Williams, and the best acting advice she’s ever received. Plus, comedian Vir Das (37:35) opens up about being labeled a ‘terrorist,’ turning criticism into comedy, and holding onto love during moments of hate.

Duration:00:50:14

Bill Nye + Begonia

3/24/2023
Bill Nye (the Science Guy!) on his late friend Carl Sagan, skepticism, and his gratitude for his Canadian audience. Plus, Juno-nominated singer-songwriter Begonia (23:51) on her start in music, the Coldplay song that made her feel “everything,” and the lessons you learn after releasing your debut record.

Duration:00:47:52

Taye Diggs + Cliff Cardinal

3/23/2023
Actor Taye Diggs (The Best Man: The Final Chapters) on his role in the Tony award-winning musical “Rent,” the universality of Black stories and whether or not he’ll return to Broadway. Plus, playwright Cliff Cardinal (21:25) on his confrontational play “The Land Acknowledgement, or As You Like It,” subverting the audience’s expectations and laughing in the face of trauma.

Duration:00:42:55

Sabrina Benaim + Ravi Jain

3/22/2023
Poet Sabrina Benaim on being “that depression girl,” breaking expectations and her new audio-exclusive poetry collection, “Chaotic Good.” Plus, director Ravi Jain (26:37) on adapting a 4,000-year-old Sanskrit poem for the stage, pushing the boundaries of theatre and the pressures of making an ancient story speak to modern life.

Duration:00:49:13

Clement Virgo + Kim Thúy

3/21/2023
Writer and director Clement Virgo (The Wire, The Book of Negroes, Brother) on maturing as a filmmaker, how art reflects back your own humanity and working on hit TV shows like “The Wire.” Plus, author Kim Thúy (32:21) on the haunting photograph that inspired her latest novel, “Em,” the endurance of love amongst misery and her own immigration story.

Duration:00:50:50

Steve Reich + Priyanka

3/20/2023
Composer Steve Reich on his influences, his reverence for the voices of Holocaust survivors in his piece “Different Trains,” and what music sounds like when you’re considering your own mortality. Drag queen Priyanka (34:40) on being the first winner of Canada’s Drag Race, her journey to drag and the advice she’d give to her 14-year-old self.

Duration:00:47:38

Anthony Shim + Aryana Sayeed & Fazila Amiri

3/17/2023
Filmmaker Anthony Shim on his award-winning film “Riceboy Sleeps,” the line between comedy and tragedy and how he just wants to make his parents proud. Plus, Afghan-Canadian filmmaker Fazila Amiri and singer Aryana Sayeed (34:04) on their documentary, “And I Still Sing,” which tells the story of how the reality singing show, "Afghan Star" made history when two courageous female contestants defied death threats to continue singing.

Duration:00:48:08

Adele Bertei + Tien Tran

3/16/2023
The Bloods frontwoman Adele Bertei on being in the first all-girl, openly queer rock band, the music that saved her, and what it feels like to forgive an abusive parent. Plus, Tien Tran (How I Met Your Father) (33:56) on queer joy on TV, the improv scenes that sent her into an ‘existential spiral,’ and finding community.

Duration:00:49:45

k.d. lang + Patrick J. Adams

3/15/2023
Singer-songwriter k.d. lang (Constant Craving, Miss Chatelaine) on feeling like public property, her love of Roy Orbison and why she has no plans to write another record. Plus, actor Patrick J. Adams (Suits, Plan B) (32:47) on being present, online scrutiny and what playing toxic characters teaches him about the person he wants to be.

Duration:00:50:38

Alexander Skarsgård + Sheila Heti

3/14/2023
Actor Alexander Skarsgård (True Blood, Big Little Lies, Infinity Pool) on the eclectic roles he’s taken on, nepotism and stories behind HBO’s “Succession.” Plus, author Sheila Heti (24:43) on death, grief and the inspiration behind her Governor General’s Award-winning novel, “Pure Colour.” Bonus: Author Lindsay Wong (38:00) on the stigma around mental illness, growing up with “ghosts,” and what inspired her new book of short stories, “Tell Me Pleasant Things About Immortality.”

Duration:00:48:34

Nickelback + Avril Lavigne

3/13/2023
Nickelback on their early days, being parodied and the evolution of the band’s identity. Plus, Avril Lavigne (36:36) on getting her first big break, her debut album “Let Go,” and her friendship with Olivia Rodrigo.

Duration:00:48:22

Banx & Ranx + Courtney Gilmour

3/10/2023
Music producers Banx & Ranx (Dua Lipa, Sean Paul, Sia) on their biggest hits, making Canada into the new capital of pop music and how they’re fostering new talent in the country. Plus, comedian Courtney Gilmour (25:20) on joking about being a congenital amputee, awkward situations with folks who are able-bodied and what it feels like to be Juno-nominated for her debut comedy album, “Let Me Hold Your Baby.” Bonus: Tenille Townes, one of the fastest rising country music stars in North America,...

Duration:00:48:23

Logic + Preston Pablo

3/9/2023
Grammy-nominated rapper Logic (Everybody, College Park) on finding his passion for music, early retirement and fatherhood. Plus, first-time JUNO nominee Preston Pablo (35:40) on figuring out what it means to be an “up and coming artist,” self criticism and learning how to trust yourself.

Duration:00:49:44

Sarah Silverman + Chandler Levack

3/8/2023
Emmy winning comedian Sarah Silverman (The Sarah Silverman Podcast, History of The World, Part II, Wreck-It Ralph) on Saturday Night Live, antisemitism and her comedic inspirations. Plus, filmmaker Chandler Levack (I Like Movies) (23:44) on film school snobs, video stores and nostalgia.

Duration:00:48:54

Catherine Hernandez + M. M. Keeravaani

3/7/2023
Award-winning author Catherine Hernandez (Scarborough) on writing a book that feels like love, being a conduit for her ancestors and the eye-opening research that went into her latest novel, “The Story of Us.” Plus, composer M.M. Keeravaani (RRR) (26:26) on making history at this year's Oscars with his song “Naatu Naatu” — the first song from an Indian movie to be nominated for best original song.

Duration:00:50:44

Chris Williams + Gabriel Luna

3/6/2023
Director Chris Williams (Lilo and Stitch, Big Hero 6, Bolt) on turning your passion into your career, the challenges of animation and what inspired his Oscar-nominated film “The Sea Beast.” Plus, the actor Gabriel Luna (26:35) on starring as Tommy in the hit HBO show “The Last of Us,” his love of video games and how filming in Calgary was the perfect place for a show about the apocalypse. Bonus: Singer-songwriter Faouzia (41:42) tells us about her song “RIP, Love.”

Duration:00:47:37

Christian McBride + Tate McRae

3/3/2023
Eight-time Grammy-winning bassist Christian McBride on what happened when he met his hero James Brown, and why he wanted to write a suite for four civil rights legends: Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali and Rosa Parks. Plus, singer-songwriter Tate McRae (40:27) sets up a song for us off her debut album “i used to think i could fly.”

Duration:00:47:36

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