Q: The Podcast From Cbc Radio

Britta Johnson is a Canadian composer and playwright whose award-winning musical “Life After” follows a 16-year-old girl grappling with the death of her father. Loosely inspired by her own experiences, the show originally debuted at the Toronto Fringe Festival in 2016, but later this month, it will return to Toronto at the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre. Britta sits down with guest host Garvia Bailey to talk about the massive success of “Life After” and what it means to bring the show back to the city where it all began. If you enjoy this conversation, check out Tom Power’s chat with playwright Katori Hall on “The Tina Turner Musical.”

Canadian horror actors Luke Hutchie and Matthew Finlan are the co-hosts of the CBC series “Ghosting,” which just began its second season. In each episode, Luke, Matthew and a celebrity guest test their tolerance for the paranormal by spending time inside a Canadian place with an eerie legacy. Along the way, they decide whether or not it’s truly haunted. Luke and Matthew sit down with guest host Garvia Bailey to talk about the new season of the show and some of their ghostly encounters. If you’re looking for more conversations about the paranormal, check out Tom’s interview with musician Brittany Howard, who says she used to practice music in a haunted house.

After finding success on the critically acclaimed show “Atlanta,” Brian Tyree Henry (The Book of Mormon, Causeway) has become one of Hollywood's busiest actors. His latest role is on the new series “Dope Thief” as Ray Driscoll — a complex character who’s dealing with generational trauma, addiction and grief. Brian joins Tom Power to talk about “Dope Thief,” his life on the stage and screen, and how he’s been drawn to acting since childhood. In case you missed it, check out Tom’s interview with actor Josh Gad, whom Brian shared the stage with in the musical “The Book of Mormon.”

Salin is a Montreal-based Thai drummer who’s just released her new album, “Rammana.” She got her start as a rock and metal drummer in Bangkok, but after living in Montreal, her sound morphed into a blend of Afrobeat, funk and indigenous Thai instruments. Salin joins Tom Power to talk about her unique journey in music and how she went back to Thailand to get inspiration. Plus, she sets up the title track from her album.

The magician, mentalist and endurance performer David Blaine has been stunning audiences for decades with his card tricks, illusions, and extreme stunts that challenge both his mind and his body. He’s been buried alive, trapped in ice and suspended in the air while sealed inside a box for 44 days. But in his new series, “Do Not Attempt,” David is the one who's left speechless as he travels the world taking in amazing feats by some of the greatest masters alive — and even trying some of them himself. He talks to Tom Power about his career in magic, what he does to manage fear and pain, and how being a dad has changed the way he calculates risk.

Hassan Phills is a comedian from Scarborough, Ont., who turns the mundane details of everyday life into comedy gold. Not only has it earned him millions of views on TikTok, but it’s allowed him to tour across the country. Hassan sits down with Tom Power to tell us why he gave up basketball for comedy, why he thinks even his most local jokes are hitting with folks around the world, and how he got a co-sign from Drake. 

Michelle Buteau has been a working actor and comedian for more than 20 years. In that time, she says it was rare that she’d come across a role that celebrated plus-size women — so she decided to create her own. Her show “Survival of the Thickest” is now back for its second season. Michelle joins Tom Power to tell us why she wanted to create a story about plus-size folks that’s celebratory and joyful. If you like this conversation, take a listen to Tom’s interview with actor and comedian Ilana Glazer from last year.

Tucker Pillsbury, better known as Role Model, has quickly become one of this year's breakout stars with a hit album and a sold-out solo tour. This summer, he’ll be joining musician Gracie Abrams in arenas across North America. He sits down with Tom Power to tell us how homesickness inspired his latest album, “Kansas Anymore (The Longest Goodbye),” and how turning to Americana music helped him get back in touch with himself. If you enjoy this conversation, you might also like Tom’s interview with Gracie Abrams or his chat with The 1975’s Matty Healy.

This weekend, Sum 41 will perform one final time at the Junos in Vancouver. The legendary Canadian rockers will also be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Lead singer Deryck Whibley joins Tom Power live onstage at Hollywood Theatre in Vancouver to talk about the band’s journey and their swan song. If you want more Sum 41, check out Tom’s conversations with Deryck from this past February and last April.

You might know Britt Lower as Helly R. on the hit series “Severance,” but she makes no less of an impression playing a librarian in the new Canadian indie film “Darkest Miriam.” The actor joins Tom Power to tell us how her love of libraries helped her bring her character Miriam to life and what it took to prepare for her “Severance” role — like studying trapped animals and people under interrogation. She also discusses her 2020 short film, “Circus Person,” and how it kind of comes full circle with her current projects. In case you missed it, last week Tom spoke with “Severance” stars Tramell Tillman and Zach Cherry. You can also check out guest host Talia Schlanger’s conversation with “Darkest Miriam” director Naomi Jaye.

Michael Bublé is hosting the 2025 Juno Awards in his hometown of Vancouver. The Canadian crooner and five-time Grammy winner sits down with Tom Power in our studio to tell us his incredible story, including the time the legendary producer David Foster told him it was never going to happen for him. Plus, Michael shares how he really feels about those Christmas memes. If you enjoy this conversation, check out Tom’s interview with Canadian singer-songwriter k.d. lang or his chat with Canada's queen of R&B soul, Jully Black.

Farah Ghafoor is an award-winning Canadian poet whose debut poetry collection, “Shadow Price,” is about the climate crisis. She sits down with Tom Power to explain the finance term her book is named after, and how she sees the role of the poet during a crisis. She also reads an excerpt from her book called “The Last Poet in the World.” If you’re looking for more conversations with writers and poets, check out Tom’s chat with Emily Austin on her poetry collection “Gay Girl Prayers,” or guest host Vivek Shraya’s chat with Haudenosaunee poet Kenzie Allen on her complex relationship to Pocahontas.

After Rush ended, Alex Lifeson wasn’t sure if he’d ever make music again. The Canadian guitarist had toured the world with his best friends from high school and changed rock music, so he felt like he had been there and done that. But when Alex heard a young singer named Maiah Wynne, he was transfixed by her voice and lyrics. That led him to form his new band, Envy of None. Alex sits down with Tom Power to talk about how that group came together, the early days of Rush, and how at 17 he decided he was destined for a life of rock and roll. If you enjoy this conversation, you might want to check out Tom’s interview with Rush lead singer Geddy Lee or Extreme guitarist Nuno Bettencourt.

Angélique Kidjo is a legendary Grammy-winning singer, a UNICEF international Goodwill Ambassador and one of the most lauded African artists of our time. She also has one of the most unbelievable stories in music. At the same time that she began finding success as a singer in her homeland of Benin, the country was under a strict military dictatorship. By age 23, she made a very daring and lucky escape to Paris. Angélique joins Tom Power from our Montreal studio to reflect on her childhood in Benin, how she fled to France, and what that experience taught her about freedom of all kinds. Plus, she tells Tom why percussion has to come first when she’s making music.

Drew Tarves, also known as young friend, is an emerging artist based in Vancouver who’s getting ready to release his debut album, “motorcycle sound effects.” The album is a “genre-bending fever dream” about the nuances of growing up. young friend joins Tom Power to talk about his music and to set up a song off the record.

When the award-winning actor and playwright Anusree Roy was growing up, her grandmother would tell her stories about the Partition of India in 1947, when British India was divided into the Muslim-majority Pakistan and the Hindu-majority India. Now, decades later, Anusree is performing in a play she wrote about the Partition called “Trident Moon.” It follows nine women and girls over the course of one life-changing night as they try to survive unspeakable danger. Anusree joins Tom Power in our studio to tell us why she wanted the story to feel unsentimental, what history books leave out about the Partition, and why humour serves such a vital role in the play. If you’re looking for more conversations about theatre, check out Tom’s interviews with playwrights Michael Healey or Larissa FastHorse.

The Montreal musician Yves Jarvis spent a year listening only to Frank Sinatra when he wrote his sixth and latest album, “All Cylinders.” He says it’s the least contrived thing he’s ever done. Not only did he produce the record, but he also plays every instrument on it, blending genres like bluegrass, jazz, folk and even yacht-rock in unexpected ways. Yves joins Tom Power to tell us how his songwriting evolved in the process, and how he concussed himself while having too much fun in the studio.

The hit series “Severance,” which is now in Season 2, managed to knock “Ted Lasso” out of its place as the most-watched show on Apple TV+. That’s partly due to its premise, which explores a nightmarish experiment to enforce work-life balance by splitting your consciousness into two. There’s the you that goes into work (your “innie”) and the you that lives outside of work (your “outie”). Actors Tramell Tillman and Zach Cherry — also known as their characters Mr. Milchick and Dylan G. — sit down with Tom Power to discuss all things “Severance,” including what it’s been like on the inside (eh?) as this show takes over the world, and their famous dance scene from Season 1. If you’re looking for more about “Severance,” keep an eye out for Tom’s upcoming interview with actor Britt Lower.

In Mark Anthony Green’s debut feature, “Opus,” a young journalist (Ayo Edebiri) is invited to the home of a reclusive pop icon (John Malkovich) who mysteriously disappeared 30 years ago. The first-time director drew on his own experience as a former GQ editor who covered celebrity and style for 13 years. He joins Tom Power to talk about the film and how it explores the illusion of celebrity culture from the perspective of a journalist. If you enjoy this conversation, you might also enjoy Tom’s conversation with actor Kate Hudson on her movie “Shell” or actor Chloë Sevigny on the cost of being cool.

Though he's donned a mask since the beginning of his music career, Orville Peck says it’s not so much a disguise as it is a representation of who he truly is. Last year, around the release of his album “Stampede,” Orville joined Tom Power in our studio to talk about his career, how he found a home in country music, and why he walked away from fame at the peak of his success. If you enjoy this conversation, you might also enjoy Tom’s conversations with comedian-turned-musician Mae Martin or “National Anthem” director Luke Gilford.