The Current
CBC
Three stories to expand your worldview, delivered daily. Matt Galloway cuts through a sea of choice to bring you stories that transcend the news cycle. Conversations with big thinkers, household names, and people living the news. An antidote to algorithms that cater to what you already know — and a meeting place for diverse perspectives. In its 20 years, the Current has become a go-to place for stories that shape and entertain us. Released daily, Monday to Friday.The Current is produced in Toronto, Ontario, Canada — and has recently recorded live shows about the Canadian election in Surrey and Burnaby BC. And shows to come in Oshawa and the 905, Red Deer, Alberta, Quebec City and Halifax.
Episodes
Mentioned books
6 snips
Mar 30, 2026 • 24min
Is This War About to Get Bigger?
Dahlia Shandlin, political analyst in Tel Aviv, explains Israeli public mood and shifting war aims. Robert Pape, UChicago political scientist, outlines escalation dynamics and why deployments risk irreversible ground combat. Arash Azizi, historian reporting on Iranians, describes daily fears, changing public opinion, and political constraints on negotiations. The conversation traces signs of widening conflict and the barriers to a clear off-ramp.
Mar 30, 2026 • 25min
No joy: when music falls flat for people
Robert Zatorre, a McGill cognitive neuroscientist who studies how music triggers reward, and Bill Weiss, who lives with specific musical anhedonia and feels no pleasure from songs. They describe what it is like to not be moved by music. Conversations cover the brain wiring behind musical reward, survey and scan findings, heritability, and how people find pleasure in other ways.
Mar 30, 2026 • 19min
NDP’s new leader, Avi Lewis, lays out the road ahead
Avi Lewis, newly elected leader of the federal NDP and progressive campaigner, discusses the party’s steep rebuilding task. He talks about why the NDP lost support, cooperation with Liberals, reclaiming working-class voters, and his stance on new oil and gas production with a focus on just transition for workers.
Mar 27, 2026 • 16min
Will the Blue Jays make it back to the World Series?
Ben Shulman, radio play-by-play voice for the Blue Jays and son of Dan Shulman, brings a broadcaster's ear. Dan Shulman, long-time TV play-by-play announcer, shares decades of MLB perspective. They trade stories about Opening Day energy, roster upgrades and pitching additions, injury concerns and replacing key hitters, franchise 50th season reflections, and the challenge of getting back to the World Series.
Mar 27, 2026 • 9min
Why Canada wants to launch its own satellites
Brigadier General Christopher Horner, commander of 3 Canadian Space Division, outlines why Canada wants its own launch capability. He talks about space as critical infrastructure and threats to satellites. He explains the need for assured access and resilience, why Nova Scotia is ideal for launches, and what a functional spaceport must include.
Mar 27, 2026 • 26min
Canadian efforts to help the crisis in Cuba
Eddie Garcia, a Cuban tour guide sharing first-hand accounts of shortages and blackouts. Julia Poggle, a CBC documentary reporter covering Canada’s aid efforts. They describe life under rolling blackouts, the logistics of sending medical and food shipments, cancelled flights that disrupted relief, and the long history of Canadian ties and grassroots aid efforts in Cuba.
Mar 27, 2026 • 19min
What's the path forward for the federal NDP?
Pat Atkinson, former Saskatchewan cabinet minister with 25 years in the legislature, and Libby Davies, former long-serving Vancouver MP and interim party leader, debate the NDP's path forward. They discuss leadership contenders Avi Lewis and Heather McPherson. Topics include rebuilding after a poor result, prairie concerns about policy like LEAP, energizing young organizers, and strategies to broaden the party nationally.
Mar 26, 2026 • 20min
Are baby boomers addicted to their phones?
Nicole Dalmer, McMaster professor who studies aging and tech; Matthew Cira, son sharing family perspective; Sherry Bagnato, retired communications worker describing her phone habits. They discuss daily phone routines, family friction over doomscrolling, phones as safety tools, stereotypes about older adults and technology, and risks like scams alongside benefits for connection and cognition.
Mar 26, 2026 • 20min
Will the Supreme Court overturn Bill 21?
Eric Adams, a constitutional law professor versed in the Charter and notwithstanding clause. Daniel Beland, a political scientist focused on Quebec politics and secularism. They discuss Quebec laïcité and its roots. They trace how religious symbols became a political flashpoint. They explore potential political fallout and the broader legal stakes before the Supreme Court.
Mar 26, 2026 • 20min
Iranian playwright Ava Alavi on her fears for her country
Ava Alavi, an Iranian playwright whose new play Sound responds to the Woman Life Freedom movement, talks about arriving in Canada as protests erupted. She describes weaving personal and generational stories into geopolitical theatre. Short scenes explore identity, collective resistance, family separation and the risks of speaking out.
