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
Feb 27, 2026 • 25min
How dreams have the power to heal
Most of us give our dreams little thought. Karen Van Kampen wants to change that. Her new book is called "The Brain Never Sleeps: Why We Dream and What It Means for Our Health." Karen takes us on a journey into the dream world, exploring what our dreams reveal about our mental health and how we can work with them to improve our waking lives.
Feb 26, 2026 • 25min
From seniors to Gen Z, AI scams are everywhere
Winnipeg police have launched a campaign called "Just Hang Up" to warn seniors about scams, many of them fooled by artificial intelligence. But experts warn that it's not just older people getting duped out of money. It could happen to anyone, thanks to AI.
Feb 26, 2026 • 10min
Snow, snow and more snow in St. John's
With back to back storms, St. John's is digging out. Snow remover Mark Baker has been going full out — about 18 hours daily for more than a week. He'll tell us what it means to face down 100 cm of snow and help residents get back to school and work.
Feb 26, 2026 • 19min
How smoking became cool again
A platter of cigarettes at Charlie XCX's wedding in Italy last year. Gracie Abrams, Charli XCX, Will Arnett, Heated Rivalry star Hudson Williams — all photographed openly smoking cigarettes recently. So is smoking cool again? And what does that mean for smoking rates?
Feb 26, 2026 • 12min
Are you lonely at work?
Loneliness has been called a public health crisis, but it’s also a workplace one. Julie McCarthy, a University of Toronto professor who reviewed more than 200 studies, says loneliness at work isn’t just about feeling sad. It affects engagement, productivity and even performance. As companies rethink hybrid work and return-to-office mandates, we explore what it really means to design workplaces for belonging, not just output.
Feb 25, 2026 • 14min
Do class sizes matter?
Peter Blatchford, Professor Emeritus studying class size and classroom processes, and Michael Holden, assistant professor researching class size, practice, and policy. They discuss when smaller classes matter most. They cover early grades, how teachers change instruction by size, the tradeoffs of assistants, and why curriculum narrowing and resources can matter more than headcount.
Feb 25, 2026 • 11min
What OpenAI knew about the Tumbler Ridge shooter
Emily Laidlaw, Canada Research Chair in Cybersecurity Law and UCalgary professor, explains who currently sets AI reporting thresholds and why companies decide escalation. She discusses whether OpenAI’s “credible and imminent” bar failed to flag clear risks. The conversation covers what AI replies were shared with reviewers and whether mandatory reporting rules should be written into law.
Feb 25, 2026 • 11min
Would you wait in a virtual queue at an ER?
Dr. Stephen Smith, an emergency physician and VP of medical affairs who built a virtual ED waiting-room, explains a system letting low-acuity patients wait at home and get texted when to come in. He discusses inspiration from theme-park fast passes, how the online signup and safety checks work, pilot results showing big time savings, and plans to scale and integrate with community care.
Feb 25, 2026 • 19min
They both voted for Trump: one regrets it, the other is all in
John Palema, a Massachusetts masonry owner and three-time Trump voter who prioritizes immigration and labor concerns. Pablo Payan, an Indiana general contractor who voted Trump then regretted it over immigration and economic fallout. Paul Hunter, a Washington correspondent who analyzes presidential messaging and political strategy. They discuss the State of the Union, immigration enforcement, labor-market effects in construction, and political calculations for midterm voters.
Feb 25, 2026 • 17min
Are you under surveillance in your own neighbourhood?
Kristen Thomasen, Chair in Law, Robotics and Society at the University of Windsor, explains why doorstep cameras raise neighbourhood privacy alarms. She discusses Ring’s controversial ad, risks of corporate and state access, past hacks and employee breaches. Short takes on police partnerships, data overload, and how convenience can erode community trust.
