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 6, 2026 • 13min
The politics of Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show
Richard Villegas, music journalist and creator/host of the Song Mess podcast who covers Latin American music and community commentary. He traces Bad Bunny’s rise from SoundCloud to global Spanish-language stardom. They discuss creative control, Latino representation at the Super Bowl, possible political signals about colonization and deportation, and the likely high-energy mix of reggaeton, salsa and Puerto Rican roots.
Feb 6, 2026 • 7min
Why Canadian ice cream is a hit in Mexico
Pierre Morin, co-owner and head of business development at Top Glacier, a Montreal ice cream maker. He explains why Mexican shoppers crave Canadian ice cream, how Top Glacier tested shipments and found mango and pistachio hits, and the logistical trick of trucking through the U.S. He also discusses plans to expand across Latin America and beyond.
Feb 5, 2026 • 12min
Are you a target of algorithmic pricing?
Jim Balsillie, tech policy leader and former Research in Motion co-CEO, explains how algorithmic pricing uses surveillance data to set personalized prices. He outlines what data is collected and gives real-life pricing examples. He discusses how profiling turns consumers into markets and why regulation and upstream privacy limits are needed.
Feb 5, 2026 • 15min
Are you feeling the pinch of the singles 'tax'?
Cece Armstrong, a Vancouver-based producer and reporter, explores the financial squeeze facing people who live alone. She breaks down why solo living raises per-person costs for rent, travel and daily services. She looks at homebuying hurdles, shared housing options, and tax rules that tend to favour couples. The reporting mixes data, personal budgets and policy ideas.
Feb 5, 2026 • 25min
P.K. Subban on the Canada/US heated hockey rivalry
P.K. Subban, former NHL defenseman and hockey personality who helped produce the CBC special Rivals: The Four Nations Face-Off, talks about the tournament’s high-stakes intensity and surprising on-ice fights. He recalls the Bell Centre electricity, the anthem booing and the intersection of politics and patriotism. He also discusses his media role, representation in hockey, and staying true to himself.
Feb 5, 2026 • 20min
The last US-Russia nuclear treaty just expired
Matt Korda, a nuclear-arms tracker at the Federation of American Scientists, and Thomas Countryman, a former U.S. arms control diplomat, discuss the lapse of the last US-Russia treaty. They cover START history and how limits cut arsenals, escalating risks today, China’s role in talks, verification and short-term measures, and how more nuclear actors and politics raise accident and escalation dangers.
Feb 4, 2026 • 20min
CBC exclusive: Grandmother of missing Nova Scotia children
Angela McIver, an investigative reporter with CBC's Atlantic Investigative Unit, covers the disappearance of Lily and Jack Sullivan. She walks through family dynamics, unsealed court documents, new charges against Daniel Martell, and the RCMP's investigative challenges. Angela also details the intense online speculation, harassment of relatives, and the emotional toll on everyone involved.
Feb 4, 2026 • 24min
Homelessness in Canada's smaller communities
Tim Richter, national homelessness advisor; Colleen Smook, mayor of Thompson tackling northern service gaps; Kim Chamberlain, mayor of Bathurst leading modular housing projects. They discuss rising homelessness in small communities. They describe encampments, warming centres, shelter capacity, housing shortages, rent hikes, and the need for coordinated senior-government support.
Feb 4, 2026 • 24min
Dry January? What's that gonna do for you?
Harrison Hahn, a Vancouver real estate developer who has done Dry January for years, shares his personal routine. Dan Malleck, a medical historian, outlines drinking’s social roots and historical context. Catharine Fairbairn, a psychology researcher, describes the short-term benefits and limits of a month off alcohol. They discuss habit resets, refusal skills, social tradeoffs, and how a one-month test can inform longer-term change.
Feb 3, 2026 • 20min
More young people being diagnosed with psychotic disorders
Dr. Oyedeji Ayanrinde, psychiatrist focused on youth mental health and cannabis risk messaging, and Dr. Marco Solmi, psychosis researcher and clinician, discuss rising psychosis diagnoses in 14–20-year-olds. They cover study findings on increased new cases, links between cannabis use and first-episode psychosis, THC potency and commercialization, brain vulnerability in adolescence, and the need for clearer public warnings.
