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
Jan 30, 2026 • 14min
The world has entered its water bankruptcy era
Kaveh Madani, director at UNU and author of the UN water bankruptcy report, explains how human demand now outstrips nature’s ability to replenish freshwater. He describes where water is used most. He outlines signs of system collapse worldwide. He discusses why replenishment is harder and the risks of treating water like a financial failure.
Jan 30, 2026 • 19min
Poilievre prepares for leadership vote at Conservative convention
Monty Solberg, former Conservative MP and strategist, and Jason Kenney, former Alberta premier, discuss the Calgary convention and Poilievre's leadership review. They explore what level of support would signal victory. They debate tone and strategy to win older and accessible voters, handling U.S. engagement with Alberta separatists, and the party’s national messaging on affordability.
Jan 30, 2026 • 12min
One step closer: Jeremy Hansen on orbiting the moon
Jeremy Hansen, a Canadian astronaut chosen for the Artemis II lunar flyby, discusses the final launch preparations and seeing the rocket up close. He talks about intense training and rehearsals, confronting fear and risk, and Canada’s engineering role in lunar exploration. Personal reflections on a childhood dream and why space inspires collective progress round out the conversation.
Jan 30, 2026 • 23min
Roller derby doc that looks at the community is changing lives
Courtney Montour, Kanagahaga filmmaker behind Rising Through the Fray, offers a director's view of the team and ceremonies. Sour Cherry (Sherry Bonkus), Indigenous roller derby player and founding member of Indigenous Rising, shares her journey and the sport's role in identity and community. They discuss borderless team identity, cultural ceremonies on and off track, and how derby formed a fierce supportive family.
Jan 29, 2026 • 15min
Elly Gotz on surviving the Holocaust, and why hate is pointless
Elly Gotz, a 97-year-old Holocaust survivor and Order of Canada honoree who taught, wrote and even learned to skydive, shares why he speaks to youth about the damage of hatred. Short stories cover survival in Dachau, his father’s bravery and books, students’ reactions and the 'two wolves' lesson, and why he chose compassion over revenge.
Jan 29, 2026 • 19min
Why the world is in a ‘gold rush’
John Rapley, political economist and author, gives cultural and historical takes on gold's magnetism. Douglas Porter, BMO chief economist, explains market forces driving the rally. They discuss retail gold selling, central bank buying, dollar weakness, de‑dollarization, and whether the current rush looks like past bubbles.
Jan 29, 2026 • 20min
Canada weighs social media ban for kids under 14
Taylor Owen, media ethics scholar and federal advisor on AI and online harms, and Lisa Given, RMIT information sciences professor with expertise in social media policy, discuss Canada’s contemplation of a youth social-media ban. They compare Australia’s approach, talk enforcement and verification challenges, migration to new platforms, limits of bans, and alternative regulatory ideas like duty of care and stronger oversight.
Jan 29, 2026 • 11min
Spider monkeys share “insider knowledge” to find the best food
Gabriel Ramos Fernandez, a researcher at the National Autonomous University of Mexico and National Geographic Explorer who studies spider monkeys, talks about how these canopy dwellers map and share locations of ripe fruit. He explains their fission–fusion social life and how following others transmits insider knowledge. He also connects their collective strategies to questions about cooperation and information sharing.
Jan 28, 2026 • 22min
How violent ICE crackdowns changed life in Minnesota
Wes Burdine, queer soccer bar owner who helps run community patrols. Mandy Jung, seventh-grade Spanish immersion science teacher tracking student absences. Timothy Paulson, assistant pastor organizing neighborhood observation efforts. Ruben Joannam, university lecturer supporting asylum families. They discuss ICE operations reshaping daily life, neighborhood patrols, school attendance drops, sheltering displaced families, and grassroots mutual aid.
Jan 28, 2026 • 17min
Nardwuar “blown away” by Order of Canada nod
Nardwuar, Canadian music journalist famed as Nardwuar the Human Serviette with a four-decade career, reflects on being named to the Order of Canada. He talks about his interview origins, meticulous gift-based research, memorable moments with stars and politicians, and how the internet amplified his reach. Short, quirky stories and his enduring drive to dig deep keep the conversation lively.
