Just Asking

The cost of living spills over into every aspect of our lives - including our romantic relationships. Do you and your partner have the same attitude towards money and how much you spend? What red flags should you look for before you tie your finances to someone? And what if one person makes more money than the other? On this episode of Just Asking, we take all your questions about dealing with the messy money talk that comes up in relationships - from dating, to joint accounts, to who makes more money. Jessica Moorehouse is a Certified Financial Counsellor, host of the More Money Podcast, and author of "Everything but Money." Lambers Fisher is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist 

This week, Meta announced its new "PG-13 guidelines" for teen account settings on Instagram. The push to make the app safer for kids comes as countries like Australia have moved to ban social media for children under 16, with jurisdictions like Nova Scotia, Quebec, France and Denmark considering similar legislation. On this episode of Just Asking, we take your questions about how to make social media safer for kids, and what parents and policymakers need to prioritize. Suzie Dunn is an Assistant Professor of Law and director of the Law and Technology Institute at Dalhousie University. Dr. Shimi Kang is a psychiatrist with Future Ready Minds, a counselling service for teens and families. She's also the author of "The Tech Solution: Creating Healthy Habits for Kids Growing Up in a Digital World." 

On Friday, Israel’s cabinet approved Donald Trump's plan for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, paving the way for the release of all hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees. But beyond those initial steps, the future for Israelis and Palestinians is anything but clear. On this episode of Just Asking, we take your questions about the ceasefire plan and what happens next. Ian Lustick is a Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania who specializes in the Arab-Israeli conflict. Omar Dajani is a law professor at the University of Pacific who served as an advisor during the Camp David and Taba talks from 1999 to 2001. We'll also hear from freelance Israeli journalist Rachel Fink who's been reporting from Hostage square in Tel Aviv.

Are you filled with excitement or dread about cooking a big meal for family and friends? Maybe you aren't a fan of the traditional Thanksgiving dinner, and are looking for more creative ideas to impress your guests. Or maybe you're just shifting into soup mode as leaves change, and want to take advantage of all the seasonal vegetables in your fridge. On this episode of Just Asking, we take your questions about Thanksgiving cooking and put it to the pros. Jennifer Crawford is a food enthusiast, cook and the 2019 winner of MasterChef Canada. And Joshna Maharaj is a chef, author and activist. 

It's been two years since the war between Israel and Hamas began. But as time goes, talking about the conflict hasn't gotten any easier. Whether it's with family and friends, at school or at work, these conversations are fraught with emotional baggage, and decades of historical trauma. On this episode of Just Asking, we take your questions about how to engage in these conversations meaningfully. Our guests are Raja Khouri and Jeffrey Wilikinson, friends and co-authors of the book, "The Wall Between: What Jews and Palestinians Don't Want to Know about Each Other". As the war continues, these two friends have been trying to foster dialogue between the two communities and will share their advice on how to talk to each other. 

The AI-generated actress Tilly Norwood has prompted massive backlash from Hollywood stars and labour unions, decrying the move as an attempt to steal jobs from film industry workers. Particle 6, the AI production company responsible for this computerized character, claims there are multiple talent agents interested in signing the machine-generated ingénue. On this episode of Just Asking, we take your questions about the use of AI in TV and film, and what it means for the industry. Our guests are Rad Simonpillai, a film and pop culture columnist and Steven Zeitchik, the Senior Tech Editor for The Hollywood Reporter. They'll answer your questions!

This Tuesday marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission published 94 Calls to Action. But nearly a decade later, what progress has been made and what role can each of us play?On this episode of Just Asking, we take your questions about making reconciliation meaningful at our schools, offices and in our communities. Our guests are Rose LeMay, CEO of the Indigenous Reconciliation Group and author of Ally Is a Verb; Riley Yesno, Anishinaabe scholar and distinguished fellow at the Yellowhead Institute; and Brock Pitawanakwat, associate professor of Indigenous Studies at York University.

The suspension of a U.S. late-night host has reignited debate on both sides of the border about where free speech ends and harm begins. In Canada, conversations around book bans, anti-hate laws, campus protests, and online speech are forcing us to ask tough questions: what can you say, and when does it cross the line?On this episode of Just Asking, we take your questions about freedom of expression with Hasan Alam, President of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association and a labour and human rights lawyer, and Ira Wells, President of PEN Canada, Academic Programs Director at Victoria College at the University of Toronto, and author of On Book Banning.

Since the birth control pill was introduced in 1960, contraceptive options have expanded to include the patch, the ring, injections, and IUDs. And this year, some provinces began offering free prescriptions for contraception. But even with more access, there’s still widespread skepticism and misinformation, much of it spreading quickly online. On this episode of Just Asking, we take your questions about the risks and realities of birth control, how to talk about it with partners and young people, and what new options may be on the horizon. Joining us are Dr. Rahima Alani, a family physician whose clinical work includes Planned Parenthood, and Natalya Mason, a registered social worker and sexual health educator.

Canada’s housing crisis has left many people struggling to find affordable places to live, whether renting basement apartments, living with roommates, or waiting years for public housing. The federal government has announced a new agency, Build Canada Homes, with $13 billion set aside to supercharge the construction of affordable units. But will it work, and what other ideas could make housing more accessible?To take your questions on solutions to Canada’s housing shortage, Just Asking was joined by Brian Doucet, Associate Professor in the School of Planning at the University of Waterloo, and Randall Bartlett, Deputy Chief Economist at Desjardins.