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.

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32 episodes
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Avg 18 min
English

Episodes 32

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Friday · 24 min
Meta’s settlement that could transform social media for kids
Meta, the owner of Instagram and Facebook, will pay up to $18 billion US in a landmark U.S. case. The tech giant will also make big changes to how youth use its platforms, including time limits. What does this settlement mean for the future of social media, and the effort to keep kids safe?  We're joined by Clare Duffy, a tech reporter for CNN Business who breaks down the settlement, Taylor Owen, the Beaverbrook Chair in Ethics, Media and Communications at McGill Univers
Friday · 19 min
Canadians missing after deadly flash floods in Nepal
Hundreds are dead and thousands are missing in Nepal, including 30 Canadians and permanent residents, after catastrophic flash floods struck the Nepal-Tibet border region on Wednesday. Climate scientists say as global warming continues to melt glaciers in the Himalayas, disasters like this in the mountainous region are increasing in scale and frequency. We speak with a local aid worker on the ground to get the latest on what support is needed, and a climate scientist on how the flooding start
Thursday · 23 min
These "voice notes" give us a window into the past
Princeton professor Thomas Levin has collected the world's only collection of 'voice letters' — small records that could be recorded on-the-spot in the 1930s, 40s and 50s, and then sent through the mail to friends and loved ones. From passionate love notes, to messages home from soldiers, to tourist diaries from world travellers...these notes allowed many people to record their voices for the first time ever. Thomas Levin explains how he searches through online auctions and flea markets to un
Thursday · 20 min
How Americans feel about Trump's fight with Canada
As the tariff disputes between Canada and the U.S. reverberate across both countries, we check in with three Americans for their perspectives on the trade fight. We'll hear from a retired autoworker who agrees with Trump, a former trade negotiator who thinks U.S. tariffs are necessary, and a professor who says the U.S. tariffs are 'galactically stupid'.
Wednesday · 11 min
Remembering Dolly
Dolly Parton's death on Tuesday left a hole in the hearts of adoring fans worldwide. The country music legend is being remembered for her songs and unmistakable voice, but also for her philanthropy. Through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library initiative, she put books in the hands of more than 130 million children. We speak with the director of Infant and Early Mental Health Promotion at SickKids Hospital in Toronto, Chaya Kulkarni, who was on the initiative's book selection committee for Cana
Wednesday · 9 min
How “Puffin Patrol” is leading pufflings out to sea
Baby puffins, also known adorably as pufflings, are leaving their nests for the first time and heading out to sea… but artificial lights can send them off track. We’ll find out how the Puffin Patrol is steering them right.
Wednesday · 19 min
Canada hits back in US trade war
The federal government announced their response to the new U.S. tariffs on Canada. We’ll hear from the Mayor of Sarnia about the impact this escalating trade war will have on the city, former Alberta Premier Jason Kenney on the politics of this war, and what he wants to see from his province. And Randall Bartlett, the deputy chief economist at Desjardins Group, joins us to talk about the possible fallout for the Canadian economy.
Tuesday · 19 min
What Canada's dollar-for-dollar counter-tariffs look like
Canada’s plans to respond to the new 50 per cent U.S. tariffs are out. Today, federal ministers announced dollar-for-dollar counter-tariffs on $27.6 billion worth of U.S. goods. They also announced plans to support businesses and workers with an additional $7.5 billion as this trade war continues. We speak with CBC’s Catherine Cullen, former Conservative cabinet minister Lisa Raitt, and small business owner Ben Eadie about what this deal includes, and whether it’s enough to help workers and b
Tuesday · 18 min
Provinces, small businesses brace for economic uncertainty
Prime Minister Mark Carney has vowed dollar-for-dollar retaliatory tariffs as the United States' latest 50 per cent levy on a swath of Canadian goods has come into effect following the collapse of trade negotiations between Ottawa and Washington. New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt offers her perspective on the road ahead, and a pair of small business owners lay out the economic reality before them.
Tuesday · 25 min
Lindsay Clancy trial shines light postpartum mental health
Lindsay Clancy has admitted to killing her three young children. She's pleading not guilty by reason of insanity, saying she was experiencing postpartum psychosis. As her trial enters its fifth week, we look at the global conversation this tragedy has sparked about postpartum mental health care and education.
Monday · 20 min
What now for Canada-U.S. trade?
50 per cent U.S. tariffs are on for all kinds of Canadian products - despite all signs pointing to a deal last week. So what happened? Guest host Susan Ormiston speaks to our national affairs panel to make sense of it all.
Monday · 24 min
How much will these tariffs hurt Canada?
The 50 per cent U.S. tariffs are going to hit Canada hard. But just how hard? Guest host Susan Ormiston speaks to Flavio Volpe, president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association, and Carlo Dade, the Director of International Policy and the New North America Initiative at the University of Calgary's School of Public Policy, to find out.
August 21 · 18 min
Neuralink helps Vancouver man with ALS
Lee Marten can control things with his mind -- yes, really. After the former Vancouver police officer was diagnosed with ALS in 2025, he became one of the first Canadians, and just the 26th person in the world, to receive Elon Musk's Neuralink brain implant. It allows him to control a computer using just his brain. We speak with Lee and his wife, Lisa, about what this technology has meant for their family as his disease progresses.
August 21 · 22 min
Why David Sedaris hates the word “husband”
David Sedaris wrote many essays that featured his long-time boyfriend, Hugh. But in his new collection of essays "The Land and Its People,” he reveals the couple has been secretly married for a decade. He speaks with Matt Galloway about why he decided to keep it a secret and why now was the right time to tell the world.
August 20 · 19 min
Is Canada getting a good deal on tariffs?
As Canada and the US come to an agreement on tariffs, we'll hear from three specialists on whether this is a good deal. Flavio Volpe is the President of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association. Carlo Dade is the Director of International Policy and the New North America Initiative, at the University of Calgary School of Public Policy. Laura Dawson is the Executive Director of the Canada US Future Borders Coalition.
August 20 · 24 min
American-Palestinian trapped in West Bank amid Israeli settler siege
We hear from Loui Ridi who travelled from Ohio to the village of Qusra in the West Bank to help his brother and nephew who have been trapped in their home, after Israeli settlers surrounded their house last week.  Then political analyst, Dahlia Scheindlin, on what this situation means in the larger context of surging Israeli settler violence towards Palestinians in the West Bank, and where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government stands on the issue.
August 19 · 14 min
More sharks in the Atlantic and how a teen saved one
If you’re planning to go for a dip off the Atlantic coast in Canada you should keep your eyes out for sharks. A teen in New Brunswick even rescued one on Saturday. But even though that sounds a bit intimidating, researchers say we need to learn to live with the endangered species, who really can’t be bothered with humans.
August 19 · 9 min
The Meta lawsuit that could change social media forever
A landmark trial is underway in California against the tech giant Meta. The case was brought by 29 states who allege that Meta - which owns Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp - intentionally designed its platforms to get young people addicted. CNN tech reporter Clare Duffy explains why the trial is being called the biggest test yet of social media’s effect on kids – and why some analysts say the outcome could reshape social media.
August 19 · 19 min
Trump puts 3-day pause on 50% Canadian tariffs
U.S. President Donald Trump announced a three day pause of tariffs on Canadian goods late Tuesday night. We speak with industry leaders in lumber and auto -- two major sticking points in the ongoing trade negotiations. Then, we hear from former Minister Richard Goodale, who sits on the federal government's Advisory Committee on Canada-- U.S. Economic Relations.
August 18 · 19 min
How Russian and U.S. Actors Are Fuelling Alberta’s Separatist Debate
As Alberta prepares for its referendum on October 19th, new research shows that foreign players are paying attention and trying to affect the vote. Brian McQuinn with the Centre for Artificial Intelligence, Data and Conflict at the University of Regina tells us what his research has found. And Patrick Lennox, security consultant and a former director of intelligence with the RCMP and Liberal MP candidate, tells us why that's important.

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