Podcasts · Society & Culture

Q with Tom Power

CBC

300 episodes

Five days a week, Tom Power brings you candid conversations with the artists shaping our culture. Whether he’s chatting with A-listers or rising stars, his disarming warmth and meticulous research always gets below the surface, bringing us deeper into the art and lives of today's most compelling musicians, writers, actors and filmmakers.

More about the show

As a Canadian institution, Q has attracted the biggest names in the world. But it's never been about the fame. It's always been about the art.

Since becoming the host of Q in October 2016, listeners have come to know Tom for his in-depth interviewing style (asking founding Wu-Tang Clan member RZA what was inside his teenage notebooks), his mischievous sense of humour (jokingly chiding actor Catherine O'Hara for her parenting skills in Home Alone), and his genuine enthusiasm and fearlessness (singing a duet with Mavis Staples).

You’re just as likely to hear from celebrities and cultural icons as you are to hear from emerging artists at the beginning of their career. Tom gives each and every artist the space to tell their story in their own words. He also has a track record for interviewing artists on the precipice of stardom, like Lizzo, Billie Eilish and Daniel Caesar, who appeared on Q well before they hit the mainstream.

On Q, we cover arts and culture in all its forms, including music, movies, film, TV, comedy, painting, photography, theatre, cinema, Broadway, fashion, dance, opera, documentaries, books, fiction and memoirs.

Look to our archives to hear some of Tom’s award-winning artist interviews, including his moving and insightful conversation with the Canadian actor Michael J. Fox, which was awarded the prestigious gold medal for best interview at the 2021 New York Festivals Radio Awards.

In 2022, Tom spoke with Friends star Matthew Perry in front of a live audience. Their warm and frank conversation about the actor's struggles with substance abuse struck a chord, leading to millions views on TikTok and Instagram, while also being picked up by news outlets internationally, including Vanity Fair and CNN.

Tom’s impactful discussions with top talent have included Adele, Bono, Chappell Roan, Pamela Anderson, Cate Blanchett, Dua Lipa, Cher, Denzel Washington, Mick Jagger, Florence Pugh, Francis Ford Coppola, Kristen Stewart, Emma Stone, Jim Carrey, Billy Porter, Tom Hanks, Jerry Seinfeld, Tyler Perry, Alicia Keys, Alan Moore, Bruce Springsteen, Dolly Parton, Barbra Streisand, Darren Aronofsky, Harry Styles, Simu Liu, Sean Penn, Sandra Bullock, Michaela Coel, Ryan Reynolds, Katy Perry, Neil Young, Shakira, George Clooney, Ava DuVernay, Omar Apollo, Trixie Mattel, Orville Peck, Big Sean, Anil Kapoor, Jane Fonda, Robert DeNiro, Antonio Banderas, Elton John, Celine Dion, Kerry Washington, Chuck D, Steven Soderbergh, Mikey Madison, Cillian Murphy, Sean Baker, Steve McQueen, Paris Hilton, Taylor Tomlinson, Gwen Stefani, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Kylie Minogue, Stanley Tucci, Rufus Wainwright, Caroline Polachek,…

Episodes page 1 of 6

  1. In his father’s blazer, Adam Cohen carries the torch

    · 42 min

    Ten years after Leonard Cohen’s death, his songs are as alive as ever. In a special remote interview at Hotel2Tango in Montreal — the studio where he helped produce his father’s final albums — Juno-nominated musician…

  2. How Roch Voisine outlasted 'Rochmania'

    · 24 min

    In 1989, a young singer from New Brunswick sparked an international frenzy across Quebec and Europe known as "Rochmania." That singer was Roch Voisine, who skyrocketed to fame overnight with his breakthrough hit,…

  3. Tara Gereaux on the hidden cost of passing as white

    · 21 min

    Saskatchewan’s Tara Gereaux is the author of the novel Wild People Quiet, which was recently shortlisted for the Giller Prize — Canada's most prestigious literary award for fiction. Set in 1946, the book follows a…

  4. How a 1972 Toronto musical changed comedy forever

    · 22 min

    For more than five decades, Jayne Eastwood has been one of the most recognizable and beloved faces in Canadian comedy, film and television — from Goin’ Down the Road and SCTV to My Big Fat Greek Wedding. In 1972, she…

  5. For Luke Kirby, the big leagues were always in Canada

    · 18 min

    Since winning an Emmy for his role as Lenny Bruce on the hit series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Canadian actor Luke Kirby hasn’t slowed down. He talks to Tom Power about his new leading role as Detective Sergeant John…

  6. Bernie Taupin: ‘I bluffed my way in the back door’

    · 40 min

    For decades, lyricist Bernie Taupin has partnered with Elton John to write some of popular music’s most iconic hits, including Tiny Dancer, Rocket Man and Bennie and the Jets. Now, at 76, he’s stepping into his own…

  7. The pressure of making The Tragically Hip musical

    · 33 min

    How do you take the songs of one of Canada’s most beloved bands and weave them into a story about exile, identity and starting over? Creators and performers Ahmed Moneka and Jesse LaVercombe join Tom Power to talk…

  8. Diego Luna on the absence that shaped his career

    · 24 min

    Diego Luna (Rogue One, Y Tu Mamá También) has been acting since he was a child, starting out in Mexican cinema before taking on Hollywood blockbusters and some of television’s biggest shows. This year, he returned to…

  9. Karine Vanasse on the real-world impact of the film Polytechnique

    · 21 min

    Long before she stepped into her role as the intimidating, impeccably dressed host of The Traitors Canada and Les Traîtres, Karine Vanasse co-produced and starred in Polytechnique. Directed by Denis Villeneuve, the…

  10. ‘Death looks after itself and I would take care of life’

    · 33 min

    Tracey Emin is one of Britain’s most provocative artists. She’s known for turning sex, trauma and heartbreak into boundary-breaking art. But after surviving aggressive bladder cancer and major surgery in 2020, her…

  11. Emily Hampshire thinks we need to take having fun more seriously

    · 23 min

    As a kid in Montreal, Emily Hampshire (Schitt's Creek) was so self-conscious about performing that she’d only sing and dance inside her closet. She’s since gone on to become a six-time Canadian Screen Award winner best…

  12. New music: So Faint

    · 14 min

    So Faint’s Hannah Georgas and Lyn Heinemann have known each other for nearly two decades, but they only recently became creative collaborators. Hannah is a multi-Juno-nominated artist (including two nods for songwriter…

  13. Sebastian Stan on Fjord, fatherhood and his Romanian roots

    · 19 min

    From Tommy Lee to Donald Trump to the Winter Soldier, Sebastian Stan isn’t afraid of disappearing into a role. In his new film, Fjord, he plays a Romanian father in Norway fighting to regain custody of his children.…

  14. Why modern dance is the wildest thing you can do with an evening

    · 23 min

    Alyssa Martin is an award-winning Canadian choreographer known for blending modern dance with humour, surrealism and absurdity. Her new full-length piece, Landslide, makes its world premiere this month at Toronto’s…

  15. Robert Harris on ancient Rome’s warning for modern democracy

    · 34 min

    Bestselling author Robert Harris (Conclave, Fatherland) has sold millions of books, many of which have been adapted into films. But Robert never actually planned to become a novelist. He joins Tom Power in the Q studio…

  16. New music: Jocelyn Gould

    · 11 min

    Sometimes you have to give flowers to those who came before you. On her new album, So Delighted, Juno-winning jazz guitarist Jocelyn Gould is doing just that. The Winnipeg musician joins Tom Power to talk about…

  17. How to teach humans to dance like horses

    · 37 min

    Edmonton’s Stacey Tookey is one of the most successful dance artists. She’s worked with legends like Bette Midler and Céline Dion. But Stacey really gained attention as a choreographer for So You Think You Can Dance…

  18. Why two Vancouver musicians came together to form a supergroup

    · 12 min

    Back in July, Canadian musicians Haley Blais and Sam Lynch came on Q to discuss why they decided to unite as True Mountain Laurel, a supergroup born from late-night harmonies, voice memos, and friendship. They joined…

  19. When you sculpt dozens of giant beavers, it’s hard to pick a favourite

    · 20 min

    The artist Kent Monkman is known for challenging the way Indigenous people have been represented over the centuries in Western art – often flipping the script so that Indigenous stories are front and centre. Now, Kent…

  20. Getting to Know Q: Rohan Campbell

    · 21 min

    Canadian actor Rohan Campbell talks about his experience shooting the new Netflix suspense mini-series, Below, in Newfoundland alongside Josh Hartnett. Rohan sits down for our segment Getting to Know Q, answering a…

  21. Why Montreal is the (unrequited) love of Chandler Levack’s life

    · 32 min

    Canadian filmmaker Chandler Levack’s debut film I Like Movies was a huge hit, earning praise from folks like Adam Sandler and establishing Chandler as one to watch. This year, Chandler released her second film, called…

  22. Mahershala Ali almost became a preacher instead of an actor

    · 22 min

    When Mahershala Ali was growing up, he was caught between two different passions: faith and creativity. His mother was a Baptist minister and his dad was a dancer. Mahershala decided to pursue acting, and is now an…

  23. Getting to Know Q: Chad Smith

    · 18 min

    From his favourite Rush song to his go-to coffee order, Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith answers some very important questions in a rapid-fire round of Getting to Know Q with Tom Power.

  24. Josh Hartnett fell in love with Newfoundland while making Below

    · 23 min

    Josh Hartnett became one of Hollywood’s biggest stars in his early 20s, but instead of chasing fame, he started questioning what he actually wanted from his career. These days, he’s drawn to roles that surprise him —…

  25. How menopause inspired this artist’s new exhibit

    · 20 min

    Cybèle Young has made a name for herself with her miniature paper sculptures. But in a new exhibition, Kamiphony, the Governor General’s Award-winning artist and author is putting a new twist on her work, building…

  26. Olympian Tessa Virtue steps off the ice and onto the stage

    · 30 min

    Before the gold medals, three-time Olympic champion ice dancer Tessa Virtue was just a nine-year-old girl trying to decide between ballet and skating. Now, years after retiring from competition, she’s stepping off the…

  27. New Music: Gizmo

    · 16 min

    If you’re a fan of rock music living in the Maritimes, things are looking good. That’s because there’s a deep lineage of incredible rock bands that came out of the East Coast back in the ’90s — and their influence is…

  28. Jordan Tannahill on cruising and the nature of time

    · 24 min

    Jordan Tannahill, the Giller Prize-shortlisted and Governor General's Award-winning playwright, director and novelist, has long used his work to shine a light on queer culture. His latest novel, The Living Realm, is no…

  29. Snooki’s sixth sense

    · 20 min

    Reality TV star Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi of Jersey Shore fame has traded New Jersey boardwalks for ghost-hunting in Ontario. She’s the star of the new Crave series Snooki: The Paranormal Rookie, which follows her to…

  30. Colin James just can’t quit the blues

    · 24 min

    Juno Award-winning blues guitarist Colin James is opening up about his life and legacy in a new memoir, Playing the Changes. The book traces his journey from growing up in Regina through the ’60s and ’70s to the edge…

  31. Sucks to be you, great to be back: Prozzäk’s 2nd act

    · 21 min

    Getting older can mean caring a little less about what you’re supposed to do, and a little more about what makes you happy. For Canadian musicians James Bryan and Jay Levine, that means bringing their iconic animated…

  32. You may not know her name, but you’ve definitely heard her voice

    · 24 min

    Though she may not be a household name, Darlene Love is a true musical icon. You know her voice from the timeless holiday anthem Christmas (Baby Please Come Home), but her legendary vocals also power classic hits like…

  33. J Stevens is making queer comedy for everyone

    · 20 min

    Long before they were directing television, J Stevens was convinced they were going to be the next Serena Williams. But when they picked up a camcorder in high school, everything changed. Today, J is an award-winning…

  34. Ed Helms is heartbroken the world isn’t a nicer place

    · 24 min

    Ed Helms (The Office, The Hangover) is an actor, comedian, musician, writer and podcaster. This year, he stars in two Canadian films that premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival: Smudge the Blades and The…

  35. Emma Pennell used to sing to trees. Now, they’re singing on Canada’s largest opera stage

    · 27 min

    Emma Pennell has come a long way as a singer. When they were a kid, the trees of Northern Ontario were their audience. Now, the two-spirit Indigenous soprano is singing for thousands with the Canadian Opera Company in…

  36. Anna Lambe thought TV was superficial until she found its power

    · 33 min

    Anna Lambe almost walked away from acting before landing her starring role on North of North. She had headed to Ottawa to study international development, deciding to focus less on acting and more on her activism for…

  37. Looking for a sign to chase your dreams? Aysanabee is it

    · 19 min

    In just four years since Aysanabee left his day job to pursue music, he’s played more than 400 shows, toured all over the world and was shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize. He also made history as the first…

  38. Majid Jordan’s secret to surviving 15 years as a duo

    · 24 min

    The Canadian duo Majid Jordan is best known as one of the pillars of Toronto’s R&B sound. This past August, they released their fifth studio album, Two Roads. On the day of their hometown stop in the 6ix, Majid Al…

  39. Oscar Peterson’s family offers a personal glimpse of a Canadian icon

    · 33 min

    A new box set celebrates the late Canadian jazz icon Oscar Peterson. It’s called Oscar Peterson: World Tour, and it features live concert recordings from around the globe spanning 1969 to 1996. Oscar’s wife, Kelly, and…

  40. Kardinal Offishall on family, legacy and working with Idris Elba

    · 38 min

    Kardinal Offishall is back with Firestarter Vol. 2: Everyday, Sometimes — the long-awaited follow-up to one of Canadian hip-hop's most iconic records of the early 2000s. He joins Tom Power to reflect on why now was the…

  41. New Music: Thunder Queens

    · 14 min

    Being a teenager comes with serious pressure to make big decisions about the future. That’s something Violet Bruneel, Lola Good, and Clara Magnan of the teen rock trio Thunder Queens know all about. Their latest album,…

  42. Curry Barker fought for his ideas. Now we have Obsession

    · 34 min

    Last year, Curry Barker’s debut feature Obsession made movie history at the Toronto International Film Festival. After its midnight premiere, it was bought by Focus Features for roughly $15 million — one of the largest…

  43. Michael Dowse found his freedom as a broke filmmaker

    · 23 min

    Back in the ’70s, Canadian stuntman Ken Carter attempted to execute the boldest maneuver of his career: launching a rocket-powered car one mile across the St. Lawrence River from Ontario into New York State. It was a…

  44. How community theatre saved Jesse Eisenberg’s life

    · 28 min

    Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network, A Real Pain) drew on his own roots in community theatre to write and direct his latest movie, The Debut. Starring Julianne Moore as a shy housewife-turned-actor and Paul Giamatti as…

  45. New Music: Mariel Buckley

    · 21 min

    Choosing to pursue a single passion can feel like a calling — until the reality of the grind hits. Albertan singer-songwriter Mariel Buckley explores the highs and lows of going after your dreams on her Juno-winning…

  46. Noomi Rapace: ‘Movies were my escape and my oxygen’

    · 24 min

    Swedish actor Noomi Rapace has built a career playing deeply complex characters, starting with her breakout role as Lisbeth Salander in 2009’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. In her new film, In Alaska, she plays an…

  47. He used to drink a two-six a day. Now he releases two songs a week

    · 23 min

    Dillan King, also known as DillanPonders, is a Canadian rapper from Toronto. After surviving addiction and homelessness nearly a decade ago, he found a path to recovery and became an avid mental health advocate. Since…

  48. Chad Smith joins Rush to honour Neil Peart

    · 39 min

    Neil Peart is one of the most celebrated and influential drummers of all time. In the new documentary Neil Peart: No One’s Disciple, his life and legacy are honoured by his Rush bandmates, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson.…

  49. New Music: summersets

    · 14 min

    As a solo artist in the 2010s, Kalle Mattson either won or was nominated for every major music prize in Canada. During the pandemic, he formed the band summersets with his childhood friend Andrew Sowka to explore…

  50. The original Widow's Bay script got this writer hired on Parks and Rec

    · 21 min

    Earlier this week, the hit horror-comedy series Widow's Bay made Emmys history with a record-breaking 14 wins, including best series. Katie Dippold, the show’s creator and showrunner, comes from a comedy background,…

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