Best Mark Combs Author Podcasts (2025)

1
Walking with Dinosaurs is back — and Alberta takes centre stage 10:51

17h ago10:51

10:51

Do you have fond memories of Walking with Dinosaurs, the much-loved BBC series that aired back in 1999. If your answer is yes, you and all dinosaur lovers are in luck — it’s coming back this summer, and Alberta is taking centre stage. Matt Galloway talks to Emily Bamforth, the lead scientist of the Pipestone Creek Bonebed in Alberta and a fan of th…

1
This town had just one graduate, so they threw a prom for one 13:03

17h ago13:03

13:03

Breanna Bromley-Clarke is the only student graduating from her tiny school in Main Brook, N.L. So the small town of about 200 people is throwing her a party — a very special prom for one.

1
Inside the swarming attack that killed a homeless man in Toronto 24:02

17h ago24:02

24:02

New details have emerged about the 2022 swarming attack that killed a homeless man in Toronto, after a judge ruled that strip searches conducted on the accused teenage girls were unconstitutional. Toronto Star crime reporter Jennifer Pagliaro walks us through what happened that night, and why this judge’s ruling will affect sentencing.…

1
‘Not again’: Why does drunk driving persist among young men? 18:42

17h ago18:42

18:42

Tanya Hansen Pratt was frustrated to hear of three children killed in a Toronto highway crash this week — she lost her own mother to a young drunk driver almost 30 years ago. With a 19-year-old now facing multiple impaired-driving charges, we dig into why young men still take the most risks on the road, and how to talk to them about drunk driving.…

1
Whitewashing Reality 47:16

17h ago47:16

47:16

Another Oval Office ambush. First it was Zelensky and now President Trump confronts South Africa’s president. His facts, however, don’t add up. Plus, it turns out Newark Airport isn’t alone with trouble in their skies. New reporting shows what appears to be a nationwide problem with old technology, stressed out controllers, and close calls in the a…

1
What we learned after the hockey trial jury was dismissed 11:22

1d ago11:22

11:22

In an “extraordinary” development, the jury has been dismissed in the sexual assault trial of five ex-world junior hockey players. The Globe and Mail’s investigative reporter Robyn Doolittle explains what a judge-only trial could mean for the case, and why the jury’s dismissal means new details can now be reported…

1
How gene editing saved a baby’s life 15:52

1d ago15:52

15:52

“A triumph of science, a miracle of medicine” is how researcher Fyodor Urnov describes the gene-editing treatment that saved baby KJ Muldoon’s life. Now nine months old, KJ was born with a genetic condition called urea cycle disorder, which is fatal for many infants. Urnov was part of the research team supporting KJ's doctors, he tells us what gene…

1
How teenagers can start to manage their money 24:15

1d ago24:15

24:15

Managing money is always challenging, and it’s even trickier when you’re a teenager. In her new book Making Bank, Money Skills for Real Life, certified financial planner Shannon Lee Simmons offers advice for teens: from budgeting and saving for things you enjoy, to dealing with the constant wave of influencers trying to sell them something.…

1
Canada threatens Israel with sanctions over Gaza aid crisis 19:40

1d ago19:40

19:40

Canada, France and the U.K. are threatening sanctions against Israel over its 11-week blockade on humanitarian aid entering Gaza, and plans to escalate military action in the enclave. Matt Galloway talks to Jon Allen, former Canadian ambassador to Israel; and UNICEF spokesperson James Elder about the mounting international pressure on Israel — and …

1
Lawyers Accuse Trump Admin Of Deporting Migrants To South Sudan In Violation Of Court Order 47:22

2d ago47:22

47:22

Breaking news, a judge reportedly tells the Trump administration to find the plane they placed deported migrants on and see if it can be turned around. Attorneys for Vietnamese and Burmese migrants alleged in a new emergency motion Tuesday that the Trump administration deported their clients to South Sudan in violation of a previous court order. Pl…

1
China now leads in green energy. What does that mean for the west? 23:53

2d ago23:53

23:53

China is still the world’s biggest greenhouse gas emitter, but is now also leading the way in clean energy. Where does that leave Canada and other western nations in the renewables race, particularly in light of U.S. President Donald Trump’s promise to “drill baby, drill”?

1
Mark Carney promised affordable housing. Will he deliver? 19:48

2d ago19:48

19:48

“Build baby, build” is how Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged to tackle Canada’s housing crisis, but his new housing minister says that won’t mean reducing house prices. Matt Galloway asks housing experts to unpack the new Liberal government’s strategy, and unpick the “Gordian Knot” of whether Canada can create affordable housing without prices dro…

1
Does your cat have behavioural issues? Here’s some help 23:58

2d ago23:58

23:58

Have you ever thought of training your cat, just like you would your dog? Did you say no… or are you laughing in disbelief? A cat behavior specialist says you can, and explains what we are getting wrong about cats — especially about the ones with behavioural issues.

1
Trump: If Ceasefire Doesn't Happen, "I Just Back Away" 47:19

3d ago47:19

47:19

President Trump's phone calls with Putin and Zelensky were supposed to jumpstart the peace process and ultimately end the war, but now the president is signaling he could completely back away. Plus, CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta, on former President Biden's shocking cancer diagnosis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

1
Wildfire season is almost here. What can Canada expect? 19:28

3d ago19:28

19:28

Wildfire season hasn’t officially started, but Manitoba has already declared a state of emergency after a deadly blaze in Lac du Bonnet. Guest host Mark Kelley breaks down the fire forecast and top-of-mind questions with Ed Struzik, author of The Future of Fire, and climatologist emeritus David Phillips.…

1
What it’s like growing up as a ‘restaurant kid’ 24:57

3d ago24:57

24:57

Rachel Phan was three years old when her parents opened a restaurant in Kingsville, Ont., a venture that quickly ate up most of their time and energy. In a conversation from last month, the Chinese-Canadian author discusses her new memoir, Restaurant Kid, and why she felt like the restaurant had stolen her parents away from her.…

1
CAT-alogues & DOG-alogues: Pet Marketing 27:14

5d ago27:14

27:14

This week, we talk about Pet Marketing. The pet products industry is worth about $150 billion dollars. And when you love a pet, money is no object. We’ll listen to a pet food campaign that had dogs conduct a symphony orchestra. We’ll flip through IKEA’s CAT-alogues and DOG-alogues. And we’ll explore Dolly Parton’s “Doggy Parton” fashion line. -----…

1
Several Inmates On The Run After 10 Escaped From New Orleans Jail 46:54

6d ago46:54

46:54

New video released tonight of a daring jail break in New Orleans. Authorities say the inmates should be considered "armed and dangerous," and that they might have had help from a guard or someone in law enforcement. Plus, a photo of the numbers "86 47", in seashells, and why President Trump is saying they add up to a call for his assassination by f…

1
Menendez brothers are eligible for parole. Will they walk free? 11:52

7d ago11:52

11:52

After 35 years behind bars for murdering their parents, Erik and Lyle Menendez will now have a chance at parole. Investigative journalist Robert Rand has covered this story since the 1989 murders of Jose and Kitty Menendez, even uncovering new evidence along the way.

1
The top 10 vacation spots in Canada — voted by you! 17:04

7d ago17:04

17:04

Where’s the best place to visit in Canada? For weeks, listeners have been voting for the vacation spots they love across this big, beautiful country to build The Current’s travel bucket list. Rick Mercer joined Matt Galloway earlier this month to reveal the top 10. Did your favourite place make the list?…

1
Why the ban on nudity at Cannes red carpet is ‘hypocritical’ 12:13

7d ago12:13

12:13

Halle Berry had an emergency outfit change at the Cannes Film Festival this week, after organizers implemented a new dress code that bans nudity and “voluminous outfits,” especially those with large trains. Fashion critic Katharine Zarrella says the new rules are hypocritical: demanding women cover up on the red carpet, while celebrating and commer…

1
U.S. border towns lose tourism dollars as Canadians stay home 19:26

7d ago19:26

19:26

Canadian tourists were once regular shoppers at Ali Hayton’s grocery store in Washington state, but these days she’s more likely to get “nasty emails” from Canadians angry about U.S. tariffs. Guest host Mark Kelley talks to business owners about the sharp drop in Canadians travelling to the U.S., and the impact on border communities who rely on tou…

1
Jury Views Graphic Texts Between Seam “Diddy” Combs & Cassie Ventura 47:18

7d ago47:18

47:18

Sean “Diddy” Combs's attorneys' question his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura under oath. A look at what his legal team wanted to accomplish and what she actually said. Plus, if you've ever dreamed of quitting your job and taking off on an adventure you'll want to hear from Oliver Widger. He didn't know much about sailing but he cashed in his 401K, got…

1
What will Trump’s pledge to lift sanctions mean for Syria? 22:26

8d ago22:26

22:26

U.S. President Donald Trump surprised the world by pledging to lift crippling sanctions on Syria this week. We dig into what this means for rebuilding the country after the fall of Assad, both for Syrians who have grown up in the brutality of the civil war, and those who fled and are longing to return home.…

1
Making friends as an adult is hard. Here are some tips 16:06

8d ago16:06

16:06

We all know that making friends as an adult is difficult. Everyone’s busy with their families and careers, while time online and remote work is leaving some people increasingly isolated. We meet some young adults finding creative new ways to meet potential new friends in the real world, from dinner with perfect strangers to making conversation at a…

1
Inside the courtroom at Sean “Diddy” Combs’ trial 10:26

8d ago10:26

10:26

Sean (Diddy) Combs is facing life in prison over sex trafficking and racketeering charges, related to elaborate sex parties called "freak-offs” that were allegedly laced with violence and abuse. Combs, also known as Puff Daddy, has pleaded not guilty. Reuters journalist Jack Queen takes us inside the New York courtroom, where Combs’ ex-girlfriend, …

1
Visiting a Mennonite community where measles is spreading 19:26

8d ago19:26

19:26

A Mennonite community at the centre of Ontario’s measles outbreak, one woman says she trusts remedies made from dandelions and strawberries more than modern medicine. The Current’s James Chaarani went there to speak with community members, and found a deep distrust of vaccines and the medicine system.…

1
Trump Supporters, Critics Unite Against Plane Deal 47:24

8d ago47:24

47:24

President Trump meets with Qatar's emir who's giving him a 747 and talks at length about why he needs it now. John Bolton, his former national security adviser has some thoughts on that and joins 360° tonight. Plus, Sean “Diddy” Combs's ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, back on the stand in his federal trial, delivering explicit testimony. CNN anchor …

1
Are you an explorer? Alex Hutchinson says we all are 24:59

9d ago24:59

24:59

Alex Hutchinson knows all about the thrill of discovery, having ventured deep into the wilderness of far-flung places like Tasmania. In his new book, The Explorer's Gene, the journalist argues that we’re hardwired with that desire to embrace uncertainty and the unknown — and looks at what happens if we stop.…

1
Will AI make us better writers? Or kill our critical thinking? 24:17

9d ago24:17

24:17

If you’ve tried to write an email or opened a blank document recently, some kind of AI assistant has likely offered to polish your words — or even write whole sentences for you. Some advocates argue that generative AI could open up a new frontier in writing, but others warn it’s dulling our creativity and critical thinking for the sake of efficienc…

1
Carney unveils his cabinet. Is it the change Canadians want? 19:49

9d ago19:49

19:49

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s cabinet has two dozen new faces, but Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says the presence of some Trudeau-era ministers looks like “more of the same.” Can Carney reassure Canadians that he’s bringing the change they voted for? Matt Galloway takes the political pulse with the CBC’s Rosemary Barton and Kathleen Petty an…

1
Plane Expensive 47:03

9d ago47:03

47:03

Breaking news on that free plane from Qatar. It may cost three-quarters of a billion dollars or more, to retrofit it for the President. Plus, what a Los Angeles judge ruled in the case of Erik and Lyle Menendez, who are seeking freedom decades after they were convicted of murdering their parents in 1989. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podc…

1
Alberta separatists unveil ballot question, call for 2025 referendum 20:09

10d ago20:09

20:09

"Do you agree that the province shall become a sovereign country and cease to be a province of Canada?" That’s the ballot question proposed by the Alberta Prosperity Project, a group pushing for a referendum on Alberta leaving Canada by the end of the year. We look at support for independence in the province — and why the APP says they’re confident…

1
How politics bleeds into the UFC and mixed martial arts 24:15

10d ago24:15

24:15

Mixed martial arts can count some big-name politicians among its millions of fans, with Donald Trump and Pierre Poilievre attending recent Ultimate Fighting Championship bouts. We dig into the sport’s intersection with politics, and the corners of the sport that seem to be embracing the manosphere, toxic masculinity and, in some cases, far-right fi…

1
Adulting 101: How Gen Z fell behind on basic life skills 24:09

10d ago24:09

24:09

Some schools are offering so-called adulting 101 courses, teaching Gen Zers basic skills like cooking, cleaning or changing a tire. Some social scientists call it “delayed adulthood,” the phenomenon of younger people lacking life skills that past generations took for granted.

1
Israeli-American Hostage Edan Alexander Released By Hamas 47:20

10d ago47:20

47:20

Edan Alexander, the last known living American hostage in Gaza, was released by Hamas and reunited with his family on Monday, ending a 19-month ordeal that began with the militant group’s October 7 attack. Plus, a group of White South Africans are the first people granted refugee status since President Trump signed an executive order effectively st…

1
Why Ed Yong thinks birding is ‘quietly radical’ 15:03

11d ago15:03

15:03

Ed Yong has “birder derangement syndrome,” a condition that’s entirely made up but may be familiar to other birding enthusiasts. In a conversation from last spring, the science writer tells Matt Galloway how the joy of birding saved him from pandemic burnout and radically changed how he interacts with nature.…

1
Worried about money? Our experts answer your questions 20:10

11d ago20:10

20:10

Are you worried about U.S. tariffs squeezing your retirement investments? Anxious about losing your job? Or afraid that inflation will make it harder to put food on the table? With economic uncertainty fuelling fears of recession, Matt Galloway puts your financial questions to economist Armine Yalnizyan and certified financial planner Shannon Lee S…

1
Dyslexia made Phil Hanley feel stupid. He wants kids today to skip that shame 24:17

11d ago24:17

24:17

The comedian Phil Hanley remembers his school teachers calling him lazy and stupid, when in truth he was struggling with dyslexia. In his new memoir Spellbound: My Life as a Dyslexic Wordsmith, Hanley writes about how his mother defended him in an unsympathetic education system, and why he doesn’t want dyslexic kids today to feel the shame he did.…

1
Bird populations are in steep decline, study suggests 9:16

11d ago9:16

9:16

Bird populations across North America have fallen by billions over the last 50 years, according to a staggering report from Cornell University. Researcher Amanda Rodewald explains what’s happening, and why common birds like sparrows, blackbirds and finches are suffering the greatest losses.

1
Bookmarks 2025 32:12

12d ago32:12

32:12

This week, it’s our annual “Bookmarks” episode. We read a lot of books to research this show, and often we stumble on great stories that don’t fit our regular episodes. So we save them up for this show. We’ll talk about a new book on SNL producer Lorne Michaels, we’ll take a few notes from a famous songwriter, and we’ll talk about a Bible with a wi…

1
University Student Released After Six Weeks At Louisiana Detention Center 47:50

13d ago47:50

47:50

Video of the Tufts University student's arrest by masked men outside her home drew global attention. Today, a judge freed the Turkish exchange student, saying the government showed no evidence to support its case. Plus, the Trump administration fires the Librarian of Congress, the first women and first black person to hold the job. Hear the justifi…

1
Fears of empty shelves as U.S. tariffs disrupt supply lines 10:33

14d ago10:33

10:33

Trump’s economic fight with China has already led to a drop in cargo coming into U.S. ports. Supply chain experts are warning that tariffs could soon mean half-empty shelves and higher prices south of the border, which could have a knock-on effect for Canada.

1
The surprisingly moving tale of Alberta’s gopher museum 12:40

14d ago12:40

12:40

There’s something undeniably special about Alberta’s World Famous Gopher Hole Museum, with its taxidermied rodents kitted out as firefighters, hair stylists, or even enjoying a game of curling. The CBC’s Allison Dempster went to Torrington, Alta., to find out how the town came up with such an unusual tourist attraction — and why it ended up drawing…

1
Putin, Trump, Zelenskyy: What 3 personalities mean for peace in Ukraine 19:49

14d ago19:49

19:49

Hopes for peace in Ukraine rest with three men: the country’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Russia’s Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump. Journalists Simon Shuster and Luke Harding have covered this conflict and its characters in depth. They join Matt Galloway to share their insights into each leader’s personalities and motivations.…

1
The new pope is an American. Here’s why that’s surprising 13:56

14d ago13:56

13:56

Cardinal Robert Prevost is the first American pontiff, choosing the name Pope Leo XIV. Jesuit priest and journalist Father Sam Sawyer explains why that surprised some people, as did the new pope’s social media rebuke, earlier this year, of JD Vance and the Trump administration’s treatment of migrants and asylum seekers.…

1
Drilling into Arctic ice to spy 20,000 years into the past 11:16

14d ago11:16

11:16

A small group of Canadian and Danish scientists have been drilling deep into the ice on Axel Heiberg Island, on the western edge of the Arctic Ocean. Ice core scientist Alison Criscitiello explains why drilling into the ice cap can give us a glimpse into the Earth’s past.

1
Leo XIV Elected First American Pope 47:20

14d ago47:20

47:20

In one of the oldest of old-world ceremonies still in practice, 133 cardinals chose the next leader of the Catholic church. And though he is said to be, in many ways, a natural successor to Pope Francis, Vatican-watchers have long doubted the chances that an American would be elevated to the papacy. But for the first time in history there is an Ame…

1
The Current Introduces | Understood: Who Broke the Internet 38:01

14d ago38:01

38:01

It's not you — the internet really does suck. Novelist, blogger and noted internet commentator Cory Doctorow explains what happened to the internet and why you're tormented by ads, bots, algorithms, AI slop and so many pop-ups. Spoiler alert: it wasn't an accident. In Understood: Who Broke the Internet, Doctorow gets into the decisions made by powe…

1
Air traffic controllers lose sight of planes for 90 seconds 20:41

15d ago20:41

20:41

Air traffic controllers reportedly lost track of planes for 90 seconds at Newark airport recently in a chaotic radar outage that prompted some staff to take stress leave. We look at what led to this nightmare scenario, and what needs to be done to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Mark Combs Author Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen