Best Atlantic Re Think Podcasts (2025)

1
Worried about travelling across U.S. border? Listen to this 20:10

10h ago20:10

20:10

Canadians travelling to the U.S. have been warned to “expect scrutiny” at the border, including the possibility that border officials may search their electronic devices and detain them for questioning. Matt Galloway talks to immigration lawyer Heather Segal and cybersecurity expert Ron Deibert about what Canadians should think about before travell…

1
Can parties work together to make Canada less reliant on U.S.? 19:51

10h ago19:51

19:51

Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to lay out his Liberal government’s priorities in Ottawa this morning, including details of an upcoming meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. Matt Galloway talks to Conservative MP Jamil Jivani and Liberal Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne about how Canada can become less reliant on the U.S. in …

1
The AI recipe website that told people how to make cocaine 22:44

21h ago22:44

22:44

So-called vibecoding can turn anyone into a website creator, by getting AI to do the coding work based on your instructions. But experts are warning about the risks after a cooking website called RecipeNinja.ai suggested recipes for things like cyanide-laced ice cream, cholera-inspired chocolate cake and cocaine.…

1
RFK Jr. is dehumanizing autistic people, says writer 24:11

1d ago24:11

24:11

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says autistic kids will never hold a job, write a poem or go on a date — but writer and autistic person Sarah Kurchak says that simply isn’t true. She explains why the autistic community is so alarmed by RFK Jr.'s statements, and by his pledge to find a “cause” for autism by September.…

1
Getting older is hard. Does doing it alone have to be worse? 27:13

1d ago27:13

27:13

Getting older is difficult, but it can be even harder on your own. As part of our series As We Age, we look at the complications of aging without friends or family nearby — and where people can find the support they need.

1
The top 10 vacation spots in Canada — voted by you! 17:06

1d ago17:06

17:06

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 joins Matt Galloway to reveal the top 10. Did your favourite place make the list?

1
Episode 220: The Power of Thought-Terminating Bad Guy Labels 1:21:06

2d ago1:21:06

1:21:06

"American Extremists Aiding Radicals Across Border," trumpeted the Detroit Free Press in 1919. "707 Illegal Aliens Arrested in Checkpoint Crackdown," reported the Los Angeles Times in 1987. "87 Bronx gang members responsible for nine years of murders and drug-dealing charged in largest takedown in NYC history," announced the New York Daily News in …

1
What are other countries doing about Trump’s tariffs? 20:06

2d ago20:06

20:06

How is the rest of the world responding to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs? We check in with reporters in Japan, South Africa and the EU to see what Canada could learn from negotiations around the globe.

1
How spirit of bayanihan is helping B.C. Filipinos after tragedy 10:31

2d ago10:31

10:31

Four days after 11 people were killed at the Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver, there’s been an outpouring of support and caregiving among the Filipino community. We hear how this tight-knit community is coming together in the spirit of co-operation known as bayanihan, and visit a kitchen where local businesses are preparing food for victims and thei…

1
What this young designer learned, disguised as an 85-year-old 13:07

2d ago13:07

13:07

Back in the 1970s, the young designer Patricia Moore travelled the U.S. disguised as an 85-year-old — and experienced the real struggle of navigating the world as an older person. Moore went on to become a leading figure in inclusive design, and finding practical solutions to create a world that doesn't leave seniors behind.…

1
Can the Liberals and Conservatives find common ground? 19:57

2d ago19:57

19:57

In their election night speeches, Liberal Leader Mark Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre both pledged to find ways to work with other parties to protect Canadians against the threats of tariffs and annexation from U.S. President Donald Trump. Matt Galloway discusses what kind of common ground the parties can find, and whether they’ll d…

1
Breaking Ireland's Bandit Country: The Wicklow Military Road 42:28

4d ago42:28

42:28

In 1800, in the wake of the 1798 Rebellion, the British military began construction of the Wicklow Military Road. Designed to bring control to the so-called “bandit country” of the Wicklow Mountains, this road now winds through some of the most remote and picturesque landscapes in Ireland. Its history is as dramatic as the scenery it traverses. Bui…

1
What just happened? Everything you need to know about election night 1:10:20

3d ago1:10:20

1:10:20

Liberal Leader Mark Carney will form Canada’s next government, though it remains unclear if he will lead a minority or majority parliament. Matt Galloway digs into what happened overnight, from where the Liberals won and lost, to the collapse of the NDP and Jagmeet Singh’s resignation, to Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre losing his seat in the …

1
Grey divorce: Why more Canadians are separating later in life 23:48

5d ago23:48

23:48

Marnie Wraith had a comfortable life with her husband, but as she got older she started to wonder if good enough was really good enough. Deciding she had more life to live, Wraith became one of an increasing number of Canadians getting a so-called grey divorce — and navigating all the social, personal and financial upheaval that came with it.…

1
Why Sarajevo is rebuilding its luge track 18:32

5d ago18:32

18:32

Sarajevo's luge track was the pride of the city during the 1984 Olympics, but now it’s overgrown with weeds and riddled with bullet holes from the Bosnian war. A new film called The Track, screening at the Hot Docs Film Festival in Toronto, explores how a group of young athletes and their coach are trying to bring this piece of their city's history…

1
Filipino community reeling after festival killings, says organizer 20:55

4d ago20:55

20:55

RJ Aquino sat on the curb and wept Sunday morning, close to the spot where an SUV rammed into the Lapu Lapu street festival in Vancouver the night before, killing 11 people. Aquino, chair of Filipino BC, says his community is grieving and coming together to heal — and he’s been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from people who want to help.…

1
Need vacation ideas? Canadians share their favourite spots 8:12

4d ago8:12

8:12

Two more listeners make the case for their favourite vacation spots, hoping to win a place on The Current’s list of great Canadian travel destinations. Emilie English shares what she loves about the Cariboo-Chilcotin region in B.C., and Tania Millen takes us on a trip to Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta. You can see the full shortlist and vo…

1
The election is days away. Do voters have a surprise up their sleeve? 19:50

8d ago19:50

19:50

This federal election has had its fair share of surprises, from who’s pulled ahead to how engaged Canadians have been. Matt Galloway discusses what we’ve learned on the campaign trail — and whether tightening polls suggest more surprises in store — with the CBC’s Rosemary Barton, Toronto Star’s Ryan Tumilty and the Globe and Mail's Stephanie Levitz…

1
Migrants living in fear of Trump’s deportation push 22:51

8d ago22:51

22:51

U.S. President Donald Trump is making good on his pledge to conduct the "largest mass deportation in history,” sweeping up both undocumented migrants and people with work permits and legal protections. We discuss the master database that DOGE is building to track and surveil immigrants, and hear what it’s like to live under that shadow.…

1
The ultimate travel list: Lake Laberge and Stratford 9:12

8d ago9:12

9:12

Two more listeners make the case for their favourite vacation spots, hoping to win a place on The Current’s list of great Canadian travel destinations. Richard Smith shares what he loves about Lake Laberge in Yukon, and Sharon McKenzie celebrates the vibrant cultural life of Stratford, Ont. You can see the full shortlist and vote for your favourite…

1
She found beautiful art in a bargain bin. How’d it get there? 17:13

8d ago17:13

17:13

When Sonja Krawesky found a pair of bright and beautiful sculptures in a bargain bin at a Hamilton, Ont. store, she knew there had to be a story behind them. Her quest to find out where they came from led to a new friend — and a lesson about the kindness of strangers.

1
Do political parties get what matters to voters in the North? 18:44

9d ago18:44

18:44

Three leaders from Canada’s North share what’s on their minds in the closing days of the election campaign, from sovereignty to the cost of living to climate change.

1
In a small Alaskan town, the Canada-U.S. fight feels personal 23:12

9d ago23:12

23:12

The small Alaskan town of Skagway usually welcomes plenty of visitors from neighbouring Yukon, but this year Canadians aren’t coming because of tensions with the U.S. The CBC’s Julia Pagel went to Skagway, where people say that the financial hit to tourism is bad, but what really hurts is watching years of friendship break down before their eyes.…

1
Could Mark Zuckerberg be forced to sell Instagram and Whatsapp? 8:15

9d ago8:15

8:15

Meta and Google have been hit with landmark antitrust trials recently, centred on allegations of operating illegal monopolies. The CBC’s Nora Young breaks down what this might mean for the power of major tech companies, and the people who use their platforms every day.

1
Sexual assault trial of 5 ex-world junior hockey players begins 19:48

9d ago19:48

19:48

The trial of five former world junior hockey players accused of sexual assault has begun in London, Ont., with the Crown telling jurors that the case will centre on what constitutes consent — and what does not. Matt Galloway talks to The Globe and Mail’s Robyn Doolittle, who is at the trial; and Landon Kenney, an educator who teaches hockey players…

1
Ep 219: How Elites Concern Troll 'Waste' to Gut Social Welfare and Divide the Working Class 1:15:34

9d ago1:15:34

1:15:34

"Poverty plan hit for fraud, waste," reported the Associated Press in 1966. "Study says government waste is unbelievable,” insisted United Press International in 1983. "Beneath Trump’s Chaotic Spending Freeze: An Idea That Crosses Party Lines," announced The New York Times in January of this year. It’s an argument that dates back decades, even cent…

1
What happened to Ireland’s Protestant Community after the Revolution? 31:35

10d ago31:35

31:35

Between 1911 and 1926, the Irish Protestant population fell by over 30%. This podcast explores why this happened, as well as how the majority who remained adapted to life in the Free State. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

1
Fishing industry and housing costs fire up Halifax voters 36:01

10d ago36:01

36:01

Matt Galloway travels to Halifax to hear what’s on voters’ minds, in the final stop of The Current’s election road show Crossroads: Coast to Coast with Canadian Voters. First up, the sea is both a livelihood and a way of life in Nova Scotia, flowing into how many people will vote. Galloway talks to a fisherman fed up with how his industry is being …

1
What did Joel Plaskett get for his 50th? His own music 7:33

10d ago7:33

7:33

Nova Scotia musician Joel Plaskett got a special surprise for his 50th birthday, a cover album of his own songs — secretly recorded by his friends and some of the biggest names in Canadian music, including Sloan and Arkells. Plaskett talks to Matt Galloway in Halifax about the album, Songs from the Gang, and why it was so fascinating to hear what o…

1
The Current's ultimate travel list: Atlantic Canada edition 24:23

10d ago24:23

24:23

Four more listeners make the case for their favourite vacation spots, hoping to win a place on The Current’s list of great Canadian travel destinations. Sandra Trask says that Cape Breton Island, N.S., is a place for everyone and every season; Lana Gauthier explains why her family fell in love with Basin Head Provincial Park, P.E.I.; Lisa Proulx sh…

1
What are voters thinking across Atlantic Canada? 20:09

11d ago20:09

20:09

The first wins and losses of next week’s federal election will be announced in Atlantic Canada, where the political landscape has shifted dramatically in recent months. Matt Galloway heads to Halifax to talk to CBC reporters Silas Brown, Peter Cowan and Taryn Grant about what voters want, as part of Crossroads: Coast to Coast with Canadian Voters.…

1
The dirty work of preserving a blue whale skeleton 24:38

11d ago24:38

24:38

The bones of a massive blue whale will soon hang at Dalhousie University. Veterinarian Chris Harvey-Clark tells us what it took to salvage the whale that washed up outside Halifax, and what we still don't understand about the largest mammal on earth.

1
Why Pope Francis was ‘a shepherd who smells like the sheep’ 19:27

11d ago19:27

19:27

Pope Francis worked to be close to people right up to the final day of his life, says Jesuit priest and journalist Father Sam Sawyer. We look at how that focus on human dignity has shaped his papacy, from speaking out for refugees and the marginalized, to his apology for the conduct of some members of the Catholic Church in Canada's residential sch…

1
In this election, what do middle-class Canadians want? 25:13

12d ago25:13

25:13

Ashley Casciato from Innisfil, Ont., says she’s struggling to make ends meet, yet still sees herself as middle class — and she’s not alone. With the federal election just a week away, many Canadians are feeling the pressure of a rising cost of living that’s putting homeownership and the traditional middle-class lifestyle increasingly out of reach. …

1
Pope Francis remembered for bringing the church closer to the people it serves 19:38

12d ago19:38

19:38

Pope Francis, leader of the Catholic Church since 2013, has died at the age of 88. Widely regarded as a progressive reformer, he sought to modernize the church and steer it away from rigid doctrine — making it more inclusive to the needs of the marginalized. Guest host Dave Seglins spoke to CBC’s Megan Williams and Christopher White of the National…

1
Parties square off in the final leaders’ debate. What are the key takeaways? 22:47

15d ago22:47

22:47

With election day fast approaching and advance polls opening today, the race for leadership has reached a critical moment. Matt Galloway talks to CBC’s Rosemary Barton, the Toronto Star’s Ryan Tumilty and the Globe and Mail’s Stephanie Levitz — and unpacks how Liberal Mark Carney, Conservative Pierre Poilievre, the NDP's Jagmeet Singh and the Bloc’…

1
What ‘attention capitalism’ is doing to our minds — and our politics 24:29

15d ago24:29

24:29

Journalist Chris Hayes says “attention capitalism” demands we pay heed to everything at once, from social media doomscrolling to the relentless pace of the 24-hour news cycle. In a conversation from March, the MSNBC host spoke with Matt Galloway about his new book, The Siren’s Call, which explores what living under constant information overload mea…

1
Were francophone voters wooed by leaders in French debate? 11:56

16d ago11:56

11:56

Radio-Canada parliamentary reporter Laurence Martin breaks down what was said at the French federal election debate Wednesday night, where Liberal Mark Carney, Conservative Pierre Poilievre, the NDP's Jagmeet Singh and Bloc Québécois’s Yves-François Blanchet fought it out for francophone votes.

1
Building a ‘giant underground radiator’ in Germany 13:07

16d ago13:07

13:07

Deep in the forests of Germany, a Canadian company is drilling deep into the earth to tap into geothermal energy, aiming to pump clean power into the electricity grid. The CBC’s Paula Duhatschek explains how it works — and whether geothermal energy could be harnessed in Canada.

1
Advocate welcomes new tools to manage childhood obesity 19:08

16d ago19:08

19:08

Al Martin has lived with obesity since his teens. He says new guidelines for treating childhood obesity will offer new tools to help kids, but some approaches — like weight loss surgery — shouldn’t be taken lightly. Matt Galloway discusses the stigma around weight with Martin, an advocate with Obesity Matters, and Dr. Stasia Hadjiyannakis, one of t…

1
Why isn’t ‘enough’ spelled ‘enuf’? The absurdity of English spelling 24:39

16d ago24:39

24:39

Everyone has certain words they struggle to spell, whether it’s stumbling on silent letters in words like “doubt,” or words like “fuchsia,” that just look very different from how they sound. In his new book Enough is Enuf: Our Failed Attempts to Make English Eezier to Spell, Gabe Henry looks at how spelling reformers have long tried — and failed — …

1
Ep 218: The Siren Song of Rallying Around a 'Common Enemy' to Promote Progressive Causes 1:13:21

17d ago1:13:21

1:13:21

"Senate Weighs Investing $120 Billion in Science to Counter China," trumpeted The New York Times in 2021. "A New Economic Patriotism Can Help Unite Our Divided Congress," argued Newsweek in 2023. "US cedes ground to China with ‘self-inflicted wound’ of USAid shutdown, analysts say," cautioned The Guardian in 2025. In recent years, we’ve been expose…

1
In Quebec, old priorities take a backseat to Trump’s threats 1:14:37

17d ago1:14:37

1:14:37

Quebec is a crucial battleground in this election, with enough seats to give any party a decisive lead. But with U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats and tariffs roiling Canadian politics, some Quebecers only seem sure of what they’re voting against, not for. As part of The Current’s election series, Crossroads: Coast to Coast with Canadian Voters…

1
The IRA's Great Escape: Mountjoy Jail, 1925 27:50

17d ago27:50

27:50

In 1925, nineteen IRA prisoners orchestrated a daring escape from Mountjoy Jail in the heart of Dublin. Join me and historian Sam McGrath as we delve into the history of the IRA following the Civil War and uncover the remarkable story behind this audacious breakout. Sound: Kate Dunlea Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory. Hosted…

1
How a Canadian math prodigy allegedly stole millions in crypto 13:11

18d ago13:11

13:11

Canadian math prodigy Andean Medjedovic is on the run, after hacking the code of finance platforms and allegedly stealing $65 million US in cryptocurrency. The Globe and Mail’s Alexandra Posadzki explains how he did it, and why he argues he’s entitled to the funds thanks to a controversial cyber philosophy known as “Code is Law."…

1
Is anyone paying attention to rural voters this election? 15:16

18d ago15:16

15:16

Party leaders aren’t listening to rural concerns in this election — but that’s nothing new, says Marlene Spruyt from the township of North Frontenac, Ont. She talks to guest host Mark Kelley about what her community is worried about, from health care to internet connectivity.

1
Chaos in Colombia fuels deadly cocaine problem in Labrador 22:41

18d ago22:41

22:41

Cocaine use has exploded in Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation, with deadly consequences for the small community in central Labrador. In his documentary Pure Hell, the CBC’s Ryan Cooke looks at how chaos in Colombia has unleashed an avalanche of unusually pure cocaine, upending the drug trade all the way to Canada’s North.…

1
Will Trump’s tariffs mean the end of cheap online fashion? 11:32

18d ago11:32

11:32

Clothing hauls from online stores like Temu and Shein could face a steep price hike next month, as U.S. President Donald Trump plans to remove the de minimis exemption, which excludes packages worth less than $800 US from tariffs. Retail analyst Doug Stephens explains what this rollback means for ultra-cheap fast fashion.…

1
Vacation inspiration? Canadians share their favourite spots 19:56

19d ago19:56

19:56

Four more listeners make the case for their favourite vacation spots, hoping to win a place on The Current’s list of great Canadian travel destinations. Alexandra Esposito tells us why she loves Quebec City; Greer Kelley takes us on a drive from Amherst to Masstown in Nova Scotia; Stef MacDiarmid shares her memories of the Nahanni River in the Nort…

1
Fashion icon Jeanne Beker has some wild stories buried in her closet 24:44

19d ago24:44

24:44

Fashion journalist Jeanne Beker shares some wild stories in her memoir, Heart on My Sleeve, from chatting to famous musicians in the bath to walking out on an interview with Iggy Pop. In an interview from October, she shows Matt Galloway how the items in her closet tell her story, from a yellow bikini top to a boxy Chanel dress.…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Atlantic Re Think Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen