Arlene Is Alone

Chantal Kreviazuk has written songs that have found their way into millions of hearts, from her own Juno-winning records to hits for some of the biggest voices in pop, but the story behind the music is one she rarely tells. In this conversation with Arlene, she opens up about the near-death car crash in Italy that changed everything, her marriage to Raine Maida and the work they continue to do for each other, and what being a mother has taught her about love and letting go. It's an honest, tender, and quietly inspiring conversation about resilience, partnership, and the courage it takes to be truly seen.

At 15, Rick Hansen was paralyzed in a truck crash. He went on to become a six-time Paralympic medallist and the Man In Motion, wheeling more than 40,000 kilometres around the world to prove what people with disabilities can do.

In this episode, Rick talks about the determination that got him through those early years, the gym teacher who opened up his world, and his friendship with Terry Fox. We also talk about his wife, Amanda, who was his physiotherapist on the world tour, and the partnership they’ve built ever since.

A conversation about resilience, purpose, and the people who carry us.

Halifax's Alicia McCarvell is one of Canada's most-followed content creators, with millions of fans drawn to her mix of humour, self-love and body positivity. She and Arlene talk about her changing relationship with her body, setting boundaries online, going full-time as a creator, and why her marriage works. Plus, the years she lost believing her body was the problem, and why she's now set on sharing her success.

Tragically Hip guitarist and songwriter Paul Langlois joins Arlene to talk about his friendship with Gord Downie, the band's final concert in Kingston in 2016, and why supporting Indigenous people mattered so deeply to Gord and the Hip. Paul also looks back on growing up in Kingston, his parents' influence, being honoured by the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, and his life in music today as a solo artist.

Jillian Harris, Canadian TV personality, designer, and entrepreneur, joins Arlene for a warm and honest conversation about the power of reinvention, the story of how she met her husband Justin, and the worries she carries about her aging parents. They talk about the fear that comes with speaking up in a world that feels more divided than ever, the complexities of aging, and what it really means to live authentically right now. A conversation about growth, love, and the courage it takes to keep becoming who you're meant to be.

Ben Hollingsworth, known for his roles in Virgin River and The Joneses, sits down with Arlene for a candid conversation about his path into acting and the family lessons that shaped him along the way. They dig into what it’s like navigating ADHD in a demanding industry, plus the moment he first learned to trust his own instincts. Plus, a fascinating story from his very first MET gala experience that you absolutely need to hear. 

Mary Berg won Masterchef Canada in 2016 with no professional training, then turned that win into a full television career as host of her own cooking shows and a daytime talk show. But behind the easy on-screen warmth is someone who learned early how to hold joy and grief at the same time. In this conversation, she and Arlene talk about losing her father young, living with anxiety, and the quiet work of finding purpose and meaning in small, ordinary moments.

Meredith MacNeill—award-winning Canadian actress, comedian, and co-creator of Baroness von Sketch Show and Small Achievable Goals—joins Arlene for a sharp and unflinching conversation about the patriarchy, identity, and the insecurities women have been taught to carry. They dive into the complicated relationship between identity and work, the shame that was never ours to begin with, and the uncomfortable question of who actually benefits from women's insecurities. Funny, smart, and necessary—the kind of conversation women have been having privately for decades, brought into the open.

Carleigh Bodrug, the creator behind PlantYou, joins Arlene to talk about how her father’s colon cancer diagnosis set her on the path to plant-based eating and a career built around helping others. She opens up about grief, vulnerability, and the deep link between the food we eat and our health. Join us for a conversation that goes far beyond the plate.

Olympic gold medalist and PWHL star Sarah Nurse joins Arlene for an honest conversation about family, femininity, and the strength it takes to lead. They talk about growing up in a famously athletic family, how her parents shielded her from the politics of elite sport, and why she refuses to see femininity as being in conflict with serious competition. It’s a conversation about redefining what an athlete is allowed to be: ambitious and gentle, competitive and feminine, public and deeply private.