As the former managing editor of People magazine, Landon Jones helped create the celebrity-obsessed culture we live in today. And now he has some serious misgivings. Celebrities, he says, used to be famous for their accomplishments. Today they're famous… for being famous. He joins David Common to talk about the history and psychology of celebrity – from Alexander the Great to Kim Kardashian – and why he says one of the worst things that can happen to anyone today, is to become famous.

Editor Landon Jones helped create our celebrity-obsessed culture. Now he regrets it.

CBC Radio’s The Sunday Magazine is a lively, wide-ranging mix of topical long-form conversations, engaging ideas and more. Each week, host Piya Chattopadhyay takes time for deep exploration, but also makes space for surprise, delight and fun.

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

It's been dubbed Canada's coldest city, poorest city and even most racist city. But also: chill, artsy and the best city in our country to raise a family. Most importantly to Niigaan Sinclair, though... Winnipeg is home. The columnist and Indigenous studies professor joins Piya Chattopadhyay to talk about his new essay collection Wînipêk, which marries his personal stories of Winnipeg with reflections on how the city helps tell the story of Canada.

How Winnipeg helps tell the story of Canada

Guest host David Common speaks with political analyst Dahlia Scheindlin about how recent international court developments are playing out in Israeli society amid the war with Hamas, political journalist Stephen Maher charts the turbulent trajectory of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, columnist and Indigenous studies professor Niigaan Sinclair explores how Winnipeg helps tell the story of Canada, and medical historian Beth Linker sets the record straight on posture. 
 Discover more at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

Pressure on Israel, Justin Trudeau's trajectory, Niigaan Sinclair's Winnipeg, Posture history

In his new book, Small Acts of Courage, MSNBC's chief correspondent Ali Velshi argues that working for social justice and in public service is the most important part of his and his family's history because, as he writes, "democracy isn't democracy unless it's universal." Velshi, whose family came to Canada from India via South Africa and Kenya, joins Piya Chattopadhyay to talk about the meaning of citizenship, his family's journey, and the role journalism should play in a healthy democracy.

How Canadian journalist Ali Velshi's values propelled him to the top tier of American journalism

Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with Fort McMurray, Alta. residents new and old about their experiences with with wildfires, Canadian MSNBC correspondent Ali Velshi shares how his family's journey shaped his path in journalism, economist Jeff Rubin makes the case that inflation and sanctions are reshaping the global economic order, and science journalist Bethany Brookshire reflects on why we label some animals "pests." 
 Find more at at https://www.cbc.ca/sunday

Fort McMurray fires, Ali Velshi, Jeff Rubin, Rethinking 'pests'

In this American election year, Michigan is once again a must-win state. And whether it swings to Joe Biden or Donald Trump may again come down to the wants of its blue collar workers in industries like auto and steel. They're traditionally Democrats, but since Trump came on the scene, many have chosen to vote Republican. The Sunday Magazine producer Pete Mitton travels to Detroit to hear what's on workers' minds, and finds there's a new issue adding to the uncertain outcome this fall: EVs

Editor Landon Jones helped create our celebrity-obsessed culture. Now he regrets it.

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