New York-based Canadian fashion designer Aurora James on founding her label Brother Vellies, her new memoir “Wildflower,” and the story behind creating Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s famous “tax the rich'' dress she wore at the 2021 Met Gala.

Plus, poet Ocean Vuong (35:25) on his New York Times bestselling poetry collection “Time Is a Mother,” expressing grief through art, and why he calls death “the truest thing.”

Sasha Velour on the famous lip synch that won her “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 9, her new book, “The Big Reveal: An Illustrated Manifesto of Drag,” and what drag queens are talking about with one another during a time when their livelihoods are being threatened.

Plus, Juno-nominated singer-songwriter Emm Gryner on finding love during the pandemic, her fondness of Steely Dan, and the story behind her new song, “Loose Wig.”

Paul Sun-Hyung Lee (Kim’s Convenience) on his lifelong love of “Star Wars,” the unusual story behind how he got the role of Captain Carson Teva in “The Mandalorian,” and what the franchise needs to do better when it comes to Asian representation.

Plus, Matt Berninger (26:00) on The National’s latest record, why he thought the band would never make a new album again, and their collaboration with Taylor Swift.

The Bangles co-founder and lead singer Susanna Hoffs on her debut novel, “This Bird Has Flown,” how she looks back on the height of the band's fame, and the story behind her hit song “Eternal Flame.”

Plus, the prog-rock duo Crown Lands (35:00) on their new album, “Fearless,” their love of Rush, and how their band name is an act of reclamation for Indigenous sovereignty.

Q’s Tom Power and Commotion’s Elamin Abdelmahmoud co-host this special tribute in remembrance of Gordon Lightfoot (Rainy Day People, Sundown, If You Could Read my Mind). The acclaimed singer-songwriter died on Monday night at age 84, ending a career that spanned more than five decades, and included honours such as the Order of Canada and an induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Tom and Elamin talk to some of his closest friends and listen to his legendary music.

Grammy-winning jazz pianist Brad Mehldau on interpreting the music of The Beatles for his new album, “Your Mother Should Know.”

Plus, Kevin Alves (26:49) on starring as Travis Martinez on the Emmy-nominated series “Yellowjackets,” how being a professional figure skater helped him as an actor, and what it was like climbing a 40-foot tree for the show.

Legendary New York comedian Murray Hill on finally getting his primetime moment in the HBO series “Somebody Somewhere,” how he created a version of himself to survive his adolescence, and his best Don Rickles story.

Plus, Roger Reeves (37:21) on his 2023 Griffin Poetry Prize shortlisted poetry collection, “Best Barbarian,” how anybody can be a poet, and the lesson he learned about art from his daughter.

Caroline Polachek on her latest album, “Desire, I Want to Turn Into You,” her song and choreography that went viral on TikTok, and what it was like collaborating with Grimes and Dido.

Plus, multi-disciplinary artist Adrian Stimson (40:09) on why the bison has been the central figure of his art practice for more than 20 years, and how he tackles heavy subjects like colonialism with humour and levity.

Author Angie Thomas (The Hate U Give) on her new novel “Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy,” how showing your kids fantasy books might be the best way to talk to them about racism, and the time Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes from TLC saved her life.

Plus, Saeed Teebi’s (37:05) debut story collection, “Her First Palestinian,” is up for the Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writer Prize. We revisit Tom’s conversation with Saeed.

Hari Kondabolu on his new comedy special, “Vacation Baby,” getting personal after years of political comedy, and developing a relationship with Hank Azaria (voice of Apu on The Simpsons) after his documentary “The Problem with Apu” came out.

Plus, U.S. poet laureate Ada Limón (34:48) on her poetry collection “The Hurting Kind,” sending a poem to space and what it’s like being shortlisted for this year's Griffin Poetry Prize.