Q with Tom Power

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Q with Tom Power episodes

September 29, 2023 Neve Campbell: “Swan Song,” honouring her idol Karen Kain, and dancing with Prince Harry
You might know Neve Campbell from films like “Scream” and TV shows like “Party of Five,” but before Hollywood, her first love was ballet. Now, Neve is the executive producer for a documentary called “Swan Song” about legendary ballet dancer Karen Kain’s final performance. Neve joins Tom to talk about her love of dance, what it was like to meet and celebrate one of her first idols, and what makes ballet a great form of storytelling.
26 min
September 29, 2023 Esi Edugyan: Lost socks, her first children’s book, and what ‘exquirologist’ means
Following the success of her award-winning novels “Half-Blood Blues” and “Washington Black,” acclaimed writer Esi Edugyan is back with her first children's book, “Garden of Lost Socks.” Esi tells Tom the laundry-related story that inspired her book, how it feels to write for kids after writing two research-heavy novels, and how she looks back on the childhood she had in comparison to her children’s.
17 min
September 28, 2023 The Beaches: How everything needed to fall apart for everything to come together
The Beaches are in a season of change. The Toronto-based band left their major label deal, hired a new team, and started embracing social media to reach new audiences. Now, they have a number one single, a viral hit on TikTok, and a brand new album, “Blame My Ex.” Jordan and Kylie Miller of The Beaches talk to Tom about what happens when you’re told “this is your make it or break it album,” how TikTok has expanded their audience, and how writing a breakup record felt like going to therapy with your best friends.
23 min
September 28, 2023 Jonathan Lawrence on queer platonic love + How Jayli Wolf's “ego death” led to her new EP
A few years ago, Canadian filmmaker Jonathan Lawrence spent some time researching the world of conversion therapy, and what he discovered became the backdrop for his first television series, “Alter Boys.” Jonathan tells Tom how he wants the series to be an examination of queer friendships, love and community.

Plus, Jayli Wolf tells the story behind her song “Welcome Child” off her new EP, “God is an Endless Mirror.”

23 min
September 27, 2023 Marie Clements: Why talking about residential schools in “Bones of Crows” is sacred work
The new CBC miniseries “Bones of Crows” tells the multi-generational story of one family’s experience with Canada’s residential school system and their quest for justice. Tom speaks with writer, producer and director Marie Clements about adapting the series from the 2022 film of the same name, how nearly everyone on the cast and crew has a relative that went to residential school, and why telling this story feels like “sacred work.”
24 min
September 27, 2023 Elizabeth Acevedo: Living wakes, family secrets, and why she’s been planning her own funeral since she was a kid
New York Times bestselling YA author and champion slam poet Elizabeth Acevedo has written her first novel for adult readers, “Family Lore.” The story follows one Dominican-American family, as told through the voices of its women, as they await a gathering that will forever change their lives. Elizabeth talks to Tom about the book, how her family inspired the story, and how being a teacher influences her work as a writer.
24 min
September 26, 2023 Talking Heads: The early days, “Stop Making Sense,” the story behind the Big Suit
It’s been 40 years since Talking Heads’ seminal concert film “Stop Making Sense” was released. Now, the film has been entirely restored and re-released in theatres. In a rare conversation, all four members of Talking Heads join Tom in studio to share some stories from the making of the film, what drew them together in the early days, and where the idea for the famous Big Suit came from.
39 min
September 26, 2023 Craig Gillespie: “Dumb Money,” Reddit's GameStop uprising, crafting films from real-life stories
At the height of lockdown there was a titanic struggle between power brokers on Wall Street and little retail investors — a battle that could be summed up in one word: GameStop. Director Craig Gillespie tells the story behind the infamous scandal in his new film, “Dumb Money.” He joins Tom to talk about his personal connection with it and why it felt urgent to get this story out now.
20 min
September 25, 2023 Slipknot’s Corey Taylor: Sobriety, his new solo album, and what’s kept the band together for nearly 30 years
Few vocalists in heavy metal are as recognizable as Corey Taylor, the lead singer of the band Slipknot. Corey talks to Tom about his brand new solo album, “CMF2,” what he credits for Slipknot’s longevity, and what the band members’ terrifying masks gave to them as artists.
36 min
September 22, 2023 Nicole Byer: The reality of competition shows and how ADHD can help your comedy
Nicole Byer has made a living talking to people and being funny. She’s so good at it, she’s got three podcasts, two TV shows and a current Emmy nomination for hosting the reality show “Nailed It!” Now, somehow, Nicole has also found the time to take her stand-up on the road. She talks to Tom about growing up as a hyperactive kid, how having ADHD has helped her comedy career, and what you can expect at her show at this year's Just For Laughs.
33 min

About Q with Tom Power

From the publisher's feed

Five days a week, Tom Power brings you candid conversations with the artists shaping our culture. Whether he’s chatting with A-listers or rising stars, his disarming warmth and meticulous research…

always gets below the surface, bringing us deeper into the art and lives of today's most compelling musicians, writers, actors and filmmakers.

As a Canadian institution, Q has attracted the biggest names in the world. But it's never been about the fame. It's always been about the art.

Since becoming the host of Q in October 2016, listeners have come to know Tom for his in-depth interviewing style (asking founding Wu-Tang Clan member RZA what was inside his teenage notebooks), his mischievous sense of humour (jokingly chiding actor Catherine O'Hara for her parenting skills in Home Alone), and his genuine enthusiasm and fearlessness (singing a duet with Mavis Staples).

You’re just as likely to hear from celebrities and cultural icons as you are to hear from emerging artists at the beginning of their career. Tom gives each and every artist the space to tell their story in their own words. He also has a track record for interviewing artists on the precipice of stardom, like Lizzo, Billie Eilish and Daniel Caesar, who appeared on Q well before they hit the mainstream.

On Q, we cover arts and culture in all its forms, including music, movies, film, TV, comedy, painting, photography, theatre, cinema, Broadway, fashion, dance, opera, documentaries, books, fiction and memoirs.

Look to our archives to hear some of Tom’s award-winning artist interviews, including his moving and insightful conversation with the Canadian actor Michael J. Fox, which was awarded the prestigious gold medal for best interview at the 2021 New York Festivals Radio Awards.

In 2022, Tom spoke with Friends star Matthew Perry in front of a live audience. Their warm and frank conversation about the actor's struggles with substance abuse struck a chord, leading to millions views on TikTok and Instagram, while also being picked up by news outlets internationally, including Vanity Fair and CNN.

Tom’s impactful discussions with top talent have included Adele, Bono, Chappell Roan, Pamela Anderson, Cate Blanchett, Dua Lipa, Cher, Denzel Washington, Mick Jagger, Florence Pugh, Francis Ford Coppola, Kristen Stewart, Emma Stone, Jim Carrey, Billy Porter, Tom Hanks, Jerry Seinfeld, Tyler Perry, Alicia Keys, Alan Moore, Bruce Springsteen, Dolly Parton, Barbra Streisand, Darren Aronofsky, Harry Styles, Simu Liu, Sean Penn, Sandra Bullock, Michaela Coel, Ryan Reynolds, Katy Perry, Neil Young, Shakira, George Clooney, Ava DuVernay, Omar Apollo, Trixie Mattel, Orville Peck, Big Sean, Anil Kapoor, Jane Fonda, Robert DeNiro, Antonio Banderas, Elton John, Celine Dion, Kerry Washington, Chuck D, Steven Soderbergh, Mikey Madison, Cillian Murphy, Sean Baker, Steve McQueen, Paris Hilton, Taylor Tomlinson, Gwen Stefani, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Kylie Minogue, Stanley Tucci, Rufus Wainwright, Caroline Polachek, Hans Zimmer, Denis Villeneuve, Alex Garland, Alan Ritchson, Britt Lower, Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, David Blaine, Brian Tyree Henry, Perfume Genius, Deepa Mehta, Tracy Chapman, Chloë Sevigny, Josh Hartnett and many more.