Q with Tom Power

By CBCSociety & Culture

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Q with Tom Power episodes

February 17, 2023 Pink + Sarah Gadon
Pink never thought her success would last this long.
In the 10th grade, she was voted “most likely to be behind bars in 10 years” when in actuality, she became one of the most beloved and enduring pop stars of the 21st century. In this conversation, Pink tells Tom about the highs and lows of her music career, what it took to survive the industry and what inspired her new album, “Trustfall.”
Plus, the actor Sarah Gadon (True Detective, A Dangerous Method, Enemy) gravitates toward challenging characters — and her latest role is no exception. Sarah opens up to Tom (22:08) about making her onstage debut in “Yerma,” about a woman’s struggle with infertility, and why she says the character she plays is the “ultimate heroine.”
47 min
February 16, 2023 Ron Nelson + Grace Lynn Kung
Run-D.M.C., Public Enemy, KRS-One — these are just some of the artists who’ve worked with DJ Ron Nelson, the godfather of hip-hop radio in Toronto. Now, at age 60, Ron is releasing his first rap album. He joins Tom Power for a look back at his journey as a pioneering hip-hop radio host and tells us why now was the right time to put out his first rap album.
Plus, Grace Lynn Kung (33:18) has had some eclectic roles — from a national security agent to a convict in “Star Trek: Discovery” to having her head blown off in “Cult of Chucky.” Now, Grace has her first lead role in the series “Wong & Winchester.” She tells Tom Power why playing a surly, sarcastic detective is such a dream role.
47 min
February 15, 2023 Jesse Krimes + Sasha Mark
While locked up for five years in a U.S. prison for cocaine possession, Jesse Krimes secretly created epic works of art using bedsheets, hair gel and newspaper. Each piece was smuggled out one-by-one through the prison mail room. Now, nearly a decade after his release, he’s adjusting to life on the outside as one of the world’s most talked-about visual artists. Jesse tells Tom how he used art not only to survive, but to rebuild his entire life.
Plus, a new TV series is putting Canada’s next generation of queer and racialized stand-up comedians front and centre. It's called “Killjoy Comedy” and each episode profiles a different comic. Sasha Mark (31:45) is a comedian who’s featured in episode one. He talks to Tom about what he hopes this show will accomplish.
50 min
February 14, 2023 Pamela Anderson + Keshia Cheesman & Bianca Miranda
Pamela Anderson on taking her story back + Two Calgary Playwrights on the ‘other’ F word
Pamela Anderson’s story is incredible, but you so rarely get to hear her tell it. For the first time, Pamela shares her story through her new documentary, “Pamela, A Love Story,” and memoir, “Love, Pamela.” Pam joins Tom Power to talk about growing up on Vancouver Island, the freedom that Playboy gave her, and how she’s taking back authorship of her story — one that’s so often been misconstrued by the media.
Plus, the playwrights Keshia Cheesman and Bianca Miranda (34:05) want to end the stigma around the word “fat.” Keshia and Bianca tell Tom Power about their new play, “The F word,” and how they each found self acceptance and self-love.
49 min
February 13, 2023 Matthew Macfadyen + Sugar Sammy
Matthew Macfadyen has made a name for himself playing the opportunistic Tom Wambsgans on the hit show “Succession.” Now, he stars in “Stonehouse,” a new series about the disgraced British MP John Stonehouse who faked his own death. Matthew talks to Tom about the show and shares a few stories from “Succession.” Plus, a decade after changing the face of stand-up with his bilingual tour “You're Gonna Rire,” Montreal comedian Sugar Sammy brings his truly multicultural humour back to Canada with a new cross-country tour, “You’re Gonna Rire 2.” He shares why raising eyebrows in this hotly political time is more fun — and more important — for him than ever.
48 min
February 10, 2023 James Cameron + Mary Walsh
Titanic celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Canadian director James Cameron tells Tom about the movie's enduring legacy, how he got that perfect scene for Jack and Rose’s first kiss and what it was like eating PCP-laced clam chowder in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Plus, in the new short film, “Dad and the Fridge Box,” Mary Walsh (This Hour Has 22 Minutes) tells a story of a time when people didn’t throw anything away. Mary tells Tom about recreating 1960s Newfoundland, and how her decision to embrace her “third act” in life and art is making way for her happiest times yet.
50 min
February 09, 2023 M. Night Shyamalan + Hannah Epstein
After the release of “The Sixth Sense,” nearly 25 years ago, M. Night Shyamalan earned a reputation as a director with a flair for supernatural horror. Now, he’s back with his latest film, an apocalyptic thriller called “Knock at the Cabin.” He joins Tom for a career-spanning conversation, in which he shares how his spiritual views have influenced his life and work. Plus, mixed-media artist Hannah Epstein tells Tom about her new project “Critbot.AI,” which generates artistic feedback through artificial intelligence.
47 min
February 08, 2023 Kristin Chenoweth + Margo Price
Kristin Chenoweth is a Tony and Emmy-Award winning performer who’s wowed audiences in musicals like “Wicked” and “You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” Now, she's sharing what she's learned over the years in a new book, “I'm No Philosopher, But I Got Thoughts,” which collects her musings on creativity, love, loss and closure. Kristin talks to Tom about the book, what she learned from millennials about self-care and how a lighting accident on set of “The Good Wife” changed her life. Plus, there are few country stars who have stuck to their guns quite like Margo Price. Her uncompromising artistry is on full display with her new album “Strays.” She tells Tom how taking mushrooms and going into the mountains helped her make her best record yet.
44 min
February 07, 2023 Anna Kendrick + André Alexis
During the Toronto International Film Festival, Anna Kendrick sat down with Tom Power to chat about her latest film, “Alice, Darling,” what it was like being trapped in an elevator and how she looks back on some of her most life-changing roles as an actor. Plus, in his award-winning novel “Fifteen Dogs,” André Alexis imagined what would happen if our canine friends were given human consciousness. He tells Tom about the acclaimed stage adaptation of his book, and how dogs can show us what it means to be human.
48 min
February 06, 2023 Snotty Nose Rez Kids + Jason Segel
Jason Segel has played a lot of funny characters in turmoil. Whether that’s as a young person in the throes of angst in “Freaks and Geeks,” or as someone recently dumped while on a Hawaiian vacation like in “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.” He keeps that trend going in the new Apple TV+ series, “Shrinking,” where he plays a therapist who’s dealing with his own tragedy. Jason tells Tom about the ‘magical melancholy,’ in his roles and why he left L.A. after the massive success of "How I Met Your Mother."
On their latest EP, “I'm Good HBU?” West coast rappers Snotty Nose Rez Kids have cemented themselves as one of the buzziest homegrown groups in Canadian hip hop. Snotty Nose Rez Kids break down the EP and look back on how their deep friendship led to a perfect musical partnership.
46 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.