Q with Tom Power

By CBCSociety & Culture

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Q with Tom Power episodes

May 26, 2021 [Full episode] Thomas Rhett, Michelle Zauner, Northern Touch
On the heels of his latest album, Country Again: Side A, country star Thomas Rhett discusses how being born into country music royalty (he's the son of singer Rhett Akins) made him feel like he had something to prove. Musician Michelle Zauner, a.k.a. Japanese Breakfast, opens up about her new memoir, Crying in H Mart, which explores her complicated relationship with her late mother, and how cooking Korean food helped her cope with profound grief. The artists and key contributors to the most important rap collaboration in Canadian history, Northern Touch, reflect on the song's impact then and now.
58 min
May 25, 2021 [Full episode] Sharon Stone, Ronnie Lillard, Jordan Scott
Actress Sharon Stone discusses her candid new memoir, The Beauty of Living Twice, which chronicles her childhood in rural Pennsylvania, her rise to worldwide stardom and her struggles in Hollywood. Rapper Ronnie Lillard (a.k.a Reconcile) talks about the musical legacy of his friend, George Floyd, who was murdered by former police officer Derek Chauvin last May. Award-winning Canadian poet Jordan Scott discusses his first children's book, I Talk Like A River, about a boy who feels isolated and unable to fit in because of his stutter.
1 hr 5 min
May 21, 2021 [Full episode] Andrew McCarthy, Rob Baker, Sonja Smits, Andrew Barnsley, Caleb Azumah Nelson
Actor and director Andrew McCarthy discusses his new memoir, Brat: An '80s Story, and reveals why he pulled back from fame after shooting to stardom in films like St. Elmo's Fire, Pretty in Pink and Weekend at Bernie's. Rob Baker of the Tragically Hip introduces us to the band's new single, Ouch, off their latest album, Saskadelphia. Canadian actress Sonja Smits reflects on her first film in 15 years, Drifting Snow, and tells us why a story about two strangers meeting each other by circumstance is sure to resonate with people now more than ever. The executive producer of Schitt's Creek, Andrew Barnsley, talks about winning the Canadian Screen Award for best comedy series last night. Writer and photographer Caleb Azumah Nelson tells us how his love for art and music informed his acclaimed debut novel, Open Water, and shares what it's like to be called a "literary virtuoso" at the age of 26.
1 hr 7 min
May 20, 2021 [Full episode] David Suzuki, Jael Richardson, Kris Bowers, Art Bergmann
Canadian geneticist and broadcaster David Suzuki talks about bringing science into our living rooms for more than 40 years, and shares why he's not interested in slowing down yet. Our books columnist Jael Richardson fills us in on Kaitlyn Greenidge's historical fiction novel, Libertie, which is inspired by the life of the first Black female doctor in New York state. Composer Kris Bowers — the musical mastermind behind the scores for Green Book, When They See Us and Bridgerton — talks about self-doubt and his new short film, A Concerto is a Conversation. Right on the heels of his appointment to the Order of Canada, Canadian punk rocker Art Bergmann discusses his new album, Late Stage Empire Dementia, which sees him explore heavy topics like climate catastrophe, fascism and police killings.
1 hr 9 min
May 19, 2021 [Full episode] David Shore, Dormeshia, Brad Fraser
In a career-spanning interview with David Shore, the Canadian TV writer reflects on more than 20 years of creating critically acclaimed shows such as House and The Good Doctor. Choreographer and tap dancer Dormeshia talks about her new theatre show, The Mayor of Harlem, which celebrates the legacy of tap icon Bill "Bojangles" Robinson — the first Black soloist to perform in white theatres across the U.S. Playwright Brad Fraser (once known as the "bad boy of Canadian theatre") discusses his new memoir, All the Rage, which follows his early life and career up to becoming a pioneer of queer theatre.
57 min
May 18, 2021 [Full episode] Seth Rogen, Charles Officer and Motion, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer
Canadian comedy titan Seth Rogen discusses his debut book, Yearbook, his famous use of cannabis and why he thinks comedy is undervalued. Director Charles Officer and writer Wendy Motion Brathwaite talk about their film Akilla's Escape, which takes a blunt look at Jamaican gang culture and the reach of its international drug trade. Artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer talks about his poetic and fleeting memorial to the millions of victims of COVID-19, called A Crack in the Hourglass.
1 hr 6 min
May 17, 2021 [Full episode] Jon Bon Jovi, Kathleen Newman-Bremang and John Semley, St. Vincent, Greta Van Fleet
Rock legend Jon Bon Jovi talks about Bon Jovi's latest album 2020, finding hope in challenging times, and why he regrets the key change in Livin' on a Prayer. On this week's screen panel, Kathleen Newman-Bremang and John Semley talk about the collapse of the Golden Globes, and why Tig Notaro is replacing comedian Chris D'Elia in reshoots for Zack Snyder's Army of the Dead. Grammy-winning musician St. Vincent reveals how she conceived the song Pay Your Way In Pain off her new album, Daddy's Home (find our full interview with St. Vincent on Friday, May 14's episode). Brothers and bandmates Sam and Josh Kiszka of Greta Van Fleet talk about their second studio album, The Battle at Garden's Gate, Josh's high register vocals and what the record is really about.
1 hr 2 min
May 13, 2021 [Full episode] The Offspring, Altin Gün, Steven Canals, Rajni Perera
Punk rocker Dexter Holland of The Offspring discusses the band's 10th studio album, Let the Bad Times Roll, and fills us in on his other job as a doctorate-holding molecular biologist. Musicians Jasper Verhulst and Merve Dasdemir of the Amsterdam-based rock band Altin Gün tell us how they're breathing new life into traditional Turkish folk songs. Pose creator Steven Canals discusses the lasting influence of the documentary Paris Is Burning, and what it meant for him to finally see a story that reflected his reality as a Black gay man from a working class family in the Bronx. Canadian artist Rajni Perera explains how science fiction influences her work, and why depicting Black and brown women is so central to her practice.
1 hr 1 min
May 12, 2021 [Full episode] Jake Tapper, Mosha Lundström Halbert, Heather Igloliorte
CNN news anchor Jake Tapper discusses his new novel, The Devil May Dance, and shares how discovering his family tree in Manitoba led him to tweet about Canada's slow vaccine rollout. Our fashion contributor Mosha Lundström Halbert tells us why TikTok influencers are replacing the role of fashion editors and runway shows, how this shift will impact the industry going forward, and the death of skinny jeans. Inuk curator and art historian Heather Igloliorte talks about her work as one of the main advisors to the Winnipeg Art Gallery's brand new Qaumajuq art centre — the largest public collection of contemporary Inuit art in the world.
58 min
May 11, 2021 [Full episode] James Acaster, Jayne Eastwood, Aminder Dhaliwal
British comedian James Acaster explains how experiencing the worst year of his life led him to create his new comedy special, Cold Lasagne Hate Myself 1999. Toronto-born actress Jayne Eastwood discusses her 50-year career and the joys of playing a shockingly shameless senior citizen in the CBC web series Hey Lady! — a lead role written just for her. Canadian cartoonist Aminder Dhaliwal talks about how she uses the mythic cyclops as a surprising metaphor for racism in her latest graphic novel, Cyclopedia Exotica.
58 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.