Q with Tom Power

Colm Tóibín is one of Ireland’s most renowned living authors. Novels like Brooklyn, The Master and Nora Webster have firmly placed him on the literary map. Now, he is back with a new short story collection, The News from Dublin. He joins Tom Power in the Q studio to talk about how the loss of his father at age 12 prompted him to write, and why he needs to start a story with an image. 

Andrew Phung is hosting this year’s Canadian Screen Awards, the country’s version of the Oscars. He is an eight-time CSA winner for his roles on Kim’s Convenience and Run the Burbs. Andrew joins Tom Power to talk about what he’s most excited for as CSA host, and to play a little game of Getting to Know Q.

Julie Kim gave up life in the corporate world to follow her comedy dreams. Now, the Vancouver comedian has toured with Ronny Chieng and Rick Mercer, and written for shows like Kim’s Convenience and Run the Burbs. She also penned Simu Liu’s famous “I am Canadian” parody speech at the 2022 Junos. Julie joins Tom Power in the Q studio to tell him why she doesn’t regret pursuing her comedy career, despite the very dodgy advice she received when she was first starting out.

Jera Wolfe is a Canadian dancer and choreographer whose world premiere mainstage production, Kismet, will open with The National Ballet of Canada later this month. Jera speaks with Tom Power about the themes of destiny and ambition in Kismet, what he looks for in the music he works with, and why it’s okay if audiences don’t fully “get” contemporary ballet.

For someone who was resistant to host a game show in the first place, Howie Mandel has risen the ranks as one of the most popular and long-standing judges on both America’s Got Talent and Canada’s Got Talent. He talks to Tom Power about what he sees in these performers and how he is trying to encourage them to find joy on stage, even when it feels messy.

Nova Scotian musician Laura Roy introduces her new song, Author, in Q's recurring New Music segment. Laura’s new album, Late Bloomer Season, is out now. 

Comedian Robby Hoffman’s career keeps growing, with her memorable roles in hit shows like Rooster and Hacks. When Tom Power spoke to Robby in 2025, she was just nominated for an Emmy for her role in Hacks, and her Just For Laughs show in Montreal had sold out. But Robby hasn’t had a conventional path into comedy. From leaving an ultra-Orthodox Hasidic community in Brooklyn as a kid to living in Montreal with her nine siblings, Robby tells Tom Power about how she forged her own path.

Sheng Wang is a comedian and writer from Houston who has spent 20 years quietly refining his craft at comedy clubs in San Francisco. His second Netflix special, Purple (directed by longtime friend Ali Wong), is a collection of jokes about the small, mundane parts of life that most people don't give a second thought. He talks to Tom Power about his comedic inspiration, the process of writing a good joke and his love of a botanical garden.

Boots Riley is a writer, director, rapper and the frontman of the legendary Oakland hip-hop group The Coup. His new film I Love Boosters follows a crew of retail thieves, a.k.a. Boosters, trying to take down a fashion mogul. He talks to guest host Garvia Bailey about why he doesn’t just make art to entertain, but to inspire a revolution.

Devin Cuddy is a Toronto-based singer-songwriter and the son of Blue Rodeo front man Jim Cuddy. His roots-driven sound draws from country, blues, jazz and classic North American songwriting traditions. He recently released his fifth project, Livin’ Hard Ain’t Easy. He talks to Tom Power about his new project, why he wants more songs about Winnipeg and how he grew to love the piano.