That Said with Talia Schlanger

A decade after The Tragically Hip's unforgettable final concert with Gord Downie, Rob Baker and Paul Langlois look back on one of the most emotional moments in Canadian music history. Freshly inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, the band's longtime guitarists reflect on saying goodbye to their friend and bandmate Gord, the pressure and purpose of that final tour, and the enduring mystery of Gord's songwriting.

Then, for Article Club, Anishinaabe scholar and writer Riley Yesno joins Talia to discuss her Walrus article, A Fundamental Aspect of Reconciliation: Giving Back Stolen Land. Ahead of Truth and Reconciliation Day, Riley examines Canada's progress on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action, the meaning of "land back," and the lasting impact of Gord Downie's advocacy for Indigenous peoples.

A conversation about music, memory, reconciliation, and what it means to leave a legacy.

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What does Survivor reveal about human nature — and what happens when reality TV becomes more real than we expect?

This week, Talia Schlanger sits down with two-time Survivor contestant, fan favourite, and author Stephen Fishbach. From the psychological toll of voting people out to the complicated ethics of reality television, Fishbach reflects on what it's really like to compete on one of the most influential shows of the last 25 years. He also shares a pivotal moment in the show that inspired him to finally pursue his dream of writing fiction, leading to his debut novel, Escape.

Then for Article Club, Danielle Lindemann joins Talia to discuss her Globe and Mail article: How Survivor changed television - and our culture - forever. It's an exploration of Survivor's cultural legacy and the enduring appeal of watching strangers navigate trust, betrayal, power, and belonging on television. Why are we so drawn to reality TV? What does it reveal about us? And where's the line between entertainment and exploitation?

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For years, Rick Campanelli has been one of Canada's most recognizable TV personalities—charming audiences on MuchMusic, ET Canada, and now Breakfast Television. But behind the scenes, he was fighting a secret gambling addiction that threatened his career, finances, relationships, and future. In this candid conversation, Rick opens up like never before in his new memoir, Tempted, about the highs, the devastating lows, getting arrested, hitting rock bottom, and the people who helped pull him back. 

Then on Article Club, award-winning actor, musician and writer Rebecca Auerbach discusses her moving CBC essay about sobriety, healing, and how a 100-pound German Shepherd named Archer helped her find purpose, routine, and a new way forward after addiction. 

Two powerful stories about recovery, resilience, and the people—and pets—who help us find our way back.

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As summer draws to a close, the season has offered powerful reminders of nature's force—from extreme heat to devastating wildfires. In this episode of That Said, Talia Schlanger speaks with two extraordinary guests whose lives have been shaped by deep, transformative relationships with the natural world.

First, author and journalist Trina Moyles joins us to discuss her book Black Bear and the article she adapted for The Walrus, What a Standoff with a Black Bear Taught Me About Life in Northern Alberta. Trina shares how a chance encounter with a black bear evolved from fear into fascination, challenging everything she thought she knew about coexistence, risk, and the wilderness. 

Then, Talia speaks with legendary mountaineer Mingma Tsiri Sherpa, who has summited Mount Everest an astonishing 19 times. Widely regarded as one of the world's greatest high-altitude climbers, Mingma recounts surviving the catastrophic 2015 Nepal earthquake while on Everest and explains why, after retiring from the mountain, he felt compelled to make one final climb—not for glory, but to recover the bodies of fellow Sherpas who never made it home. His story is featured in the powerful documentary Everest Dark.

Together, these conversations explore courage, loss, fear, stewardship, and the profound respect required to live alongside forces much larger than ourselves.

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 What can the animals living alongside us teach us about the future of our planet? Author and social epidemiologist Dan Werb joins Talia Schlanger to discuss his bestselling book Our Wild Familiars: How Animals Are Adapting to Cities and Reshaping the Natural World. From raccoons to rats to coyotes to baboons, Dan explores the surprising ways animals are adapting to human environments—and why understanding them may be essential to conservation, climate resilience, and our own survival. Together, they examine what city-dwelling wildlife reveals about the changing relationship between humans and the natural world.

And for Article Club, Talia talks to behavioural neuroscientist Kelly Lambert about her article on Jimothy, the raccoon who captured the internet's attention after surviving against extraordinary odds. Using Jimothy's story as a starting point, Kelly explores animal intelligence, resilience, and the remarkable role mothers play in helping young animals navigate the challenges of life in the wild. 

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What does it take to become the fastest person on Earth? Olympic champion and world-record holder Donovan Bailey joins Talia Schlanger to reflect on the 30 year anniversary of the race that made history, the rivalries that fueled him, and the mindset required to perform under extraordinary pressure. Donovan shares what he learned from competing at the highest level of sport and why the pursuit of speed continues to captivate us.

And for Article Club, Talia talks to WIRED contributing editor Brendan Koerner about his reporting on the teenage track stars redefining what's possible on the track. From record-breaking performances to advances in training and technology, Brendan explores how a new generation of athletes is pushing the limits of human speed. Together, they examine our enduring fascination with going faster and ask just how much room there is left to run.

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For decades, comedian Margaret Cho has used humor to talk about the things many people struggle to say out loud. Margaret joins Talia Schlanger for a candid conversation about body image, disordered eating, aging, and the pressures placed on women to look a certain way. She reflects on her experiences in the entertainment industry, the complicated relationship many people have with their bodies, and what she learned from her friendship with Robin Williams—including the hidden pain that can exist behind a public persona.

And for Article Club, Talia talks to writer Courtney Shea about her feature for Macleans Magazine called “The End of Fat” which looks at the massive popularity of GLP-1s. As these medications transform the conversation around weight loss, Courtney explores the cultural, ethical, and social questions they raise. Together, they discuss what happens in a world where thinness becomes more attainable than ever—and whether changing our bodies can change the way we see ourselves.

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Can a comedy show feel more like summer camp? Comedian, writer, and The Daily Show correspondent Josh Johnson joins Talia Schlanger to talk about the live experience he created to bring fans together through comedy, music, and community. Josh reflects on hosting The Daily Show, keeping up with his massively popular YouTube channel, writing jokes in an age of constant outrage, and why he approaches even the most divisive topics with curiosity. Together, they explore the value of paying attention to the news, to each other, and to the world around us. He 

And for Article Club, Talia talks to writer and camp director Violet Piper about her Slate article “I Run a Summer Camp. I Can Tell You Right Now That You're Ruining Your Kid's Summer.” Drawing on her own experience this summer, Violet explains how constant communication and parental anxiety can get in the way of the very growth camp is meant to foster. Together, they discuss independence, unstructured play, life without smartphones, and what exactly parents are getting wrong about camp. 

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Young people today are having less sex than previous generations, and according to journalist Carter Sherman, the reasons go far beyond dating apps. Carter joins Talia Schlanger to discuss her book The Second Coming: Sex and the Next Generation's Fight Over Its Future, exploring how economic pressures, changing attitudes toward relationships, evolving ideas about consent, and technology are reshaping intimacy. 

And for Article Club, Talia talks to writer Caia Hagel about her Maclean’s Magazine essay An AI Became My Best Friend. As more people turn to chatbots and virtual partners for comfort, conversation, and connection, Caia examines what these relationships reveal about loneliness in the digital age. Together, they explore whether technology is filling a social void or creating new questions about what it means to be close to one another.

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“The disability community is the only marginalized community that everyone will experience at some point in their lives,” says Spencer West. He is a motivational speaker, disability advocate, and content creator who lost both of his legs when he was 5 years old. Spencer’s new book is called Breaking Free and in this conversation he tells Talia Schlanger how he learned to proudly embrace his disability as part of his identity. Spencer reflects on what he learned by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro using his hands and his wheelchair, how he’s confronted internalized ableism and how he’s navigated the fine line between using his story to help inspire others and being “inspiration porn.” 

And for Article Club, Talia talks to actor Brittany Allen about the Variety Magazine piece “‘Give Me a Call Back, HBO’: Why Brittany Allen Submitted Herself for an Emmy as a Dying Cancer Patient on ‘The Pitt’ After the Network Ignored Her Calls.” Brittany shares how frustration with the industry led her to self-submit for Emmy Award consideration—and how it feels to have successfully earned the nomination.

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