For years, we’ve been programmed to view hustle culture as the norm, and one’s ability to navigate it as the definition of success.

Throw parenthood into the equation and you’ve got the recipe for a juggling act that is always being judged. So what happens when people, specifically mothers, take a purposeful pause from their traditional career path to focus on other priorities like family or personal growth?

In this episode of The Big Story, host Melanie Ng speaks with the founder and CEO of Mother Untitled and author of the new book “The Power Pause”, Neha Ruch @neha_ruch.

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For just the third time in our country’s history, a sitting monarch delivered the speech from the throne.

On a brief royal visit, King Charles addressed Canadians to lay out the priorities of the new Carney government.

The theme was clear, asserting Canada’s independence and charting a path to end our reliance on the U.S.

But did it hit the mark? Will the Prime Minister hit roadblocks with his ambitious plan?

Host Cormac Mac Sweeney speaks with Lori Williams, a political scientist at Mount Royal University in Calgary.

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If you suffer from seasonal allergies, and you’ve noticed things are getting worse – you’re not imagining it.

Scientists say things have gotten worse around the world for a variety of reasons – and unless something is done – it could become dangerous for some.

And those without allergies could even face challenges.

Host Kris McCusker speaks to BBC Science and Features journalist, Amanda Ruggeri, about the in-depth piece she wrote on the issue, discussing how allergy sufferers can improve their circumstances and how climate change plays a role in it all.

You can read the story here: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20250410-how-climate-driven-thunderstorms-supercharge-pollen-allergies

Photo credit: (CREDIT: SEBASTIAN SMIT/FREEIMAGES.COM)

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The pandemic was a boom time in the cottage industry. As people decamped out of the city, the prices for cottages skyrocketed.

However, in this softened real estate market, it's not easy to hold on to two homes, and that's becoming more obvious with the amount of cottages currently on the market.

Host Mike Eppel digs into cottage life with Kingsley Ma, area VP of Re/Max Canada.

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A deep run into the second round of the playoffs once again ended in game 7 heartbreak for Toronto Maple Leafs fans.

Big Story hosts Cormac Mac Sweeney, Gurdeep Ahluwalia, Alex Bloomfield and Kris McCusker got together in a bit of a therapy session this week to chat about their favourite team and where they go from here.

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The union representing Canada’s postal workers has served strike notice to Canada Post, meaning 55-thousand employees at the crown corporation could walk off the job on Friday.

Unless a last minute deal is reached, it will be the second time in roughly 6 months that Canadians will lose access to our national postal service.

Small and medium sized businesses are bracing for impact, with the last job action costing them a lot of cash in lost business and more expensive shipping alternatives.

Host Cormac Mac Sweeney speaks with Jasmin Guenette, VP of National Affairs at the Canadian Federation of Independent Business about the impact a postal strike would have, how Canada Post needs to change, and what the federal government can do in the event of a strike.

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A warning to our listeners: this episode includes description and discussion of sexual assault. Please take care.

Another stunning development in the sexual assault trial of five former world junior hockey players - a second jury is dismissed and the trial now moving forward with a judge alone.

Before that, graphic details shared in the courtroom by the complainant, referred to as E.M, recounting a night at a hotel room in 2018.

Host Melanie Ng speaks with CityNews journalist Michelle Mackey, who has been watching what has been happening both inside and outside of the courtroom.

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