The Rundown

Driven by curiosity, more and more people are turning to direct-to-consumer genetic testing sites to understand a little bit more about themselves. Law enforcement has been able to tap into this trove of information to help solve cold cases that are decades old. Experts share how the process works and whether there are ethical concerns about sharing one's genetic data online. With guests: Claire Glynn, associate professor of Forensic Science at the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences at the University of New Haven; Patricia Kosseim, Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario; Toronto Star crime reporter Jennifer Pagliaro; and Ellen White, investigator at Pulse Private Investigations and host of the podcast, "Whereabouts Unknown."

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Why do people ascribe so much importance to their rituals, yet can't quite pinpoint why they are so important? In his latest book, "Ritual: How Seemingly Senseless Acts Make Life Worth Living," pioneering anthropologist and cognitive scientist Dimitris Zygalatas takes readers on a fascinating tour of human behavior. Xygalatas also runs the Experimental Anthropology Lab at the University of Connecticut.

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With persistent inflation, high interest rates and a looming recession, many Ontarians will be reducing their holiday spending this year and cutting back on excess - meaning fewer gifts and smaller celebrations. These differences might be felt by youth in the household. The Agenda talks to a financial literacy expert about how parents should approach conversations about money with their children and teens, without making them fearful or anxious.

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According to epidemiological trends, 14 is the age most Canadians try marijuana for the first time. Steve Paikin talks to two cannabis experts about its effect on the developing brain, and how to navigate challenging conversations about its use with youth.

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What does new research indicate about how often young people come across harmful content online, where they most often see it and how they respond to it. In an increasingly digital world, how can parents/guardians prepare their children and teens to encounter racist or sexist content? How should they approach conversations about pornography?

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A feature interview with Dr. Jean Marmoreo, the co-author (along with journalist Johanna Schneller) of "The Last Doctor: Lessons in Living from the Front Lines of Medical Assistance in Dying." As one of the first practitioners of MAiD, Marmoreo talks about the thoughtful and human stories behind Canada's evolving laws and values around medical assistance in dying.

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Why are some adults distancing themselves from their parents or cutting ties completely? What's driving the shift in family dynamics in the age of identity politics, an emphasis on emotional well-being, and individual boundaries? We ask: Joshua Coleman, author of ,The Rules of Estrangement: Why Adult Children Cut Ties and How to Heal the Conflict;, Becca Bland, founder and CEO of Stand Alone UK, a charity supporting people who are estranged from their family or a key family member; and Saunia Ahmed, a psychologist at the Toronto Psychology Clinic.

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The Agenda's week in review begins with plans to increase immigration to address labour shortages in Canada. Then, we explored the so-called streaming wars, and heard the arguments for and against expanding medical assistance in dying to those with mental illness.

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What was life like during the COVID-19 pandemic? A group called Filipinas of HamOnt put the call out to their community to document their experiences through art, writing or video storytelling. Those expressions are being contained in an archive at Hamilton Public Library. TVO's diversity journalist Vicky Mochama tells us how the project helped the women find the Filipinx community in Hamilton.

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Covid emerged in China three years ago. And ever since, that country has had probably the tightest restrictions anywhere. After extraordinary protests, this week the government announced an easing of restrictions. For insight, we welcome: Lynette Ong, professor at the University of Toronto's Asian Institute, Department of Political Science and Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, and author of "Outsourcing Repression: Everyday State Power in Contemporary China." And Jan Wong, who was the Beijing correspondent for the Globe and Mail from 1988-1994, and has written four books on China.

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