The Secret Life of Canada

Our country’s first sex scandal! At the height of the cold war several ministers in John Defeinbaker's government decided to have an affair. Turns out, they all ended up with the same woman. Was she really a spy for East Germany?

For more links and more about this episode visit us at cbc.ca/secretlife. 

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It’s been called Canada’s Titanic. 106 years ago the Princess Sophia crashed into a coral reef on route to Vancouver and Victoria. Over 300 passengers died and it was the worst maritime disaster in the Pacific Northwest, so why haven’t we heard more about it? 

For more links and more about this episode visit us at cbc.ca/secretlife. 

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Don't Drink the Milk – The curious history of things from DW is a podcast that traces the unexpected backstories of everyday things that have traveled the world, by force, by chance, or by choice. In this episode, host Rachel Stewart unravels the history of witch hunts from deadly conspiracies in medieval Europe to use of the term today by powerful figures like Donald Trump. Why is it important to remember this history and how has the power shifted?

More episodes of Don't Drink the Milk – The curious history of things can be found at: https://pod.link/1704462801

In 1955, Canada’s immigration officials began a special experimental program to bring in Palestinian refugees through Pier 21. Falen and Leah take a look back at this historic port of entry that saw almost a million immigrants and refugees arrive in Canada and then find out what has changed since Pier 21’s heyday. And then they try to find out if we are currently better or worse at responding to refugees in crisis zones like Gaza and Sudan.

With special guests Jan Raska from the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 and Gauri Sreenivasan from the Canadian Council for Refugees.

Related episodes:

Crash Course on Ukrainian Canadians

The Halifax Donair

The province of Jamaica

For more links and more about this episode visit us at cbc.ca/secretlife. 

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In honor of spooky season, Falen and Leah are joined by producer Eunice Kim to learn why Winnipeg became known around the world for communicating with the dead. Together they’ll light some candles and find out why, in the mid-1900s, holding seances became sought after and then how that popularity inspired one of the most famous supernatural comedy films of all time — Ghostbusters.  

For more links and more about this episode visit us at cbc.ca/secretlife. 

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Leah and Falen take a (fully clothed) deep dive into the history of nudism in Canada. They learn the origins behind the naturist movement which includes a love of the outdoors, embracing nudity in a non-sexual way and most importantly, the use of a towel when sitting down. So, when did it all start here, who were the members of the clubs and what happened when someone got ...visibly aroused? We have all the answers in this brief history of nudism.

*Content warning: this episode contains sexual content and adult themes which may not be suitable for younger listeners.

Recommended companion episodes:

Eugenics in Canada

Where is Japantown?

For more links and more about this episode visit us at cbc.ca/secretlife. 

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In a lot of history books we hear the names of European explorers who “discovered” the Americas. Columbus, Cook, Champlain. All boo-worthy men. But what about the people who went the other way? Indigenous people have been crossing oceans and going to Europe, too. But why don’t we know their names? In this episode Leah and Falen look into the story of those who went willingly and those who did not, those who came home and those who did not. With special guests Caroline Pennock, Coll Thrush, and Peter Morin.

For more links and more about this episode visit us at cbc.ca/secretlife. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Tik Tok.

How did this country end up with the biggest Caribbean Carnival in North America? Leah and Falen dive into history of how a small one time event during Expo ‘67 became one of the longest running street parties in Canada — all courtesy of Trinidad and Tobago. With special guests Michelle Walker and Martin Scott-Pascall.

For more links and more about this episode visit us at cbc.ca/secretlife. 

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The Secret Life of Canada went live at Hot Docs. Leah and Falen take a historical deep dive into the greatest thieves, crooks and liars that have made this country what it is today. 

Featuring guests, Sharjil Rasool and Brandon Hackett and music by Andrew Penner.

For more links and more about this episode visit us at cbc.ca/secretlife. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Tik Tok.

People have been taking their clothes off for as long as they’ve been wearing them, but when did people start doing it for entertainment? In this episode Leah and Falen look into the history of burlesque in Canada and talk to a legend of the stage who’s been delighting audiences across the world for decades. With special guest, Judith Stein.

For more links and more about this episode visit us at cbc.ca/secretlife. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Tik Tok.