A Toronto startup recently launched 10 low earth orbit satellites as part of a new commercial satellite network. Meanwhile, a Canadian astronaut is poised to be one of the first to orbit the moon, and new investments are being made in space technology in this country. Chris Hadfield is one of Canada's best known astronauts, the first Canadian to walk in space, commander of the ISS, an engineer, former fighter pilot, musician and a best-selling author. He speaks with host Amanda Lang about why 2026 will be a critical year in space.

Even by recent standards, the world right now feels precarious with the U.S. attack on Venezuela and saber rattling over taking over other countries, all while abandoning international cooperation. It's hard not to wonder, where does it leave the rest of us? Host Amanda Lang talks to former UN ambassador Bob Rae about dealing with Donald Trump, the future of the UN and why it’s time to worry.

If ‘uncertainty’ was the word of 2025, what will the new year bring for Canada's economy and the world? On top of the now familiar trade and tariff worries for Canada, we are facing technological change and new geopolitical concerns. So what lies ahead? Kevin Carmichael is The Logic’s economics columnist and editor at large. Jean-Francois Perreault is the chief economist at Scotiabank. They speak with host Amanda Lang about what’s on their lists of the big issues to watch in the year ahead.

You've heard of agentic AI, the next generation of smart technology that will, we're told, transform our lives. But what about identic AI? That's a term coined by Don Tapscott, the author and thought leader who's built a career on seeing what's coming in technology from one of the first books about the internet to a seminal book on blockchain. Now Tapscott and his co-author Joseph Bradley have written You to the Power of Two, How the Next Stage of AI Needs to be Decentralized.

When it comes to unprecedented times, 2025 did not disappoint. It was a year of upheaval and change, both at home and abroad. In the year ahead, Canada will grapple with big issues and daunting policy files, from housing to AI to tariffs and trade. Host Amanda Lang speaks with Inez Jabalpurwala, the president and CEO of the Public Policy Forum, about the urgent need for broader policy discussions, their impact on all Canadians and how to chart a better path forward in 2026.

Steven Pinker has spent his academic and literary career thinking about thinking, and the ways societies have been shaped by our neurology and what we do with it. He is a professor at Harvard University and author of 13 books. The latest: "When Everyone Knows What Everyone Knows: Common Knowledge and the Science of Harmony, Hypocrisy and Outrage". On this episode of Wonk, he speaks with host Amanda Lang about the book, the impact of social media, AI and more.

Despite some big advantages, world-leading research and a lot of early promise, Canada does not have a thriving life sciences and biotech sector. Could the elements that would fuel this much sought after industry also fuel growth in other places? Gordon McCauley is the head of adMare BioInnovations, a national life sciences accelerator. He talks to host Amanda Lang about how to lure more anchor companies, investment and entrepreneurs to Canada.

Canada’s recent federal budget has been called generational and transformational. Of course, it's been called that by the government that passed it, but there's no question that this budget comes at a pivotal moment for Canada. Host Amanda Lang talks to Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne about changing the investment climate, affordability and following the German economic example.

When it comes to the Team Canada approach to fighting tariffs, the rubber hits the road in the provinces and territories — and with a growing list of major projects. Missing from the list so far is a pipeline from Alberta to B.C., a lightning rod for some very familiar-feeling inter-provincial disputes. Host Amanda Lang talks to Alberta Premier, Danielle Smith, about her optimism around pipeline plans, dealing with separatist sentiment and why Alberta recently used the notwithstanding clause.

When it comes to setting the stage for a healthy economy, competition laws are among the most important tools. A lot of Canadians looking at our banks, telcos and airlines might wonder if we're getting it right. Recent reforms have put Canada on a stronger footing, but are we ready for the massive challenges ahead? Canada's competition commissioner, Matthew Boswell, talks to host Amanda Lang about the new laws, enforcement efforts and fixing some old economic "own goals".