June 22 2025-Cash for Private Health Care and The Conflict in the Middle East

Do you avoid hospital emergency rooms unless absolutely necessary due to excessive wait times? And how long is too long for Ontario patients to wait for specialty procedures like MRI’s? Family physician and clinical researcher Dr. Iris Gorfinkel says it’ll take more than money to end hallway healthcare.

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Libby Znaimer had a conversation with Vivian Bercovici, a former Ambassador of Canada to Israel, for an update on the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

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June 14 2025-Vacationing Caregivers and Tourism Travel Crackdowns

There are 4 million family caregivers in Ontario providing support to ill or aging loved ones and while it’s meaningful work, they experience high levels of burn out, so getting away on a summer vacation is an important time to recharge. If you’re caring for a vulnerable loved one, planning your own summer vacation can feel overwhelming, with so many responsibilities at home. We reached Amy Coupal, the CEO of the non profit Ontario Caregiver Organization for tips on how to plan a fun, low-stress summer getaway.

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Before you leave on that dream European vacation, do your research as you may be surprised to find new rules to crack down on overtourism. In some countries, you’ll face a fine if you wear your swimsuit anywhere but on the beach, or stroll shirtless down a boardwalk, or light a cigarette on the beach. As part of a growing movement to combat over tourism this weekend, activist groups are staging massive protests across several cities with marches, pickets at airports and tour bus blockage and more. We reached tourism expert, Dr. Guillem Colom-Montero, a professor at the University of Glasgow.

June 8 2025-Remembering Marc Garneau & What's Trending in Home and Kitchen Design

Tributes are pouring in for Marc Garneau who died this week at 76. He was the first Canadian to fly in space and then went on to enjoy a career in federal politics. Our Libby Znaimer spoke with Marc Garneu last October, on the 40th anniversary of his first space flight, to chat about his life as an astronaut and a politician.

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Guest host Christine Ross speaks with Deborah Wang, a Toronto-based architect, to find out what’s trending in home and kitchen design lately.

June 1 2025-Canadians' Attitudes Towards the Monarchy & A Major Expansion at Shaw Festival

In a historic move, King Charles delivered the first throne speech in Canada by a monarch since 1977, amid tensions with the US. Without mentioning Donald Trump by name, he told Canada’s 45 th opening of Parliament, that this country is indeed strong and free. What does the latest polling show about Canadians' attitudes towards the Monarchy? Guest host Christine Ross spoke with Darrell Bricker, Chief Executive Officer of IPSOS Public Affairs, a global market research company.

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Shaw festival artistic director and joint-CEO Tim Carroll will oversee a major expansion at Shaw over the next five years. The campaign, All.Together.Now, will also prioritize Seniors by making it easier to provide programming for them to help cut down on the growing epidemic of isolation.

May 25 2025-A Closer Look at Prostate Cancer & Travel Trends this Summer

The late-stage cancer diagnosis of former U.S. president Joe Biden has some medical professionals wondering how the disease was able to go undetected. The 82-year-old has been diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer, considered the most advanced, that’s now spread to his bones. In Canada, 30 thousand men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year and 5 thousand will die from it. Many can live full lives with low grade prostate cancer. But news of Biden’s cancer this week has sounded the alarm on screening, that’s recommended to end at 70. We reached Dr. Malcolm Moore, medical oncologist at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.

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This summer, Canadians are shifting travel preferences with many planning to stay within Canada amid a notable drop in US travel. But interest in Africa and Central America is soaring. Kayak, an online travel search engine that helps travelers find best deals, is out with emerging travel trends this season. We reached Kayla Inserra DeLoache, consumer travel trends expert at KAYAK.

May 18 2025 - How Our Siblings Impact Us & The Cost of For-Profit Nursing Agencies for Ontario Hospitals

New research suggests siblings have a profound impact on each other's lives. In her book, The Family Dynamic: a Journey into the mystery of sibling success, author Susan Dominus explores some high-achieving kids and how their brothers and sisters helped them get there.

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A new report, authored by Simon Fraser University political economist Andrew Longhurst and commissioned by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, examined the increased use of nursing agencies in Ontario hospitals. It found that over the last decade, the costs have skyrocketed to 9.2-billion dollars. Dr. Doris Grinspun, CEO of the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario, calls it the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the myriad of problems associated with the use of agencies.

May 11 2025 – Sue Hincenbergs' Debut Novel "The Retirement Plan" & Alberta's Separatism Movement

Many Zoomers dream of writing a novel, but making that dream a reality is no simple task. And if you’re not famous, selling the book and finding an audience is even harder. But ZoomerMedia alumnus Sue Hincenbergs is celebrating the perfect debut with her new book “The Retirement Plan.”

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It’s been a factor for a long time but many of us Central Canadians are hearing about it for the first time. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she will undertake a referendum on separating from Canada if enough Albertans say they want it. How serious is the threat and what’s behind it? I reached author Michael Wagner in Edmonton.

May 4 2025-The Link Between CT Scans and Cancer & A History of Attempts to Reform English Spelling

CT scans are a popular diagnostic tool but a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found a link between the scans and cancer. Dr. Derek Tsang, Radiation Oncologist at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, explains the benefits and possible risks.

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The English language is said to be one of the hardest to grasp with its quirky letters and “exceptions to the rule”. The new book “Enough is Enuf” takes a humorous look at the history of the spelling reform movement. Guest host Kathy Hyde reached author Gabe Henry at his home in New York City.

April 27 2025-How a Papal Conclave Works & What's Hot in Ontario Cottage Real Estate?

More than 200 Cardinals from around the world--including five from Canada--have gathered in Rome preparing for the Conclave to elect the successor to Pope Francis. We’ll take a look at what may happen behind closed doors. Guest host Kathy Hyde speaks with Father Robert O’Brien of St. Paul’s Minor Basilica in Toronto.

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With warmer temperatures, cottage country may be calling. Phil Soper, President and CEO of Royal Lepage, takes a look at what’s hot when it comes to buying/selling waterfront property and whether US President Donald Trump’s tariffs may affect those summer plans.

Cancer Research in Jeopardy and the Rising Tide of Book Bans

Canadian cancer researchers received over 40 million in US funding last year for their life-saving work. Now, amid Donald Trump’s tariff war, seven-in-ten Canadian cancer researchers are concerned about the impact on both this year’s funding, and the future of collaborative projects with US colleagues. So this year’s April daffodil month to raise funds and support for Canadians living with the disease carries more urgency for the one-in-two Canadians will face a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime. We reached Dr. Stuart Edmonds, Head of Research with the Canadian Cancer Society.

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Author Ira Wells, an associate professor at the University of Toronto, makes the strong argument against book banning and censorship in his latest called ON BOOK BANNING. Censorship dates back through the ages, but Wells claims there are now more efforts to ban books from libraries than ever before.