Zoomer Week in Review

January 10: The Digital Mess We’re In and the Reality of Long-Term Care in Ontario

Pop ups on websites, clickbait stories in your newsfeed, ads in your Instagram feed and AI slop galore! The phenomenon has an eyebrow-raising name, coined by technology critic and author Cory Doctorow. Fight Back guest host Tasha Kheiriddin caught up with Cory to unpack this troubling trend.

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The COVID-19 pandemic forced many Canadians to confront a difficult reality: for thousands of older adults, long-term care homes were not always the safe, supportive places we assumed they were. In Ontario alone, the pandemic exposed deep challenges from outdated buildings and staffing shortages to questions about how we care for people as they age. In response the province launched an ambitious plan to modernize long-term care. However, Ontario is falling well short of its goal to add tens of thousands (58,000) of new or upgraded long-term care beds by 2028. Jeremy Logan speaks with Dr. Samir Sinha, a geriatrician with Sinai Health and the University Health Network, Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto, and Director of Health Policy Research at Toronto Metropolitan University’s National Institute on Ageing, to explore the state of long-term care in the province and what can be done about it.

December 20: What to Watch for When Visiting Aging Loved Ones and How New DNA Technology Is Solving Decades-Old Murders

As Canadians prepare for the holiday season, many will be spending longer, in-person time with their parents and grandparents, in some cases, for the only time during the year. These moments are crucial in noticing changes that can signal decline, changes that would not be as readily as apparent over phone calls or quick check-ins. Libby talked with Dr. Howard Chertkow, a practicing cognitive neurologist at Toronto's Baycrest Health Sciences Centre, about what to look for.

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After more than 40 years, police ID'd Kenneth Smith as the murderer in 3 cold cases of homicide perpetrated between 1982 and 1997. The DNA technique forensic genetic genealogy was used to identify him as the killer of Christine Prince, Gracelyn Greenidge and Claire Samson. Libby asked Detective Sergeant Steve Smith to explain this fascinating technique that can help give families closure after decades.

December 13 2025-How the Jews Wrote Christmas & Is Primary Care Getting Better for Ontarians?

From Rudolph to Snowmen, Winter Wonderlands to Sleigh Bells – Christmas songs and their imagery have become a significant part of pop culture. But did you know that most of the most popular ones are the work of people who didn’t celebrate Christmas at all? Pianist and music lecturer Jordan Klapman tells us how the Jews Wrote Christmas!

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Finally, some good news on what is likely the biggest crisis in our healthcare system - the shortage of family doctors. A new study finds - it’s getting better - more Canadians have a family doctor or nurse practitioner now than 3 years ago. The bad news is that nearly 6 million people around the country still don’t have a primary care point person. Dr. Tara Kiran is a family doctor and researcher and she led the study as part of a project called OurCare.

November 15: "The Sequel I Never Expected" & How Canadian Business Titans Turned Canada Into a Military Might During WW2

“The sequel I never expected” was Libby Znaimer's diagnosis and treatment for stomach cancer in 2023. It was her third primary cancer. We followed the ups and downs in real time in a documentary that launches on Monday and she chatted with frequent guest host Christine Ross.

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It’s a fascinating new take on an important story from our recent past that most of us know nothing about! The “Dollar-a-Year Men” in Canada during the Second World War were business and professional leaders who volunteered their services to the federal government—and turned us into a military powerhouse instrumental in winning the war. Libby talked with author Allan levine.

November 22 2025-Which Charities Deserve Your Money & Is Canada Experiencing its Breaking Point? 

It is shaping up as a tough season for charities between the Canada Post strike and slowdowns and the affordability crisis, which means it’s more important than ever to make sure our hard earned donations are wisely used. Charity intelligence is out with its annual lists and ratings of the best and most impactful nonprofits. I talked with Kate Bahen, Managing Director at Charity Intelligence Canada.

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Is Canada at the breaking point? Donald Trump may be the biggest threat, but according to a new book by Darrell Bricker and John Ibbitson, other big shifts are putting our country at risk and they worry that our decision makers are not up to the challenge. I sat down with Darrell to talk about "Breaking Point: The New Big Shifts Putting Canada at Risk.”

October 25 2025- Canada's Tough Choices in the Face of Trump's Tariff War & Can the Royal Family Overcome the Prince Andrew Scandal?

The New Normal is a term that’s usually used to describe life after a cancer diagnosis - Economist Jeff Rubin used it to describe the impact of the changed world economy - even before Donald Trump took power. He gave me an update on his take on our troubled tariff times.

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The publication of Epstein victim Virginia Giuffrre’s posthumous memoir added details to her accusations against Prince Andrew. Last week, he announced he would no longer use his royal titles. But what does that actually mean for the royal family? I asked Royal historian Justin Vovk.

October 18 2025- Hamas' Reign of Terror in the Gaza Strip & How Does The "Creative Destruction" Theory Work?

The week began with the hope that the release of hostages and the cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war would lead to lasting peace. But by mid-week, huge tensions surfaced as the terror group tried to reassert itself, failed to deliver the remains of most murdered hostages, and began publicly executing its rivals. I spoke with Professor Gabriel Ben Dor who teaches National Security and Political science at the University of Haifa. 

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This week, Canadian academic Peter Howitt learned that he is sharing a Nobel Prize in economics for his work on “creative destruction” that fuels economic growth. What does that mean and how does it work? I turned to Moshe Lander, Senior Lecturer of Economics at Concordia University in Montreal for answers.

September 27 2025 - How Time Changes Impact Our Health & Rethinking the Way Cats Connect With Humans

Just ahead of November 2nd, when we turn back the clocks an hour, there are new health warnings about seasonal time changes. Researchers have found that staying in standard time or daylight saving time is definitely better than switching twice a year. It’s all due to the disruption of our circadian rhythms, our internal clock that regulates things like digestion, hormone release and more. We reached the study’s author Dr. Jamie Zeitzer, a behavioral science professor at Stanford University.

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Dogs are man's best friend, but it turns out the stereotype of the domesticated cat is wrong. Despite their reputation as aloof and loners, cats form very strong attachments to their human caregivers in a way that’s similar to human infants and dogs, though they show it in more subtle ways. Just as pet owners depend on their feline friends for comfort, cats see their humans as a source of safety and security. We reached Neuroscientist and Physiotherapist Laura Elin Pigott in the UK who says the new research is rooted in the feel good hormone oxytocin.

September 20 2025-How The Michelin Guide Remains Relevant &  The Impact of ER Cancer Diagnoses on Patients and Doctors

That was just one of the awards announced with great fanfare at the Michelin Guide ceremony earlier this week. It was the fourth time the event was held in Toronto, but the Michelin Guide published its first list of recommended restaurants back in 1900. It is still arguably the most important culinary authority in the world. I asked Food guru Lucy Waverman about the secret of its staying power.

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The shortage of family doctors means more and more Canadians are hearing the dreaded words “you have cancer” in Emergency Rooms. Recent research shows that in addition to leading to poorer outcomes for patients -  there are consequences for the doctors too. I talked with lead study author Dr. Keerat Grewal

This weekend is a time of transition for tens of thousands of families with young adult children. Seeing them off to college and university is a milestone that raises mixed emotions like anxiety, sadness and excitement - for both parent and child. I talked to psychologist Sara Dimerman about how to navigate the upheaval.

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It’s a trend that can be attributed to the broader economy. But when  adult children move back with their parents it can feel like a big step backwards and a big burden for both sides. Psychologist DR.  Oren Amitay told me a big part of his practice is dealing with that family strife.