Zoomer Week in Review

August 23 2025-Unlocking the Secrets to Lasting Brain Health, and One Man’s Fight Against Antisemitism in Canada

It’s no surprise that lifestyle improvements like better diet and exercise can improve cognition but what’s the secret sauce to make it stick and get the most out of it? A two year clinical trial called the U.S. Pointer study was designed to find out. I talked to Rebecca Edelmayer, vice president, Scientific Engagement, at the Alzheimer's Association.

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He is a hero to Canada’s Jewish community, Warren  Kinsella is a Canadian Lawyer, author, and  political consultant who has taken up the cause of fighting anti-Semitism with a passion. He told me his outrage began after an encounter with skinheads at a concert back in the day. He says while Skinheads may be a thing of the past,  their successors are everywhere.

August 2 2025-Israel's Reaction to PM Mark Carney's Plans of Recognizing Palestinian State & This Entrepreneur launched a giant Canadian Brand while grappling with a Crack Addiction

The government of Israel says that the Carney government’s pledge to recognize a Palestinian state is a betrayal that rewards Hamas terror and relies on the wrong negotiating partner. I talked with  Professor Gabriel Ben Dor, who teaches National Security and Political science at the University of Haifa. 

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Entrepreneur and author Gordon Lownds describes it as an “unlikely addict’s memoir”. He tells the story of how he launched one of the most successful Canadian brands ever - Sleep Country Canada- while he was descending into a crack cocaine addiction. I talked to him about “Cracking Up.”

JULY 26 2025-HOW A FOOD APP IS AIDING DIABETIC PATIENTS & A CLOSER LOOK AT THE GROCERY CODE OF CONDUCT

Diabetes has reached epidemic proportions and one of the hardest parts of managing it is counting carbs in order to reduce blood sugar. Now an app from a Canadian startup can quickly estimate the carb, calorie, protein and fat levels in your food from just a picture of your plate. I spoke with Dr. Jeff Alfonsi, Co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of RxFood.

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It was set up amid charges of price gouging and unfair practices during the pandemic. Now The Canadian Grocery Code of Conduct is mostly up and running with a set of voluntary guidelines and an office designed to enforce them. I asked the President, Karen Proud, what’s in it for consumers.

July 5 2025-A New Sepsis-Testing Tool & Nate Leipciger Appointed to Order of Canada

The World Health Organization has declared Sepsis a global health crisis and a trio of Canadian researchers has developed a new blood test that can detect the infection in hours instead of days. Dr. Claudia do Santos, a physician and scientist at Toronto’s St Mike’s hospital, says her research was spurred on by the case of a 22-year old man with pneumonia. She spoke with guest host Kathy Hyde.

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Nate Leipcigar has led an extraordinary life: a survivor of Auschwitz, he emigrated to Canada after the war, became an engineer and has spent decades educating young people about the Holocaust and the dangers of bigotry and intolerance. Libby spoke with him earlier this year, during the 80th anniversary of the LIberation of Auschwitz.

June 28 2025 - When the Heat Hits Home and Trailblazing Surgeon Sees Stars

This week’s punishing heat dome hospitalized scores of people and highlighted the realities of heat illness, which McGill University cardiologist Dr. Christopher Labos says can creep up on you, and needs to be taken seriously.

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Libby Znaimer had a conversation with legendary cardiac surgeon Dr. Tirone David, who was just inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame.

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.