The Sunday Magazine
Society & Culture
About
CBC Radio’s The Sunday Magazine is a lively, wide-ranging mix of topical long-form conversations, engaging ideas and more. Each week, host Piya Chattopadhyay takes time for deep exploration, but also makes space for surprise, delight and fun.
Episodes
- How war is changing Iran, Flower power, China on the world stage, Measuring everything
This episode of The Sunday Magazine features discussions on the changing sentiment in Iran due to war, China's global positioning, and the significance of flowering plants. It also delves into how measurement systems influence our goals.
- That's Puzzling! for May 2026
This episode of The Sunday Magazine features the monthly challenge, That's Puzzling! Piya Chattopadhyay competes with Mark Tewksbury and Nancy Voth in brain games by Peter Brown.
- Carney's economic efforts, Complicity in tragedy, U.S. midterms and democracy, That’s Puzzling!
This episode of The Sunday Magazine covers Prime Minister Mark Carney's economic initiatives and the federal government's economic update. It also features a discussion on a novel about a migrant boat disaster and the state of American dem…
- Bring out the honey! Why Winnie-the-Pooh endures after 100 years
This episode of The Sunday Magazine explores the enduring appeal of Winnie-the-Pooh, 100 years after his first appearance. Author Gyles Brandreth joins Piya Chattopadhyay to discuss the character's lasting popularity, the innocence he repr…
- Canada's economic future, Defining colours, Alberta separatism, Winnie-the-Pooh turns 100
Host Piya Chattopadhyay discusses Canada's economic future with economists Randall Bartlett and Jim Stanford. The episode also explores the history of defining colors, Alberta's separatist movement, and the cultural legacy of Winnie-the-Po…
- A poet's guide to navigating chaotic times
Former U.S. poet laureate Ada Limón joins Piya Chattopadhyay to discuss the role of poetry during difficult times. They explore her mission to bring poetry to parks and her message sent to the Library of Congress during Donald Trump's seco…
- Middle East latest, Ada Limón, Pope politics, Meme war, Whit Fraser
Host Piya Chattopadhyay discusses Middle East developments with Gregg Carlstrom and David Sanger. Poet Ada Limon, journalist Michael J. O'Loughlin, 404 Media's Matthew Gault, and former CBC reporter Whit Fraser also join the program.
- She’s a sportscaster and a trailblazer. But Hazel Mae’s career has been no walk in the ballpark
Piya Chattopadhyay interviews sportscaster Hazel Mae about her career as a trailblazing woman of colour in broadcasting, her immigration story, recent career honours, and her work covering the Toronto Blue Jays.
- Carney eyes a majority, Hazel Mae, Iran ceasefire, That's Puzzling!
Piya Chattopadhyay discusses the prospect of a Liberal majority government, Hazel Mae’s career in sports broadcasting, and the status of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire. The episode also features actor Paul Sun-Hyung Lee and listener Ryan Porter f…
- 'Cost disease' and other ways to make the economy make sense
David Common interviews Planet Money contributor Alex Mayyasi about his new book, Planet Money: A Guide to the Economic Forces That Shape Your Life, and discusses the challenge of making economics accessible.
- Oil shocks, Disappearing dining rooms, Youth social media bans, Planet Money
Guest host David Common interviews experts about oil market shocks, the cultural history of dining rooms, the debate over social media bans for youth, and economic forces shaping modern life.
- Woke up from a bad dream? Science shows you can change your sleeping mind
Scientist Michelle Carr joins Piya Chattopadhyay to discuss sleep science, the nature of nightmares, and the possibility of influencing our dreams. The conversation covers research conducted at the University of Montreal's Dream Engineerin…
- NDP picks new leader, AI and writing, U.S. and Israel-Iran war negotiations, Nightmare science
Host Piya Chattopadhyay discusses the federal NDP leadership, the influence of AI on writing, Israel-Iran conflict negotiations, and the science of dreams and nightmares with various experts.
- David Suzuki says we're failing to fight climate change – but he's not giving up
David Suzuki joins Piya Chattopadhyay to discuss his life's work in science communication and environmental activism as he turns 90. He reflects on his career, the current state of the climate movement, and his evolving perspective on clim…
- U.S. intervention in the Middle East, Mark Haddon, David Suzuki, Canadian aid efforts in Cuba
This episode of The Sunday Magazine covers U.S. intervention in the Middle East, Mark Haddon's new memoir, David Suzuki's 90th birthday, and Canadian aid efforts in Cuba.
- 'Learn to code' campaigns dominated the 2010s. Were they oversold?
Troy Vasiga and Natasha Singer join Nora Young to discuss the effectiveness of 'learn to code' campaigns from the 2010s in light of AI-driven industry changes. They explore whether these initiatives were oversold and if current 'learn AI'…
- U.S. strategy and stakes for Iran, World Cup politics, Carney's first year as PM, Coding and AI
This episode of The Sunday Magazine covers the U.S.-Iran conflict, global politics and the World Cup, Mark Carney's first year as Prime Minister, and an examination of 'learn to code' initiatives in the era of AI.
- In a sea of misinformation, Wikipedia wants to shore up trust
Nora Young interviews Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales about the platform's 25-year history. They discuss the encyclopedia's evolution, past controversies, and its role as a source of information in the age of artificial intelligence.
- U.S. and Israel-Iran war, How wind shapes us, Economic cost of Middle East conflict, Wikipedia's past and future
Guest host Nora Young discusses the U.S. and Israel-Iran war with experts Thomas Juneau and Jasmine El-Gamal. Simon Winchester explores the role of wind, Peter S. Goodman details the economic costs of Middle East conflict, and Wikipedia co…
- That's Puzzling! for March 2026
Piya Chattopadhyay competes against actor and comedian Shaun Majumder and listener Susan Plant in a brain game challenge created by puzzle master Peter Brown.
- U.S. and Israel strike Iran, Rebecca Solnit, That's Puzzling!
The Sunday Magazine episode covers U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran with analysis from Gregg Carlstrom, Arash Azizi, Barbara Slavin, and Payam Akhavan. It also features writer Rebecca Solnit discussing history and change, and the return of 'Tha…
- How can we treat Canada's ailing ERs?
ER physician Dr. Brian Goldman joins Piya Chattopadhyay to discuss the state of Canada's emergency rooms. Drawing from his book The Casino Shift, he examines how the system has changed over the last 15 years and potential solutions for cur…
- SCOTUS tariff ruling, Canada's changing military, Olympics wrap, Dr. Brian Goldman, Pokémon's soft power
Piya Chattopadhyay discusses the U.S. Supreme Court tariff ruling, Canada's military strategy, and the Milano-Cortina Games performance. Also featured are Dr. Brian Goldman on emergency room care and an exploration of Pokémon as cultural s…
- Victim. Survivor. Icon. Gisèle Pelicot heard it all. But in her words? ‘An optimist'
Gisèle Pelicot, the victim of a prominent French rape case, discusses the crimes, their impact on her family, and her decision to waive anonymity in a Canadian broadcast exclusive interview with Piya Chattopadhyay. She also reflects on her…
- Gisèle Pelicot, Living with trauma from a deadly school shooting, 100 years of Black History Month
Piya Chattopadhyay discusses the Gisèle Pelicot trial, the legal challenges of sexual assault cases in Canada, the impact of mass violence on mental health, and the historical significance of Black History Month.
- Pussy Riot co-founder on power, protest and Russia's parallels with the U.S.
Pussy Riot co-founder Nadya Tolokonnikova joins Piya Chattopadhyay to discuss the impact of the Russian government labeling the group an extremist organization. They also explore her latest work and the role of art in confronting authorita…
- Week in Canadian politics, Pussy Riot's Nadya Tolokonnikova, Chuck Klosterman on football, Curling icon Jennifer Jones
Host Piya Chattopadhyay discusses Canadian politics, protest with Nadya Tolokonnikova, American football with Chuck Klosterman, and the career of curler Jennifer Jones.
- That's Puzzling! for February 2026
Piya Chattopadhyay competes against Olympic broadcaster Anastasia Bucsis and listener Jonathan Waller in a series of puzzles created by Peter Brown. This monthly challenge, That's Puzzling!, tests their wits in a battle of brain games.
- ICE backlash, Booker Prize-winner George Saunders, Polar war, That's Puzzling!
Piya Chattopadhyay explores topics including immigration enforcement, a conversation with author George Saunders, tensions in the Arctic, and a monthly puzzle segment featuring guest Anastasia Bucsis.
- Retired and emerging nurses connect on the future of care
Retired nurse Tilda Shalof and emerging nurse Lisa Mochrie, authors of The Handover, discuss the challenges and future of the nursing profession with host Piya Chattopadhyay. They explore how to foster positive conversations to improve out…
- New world order, Tech platform dominance, Conservative Party's paths, Future of nursing
Guest host David Common discusses the evolving world order, platform dominance in the internet age, the future of the Conservative Party, and the challenges facing the nursing profession.
- Former Irish president on how to hold on to human rights
Former Irish president and UN human rights commissioner Mary Robinson joins Piya Chattopadhyay to discuss the future of human rights. She explores how grassroots action and international cooperation between smaller nations can counter auth…
- Canada-China trade deal, Protests in Iran, Former Irish President Mary Robinson, Crossword culture
Host Piya Chattopadhyay discusses Canada-China trade relations, protests in Iran, human rights with Mary Robinson, and the evolution of crossword puzzles.
- That's Puzzling! for January 2026
Piya Chattopadhyay faces Andi Petrillo and listener Jennifer Goddard in the January 2026 edition of That's Puzzling!, hosted by The Sunday Magazine. The participants compete in brain games created by puzzle master Peter Brown.
- NATO's future, L.A. wildfire legacy, Nobel-winning economist, That's Puzzling!
This episode of The Sunday Magazine explores the outlook for NATO, the politics of disaster in Los Angeles, and the theory of creative destruction. It also features a guest appearance by Andi Petrillo for the monthly segment That's Puzzlin…
- Make 2026 the year of 'recombobulation'
Piya Chattopadhyay discusses language in the new year with lexicographer Susie Dent. They explore various words to describe modern times and the potential addition of "recombobulation" to the dictionary.
- U.S. captures Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro, Old words for modern times, Stephen Fry, The power of awe
Host Piya Chattopadhyay discusses the U.S. capture of Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro with journalists and a professor. The episode also features language expert Susie Dent, Stephen Fry on Greek myths, and an exploration of the power…
- In the face of peril, Jane Goodall never lost hope for our planet
Piya Chattopadhyay spoke with naturalist and activist Jane Goodall about her life, her pioneering chimpanzee research, and her enduring hope for the planet. The discussion reflects on her career and dedication to inspiring positive environ…
- Foreign aid cuts, Jane Goodall, Samin Nosrat
Host Piya Chattopadhyay discusses foreign aid cuts with Stephanie Nolen, Ebenezer Obadare, and Suparna Chaudhry. The episode also features a conversation with Jane Goodall on conservation and an interview with Samin Nosrat about the connec…
- They're creamy, crispy, garlicky... and coming for your dinner table
Baker and writer Ruby Tandoh joins Piya Chattopadhyay to discuss how search engine optimization and algorithms influence current food trends. They explore the popularity of specific food colors and the rise of sensationalized language in r…
- Epstein files, Food virality, Cancer breakthroughs, Gary Shteyngart
Host Piya Chattopadhyay discusses the Epstein files, the trend of food virality with Ruby Tandoh, cancer research developments with Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee, and the U.S. political landscape with novelist Gary Shteyngart.
- Are AI hopes artificially inflated? The 'hype cycle' may help offer clues
Pete Mitton discusses the concept of the "hype cycle" to help understand the current AI landscape, looking at market volatility and potential risks associated with artificial intelligence technology.
- Year in Canadian politics, Hype cycles and AI, Russia's feminist history, Words of 2025
Host Piya Chattopadhyay talks with journalists about Canadian politics, AI hype cycles, Russia's feminist history, and the evolution of dictionaries.
- That's Puzzling! for December 2025
In this special holiday edition of "That's Puzzling!" recorded live in Toronto, host Piya Chattopadhyay competes against Bookends host Mattea Roach, actress Jennifer Whalen, and an audience member in a battle of brain games created by puzz…
- U.S.-Venezuela tensions, Canada's refugee programs, That's Puzzling! live in Toronto
The Sunday Magazine covers U.S.-Venezuela relations, Canada's refugee system through personal stories and expert analysis, and features a live 'That's Puzzling!' segment with Mattea Roach and Jennifer Whalen.
- The PM who managed crises, and managed to dance – despite the critics
Sanna Marin, formerly Finland's youngest prime minister, reflects on leading the country through crises like the pandemic and the invasion of Ukraine. She also discusses the intense global press attention on her personal life and her desir…
- Ottawa-Alberta energy deal, Joy of solitude, Ex-Finnish PM Sanna Marin, Maple syrup
On The Sunday Magazine, host Piya Chattopadhyay and guests discuss the Ottawa-Alberta energy deal. The episode also features insights on solitude from psychologist Robert Coplan, reflections from former Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin,…
- Bill Bryson brings wonder to science in refresh of hit book
Bill Bryson discusses the refresh of his 2003 pop science book, 'A Short History of Nearly Everything,' with Piya Chattopadhyay. He shares insights on what has changed, what remains the same, and what still amazes him about science.
- Canadian immigration, Bill Bryson, Canada-China relations, Comedic Canadianisms
On The Sunday Magazine, host Piya Chattopadhyay discusses Canada's immigration policies with Tony Keller, Bill Bryson's updated A Short History of Nearly Everything, Canada-China relations with Dennis Molinaro, and comedic Canadianisms wit…
- What science can tell us about our pets – from owning them, to cloning them
Science writer and broadcaster Jay Ingram joins David Common to discuss his new book, 'The Science of Pets.' They delve into scientific research on the human-animal bond and how pets have influenced humanity.