Q: The Podcast From Cbc Radio

Prolific music producer Rick Rubin (Beastie Boys, Lady Gaga, Johnny Cash, Run-DMC) on staying true to yourself, his musical inspirations and what it was like working with Johnny Cash in the ‘90s. Plus, cartoonist Barbara Brandon-Croft (33:18) on rejection, growing up with a famous cartoonist father and how she’s breaking barriers with her comic strip “Where I’m Coming From.”

Saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin on playing for revered artists (Missy Eilliot, Stevie Wonder), the time she snuck her way past security to play sax at a Prince concert and how a near-death experience inspired her latest album, “Phoenix.” Plus, author Lindsay Wong (32:55) on the stigma around mental illness, growing up with “ghosts,” and what inspired her new book of short stories, “Tell Me Pleasant Things About Immortality.”

If you grew up in the mid-to-late 2000s, there's a good chance you know the band Paramore. Hayley Williams has fronted the pop-punk band for nearly 20 years. She tells Tom Power about the band's history, the advice she’d give her younger self and what inspired Paramore’s new album, “This Is Why.” Emma Mackey (32:38) stars in “Emily,” a film about the life of Wuthering Heights author Emily Brontë — a reclusive, free-spirited woman and an outsider in conservative 19th century England. She sat down with Tom Power during the Toronto International Film Festival to talk about the film.

The word uncompromising gets a bad rap. But if Neil Young wasn’t the uncompromising musician he is, you probably wouldn’t know him as the songwriting legend is today. In this career-spanning conversation, Neil tells Tom about making the music industry work for him and his uncompromising values when it comes to fighting climate change — a fight he’s so hellbent on, he may never go on the road again if the touring industry doesn’t become more ecologically sustainable. Plus, Da'Vine Joy Randolph has spent years being called “a breakout star.” Critics have been calling her that since her Tony-nominated performance in the stage production of "Ghost.” Then there was her scene-stealing role opposite Eddie Murphy in "Dolemite Is My Name.” And of course, her critically acclaimed performance in “Only Murders in the Building.” At some point, they have to stop calling her a breakout star... right? Da’Vine tells Tom about this “break out star” phenomenon and her latest movie, “On The Come Up.”

Pink never thought her success would last this long. In the 10th grade, she was voted “most likely to be behind bars in 10 years” when in actuality, she became one of the most beloved and enduring pop stars of the 21st century. In this conversation, Pink tells Tom about the highs and lows of her music career, what it took to survive the industry and what inspired her new album, “Trustfall.” Plus, the actor Sarah Gadon (True Detective, A Dangerous Method, Enemy) gravitates toward challenging characters — and her latest role is no exception. Sarah opens up to Tom (22:08) about making her onstage debut in “Yerma,” about a woman’s struggle with infertility, and why she says the character she plays is the “ultimate heroine.”

Pamela Anderson on taking her story back + Two Calgary Playwrights on the ‘other’ F word Pamela Anderson’s story is incredible, but you so rarely get to hear her tell it. For the first time, Pamela shares her story through her new documentary, “Pamela, A Love Story,” and memoir, “Love, Pamela.” Pam joins Tom Power to talk about growing up on Vancouver Island, the freedom that Playboy gave her, and how she’s taking back authorship of her story — one that’s so often been misconstrued by the media. Plus, the playwrights Keshia Cheesman and Bianca Miranda (34:05) want to end the stigma around the word “fat.” Keshia and Bianca tell Tom Power about their new play, “The F word,” and how they each found self acceptance and self-love.

Titanic celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Canadian director James Cameron tells Tom about the movie's enduring legacy, how he got that perfect scene for Jack and Rose’s first kiss and what it was like eating PCP-laced clam chowder in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Plus, in the new short film, “Dad and the Fridge Box,” Mary Walsh (This Hour Has 22 Minutes) tells a story of a time when people didn’t throw anything away. Mary tells Tom about recreating 1960s Newfoundland, and how her decision to embrace her “third act” in life and art is making way for her happiest times yet.

After the release of “The Sixth Sense,” nearly 25 years ago, M. Night Shyamalan earned a reputation as a director with a flair for supernatural horror. Now, he’s back with his latest film, an apocalyptic thriller called “Knock at the Cabin.” He joins Tom for a career-spanning conversation, in which he shares how his spiritual views have influenced his life and work. Plus, mixed-media artist Hannah Epstein tells Tom about her new project “Critbot.AI,” which generates artistic feedback through artificial intelligence.

If you want to hear your favourite artists as they truly are, like Billie Eilish, Denzel Washington or Seth Rogen, listen to Q with Tom Power. Five days a week, Tom has deep, funny, and insightful conversations with actors, musicians, and authors. Essentially, if they make great art, you'll hear them on Q with Tom Power.

One trophy away from EGOT-status, there's strong speculation that Hugh Jackman could win the outstanding Oscar for his latest movie, The Son. He talks about his long career on stage and screen. Ann-Marie MacDonald reflects on the curiosity and empathy that continue to inspire her work from the page to the stage as Fall on Your Knees becomes a stage play. Otis Williams, founding member of Motown legends The Temptations, talks about the group's legacy, longevity and why their sound was so impactful during the 60s.

On the occasion of his induction into Canada's Walk of Fame, filmmaker Director X reflects on his groundbreaking career as Canada's foremost hip hop cinematic auteur. Author Judy Blume talks about breaking taboos when writing for kids and why she's finally allowing Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret to be adapted for the screen. Our panel of film experts — Amil Niazi, Teri Hart and Rad Simonpillai — discuss the explosion of new Christmas movies, telling us which ones hit like hot cocoa and which ones leave you with a lump of coal.

Canada's punk rock chef Matty Matheson talks about embracing his passions and how a health scare inspired him to get the most out of life. In a career-spanning interview, country music superstar Maren Morris reflects on everything from her start in Nashville to her latest album, Humble Quest. Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom star Ke Huy Quan explains where he's been for the past few decades and how he was enticed back into acting by the film Everything Everywhere All at Once.

Playwright Yolanda Bonnell discusses her new play, My Sister's Rage, and why she wanted to explore the joy and laughter that can come with grief. Canadian music icon Céline Dion opens up about her latest album, Courage, and how she coped after the passing of her late husband, René Angélil. Mike Payette, the artistic director of the Tarragon Theatre, talks about directing Tarell Alvin McCraney's play Choir Boy for Canadian Stage, and how it changed his outlook on life. Musician Patrick Haggerty of Lavender Country discusses the role he's had in a budding queer country scene and what it's like releasing a sophomore album in his late 70s.

Actor Greg Kinnear talks about his latest role in the new Apple TV+ series Black Bird, plus the twists and turns his career has taken in show business. Rapper Big Sean opens up about his struggle with depression, how he rediscovered his passion through therapy and meditation, and why Detroit 2 is his most honest album yet. Three-time Grammy winner Cedella Marley reflects on the legacy of her father, Bob Marley, as an immersive exhibit exploring his life opens in Toronto.

Four-time Grammy winner Lenny Kravitz talks about his memoir, Let Love Rule, in which he writes about the first 25 years of his life, from his upbringing in New York to the release of his debut album in 1989. Photographer Tyler Mitchell reflects on what it was like to become the first Black photographer to land an image on the cover of Vogue, and why he's now on a mission to show more Black folks experiencing joy. Writer Margaret Atwood discusses her poetry collection, Dearly, plus, alien invasions, rare curse words and why reading poetry isn't like eating Cracker Jack.

Emmy-winning actress Uzo Aduba (known as Suzanne "Crazy Eyes" Warren on Orange Is the New Black) talks about taking on her first lead role in HBO's reboot of In Treatment. Cree-Métis baritone Jonathon Adams shares what they discovered when they began delving into the history of Indigenous music and how it was brutally suppressed by Canada's residential school system. Griffin Poetry Prize finalist Yusuf Saadi reads his poem Mile End from his debut poetry collection, Pluviophile. Elton John opens up about his "rollercoaster life," how having children changed everything for him and why he's now saying goodbye to life on the road.