Q: The Podcast From Cbc Radio

The Australian author Liane Moriarty (Big Little Lies, Nine Perfect Strangers) is known for writing bestselling novels that tackle big questions. Her new book, “Here One Moment,” looks at fate and whether it’s something we can change or even avoid. Liane talks to Tom about the cancer scare that shaped her own thoughts on fate, how her dad gave her $1.00 to write her first novel, and how she blocks out the pressure that comes with success.

Lead vocalists Holly Laessig and Jess Wolfe of the indie pop band Lucius are used to being confused for twins. Not only do these inseparable best friends dress alike, but their voices blend together in perfect harmony. Now, they’ve re-recorded their breakout album, “Wildewoman,” to recreate the spark and energy of their early career. Holly and Jess join Tom to talk about the album, their friendship, and what they learned singing backup for Joni Mitchell.

The Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh (Erin Brockovich, Ocean's Eleven, Magic Mike) is shaking up the horror genre with his latest film, “Presence.” It’s a paranormal thriller with a twist in that it’s shot from the point-of-view of a housebound spirit. In this career-spanning chat, Steven looks back on his filmography and explains how moving into a house with its own spirit influenced his new movie.

In the 1886 play “Rosmersholm,” written by the Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen, an increasingly polarized country leads to an increasingly polarized election that begins to tear a household apart. Now, a critically-acclaimed adaptation, directed by Chris Abraham, is being staged at Crow’s Theatre in Toronto. Chris sits down with Tom to talk about what this politically-charged play can teach us about the upcoming elections in the U.S. and Canada.

The Canadian actor Elliot Page (Inception, Juno, The Umbrella Academy) and the British director Dominic Savage (I Am…) have come together to make “Close to You,” a powerful new drama about a young trans man who’s headed home to see his family for the first time in years. Elliot and Dominic join Tom to talk about the film and why it meant so much to them.

The Canadian actor and singer Maisy Stella stars alongside Aubrey Plaza in “My Old Ass.” It’s a new coming-of-age movie about a teenager named Elliott who comes face-to-face with her 39-year-old self during a mushroom trip on her 18th birthday. Maisy joins guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about her big-screen debut, what it’s like playing someone going through a major transition, and how she manifested her role in this movie.

At the height of her fame in the late ‘90s and early ‘00s, Eve seemed to have it all: stadium tours, a clothing line, and collaborations with the likes of Prince, Missy Elliott and Gwen Stefani. But in her new memoir, “Who’s That Girl?,” she tells the story of what was actually going on behind the scenes. Eve joins Tom to talk about some of the major highlights of her career, the negative side effects of fame, and the hip-hop industry’s double standard.

Stephan Moccio is a Los Angeles-based Canadian pianist and songwriter who’s co-written tracks for artists like Miley Cyrus, the Weeknd and Celine Dion. Now, he’s back in Canada touring his new solo piano album, “Legends, Myths and Lavender.” Stephan drops by the Q studio to talk to Tom about the record, why he chose to make it in rural France, and the value of keeping things simple. 

After a crazy few years, Omar Apollo is back with his sophomore album, “God Said No,” which was inspired by a bad breakup. He sits down with Tom for the second time to talk about turning his sadness into music, making his acting debut in Luca Guadagnino’s film “Queer,” and launching a new hot sauce.

Jim Bryson is one of the most in-demand side musicians in Canada. He joins Tom to share a great story about briefly joining The Tragically Hip, which forced the band to finally rehearse. Plus, he sets up a new song, titled “Who’s There,” from his latest project, “Combinations.”

Acclaimed music video director Joseph Kahn has worked with everyone from the Backstreet Boys to Taylor Swift, but in 2004, he expanded into feature films. His new creature feature “Ick” is a horror-comedy that just had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. Joseph joins Tom to talk about the movie, what inspired it, and his prolific career directing music videos.

Forty years ago, director Mick Jackson released a film titled “Threads” that’s been called the scariest movie ever made. But rather than featuring ghosts and monsters, it realistically and disturbingly portrays what would happen in the event of a nuclear apocalypse. Mick joins guest host Talia Schlanger to discuss the film's legacy, why he wanted to scare his audience with the truth, and how he went on to direct one of the biggest romances in movie history.

After more than 20 years in the music business, country superstar Miranda Lambert is coming home. Her new record, “Postcards from Texas,” is a love letter to the state she grew up in. She joins Tom to talk about the album, her musical homecoming, and why losing the reality singing competition show “Nashville Star” was a blessing in disguise.

T. Thomason is a singer-songwriter from Nova Scotia who has a lot to say about how the music industry treats trans artists. Now, he’s opening up with a new single called “True” off his forthcoming album, “Tenderness.” T. sits down with Tom to talk about the song, and how it’s opened up new conversations and made him feel empowered.

Kathryn Hahn got her start in film playing memorable supporting roles in comedies like “Anchorman,” “Step Brothers” and “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.” Now, she stars in the new Marvel series “Agatha All Along,” which sees her reprise her role as the powerful witch Agatha Harkness from “WandaVision.” Kathryn sits down with guest host Talia Schlanger in the Q studio to talk about that role and her hilarious life as a performer.

Twenty-five years after playing Little Victor in the 1998 coming-of-age drama “Smoke Signals,” Cody Lightning is all grown up and back with his directorial debut. It's a mockumentary, titled “Hey, Viktor!,” which follows a fictionalized version of himself trying to make a sequel to the cult classic film he acted in as a child. Cody joins Tom from Edmonton to talk about his gritty new Indigenous comedy, how his idea for the film began as a running joke with his friends, and how he looks back on his time as a child actor.

Kate Hudson was raised by Hollywood royalty: Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell. When she was growing up, they told her that if she wanted to be an actor it had to be because of something deep inside her — not just for fame and fortune. Her latest role is in Max Minghella’s “Shell,” which is all about the extreme measures actors will take to stay young. Kate sits down with Tom for a conversation about that film, her Hollywood upbringing, her Oscar-nominated role in “Almost Famous,” and why these days she's making music.

The Canadian twin siblings Phoenix and Mercedes Arn-Horn went from playing in the super successful band Courage My Love to moving in an entirely different direction as Softcult. They sit down with Tom to set up a song from their latest EP, “Heaven.”

What’s the cost of being cool? Back in the ‘90s and early ‘00s there was no one cooler than Chloë Sevigny, the ultimate It Girl. She was an in-demand model and actor who was known for her unique eye for fashion as well as for starring in indie films that are now considered cult classics. Chloë sits down with Tom to talk about that time in her life and how being cool affected her career, plus her latest film, "Bonjour Tristesse,” which just had its world premiere at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival. 

Matthew Rankin is a Canadian director whose new film “Universal Language” has just been selected as Canada's pick for best international feature film at the 2025 Oscars. It’s set in an alternate version of Winnipeg where Canada’s two official languages are French and Farsi, not English. Matthew drops by the Q studio to chat with Tom about his vision for this film that he directed and starred in.