Q: The Podcast From Cbc Radio

“Nesting” is a new series on Crave about two best friends, Anna and Rosa — inspired by the show's stars and creators, Anna Hardwick and Rosa Labordé — who decide to get pregnant at the same time and co-parent together, without spouses. Anna and Rosa tell Tom how the series was inspired by their own lives and friendship, how they separate themselves from their characters despite having the same names, and why they talk about pain through comedy.

Comedian Mae Martin (Feel Good, Baroness von Sketch Show) talks about their latest Netflix special, “SAP,” dropping out of high school to pursue comedy, and the significance behind their oatmeal tattoo. Plus, Bruce Dern (Coming Home, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?) tells Tom about being trained in the esteemed Actors Studio in New York, his method of acting called a Dernise, and the time he pulled a Dernise in a scene with Brad Pitt.

Guerilla filmmaker-turned-Hollywood-darling Matt Johnson talks to Tom about his critically acclaimed film “BlackBerry,” which is now available as a TV series on CBC Gem, how he’s dealing with mainstream success, and why his mission in life is to inspire young filmmakers to stay in Canada and make great films.

British Filipino director Paris Zarcilla’s new horror film, “Raging Grace,” tells the story of Joy, a young mother and undocumented immigrant from the Philippines who cleans houses and struggles to save money for a visa. The film also shows her experience with racism, which comes in the form of indignities and microaggressions. Paris tells Tom about how his mother inspired the main character, how he didn’t intend for the film to be a horror when he first started writing it, and why he doesn’t want to teach anyone a lesson with this story.

In his new film, “The Zone of Interest,” director Jonathan Glazer (Sexy Beast, Birth, Under the Skin) gives audiences a horrifying look at a German commandant and his family living just outside the walls of Auschwitz. Jonathan tells Tom why he wanted to shoot a film about the Holocaust at the site of an actual concentration camp, what he wanted to say about evil and humanity, and how the use of sound in this film told a whole other story.

Richard Thomas is best known for playing John-Boy in the ‘70s drama series “The Waltons.” Now, he’s taking on one of literature and film’s most beloved characters, Atticus Finch, in Aaron Sorkin’s touring production of “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Richard talks to Tom about taking on this much-loved role, how the play differs from the renowned book and film, and the legacy of his role as John-boy.

Few Canadian performances are as iconic or celebrated as Megan Follows as Anne Shirley in the 1985 miniseries “Anne of Green Gables.” Now, Megan has revisited Lucy Maud Montgomery’s beloved story in a new audiobook for Audible, which stars esteemed Canadian actors like Catherine O’Hara, Victor Garber and Sandra Oh. Megan talks to Tom about her role in the original series, bringing the story back to life nearly 40 years later, and how portraying Anne changed her life.

For over six decades, the legendary Canadian actor Donald Sutherland has been a staple of film and television. Donald tells Tom about the enormous honour of being commemorated on a Canadian stamp, why he doesn’t want dual citizenship between Canada and the U.S., and why it relates to his sense of humour.

Tate McRae’s wildest dreams are coming true. She recently performed at the Billboard Music Awards, she was the musical guest on “Saturday Night Live,” and her song “Greedy” just reached the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10. Calgary’s Tate McRae talks to Tom about this pivotal time in her career, how she never wants to write a song with the intention of it being big on TikTok, and how her hit song “Greedy,” initially scared her.

Brenda Lee is the voice of the iconic holiday song “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” which turns 65 this year. Brenda tells Tom about recording that song at just 13 years old, how having the song in “Home Alone” changed its popularity, and what it was like knowing The Beatles before their massive fame.

Legendary writer and producer James L. Brooks transformed the types of stories you see on television, from “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” to “The Simpsons.” He then applied his same winning formula — character-driven stories with heart — to the world of film. James L. Brooks tells Tom about writing and creating some of the most successful comedies on TV, the secret behind “The Simpsons” success, and his latest project, “Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.”

After building an empire as one of the most successful country artists of all time, Dolly Parton has released her first-ever album of rock songs. She talks to Tom about the inspiration behind her new album “Rockstar,” earning a place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and why she’s never scared to try something new. Plus, Alam Khan talks about following in the footsteps of his father — the great sarod player Ali Akbar Khan — and blending Indian ragas with Western classical traditions on his new record, “The Resonance Between.”

On the 30th anniversary of Blue Rodeo’s best selling album “Five Days in July,” bandmates Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor join Tom to recall how they found refuge in Greg’s Ontario farmhouse to create a Canadian masterpiece. Plus, k-os celebrates the 17th anniversary of his hit album “Atlantis: Hymns for Disco” by releasing a brand new song to add to his catalogue. The Canadian rapper, singer-songwriter and producer joins Tom to premiere the song, titled “Invulnerable.”

Linton Kwesi Johnson is one of the greatest poets of the modern era. His uncompromising political verse infused with reggae has influenced many people, and helped chronicle the lived experience of Black Britain for decades. This year, Linton has published a selection of his prose from the 1970s to 2021, titled “Time Come.” He joins Tom to talk about his life in words, poetry and music.

Tim Meadows (Mean Girls, The Ladies Man, The Goldbergs) is an actor, comedian and writer who was on "Saturday Night Live" from 1991-2000, making him one of the show's longest-running cast members. Tim tells Tom about his latest project, “Dream Scenario,” co-starring alongside Nicolas Cage, and some of his favourite memories of working on “SNL.” Plus, he recalls memories of his late friends Chris Farley and Norm Macdonald.

Rush frontman and bassist Geddy Lee talks to Tom about his memoir, “My Effin’ Life.” He discusses his experience as the son of Holocaust survivors, dropping out of high school, and what he remembers about the late Neil Peart’s audition to be the band’s drummer.

Elliot Page (Juno, Inception, The Umbrella Academy) sits down with Tom to talk about his memoir, “Pageboy,” how finally writing his story helped him heal from years of having to hide his true self, and what brings him joy now that he’s living openly as a trans man. Plus, Juno Award-winning singer-songwriter Charlotte Cardin tells Tom what happens when your debut album wins a prestigious prize, and what was on her mind while writing her sophomore record, “99 Nights.” Charlotte also gives a stripped back performance of one of her latest songs “Confetti.”

You might know Roy Wood Jr. from his time as a correspondent on “The Daily Show.” But for years, Roy has honed his comedy as a travelling stand-up comic. This month, he headlines the Just for Laughs Comedy Tour, with shows across Canada from St. John’s to Victoria. Roy drops by the studio to talk to Tom about his life in comedy, why it was time for him to leave “The Daily Show,” and what he thinks is in store for late-night TV. Plus, the Canadian rapper Classified tells the story behind his latest single, "Wonder."

Patti LuPone is one of the most decorated Broadway performers of our time. Ahead of bringing her show “Don’t Monkey with Broadway” to Toronto, she joins Tom Power for a career-spanning interview that ranges from her early years to the state of Broadway today. British singer-songwriter Jorja Smith is back with her sophomore album, “Falling or Flying.” She joins Tom Power to discuss growing up in the spotlight, moving back home to the town she grew up in, and the key events in her life that inspired her new record.

Canadian comedian and television personality Rick Mercer is back with the highly anticipated follow-up to his first memoir, “Talking to Canadians.” Rick’s new memoir is called “The Road Years” and it features stories and behind-the-scenes moments from some of the most iconic episodes of the hit CBC show “Rick Mercer Report.” Rick speaks with Tom Power about some of the highlights from “Rick Mercer Report,” imposter syndrome, and why writing a second memoir is easier than the first.