The Rundown

The Rundown examines the rise of psychotic disorders among young people in Ontario. What's driving this increase, and how does a diagnosis affect those who receive it? Then, how exploring historical theories of dreams can help us better understand the complexity of the human brain.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In December 2024, a school shooting in Madison, Wisconsin left two people dead and raised urgent questions about a disturbing form of violence with no clear ideological motive. The attacker left behind a manifesto expressing hatred for society and admiration for mass killers - a case researchers now associate with nihilistic violent extremism, violence for its own sake. Producer Eric Bombicino examines what this emerging threat is, how it differs from traditional forms of extremism, and whether it's on the rise in Canada. He's joined by Amarnath Amarasingam, associate professor at Queen's University. Then, Barbara Perry, founding director of the Centre on Hate, Bias and Extremism at Ontario Tech University, explains how authorities and researchers are trying to understand and counter this phenomenon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Does it cost more to be single? Renée Sylvestre-Williams, author of "The Singles Tax: No-Nonsense Financial Advice for Solo Earners," takes us through the ways 30 per cent of Canadian households pay more for everything from housing costs, to groceries, and even travel. Then, while the cost of living rises, we look into how people are faring in their everyday lives in the current economy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cuba is facing a deepening economic and humanitarian crisis, with government agencies under an oil blockade and mounting pressure from the United States. As shortages worsen, can the Cuban government survive? What would the fallout be for the rest of the Caribbean if it doesn't? We break down the political and regional implications with Julio Fonseca, co-chair of the Canadian Network on Cuba and president of the Association of Cubans in Toronto, alongside Tamanisha John, assistant professor in the Department of Politics at York University. Then, Karen Dubinsky, professor emerita in Global Development Studies and History at Queen's University and author of "Strangely, Friends: A History of Cuban-Canadian Encounters," explores Canada's long-standing relationship with Cuba. From cultural and personal ties to diplomacy and influence, we examine how Canada's soft power has shaped that relationship and how it could be used to support Cubans during this moment of crisis.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hosted by Jeyan Jeganathan, The Rundown delivers original journalism and in-depth analysis of the social, political, cultural, and economic issues that shape life in Ontario. Each episode digs into the topics making headlines, examining them from different angles and through diverse points of view - providing the context you need to understand what's happening in the province and around the world. Join us on March 9th. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Agenda is coming to an end after 19 seasons. We present the show's final guest: Steve's dad.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After 19 seasons as anchor of TVO's flagship current affairs program The Agenda, Steve Paikin signs off with a final goodnight. As well, a brief highlight reel, including Jean Chretien, Salman Rushdie, Doug Ford, Janice Stein, Elizabeth Dowdeswell among others, offers a glimpse of the range and depth of what the show covered over the years.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Smoking in elevators, movie theatres, or airplanes. Goaltenders playing hockey in the NHL without a mask. Burning tons of coal to generate electricity. Today, we look back at these practices and wonder, how did we ever allow that to happen? Because today, of course, we know better. But what about the future? What do we do today that future generations will shake their heads at? And how do we chart a different path to ensure we make better decisions going forward? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a long, successful career in journalism, Cathrin Bradbury was at loose ends, post-retirement. How should she spend her time and still-abundant energy? In her latest book, "This Way Up: Old Friends, New Love, and a Map for the Road Ahead," she charts a fresh direction, including a new identity as a writer, grandmother, and freer spirit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Now retired, Kent Knechtel, a former second engineer aboard the freighter Michipicoten, recounts the day a 13-foot hull crack changed everything. Thanks to calm waters, clear skies, and the swift response of the United States Coast Guard, disaster was narrowly avoided. One year later, Kent reflects with gratitude and quiet resolve on the incident that marked the end of his decades-long career sailing the Great Lakes. This video is brought to you through a partnership with Detroit Public TV's Great Lakes Now.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since its launch 19 years ago, The Agenda With Steve Paikin has highlighted scientific discoveries and new insights into health. So what's changed over the course of over two decades-and what kinds of challenges and breakthroughs do experts anticipate seeing in the decades to come? To discuss, we're joined by Keith Stewart, University Health Network vice-president, cancer, and director of the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre; Raywat Deonandan, epidemiologist and associate professor with the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Ottawa; Saskia Sivananthan, neuroscientist and affiliate professor in the Department of Family Medicine at McGill University; and Ghazal Fazli, epidemiologist and assistant professor with the Department of Geography, Geomatics and Environment at the University of Toronto Mississauga.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Toronto is adapting to climate change with new Thermal Comfort Guidelines, developed after a city-wide study by DIALOG and Buro Happold. With the number of days exceeding 30 C projected to rise from 10 to 55 annually by 2080, we're examining how the city is reimagining public spaces to stay livable throughout the year. Field reporter Jeyan Jeganathan dives into what makes us feel comfortable outdoors-examining the role of wind, humidity, sun, and shade-and how better design can create more resilient, equitable cities. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How did a Canadian author's alphabet book end up at the United States Supreme Court? And what does this mean for 2SLGBTQ+ books for kids in Canada? We welcome Robin Stevenson to discuss.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What has Canada learned from its participation in the war in Afghanistan? Is a two-state solution the only way forward for Israel and Palestine? And while the West sees Russia as a destabilizing force on the world stage, is there another legitimate interpretation of what they're doing in Ukraine? Over 19 seasons of The Agenda, we've revisited these themes time and again, to help viewers understand the complex and often troubling times in which we find ourselves. And, with the U.S. now involved in the war between Iran and Israel, all the more reason we do one final program on a world that often feels like it's gone berserk. For more, host Steve Paikin asks: Erin O'Toole (former leader of the Conservative Party of Canada), Arne Kislenko (Professor of History at Toronto Metropolitan University), Doug Saunders, (International Affairs columnist at The Globe and Mail), and Janice Stein (Founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and then the end of the Soviet Union in 1991, many thought the world was going to be a much better place going forward. That has not turned out to be the case. 9/11; the failed promise of the Arab Spring; the Middle East still on fire; Russia-Ukraine; political tribalism. Does it sometimes feel as if the world is no longer capable of making progress? Host Steve Paikin asks Janice Stein (Founding Director, Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, and Belzberg Professor of Conflict Management, University of Toronto). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2004 Facebook was created. Two years later in 2006 Twitter was founded AND the very first episode of the Agenda aired here on TVO. Fast forward to 2011 and social media was seen as helping sow the seeds of democracy in the Middle East during the Arab Spring. And many were optimistic that these growing connections would help harness the wisdom of the crowd. It would be like "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" when you asked the audience. And the audience was almost always right. So ... what happened? How has social media evolved? How has social media changed us? And has it been a net negative or net positive? Cory Doctorow, Vass Bednar, Jeff Jarvis, and Douglas Rushkoff join to discuss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Preston Manning. Bob Rae. Jean Charest. Paul Martin. Former NDP premier of BC, Michael Harcourt. What do they all have in common? Well, they were all part of the now defunct Ecofiscal Commission, which advocated for a carbon price in Canada. Chris Ragan was the chair of that commission. He is also an associate Professor and the founding director of McGill University's Max Bell School of Public Policy. He joins us from beautiful Gimli, Manitoba to look back on the long and strange journey of carbon pricing in this country and what went wrong. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The TVO series "Crossroads: Beyond Boom and Bust" focuses on Ontario communities that have moved away from their own origin stories. Sturgeon Falls is one such town with a rich French-language heritage. We welcome James Hyslop, executive producer, and Michel Gervais, Sturgeon Falls resident and performer to talk about why it's important to stay focused on bilingual roots and how the community has worked to reinvent its purpose to help keep young people there.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Pride month underway, The Agenda looks back at how conversations around 2SLGBTQIA issues have changed since the show first began in 2006. Has Canada become a more tolerant or more accepting place for Queer communities? Callie Metler, Executive Director of Capital Pride Ottawa; Derrick Biso, Director of Education and Operations at Trans Wellness Ontario; Maurice Tomlinson, activist and consultant with HIV Legal Network; Cheri DiNovo, retired minister at Trinity-St. Paul Centre For Faith, Justice and the Arts and former NDP MPP for Parkdale-High Park joins host Jeyan Jeganathan to discuss.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ontario minister of energy and mines Stephen Lecce oversees portfolios the government says will drive economic growth in the province in the years ahead. And he's got some big jobs ahead of him. His office is laying the groundwork to meet what the Independent Electricity System Operator says will be a 75 percent increase in electricity demand by 2050. But the plan is not without controversy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.