Up Close & Personal - Interviews with some of todays biggest names.

She won a silver medal in figure skating at the 1988 Winter Olympic Games in Calgary. Despite great odds, including battling mental health issues, Elizabeth Manley came out on top in more ways than one. In this episode of Up Close & Personal, Scott Sexsmith goes one-on-one with the pride of a nation to talk about all that she has overcome, her new life in Collingwood, ON., and how others are now benefitting from all of her victories, both on the ice and more importantly, off.

Well known Canadian author and wine expert, Natalie MacLean has just released her third book, “Wine Witch on Fire: Rising from the Ashes of Divorce, Defamation and Drinking Too Much”. It’s a powerful memoir about how one woman resurrects her life and career in the wine industry. On this episode of Up Close & Personal, Natalie joins host Scott Sexsmith to talk about everything from her shift from the high tech industry to chasing her dream of working with wine and all of the obstacles she had to overcome to make it happen. Also, busting the myths of having to drink certain wines with certain foods. To find out more about Natalie’s free online food and pairing class and her podcast Unreserved Wine Talk, be sure to visit nataliemaclean.com.

As we get set to look ahead to 2023, we thought we'd look back at the year that was on Up Close & Personal. From triumph to defeat, career milestones and achievements, everyone has a story to tell. From athletes to politicians and newsmakers to those reporting the news, host Scott Sexsmith sat down with a long list of prominent Canadians this year for some in depth discussions. This is Up Close & Personal - A year in review.

He played 17 years in the NHL for New York, Los Angeles and San Jose. Today he is one of the leading analysts in the game as a mainstay on Hockey Night in Canada. Kelly Hrudey joins Scott Sexsmith to talk hockey, broadcasting and mental health advocacy on this new episode of Up Close & Personal.

 His career started with one illustrious flight announcement at the Churchill, Manitoba airport back in 1968. Peter Mansbridge would go on to become one of the biggest names in journalism, ultimately ending his career as the long time anchor of The National on CBC. Join host Scott Sexsmith as he goes one on one with Peter on our latest episode of Up Close & Personal. 

Join host Scott Sexsmith as he goes Up Close & Personal with Joel Cassady from Walk off the Earth. They've got new music a few more stops on their summer tour and not to mention billions, yes billions of video views on social media. It all started with 5 band members playing one guitar simultaneously. Scott and Joel get caught up and chat about the groups success, dealing with personal loss and what's next for WOTE!

From his days fronting Max Webster, hosting a radio show to going solo and being back on the road again, Canadian rock icon Kim Mitchell has done it all. Join host Scott Sexsmith as he goes one on one with Mitchell to talk about turning 70, how Patio Lanterns almost didn't make the cut and Kim's new cross Canada tour.

In our latest episode of Up Close & Personal, host Scott Sexsmith speaks with two very well known Canadian media personalities. Wendy Mesley spent over three decades with CBC hosting Market Place and of course The National. Maureen Holloway has been on some of this country's biggest radio stations including Q107 and 98.1 CHFI. The two have now teamed up and have launched a new podcast called The Women of Ill Repute. Find out all about the podcast and the road tat Wendy and Maureen took to get there.

She was the 25th Premier of Ontario and following the June 2nd provincial election, she will be walking away from politics following a public career that has covered almost 30 years. Join host Scott Sexsmith as he talks to Kathleen about her early political days under Dalton McGuinty, her majority win in 2014 and how hard it was to deal with a crushing defeat in 2018. Find out what's next for Kathleen Wynne following her political career and so much more on this episode of Up Close & Personal.

He is one of the most recognizable people in Canada and has hosted Hockey Night in Canada since 1986. On this episode of Up Close & Personal, host Scott Sexsmith goes one on one with the incomparable Ron Maclean. Scott and Ron talk about Ron's career, Coach's Corner and when Ron might step down as host.

He was the skip of the Olympic gold medal curling team from the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Canada's own Brad Jacobs sits down and goes one on one with Scott Sexsmith in this episode of Up Close & Personal. Find out what its like to be on top of the mountain, what former Toronto Maple Leaf coach Mike Babcock said that turned the team around in Sochi and what lies ahead for Team Jacobs.Note: Shortly after this podcast aired, Brad announced he was taking some time off from competitive curling.

Steve Paikin has been with TVO for 30 years. Currently hosting the flagship current affairs program, The Agenda, Steve sits down with Scott Sexsmith to discuss his career, his new book on former Prime Minister John Turner and the situation at Laurentian University in Sudbury.  

Lloyd Robertson spent the better part of six decades in journalism, becoming the longest serving national news anchor of all time. In 1984, following the retirement of Harvey Kirck, Lloyd became the sole anchor of the CTV national news for the next 27 years. Find out exciting details surrounding Lloyd's career including what prompted the move from CBC to CTV. His take on the importance of local journalism. And of course the story behind his signature sign off. All that and more as we go up close & personal with Lloyd Robertson.