Q with Tom Power - podcast cover

Q with Tom Power

Five days a week, Tom Power brings you candid conversations with some of the most exciting artists of our time. The conversation is informal, playful and allows musicians, writers, actors and filmmakers to explore their art and the contexts that have shaped them throughout their career.


Whether he’s ribbing Adele, singing a boy band classic with Simu Liu, or dissecting faith with U2 frontman Bono, Tom brings the same curiosity, respect and meticulous preparation into every conversation. He also has a track record for interviewing artists on the precipice of stardom, like Lizzo, Billie Eilish and Daniel Caesar, who appeared on Q well before they hit the mainstream.


Q covers arts and culture in all its forms, including music, movies, film, cinema, TV, comedy, painting, photography, theatre, Broadway, fashion, dance, opera, documentaries, books, fiction, memoirs and so much more. Tom gives each and every artist the space to tell their story in their own words. You’re just as likely to hear from celebrities and cultural icons as you are to hear from emerging artists at the beginning of their career.


Since becoming the host of Q in October 2016, listeners have come to know Tom for his in-depth interviewing style (asking founding Wu-Tang Clan member RZA what was inside his teenage notebooks), his mischievous sense of humour (jokingly chiding actor Catherine O'Hara for her parenting skills in Home Alone), and his genuine enthusiasm and fearlessness (singing a duet with Mavis Staples).


Look to our archives to hear some of Tom’s award-winning artist interviews, including his moving and insightful conversation with the Canadian actor Michael J. Fox, which was awarded the prestigious gold medal for best interview at the 2021 New York Festivals Radio Awards.


In 2022, Tom spoke with Friends star Matthew Perry in front of a live audience. Their warm and frank conversation about the actor's struggles with substance abuse struck a chord, leading to millions views on TikTok and Instagram, while also being picked up by news outlets internationally, including Vanity Fair and CNN.


Tom’s impactful discussions with top talent have included Chappell Roan, Pamela Anderson, Cate Blanchett, Dua Lipa, Cher, Denzel Washington, Mick Jagger, Florence Pugh, Francis Ford Coppola, Kristen Stewart, Emma Stone, Jim Carrey, Billy Porter, Tom Hanks, Jerry Seinfeld, Tyler Perry, Alicia Keys, Alan Moore, Bruce Springsteen, Dolly Parton, Barbra Streisand, Darren Aronofsky, Harry Styles, Sean Penn, Sandra Bullock, Michaela Coel, Ryan Reynolds, Katy Perry, Neil Young, Shakira, George Clooney, Ava DuVernay, Omar Apollo, Trixie Mattel, Orville Peck, Big Sean, Anil Kapoor, Jane Fonda, Robert DeNiro, Antonio Banderas, Elton John, Celine Dion, Kerry Washington, Chuck D, Steven Soderbergh, Mikey Madison, Cillian Murphy, Sean Baker, Steve McQueen, Paris Hilton, Taylor Tomlinson, Gwen Stefani, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Kylie Minogue, Stanley Tucci, Rufus Wainwright, Caroline Polachek and Hans Zimmer.

Episodes

Quick Q: Donovan Woods returns with his 7th studio album

The acclaimed Canadian troubadour Donovan Woods is back with a brand new album, “Things Were Never Good If They’re Not Good Now.” He sits down with guest host Talia Schlanger to set up a new song called “When Our Friends Come Over” (featuring Madi Diaz).

Jul 29, 202412 min

Noah Kahan: Stick Season, authenticity, TikTok & lying to therapists

Noah Kahan is one of the most successful singer-songwriters in the world right now, but it wasn’t that long ago that he was writing his latest album, “Stick Season,” while isolated on a Vermont farm during the peak of the pandemic. Now, he’s considered the next big thing in music. Noah joins Tom in studio for a conversation about writing the album that would change his life, the power of tapping into his authentic self, and how he’s protected his mental health while on this crazy ride. ...

Jul 26, 202439 min

Quick Q: Randell Adjei on what artists and Olympians share in common

The Summer Olympics in Paris kick off today and right before the opening ceremonies, viewers will be treated to a spoken word piece written by Ontario’s first poet laureate, Randell Adjei. He sits down with Tom in studio to talk about collaborating on the piece with former three-time Olympian Phylicia George, and shares the lessons he thinks everyone can learn from Olympians — even if you plan on spending the summer on your couch.

Jul 26, 202412 min

Chromeo: Adult Contemporary, growing up & staying funky in your 40s

Chromeo’s Dave 1 and P-Thugg started out as high school best friends making weird music in Montreal basements 20 years ago. They never could have guessed that their interest in electro-funk and ‘80s synths would take them to festival stages and earn them a Grammy nod along the way. Chromeo drops by to chat with Tom about their new album, “Adult Contemporary,” which poses the question: what does it mean to be funky as you approach middle age?

Jul 25, 202425 min

Ian Harnarine: How Trinidadian doubles inspired his film about family legacy

Ian Harnarine is an award-winning Canadian filmmaker who found inspiration for his debut feature film, “Doubles,” in the delicious Trinidadian snack of the same name. The story follows an estranged father and son who are brought back together by difficult circumstances. Ian joins guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about drawing on his own experiences with his father to make the film, how it challenges clichés about the experience of immigrating to Canada, and what it was like getting Spike Lee’s...

Jul 25, 202425 min

Brittany Howard: Leaving Alabama Shakes, What Now & rehearsing in haunted houses

Brittany Howard’s new album “What Now” is her second solo release since taking a hiatus with her band Alabama Shakes. Now more than ever, the singer-songwriter is exploring the potential of her famous raspy voice by pairing it with surprisingly poppy songs about love and heartbreak. Brittany sits down with Tom to talk about the record and finding the courage to step into new musical territory.

Jul 24, 202434 min

Naomi Jaye: Darkest Miriam & the inner life of a public librarian

After finding Martha Baillie’s Giller Prize-shortlisted novel “The Incident Report” in a Toronto bookstore, Naomi Jaye knew almost instantly that she wanted to adapt it into a film. Now, 14 years later, the award-winning Canadian filmmaker has released her sophomore feature, “Darkest Miriam,” which follows a librarian living through a fog of grief while working in a downtown Toronto Public Library branch. Naomi joins guest host Talia Schlanger to tell us more about the film.

Jul 24, 202419 min

Maya Rudolph: Loot, SNL, Bridesmaids & her cool parents

Maya Rudolph has been a comedy staple on our screens for decades. She’s impersonated everyone from Donatella Versace to Beyoncé as a cast member on “Saturday Night Live,” and she’s played memorable characters in comedies like “Bridesmaids” and “Sisters.” Now, Maya is back as the divorced billionaire Molly Wells in the second season of her hit Apple TV+ show “Loot.” Maya tells Tom why she was interested in the world of the mega-rich, how she ended up on “SNL” even though her agent told her not to...

Jul 23, 202425 min

Will Butler: Stereophonic, writing ‘70s music & exploring thorny relationships in bands

When Will Butler left his band Arcade Fire, he didn’t know what would happen next. With a Grammy on his shelf and an Oscar nomination for his musical score on Spike Jonze’s “Her,” it seemed like he could do anything — why not Broadway? Now, he’s written and composed the music for “Stereophonic,” a new play that was recently nominated for a record-breaking 13 Tony Awards. Set in the 1970s, it follows a fictional rock band on the cusp of superstardom as they struggle through recording their new al...

Jul 23, 202421 min

G-Eazy: Freak Show, his struggle with fame & losing his mom

The multi-platinum rapper G-Eazy rose to stardom in 2015 with his hit song “Me, Myself & I” (featuring Bebe Rexha). Since then, he’s been a staple on pop radio with a number of chart-topping hits. But after facing mounting burnout and the death of his mother in 2021, G-Eazy decided to step away from the spotlight. Now, he’s back with his first new album in three years, “Freak Show.” G-Eazy joins Tom to talk about the record, his struggle with fame, and his path in the music industry.

Jul 22, 202424 min

Allison Au: Migrations, her family history & what we mean by the idea of home

Allison Au is an award-winning saxophonist who decided to step outside her comfort zone to investigate her family history of immigration to Canada. She sits down with Tom to discuss her new record, “Migrations,” and how making music can help you come to peace with your own identity.

Jul 22, 202418 min

Liza Colón-Zayas: Finding family and stability on The Bear

On the hit series “The Bear,” Liza Colón-Zayas plays a middle-aged line cook named Tina who’s challenged by her mentors to learn new skills as a sous-chef. In some ways, her character’s story mirrors her own journey as an actor. Liza joins Tom to talk about the scarcity and struggle she’s had to overcome on her path to her breakthrough role, how her setbacks continue to shape her as an artist, and how as an actor you can feel dispensable and invisible as you age.

Jul 19, 202423 min

Luke Gilford: Writing a queer cowboy love story without tragedy

Luke Gilford is a photographer and filmmaker who grew up in a professional rodeo family in Colorado. But it wasn’t until he discovered America’s thriving subculture of queer rodeo that he truly felt at home with cowboy culture. Now, he’s released his feature directorial debut, “National Anthem,” inspired by his famous photo series of America’s gay cowboys and cowgirls. Luke joins Tom to talk about the film, why it was important to him to write a trauma-free queer love story, and how cowboy cultu...

Jul 19, 202422 min

Osgood Perkins: Longlegs, Nicolas Cage & making the scariest movie of the year

The actor and director Osgood “Oz” Perkins (Legally Blonde, Nope) recently released his latest horror thriller, “Longlegs,” which some are calling the scariest movie of the year. Harkening back to films like “Silence of the Lambs” and “Se7en,” it co-stars Nicolas Cage as an occultist serial killer. Oz joins Tom to talk about the film, how he developed one of the most bizarre serial killers ever seen on screen, and what his famous parents (“Psycho” actor Anthony Perkins and photographer Berry Ber...

Jul 18, 202425 min

PJ Morton: Cape Town to Cairo & the life-changing trip to Africa that inspired it

In addition to touring as the keyboardist in Maroon 5 and producing music for big-name musicians, PJ Morton is also an artist in his own right, often releasing his solo projects on his label, Morton Records. For his latest album, “Cape Town to Cairo,” the five-time Grammy-winning R&B artist set himself a wild creative challenge to write and record it all in just 30 days while traveling through Africa. PJ joins guest host Talia Schlanger to tell us more about his music and the “life-changing”...

Jul 18, 202427 min

Jim Cuddy: His new solo album, relationships & songwriting

The Canadian singer-songwriter Jim Cuddy, best known as the frontman of the iconic roots-rock band Blue Rodeo, is back with his sixth solo album, “All The World Fades Away.” On the record, he paints a portrait of his present life and explores some of his most meaningful relationships, including the relationship he has with his wife and the one he has with his Blue Rodeo bandmate Greg Keelor. Jim sits down with guest host Talia Schlanger in studio to talk about it.

Jul 17, 202435 min

Quick Q: John Carter Cash on his father Johnny Cash's new posthumous album

More than 20 years after Johnny Cash’s death, we’re getting new music from the legendary country music star. His only son, John Carter Cash, joins Tom to talk about finding his dad’s old demos from the ‘90s, and why he decided to release these songs in the form of a new album, “Songwriter.”

Jul 17, 202415 min

Stephen Graham Jones: X-raying the slasher genre

The bestselling horror author Stephen Graham Jones is said to have reinvented the slasher genre. His latest novel, “I Was a Teenage Slasher,” puts the reader directly into the mind of a killer. Stephen joins guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about the book, his love of slashers, and why he thinks it’s the job of horror writers to walk into the darkness as far as they can — and then take two steps more.  

Jul 16, 202425 min

Gregory Oh: Celebrating mistakes with Lessons in Failure

The acclaimed Canadian pianist and conductor Gregory Oh knows all about classical music’s quest for perfection. But in that pursuit of excellence, he thinks something else can be lost. Now, Gregory is embracing his own mistakes with his new one-man show, “Lessons in Failure,” which is part recital, part tell-all confessional. He sits down with guest host Talia Schlanger to discuss the show, the failures that have defined his career, and his hopes for classical music. 

Jul 16, 202421 min

Jennifer Esposito: How her film Fresh Kills brings a new perspective to the mafia genre

Before becoming an actor, Jennifer Esposito lived on Staten Island where she grew up around organized crime. Now, she’s released her directorial debut, “Fresh Kills,” which follows the story of the women behind the men in a mafia family. Jennifer joins guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about the film, her career, and her unique perspective on the world of organized crime.

Jul 15, 202422 min

Jason Hopley & Jamie Shannon: Nanalan’s viral TikTok success

“Nanalan” is a Canadian children’s show from the ‘90s that had a resurgence recently thanks to its growing popularity on TikTok. Clips from the show are getting millions of views, and the puppeteers have even revived the character for online skits. The creators of “Nanalan,” Jason Hopley and Jamie Shannon, join Tom to talk about the show’s viral success and legacy. Plus, they bring the puppets that started it all.

Jul 12, 202420 min

Wanda Koop: Her passion for painting, her new exhibit & how to engage with art at a gallery

Wanda Koop is one of Canada’s most accomplished and influential contemporary painters. With a career spanning more than five decades, Wanda draws inspiration from her world travels, the environment, and our relationship with technology. Now, she has a new solo exhibit in Montreal, titled “Who Owns the Moon.” Wanda joins Tom to tell us how her family’s history in Ukraine inspired the exhibit, how painting provided a much-needed avenue for self expression as a young child, and why exploration and ...

Jul 11, 202437 min

Camila Cabello: Her new album and dealing with online comments

After spending nearly half of her life as a touring pop star, Camila Cabello feels like she’s finally stepping into her power as a musician. On her new album, “C,XOXO,” she sharpens her skills as a songwriter and takes sonic swings that some might find surprising. Camila joins Tom to talk about where this record came from, her collaboration with Drake, and how she avoids the worst parts of the internet.

Jul 10, 202425 min

Nemahsis: Her debut album, why her label dropped her & shooting a music video in the West Bank

The Canadian singer-songwriter Nemah Hasan, a.k.a. Nemahsis, is back with two singles in advance of her debut album that will be coming out later this year. She tells Tom why she sat in a car wash with total strangers and asked them to listen to her song “You Wore it Better,” what happened when her label dropped her last fall, and what it was like shooting a music video for her song “Stick of Gum” in her family’s home of Jericho in the West Bank.

Jul 10, 202428 min

Darius Rucker: Hootie & the Blowfish and his latest country record

In the ‘90s, during a time when grunge music reigned supreme, an unlikely album went platinum: “Cracked Rear View” from Hootie & the Blowfish. Since then, Hootie’s frontman Darius Rucker has continued making music, transitioning from alt-rock to country. Darius’s latest record is called “Carolyn’s Boy.” He joins Tom to talk about the massive success of “Cracked Rear View,” what he thinks about the band’s decline in popularity, and why he still pursued country music after being told the fanba...

Jul 09, 202438 min

Waxahatchee: Her DIY punk roots, foray into Americana & new album Tigers Blood

Waxahatchee is the solo project of the American singer-songwriter Katie Crutchfield. Now, she’s back with her sixth record, “Tigers Blood,” which is already being called one of the best albums of the year. Waxahatchee joins Tom to talk about her early days making punk music with her twin sister, how her 2020 album “Saint Cloud” became the soundtrack to the pandemic for many, and how she learned to trust her instincts and lean all the way into her Americana-inspired sound when it came to her late...

Jul 08, 202432 min

Quick Q: Maggie Andrew on her debut EP Day Job

Maggie Andrew is a singer-songwriter from Nova Scotia who decided to leave behind her life in Canada to pursue music in Los Angeles. Her new EP, “Day Job,” is partially inspired by that experience as well as the relationships she's had along the way. Maggie joins Tom to set up a song from the EP and tells us what pushed her to bet on herself and her art.

Jul 08, 202413 min

Tom Green: His comedy career, surviving cancer & coming back to Canada

The Canadian comedy legend Tom Green has had an incredible career, from “The Tom Green Show” to “Freddy Got Fingered” to his many stand-up tours. Now, he’s been honoured with this year’s Sir Peter Ustinov Comedy Award from the Banff World Media Festival. Tom Power caught up with Tom live on stage in Banff for a special career-spanning conversation about his journey in comedy, the terrifying cancer diagnosis that changed his perspective on work and ambition, and why he's back in Canada to stay....

Jul 05, 202445 min