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

Fernanda Torres: Why the film I’m Still Here still resonates today

The Brazilian film “I’m Still Here” looks at one of the darkest chapters in Brazil’s modern history. It tells the true story of Eunice Paiva, whose husband was apprehended, tortured and executed by the military in 1971. The film’s star, Brazilian actor Fernanda Torres, is nominated for best actor at the Oscars for her performance. She joins Tom Power to talk about the responsibility of telling a real person’s story, and how she hopes the film will correct false narratives about Brazil’s past mil...

Jan 29, 202524 min

Jaylene Tyme: Raising awareness of the Sixties Scoop on Canada's Drag Race

Jaylene Tyme is a Vancouver drag legend, a community leader, and a proud two-spirit Indigenous trans woman. She recently competed on Season 5 of “Canada’s Drag Race,” where she not only won the title of Miss Congeniality, but also used her platform to send powerful messages about truth and reconciliation, missing and murdered Indigenous women, and her experience as a survivor of the Sixties Scoop. Jaylene joins Tom Power to talk about fusing her art with advocacy, and how it led to a worldwide v...

Jan 29, 202519 min

Sugar Sammy: Why he says it’s a comedian’s job to cross the line

The Montreal comedian Sugar Sammy refers to himself as an “equal opportunity offender.” As a comic, he says the only thing worse than outrage is silence. Ahead of his 20-city Canadian tour, Sammy sits down with Tom Power to tell us what’s on his mind, why our changing world is a goldmine for new material, and how offensive jokes can actually unify us. Plus, he reveals the four components he believes define a successful stand-up comedian.

Jan 28, 202525 min

Lita Fontaine: Celebrating Indigenous women with her new art exhibit

Lita Fontaine is a Winnipeg-based artist who has a new exhibit at the Winnipeg Art Gallery-Qaumajuq. It’s called “Winyan” (the Dakota word for “woman”) and it celebrates the role and influence of Indigenous women in their families, communities and cultures. Lita joins Tom Power to talk about her life and work, why the walls of her new exhibit are painted pink, and why she wanted to celebrate femininity, resistance and resilience with this collection.

Jan 28, 202523 min

Tom Green: Why the comedian says he's glad he got testicular cancer at 28

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. Last year, he was honoured with the Sir Peter Ustinov Comedy Award from the Banff World Media Festival. Tom Power caught up with him 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.

Jan 27, 202539 min

Quick Q: Maddie Jay’s life-changing encounter with a travelling fiddler

After playing bass and singing on tour for the likes of Lorde and Remi Wolf, Maddie Jay is finally going out on her own with her new album, “I Can Change Your Mind.” The Los Angeles-based Canadian musician sits down with Tom Power to talk about her journey in music, the surprising lesson she learned from playing with some of the world’s biggest artists, and how a visiting fiddle player to her small B.C. town taught her how to be creative.

Jan 27, 202515 min

Adrien Brody: What The Brutalist adds to the conversation around immigration

At 29, Adrien Brody became the youngest person to win best actor at the Oscars for his role as a Holocaust survivor in 2002's “The Pianist.” Now, he’s received his second best actor nomination for “The Brutalist,” portraying a fictional Jewish Hungarian architect who emigrates to the United States in an effort to rebuild his life. Adrien joins Tom Power to discuss his critically acclaimed performance, how “The Brutalist” gave him a new perspective on his family’s own immigration story, and the p...

Jan 24, 202524 min

Measha Brueggergosman-Lee: Collaborating with Margaret Atwood to create Zombie Blizzard

Two heavyweights of Canadian culture, acclaimed soprano Measha Brueggergosman-Lee and literary giant Margaret Atwood, have come together for an exciting new collaboration. On her new album, “Zombie Blizzard,” Measha sings musical interpretations of seven Atwood poems. She joins Tom Power to talk about the project and what she thinks it might be able to tell you about the future.

Jan 24, 202521 min

Marianne Jean-Baptiste: Her angry, unpleasant and totally compelling character in Hard Truths

The British actor Marianne Jean-Baptiste first worked with director Mike Leigh on his 1996 breakthrough “Secrets & Lies,” which earned her an Oscar nomination. Now, she’s reunited with him for his new comedy-drama, “Hard Truths.” In the film, Marianne gives an explosive performance as Pansy, a woman consumed by rage and depression, who regularly lashes out at family and strangers. Marianne joins Tom Power to talk about Mike’s unique directing process and what it took to build this character....

Jan 23, 202525 min

Tim Heidecker: After becoming a dad, the comedian is now leaning into sincerity

Tim Heidecker became known for playing bizarre or surreal characters in his breakout sketch comedy show “Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!” But now that he’s a dad in his late 40s, the comedian has decided to put aside the characters and lean into sincerity instead. His new folk album, “Slipping Away,” reflects on the grim state of the world, aging, fatherhood and the waning of creativity. Tim talks to guest host Saroja Coelho about the record, subverting his fans’ expectations, and what ins...

Jan 23, 202525 min

Lucy Liu: Presence, experimental films, and how she got discovered on the subway

When Steven Soderbergh asked Lucy Liu to star in his new film “Presence,” saying yes was a no-brainer. The movie tells a haunted house story with a twist in that it unfolds from the point-of-view of the ghost. Lucy joins Tom Power from New York to talk about her experience working on “Presence,” how it differed from her previous work on big projects like “Charlie's Angels” and “Kill Bill,” and how she ended up in show business after being discovered on the subway.

Jan 22, 202525 min

Adam Solway: How his new doc is helping residential school survivors find healing

A new documentary called “New Blood” chronicles the 10-year journey of the “New Blood Dance Show” — a high school theatre production based on the residential school experience of former Siksika Nation Chief Vincent Yellow Old Woman. Peter Gabriel signed on as an executive producer of the documentary and even allowed his music to be used in it for free. “New Blood” director Adam Solway joins Tom Power from Calgary to tell us how the film is sparking long overdue conversations about the intergener...

Jan 22, 202522 min

The Weather Station: How her new album reflects on humanhood and climate change

The Canadian singer-songwriter Tamara Lindeman, a.k.a. The Weather Station, is known for making music that confronts climate change and the damage we’ve inflicted on our planet. Just a few days ago, Tamara released her new album, “Humanhood,” which chronicles a difficult mental health period in her life when she felt like she had lost her sense of self. She sits down with Tom Power to discuss the record and why she turns to music to make it through tough times.

Jan 21, 202524 min

Clarence Maclin: From 15 years in Sing Sing to starring in a movie about it

Clarence Maclin spent 15 years as an inmate in Sing Sing Correctional Facility, one of America’s most notorious prisons. Now, he plays himself opposite Colman Domingo and Paul Raci in “Sing Sing,” a new film based on his experience in prison and the transformative theatre program that changed his life. Last year, around the film’s release, Clarence joined Tom to share what it was like stepping back into a prison uniform, how acting helped him find his voice and his purpose, and how he hopes the ...

Jan 21, 202521 min

Keith Urban: Australian pub rock, Nashville culture shock & his curling curiosity

With four Grammys, 25 No. 1 songs and more than 10 billion streams, Keith Urban has solidified his position as one of the world's biggest names in country music. On his latest album, “High,” the Australian country superstar gets more reflective than ever, exploring themes like generational trauma and what it means to be alive. Ahead of his cross-Canada tour this year, Keith sits down with Tom Power to talk about his new record, why his unique blend of pop and country music took so long to catch ...

Jan 20, 202537 min

Quick Q: Lioness Kaur on breaking into the Canadian hip-hop scene

Lioness Kaur is a Canadian rapper who’s just released her debut album, "The Lion with Emerald Eyes." She sits down with Tom Power to talk about the challenge and triumph of breaking into the Canadian hip-hop scene as a young Punjabi Sikh woman, and how she found support from the likes of Drake and Lloyd Banks. Plus, she sets up her new song “Black Sheep.”

Jan 20, 202513 min

Pamela Anderson: Entering a new chapter of her career with The Last Showgirl

For decades, Pamela Anderson has been recognized as a pop culture icon, but she says she hasn’t recognized herself until now. Earlier this month, she earned her first Golden Globe nomination for her role as a fading Las Vegas showgirl in Gia Coppola’s new film, “The Last Showgirl.” Her critically acclaimed performance marks a new chapter of her career as a serious dramatic actor and bonafide artist. Pamela joins Tom Power to talk about the film — and why she says it’s never too late to start ove...

Jan 17, 202525 min

Tim Fehlbaum: A new film dramatizes the live coverage of the 1972 Munich crisis

At the Munich Olympics on Sept. 5, 1972, the Palestinian militant organization Black September stormed the Olympic Village, where they immediately killed two Israeli athletes and took nine more hostage. Ultimately, all of the Israeli hostages lost their lives. As the crisis unfolded in real-time, the story was being broadcast live on television by ABC Sports. Now, the Swiss director Tim Fehlbaum has made a new film, “September 5,” which follows the small ABC crew that led the live coverage while...

Jan 17, 202526 min

Paul Gross & Martha Burns: The real-life acting couple takes on Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

After nearly 40 years of marriage, the Canadian actors Paul Gross and Martha Burns say they’re still learning new things about each other. Currently, they’re co-starring as one of theatre’s most dysfunctional married couples, George and Martha, in a new production of Edward Albee’s “Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” at Canadian Stage. Paul and Martha sit down with Tom Power to tell us what it’s like playing this famously toxic couple, and what they’re still learning about each other after all the...

Jan 16, 202526 min

Eve: Her new memoir, Ruff Ryders & hip-hop's double standard

At the height of her fame in the late 1990s and early 2000s, 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 Power 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.

Jan 16, 202525 min

Taylor Kitsch: American Primeval, Friday Night Lights & acting as “service”

For 20 years, the Canadian actor Taylor Kitsch has been disappearing into his roles, whether it be a high school football player in “Friday Night Lights” or a loner frontiersman in his latest series “American Primeval.” He joins Tom Power to talk about the intense preparation he does for his roles, why he thinks of acting as service, and his thoughts about appearing in the upcoming “Friday Night Lights” reboot.

Jan 15, 202530 min

Quick Q: The Halluci Nation pay tribute to the club where it all began

Bear Witness of The Halluci Nation joins guest host Talia Schlanger to set up the group’s first new single of 2025, “Babylon.” The track pays tribute to Ottawa’s Babylon night club, which hosted the groundbreaking electric powwow parties that kickstarted their career.

Jan 15, 202510 min

Sindhu Vee: Her move from investment banking to stand-up comedy

If you’ve ever thought it was too late for you to try something new, you should listen to Sindhu Vee. She’s one of the most talked-about comics in the U.K. right now, but just a few years ago, she was an investment banker who was trying to figure out what to do with her life after having kids. Sindhu joins Tom Power to tell us how she got her start in comedy without ever having seen a live stand-up show, the strange similarities between investment banking and what she does now, and what attracte...

Jan 14, 202524 min

ALOK on their new stand-up special + Holly Cole on making the moon her muse

The comedian, actor and poet ALOK joins guest host Saroja Coelho to talk about their new standup special, “Biology,” and their experience making a cameo appearance on the Peabody-winning show “Sort Of.” Plus, Holly Cole is a Juno-winning Canadian jazz singer who’s been making music since the early 1990s. Now, she’s back with her 13th studio album, “Dark Moon.” Holly joins Tom Power to talk about the record, how it embraces spontaneity, and the childhood memory that launched her lifelong fascinat...

Jan 14, 202527 min

Brady Corbet: The Brutalist director wasn’t sentimental — until he met Adrien Brody

At the Golden Globes earlier this month, Brady Corbet’s sprawling historical epic “The Brutalist” took home best drama, best director and best actor for Adrien Brody, who stars as the fictional Jewish Hungarian architect László Tóth. Brady sits down with Tom Power to reflect on the critical acclaim for his latest film, his transition from acting to directing, and why it’s easier to tell historical dramas when the work is fiction.

Jan 13, 202524 min

Allan Hawco: His new police procedural set on St-Pierre-Miquelon

The Canadian actor Allan Hawco (Republic of Doyle) has spent a good chunk of time playing detectives. Now, he stars in the new police procedural “Saint-Pierre,” which is set on St-Pierre-Miquelon, the French island just off the coast of Newfoundland. Allan drops by to chat with Tom Power about the show’s unique location and why he’s drawn to detective-type roles.

Jan 13, 202517 min

Mohammad Rasoulof: Risking everything for his new film The Seed of the Sacred Fig

The Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof risked everything to make his new political thriller, “The Seed of the Sacred Fig.” He had already been arrested, sentenced and imprisoned in Iran for making films that authorities found to be "propaganda against the system,” so he had to shoot his latest film entirely in secret. Mohammad sits down with Tom Power to explain how he managed to direct the film far away from the set, and why the critical success of “The Seed of the Sacred Fig” has been bitters...

Jan 10, 202522 min

José Lourenço: His new rom-com based on an 18th-century German tragedy

José Avelino Gilles Corbett Lourenço is a Toronto-based writer and filmmaker whose debut film, “Young Werther,” reimagines Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s classic novella “The Sorrows of Young Werther” as a modern-day rom-com. José sits down with Tom Power to talk about the film and why he thinks this 18th-century German tragedy is a universal story that we can still learn from today.

Jan 10, 202519 min

RaMell Ross: Nickel Boys’ unique approach to depicting the complexity of trauma

The critically acclaimed new film “Nickel Boys,” based on Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name, is largely shot from the point of view of its two main characters as they try to survive in an abusive reform school called the Nickel Academy. Director RaMell Ross sits down with Tom Power to talk about his decision to tell the story through the eyes of his two leads, how trauma is built across time and distilled across memory, and how basketball has influenced his filmmak...

Jan 09, 202526 min

Mark Critch: His year-end interview with Justin Trudeau before the resignation

Mark Critch is a Canadian comedian and actor who spoke with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau just a month before he made his announcement to resign as leader of the Liberal Party. Mark speaks with Tom Power about landing the only year-end interview with the prime minister, plus, he looks back on some of his favourite Trudeau-era comedic moments. He also discusses the fourth and latest season of “Son of a Critch” — the hit sitcom based on his life.

Jan 09, 202520 min