Q with Tom Power

Ins Choi, the creator of Kim’s Convenience, is back with a new play — and this time he’s getting even more personal. It’s called Son of a Preacherman and it’s about the Canadian playwright’s childhood as a “PK” (preacher’s kid), and how theatre and the arts took him away from becoming a man of the cloth. Ins joins Tom Power in the Q studio to talk about the production and how it all kind of came about by chance.

Toronto artist Kofi isn't interested in picking a lane. He’s one of Canada’s top-ranked volleyball players, currently training with the Canadian National Men's Volleyball Team ahead of the next Summer Olympics. At the same time, he’s also building an impressive career as a singer-songwriter and producer. Kofi joins guest host Garvia Bailey to talk about his new album, Phone Home, the discipline behind managing two full-time passions, and how he’s proving you can reach the top in both athletics and music.

Zorga Qaunaq is a visual artist, a traditional Inuit tattoo artist, and an Inuktitut language educator — but she didn’t become an actor until just a few years ago. It took five rounds of auditions for her to land the part of Millie Maktana on the CBC sitcom North of North. Now, she’s attending the Toronto International Film Festival with two films making their world premieres: In the Heart of the South and In Alaska. From her very first acting role to two films at TIFF, Zorga sits down with Q’s Tom Power to talk about navigating imposter syndrome, tackling the heavy pressure to be a "digestible" representation of her culture, and how she realized her people-pleasing tendencies were going to ruin her burgeoning career.

For most of us, home is a place that we’re from, or a place of safety and comfort. For Canadian country-folk singer Spencer Burton, home took on a whole new meaning when he found himself at his son's bedside in the hospital, while he spent three months recovering from a major surgery. Spencer joins Q guest host Ali Hassan to talk about his new single, Bound for Home, what it was like writing his upcoming self-titled album in a hospital, and how the music became a way for his family to find — and hold onto — hope.

Philip Akin has been telling stories on Canadian stages for decades, and mentoring some of this country’s best theatre artists for just as long. In 2000, he co-founded the Obsidian Theatre Company, which trains, produces and showcases Black talent across the country. Now, he’s directing a new production of Ohio State Murders at the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Philip joins Tom Power to talk about the play, how he takes theatre to the precipice, and why he thinks Black artists are too polite. Plus, he shares how he’s feeling after being appointed a Member of the Order of Canada earlier this year.

Kathleen Robertson is no stranger to hit TV. She’s starred on hugely popular shows like Boss, Tracker and the ’90s cultural phenomenon Beverly Hills, 90210, where she played Clare Arnold. Now, she’s going toe-to-toe with Alan Ritchson on Reacher. Kathleen joins Tom Power to talk about her role on the hit action crime series, what it was like growing up as a child actor in Hamilton, Ont., and how being Canadian helped keep her grounded.

Singer Caity Gyorgy and pianist Mark Limacher have been making waves in the Canadian jazz scene with their duo and orchestral recordings. Now, they’re back with their third duo album, You Irritate Me So, which is a tribute to the late, great songwriter Cole Porter. Caity and Mark join Tom Power in the Q studio to talk about the secret to their creative partnership, how Caity likes to “rage bait” Mark on stage, and how they’re helping build an exciting pops orchestra scene in Calgary.

If you were a fan of MuchMusic in the ’90s and early 2000s, you’ll remember Rick Campanelli, better known as “Rick the Temp.” The bubbly, charming VJ was a mainstay on Canada’s answer to MTV, having won a temp gig that he successfully turned into an on-air job. In his new memoir, Tempted, Rick chronicles how a shy Italian Canadian kid from Hamilton, Ont., became one of this country’s most beloved VJs through sheer grit and positivity. But he also shares a revelation about the serious gambling addiction that was haunting him behind the scenes. Rick joins Tom Power in the Q studio to reflect on his early career at MuchMusic, how his love of winning evolved into a devastating addiction to sports betting, and the long road to recovery. He also explains why, after years of keeping this part of his life private, he felt now was the right time to share his story.

Anthony Hopkins (The Silence of the Lambs, The Father, The Remains of the Day) is best known as an Oscar-winning actor, but his first love was music. He’s just released a new album of his own compositions, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel with London’s Philharmonia Orchestra. Anthony joins Tom Power to talk about his lifelong connection to music, why this latest album was decades in the making, and why he says we should all stop thinking so much. His new record, Life is a Dream, is out everywhere now.

English actor Benjamin Evan Ainsworth practically grew up on the set of Son of a Critch. The CBC sitcom, based on Canadian actor and comedian Mark Critch’s memoir of the same name, stars Benjamin as a young, fictionalized version of Mark. Benjamin joins Tom Power to talk about the fifth and final season of the series, what he’s learned about his craft from his co-star Malcolm McDowell, and what it’s like to say goodbye to a show that’s been such a big part of his life. Plus, he plays a little game of “Getting to Know Q.”

Andrea Martin is known for her work in Godspell (1972), SCTV, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and her Tony-winning performances in Pippin and My Favourite Year. A few months ago, she was honoured with the ICON Award from The Hollywood Reporter Women in Entertainment Canada. She joined Tom Power in the Q studio to look back on her long career.

Last year, Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul, Breaking Bad, Mr. Show) sat down with Tom Power to tell us how embarrassment has fueled some of the best decisions in his life and career. He reflects on chasing the things that scared him most — from early improv and groundbreaking sketch comedy to becoming an Emmy-nominated dramatic actor. But his biggest risk yet? Becoming an action star in his 60s.

Sanna Wani’s debut poetry collection, My Grief, the Sun, won the 2023 Trillium Book Award for Poetry. Now, she’s returned with her follow-up, Lantern. Sanna sits down with guest host Garvia Bailey in the Q studio to discuss the new book and read one of its poems.

Toronto musician Emily Steinwall grew up on classic rock, but her teenage years brought a new obsession: jazz saxophone. That passion led her to study under the legendary Juno Award-winning saxophonist Kirk MacDonald, who became a lifelong mentor to her. So years later, when it came time to record her latest album, Emily knew exactly who to call. She joins Q guest host Garvia Bailey to talk about her collaboration with Kirk and the enduring power of a musical education. Her new album, But, there’s beauty in the fall from Grace, is out now.

Lana Condor (To All the Boys I've Loved Before, X-Men: Apocalypse) isn’t afraid of switching things up and trying something new. Her latest role is in the live-action/animation film Coyote vs. Acme, which takes place in the Looney Tunes cinematic universe. She stars as a young law intern who helps Wile E. Coyote as he sues the Acme Corporation for selling him faulty products. Lana sits down with Q guest host Garvia Bailey to talk about the film, how her parents inspire her as an artist, and how she went from a quiet, rural life in Washington state to one of Hollywood’s busiest stars.

Growing up in Scarborough, Tyrique Clarke, also known as TyriqueOrDie, drew early inspiration from rap heavyweights like Lil Wayne and MF Doom. But after immersing himself in Toronto’s underground rave culture as an adult, his creative trajectory shifted. Today, Tyrique blends sharp rap delivery with high-energy electronic and club influences. He joins Q guest host Garvia Bailey to discuss how MuchMusic and rave culture sparked his musical evolution, and the story behind his latest single, Chanel.

Sami Landri is the proudest Acadian you’ll ever meet. The “trash-chic” Canadian drag queen has reached millions of fans with her Chiac accent and absurdly hilarious TikToks. After becoming a fan favourite on Canada’s Drag Race Season 6, Sami returned to compete as a finalist on Canada’s Drag Race All Stars. She joins Q guest host Garvia Bailey to talk about her Drag Race journey, her approach to drag, and how she’s helping pioneer a new Acadian drag scene in Moncton, New Brunswick.

The Philadelphia band SNACKTIME went from playing free shows in a city park to performing at some of the most coveted music festivals in North America. After selling more than 900 tickets to their first headlining show, the band’s momentum only grew. They’ve performed alongside Lauryn Hill, played a 76ers halftime show, and taken the stage at Lollapalooza, the Newport Folk Festival, South by Southwest and the Winnipeg Folk Festival. Band members Sam Gellerstein and Nico Bryant join Q guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about the inspiring ethos behind the band’s creation, their journey from Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square to major stages across North America, and what keeps them moving forward. Plus, they introduce their new single, Can’t Imagine Why You’d Stay.

Amalie Atkins is a multi-disciplinary Saskatchewan-based artist whose first feature documentary, Agatha’s Almanac, is a love letter to “solitude, seeds, and slow living.” It tells the story of Amalie’s now 92-year-old aunt, Agatha Bock, who lives on her ancestral farm in southern Manitoba, where she spends her days cultivating her garden. The film looks at how Agatha lives a fiercely independent and intentional lifestyle that’s both free from modern technology and deeply rooted in nature. Amalie joins Q guest host Garvia Bailey to talk about capturing her aunt’s quietly radical way of life.

Some artists do their best work alone. Others thrive on collaboration. Grammy-winning bassist, producer and singer-songwriter Thundercat — also known as Stephen Bruner — has always lived in both worlds. But coming from a musical lineage where music feels more like a conversation between artists, collaboration has become central to his creative life. His latest album, Distracted, features collaborations with Willow, A$AP Rocky, Tame Impala and, most importantly, his late friend Mac Miller. Thundercat joins Q guest host Ali Hassan to talk about a song he and Mac recorded together before Mac’s death in 2018, the memories attached to it, and why he felt the time was finally right to share it with the world.