Q with Tom Power

by CBC
145

Five days a week, Tom Power brings you candid conversations with the artists shaping our culture. Whether he’s chatting with A-listers or rising stars, his disarming warmth and meticulous research always gets below the surface, bringing us deeper into the art and lives of today's most compelling musicians, writers, actors and filmmakers.


As a Canadian institution, Q has attracted the biggest names in the world. But it's never been about the fame. It's always been about the art.


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).


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. Tom gives each and every artist the space to tell their story in their own words. 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.


On Q, we cover arts and culture in all its forms, including music, movies, film, TV, comedy, painting, photography, theatre, cinema, Broadway, fashion, dance, opera, documentaries, books, fiction and memoirs.


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 Adele, Bono, 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, Simu Liu, 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, Hans Zimmer, Denis Villeneuve, Alex Garland, Alan Ritchson, Britt Lower, Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, David Blaine, Brian Tyree Henry, Perfume Genius, Deepa Mehta, Tracy Chapman, Chloë Sevigny, Josh Hartnett and many more.

Recent Episodes
  • For Tantoo Cardinal, there’s no turning back
    Jun 20, 2025 – 00:24:44
  • This driving school sitcom is a celebration of Black culture in Nova Scotia
    Jun 20, 2025 – 00:16:09
  • Domee Shi on Elio, aliens and one-dimensional moms
    Jun 19, 2025 – 00:19:03
  • Playwright Tim Crouch doesn’t want his actors to hear this podcast
    Jun 19, 2025 – 00:24:16
  • Joshua Jackson had to make a tricky transition before Dawson’s Creek
    Jun 18, 2025 – 00:21:47
  • Endless Cookie is a psychedelic family portrait of two half-brothers
    Jun 18, 2025 – 00:22:51
  • Owen Wilson’s childhood was a real-life buddy comedy
    Jun 17, 2025 – 00:22:27
  • Comedian Malik Elassal on why it's important to make fun of everything
    Jun 17, 2025 – 00:21:44
  • Adam Duritz wrote a song about wanting to be famous — and it came true
    Jun 16, 2025 – 00:47:47
  • What made Graham Greene an icon? Talent, discipline and luck
    Jun 13, 2025 – 00:33:09
  • How Boxcutter celebrates Toronto, hip-hop and young artists
    Jun 13, 2025 – 00:17:15
  • What if Macbeth was set in the world of biker gangs?
    Jun 12, 2025 – 00:36:39
  • Why Robert Adam won’t be singing their queer country music in the U.S.
    Jun 12, 2025 – 00:14:54
  • Alessia Cara is an introvert in an extrovert’s industry
    Jun 11, 2025 – 00:25:09
  • What made Oscar Peterson so exceptional
    Jun 11, 2025 – 00:27:39
  • Teddy Swims was terrified to shift away from covers
    Jun 10, 2025 – 00:36:19
  • Alicia Moffet's pop career had a few false starts
    Jun 10, 2025 – 00:13:10
  • Hannah Moscovitch is trying to unredact her life
    Jun 9, 2025 – 00:30:54
  • How writing about love is similar to writing about murder
    Jun 9, 2025 – 00:21:19
  • Cynthia Erivo says her new album makes her feel “totally naked”
    Jun 6, 2025 – 00:35:45
  • Katie Tupper says that songwriting helped her settle into her identity
    Jun 6, 2025 – 00:11:07
  • “It becomes more personal as you go along” — Wes Anderson on creating films about family
    Jun 5, 2025 – 00:25:09
  • Christopher Stowell on the future of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet
    Jun 5, 2025 – 00:27:42
  • Suddenly struck by pain, Gabrielle Drolet learned to write and draw again
    Jun 4, 2025 – 00:23:39
  • Savannah Ré bet on herself, and it led to a creative breakthrough
    Jun 4, 2025 – 00:23:09
  • Rebellious and reflective, Billy Idol looks back on a life in music
    Jun 3, 2025 – 00:34:08
  • Dawn Macdonald on the mess and beauty of growing up in the Canadian North
    Jun 3, 2025 – 00:18:39
  • Losing her voice taught Melanie Fiona to speak up for herself
    Jun 2, 2025 – 00:21:43
  • The wrestling saga at the heart of The Halluci Nation’s new EP
    Jun 2, 2025 – 00:20:28
  • Wiz Khalifa found peace in not needing praise
    May 30, 2025 – 00:25:29
  • Sister Ray trades rejection for joy on their new album Believer
    May 30, 2025 – 00:24:00
  • Why Sook-Yin Lee adapted her ex’s memoir about paying for sex
    May 29, 2025 – 00:24:46
  • Amy Millan realized grief didn’t need to be a secret, so she wrote an album about it
    May 29, 2025 – 00:24:57
  • Justice’s best advice for artists: revel in your mistakes
    May 28, 2025 – 00:24:22
  • This choreographer thinks of her work as “painting” on dancers
    May 28, 2025 – 00:15:16
  • “Having the space to fumble" shaped Hanorah’s music
    May 27, 2025 – 00:13:09
  • From CIA to Ohana: Courtney B. Vance stars as Cobra Bubbles in Lilo & Stitch
    May 27, 2025 – 00:29:29
  • Sarah Levy on finding her voice after Schitt’s Creek
    May 26, 2025 – 00:22:17
  • Dan Mangan’s new album was a surprise even to him
    May 26, 2025 – 00:16:59
  • Michelle Zauner isn’t afraid to say no anymore
    May 23, 2025 – 00:36:29
  • How Crystal Shawanda found her peace through song
    May 23, 2025 – 00:14:09
  • Yanic Truesdale was told he spoke too quickly after Gilmore Girls
    May 22, 2025 – 00:31:29
  • The Last of Us star Noah Lamanna on their breakthrough role
    May 22, 2025 – 00:19:28
  • Benito Skinner’s life changed when he dropped the golden boy act
    May 21, 2025 – 00:23:10
  • How shy kids found the humanity in AI art
    May 21, 2025 – 00:28:24
  • How The Lion King musical creator pulled off the “impossible”
    May 20, 2025 – 00:35:19
  • Iceland’s former first lady Eliza Reid on her debut novel
    May 20, 2025 – 00:17:59
  • Dancer Guillaume Côté has reached his “expiration date”
    May 19, 2025 – 00:32:00
  • Sechile Sedare on their brother-sister collaboration
    May 19, 2025 – 00:15:15
  • Composer Max Richter’s music put dozens of soldiers to sleep
    May 16, 2025 – 00:35:09
Recent Reviews
  • joannececilia
    michelle buteau interview was
    amazing and NECessary for our times. more women of Color and in their 40s who are addressing the Chaos we find ourselves Please!
  • Bluerootsradio
    The spice of life
    The variety of guest and subjects covered are top notch!
  • Deebskid
    So interesting…
    A breath of fresh air among the smog of media coverage. Tom has a natural ability to put his guests at ease and, in turn, they open up and share candidly about themselves. Nearly every guest has commented on enjoying their guest experience. That’s a testament of Tom’s skillfulness. Bravo! Listen, subscribe and share this podcast with your friends.
  • Kfschr
    SHERYL CROW
    Tom your recent interview with Sheryl Crow was Most Enlightening and Engaging with an singer songwriter that has made such an inpac with her lyrics and music. I definitely learned there’s more to that book than just a good looking cover. Thank you Tom for Your excellent interview. KHF-Big Fan Albuquerque,NM
  • zxxcb.
    Real Canadian Award Rocker
    Tom, you’ve got to have Cory Hart (Sunglasses cool) comeback new album & tour on with your Q magic. I’m getting use to new format. BIG Fan KHf-Albuquerque, NM
  • Janna L.S.
    The Best
    Tom Power is the best interviewer on radio. I’m so glad I discovered him on KUOW.
  • montrealannn
    Q with Tom Power
    I know that Tom requests feedback frequently on his Q podcasts, so I would like to offer mine. I am a Canadian from Montréal living in New Jersey. I spend about 5 months each year in Prince Edward Island. I listen to the podcast version of Q with Tom Power almost each day. He is my connection to Canada's art, music, and culture when I am away from Canada. I love his "The show starts now..." and his "How are ya?" beginnings. He's so wonderfully honest. He'll say to whomever his is interviewing, that he doesn't even know the question he wants to ask, and then he asks the best questions! He is a calm voice among the craziness that I live around. I appreciate him. He is so knowledgeable and he does his research. If he ever left Q, I would just listen to all the podcasts again. Each is special in its own right, but it is listening to him is what I look forward to each day. Thank you! Ann Woodworth New Jersey and Souris, PEI
  • funier
    Best podcast ever
    Please sign up for this podcast. Tom power is a genius and the podcast is spectacular! I’m giving at six out of five stars A+
  • CS 147x
    Smart and Challenging
    Still a great show. I am a US listener and love the diverse global voices. And I enjoy learning more about my Northern neighbor.
  • The Zoop
    Fantastic show
    Tom is an exceptional interviewer, with a natural rapport with and genuine curiosity about his guests. Even when I don’t know any of the guests, I know I’ll always get a lot out of the show, and learn about an interesting artist.
  • raemcc
    Tom Power you rock
    Tom’s interviews are magnificent. He is a creative curious interviewer. His empathic dare I say intuitive interviews are a welcome listen.
  • Krysta D
    Q podcasts are fantastic entertainment
    Listening from the U.S. and loving Tom Power’s conversations. He’s a refreshing, curious host who has a series of fascinating guests for a chat that feels like it’s at the kitchen table with a cup of tea. Love it!
  • TamlynOber
    Change the way you load episodes!
    I would give this podcast 5 stars if they would load one full episode instead of a full episode plus partials of that same episode. This is too much for listeners to keep up with. Make it easy for your listeners! Until then, I’m unsubscribing.
  • kbpease
    Please separate full episode from segments
    Love the podcast, but it's a hassle to download and manage the mix of full episodes with segments. Please consider publishing two separate podcast feeds - one with full episodes only, one with the multiple segments from each day, to allow your listeners to choose which version they want to receive. I listen to the full podcast, and have to delete / mark as played 3-4 entries every day because the segments I've already heard are mixed in with the full episodes.
  • cjprodigy
    Sold on the 1st listen
    Love the Ep. With Nickelback (awesome band), which was my 1st. This show is kind, clear, warm, and informative. I'm glad I found it. Shout out to WBEZ Chicago !!!!
  • thenopasslook
    SHAD K
    That is all
  • senatorwaynedking
    She’s the ONE
    I discovered Q just before Jian blew himself up. At the time I thought it was going to be one of a very few shows that I listened to regularly. Since the meltdown I have listened hoping that someone would reach the level of intellectual gravitas and sensitivity that I believe a first rate show demands. Until today, I had experienced nothing but disappointment. The fill-ins were good but not great. But Thalia or however her name is spelled, is the exception. She had me smiling, crying and nodding but she never overpowered the person she was interviewing. I’m hoping that others will concur with this and we will have a new Q with Thalia. Wayne King
  • iRustin
    Anyone who can make issues in Canada interesting
    Has talent Bravo Jian!
  • jenkitsch
    Hubba Hubba
    Listening since the first show! Has the best musical guests on. Easy on the eyes...
  • FB_Apadana
    Awesome
    Awesome host!
  • LDD14
    Smart and entertaining
    Really interesting and diverse topics and Jian facilitates great interviews!
  • DawnVercher
    Fantastic
    Jian is the best interviewer in the history of interviewers! His questions are thoughtful and genuine. He asks what I want to know. I love how he truly works to make the guest AND listener involved and comfortable with the discussion. Highly recommend!
  • Laocoon
    Excellent.
    Ghomeshi is my new favorite radio host. His interviews are some of the best I've heard: he asks good questions and gives his guests room to answer, yet he'll call them on their BS if necessary. He can also be funny and hip without being smarmy... A rare combination these days. Don't miss this show. Highly recommended.
  • Sabinefrog
    Great show
    Intelligent and upbeat.
  • Olowkow
    hidden gem
    Witty, knowledgable about the topics he engages in, Jian Ghomeshi keeps the conversation going to open my mind to the Canadian viewpoint. A spinkle of science topics will make this podcast even more interesting. Easy to listen to and thoroughly enjoyable. Olowkow
  • TonyOnTheMac
    Jian's the Man
    I've been a fan since stumbling (lucking, really) upon Moxy Fruvous' "You Will Go to the Moon," and through the Q, Jian continues to influence my musical taste. This show will introduce you to great, new music. You'll hear thoughtful, intelligent discussion. It's always worth the time and I hope the Q crew knows that some of us down here in the States really appreciate what you do.
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