The Secret Life of Canada

CBC Discover & Learn
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The Secret Life of Canada Podcast

The country you know and the stories you don't. Join hosts Leah-Simone Bowen and Falen Johnson as they reveal the beautiful, terrible and weird histories of this land. New episodes every second Thursday. Visit us at www.cbc.ca/secretlife for show links, transcripts and more! Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Subscribe to Sounds Good: CBC's Podcast newsletter for the finest podcast recommendations and behind-the-scenes exclusives. 

  1. 12 SEPT

    S6: An American Indian in London

    In a lot of history books we hear the names of European explorers who “discovered” the Americas. Columbus, Cook, Champlain. All boo-worthy men. But what about the people who went the other way? Indigenous people have been crossing oceans and going to Europe, too. But why don’t we know their names? In this episode Leah and Falen look into the story of those who went willingly and those who did not, those who came home and those who did not. With special guests Caroline Pennock, Coll Thrush, and Peter Morin. For more links and more about this episode visit us at cbc.ca/secretlife. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Tik Tok.

    44 min

  2. 29 AUG

    S6: The Caribana* Episode (*and yes we're still calling it that)

    How did this country end up with the biggest Caribbean Carnival in North America? Leah and Falen dive into history of how a small one time event during Expo ‘67 became one of the longest running street parties in Canada — all courtesy of Trinidad and Tobago. With special guests Michelle Walker and Martin Scott-Pascall. For more links and more about this episode visit us at cbc.ca/secretlife.  Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Tik Tok.

    26 min

  3. 15 AUG

    S6: The Live Show!

    The Secret Life of Canada went live at Hot Docs. Leah and Falen take a historical deep dive into the greatest thieves, crooks and liars that have made this country what it is today.  Featuring guests, Sharjil Rasool and Brandon Hackett and music by Andrew Penner. For more links and more about this episode visit us at cbc.ca/secretlife. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Tik Tok.

    22 min

  4. 1 AUG

    S6: Momma Beaver, a Canadian Burlesque Legend

    People have been taking their clothes off for as long as they’ve been wearing them, but when did people start doing it for entertainment? In this episode Leah and Falen look into the history of burlesque in Canada and talk to a legend of the stage who’s been delighting audiences across the world for decades. With special guest, Judith Stein. For more links and more about this episode visit us at cbc.ca/secretlife. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Tik Tok.

    21 min

  5. 18 JUL

    S6: Was the plot to assassinate Lincoln hatched in Canada?

    Why did John Wilkes Booth, the man who assassinated President Abraham Lincoln, spend so much time in Montreal? We learn about how Canada was both the last stop on the Underground Railroad and the destination for Southern Confederate leaders and supporters to strategize, stash money and come up with plots against Abraham Lincoln. With special guests Dr. Afua Cooper and Julian Sher. For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/secretlifeofcanada/transcripts

    26 min

  6. 4 JUL

    S6: Welcome to Canada’s island of wild horses

    Sable Island is the stuff of legends. A desolate tiny island in the Atlantic Ocean, where no one is permitted to live, except for wild horses. We figure out how they got there, how they’ve lived without humans since the 1700s and why many scientists think it's time to remove the horses out of their unique habitat. For more links and more about this episode visit us at: www.cbc.ca/secretlife For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/secretlifeofcanada/transcripts

    14 min

  7. 21 JUN

    S6: Treaty 6

    Deception, backdoor dealings, unfulfilled promises and Canada’s largest mass hanging.  Treaty 6 is one of the most well documented treaty signings in Canadian history. But what did it take to get there and why does it matter today? In this special episode Falen and Leah chat with guest Kyle Muzyka. They learn about all the mistranslations, misunderstandings and misinterpretations that were involved in the creation of Treaty 6.  For more links and more about this episode visit us at cbc.ca/secretlife.

    56 min
  8. Bonus: How to celebrate National Indigenous People’s Day all summer long

    20 JUN

    Bonus: How to celebrate National Indigenous People’s Day all summer long

    Today we have a special bonus episode for you from our sibling show Unreserved, a fearless space for Indigenous voices. Host Rosanna Deerchild is ready to Indigenize your summer with a tastemaker’s guide to the best books, movies, podcasts (with Falen!) and more.  More episodes of Unreserved are available at: https://link.chtbl.com/JwTpaTTm

    52 min
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The country you know and the stories you don't. Join hosts Leah-Simone Bowen and Falen Johnson as they reveal the beautiful, terrible and weird histories of this land. New episodes every second Thursday. Visit us at www.cbc.ca/secretlife for show links, transcripts and more! Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Subscribe to Sounds Good: CBC's Podcast newsletter for the finest podcast recommendations and behind-the-scenes exclusives. 

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