The Star

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Channel • 13 Shows

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News

Updated daily
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Business

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Health & Fitness

Health & Fitness

Updated weekly
News

News

Updated 17/11/2023
Sport

Sport

Updated 11/07/2024
Automotive

Automotive

Weekly series
Documentary

Documentary

Weekly series

09/07/2024

Rebuild in Raptorland

Guest: Toronto Star basketball writer Doug Smith Hosts: Bruce Arthur and Dave Feschuk Five years ago, Masai Ujiri was among the most coveted executives in all of pro sports, his masterstroke trade for Kawhi Leonard landing the Raptors their first NBA title. In the five years since, the franchise has won one playoff series while languishing through less-than-inspiring moments that Ujiri himself has characterized as difficult to watch. In this episode, Arthur, Feschuk and Smith discuss Ujiri's post-championship swoon, including an inability to parlay the offloaded pieces of a title roster into a more formidable collection of assets. Though there are bright spots – including the emergence of Scottie Barnes as the franchise's foundational player – there are also plenty of question marks on the road to a future that's potentially more prosperous. PLUS: Arthur, Feschuk and Smith discuss the highs and lows of the post-championship comedown. This episode was produced by Julia De Laurentiis Johnston and Sean Pattendon. What would you like to hear on Toronto Star podcasts? Let us know in this survey and you can enter to win a $100 gift card.

09/07/2024

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58 min
12/12/2025

Breaking down Mark Carney's first year in Canadian Politics

In this episode of "It's Political," the Toronto Star's Ottawa bureau reporter Ryan Tumilty and deputy bureau chief Alex Ballingall join host Althia to discuss the year in Canadian politics and what to look ahead to in 2026. What to make of Prime Minister Mark Carney's first year in office and how long can his minority government survive? This episode of "It's Political" was produced by Althia Raj and mixed by Matt Hearn. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel. The audio clips this week were sourced from ParlVu, CPAC, CBC and CTV.

12/12/2025

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32 min
26/09/2025

A Tale of Two Algorithms

Algorithms are the invisible engines that drive every scroll, swipe or click. And, in the last few years, it's become clear that they can devastate young lives. But Ava discovers they might also be capable of saving them. She speaks with two teens with radically different stories. When 12-year-old CeCe Neltner went online to find workout tips, her social media feeds devolved into a torrent of eating disorder content. Today, she says she's lucky to be alive. Meanwhile, thousands of miles away, Keira MacDuff was battling a mysterious chronic illness that doctors dismissed as teenage drama – until TikTok's algorithm led her to a life-changing diagnosis. Did TikTok save Keira's life?

26/09/2025

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32 min
03/10/2025

The federal NDP's leadership races begins

Things might look dire for the NDP, with the loss of official party status and its seven members not always seeing eye to eye. But at least three individuals — Edmonton MP Heather McPherson, former broadcaster Avi Lewis, and union leader Rob Ashton — have stepped up offering to lead New Democrats to greener pastures. In this episode of "It's Political," the Althia Raj sits down with Toronto Star Ottawa Bureau reporter Mark Ramzy for an update on what's happened to the NDP since election night, the state of the leadership race and the candidates' offerings so far. Then, Althia sits down with Rob Ashton to explore his leadership vision and where he wants to refocus the NDP. This episode of "It's Political" was produced by Kevin Sexton and Althia Raj. Matt Hearn is our sound engineer. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel. Some of the audio clips this week were sourced from Heather McPherson's website, Avi Lewis' website, Rob Ashton's X feed, CTV, CBC, CPAC, Mark Ramzy's interview tape, and the IATSE 891: Apple Box Talks podcast.

03/10/2025

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51 min
11/04/2025

Our "recovering partisans" on rallies and the press on the campaign trail

Pierre Poilievre held massive rallies in Alberta this week and received an endorsement from former Prime Minister Stephen Harper. But why is he spending precious campaign time in a province with solid Conservative support? We've also seen members of the media increasingly speaking out against the Conservative campaign for exerting too much control over the press. Our "recovering partisans" compare the parties' media strategies, weigh in on what the leaders' movements can tell us about the campaign, and look ahead to next week's debates. In this episode: David Christopherson, the former NDP MP for Hamilton Centre; Kristina Michaud, the outgoing Bloc Quebecois MP for Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia; Karen Vecchio, the outgoing Conservative MP for Elgin—Middlesex—London; and Senator Rodger Cuzner, the former Liberal MP for Cape Breton—Canso. Hosted by Althia Raj. This episode of "It's Political" was produced by Althia Raj and Kevin Sexton. Matt Hearn is our sound engineer. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel. Some of the audio clips this week were sourced from CPAC and CBC.

11/04/2025

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47 min
23/03/2021

Talking with friends and family about vaccine hesitancy

AstraZeneca, Moderna and Pfizer have become the new buzz words of our generation and may be the top contenders for conversation at awkward family dinners. COVID-19 vaccines might be saving us but they are also breaking down friendships and families as difficult, polarizing conversations crop up around the efficacy or safety of these vaccines. On today's episode, we get a crash course on vaccine hesitancy and how to talk to those we love about the "V-word." Guest: Maya Goldenberg, associate professor of philosophy at the University of Guelph and author of the book "Vaccine Hesitancy: Public Trust, Expertise, and the War on Science." If you would like to support the journalism of the Toronto Star, you can subscribe at thestar.com/subscribingmatters.

23/03/2021

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21 min
21/11/2025

Left to Our Own Devices

On December 10, 2025, Australia will be the first country in the world to ban social media for kids. It's a radical step, and lawmakers around the world are taking notice. In the U.S., eight states have proposed similar legislation. In Canada, Quebec and Nova Scotia are reportedly considering bans of their own. These policies are popular, but they're also controversial – and some experts worry they could isolate a generation of children. But on the other side of the world, a very different story is unfolding. In North America, where governments have yet to regulate social media in any meaningful way, young people are taking matters into their own hands. Young people like Maddie Freeman, who started a grassroots movement to wean her peers off social media after a wave of youth suicides devastated her community. So, as Australia's landmark ban takes effect, only one question remains: will kids figure out how to make social media work for them? Or will governments make that decision for them?

21/11/2025

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30 min
10/06/2021

'Walk the walk.' Canada's Muslims want action, not words against rising Islamophobia

Guest: Noor Javed, Toronto Star reporter Muslim Canadians have felt profound grief in the wake of the hateful attack in London that left four members of the Afzaal family dead, and one 9-year-old boy orphaned. There is also a sense of betrayal and anger that despite political promises and platitudes, Islamophobia continues to rise in Canada, unchecked. Toronto Star reporter Noor Javed joins "This Matters" to talk about her frustration and fears, sentiments shared by many Muslim women and families across Canada right now. For those experiencing grief, confusion and trauma as a result of these events, Naseeha provides mental health tools to the Muslim community. You can call for support at 1-866-627-3342

10/06/2021

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24 min
15/03/2025

Mark Carney's first day

Mark Carney was sworn in as Canada's new Prime Minister Friday morning, after winning the Liberal leadership race in a landslide. He unveiled a new, leaner cabinet but tapped many of outgoing prime minister Justin Trudeau's ministers for key portfolios. Toronto Star Ottawa Bureau Chief Tonda MacCharles and national politics reporters Ryan Tumilty and Mark Ramzy join host Althia Raj to talk about Carney's cabinet picks, his first move as prime minister and what it says about the timing of the next federal election. Also on the show, pollster Alex Kohut of North Poll Strategies breaks down the Liberal leadership race numbers, and what they tell us about some of the challenges and opportunities the Liberal party may face and seize on the campaign trail. This episode of "It's Political" was produced by Althia Raj and Kevin Sexton. Matt Hearn is our sound engineer. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel. Some of the clips this week were sourced from CPAC and Right Side Broadcasting Network.

15/03/2025

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45 min
23/09/2022

A complicated country: Edward Keenan on reporting from the U.S.

Guest: Edward Keenan, Toronto Star journalist Edward Keenan was the Star's Washington bureau chief from 2019 until just a few weeks ago. Over his brief tenure, he witnessed two impeachment trials, the COVID-19 pandemic, the largest mass street movement in the form of Black Lives Matter, a disputed election, an unprecedented insurrection attempt at the Capitol and the overturning of Roe v Wade. He's back home in Toronto now and talks to "This Matters" about his experience and impression through one of the most surreal and turbulent times in the country's history. This episode was produced by Saba Eitizaz, Brian Bradley and Matthew Hearn.

23/09/2022

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20 min

The Star Podcasts are part of the Toronto Star, a multi-platform news organization that informs, connects, investigates, reports and effects change. The purpose of the Toronto Star is to keep our audience informed about what matters most to them, to help make their life, community, country and world better.