The countdown is on to the U.S. midterm elections, with less than a month until Americans head back to the polls. With U.S-Canada relations at all time low, we hear from political commentators on both sides of the border about the weeks to come, and how Canadians should be interpreting the results. Plus, callers share what's at stake for them and why they're watching this year's midterms.
A recent RBC poll found that nearly 1 in 3 parents with adult children aged 18-40 are still helping them out with their bills. And a growing number of young adults are still living at home with their parents because of the housing market. We hear from a personal finance expert, and a family therapist on how to navigate these issues among families. Plus, Canadians share their stories of giving and getting financial support rom their parents, and the tensions that come along with it.
This ICYMI takes you back to November 1970. The War Measures had been declared in response to a series of kidnappings and violence by the Front de libération du Québec, a Quebec separatist group. With national divisions on display, Cross Country Checkup asked callers for their thoughts on the state of the country, and how Canada should move forward. Here's an extended cut from that episode which aired November 8, 1970.
In less than four years, mathematician Steve Strogatz watched AI go from flailing at basic arithmetic to solving problems that baffle the world’s best mathematicians. In September of 2026, Open AI announced it had solved a Millennium Prize Problem, one of math’s highest achievements. In short, mathematics is right now on the cusp of a reckoning that may be coming for all of us. In this episode, Steve grapples with the idea that the window might be closing on humanity’s effort to unpuzzle, or learn, or understand the world around us.Special thanks to Ravi Vakil, Alex Kontorovich, Bob Wright.EPISODE CREDITS: Reported by - Maria Paz Gutierrez and Soren WheelerProduced by - Soren Wheeler and Maria Paz GutierrezFact-checking by - Diane Kellyand Edited by - Pat WaltersEPISODE CITATIONS:Videos - On deep learning for cancer diagnosis and treatment (https://zpr.io/TPnVfbPH8gTr), by Regina Barzilay (MIT Professor of AI & Health)Articles - Mathematics Isn’t Just a Game to Let A.I. Solve. History Shows Why (https://zpr.io/n67amKFPuiYA), by Steven Strogatz and Alex TownsendOpenAI Releases Findings on 377 Math Problems, Further Roiling Field (https://zpr.io/YDjQXvYfqkvA), by Kenneth Chang and Siobhan Roberts Books - Big Math: The Hidden Codes that rule our World (https://zpr.io/BFuYZ29qt8av), by Steven Strogatz and Alex TownsendSign up for our newsletter!! It includes short essays, recommendations, and details about other ways to interact with the show. Signup (https://radiolab.org/newsletter)!Radiolab is supported by listeners like you. Support Radiolab by becoming a member of The Lab (https://members.radiolab.org/) today.Follow our show on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @radiolab, and share your thoughts with us by emailing radiolab@wnyc.org.Leadership support for Radiolab’s science programming is provided by the Simons Foundation and the John Templeton Foundation. Foundational support for Radiolab was provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Podcasting started as a niche-nerd pursuit. Now it’s a $9 billion industry. Is that a lot? The strange economics of this thing we do. SOURCES:Jim Bankoff, chairman and C.E.O. of Vox Media.Ben Davis, head of digital at WME.Will Page, former chief economist at Spotify and author of Pivot.Jenna Weiss-Berman, head of Paper Kite Audio and executive producer of Good Hang with Amy Poehler.Jeanine Wright, co-founder and C.E.O. of Liquid Studios (Inception Point AI). RESOURCES:"U.S. AI infrastructure buildout is surpassing every prior investment in American history," by Cris Tolomia (Quartz, 2026)."The AMP Accords," (Alliance for Measurement in Podcasting, 2026)."Owl & Co: Global Podcast Economy Grew 23% To $9.2 Billion In 2025." (Inside Radio, 2026)."James Murdoch to Buy New York Magazine, Other Vox Assets for Around $300 Million," by Isabella Simonetti and Jessica Toonkel (The Wall Street Journal, 2026)."Patreon Says Podcasters Earned $629 Million in 2025, Up 33%, as Platform's Biggest Content Category Keeps Growing," by Todd Spangler (Variety, 2026). EXTRAS:"How to Think About A.I.," series by Freakonomics Radio (2023)."How Spotify Saved the Music Industry (But Not Necessarily Musicians)," by Freakonomics Radio (2019)."Our 100th Episode!" by Freakonomics Radio (2012). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
When historian Kate Bowler was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer, she became fascinated by the ways people try to impose order on events they can't control. She joins us to explore what it means to live fully when life offers no satisfying explanation for the tragedies we may face. Then, in the latest installment of "Your Questions Answered," psychologist Lisa Miller returns to answer listener questions about the relationship between science and spirituality. In our companion conversation for subscribers to Hidden Brain Plus, we take a deep dive into the origins and surprising spread of the prosperity gospel that Kate has studied. If you're a subscriber, that episode is called “The Gospel of Success.” If you're not yet a subscriber, you can access a free seven-day trial at support.hiddenbrain.org or apple.co/hiddenbrain. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
This is an abbreviated version of Checkup's segment on calling vs. texting. As social norms evolve, the etiquette on when to call and when to text is changing expert. We hear from experts and callers about how these preferences are affecting their relationships, and how they keep in touch with friends and family.
As technology shifts our social norms, callers weigh in on whether it's better to call or text to connect with friends and family. We'll hear from a psychologist, a dating expert, and a linguist about the phone vs. text debate is affecting our relationships and how we communicate, especially as a generational divide emerges between those who like to talk and those who text.
The proposed Alto high-speed rail project could cost up to $113 billion according to a new report from the Parliamentary Budget Office. We'll hear two experts weigh in on whether the price tag is worth it for Canada, as well as farmers and residents along the proposed the route with opposing views on Ottawa's pitch. Plus, callers share the questions about the future of high-speed rail across the country.
