TELUS Talks with Tamara Taggart

Sports betting has become a normal part of being a fan. Gambling ads appear on jerseys, in broadcasts, on social media and throughout the games we love. Sociologist and author Darragh McGee explains the rise of online betting, the psychology behind modern gambling products and how sports fans are being targeted. We discuss the future of sports betting and how we can begin reclaiming fandom from on...

The signs of autism in women are often hiding in plain sight. Neuroscientist Gina Rippon says many autistic girls learn to copy, rehearse and camouflage their way through social situations. Their struggles become virtually invisible to others. Gina explains the mental health impacts of constantly trying to fit in, how autism research was shaped around male stereotypes and why many autistic women a...

Streaming has made music more accessible than ever. Rapper, producer and writer Rollie Pemberton believes algorithms are actually reshaping our music taste. He argues that convenience has come at a cost, making it easier to consume music but harder to build a meaningful relationship with it. We discuss streaming algorithms, record collecting and the lost art of discovery. Rollie shares why intenti...

Almost 30 years as a judge teaches you a lot about people. Harvey Brownstone witnessed thousands of family and criminal cases and shares what those experiences taught him about conflict, relationships and forgiveness. Harvey explains why he believes family court often fails people and why so many Canadians struggle to access justice. We also reflect on his personal journey as Canada's first openly...

With irregular periods, fatigue, acne, anxiety and weight changes, polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) can affect nearly every part of the body. These symptoms are often dismissed or treated separately instead of connected back to a hormonal condition. UBC endocrinologist and expert Jerilynn Prior explains what's actually happening in a body with PMOS and why the condition is so misund...

Drinking feels harmless for many of us. For others, alcohol is also a powerful substance that changes the way the brain processes reward and emotion. Dr. Charles Knowles says a drinking habit that starts as a way to relax or connect with others can gradually become much harder to manage. We discuss the neuroscience of alcohol, why some people are more vulnerable to dependence and how genetics infl...

Stress, anxiety and burnout are often treated as personal problems to fix. But psychiatrist Joanna Cheek says many mental health symptoms may be reasonable responses to the world around us. As rates of anxiety, depression and emotional exhaustion rise, Joanna says we need to look beyond the individual and examine the systems shaping our lives. We discuss why so many people feel overwhelmed, how me...

Caring for patients is a responsibility that stays with you. Nurses see people at their most vulnerable and are often a steady presence through fear, illness and loss. After decades in healthcare, Tilda Shalof offers a deep perspective into the emotional reality of nursing and managing high-pressure situations. Tilda is joined by Lisa Mochrie, a newer nurse navigating the same work in today's heal...

AI is making its way into our emotional relationships. Writer and digital anthropologist Caia Hagel agreed to bond with an experimental AI companion designed to learn her, mirror her and respond to her emotions. What began as an experiment quickly became something more personal. We discuss why more people are turning to AI for connection and why everyone should get familiar with what these new tec...

Hope is about finding a way forward, even when life feels uncertain. Psychology and education behaviorist expert Robyne Hanley-Dafoe explains how hope is a skill we can build. We discuss why so many people feel low on hope right now and how that impacts our mental health. Robyne shares practical ways to reconnect with hope in our everyday life and how we can share that positivity with others.

When you fall asleep, your brain gets to work. Dreams are a tool for your mind to process emotions, store memories and make sense of your day. But what happens when we don't dream enough? Journalist Karen van Kampen says we're not just sleep-deprived, we're dream-deprived.

Behind every fertility journey is a story of persistence, uncertainty and emotional resilience. Journalist Kathryn Blaze Baum shares her personal experience through miscarriage and fertility treatment, alongside deep reporting on the growing fertility industry. We discuss how IVF works and the emotional and physical toll it can take.

If you keep repeating the same patterns, it's probably more than a willpower issue. Psychiatrist Suzan Song says we get often stuck in narratives formed by our family, culture and life experience. These patterns can show up in our relationships and how we see ourselves. We explore why it's so hard to break these emotional cycles and how we can rewrite our narratives by defining what we really want...

A hysterectomy is often presented as a clear solution to ongoing health issues. But patients aren't always given the full picture. Andréa Becker is a medical sociologist and she has explored how this common surgery became so widely used. While a hysterectomy can be positively life-changing for some, Andréa says others do not have the same access to the surgery. We discuss what can get overlooked i...

Many parents worry that every anxious moment will shape their child's future. Clinical psychologist Dr. Meredith Elkins says anxiety itself is a normal human emotion and the real issue is avoidance. When parents rush to remove discomfort, they may unintentionally make anxiety stronger. We explore why kids need manageable challenges to build confidence and resilience.

For years, concussion recovery advice was: rest in a dark room and wait. Science is now telling a very different story. Concussion researcher Dr. Shelina Babul explains what actually happens in the brain after a head injury and why recovery guidelines have changed. We talk about why gradual activity can help healing, why symptoms can appear days later and what parents, coaches and teachers should...

Before he became a household name, David Suzuki was a scientist chasing questions. He joins us to reflect on his journey from geneticist to one of Canada's most trusted science communicators. David shares the moments that shaped him and why curiosity has guided every chapter of his story. From the laboratory to television screens across the country, David explains why making science accessible mat...

Canada's housing crisis is about more than rising home prices and affordability. Journalist Jessica Barrett says the real issue may be our definition of home itself. From Vancouver's soaring housing market to innovative housing models in cities like Vienna and Harare, we explore how community shapes our wellbeing. Jessica explains why building more homes hasn't solved affordability and what happen...

Children are telling us they want to feel safe in the digital world. Online harms are growing more complex, from cyberbullying to exploitation, and many young people are asking adults to take action. Sara Austin of Children First Canada and advocate Farah Nasser discuss what kids are asking for and how families, educators and leaders can help build digital spaces where young people can thrive.

How do you change the way a country teaches its history? Educator and author Rosemary Sadlier has spent decades doing exactly that. Her landmark children's book, The Kids Book of Black History in Canada , has been reimagined for a new generation. Rosemary explains why giving young people the full story matters now more than ever.

Our emotions are powerful forms of energy shaped by the brain. Neuropsychologist Dr. Julia DiGangi says emotional pain and emotional power are two sides of the same system and avoiding difficult feelings actually keeps us stunted. Julia breaks down the neuroscience behind stress, anxiety and confidence, and how to work with emotional energy instead of fighting it.

Medical science is advancing faster than ever, and science writer Mary Roach has seen it up close. We explore the breakthroughs transforming modern medicine, from lab-grown skin and organ preservation to advanced prosthetics and bioprinting. We also look at how these innovations are changing recovery, extending lives and reshaping what's possible for the human body.

Your brain does its most important work when you stop working. Neuroscientist Joseph Jebelli says that when we pause, daydream or simply stare into space, the brain activates a hidden network that boosts creativity, memory and emotional wellbeing. Joseph shares the science of slowing down and why small moments of rest can change how you think, feel and move through the world.

You can't build a healthy country without stable and affordable homes. Urban planner and author Carolyn Whitzman breaks down why homes have become so hard to find, afford and keep. She explains why mismatched supply, rising costs and outdated assumptions are putting pressure on every generation. We explore solutions that actually work, from non-market housing to stronger renter protections.

There is a missing piece between setting our goals and achieving them. Productivity expert and author Chris Bailey says the problem is intention. He talks about his new book Intentional and why so many goals quietly fade away. Chris explains how our habits, values and daily decisions shape whether we follow through. When we want to improve our productivity, goal-setting and finishing what we start...