Because News

Justin Trudeau took Katy Perry to Coachella, and now he never has to talk to Trump again. Well played, JT. Trump poses as Jesus Christ, then picks a fight with the Pope. Imagine being on a cruise that reroutes from Bermuda to New Brunswick. Mark Carney rebrands the “Liberals” and enters his majority era. Avi Lewis and the NDP want to ban something super creepy. And the latest trend making the rounds on TikTok: Nonnamaxxing. Gavin Crawford hosts the news quiz with comedians Tom Hearn, Kris Siddiqi, and Leslie Seiler.

Artemis II breaks a record and a toilet. A new app is changing the way we run away from angry Canada geese. Polymarket and Kalshi are letting people test their luck and bucks on the prediction market. Why were the sites in the headlines this week? And who has stinkier farts: men or women? Yes, this was a news story this week. Listen now to this week’s panel of Miguel Rivas, Ann Pornel and Martha Chaves with host Gavin Crawford.

We pour one out in memory of Moosehead's iconic green bottle. Are British Columbia's bagpipers the best in the world? (After Scotland, of course.) Science says childhood ends at nine, but adolescence at 32. Host Gavin Crawford quizzes panellists Mattea Roach, Carley Thorne, Scott Thompson, and Ajahnis Charley.

There are the happiest countries, and then there’s Canada. The Blue Jays are back, and pitcher Max Scherzer is using the piano to rehab his wonky thumb. AI is killing entry-level jobs so Gen-Z doesn’t have to. Tinder is using AI to scan your camera roll, and our panel ranks the sexiest animal mating calls. Host Gavin Crawford quizzes comedians James Hartnett and Chris Locke from the Evil Men podcast, along with the wickedly witty Alice Moran.

Difficult people age you faster, so Trump has made us all ancient. This week, when he needed backup in Iran, his allies said, “New phone, who dis?” Taylor Swift fans at her Vancouver show might be getting refunds because their seats were that bad. The rich are now collecting dinosaur skeletons instead of fine art. And people are running while churning butter in their backpacks — or, as some call it, Amish CrossFit. A special episode from Vancouver, with host Gavin Crawford and comedians Ivan Decker, Caitlin Howden, and Kevin Vidal.

Gen Z loves the mall because it’s “phygital.” What does that even mean? Something from the ’70s is back and it’s not a good thing. Trump gifted his staff shoes that are way too big, but they’re wearing them anyway because no one can say no. The Canada Goose has put in the work, but Canada might name the Gray Jay its national bird. Robbery! And Mark Zuckerberg’s new house has a jazz lounge in it. Why??? Host Gavin Crawford quizzes comedians about this week's news. With Martha Chaves, Tom Hearn and Jan Caruana.

British Columbia says pick a time and stick to it. But is a darker morning and a lighter night what people really want? Mark Carney has officially been in charge for a year. He’s got some trade deals done, but not the trade deal. Looksmaxxing, softmaxxing, hardmaxxing - we break some bones trying to figure out what it all means. Listen to this episode for the jawline you’ve always dreamed of. Gavin Crawford quizzes Ann Pornel, Andrew Phung, and Eric Peterson.

Which two hockey players may never live down going to the White House? Saint John’s confirms “storm fatigue” is real so we use Big Bird as a unit of measurement for all that snowfall. Gavin reveals (ex) Prince Andrew’s extensive teddy bear collection has been evicted from the royal mansion. And Goodreads is letting you list the books you’ve never finished. Host Gavin Crawford quizzes Carley Thorne, Alice Moran, and Niko Stratis on this week’s episode.

Why are health-conscious men eating boy kibble? Are Canadian curlers the real villains at the Olympics? Is ‘Janice’ our best chance at negotiating with the US? What new awkward controversy is shocking the ski jumping world? Brandon Ash-Mohammed, Emma Hunter, and Leslie Seiler take the news quiz with host Gavin Crawford.

Canadian sea wolves are so smart they hunt with nets. How’d they get so clever? Because they’re not stressed. (Must be nice, sea wolf.) Is parenting children the same as owning cats? An Alberta judge says no. If you won the lotto, would you take a lump sum, or cash weekly for life? Survival of the cutest: raccoons are evolving to be more adorable. And how are tech bros trying to lure the rest of us to work 24/7? With takeout and online dating apps. Comedian Gavin Crawford hosts the news quiz.

Will the Minions be banished…from the Olympics? Will Alberta betray Canada and join the US? Will Jean Chrétien and Steven Harper form an alliance? Plot twist, what is ski-mo? Has frozen juice been murdered? Mattea Roach, Eric Peterson and Jan Caruana take the news quiz with host Gavin Crawford.

Remember when Trump wasn’t president yet? What do Stranger Things, Pokemon GO, and Rihanna’s ANTI have in common? Why is ICE at the Olympics? What did Neil Young give to Greenland? Why does this new spider have a 9th leg? Also, what is a ‘largesse’?

Why did Mark Carney get a standing ovation at DAVOS? Should Canada be “grateful” to Donald Trump? Is Greenland, Iceland? Which Canadian is going to space? How is Muskoka and Ottawa capitalizing on Heated Rivalry? What is a hegemon?

Can Carney improve trade relations with China without angering Donald Trump? How is Canada saving the Olympics in Milano? Did Canada’s skeleton team commit foul play? Nova Scotia is fighting about sex, drugs, and…lobster rolls? Also, what is diplomatic amnesia?

Did Trump really kidnap Venezuela’s president and should Costco run the country now? Why is this toilet from CES calling people and costs $7000? Will a Labubu-inspired tactic bring you back to movie theatres? And what is phubbing? Jennifer Whalen of Small Achievable Goals, Andrew Phung of Run The Burbs and Grace Lynn Kung of Sort Of play the news quiz with host Gavin Crawford.

Albania has a creepy AI politician that says we hurt its feelings by saying its not human. All Gavin wanted for Christmas was a Chinese electric vehicle, but no luck.

Someone got fined for Zombie Christmas decorations but our comedians have no problem with it. We re-play a round from Covid holidays when every country had crazy socializing rules. Belgium said you can have people over but they can’t use the bathroom. And the hottest toys of 2017 were Fingerlings and LOL Surprise. Anyone still playing with them?

The Debaters is the hit show where comedians go toe-to-toe in a battle of laughs and logic. It’s part stand-up, part quiz show and part comedy competition, with the live audience picking the winners. In this episode, do candles deserve more appreciation? And is Tom Cruise the greatest movie star? Featuring: Jon Steinberg, Jan Caruana, Adam Cawley, and David Pryde. More episodes of The Debaters can be found here: https://link.mgln.ai/TDxBN

The world is bleak so here’s a quiz about happy news. Gavin quizzes his comedians on what Martha Stewert says is acceptable for your holiday party, but the panel has no love for Martha. ChatGPT’s ‘adult-mode’ is coming in 2026 and it's definitely not a “more responsible” mode of AI, like some people think. Mark Carney is using British spelling in the Canadian government memos and some linguists have written a stern letter asking him to stop. Comedians Steph Tolev, Miguel Rivas and Andrew Phung join Gavin for the last quiz of 2025. If you’re too afraid to share your opinions on social media, that’s okay! Fill out this listener questionnaire instead: www.cbc.ca/BecauseSurvey

At the World Cup draw, Trump was given a medal, a trophy and danced to YMCA. Oh yeah, and Canada drew a decent group of competitors. Face-off, pants off - there’s a new steamy hockey show that our panellists love. So far this month pistachios have been recalled, McCain Tasti Taters, and also there’s a petition to recall Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. The hottest toy of the holiday season is not Bible Guess Who, but after Gavin and Migeul imagine it, we sort of wish it was. If you’re too afraid to share your opinions on social media, that’s okay! Fill out this listener questionnaire instead: www.cbc.ca/BecauseSurvey