Q: The Podcast From Cbc Radio

Michael Render, a.k.a. Killer Mike from Run the Jewels, is over 20 years out from his first solo album. Now, he’s released a new one, called “Michael” – for his real name, and it opens up the story of the man behind the rapper. In a personal and emotional interview, Killer Mike talks to Tom about why he decided to tell his own story – and about the family and the city that helped make him who he is.

One January night in 2019, Paul Simon had a dream telling him to work on a new album called “Seven Psalms.” What came next were big, existential questions about his own beliefs. Tom Power visits Paul Simon at the legendary musician’s ranch near Austin, Texas – in the studio where Paul recorded “Seven Psalms” – for a rare sit-down chat about the new album and his early days in music.

After premiering at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, “Past Lives” received rave reviews for its depiction of love, fate and connection. Director and writer Celine Song tells Tom about the real-life moment that inspired the film's nuanced love story Plus, Matt Andersen tells Tom the story behind his song “What’s on My Mind” off his new album, “Matt Andersen and the Big Bottle of Joy.”

Two-time Oscar winner Tom Hanks (Forrest Gump, Philadelphia, A League of Their Own) on his new novel “The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece,” the insecurities he’s felt throughout his career, and what drives his passion for filmmaking when it feels like “the odds are stacked against you.”

Paul Sun-Hyung Lee (Kim’s Convenience) on his lifelong love of “Star Wars,” the unusual story behind how he got the role of Captain Carson Teva in “The Mandalorian,” and what the franchise needs to do better when it comes to Asian representation. Plus, Matt Berninger (26:00) on The National’s latest record, why he thought the band would never make a new album again, and their collaboration with Taylor Swift.

Author Angie Thomas (The Hate U Give) on her new novel “Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy,” how showing your kids fantasy books might be the best way to talk to them about racism, and the time Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes from TLC saved her life. Plus, Saeed Teebi’s (37:05) debut story collection, “Her First Palestinian,” is up for the Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writer Prize. We revisit Tom’s conversation with Saeed.

Comedian Mae Martin (Feel Good, Baroness von Sketch Show) on their new Netflix special “SAP,” dropping out of high school to pursue comedy and the significance behind their oatmeal tattoo. Plus, Anosh Irani (32:30) on his new play “Behind the Moon,” feeling haunted by his characters, and how no two immigration stories are the same.

Actor Kiefer Sutherland (The Lost Boys, Stand By Me, 24) on his love of playing characters facing insurmountable odds, starring in the new TV series “Rabbit Hole,” and what living without the latest technology has done for his happiness. Plus, visual artist Shary Boyle (25:07) on feeling like an outsider, watching people shriek at her piece called “White Elephant,” and how she wants her latest exhibit, “Outside the Palace of Me,” to start a conversation about white supremacy.

Daniel Caesar talks about his major-label debut, “Never Enough,” the reality of fame and collaborating with Justin Bieber on “Peaches.” Plus, Emmy-nominated writer and actor Sharon Horgan (Pulling, Divorce, Bad Sisters) (36:22) on laughing through pain, turkey farming, and the significance of writing women as angry.

Dallas Green (Alexisonfire, City and Colour) on grief, questioning your faith and the honesty that goes into his songwriting. Plus, Debby Friday (26:11) on feeling rootless, Montreal's club culture, and how sobriety changed her life and art.

Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro (Pan's Labyrinth,The Shape of Water, Nightmare Alley) on the darkness within Pinocchio, why he included facism in his retelling of the classic story and the time he may have encountered a ghost. Plus, composer Jeremy Dutcher (35:24) and his mother Lisa Perley-Dutcher on the importance of language preservation and why they want to create the first-ever Wolastoqey immersion school (which is now up and running since they last spoke!!).

Actor Sheila McCarthy (Women Talking, I’ve Heard the Mermaids Singing) on working with Sarah Polley, meeting Robin Williams, and the best acting advice she’s ever received. Plus, comedian Vir Das (37:35) opens up about being labeled a ‘terrorist,’ turning criticism into comedy, and holding onto love during moments of hate.

Actor Taye Diggs (The Best Man: The Final Chapters) on his role in the Tony award-winning musical “Rent,” the universality of Black stories and whether or not he’ll return to Broadway. Plus, playwright Cliff Cardinal (21:25) on his confrontational play “The Land Acknowledgement, or As You Like It,” subverting the audience’s expectations and laughing in the face of trauma.

Filmmaker Anthony Shim on his award-winning film “Riceboy Sleeps,” the line between comedy and tragedy and how he just wants to make his parents proud. Plus, Afghan-Canadian filmmaker Fazila Amiri and singer Aryana Sayeed (34:04) on their documentary, “And I Still Sing,” which tells the story of how the reality singing show, "Afghan Star" made history when two courageous female contestants defied death threats to continue singing.

Singer-songwriter k.d. lang (Constant Craving, Miss Chatelaine) on feeling like public property, her love of Roy Orbison and why she has no plans to write another record. Plus, actor Patrick J. Adams (Suits, Plan B) (32:47) on being present, online scrutiny and what playing toxic characters teaches him about the person he wants to be.

Nickelback on their early days, being parodied and the evolution of the band’s identity. Plus, Avril Lavigne (36:36) on getting her first big break, her debut album “Let Go,” and her friendship with Olivia Rodrigo.

Grammy-nominated rapper Logic (Everybody, College Park) on finding his passion for music, early retirement and fatherhood. Plus, first-time JUNO nominee Preston Pablo (35:40) on figuring out what it means to be an “up and coming artist,” self criticism and learning how to trust yourself.

Eight-time Grammy-winning bassist Christian McBride on what happened when he met his hero James Brown, and why he wanted to write a suite for four civil rights legends: Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali and Rosa Parks. Plus, singer-songwriter Tate McRae (40:27) sets up a song for us off her debut album “i used to think i could fly.”

Prolific music producer Rick Rubin (Beastie Boys, Lady Gaga, Johnny Cash, Run-DMC) on staying true to yourself, his musical inspirations and what it was like working with Johnny Cash in the ‘90s. Plus, cartoonist Barbara Brandon-Croft (33:18) on rejection, growing up with a famous cartoonist father and how she’s breaking barriers with her comic strip “Where I’m Coming From.”

Saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin on playing for revered artists (Missy Eilliot, Stevie Wonder), the time she snuck her way past security to play sax at a Prince concert and how a near-death experience inspired her latest album, “Phoenix.” Plus, author Lindsay Wong (32:55) on the stigma around mental illness, growing up with “ghosts,” and what inspired her new book of short stories, “Tell Me Pleasant Things About Immortality.”