It sounds like something straight out of science fiction: giant solar panels floating in space, beaming energy back down to Earth. Companies like Meta and space agencies in Japan are taking the idea seriously, hoping it could help power growing energy demands. Supporters say space-based solar could deliver constant, around-the-clock clean energy because the sun never stops shining. Critics say the technology is wildly expensive and still far from reality. Matt Galloway speaks with former NASA physicist John C. Mankins and former NASA technology policy chief Charity Weeden about whether this is the future of energy or a very expensive fantasy.
Can Mark Carney keep the provinces happy?
11/05/2026 | 19 min
It's a busy time for the Prime Minister. Alberta and Ottawa are inching closer to a pipeline deal, and the federal government wants to speed up the review process for major projects. Is it possible to keep everyone happy? Our national affairs panel weighs in.
What drives people towards impossible goals
11/05/2026 | 20 min
From hunting for a mythical treasure to solving the mystery of life in the universe -- why some people are driven to dedicate their lives to unachievable goals, and what that commitment to optimism means to the rest of us.
Why the census matters more than you think
11/05/2026 | 7 min
From housing costs and commuting habits to language, identity and family life, Canadians are once again being asked detailed questions in this year’s census. So what is Statistics Canada trying to learn from all of it? And how does that information shape everything from political representation to schools, transit and public policy? Matt Galloway speaks with Geoff Bowlby, Assistant Chief Statistician at Statistics Canada.
The Iran war: a “high-stakes game of chicken.”
11/05/2026 | 21 min
The Iran war has shifted power to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, creating a much more militarized state. Ali Vaez, the Iran Project Director for the Crisis Group, who was part of the negotiating team for the 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal, explains how this, coupled with US President Donald Trump's rhetoric, is complicating this “high-stakes game of chicken.”
Three stories to expand your worldview, delivered daily. Matt Galloway cuts through a sea of choice to bring you stories that transcend the news cycle. Conversations with big thinkers, household names, and people living the news. An antidote to algorithms that cater to what you already know — and a meeting place for diverse perspectives. In its 20 years, the Current has become a go-to place for stories that shape and entertain us. Released daily, Monday to Friday.The Current is produced in Toronto, Ontario, Canada — and has recently recorded live shows about the Canadian election in Surrey and Burnaby BC. And shows to come in Oshawa and the 905, Red Deer, Alberta, Quebec City and Halifax.
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