The John Oakley Show #0001

As TIFF kicks off its 50th anniversary in Toronto, John Oakley opens the show with a look at how the city is celebrating its cinematic legacy—and how it’s coping with a darker reality: rising violent crime and a shaken sense of safety. Film critic Peter Howell of the Toronto Star joins to preview this year’s festival buzz, from must-watch screenings to Oscar hopefuls like The Smashing Machine. But it's not all red carpets and celebrity sightings—John also tackles the recent tragedy in Vaughan, where a father was killed in a home invasion, sparking a larger debate on self-defence, police response times, and how Toronto residents are reacting. From DIY flamethrowers to panic rooms and escape drills, listeners call in with jaw-dropping methods for protecting their homes—and Tom McDonald, the provocative rapper behind The Devil Is a Democrat, drops in to talk about fame, Trump, and the state of free speech in North America. Music by Michael Downey - Production by Michael Downey and Santiago Bedoya. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices