Because News

America will not confirm or deny using kamikaze dolphins in war. Seriously. The Toronto Tempo has officially arrived as Canada’s first WNBA team. How will Drake manage to make this basketball team about him? Roughly 300 people in Vancouver attempted “speedrunning” Scientology. Welcome Louise Arbour, our latest and possibly most judicious Governor General. Gavin Crawford hosts the news quiz with comedians Jan Caruana, Ajahnis Charley, and Kris Siddiqi.

The Big Five answers the most pressing question of our time: what are the “Big 5” of any given category? Not the best 5. Not the top 5. Not anyone’s favourite 5. But objectively, the Big 5. In each episode, Donovan Woods, Tom Power, and a celebrity guest tackle new topics and debate things like: what are the Big 5 farm animals? Types of hats? Slang terms for “butt”? Ways to cook a potato? Guys named Paul? Guests in this season include Vivek Shraya, Jordan Canning, William Prince, Lindsay Ell, Elamin Abdelmahmoud and more!More episodes of The Big Five are available wherever you get your podcasts, and here: https://link.mgln.ai/TB5xBN

Teenage boys are buying designer colognes that cost more than their allowance. Ontario schools must now teach Grade 10 students a new skill: financial literacy. Prime Minister Mark Carney offers extra moolah for tradespeople. Would you invest in Canada’s new sovereign wealth fund? What does it really take to break a marathon record? Gavin Crawford hosts the news quiz with comedians Jennifer Hsiung, Tom Hearn, and Emma Hunter.

Who is behind all these fake Alberta separatists on YouTube? They can’t even pronounce “Regina” correctly. The Tragically Hip is now a musical and there’s a real connection to Because News. With soaring fuel prices more fees are being added to our flights. Thanks, America. Try a new nightly ritual that will make you feel alive: mortality check-ins. Or try a new nightly ritual that will make you fall asleep: bedtime stacking. Gavin Crawford hosts the news quiz with comedians Jan Caruana, Kris Siddiqi, and Alice Moran. (This is an AI image from the YouTube channel Canadian Reporter)

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? St. 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 Stephen 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

Franklin The Turtle was co-opted by Team Trump and now our childhoods are ruined. We’ve all reached our breaking point with Ticketmaster but Olivia Dean did something about it. Whales are being given breathalysers and don’t even want to talk to a lawyer first. Ozempic is about to go generic in Canada - so are all the GLP-1 drugs, aka “gotta lose pounds” shots. Gavin Crawford quizzes comedians Martha Chaves, Alice Moran and Craig Lauzon about what happened in the news this week. 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

A truck full of “Nutcracker” ballet sets is stolen, disappointing both cast and crooks. The US Ambassador to Canada is making headlines for being kind of undiplomatic. One American booze company is moving here because 98% of its business is Canadian drinkers.New research says one of our bodily organs goes through five significant changes in our lifetime; it’s above the waist, but that’s your only clue. Gavin Crawford quizzes Kris Siddiqi, Carley Thorne and Mattea Roach about this week’s headlines.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

Wicked is impossible to avoid, even on this podcast. “Quiet, Piggy” did not rank in the most-used words of the year, but parasocial did. Why was it chosen as the word of 2025? A Hamilton man stole a bus and no one was hurt, so we rejoice about a victimless crime that does not include any mention of files or famine. Gavin Crawford quizzes Andrew Phung, Eric Peterson and Jan Caruana about this week’s headlines.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 

HBO is getting out of children’s programming? We didn’t know it was into it. Beers are getting smaller in the UK. The most popular names of 2025 all sound like the Golden Girls. And our panels talks about the time Katy Perry shot across the sky thanks to Jeff Bezos. It’s a collection of our silliest stories as we recap the headlines that gave us a break from the dismal news. Gavin Crawford quizzes Ashley Botting, Brandon Ash-Mohammed, Eric Peterson and Mattea Roach.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

Our panellists beg: please, Santa, do not bring us a Christmas election. Red, yellow and green traffic lights are outdated because a fourth colour might be added to intersections. There’s a big innovation in menstrual products and thank god, it’s not AI! Peanut allergies have fallen fast, yet the PB sandwich remains a schoolyard crime. Why no one’s allowed to celebrateThe Great Peanut Comeback just yet. 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 

The Art of the Meal: Trump tries to avoid Carney but ends up dining with him. The sauna business is luring new clients - all part of its plan to gross 1.77 billion dollars worldwide. What particular group are saunas trying to attract? Alberta is doubling-down on its “Strong and Free” slogan with a new contest that no one asked for. Tom Hearn, Courtney Gilmour and Martha Chaves take the news quiz with Gavin Crawford.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

Need group therapy for the news? This is the podcast for you. New episodes every Friday.Follow Because News:https://www.tiktok.com/@cbcbecausenewshttps://www.instagram.com/cbcbecausenewshttps://www.facebook.com/becausenews/