The Currentwith Laura Lynch

In his new podcast, Dolly Parton's America, host Jad Abumrad explores why the singer is such a unifying force in American life — and wonders if her refusal to take a political stance might have some upsides.

Nathalie Provost didn't see herself as feminist at the time of the Montreal Massacre 30 years ago, and received criticism for saying as much to the attacker at École Polytechnique. But she welcomes a new memorial sign that recognizes the killings as anti feminist.

Today on The Current: We speak to a survivor of the Montreal Massacre, and look at how the way we view the attack has changed over 30 years. Plus, a new podcast that examines superstar Dolly Parton, and what her career tells us about divisions in North America. And we speak to the two journalists who commissioned the Steele Dossier, which investigated alleged links between Russia and U.S. President Donald Trump.

Scientists say that coral reefs have a distinct sound — and it's quite different if the reefs are healthy, or dying. But by playing the sound of a healthy reef underwater, Tim Gordon says at-risk reefs can be saved.

Today on The Current: We speak to Canada’s new environment minister about balancing the country’s economic needs with the fight against climate change. Plus, we take a look at shingles and what you can do to avoid it; and also discuss research that shows the life of a coral reef can be measured in sound. Then we’re looking ahead to the throne speech and the beginning of the 43rd parliament; and finally asking whether more and more satellites are a threat to our view of the night sky — and our study of deeper space.

Things are tense at the NATO summit, highlighting the pressures on the 70-year-old alliance within its own ranks — and from rivals like Russia and China. Professor Margaret MacMillan tells us where these issues come from, and what's at stake for Canada.

Abby Stein lived as an ultra-Orthodox Hasidic Jew for most of her life, but says she always questioned the conventions of the faith. She left the community in 2012, and came out as transgender a few years later.

Today on The Current: We discuss the challenges facing NATO, both from rivals like Russia and China, and from within its own ranks. Plus, should Canada consider a prisoner swap, offering Huawei exec Meng Wanzhou for Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, the Canadians detained in China? And Abby Stein tells us about her journey from being an ultra-Orthodox rabbi to a transgender rights advocate.

Eric Roberts lived a double life in England as an unassuming bank clerk and an MI5 agent in charge of rooting out Nazi sympathizers, before retiring to live out his later years on Salt Spring Island.

Today on The Current: Our national affairs panel looks at the demands being made by the provincial premiers, and asks whether they’re starting to sound like the official opposition. Plus, we look at the potential and concerns around small modular reactors — or mini nuclear plants; we take a trip around the world of audio, with a streaming website called Radio Garden; and we look at the secret life of Eric Roberts, also known as Agent Jack, a Nazi hunter in wartime London.

McGill University psychiatric researchers have found a treatment they say can help reduce the intensity of emotions associated with a traumatic memory. But according to some ethicists, painful memories can also be useful.

Today on The Current: Vaping was billed as a way to help smokers cut back, but has it brought us to the verge of a public health crisis instead? Plus, lawyer Robert Bilott tells us about his decades-long battle with Dupont, over the alleged effects of a toxic chemical used in the production of Teflon. Then, we speak to a Sudanese activist about the country’s repeal of laws restricting women’s freedom — and why she says the fight’s not over. And we talk to a scientist working on how to make painful memories hurt less.

Is it time to ban Black Friday? Some lawmakers in France are trying to, on the grounds it’s a waste of resources and causes over-consumption. We discuss whether all those cheap deals have a high cost for the environment.

A new Canadian documentary is taking a different approach to talking about the lives of women behind bars, by giving them their own cameras and allowing them to help tell their own stories.

Today on The Current: Black Friday may mean cheap stuff, but what’s the cost to the environment? Plus, a new documentary about women in prison puts the cameras in the hands of the inmates themselves; and we speak to Corinne Vella, sister of murdered Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. Finally, we look at the classic holiday films we watch every year — the ones we love, and the ones we love to hate.

Calgary Flames coach Bill Peters faces allegations he used racial slurs against a player. As players speak out, we talk to three people close to hockey in Canada, who take us inside the locker room.

Today on The Current: We talk about the scandal rocking the NHL, with hockey players speaking out about racial slurs and abuse in the locker room. Plus, many of us say our smart devices are an addictive distraction, but author Nir Eyal has some tips to help you find your focus; and a new documentary follows kids as they turn 19, and age out of the B.C. foster care system — leaving them on their own, and often out on the streets.

The registry of dot-org web addresses is being sold off to a private equity firm — but there are concerns that could have implications for the non-profits that use the addresses.

Today on The Current: Our national affairs panel discusses Conservative Andrew Scheer’s leadership; we look at a row over plans to sell off the .org registry; Danya Spiring tells us what it’s like to be the first woman on the Grey Cup; and Ruth Awori discusses her work fighting the stigma of HIV in Uganda.

A tentative deal looks set to end a week-long strike of CN Rail workers. Teamsters Canada President François Laporte says the deal ensures safer working conditions, but there is still discussion to be had about improving conditions further.

The federal government has said that rather than complying with a Human Rights Tribunal ruling that would compensate First Nations children affected by the on-reserve child welfare system, it wants to settle a class-action lawsuit which it says would compensate more people.

A dozen bottles of red wine were recently launched into space by a private company, for a year-long stint on the International Space Station. We discuss what the experiment hopes to achieve, and ask what are the wider implications as more businesses take an interest in space exploration.