As It Happens

by CBC
172

News that’s not afraid of fun. Meet people at the centre of the day’s most hard-hitting, hilarious and heartbreaking stories — powerful leaders, proud eccentrics and ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. And plenty of puns too. Hosted by Nil Köksal and Chris Howden, find out why As It Happens is one of Canada’s longest-running and most beloved shows. (Ahem, we literally helped make the beaver a national symbol.)


New episodes Monday to Friday by 7:30 pm E.T.

Recent Episodes
  • Hockey Canada trial: Should restorative justice be an option?
    Jun 10, 2025 – 00:55:26
  • Carney vows to spend big on national defence
    Jun 9, 2025 – 00:59:52
  • Steel worker jobs are in danger. Can they be saved?
    Jun 6, 2025 – 01:03:16
  • Evacuee watched her home burn down in Prairie wildfire
    Jun 5, 2025 – 00:54:15
  • Should Canada hit the U.S. with counter tariffs?
    Jun 4, 2025 – 00:56:58
  • Pioneer says AI tools lie and blackmail us to stay alive
    Jun 3, 2025 – 01:06:40
  • Why Canada needs to move now on breaking trade barriers
    Jun 2, 2025 – 01:03:10
  • Nurses scramble to save patients from Manitoba wildfires
    May 30, 2025 – 00:58:35
  • Living a ‘nightmare’ after escaping Prairie wildfires
    May 29, 2025 – 01:03:06
  • Repairing Canada’s ‘dilapidated’ military
    May 28, 2025 – 01:05:14
  • First Nations leaders see hope in King Charles’ speech
    May 27, 2025 – 00:59:10
  • Will King Charles silence Trump’s 51st state threats?
    May 26, 2025 – 01:01:44
  • George Floyd’s cousin won’t let his death be in vain
    May 23, 2025 – 00:59:09
  • Friend mourns Israeli couple shot dead in Washington
    May 22, 2025 – 01:05:59
  • Is joining the U.S. missile defense system the right call?
    May 21, 2025 – 01:00:24
  • Chess master takes on 143,000 people – all at once
    May 20, 2025 – 01:01:38
  • UK/EU trade deal leaves some in the fishing industry gutted
    May 19, 2025 – 01:21:31
  • What it’s like to work on SNL for 50 years
    May 16, 2025 – 01:05:27
  • We call an aid worker feeding starving residents in Gaza
    May 15, 2025 – 01:05:48
  • Home prices surged on his watch. Now he’s housing minister
    May 14, 2025 – 01:00:27
  • Will Carney’s new cabinet bring actual change to Canadians?
    May 13, 2025 – 01:04:57
  • Hamas releases Israeli-American hostage after 584 days
    May 12, 2025 – 01:04:28
  • We call a journalist who escaped house arrest in Russia
    May 9, 2025 – 01:06:40
  • When the Pope was just Robert, an 8th grade classmate
    May 8, 2025 – 00:58:52
  • For Italian tech workers, the conclave meets fantasy sports
    May 7, 2025 – 01:00:19
  • Carney says Canada’s 'not for sale’. Will Trump back off?
    May 6, 2025 – 01:06:07
  • An Oscar-winning producer on tariffs and Hollywood North
    May 5, 2025 – 01:01:57
  • Special Episode: Joseph Hillel
    May 2, 2025 – 00:28:23
  • Mark Carney lays out his agenda, the auto sector takes a hit
    May 2, 2025 – 00:43:32
  • The lawyer representing mistakenly deported Abrego Garcia
    May 1, 2025 – 01:08:56
  • The man who intervened after the Vancouver attack
    Apr 30, 2025 – 01:04:05
  • A historic election sends the parties on new paths
    Apr 29, 2025 – 01:01:53
  • Challenges and new experiences on Election Day
    Apr 28, 2025 – 00:50:12
  • Éric Grenier on the polls and the home stretch
    Apr 25, 2025 – 00:46:14
  • Special Episode: Natalie Halla and Manizha Bakhtari
    Apr 25, 2025 – 00:28:22
  • Catherine McKenna on Carney, Trump and the “51st state”
    Apr 24, 2025 – 00:59:05
  • A trial gets underway, but could it really change hockey?
    Apr 23, 2025 – 00:59:35
  • Intrigue builds ahead of a historic conclave
    Apr 22, 2025 – 01:02:04
  • Phil Fontaine on the meaning of a Pope’s apology
    Apr 21, 2025 – 01:04:11
  • The challenge ahead for Pierre Poilievre
    Apr 18, 2025 – 01:16:08
  • Green Party co-Leader Elizabeth May makes her case
    Apr 17, 2025 – 00:43:21
  • Scott Reid on Green Party’s exclusion from debates
    Apr 16, 2025 – 01:11:26
  • The White House versus Harvard University
    Apr 15, 2025 – 00:58:25
  • The White House doubles down on a deportation mistake
    Apr 14, 2025 – 00:59:31
  • What Canadian mayors say is missing from the campaign
    Apr 11, 2025 – 01:03:48
  • An investigation gets underway in the Dominican Republic
    Apr 10, 2025 – 01:07:52
  • Tariffs put China and its business partners in a tough spot
    Apr 9, 2025 – 01:03:06
  • Can a former Prime Minister give the Conservatives a boost?
    Apr 8, 2025 – 01:04:29
  • Nobel Prize laureate Joseph Stiglitz on Trump’s tariffs
    Apr 7, 2025 – 01:01:08
  • A view from Bay Street on this week’s huge market losses
    Apr 4, 2025 – 01:03:26
Recent Reviews
  • ChristopherMasc
    News by Humans for Humans about Humans
    News that’s not focused on generating engagement and clicks. Funny, light-hearted, serious when it’s called for, even-handed. Superb, a refreshing end of day listen. Also good as an American to get a perspective from elsewhere…..
  • MEEMEP
    News and Public Interest
    We in the US owe it to our beloved Canadian friends to stay informed about what’s happening in Canada, and it’s also good to hear Canadian perspectives on the US.
  • California Higgins
    Fearless coverage
    We rely upon As It Happens and CBC for an objective perspective on current events. Thank you for your fearless coverage.
  • 5,000000000000 stars
    Love the show!
    A great way to stay in touch with current events in and around Canada!
  • NordicSkiGal
    A Minnesota Fan
    I love the in depth stories and especially those from the corners of Canada. Nil and Chris are the best. Funny and heart felt, I look forward to the daily show to wind down my day.
  • tnmusicfan
    A valued perspective…
    As an American I appreciate the perspective that As It Happens adds to my information feed. The hosts are witty and direct.
  • NitNicked in LA
    More important than ever
    In crazy times, the value of coherent, compassionate, and rational coverage with a different perspective is more important than ever. I’ve been a loyal listener since before podcasts were a thing, because the mix of up to the minute news, first person reports from incredible situations, leavened with a few puns here and there, is like nothing else on the radio or in podcasting.
  • Dan geologist
    As It Happens 30 year listener
    Been listening since I was a teen in Minnesota and got it on AM from across Lake Superior late at night. Was a kind of an exotic and fascinating voice in the dark. Then went to public radio and now via a pod. It hasn’t needed to evolve with the technology, it’s just great storytelling and honest voices. Timeless.
  • DCPenn
    As it happens
    Great source of Canadian an World news with an interesting focus
  • Eat salmon
    Love podcast
    5 stars!! I really appreciate the mix of news. I almost always get a laugh in between jarring daily news. Thanks Nil & Chris keep up the interesting reporting.
  • ArriaTeach
    Informative and Kind
    I find As it Happens to be an informative news program. I take comfort in listening daily. I appreciate how kind and sensitive the in-depth interviews are. Alternatively, the light, humorous parts of the program provide balance and hope in a troubled world. Thank you As it Happens team!
  • Psnyder709
    I love hearing the Canadian perspective.
    I listen every night by podcast. Love the sweet puns; i never miss them. Nils is very empathetic host and excellent questions!
  • chanuck
    Top notch
    Love the show. Keeps me informed about world events from the important to the fun.
  • likewordle!
    Never stop reporting!
    I’ve been listening to the show for over 45 years and so appreciate the candid, informative, and sometimes heartbreaking interviews, and of course Canadian humour, please keep the signature music it’s part of the fabric. Thank you for all you do.
  • SunRa Rebel
    Bravo, from south of the border
    Love, listening to this podcast to get news and feature stories and events. We Listen from south of the border in the USA. This show plug us in. What a great model and formula for reporting on current events. We home the theme song just for fun.
  • CanuckBandit
    Longtime listener
    Love this show. Been listening since the Frum/Maitland days. Almost always interesting and sometimes a little quirky. The Canadian flavour is much welcomed to those of us living abroad. Thank you.
  • Kfschr
    Dec 1 2024
    You have always encouraged your listeners to write in with a comment. Here is mine. ALL news organizations are now airing a Sunday show. Your Sunday show could be 1 or 2 topics in depth look of interesting odd funny Happening. Good luck. Kip Fischer, BIG Fan Albuquerque, NM USA
  • angrylf
    Ok - used to be fantastic - now not so much
    The CBC is SO woke. Really a turn off. Media should give you information - it shouldn’t tell you what to think. They need to fire everyone under age 40! Haha.
  • trish in montana
    Welcome Nil Koksal!
    I’ve been an active listener since 2020. There is no news show like this. Nil is a formidable new force to join the show. Straight-shooting, intelligent reporting highlights the most important world news of the moment - talking with those IN the moment. I am learning every day without the annoyance of fluffy network news! They also tie in GREAT human interest stories along the way to keep things entertaining and light. But still newsworthy! Never a waste of my time! A++
  • Different_Drummer
    Switched to the BBC for objective reporting
    I have been listening to as it happens since the 70’s, and it was the highlight of my radio experience when I would drive for long distances through the prairies in the 90’s. However, it doesn’t appeal to me like it used to. It seems to be more negative and less fun, and embrace a ‘woke’ perspective - all are turnoffs. I think more positive, inspirational articles and less victim oriented storylines would improve this greatly.
  • Tied.up.2
    Overall a pretty good podcast
    The music in between sections is a bit jarring to me but otherwise it’s a great news podcast👍🏼
  • SS123GO
    Good podcast
    I really enjoy this podcast, the new host Nil Koksal is really good.
  • Al#%"
    Opinion
    Carol Off was awesome for many years. My opinion of Nel (?) is that she will be also. Her voice is beautifully lush and she seems to be able to understand the circumstances of her interviewee’s.
  • zxxcb.
    Special Earthquake Turkey
    Neal & Chris I Thank You for this in depth in person raw reality and absolute frustrations with no action or assistance for the insurmountable suffering and mental anguish of the Turkish and Syrian displaced people. Big Fan KHF-Albuquerque, NM
  • Elisa Sue
    Great podcast
    The new host is not as good an interviewer as Carol Off. Hopefully she will improve over time.
  • Winnie Eunice
    LOVE IT
    Oh my got me through Covid trauma I was so sad to hear when carroll off left! The one thing I wish is that there are about 1 million episodes every day it’s just such a great well rounded podcast that I could listen to it for hours on end. I really like how there’s news but also listen or pleasure things that are just like not really relevant to the news but They’re very funny! Or just sometimes sad but I think they’re all just overall really good tidbits and I also like that sometimes when I join in on the actual radio I’m late but it just has so many different stories that if you join in and they have to wait a little while for an extra for the next story to happen I just think that it’s such a well-rounded podcast and that’s why I gave it five stars if you don’t like the show I I think you’re crazy but it’s just such a good show I love it so much!!!
  • DorkasaurusRex
    Oh Canadians!
    🇨🇦After each sweet pun I love to exclaim “oh Canadians”! Welcome respite from USA commercialism...broadcast team is top-notch🇨🇦
  • hatesscams1848
    Carol Off ask all the right questions and listens to the answers.
    As It Happens explores the world with empathy and a clear eye.
  • Ejawesome22
    Carol Off, I love you
    Best newscast anywhere. NPR listeners will love this show.
  • mattrhames
    A pun take on the news
    Fun, serious, frivolous, important. A daily look at the day’s news. Radio that’s an apple podcast a day, and also probably android. You should listen.
  • Radical Linguist
    November 29
    Good selection of worthwhile stories. Only caveat: the formerly hard-boiled host has decided (or been told) to lead with her soft side. Result: emotional correctness run amok. That should not be hard to correct: just a teensy bit of emotional discipline would make the reporting more appealing.
  • Huntocar
    Great program!
    Good reporting, charismatic hosts, and a catchy theme song.
  • Royal in NH
    A refreshing take on the day’s news
    As a US Citizen, I enjoy hearing what is going on with our northern neighbors. Unfortunately, we seldom get much coverage of issues in Canada in the major US News Services. Further, it also provides a regular glimpse into how the US is viewed internationally and how we occasionally impact Canada. Great reporters providing insight on many interesting topics!
  • Sailing Annie
    Jaberwalki
    Rate of speaking way too fast. I find it hard to grasp. I used to listen daily but no longer as I intensely dislike the speeding up of my psyche that the rate of announcer’s speech is causing leaving me uncomfortable as well as upset.
  • GingerHamm
    Best interviews!!
    These days the news is Trump heavy and makes me Trump weary. But this is different. It’s not all about Nazi Don!! The interviews are in depth and offer personal insights into the interviewees. I love how they say goodbye to the person and thanks them. So polite, these Canadians, ay??
  • elsevier
    Great cast with fun news not a downer, so rare these days
    I no longer listen to podcast on Apple but I love this one so much I came back here to write this review! It is that great!
  • senatorwaynedking
    My Favorite!
    This has been my favorite podcast for as long as they have been doing it. My schedule doesn't permit me to listen to the broadcast on my public radio station but every weekend I look forward to listening to every podcast from the week!
  • California Now
    Great news and stories. Unbearable theme song.
    Excruciating flute nonsense theme. Please bring back the percussion theme. This one is just painfully boring.
  • Northwoods Flamingo
    My favorite podcast.
    I look forward to every episode. It’s my nightly ritual to listen to Carole and Jeff review top - and sometimes offbeat - stories. Infinitely better than American TV news.
  • LionisaSeattle
    Reporting done right As it Happens
    Thank you good Canadians for very fine reporting on the news. I always learn something new about my own country (US), and something not covered by other sources. I also appreciate the reporters ability to cut through lies and obfuscation and to show humanity towards interviewees. We're suffering from false equivalence disease in the US, and false objectivity.
  • Jamandymoo3
    A great update on Canadian and world news
    This was a staple of mine when I was in Canada and even more important now that I've moved to the US. Great content and coverage.
  • miguel el pingüino
    Perfect blend of funny & informative
    I can always rely on As It Happens to bring me up to date and relevant news covering a wide variety of places and topics. The hosts are excellent and work well with each other; they're both knowledgeable and captivating. Well done!
  • harwooje
    like the show, except ....
    except .... letting us know what goes on in the studio --> "We're on in 3, 2, 1 ... ", etc. is pretty interesting -- the first time.
  • deniseandj4d
    Christmas Eve 2012 Program
    One of the best "As It Happens" podcasts I've heard over the last 10 or so years. I love Christmas, so I'm biased. Moreover, the chance to hear the voices of past AIH hosts, whose voices are etched in my synapses and evoke memories of many past podcasts, made this outstanding podcast even more enjoyable.
  • Four Lakes Guy
    Smart, varied and with some humor
    The range of topics covered keeps my interest night after night, and there is a nice balance between important and fluff news stories. Perfect for an hour's listening
  • Duo Dinamico
    Simply amazing
    Intelligent and entertaining radio. Makes me proud to be canadian....
  • Minnesota 2 5
    Every nite
    Perfect range of topics, always an interesting story I haven't heard during the day, adds a bit of perspective to this USAcentric news consumer Thanks Andy Also I miss Barbra !
  • third person kids
    Poor iTunes support
    Show is great--sadly not a literal translation of what was heard on US public radio, but a passable substitute. iTunes support/uploads however seem to be slow--new pods can hit days late. For instance: I'm looking on 1.11.11 and the most recent pod on iTunes is 1.7.11. This isn't good. Improvements can be made.
  • Mayclone
    AIH fan in The Netherlands
    Background journalism as it is not heard and seen much any more. And very punny to boot! Thanks you technology: now I'm able to enjoy AIH in a different time zone.
  • SeattleBeard
    Tears of Joy!
    I actually teared up when I found this program was available as a podcast. These two women and their staff make some of the finest radio I HAVE EVER HEARD. I stumbled across their show infrequently here in the States. I always wanted to listen regularly. Now I can. Now I can pretend I'm Canadian at least on my iPod. Bliss.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork on this page are property of the podcast owner, and not endorsed by UP.audio.