All summer long, we're sharing some of our favourite Now or Never stories! After years of online dating and wading through bad pick up lines, unwelcome messages and horrible photos, Alicia Bunyan-Sampson decided to try something new. If you match with her, be prepared to answer around 30 questions. "There is this unspoken but loud expectation for w…

All summer long, we're sharing some of our favourite Now or Never stories! After being partially paralyzed in a car accident in 2020, Brianna Seewald was determined to walk down the aisle on her wedding day. Wearing a glittering white dress, leg braces and a pair of white sneakers, Seewald made her way to the altar to join her now-husband Ryan Bork…

Strap yourself in for some heart-pounding, stomach-churning stories on this episode, to hear what it's like when you face your fears head on. You would think that being strapped to a horse running 65 km/h would be the biggest adrenaline rush, but for Ciera Pruitt — who is dreaming of becoming a jockey just like her dad — there is no bigger thrill t…

In communities across the country, people are gathering to mark Pride. To celebrate, to march, and - in the face of an increase in anti-2SLGBTQIA+ sentiment - to fight for the right to safety, acceptance and belonging. Last week, 36-year-old Esmail experienced their first Pride parade ever. Having fled Yemen - where homosexuality is punishable by d…

From secret hideaways to rooms-with-a-view, sacred spaces to hidden gems, we're taking you on a cross-Canada tour of the secret spots you go to feel more like yourself. When Ryan Grobety, Robin Frend, Dave McGowan and Trevor Dineen parted ways in 1989, they closed the door on their “Killer Bees” kid clubhouse as well. But now, 35 years later, they …

Basketball is having a moment in Canada right now. So we're lacing up our hightops and hitting the courts with people chasing their hoop dreams, one basket at a time.

Debbie Ward hasn't worn a bathing suit in public since she was nine years old. When she stepped in the water at her local pool as a child, people ridiculed her and moved away, until she left crying. Two years earlier, a terrible accident left Debbie with scars on 70 percent of her body. Now, at the age of 69, she's finally ready to try again. For f…

It's easy to worry about the future. Aging. Finances. Climate change. Out-of-control AI. But on this episode, we'll introduce you to people bravely facing the years ahead - and helping shape the future they want. From a woman confronting her eco-anxiety, to a musician determined to revitalize a language on the brink.…

Step into the Now or Never 'Mom Confession Booth,' as moms sound off about the parts of motherhood no one warns you about. Ocean Maye is ecstatic about recently becoming a mom - but less excited her partner is about to head to Papua New Guinea in a few days to work on an oil rig. She tells us what it's like to be part of a community of moms unique …

We're always with people as they take a leap or try something new, but life continues after we turn our microphones off. So this week, we're revisiting some of our listener's favourite stories to find out what happened next? When we first met Clary Ager, she was living in Victoria dreaming of becoming a farmer, but had no land and little experience…

Trevor asks people in downtown Winnipeg whose voice they miss, and would like to hear again. And that prompts one woman to make a long overdue phone call. A year and a half ago, Trevor’s dad, Dave Dineen, underwent a laryngectomy to battle throat cancer. The surgery took away his vocal chords and forced him to find a new way to speak. He’s never sp…

When was the last time you were truly silly? The world can sometimes seem like a never-ending scroll of bad news. But moments of unadulterated fun have a special way of transforming your whole day. When Marcy Markusa, host of CBC’s Information Radio, was reflecting on turning 50 she had a realization…she’s forgotten to be silly. Ify and Trevor come…

When you're faced with a hard truth about yourself, it can be tough figuring out what to do next. Or to make any changes at all. On this episode, meet five people hit with a reality check they couldn't ignore. Andrew Barr thought he was showing up to help a friend but instead, he was surprised with an intervention. The Toronto comedian shares the m…

The average person will spend more than 90,000 hours at work. That's about one-third of your life. Depending on how you feel about your job, that time can feel like a dream...or a never-ending nightmare. So on this episode, Ify and Trevor are on a mission to help make your workplace work for you, starting with a makeover of their own grim office wa…

Around the world, in the streets, people are raising their voices and demanding change. But not all protests involve placards and marching. Today on Now or Never, people who are rebelling against the way things are - and finding creative new ways to demand change. Maddy Nowosad loved skateboarding and the community of people she met at The Edge, a …

Love can make us do crazy things. Hear from people going to extremes as they fall in love, chase love down, and find ways to keep it going strong. London, Ontario’s Frank and Patrick knew from day one that they wanted to start a family. Their wild ride to parenthood through foster care, adoption and surrogacy has tested their love for each other, t…

What’s it like to take a punch? Host Trevor has never been in a fight in his life, until now. This week Trevor follows his curiosity to Pan Am Boxing Club, the oldest boxing club in Winnipeg. That’s where he discovers that at this fight club, they’re changing lives. Every two weeks the rainbow and trans flags fly in the non-profit gym when Jesse Jo…

The dream job can be hard to find, and even harder to hang on to. Hear from people at all stages of living their best work life, whether they're hustling to get it, or knowing when to walk away. For Brenda Hernandez-Acosta, making empanadas and churro cheesecake has always been her love language. Two weeks ago, she opened her first bakery in downto…

Our families pass on all kinds of things to us - values, quirks, and that particular expression your mom makes when she finds something hilarious. On this episode, hear stories of people embracing, breaking (or reinventing) the imprint of their families. A reality check from ChatGPT sends Hamilton’s Shawney Cohen on a drastic health journey, as he …

They send you emails, they call your phone, they try to lure you on social media. But their promises are empty and they’re really just after your money. According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, scams cost Canadians at least 554 million dollars last year. But when you talk to the victims of these schemes, it becomes clear that more than money wa…

Could you imagine solving a Rubik's Cube in under one second? Or summing up your entire life in 6 minutes? On this episode, every story is a race against time. SIX MINUTES. Richard Kemick is looking to dip his toe into the dating world again. There’s just one problem. His living situation is a little…..complicated. And tough to sum up in the six mi…

When you don’t see eye-to-eye on something, how do you bridge the gap? Stories of people trying to understand each other better across cultural, generational, and family divides.After his father’s sudden death while on vacation in the Philippines, Jim Agapito rushed to his funeral. But when he arrived, he was thrown into an unfamiliar world where h…

When humans and nature collide, you never know what will happen. This week on Now or Never, stories of close encounters with the natural world. Andrew Phung brings us into the battle zone: the laneway of his Toronto home, where he faces off every day against a team of raccoons. After witnessing the effects of the climate crisis in BC this past year…

There are lots of reasons to volunteer - and many excuses not to. So as Canada faces a critical volunteer shortage, what is motivating those who do? Seven days a week, Ashley Van Aggelen is out there coaching. She gives up all her evenings, barely sees her friends, and bounces between multiple basketball, hockey, and soccer games in a single week. …

In an age where over-sharing and trauma-dumping has become the norm, is there such a thing as TMI anymore? On this episode, hear how people are navigating the freedom and discomfort of letting it all out. Would you reveal how old you are? The last time you cried? How much money is in your bank account? Trevor and Ify get nosy with their fellow CBC …

Join Kosta and his guest: Jim Bourke, Director of Adult Foster Care Services at Home Caregivers. In this episode: What is adult foster care? What kinds of families or individuals are you looking for to become adult foster parents? What kind of compensation can a family expect? Does the compensation vary? Does this cover the cost of living for the i…

Join Kosta and his guest: John Mozdzien, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Veterans First. Aging veterans and their families often face unique challenges, and it can be difficult trying to maintain a level of independence. That’s why Veterans First works to provide veterans and their families the support they need for independent living at home.…

Join Kosta and his guest: Stefano Selorio, Founder and CEO of Carevocacy, a platform providing online, in-person and AI driven education teaching seniors how to use the technology around them. Recently honored as one of Forbes 30 Under 30, Stefano’s mission is to advance Health Equity Through AI and Digital Literacy. In this episode: How can a bett…

Join Kosta and his guest: Justin Ellerby, President of the National Shared Housing Resource Center and Co-Founder and Executive Director at HomeShare American River. In this episode: This goes without saying, but housing is one of the greatest challenges facing Americans of all ages, in all parts of the United States. How does home sharing address …

Join Kosta and his guest: Meredith Oppenheim, Founder and CEO of Vitality Society, an online community designed to enrich, engage and empower people 60 and better to remain at their best. Meredith proudly served on Mayor Bloomberg’s Age-Friendly NYC Commission and the NYC Department for Aging board during her decades as an executive in the senior h…

Join Kosta and his guest: Kathleen O’Brien: Advocate, Educator, Former Television Broadcaster and Producer and now, Author of Reclaiming Your Right to Grow Old. In this episode: Why do we obsess over youth when that’s such a short and often painful part of our life, while having the maturity and wisdom of age is such a dignified and rich way to exp…

Join Kosta and his guest: Kimberly Whiter, Co-Founder of The Whole Care Network, CEO of Elder Care Solutions, and Founder of The Care Colloquium, a first of its kind, national thought leadership conference for leaders in the care economy. In this episode: What does it look like financially for the average American to unexpectedly need senior care? …

Join Kosta and his guest: Dr. Mitchell Clionsky, Board-Certified Clinical Neuropsychologist, Clinician and Co-Author of Dementia Prevention: Using Your Head to Save Your Brain. In this episode: Dementia isn’t inevitable, and in 1 in 2 it’s preventable. Your book lays out a visual model of more than 20 factors that impact dementia risk, including 15…

Join Kosta and his guest: Kelly Roberts, Co-Founder of Roberts Family Funeral Home and Founder of Send Off - a company redefining the way we look at funerals, end of life celebrations and memorial events. Find out more about SendOff: https://www.sendoff.co/ Find out more about Roberts Family Funeral Home: https://www.robertsfamilyfh.com/ Find out m…

When fear grabs hold of you and sinks it's teeth in, it's hard to shake loose.And for good reason — if you are in a dangerous situation, that flight-or-fight response can be life saving. But what if your fear is getting in the way of living the life you want? You might have to look the fear directly in the eye and welcome whatever happens, just lik…

Join Kosta and his guest: Malika Moore, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Educator and Founder of Aging and Amazing, a network committed to older adults and strengthening the networks that surround them. In this episode: In my experience, people either never want to think about getting older or they’re afraid of getting older and thinking about it w…

Join Kosta and his guest: Emily Gang, Owner and Founder of The Medicare Coach. Providing independent, unbiased advice to Americans approaching their Medicare decision,The Medicare Coach is dedicated to helping educate and protect American's healthcare rights and retirement savings. Today we’re talking about everything you should know about Medicare…

Join Kosta and his guest: Gretchen Kingma, Occupational Therapist, Realtor and Founder of Empowered Homes and Custom Joy. Throughout her career Gretchen has dedicated herself to improving aging-in-place services, creating intentional home modifications, and facilitating community transitions that assist older adults and persons with disabilities in…

Join Kosta and his guest: Dr. Christine Rosenbloom, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Licensed Dietitian, and Co-Author of Food and Fitness after 50. Dr. Rosenbloom is a regular contributor to AARP, WebMD, and countless other publishing resources, while becoming a trusted nutritional consultant for brands like General Mills, The Grain Foods Founda…

Join Kosta and his guest: Dr. Dorian Minzter, experienced Therapist, Life and Retirement Transition Coach, Relationship Coach, Executive Coach, Author, Speaker and Teacher. Today we’re talking about what no one told you about retirement. In this episode: In 2023, what does a successful retirement look like? How can we more accurately predict what w…

Join Kosta and his guest: Christian Worstell, Senior Medicare and Health Insurance Eductor with HelpAdvisor.com. As a licensed health insurance agent and industry advocate, Christian has helped thousands of Americans better understand their health insurance and Medicare coverage. Featured everywhere from Forbes, MarketWatch, WebMD, and Yahoo! Finan…

Join Kosta and his guest: Dr. Jennifer Stelter, Clinical Psychologist, Dementia Expert, and Johns Hopkins Press Author specializing in dementia care. Dr. Stelter is a Certified Dementia Practitioner, Certified Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Trainer recognized by the National Council for Certified Dementia Practitioners. Today we’re talking a…

Disclaimer: This episode contains conversations about suicide, mental health, and some content that might not be appropriate for all audiences. Join Kosta and his guest: Nikki Lawley, Medical Cannabis Advocate, Educator, and Founder of Nikki and the Plant. Today we’re talking about aging, longevity, and medical cannabis. In a 2020 publication from …

Join Kosta and his guest: Maxwell Schmitz, MSFS, CLTC, Senior Advisor, CEO of Yetworth Insurance Solutions, and Author of Planting the Seed: 20 Ways to Preserve Your Yetworth. Today we’re talking about who actually needs long-term care insurance. In this episode: What is long-term care insurance? How is it most commonly used? How does the price of …

Join Kosta and his guest: Annalee Kruger, Founder and President of Care Right Inc., Senior Care Advisor, Author of The Invisible Patient, and senior care director of over 30 years. In this episode: Today’s episode revolves heavily around the concept of compassion fatigue - or the burnout caregivers experience due to chronic self-sacrifice. How does…

Join Kosta and his guest: Kevin Jameson, Founder, President, and Chief Volunteer of Dementia Society of America, a non-profit working to educate and promote awareness of all types of dementia. In this episode: Dementia looks different for everyone, how does technology aid in providing personalized care options, specifically in improving community e…

Join Kosta and his guest: Steve Gurney, Founder and CEO of Positive Aging Community, Author, and Senior Living Advocate of over 30 years. In this episode: What is Positive Aging Community? How does it help seniors and our communities overall? As an expert in senior living, what do you believe is the biggest misconception about this experience? What…

Join Kosta and his guest: Lori Ramos Lemasters, Founder of Care Partners Resource and Consulting, Certified Journal to the Self ® Therapeutic Writing Instructor, and Author of “You're a Caregiver, Not a Saint”. Today we’re talking about the power of therapeutic journaling for caregivers. Find out more about Lori and Care Partner Resource: http://Ca…

Join Kosta and his guest: Star Bradbury, Aging Life Care Specialist, Founder of Senior Living Strategies, and Author of Successfully Navigating Your Parents' Senior Years. In this episode: What’s normally the most overlooked or misunderstood aspect of aging for your clients? What does aging successfully really look like? How can we measure if we're…

Join Kosta and his guest: Jenny Kenderes, President and CEO of Senior Living Placement, Speaker, Educator, and Author of “Navigating the Next Chapter”. Today we’re talking about how to understand the 3 keys of senior living: care, budget, and location. In this episode: How do senior care placement agencies work? How can we prepare for the financial…