Best Opera North Podcasts (2025)

1
LU KALA is the next big Canadian pop star 23:56

11h ago23:56

23:56

With viral hits like “Pretty Girl Era,” LU KALA has proven that she might just be the next big Canadian breakthrough artist à la Justin Bieber, Carly Rae Jepsen, The Weeknd or Shawn Mendes. Her catchy songs about loving yourself and knowing your worth have amassed millions of streams all over the internet. On the heels of her brand new EP, “No Tear…

1
How playing Nintendo led him to write for late-night TV 23:26

1h ago23:26

23:26

For Mike Drucker, getting a Nintendo at three years old truly changed the course of his life. Since then, the Emmy-nominated writer and comedian has built an entire career influenced by video games. In his new memoir, “Good Game, No Rematch: A Life Made of Video Games,” Mike details how some of his most defining experiences were either accompanied …

1
Georges Niang on the NBA Playoffs, MLB Walkoff Central, and Lucas' Notebook - W H3 37:51

16m ago37:51

37:51

Georges Niang on the NBA Playoffs, MLB Walkoff Central, and Lucas' Notebook - W H3By Heather Burnside and Sean Roberts (KXNOAM)

1
Headlines, Randy Wehofer with the iCubs, and CFP May Be Listening - W H2 39:30

20m ago39:30

39:30

Headlines, Randy Wehofer with the iCubs, and CFP May Be Listening - W H2By Heather Burnside and Sean Roberts (KXNOAM)

1
Dog Days of Summer, Football Win Totals, Pacers Advance, Matt Carpenter and Hunter Dekkers - W H1 43:08

11h ago43:08

43:08

Dog Days of Summer, Football Win Totals, Pacers Advance, Matt Carpenter and Hunter Dekkers - W H1By Heather Burnside and Sean Roberts (KXNOAM)

1
Randy Bachman didn’t want BTO to be “a second-rate Guess Who” 31:50

1d ago31:50

31:50

For more than 60 years, Canadian rock and roll legend Randy Bachman has been takin’ care of business and working overtime. He co-founded not one but two of the most successful rock bands to come out of this country: The Guess Who and Bachman–Turner Overdrive. Randy sits down with Tom Power to look back on his incredible life in music, from leaving …

1
Why Bria Salmena wrote a song for her 15-year-old self 14:38

1d ago14:38

14:38

Bria Salmena is a Canadian musician who originally rose to prominence as the frontwoman of the post-punk band FRIGS before joining Orville Peck's touring band. Now, she’s released her debut solo album, “Big Dog.” One of its most powerful tracks, “Rags,” is a raw anthem about rage, shame and shedding the need to accommodate others. Bria joins guest …

1
More on Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe, NFL Schedule Leaks, and Lucas' Notebook - T H3 40:43

15h ago40:43

40:43

More on Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe, NFL Schedule Leaks, and Lucas' Notebook - T H3By Heather Burnside and Sean Roberts (KXNOAM)

1
BREAKING Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Eligible for HOF, Tatum's Injury, and Visiting Australia - T H2 36:23

15h ago36:23

36:23

BREAKING Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Eligible for HOF, Tatum's Injury, and Visiting Australia - T H2By Heather Burnside and Sean Roberts (KXNOAM)

1
Heather and Lucas debate the NBA Lottery, Tommy Birch on Iowans in Chicago, and Paul Skenes for USA - T H1 38:33

15h ago38:33

38:33

Heather and Lucas debate the NBA Lottery, Tommy Birch on Iowans in Chicago, and Paul Skenes for USA - T H1By Heather Burnside and Sean Roberts (KXNOAM)

1
PUP’s Stefan Babcock can’t take a compliment 23:44

11h ago23:44

23:44

Young punk upstarts PUP aren’t so young anymore. In fact, the band that singlehandedly brought punk rock back to Canada in a big way is probably getting too old to mosh. On their fifth and latest record, “Who Will Look After The Dogs?” lead singer Stefan Babcock reflects on his evolution as a songwriter and getting older. He joins Tom Power in our …

1
TV on the Radio’s Tunde Adebimpe has gone solo 22:13

8h ago22:13

22:13

Tunde Adebimpe made a name for himself fronting the art rock band TV on the Radio. Now, he’s released his first solo album, “Thee Black Boltz.” Tunde joins Tom Power to talk about making music without his long-time band, the spirit of rebellion that runs through his new record, and how an album that’s born out of some pretty tough stuff ended up so…

1
College Football Playoff Problems with Alec Busse; Lucas' Notebook - M H3 40:03

1d ago40:03

40:03

College Football Playoff Problems with Alec Busse; Lucas' Notebook - M H3By Heather Burnside and Sean Roberts (KXNOAM)

1
Heather's Headlines, Rockies 7-33 Start, and NBA Draft Lottery - M H2 42:14

1d ago42:14

42:14

Heather's Headlines, Rockies 7-33 Start, and NBA Draft Lottery - M H2By Heather Burnside and Sean Roberts (KXNOAM)

1
Lucas has no idea what kind of car he drives, Pacers Clinic, and Derek Carr Retires - M H1 40:40

1d ago40:40

40:40

Lucas has no idea what kind of car he drives, Pacers Clinic, and Derek Carr Retires - M H1By Heather Burnside and Sean Roberts (KXNOAM)

1
Lucy Dacus doesn’t think love should be corny 33:34

1d ago33:34

33:34

On her new album, “Forever Is a Feeling,” Lucy Dacus sets the record straight on what love is — and isn’t. The singer-songwriter sits down with Tom Power to tell us what she thinks is missing in modern love songs, what she’s learned about love (spoiler alert: she's still searching for answers), and how she feels about the end of her Grammy-winning …

1
The Drive with Heather and Lucas 5-9-25 Hr 3 37:56

6d ago37:56

37:56

Lucas Strain and Sean Roberts at Scheels! MLB! NBA Playoffs! E-Bikes!By Heather Burnside and Sean Roberts (KXNOAM)

1
The Drive with Heather and Lucas 5-9-25 Hr 2 35:32

6d ago35:32

35:32

Lucas Strain and Sean Roberts at Scheels! E-Bikes! Chicago Pope! North Carolina football!By Heather Burnside and Sean Roberts (KXNOAM)

1
The Drive with Heather and Lucas 5-9-25 Hr 1 41:42

6d ago41:42

41:42

Lucas Strain and Sean Roberts at Scheels! Pope is a White Sox fan! NBA and NHL Playoffs!By Heather Burnside and Sean Roberts (KXNOAM)

1
How Mustafa kept his faith through devastating loss 42:32

4d ago42:32

42:32

A few years ago, Mustafa released his critically acclaimed EP, “When Smoke Rises,” which chronicled the deaths of loved ones from his community of Regent Park in Toronto. So when he sat down to write his debut album, “Dunya,” the Juno-winning musician and poet wanted to explore other things, like love, faith and his relationship with God. Then his …

1
Favorite Position Thursday: Clutch Players and Moments; Lucas' Notebook - Th H3 41:59

7d ago41:59

41:59

Favorite Position Thursday: Clutch Players and Moments; Lucas' Notebook - Th H3By Heather Burnside and Sean Roberts (KXNOAM)

1
NIL Pendulum, NFC North Rankings, and Best NFL Coaches - Th H2 39:01

7d ago39:01

39:01

NIL Pendulum, NFC North Rankings, and Best NFL Coaches - Th H2By Heather Burnside and Sean Roberts (KXNOAM)

1
David Eickholt's in with Lucas talking the new Pope, Knicks Comebacks, and Alec Busse on all things ISU - Th H1 41:21

7d ago41:21

41:21

David Eickholt's in with Lucas talking the new Pope, Knicks Comebacks, and Alec Busse on all things ISU - Th H1By Heather Burnside and Sean Roberts (KXNOAM)

1
How grief changed Nick Cave forever 34:38

5d ago34:38

34:38

When Nick Cave was in his early band The Birthday Party, he was angry and antagonistic toward his audience. The legendary Australian musician, writer and actor eventually grew out of his youthful contempt, but he remained consumed by his work, always putting it first before anything else. Then he lost two of his sons. In this wide-ranging conversat…

1
Casper Skulls made their best record amid major life changes 8:59

5d ago8:59

8:59

When the Canadian indie rock band Casper Skulls got their start about 10 years ago, things were a little different. Firstly, band members Melanie St-Pierre-Bednis and Neil Bednis weren’t married at the time, and now they’re husband and wife. Secondly, they hadn’t moved back to their hometown of Sudbury, Ont., and they didn’t have a baby yet. Melani…

1
George Pickens to Dallas, Ask 5-0, and Lucas' Notebook - W H3 41:17

8d ago41:17

41:17

George Pickens to Dallas, Ask 5-0, and Lucas' Notebook - W H3By Heather Burnside and Sean Roberts (KXNOAM)

1
Heather's Headlines, Scott Dochterman, and Lucas' Blind Taste Test - W H2 40:01

8d ago40:01

40:01

Heather's Headlines, Scott Dochterman, and Lucas' Blind Taste Test - W H2By Heather Burnside and Sean Roberts (KXNOAM)

1
Holy Haliburton! Travis Hines from the DSM Register, and Heather's Trip to the DMV - W H1 42:07

8d ago42:07

42:07

Holy Haliburton! Travis Hines from the DSM Register, and Heather's Trip to the DMV - W H1By Heather Burnside and Sean Roberts (KXNOAM)

1
Why Lights walked away from religion 31:39

6d ago31:39

31:39

The Canadian singer-songwriter Lights grew up in a missionary family in Timmins, Ont., believing that her musical ability was both a gift and a responsibility. Some of her earliest work was Christian music. When Lights was just a teenager, she started posting her songs on Myspace, which ultimately set her career into motion. But during that time, s…

1
Dallas Green risked it all going solo 19:14

6d ago19:14

19:14

Twenty years ago, Dallas Green and his band Alexisonfire were making post-hardcore music when Dallas decided to release a soft acoustic album under the name City and Colour. It was a big risk, but that debut solo album, “Sometimes,” went on to receive critical acclaim and a Juno Award. It was also the catalyst for Dallas to start his own independen…

1
CFP Dream Format, Minor League Team Names, and Lucas' Notebook - T H3 35:27

9d ago35:27

35:27

CFP Dream Format, Minor League Team Names, and Lucas' Notebook - T H3By Heather Burnside and Sean Roberts (KXNOAM)

1
Heather's Headlines and KXnO's Spelling Bee - T H2 42:31

9d ago42:31

42:31

Ratings from Iowa City, Cavs T-Shirts, AI Voices, Lucas tests Heather on NBA Players and Heather returns the favor.By Heather Burnside and Sean Roberts (KXNOAM)

1
Knicks and Nuggets Incredible Comebacks, ISU in Mackey, and Joel Klatt's Top 25 - T H1 39:53

9d ago39:53

39:53

Knicks and Nuggets Incredible Comebacks, ISU in Mackey, and Joel Klatt's Top 25 - T H1By Heather Burnside and Sean Roberts (KXNOAM)

1
Djo on his viral hit End of Beginning 33:51

7d ago33:51

33:51

The actor and musician Joe Keery, also known as Djo, is best known for playing Steve Harrington on the hit Netflix show “Stranger Things.” But after his song “End of Beginning” went viral on TikTok last year, a huge spotlight was shone on his music. Joe sits down with Tom Power to talk about his new album, “The Crux,” and his breakthrough role in “…

1
Rose Cousins on why staying in love is so hard 17:03

7d ago17:03

17:03

On her latest record, “Conditions of Love Vol. 1,” Rose Cousins digs into all the complicated feelings that come with love, from falling in love, to keeping the romance going, to maintaining friendships. It also finds the Canadian singer-songwriter reuniting with one of her most important companions: the piano. Rose sits down with Tom Power to talk…

1
David Eickholt of 247 Sports Joins Heather and Lucas discussing the Fever's Exhibition in Iowa City; Lucas' Notebook - M H3 42:30

10d ago42:30

42:30

David Eickholt of 247 Sports Joins Heather and Lucas discussing the Fever's Exhibition in Iowa City; Lucas' Notebook - M H3By Heather Burnside and Sean Roberts (KXNOAM)

1
Heather's Headlines, UFC Fighter Jeremy Stephens, and NBA Playoffs - M H2 41:03

10d ago41:03

41:03

Michigan's self suspension, Purdy contract negotiations, and NBA Game 7s!By Heather Burnside and Sean Roberts (KXNOAM)

1
Lucas' Camping Weekend, Iowa City Fever, and Winnipeg Wonder - M H1 43:41

10d ago43:41

43:41

Lucas' Camping Weekend, Iowa City Fever, and Winnipeg Wonder - M H1By Heather Burnside and Sean Roberts (KXNOAM)

1
Canadian playwright Bob Martin is a Broadway hitmaker 24:32

8d ago24:32

24:32

Bob Martin is a Canadian actor and writer who first made his name working in Canadian TV, but now he’s one of Broadway’s most in-demand playwrights. How in demand? Well, two of his new musicals (“Boop!” and “Smash”) recently premiered on Broadway in the same week. Bob joins Tom Power to discuss that achievement and his Tony Award-winning career. In…

1
This play is an adaptation of the longest poem ever written 25:02

8d ago25:02

25:02

The longest poem ever written is a 4,000-year-old Sanskrit epic called the “Mahabharata,” which clocks in at roughly 1.8 million words. But the poem’s daunting length didn’t stop Toronto’s Why Not Theatre from adapting it into a large-scale play of the same name. Miriam Fernandes, the co-creator and star of the show, joins Tom Power to tell us exac…

1
Kentucky Derby, Brooks Reynolds with Bacon Festival, and Lucas' Notebook - F H3 39:09

13d ago39:09

39:09

Kentucky Derby, Brooks Reynolds with Bacon Festival, and Lucas' Notebook - F H3By Heather Burnside and Sean Roberts (KXNOAM)

1
Heather's Headlines, Haliburton's Dad, Knicks Advance, and Throwback Jerseys - F H2 40:46

13d ago40:46

40:46

Heather's Headlines, Haliburton's Dad, Knicks Advance, and Throwback Jerseys - F H2By Heather Burnside and Sean Roberts (KXNOAM)

1
Heather and Lucas went to see Frank Caliendo, Coach Pop is done, Rob Donaldson, and more! F H1 42:18

13d ago42:18

42:18

Heather and Lucas went to see Frank Caliendo, Coach Pop is done, Rob Donaldson, and more! F H1By Heather Burnside and Sean Roberts (KXNOAM)

1
Sarah Harmer uses her voice for something bigger than music 47:56

12d ago47:56

47:56

For more than 35 years, Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah Harmer has used her voice to make award-winning, critically acclaimed music — but that’s not all. She’s also been a vocal advocate for important environmental and humanitarian causes, both in this country and abroad. At the Juno Awards in Vancouver earlier this year, Sarah was honoured with t…

1
Headlines, Heather's Impersonations, and Lucas' Notebook and the Bookmark! Th H3 41:48

14d ago41:48

41:48

Headlines, Heather's Impersonations, and Lucas' Notebook and the Bookmark! Th H3By Heather Burnside and Sean Roberts (KXNOAM)

1
Frank Caliendo and Patrick Keane, $9 Million in Real Estate, and DMV Nightmare - Th H2 41:11

14d ago41:11

41:11

Frank Caliendo and Patrick Keane, $9 Million in Real Estate, and DMV Nightmare - Th H2By Heather Burnside and Sean Roberts (KXNOAM)

1
Pirates Fan is Okay, Lakers Eliminated, and Frank Caliendo! Th H1 40:15

14d ago40:15

40:15

Pirates Fan is Okay, Lakers Eliminated, and Frank Caliendo! Th H1By Heather Burnside and Sean Roberts (KXNOAM)

1
Max Kerman is reclaiming the term “try hard” 26:21

14d ago26:21

26:21

Arkells frontman Max Kerman is taking back the term “try hard” with his first book, “Try Hard: Creative Work in Progress.” It peels back the curtain on the band’s creative process, offering a framework for how to bring more creativity into your life, but it’s also a defence of striving and wanting to be a better artist. In this conversation with To…

1
Why Bells Larsen decided to sing duets with his past self 25:35

14d ago25:35

25:35

On Bells Larsen’s stunning new album, “Blurring Time,” the Canadian singer-songwriter has an unlikely collaborator — himself. Bells is a trans man and he first recorded the album in his pre-transition voice with the intent of revisiting the songs after he started hormone therapy. The result is a unique self-collaboration, in which he harmonizes wit…