Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Arlene Is Alone

Chantal Kreviazuk has written songs that have found their way into millions of hearts, from her own Juno-winning records to hits for some of the biggest voices in pop, but the story behind the music is one she rarely tells. In this conversation with Arlene, she opens up about the near-death car crash in Italy that changed everything, her marriage to Raine Maida and the work they continue to do for each other, and what being a mother has taught her about love and letting go. It's an honest, tender, and quietly inspiring conversation about resilience, partnership, and the courage it takes to be truly seen.

At 15, Rick Hansen was paralyzed in a truck crash. He went on to become a six-time Paralympic medallist and the Man In Motion, wheeling more than 40,000 kilometres around the world to prove what people with disabilities can do.

In this episode, Rick talks about the determination that got him through those early years, the gym teacher who opened up his world, and his friendship with Terry Fox. We also talk about his wife, Amanda, who was his physiotherapist on the world tour, and the partnership they’ve built ever since.

A conversation about resilience, purpose, and the people who carry us.

Halifax's Alicia McCarvell is one of Canada's most-followed content creators, with millions of fans drawn to her mix of humour, self-love and body positivity. She and Arlene talk about her changing relationship with her body, setting boundaries online, going full-time as a creator, and why her marriage works. Plus, the years she lost believing her body was the problem, and why she's now set on sharing her success.

Tragically Hip guitarist and songwriter Paul Langlois joins Arlene to talk about his friendship with Gord Downie, the band's final concert in Kingston in 2016, and why supporting Indigenous people mattered so deeply to Gord and the Hip. Paul also looks back on growing up in Kingston, his parents' influence, being honoured by the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, and his life in music today as a solo artist.

Jillian Harris, Canadian TV personality, designer, and entrepreneur, joins Arlene for a warm and honest conversation about the power of reinvention, the story of how she met her husband Justin, and the worries she carries about her aging parents. They talk about the fear that comes with speaking up in a world that feels more divided than ever, the complexities of aging, and what it really means to live authentically right now. A conversation about growth, love, and the courage it takes to keep becoming who you're meant to be.

Ben Hollingsworth, known for his roles in Virgin River and The Joneses, sits down with Arlene for a candid conversation about his path into acting and the family lessons that shaped him along the way. They dig into what it’s like navigating ADHD in a demanding industry, plus the moment he first learned to trust his own instincts. Plus, a fascinating story from his very first MET gala experience that you absolutely need to hear. 

Mary Berg won Masterchef Canada in 2016 with no professional training, then turned that win into a full television career as host of her own cooking shows and a daytime talk show. But behind the easy on-screen warmth is someone who learned early how to hold joy and grief at the same time. In this conversation, she and Arlene talk about losing her father young, living with anxiety, and the quiet work of finding purpose and meaning in small, ordinary moments.

Meredith MacNeill—award-winning Canadian actress, comedian, and co-creator of Baroness von Sketch Show and Small Achievable Goals—joins Arlene for a sharp and unflinching conversation about the patriarchy, identity, and the insecurities women have been taught to carry. They dive into the complicated relationship between identity and work, the shame that was never ours to begin with, and the uncomfortable question of who actually benefits from women's insecurities. Funny, smart, and necessary—the kind of conversation women have been having privately for decades, brought into the open.

Carleigh Bodrug, the creator behind PlantYou, joins Arlene to talk about how her father’s colon cancer diagnosis set her on the path to plant-based eating and a career built around helping others. She opens up about grief, vulnerability, and the deep link between the food we eat and our health. Join us for a conversation that goes far beyond the plate.

Olympic gold medalist and PWHL star Sarah Nurse joins Arlene for an honest conversation about family, femininity, and the strength it takes to lead. They talk about growing up in a famously athletic family, how her parents shielded her from the politics of elite sport, and why she refuses to see femininity as being in conflict with serious competition. It’s a conversation about redefining what an athlete is allowed to be: ambitious and gentle, competitive and feminine, public and deeply private.

Tom Green joins Arlene for a candid conversation about his new show The Tom Green Farm, his decades-long career across stand-up, music, and movies, and his lasting impact on internet comedy and the podcast format we know today. Tom opens up about being ahead of his time, the creative paths he's explored, and how he continues to evolve as an artist. A funny, honest, and reflective conversation about creativity, reinvention, and the legacy of someone who helped shape modern comedy.

Jully Black, Canada's Queen of R&B Soul, joins Arlene for a deeply personal conversation about losing her mother, Agatha 'Mama Black' Gordon, and navigating the grief that followed. Jully opens up about her complicated relationship with her father, her spiritual connection to her twin brother who died three days after birth, growing up Black in Canada while embracing her Jamaican heritage, and the beautiful lessons her mother taught her about femininity and strength. She also shares the story of how she met her husband—a love that arrived exactly when she needed it.

Todd Talbot, co-host of Love It or List It Vancouver, joins Arlene for a conversation about the pressure of being a public persona, how life has changed for younger generations, and his passion for sustainable housing. Todd opens up about losing his family's EhFrame cabin to the McDougall Creek Wildfire in 2023, how that loss shaped his mission to build climate-resilient homes, and the personal work he's doing to keep growing and evolving. Plus, a hilarious story about his unexpected 'cameos' in Barbie and Wicked.

Kendall Gender—drag queen, Canada's Drag Race star, and founder of The Kendall Gender Foundation—joins Arlene for a conversation about true allyship, acceptance, and the fear her community lives with every day. Kendall opens up about finding community in drag, growing up with a family that supported her, and why she believes we should focus on what we have in common instead of what divides us. This is a powerful conversation about resilience, what real allyship looks like, and why our shared humanity matters more than our differences.

Morgan Hoffman, entertainment reporter for Global's The Morning Show, joins Arlene for a deeply personal conversation. Morgan opens up about freezing her eggs at 40 while single—the hope, the science, and the questions nobody prepares you for. She also talks about navigating depression behind the scenes of a glamorous career and shares her experience being stalked, a reality that fundamentally changed how she lives her life. This is Morgan stepping away from the red carpet to get real about the hard stuff that doesn't make headlines.

Brent Butt, creator and star of Corner Gas, joins Arlene for a conversation about finding his voice in comedy. Brent shares where he first discovered his passion for making people laugh, how his family reacted when he told them he wanted to pursue comedy, and why humor matters most when we're navigating dark times. Plus, stories about growing up in a small Saskatchewan town where there were more Butts than you'd expect. This is Brent Butt—funny, thoughtful, and as authentic as they come.

David Suzuki joins Arlene the day before his 90th birthday for a profound conversation about the lessons his father taught him, how his grandchildren reignited his wonder, capitalism's impact on the environment, and what six decades of environmental advocacy has taught him about hope, resilience, and what really matters.

Brock McGillis, the first openly gay professional hockey player, joins Arlene for a powerful conversation about living authentically and creating real impact. Brock opens up about navigating pro hockey while hiding his identity, the three-year relationship he kept private before coming out, and why he stopped caring about the opinions of people who refuse to understand. He also shares how his advocacy work has saved thousands of lives and what it means to live with purpose—focusing on societal impact over approval. This is a conversation about truth, resilience, and using your story to change the world.

Emmy-nominated actress Lauren Holly (Picket Fences, NCIS, Dumb and Dumber) joins Arlene for an intimate conversation about finding the courage to fail, navigating life as an empath, and what her relationship with Jim Carrey taught her—they're still friends to this day. Lauren also shares why she chose to distance herself from certain Hollywood circles, including refusing to attend events with Donald Trump. This is a conversation about resilience, boundaries, and defining success on your own terms.

Kardinal Offishall, Canadian hip-hop icon and multi-platinum artist, joins Arlene for a deeply personal conversation about the Black experience growing up in Canada, the lessons his mother taught him about navigating the world, and how he's now teaching his own sons. Kardinal opens up about why doing the inner healing work is essential, not optional, and how confronting your own pain transforms every relationship you have. Plus, an unforgettable vasectomy story. This is a conversation about legacy, growth, and what it means to be Black in a world that's still learning.