“It's the reason why this Canadian Geographic thing means a lot to me. It’s about people and how they live and how we interact and celebrate how beautiful and natural this life can be.”

We’ve got a new honorary RCGS Fellow on Explore today! George Stroumboulopoulos is one of Canada’s great interviewers and broadcasters. In the span of his 30-plus year career, he has talked with thousands of people from King Charles to Gord Downie, from Maya Angelou to Lady Gaga and so many, many more. For decades he has served as a cultural prism for Canadians on MuchMusic, and CBC shows like The Hour, George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight and The Strombo Show. He was also a breath of fresh air, for too brief a time, as host of Hockey Night in Canada. He’s now on Apple Music, which has him dividing his time between Toronto and Los Angeles.

Active in giving back, Strombo is, among other things, a UN ambassador for the World Food Programme, which has seen him traveling to many of the world’s danger zones. For all his good works, he was inducted into the Order of Canada in 2023. 

I’ve always enjoyed George’s work. The best interviewers are proxies for their audience, asking the questions we all want answered. There is a warmth, empathy, sense of humour, curiosity and connection in George’s presence that make him one of the very best at what he does. So, I’m really thrilled to be turning the tables on him in this episode. We get into it on a number of fascinating topics, including his childhood in the rough and diverse Jane and Finch area of Toronto, the books, music, movies and concerts that opened up his young mind, interviewing musical heroes like Joe Strummer and The Tragically Hip’s Gord Downie, how Canada’s landscape shapes the music we love, why motorcycles are his preferred mental health escape, and what it’s like living as a Canadian in the U.S. during this “Elbows Up” moment. It’s a great talk. Strap in and enjoy! 

Do you have any questions for me? Or suggestions for the podcast? Drop me a line: explore@canadiangeographic.ca or DM me on instagram: @david.mcguffin