Episode 04: The Radio Star- Matt Galloway

It’s a strange gig, hosting a radio show. It doesn’t matter if you’re at a 100 watt campus radio station, or behind a mic connected to one of the world’s greatest interconnected systems of transmitters, repeaters and receivers. The job is essentially the same. A light turns on, you lean in, and it’s just you and whoever is at the end, receiving your message. Radio waves drift out over prairies and mountains and oceans, filtering into car stereos, farmhouse kitchens, fishing boats, and drawing rooms. At its best, it’s flirtatious and alluring, like the smoke from Garbo’s cigarette. It’s magic, really.

That said, there are really only two things you can do on radio; talk or play music. And if talk is your thing, commercial-free public radio is the best game in town.

Matt Galloway hosts the most prestigious radio program in Canada, CBC Radio One’s flagship current affairs program, The Current.

He took over the role on January 6, 2020, succeeding Anna Maria Tremonti. But Matt is more in the tradition of those who went before, Gzowski or Enright. He’s known for his insightful interviews and his ability to delve into both national and international issues that resonate with Canadians.

He’s also a rarity in another sense; a generous host. I enjoyed our walk.