Closer Look

By Village Media Inc.

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Episodes: 289

Description

In cities and towns across Ontario — and at Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill — our journalists work for you. Their mission is to dig for answers and tell you what they find. This podcast from Village Media — ‘Closer Look’ — is all about the stories we tell. Every Sunday morning at 8, hosts Michael Friscolanti and Scott Sexsmith go beyond the headlines with insightful, in-depth conversations featuring our reporters and editors, leading experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers.










Episode Date
Not even your gift cards are safe from fraudsters
Jun 28, 2026
CTE is a devastating brain disease, but there is hope
Jun 14, 2026
Spot the difference? How fake merch inflicts very real harms
Jun 07, 2026
Here’s what you need to know about Ontario’s new auto insurance rules
May 31, 2026
Why we’re spending billions to attract more people into skilled trades
May 24, 2026
Voting really matters, but our democracy demands so much more
May 17, 2026
Don Cherry's son talks about his dad, ‘you people’ and Ron MacLean
May 10, 2026
Why banning kids from social media is a terrible idea
May 03, 2026
Our prime farmland in Ontario is rapidly disappearing
Apr 26, 2026
Canada’s ‘Princess Warrior’ stops by our podcast (minus the sword)
Apr 19, 2026
Nothing stays the same, and our podcast is no exception
Apr 10, 2026
This is why Canada’s Wonderland adopted a new chaperone policy for kids
Apr 10, 2026
AI robots for seniors? Time we start talking about our aging population
Apr 09, 2026
As final game looms, voice of the Leafs looks back on ‘dream’ career
Apr 08, 2026
Every teenager needs to listen to this interview about jobs of the future
Apr 07, 2026
Minimum wage is going up, but it’s still nowhere near a living wage
Apr 02, 2026
These hi-tech mugshots help police track down Canada’s most wanted
Apr 02, 2026
Ford plus Carney equals more housing across Ontario?
Apr 01, 2026
You have one more day left to tell the government about your banned guns
Mar 30, 2026
Everything you need to know about Doug Ford’s latest unbalanced budget
Mar 27, 2026
Play ball! Blue Jays broadcaster Dan Shulman joins us for Opening Day chat
Mar 27, 2026
What is ‘maple washing’ — and why are grocery stores getting fined for it?
Mar 26, 2026
Here’s a winning bet: Let’s lose all those gambling ads before it's too late
Mar 25, 2026
Canada’s population actually shrank last year — is that a good thing?
Mar 24, 2026
As retail theft soars, some businesses are eyeing drastic measures
Mar 20, 2026
Why it’s time to start screening much sooner for colorectal cancer
Mar 20, 2026
Should Canada ban all kids from social media?
Mar 19, 2026
This Ontario township is wiping Prince Andrew off the map
Mar 18, 2026
What is Doug Ford trying to hide? More than ever before
Mar 13, 2026
This is your captain speaking: Doug Ford bent on bringing jets to island airport
Mar 13, 2026
‘Absolutely deadly’: Ontario’s northern highways in desperate need of a fix
Mar 12, 2026
How a settlement was finally reached in 14-year mall collapse lawsuit
Mar 10, 2026
Fantasy island? We fill you in on Doug Ford’s grand vision for new convention centre
Mar 09, 2026
Daylight saving time is a scam, but don’t forget to change your clock!
Mar 07, 2026
Ontario’s population is only growing older — what’s our plan?
Mar 06, 2026
Our wilderness is breathtaking — and worth billions to the economy
Mar 04, 2026
How a new DNA technique has helped solve hundreds of cold cases
Mar 03, 2026
Trump was the ‘wake-up call’ our economy needed — will we listen?
Feb 28, 2026
Violence against teachers, staff the ‘new normal’ in classrooms across Ontario
Feb 27, 2026
Starting to panic about your March Break trip? Here’s what to do
Feb 26, 2026
Are you a student who depends on OSAP? Your debt load is about to soar
Feb 25, 2026
Meet our country’s new top doctor
Feb 24, 2026
A ‘Holy Mackinaw’ moment for legendary Maple Leafs broadcaster
Feb 21, 2026
New study reveals what really happens when people lose their doctor
Feb 20, 2026
Democracy is not dead, but it definitely needs a rebuild
Feb 19, 2026
Not excited enough about Canada’s Olympic hockey teams? Watch this
Feb 18, 2026
Imagine a car that can sense drunk driving — and automatically pull over
Feb 14, 2026
What happened to Liam Toman? One year later, it remains a mystery
Feb 13, 2026
Seeking medical advice from AI? It will probably make you more sick
Feb 12, 2026
These are Canada’s ‘most livable’ cities — did yours make the list?
Feb 11, 2026
Sid Seixeiro is back on the mic, and he’s ‘gonna get angry at some stuff’
Feb 10, 2026
Why lots of people are up in arms about the federal gun buyback program
Feb 07, 2026
What are the latest stats on hallway health care? That’s not public anymore
Feb 06, 2026
This hockey player-turned-designer crafted something very Canadian
Feb 05, 2026
New study may help explain why Ontario teens are feeling so distressed
Feb 04, 2026
The world is rapidly changing, and so should our colleges and universities
Feb 03, 2026
Heated Rivalry fans are fired up — especially the tourists
Jan 30, 2026
Ontario hospitals are hurting for cash, but how much is enough?
Jan 29, 2026
Work less, get paid the same (we promise this is not a scam)
Jan 28, 2026
‘Disappointing’: New Netflix series sounds a lot like the Humboldt Broncos tragedy
Jan 28, 2026
Yes, that was some record-breaking snow (and no, the army isn’t coming)
Jan 27, 2026
Not so golden: Older adults are a lot more lonely (and broke) these days
Jan 24, 2026
Mark Carney delivered a speech heard round the world — now what?
Jan 23, 2026
Injury time: Hosting the World Cup will put huge pressure on our hospitals
Jan 22, 2026
The truth about human trafficking looks nothing like the movies
Jan 21, 2026
Yes, Canada does need to prepare for possibility of U.S. military action
Jan 20, 2026
Why there’s reason for hope amid Ontario’s rising rates of homelessness
Jan 17, 2026
School board chair booted by Ford government has warning for province
Jan 16, 2026
What 'super-agers' can teach us about growing old
Jan 15, 2026
The pandemic is long over, but a new report reveals we’re far from alright
Jan 14, 2026
Mushroom coffins now a thing — is human composting next for Ontario?
Jan 13, 2026
Penalties for impaired driving just got tougher — will it make any difference?
Jan 10, 2026
Is the Ford government actually going to scrap school trustees?
Jan 09, 2026
‘Canada is not for sale’: How a patriotic hat became so much more
Jan 08, 2026
Will new grocery code of conduct actually help lower your shopping bill?
Jan 07, 2026
This story about a lost sweater is the sliver of hope you need today
Jan 06, 2026
From unsolved crimes to cloned meat, our new podcast covers it all
Dec 20, 2025
Australia is banning kids from social media — should we do the same?
Dec 18, 2025
How police tracked down a serial killer they didn’t even know existed
Dec 17, 2025
'What everyone at Queen's Park can't stop talking about'
Dec 16, 2025
Not even gift cards are safe from scammers
Dec 15, 2025
Tip of the iceberg’: Human trafficking in Canada much worse than stats show
Dec 14, 2025
Beware: These billboards are watching you
Dec 12, 2025
Should Ontario sell its stash of U.S. booze and give the cash to charity?
Dec 12, 2025
Holy Mackinaw! Leafs broadcasting legend Joe Bowen stops by our podcast
Dec 11, 2025
Do you play in a lottery group? Keep good records
Dec 08, 2025
How is it even possible to shoplift $1.3M worth of booze from the LCBO?
Dec 06, 2025
Your grocery bill is going to keep climbing
Dec 04, 2025
'500 patients a day? Audit uncovers some fishy billing by Ontario doctors'
Dec 03, 2025
Pet raccoon? Don’t trash the idea until you watch this
Dec 02, 2025
What we discovered about the long-term care homes in your community
Dec 02, 2025
Your local grocery store won’t be forced to collect empties after all
Nov 29, 2025
‘Nothing has changed’: New data, same old problems with hospital wait times
Nov 28, 2025
A polar vortex is on the way! Here’s everything you need to know
Nov 27, 2025
‘It’s time to admit what you did’: Who was driving the truck that killed Loni Chum?
Nov 26, 2025
In trade war with U.S., Canada is winning the battle for tourists
Nov 25, 2025
Dalton McGuinty has a book full of advice for every politician in Canada
Nov 22, 2025
Why communities everywhere are banning candy tossing at parades
Nov 21, 2025
Cloned meat could be coming to a grocery store near you — without labels
Nov 20, 2025
Why we’re asking you to help fund our investigative journalism
Nov 19, 2025
How fraudsters cashed in on the legacy of a beloved Canadian artist
Nov 18, 2025
50-year mortgage? Don’t bank on Trump’s big idea coming here
Nov 15, 2025
This Ontario man says ChatGPT sent him spiralling into ‘AI psychosis’
Nov 14, 2025
Another day, another record-breaking fentanyl bust
Nov 13, 2025
Why Canada got publicly shamed for having so many measles cases
Nov 12, 2025
Money questions? The Wealthy Barber still has all the answers you need
Nov 11, 2025
Is a Hwy. 401 tunnel even possible? The answer will cost taxpayers $9.1M
Nov 08, 2025
This is what Mark Carney’s budget means for you
Nov 07, 2025
In the fight against dementia, this will be a ‘transformational decade’
Nov 06, 2025
Should cigarette-style warning labels be mandatory on all alcohol?
Nov 05, 2025
AI is going to steal your job — or set you up for a life of long weekends
Nov 04, 2025
OK Blue Jays, let’s…get this done and start celebrating
Nov 01, 2025
What’s next for Canada Post? We’re starting to find out
Oct 30, 2025
Who is Pete Hoekstra, the Trump diplomat furious with Doug Ford?
Oct 29, 2025
Deadline looms for grocery stores to start accepting your empties
Oct 28, 2025
Not just snowbirds — all Canadians travelling to U.S. will be photographed
Oct 27, 2025
Doug Ford finally gets Donald Trump’s attention
Oct 24, 2025
Been duped by an online scam? There’s no shame in that
Oct 23, 2025
Blue Jays are World Series-bound, but they’re not the only big winners
Oct 23, 2025
Spend your winters down south? Prepare to be fingerprinted at the border
Oct 21, 2025
Ban speed cameras? Not so fast, protesters tell Doug Ford
Oct 20, 2025
Times have changed, and our colleges and universities need to keep up
Oct 17, 2025
Ontario school boards learn hard lesson on cybercrime
Oct 17, 2025
Why Doug Ford is spending $75M on U.S. ads starring Ronald Reagan
Oct 15, 2025
We followed the money paid out by Ford government’s $2.5B skills fund
Oct 14, 2025
These are Canada’s most-wanted fugitives — and their new AI mugshots
Oct 10, 2025
Kate Middleton is right — screen time is ruining our kids
Oct 09, 2025
‘I have to do better,’ says NDP leader Marit Stiles
Oct 08, 2025
Blue Jays Central host Jamie Campbell joins us for a pre-game chat
Oct 07, 2025
No one loves Marineland right now
Oct 06, 2025
Just one more sleep until Blue Jays playoff baseball
Oct 03, 2025
Will scrapping home-to-home mail delivery actually save Canada Post?
Oct 02, 2025
How petty shoplifting evolved into a multi-billion-dollar organized crime
Oct 01, 2025
Family on a mission to fix ER wait times after teenage son’s tragic death
Sep 30, 2025
Doug Ford puts pedal to the metal on promise to ban speed cameras
Sep 29, 2025
Why some cities are creating ‘safe surrender sites’ for newborn babies
Sep 26, 2025
Coyotes haven't taken over the neighbourhood, but it sure feels that way
Sep 25, 2025
Trump’s Tylenol advice giving Canadian doctors quite the headache
Sep 24, 2025
What we know about Chris Scott, the Ontario MPP accused of spousal assault
Sep 23, 2025
Battle brewing over grocery stores that don’t want your dirty empties
Sep 22, 2025
Ford has faith Carney will steer his way on 401 tunnel
Sep 19, 2025
Barrie mayor says ‘more and more’ cities will follow his lead on encampments
Sep 19, 2025
Sign up here to get your slice of the $500M bread price-fixing settlement
Sep 17, 2025
The number of senior citizens in Canada is about to soar — are we ready?
Sep 16, 2025
Trump diplomat has ‘a hard time understanding’ why Canadians boycott U.S.
Sep 16, 2025
Trump’s man in Canada stops by our podcast, insists we can still be friends
Sep 12, 2025
Bonnie voyage? Liberals decide this weekend if Crombie stays or goes
Sep 11, 2025
Is it time to ban sports gambling commercials? This might convince you
Sep 10, 2025
When did Ontario schools become so violent?
Sep 09, 2025
Where is Nicole Morin? 40 years later, there’s still hope for an answer
Sep 08, 2025
Hurry! Don’t miss our interview with ‘rock star’ curler Jennifer Jones
Aug 22, 2025
Chronic concern: This Ontario town smells like pot all the time
Aug 21, 2025
Homeless encampment becomes a ‘heinous’ crime scene
Aug 20, 2025
Who should take the heat for sweltering classrooms?
Aug 08, 2025
CLOSER LOOK: Let’s talk about Doug Ford’s tunnel vision
Aug 07, 2025
CLOSER LOOK: What happens when your mayor is under OPP investigation?
Aug 07, 2025
‘I’m not going anywhere’: Bonnie Crombie tells us why she should keep her job
Aug 02, 2025
Steve Paikin has a new agenda keeping him busy
Jul 31, 2025
We learned some things about the chief fundraiser for Doug Ford’s PC party
Jul 30, 2025
Car thefts are suddenly way down across Ontario
Jul 30, 2025
Lots of worry kicking around about World Cup we're hosting with U.S.
Jul 29, 2025
Major project? Maybe it’s time to finally fix Ontario’s northern highways
Jul 25, 2025
CLOSER LOOK: How scammers are using AI to rip you off
Jul 24, 2025
Nate Erskine-Smith tells us why Bonnie Crombie needs to go
Jul 23, 2025
CLOSER LOOK: Is Canadian fentanyl really ‘pouring’ over the U.S. border?
Jul 22, 2025
Trump looms large as Ford hosts fellow premiers in cottage country
Jul 21, 2025
Canada’s steel industry is fighting for its life
Jul 18, 2025
In a perfect world, every kid would go to summer camp
Jul 18, 2025
Decades later, Terry Fox’s brother finishes his own cross-country journey
Jul 16, 2025
The pandemic is long over — get back to the office
Jul 15, 2025
First came the Stanley Cup win, then the viral video
Jun 28, 2025
Inside the largest fentanyl bust in OPP history
Jun 27, 2025
Bill Barilko disappeared that summer, but his old hockey stick has resurfaced
Jun 25, 2025
This new robot cleans Ontario beaches like a Zamboni
Jun 24, 2025
Charlie Angus has some things to say to Donald Trump
Jun 23, 2025
‘Nightmare’ finally over for man wrongfully charged in Dominican Republic
May 28, 2025
Is this the solution to countering Trump’s tariffs?
May 17, 2025
Measles is back with a vengeance, and we all know why
May 10, 2025
As election day looms, Mark Carney joins our podcast for an exclusive chat
Apr 25, 2025
Steve Paikin has spent decades preparing for this moment
Apr 12, 2025
Buy Canadian? It feels so good — and might actually make a difference
Mar 29, 2025
‘It's a nightmare,’ says wife of Ontario man facing drug charges in Dominican
Mar 22, 2025
Algoma Steel boss talks to us about Trump, pollution and looming job cuts
Mar 09, 2025
INSIDE THE VILLAGE: For online gamblers, Ontario is the new Vegas
Feb 07, 2025
Inside the Village: Election campaign? There's a cap for that
Feb 02, 2025
Amid doctor shortage, medical misinformation has gone viral
Jan 24, 2025
Why don’t we care about the homeless crisis?
Jan 17, 2025
Kathleen Wynne weighs in — on Trump, Trudeau and tariffs
Jan 09, 2025
We’ve hit 100 episodes! Let’s reminisce
Dec 31, 2024
You’ve got no mail (but we have an interesting guest)
Dec 06, 2024
GST holiday? Not everyone is celebrating
Nov 29, 2024
You throw like a girl! Damn right
Nov 22, 2024
The Taylor effect: Eras Tour hits Toronto
Nov 12, 2024
EXCLUSIVE: Justin Trudeau joins us for a chat — and insists he has no intention of quitting
Oct 26, 2024
Here’s a topic nobody is talking about: housing
Oct 11, 2024
The cost of getting cancer can be staggering
Sep 25, 2024
Code Blue: Hallway health care in Ontario getting worse
Sep 12, 2024
Huge court settlement rights historic wrong
Aug 30, 2024
The overdose crisis is about to get a whole lot worse
Aug 23, 2024
Running on Empty: Ontario hospital workers have nothing left in the tank
Aug 14, 2024
Looking Back: The midway point of season three of ITV
Jul 12, 2024
In search of “super agers” — the rare people who never seem to grow old
Jul 05, 2024
Money 101: The real reason financial literacy is now mandatory in high school
Jun 20, 2024
What the puck? Way fewer Canadian kids are playing hockey these days
Jun 14, 2024
Not everyone is smiling about Canada’s new national dental care program
Jun 07, 2024
Big phish: Inside the multi-billion dollar fraud industry
May 18, 2024
School unplugged? We dissect Ontario’s new cellphone ban
May 03, 2024
Yes, Gerry Dee was a real teacher
Apr 26, 2024
Is the justice system broken? We ask a judge
Apr 19, 2024
A social network that’s actually social? We’re building it
Apr 11, 2024
Thousands of Ontario students threatened with suspension — for not being vaccinated
Mar 28, 2024
Should the government let you compost your dead body?
Mar 22, 2024
Is Thursday the new Friday?
Mar 08, 2024
Grand Theft Auto: Ontario edition
Feb 23, 2024
A ‘no-brainer’ idea to help end homelessness
Feb 15, 2024
Colleges and universities are bracing for a very rough year
Feb 08, 2024
Ted Nolan speaks his truth — about hockey, racism and reconciliation
Feb 01, 2024
Access denied: International students capped
Jan 24, 2024
Blazing trails…safely
Jan 17, 2024
Inside the Village - A look back at the lighter side of 2023
Dec 22, 2023
Inside the Village - The year that was 2023
Dec 16, 2023
Last call for The Beer Store?
Dec 08, 2023
Be on the lookout for these five warning signs of dementia
Nov 29, 2023
Restaurant impossible: The new reality
Nov 23, 2023
Justin Trudeau joins us on the podcast (sort of)
Nov 16, 2023
Shooting rampage devastates the Sault
Oct 27, 2023
Do you miss Steve Paikin? Find him right here
Oct 18, 2023
A safe place to drop off unwanted babies
Oct 13, 2023
The bare minimum (wage)
Oct 06, 2023
Dissecting the Greenbelt scandal
Sep 22, 2023
Stop the presses: The demise of Metroland’s community newspapers
Sep 20, 2023
Why Northern Ontario is ground zero for the opioid crisis
Sep 14, 2023
Kids are wasting their youth on cell phones
Sep 07, 2023
The ‘green’ in Greenbelt
Aug 17, 2023
Meet Gurdeep Pandher, the happiest man in the world
Aug 11, 2023
‘The insanity of this place has been escalating’
Jul 26, 2023
Break a leg? The show must go on
Jul 20, 2023
Help! I’ve fallen into debt and can’t get up
Jul 14, 2023
Are ‘best before’ dates past their prime?
Jul 08, 2023
From street hockey dreams to the Stanley Cup reality
Jun 30, 2023
Faceblocked: Bill C-18 is devastating news for local journalism
Jun 23, 2023
Hot take: As forest fires rage, we answer all your burning questions
Jun 15, 2023
Breaking news: Cigarettes are designed to kill you
Jun 02, 2023
The doctor is out: Why one small town was forced to shut down its emergency room
May 26, 2023
Vic Fedeli and the 800-pound gorilla
May 17, 2023
Sundown: Saying goodbye to Gordon Lightfoot
May 12, 2023
Ron MacLean talks hockey, sports gambling — and Don Cherry
Apr 27, 2023
King of the castle: Charles’ coronation
Apr 26, 2023
Court battle looms over Doug Ford’s controversial nursing home law
Apr 20, 2023
Fake love: How an Ontario grandmother fell victim to an online romance scam — twice
Apr 12, 2023
Take me out to the ballgame
Apr 05, 2023
Debt and destruction
Mar 29, 2023
Full combat at Queen’s Park
Mar 15, 2023
Why young people think we’re all doomed
Mar 08, 2023
Pitter patter, let’s get at ‘er!
Mar 01, 2023
Village Media storms into Queen’s Park
Feb 22, 2023
Bigfoot goes big time
Feb 15, 2023
48 million reasons to smile for 18 year old
Feb 05, 2023
From grieving son to mental health advocate
Feb 01, 2023
Toronto street gangs venture north
Jan 26, 2023
Cyberattacks are soaring
Jan 18, 2023
‘Catch and Release’ — Is Canada’s bail system really broken?
Jan 11, 2023
Inside the Village: A look back at the lighter side of the news
Dec 15, 2022
Inside the Village - The year that was
Dec 07, 2022
The coyotes are taking over
Nov 30, 2022
The emergency inside Ontario's emergency rooms
Nov 23, 2022
Doug Ford goes to war with education workers
Nov 03, 2022
Gouged at the grocery store
Oct 26, 2022
Lost in the line of duty
Oct 19, 2022
Sex work should not be a crime
Oct 12, 2022
The truth about reconciliation
Sep 29, 2022
Long live the King!
Sep 21, 2022
Economy anxiety: How worried should you be?
Sep 14, 2022
F**k off, you f**kwads
Aug 31, 2022
A sweet settlement for Tim Hortons
Aug 11, 2022
Inside the Village gets Up Close & Personal
Jul 20, 2022
Priced out: Inside the rental crisis plaguing Ontario
Jul 13, 2022
Cancelled culture: Fly at your own risk
Jul 06, 2022
Roe v. Wade: What the controversial ruling means for Canada
Jun 30, 2022
Farmland, fresh food—and figure-four leglocks
Jun 22, 2022
Saving seniors from nursing home hell
Jun 16, 2022
‘Blood on their hands’
Jun 08, 2022
Take me to your leader
Jun 01, 2022
Inflation is skyrocketing—and the worst is yet to come
May 25, 2022
Naomi Sayers: From sex worker to lawyer to political candidate
May 19, 2022
Are we killing the planet one election at a time?
May 12, 2022
Brittlestar breaks through
May 04, 2022
Over asking: Inside Ontario's out of control housing market
Apr 27, 2022
The search for Katrina
Apr 20, 2022