Context with Lorna Dueck

We honour the brave men and women who sacrificed their life for our freedom and remember those who serve in Canada's military.  

He has 7.5 million Twitter followers. He leads a church of 1.2 billion Christians. When Pope Francis visited the U.S., Context went on location. Our correspondent Molly Thomas was in New York to take a closer look at the Pope's impact and influence.

When news broke that the cheaters website, Ashley Madison had been hacked exposing the names and data of over 37 million user accounts, panic ensued, and shame was felt across North America. Context investigates Shame and Shock culture.

Election day is just weeks away. And the race is too close to call. But beyond the horserace to the finish line, lie a host of issues. And some of these have still not received the attention they deserve. We're talking issues surrounding life, justice and neighbour. We also talk to three former politicians on the role of faith in their political careers: MP Joy Smith, MP Ted Hsu, MP Bill Blaikie.

As Syrian Students continue to flee the chaos in their country, we at Context are crossing borders for this special story. Guest host Molly Thomas reports from the middle east. 

Lock 'em up and throw away the key is the old adage—bad guys are dangerous and a morally just society should protect its citizens, right? But in a day and age where prison is glamourized in movies and tv—should we pause and wonder on the best prison solution for today's offenders?  Today on Context we go behind the bars of our preconceived notions about prison to talk with experts and activists about the better ideas being lobbied for in our prison system. We'll attempt to answer the question: how can prisoners get the best chance for a new start and what can be done to make it happen?

Stubbornness and rebellion—not exactly new to the teenage title. But battles with isolation and alienation are taking on new forms of spirituality, producing extreme teenagers, united online like never before. Radical ads are bombarding young minds online, preying on the young and the vulnerable. Google recently announced that YouTube is so overloaded with terrorist propaganda that its expansive censoring division is incapable of keeping up. Perhaps that's why a recent poll conducted by Pollara Strategic Insights for CBC says 71% of Canadians feel youth in their communities and neighbourhoods could turn to extremism. Today we'll look for how faith communities are fighting back to ensure faith is a reality that inspires love and not hate. 

We live demanding and hurried lives. Between preparing dinner, the 9 to 5 job and picking the kids up from school, there's often no room left to pursue life goals and dreams, leaving many feeling empty and unfulfilled in their personal life. Today on Context, we explore lessons on how to turn life aspirations into reality, and discover the secret to living a life of fulfillment. Guest host, Sheldon Neil sits down with New York Times best-selling author, film and TV producer, international speaker and mega church Pastor, TD Jakes to discuss his latest book, and his personal life journey. We also speak to two filmmakers, and how they are helping to make dreams come true in the rugged hills of Kenya. 

Religion in Canada is changing. One snapshot: More Canadian teens identify as Muslims than Anglican, Baptist or United Church combined. Today on CONTEXT, Lorna digs deep into a new national study on what Canadians believe. We'll survey this new emerging landscape and talk with experts Angus Reid and Reginald Bibby -- as well as everyday Canadians  -- And discuss the big questions of life that never seem to go away.

The futurists were right. What humans have done for generations, robots are taking over. Robotics have dominated industry for years—from mining to manufacturing, but now they're moving in on our social lives. Today, robot 'friends' are being devised to care for the infirm. Robots are learning to drive cars and fly fighter jets. Artificial intelligence is making decisions in industries that effect all our lives. And now, what it means to be human stands toe-to-toe with robotic gemenoids and devices that are being created to store our thoughts, and our essence—for eternity. Looking for a theology on robots, today on CONTEXT with Lorna Dueck.

Hey, did you hear the one about the guy who told jokes for a living? He said it was no laughing matter. CONTEXT looks at the faces of comedy with rising star Jim Gaffigan who puts the funny in food, fatherhood, and faith. Then we sit down with two up and coming female comedians to find out more about what it means to be a comedian today. And later, we chat with Dan Rupple. He talks to us about how his faith has steered his comedic career in Los Angeles for more than 30 years.

Mother's Day—a time to celebrate the woman who does it all. She wipes your nose, gives great advice, and cheers you on at all your games. Mom: The real life superwoman. And Motherhood: the job that never ends. Today on Context, we're going global to see motherhood in a whole new light. We'll visit with a mom and ER doctor taking her family around the world on an eye-opening adventure of a lifetime. We'll also talk with Order of Canada Recipient, Dr. Jean Chamberlain Froese who's changing the odds of survival for expectant mothers in Africa.

Prayer: Children do it before bedtime and religions all over the world use it to speak to God -- but what exactly is prayer and is it practical in today's hectic world? For many, prayer offers us a chance to collect our thoughts and vocalize our hearts' desires to the One who can make it all happen. So what is it about this mystical practice that has billions using it since, theoretically, the beginning of time? Can our prayers really and truly be answered? Today on Context, Lorna delves deeper into the practical uses of Prayer, and its benefits, as she  sits down with a neuroscientist to talk abut the effects of the prayer on the brain.  We'll also chat with prolific author Max Lucado about his new book "Before Amen" and why he thinks prayer doesn't have to be complicated.

Assisted living in Canada has made enormous strides in recent decades. Now, a Supreme Court ruling legalizing Physician Assisted Death has disability advocates alarmed. Today on CONTEXT we delve deep into the hard questions, specifically; will disabled lives be more vulnerable with an increased acceptance of euthanasia?   Coming up: MP Steven Fletcher supports the Supreme Court decision. Alex Schadenberg of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition does not. Front Line Disability Advocates from Christian Horizons and L'Arche Canada also weigh in on the decision and how it could adversely affect their clients. But first, a young woman, who feels her life is at risk because of the Supreme Court ruling on assisted death.

Our world—busy and chaotic—seems to be speeding up by the second, and finding time for the things that matter is getting more difficult.  So where does one find personal value in today's hectic North American lifestyle? And how can we possibly balance our needs with the demands of our jobs? Today on Context -- Lorna explores what makes a healthy work environment by talking with experts on the value of bringing your faith into the workplace, as we delve into the emotional benefits of bringing your whole self to work. We'll also sit down with Pulitzer Prize winning Author, Marilynne Robinson, to discuss how God has influenced her writing. 

What is right? What is wrong? And do we all have that 'thing' inside of us that acts as a moral compass? In this edition of Context, Lorna takes us on a deeper journey into our conscience -- why we have one and what it means for those of us who are without one. From national tragedies to personal heartbreak, we'll delve into the scientific role of one's Conscience and learn how it can actually bring us closer to God.

Easter. A time of death and rebirth. Not just chocolate and Easter Bunnies—the story of the resurrection of Jesus inspires over 2 billion Christians worldwide—and it's growing.  Today on Context, we talk to Roma Downey, one of the producers of the new miniseries A.D. and find out why Hollywood too is banking on this story. Then, Lorna sits down with an expert to investigate the claims of those who say Jesus has appeared to them today.

It affects 1 in every 88 kids-  boys more than girls.  And there is no cure.  Autism remains one of the least understood of human conditions. Today, we'll swap myth for fact as Lorna gets first-hand insights in Autism. We'll give you a field guide to symptoms and resources, as we explore the difficulties, the hope, and the methods for raising a child with autism.

Among the billions of people inspired by Neil Armstrong's 'one small step' in July 1969 was a young Chris  Hadfield of Sarnia Ontario.  Who would grow up to become a fighter pilot, shuttle astronaut, the first Canadian to walk in space, and the first Canadian to command the International Space Station, and a rock star.  Today, Chris Hadfield and Lorna go way, way, way beyond the headlines for a well-travelled discussion on the heavens and the earth.  Is space travel worth the billions of dollars invested?  And how does a God's eye view of the planet shapes one's view of life, death, and forever.

Once a year, Canada's Juno Awards assemble the nation's top solo artists and bands together for an evening of red carpet action, performance and accolades. Today on Context, Sheldon Neil brings you up and close with Juno nominated artist, Chelsea Amber to talk about how to find a life theme song and how her faith factors into this. THEN, investigating the links between God and Music - do they work in harmony?