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Artwork for Commotion

Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

CBC
Canada
Heated Rivalry
Social Media
Toronto Blue Jays
Geese
Drake
Artificial Intelligence
Thomas King
Margaret Atwood
Toronto
Golden Globes
Misty Copeland
Halo
Feminism
Mariah Carey
The Pitt
2016
Music
Juno Awards
World Series

Big laughs. Smart takes. Every day. Commotion is where you go for thoughtful and vibrant conversations about all things pop culture. Host Elamin Abdelmahmoud calls on journalists, critics, creators and friends to talk through the biggest arts & entertainment stories of the day, in 30 minutes or less.

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PublishesDailyEpisodes635Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for Commotion

Latest Episodes

It’s not often you hear someone call director Christopher Nolan’s screenwriting “abysmal.” And that’s just one of many critiques translator Emily Wilson had for Nolan’s adaptation of The Odyssey. Her review has caused quite a stir online, partly beca... more

The Polygamist is a new Zulu-language show that follows the life of a wealthy married couple in South Africa as they deal with the pressures of infidelity. It’s currently one of Netflix’s most watched shows. You’ll hear why it has captivated audience... more

With the passing of legendary Canadian jazz pianist Oliver Jones, Elamin Abdelmahmoud is joined by principal Montreal Jazz Festival programmer Modibo Keita, jazz educator DJ Andy Williams, and Juno-award winning singer Molly Johnson to look back on O... more

Restaurant Impossible aired for 22 seasons on the Food Network before it was cancelled in 2023. Now it’s back, with Toronto restaurateur Jen Agg and celebrity chef Aarón Sánchez helping struggling restaurants across North America makeover their space... more

Key Facts

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Contact Information
Podcast Host
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Recent Guests

Mary Beth Barone
Comedian known for her stand-up and Netflix special Galaxy Brain
Netflix
Episode: The Polygamist is sparking conversations, and Mary Beth Barone's comedy special
Andy Williams
DJ and jazz educator based in Montreal
Montreal
Episode: A Tribute to Canadian Jazz Legend Oliver Jones
Modibo Keita
Musician and principal programmer at the Montreal Jazz Festival
Montreal Jazz Festival
Episode: A Tribute to Canadian Jazz Legend Oliver Jones
Molly Johnson
Juno Award-winning singer and songwriter
Canada
Episode: A Tribute to Canadian Jazz Legend Oliver Jones
Joan Summers
Senior editor for Paper magazine
Paper
Episode: Weekly Wrap: New music from Shania Twain, Charli XCX, and The Strokes
Natalie Harmsen
CBC Music journalist
CBC Music
Episode: Weekly Wrap: New music from Shania Twain, Charli XCX, and The Strokes
Megan LaPierre
Online editor at Exclaim magazine
Exclaim magazine
Episode: Weekly Wrap: New music from Shania Twain, Charli XCX, and The Strokes
Tamara Lindeman
Musician who performs as The Weather Station
The Weather Station
Episode: The music of climate change grief
Aramide Tinubu
TV critic at Variety
Variety
Episode: Why are celebs playing music trivia? And, Anya Taylor Joy's new TV show Lucky

Host

Elamin Abdelmahmoud
Host of Commotion; CBC/Commotion

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • Lindy episode ignores …

    It’s not the limits of feminist lit: this pattern of memoir promising conclusion and tidiness is the problem of CONFESSIONAL lit in general. It’s happened since DeQuincey 200 years ago. The writer promises articulate perfection, is put on a pedestal and falls off, a pattern as inevitable as the tides. Your discussion was a bit too narrow.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Analyticeye
    Canada4 months ago
  • My favourite podcast

    The conversations are thoughtful and challenges me to check out works of art that I wouldn’t have been aware of. Also, there are moments of pure joy in the episodes (eg I kept on listening to the interview between Elamin and Samantha Irby)

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Christine Sonja
    Canada7 months ago
  • A must listen!

    This is my go-to pop culture podcast and I never miss an episode. It's wide-ranging, thoughtful, thought provoking, smart, fun and often laugh out loud funny, deeply insightful... I could go on and on. This show has the best topics and often introduces listeners to interesting people and art that don't get attention elsewhere. It has a fantastic rotation of guest panelists who provide excellent commentary and debate (one of my favourites is Teri Hart, a deeply insightful film critic.) Elamin def... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Binaaaaaaaah
    Canada8 months ago
  • give us an hour!

    I love Elamin and the ways he facilitates smart and thoughtful conversations on pop culture. Please CBC, give Elamin and friends a full hour!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    smalltinytiny
    Canada8 months ago
  • Excellent show!

    The show is the best! Thoughtful, interesting, helps makes sense of our cultural moment. And Elamin is such a gifted host! Highly recommend!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    WilliamFrancis
    Canada8 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise thoughtful, witty conversations and strong guest lineups.
Some critique requests for broader international topics or tighter advertising disclosures.
Many note the Canadian perspective as a valuable angle in pop culture discussions.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#97
Canada/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Polygamist is sparking conversations, and Mary Beth Barone's comedy special
Q: What is the appeal of Mary Beth Barone as a comedian and what makes Galaxy Brain stand out?
Her willingness to be vulnerable and to push boundaries, combined with a distinctive vocal fry and fashion-forward presentation, makes her stand out. Galaxy Brain is seen as a bold, unapologetic introduction to her voice, especially on Netflix where she challenges expectations about how female comedians should perform.
A Tribute to Canadian Jazz Legend Oliver Jones
Q: Molly, what stands out about Oliver's legacy for you?
Heritage and education are core to his impact; Jones's influence extends through the Montreal Jazz Festival's development and through the way younger musicians are taught to approach the piano with both technical mastery and personal voice.
A Tribute to Canadian Jazz Legend Oliver Jones
Q: Modibo, very briefly, what else should people know?
Oliver Jones's early journey shows a kid from Little Burgundy learning from a lineage of classical training in a way that bridged to the jazz tradition, and his willingness to be a working musician throughout his career helped normalize and elevate jazz as a viable profession in Canada.
Why are celebs playing music trivia? And, Anya Taylor Joy's new TV show Lucky
Q: How do you feel about the trend of quick-hit music content versus deeper music conversation?
The hosts and Aramide express both appreciation for the accessibility of quick formats and concern about how they can devalue music, advocating for slower, more thoughtful discussions that preserve context and the artistry behind the tracks.
Why are celebs playing music trivia? And, Anya Taylor Joy's new TV show Lucky
Q: What's the thing that you think sets this show apart from other thrillers?
Aramide explains that the combination of a strong female lead, the character depth, and the relationship dynamics set Lucky apart, alongside the production pedigree and Reese Witherspoon's backing which aligns with a broader strategy for diverse, women-led storytelling.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Commotion

What is Commotion about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A sharp, culture-forward discussion show featuring a rotating panel of critics, journalists, and creators who untangle the day's biggest arts and entertainment stories. Episodes frequently cover film festivals, TV prestige vs. romance, the business side of media, and pop culture moments, all from a distinctly Canadian perspective. Guests span film critics, writers, theatre and sports commentators, and industry insiders, offering a mix of insider anecdotes, cultural critique, and thoughtful analysis. The format is fast-paced, accessible, and newsy, often layering personal storytelling with broader industry context. A standout is how conversations weave together politics, representation, and audience behavior across cinema, television, gaming... more

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How many listeners does Commotion get?

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How many subscribers and views does Commotion have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Commotion?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Commotion:

1. Q with Tom Power
2. The Current
3. Front Burner
4. The Sunday Magazine
5. Ideas

How many episodes of Commotion are there?

Commotion launched 6 years ago and published 635 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Commotion?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on Commotion?

Recent guests on Commotion include:

1. Mary Beth Barone
2. Andy Williams
3. Modibo Keita
4. Molly Johnson
5. Joan Summers
6. Natalie Harmsen
7. Megan LaPierre
8. Tamara Lindeman

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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