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Artwork for Commotion

Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

CBC
Social Media
Artificial Intelligence
Canada
Heated Rivalry
Geese
Golden Globes
The Pitt
2016
Drake
Music
Juno Awards
Toronto
Hollywood
Canadian Culture
Mariah Carey
Culture
Instagram
Survivor
Sex Work
Authenticity

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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PublishesDailyEpisodes666Founded6 years ago
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Society & Culture

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Artwork for Commotion

Latest Episodes

The Toronto International Film Festival is back! Filmmaker Atom Egoyan, and critics Radheyan Simonpillai and Sarah Hagi join guest host Amil Niazi to preview the 2026 festival and reflect on the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

As Ryan Murphy’s television adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis’ novel The Shards reaches its season finale, television critics Kaiya Shunyata and Alison Herman discuss whether this tale of rich teens terrorized by a serial killer in 1980s Los Angeles is... more

Film & culutre critics Roxana Hadadi, Riley Yesno, and Jackson Weaver join Elamin Abdelmahmoud to talk about the new season of North of North and other shows on their radar this Fall.

SubwayTakes, the YouTube talk show featuring people sharing their hot takes while riding the New York City subway, is not only all over your algorithm, it’s also up for an Emmy this year. Critics Kathryn VanArendonk and Jay Smooth join Elamin Abdelma... more

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Recent Guests

Atom Egoyan
Filmmaker
Independent
Episode: Weekly Wrap: Toronto International Film Festival, and remembering 9/11
Sarah Hagi
Culture critic
Scamfluencers podcast
Episode: Weekly Wrap: Toronto International Film Festival, and remembering 9/11
Alison Herman
TV critic
Variety, Los Angeles
Episode: The Shards, and why everyone is talking about the Korean film Hope
Kaiya Shunyata
TV/film critic, Toronto-based
Freelance film and TV critic
Episode: The Shards, and why everyone is talking about the Korean film Hope
Roxana Hadadi
TV critic at Vulture
Vulture
Episode: What should you watch on TV this Fall?
Jackson Weaver
Senior writer at CBC Entertainment in Toronto
CBC
Episode: What should you watch on TV this Fall?
Riley Yesno
Anishinaabe scholar from the Bahmatang First Nation
Self/Indigenous advocacy
Episode: What should you watch on TV this Fall?
Rachel Ho
Film editor for Exclave Magazine
Exclave Magazine
Episode: The inevitability of SubwayTakes, and the Chinese indie film that became a surprise box office hit
Sadaf Ahsan
Freelance writer and co-host
Frequencies, the ReHeat podcast
Episode: TV has us falling in love by Canadian lakes

Hosts

Amil Niazi
Host of Commotion, CBC Podcasts
Elamin Abdelmahmoud
Host of Commotion, CBC Podcasts

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 1.2k ratings
  • Nothing against the host

    I just can’t get behind a taxpayer bailed out state media monopoly telling us about ‘culture’. The host is a cool dude and should separate from CBC and be free of the social subversion. I’m sure he can easily find success free of the state media monopoly.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Walperstyle
    Canada13 days ago
  • Great pod

    Really miss Elamin, he’s so thoughtful and smart. A variety of substitute hosts would be great!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    xtineAAA
    Canada25 days ago
  • 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
    Canada5 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
    Canada9 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
    Canada9 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the host's facilitation and deep-dive depth across topics.
Hosts are consistently insightful and bring diverse viewpoints.
Guests bring breadth from journalism, criticism, and the arts.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#72
Canada/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

TV has us falling in love by Canadian lakes
Q: Kathryn, what do you make of that? This idea, do you see an overall shift this year in American's willingness to just watch a show set in Canada?
She notes that Heated Rivalry has shifted perception by proving audiences are open to Canadian-set romances, signaling a broader willingness to watch content from Canada and see Canadian settings as legitimate backdrops for romance.
The inevitability of SubwayTakes, and the Chinese indie film that became a surprise box office hit
Q: What did Kareem Rahma say about booking guests on SubwayTakes, and how does that reflect on the show's identity?
Kareem Rahma suggests the audience wants interviews with regular people who have something to promote, yet the show still leans on celebrities or famous figures to drive episodes, creating a balance between authenticity and promotional content.
The inevitability of SubwayTakes, and the Chinese indie film that became a surprise box office hit
Q: What is the appeal of SubwayTakes to viewers, and why does it work as a format?
The hosts explain that the show taps into a primal appeal of debate and social interaction, presenting low-stakes, humorous exchanges that feel relatable and accessible rather than aggressively contentious.
A verdict in the Tupac Shakur murder trial, and Cleo Sol's new album
Q: Could you explain how Cleo Sol's music fits into the current cultural landscape and why it resonates so deeply with listeners?
Her music offers a private, healing space that feels intimate and timeless, drawing on classic 70s soul influences while maintaining a fresh, personal sensibility that invites listeners to bring their own experiences to the music, which helps it connect beyond traditional press cycles.
A verdict in the Tupac Shakur murder trial, and Cleo Sol's new album
Q: What do you think this conviction means for the world of hip hop more broadly?
It signals a moment of reckoning in hip-hop history, acknowledging the complexities of loyalty, memory, and justice, and it may encourage a broader conversation about how we remember and honor artists while addressing violence connected to the culture.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Commotion

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

Thoughtful, fast-paced pop culture discussions featuring a rotating slate of journalists, critics, artists, and scholars. Episodes center on current arts and entertainment stories—from influencer culture and music trends to film, TV, and museum tech—often layering cultural analysis with sharp questions about ethics, representation, and industry dynamics. A notable strength is the diverse, well-connected guest slate and a host who guides conversations with curiosity and wit, making complex cultural conversations accessible in about 30 minutes. The show frequently weaves Canadian perspectives into global culture moments, offering unique angles on familiar topics and timely debates about technology, media, and identity.

Where can I find podcast stats for Commotion?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Commotion. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Commotion and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Commotion get?

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What are the audience demographics for Commotion?

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How many subscribers and views does Commotion have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Commotion has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Commotion?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Commotion:

1. Q with Tom Power
2. Front Burner
3. The Current
4. Day 6
5. The Sunday Magazine

How many episodes of Commotion are there?

Commotion launched 6 years ago and published 666 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.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Commotion?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Commotion from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Commotion?

Recent guests on Commotion include:

1. Atom Egoyan
2. Sarah Hagi
3. Alison Herman
4. Kaiya Shunyata
5. Roxana Hadadi
6. Jackson Weaver
7. Riley Yesno
8. Rachel Ho

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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