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Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

CBC
Taylor Swift
Civil War
True Crime
Ruth Patir
Small Press Distribution (SPD)
Publishing Industry
Toronto International Film Festival
Vera Drew
Stand-Up Comedy
Superhero Cinema
Comedy Industry
Tony Hinchcliffe
The People's Joker
Kill Tony
Gaza Conflict
Venice Biennale
The Tortured Poets Department, the Anthology
The Tortured Poets Department
Shōgun
Wrestlemania 40

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.

Subscribe to Sounds Good: CBC's Podcasts newsletter for the finest podcast recommendations and be... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes482Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for Commotion

Latest Episodes

There are so many big albums to look forward to in 2026, and there are so many industry trends, like the rise of AI in music. What should we pay attention to? And what can we expect? Music journalists Emilie Hanskamp, Richie Assaly, and Reanna Cruz j... more

YouTube

Critics Kathryn VanArendonk and Saloni Gajjar chat with Elamin Abdelmahmoud about the new and returning TV shows they’re excited about for the new year. And Jackson Weaver shares some Canadian movies to look out for in 2026.

2025 was a big year on and off the runway. Fashion writers Danya Issawi, Tashira Halyard and Mosha Lundström Halbert look back on a year in fashion that was full of change, with Anna Wintour stepping down at Vogue, the death of Giorgio Armani and a n... more

Coming into 2025, the phrases '6-7,' 'Italian brainrot,' 'Coldplay kiss-cam' and 'astronaut Katy Perry' were not commonly used expressions, but thanks to the unpredictable tides of pop culture, they have become permanent parts of a shared lexicon. On... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Bobby Carter
Series producer and host of NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts
NPR
Episode: How NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts became a hub for Black pop [2025 HIGHLIGHTS]
Emilie Hanskamp
Freelance music journalist
Episode: The Geese divide + best new Xmas albums!
Lisa Christiansen
Reporter with CBC Vancouver's Morning Show
CBC
Episode: The Geese divide + best new Xmas albums!
CT Jones
Writes about internet and pop culture for Rolling Stone
Episode: Has parodying the Toronto accent gone too far, and the cultural impact of the Shopaholic series
Lukasz Kos
Architect who worked in Frank Gehry's studio
Kos Architecture and Interiors
Episode: How Frank Gehry's love of art showed up in the buildings he created, and S2 of For The Culture
Alex Bozikovic
Architecture critic at Global Mail
Global Mail
Episode: How Frank Gehry's love of art showed up in the buildings he created, and S2 of For The Culture
Barry Hertz
The Globe and Mail's Deputy Arts Editor and Film Editor
The Globe and Mail
Episode: 50 Cent's new Diddy doc is wiiild, and what to make of Canada's revolving door of Heritage Ministers
Michele Geister
The woman who created and produced RapCity.
MuchMusic
Episode: How RapCity connected Canadians through hip-hop
Emile Hanskamp
Freelance music journalist
Episode: What Vanity Fair's Hollywood Issue says about masculinity in this moment, and Tobias Jesso Jr.'s new album

Host

Elamin Abdelmahmoud
Elamin Abdelmahmoud is a skilled host known for his engaging interview style and ability to facilitate vibrant discussions. His background in journalism equips him with a keen understanding of pop culture and current affairs, making him an effective communicator who connects with both guests and listeners.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • 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
    Canadaa month 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
    Canadaa month 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
    Canadaa month ago
  • Happy to listen daily

    In a landscape filled with negativity and disturbing news, Commotion stands out for being fun, entertaining and culturally educational. It helps me stay connected to mainstream culture and I even have a few laughs while listening.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Resistthem
    Canadaa month ago
  • Such a great listen!

    Fun and intelligent commentary, I love Elamin so much. Excellent guests, super topical

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    emilym1989
    Canadaa month ago

Listeners Say

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

Critics highlight the podcast's ability to foster meaningful conversations, enhancing listeners' understanding of entertainment's role in society.
Listeners appreciate the engaging style of the host, who brings enthusiasm and warmth to each episode.
While some listeners wished for a more Canadian focus in discussions, the majority find value in the blend of international narratives and local perspectives.
The podcast receives positive feedback for its insightful takes on contemporary cultural topics, with many praising its depth and diversity of thought.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#222
Canada/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#49
Canada/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#185
Russia/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#200
Saudi Arabia/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How riot grrls were replaced with girl power you could buy [2025 HIGHLIGHTS]
Q: What do you make of this idea of like maybe the privatization of where power actually resides?
This reflects a shift from a collective understanding of women's power to a more individualistic perspective, emphasizing personal empowerment over collective struggle.
The Geese divide + best new Xmas albums!
Q: What keeps you engaged with Geese's music?
The absurd yet meaningful lyricism and emotional depth keep listeners compelled and curious.
The Geese divide + best new Xmas albums!
Q: How does Cameron Winter's solo record change the band's trajectory?
Cameron Winter's solo record positions him and the band's sound in a new light, emphasizing his vocal style and lyricism.
The Geese divide + best new Xmas albums!
Q: What does Geese sound like to you?
It sounds like a studio experimental process, a mix of unfinished ideas being played with.
The gay hockey romance Heated Rivalry is lusty, horny, and real, and why Claire Danes' face has the internet talking
Q: What does it feel like for you watching the show?
It was triggering and overwhelming, bringing back memories of living a concealed life as a gay hockey player.

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?

Conversations about pop culture serve as the cornerstone of this engaging series, which embraces a variety of topics ranging from the latest music trends to cultural critiques and reflections on significant media works. The dialogues often feature a blend of guests, including journalists, critics, and notable figures from the arts and entertainment world, allowing for deep dives into contemporary issues impacting society. Noteworthy discussions explore themes of identity, representation, and the emotional resonance of popular narratives, making it a valuable source for listeners interested in accessing diverse perspectives and ideas in under 30 minutes.

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?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Commotion, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Commotion?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Commotion, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

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. Ideas
5. The Sunday Magazine

How many episodes of Commotion are there?

Commotion launched 5 years ago and published 482 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.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Commotion?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Commotion. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Commotion?

Recent guests on Commotion include:

1. Bobby Carter
2. Emilie Hanskamp
3. Lisa Christiansen
4. CT Jones
5. Lukasz Kos
6. Alex Bozikovic
7. Barry Hertz
8. Michele Geister

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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