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The Next Chapter with Antonio Michael Downing

CBC
Canada Reads
Family Dynamics
Books
Literature
Canadian Literature
Mental Health
Cultural Identity
Identity
Social Media
Indigenous Identity
Romance Novels
Anne Of Green Gables
Heated Rivalry
However Far Away
Memoir
Life After Ambition
Children's Literature
Fashion
Hockey
Hustle Culture

Looking for your next great read? The Next Chapter’s got you covered! Book lovers join host Antonio Michael Downing to dive deep into great books. Big feelings, hot takes, enlightening conversations — you’ve never been in a book club like this before. It’s Canada’s book club, and everyone’s invited. So pull up a chair and join the conversation. New episodes every Saturday and Monday.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes70Founded18 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArts

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Latest Episodes

Is there one meal that reminds you of home? A dish that brings back childhood memories? For CBC Books producer Talia Kliot, it’s a shortbread, sour cream and walnut cake that makes an appearance at her family’s special milestones. Talia is obsessed w... more

Set in late-20th-century Cairo, Éric Chacour's novel What I know About You is a heartbreaking story of an impossible love and a family fractured by secrets and expectations. It was selected for One eRead Canada’s live digital book club, which brings ... more

Did you know that Ernest Hemingway wrote for the Toronto Star? The iconic cigar-smoking, bull-fighting American writer spent two separate stints living in Canada. It was partly while living and working in Toronto that he developed his stripped-down, ... more

Clare Mackintosh joined the police force by accident. But taking what she learned over a 12 year career and using it to become a bestselling mystery and crime writer, was no accident. Nine novels later, she's sold millions of copies and has never loo... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Éric Chacour
Author of What I Know About You
Author
Episode: What is the hardest part of translating a beloved novel?
Pablo Strauss
Translator of What I Know About You into English
Translator
Episode: What is the hardest part of translating a beloved novel?
Terry Fallis
Canadian novelist who specializes in literary analysis and has written about Hemingway's Toronto years
Episode: Why Ernest Hemingway had a problem with Toronto
Clare Mackintosh
Crime and mystery writer
Author, has written multiple novels including It's Not What You Think
Episode: How an accidental police officer stumbled into a career as a mystery author
Jenny Jackson
Editor at Penguin Random House and best-selling author of Pineapple Street
Penguin Random House
Episode: Spilling secrets and small-town adultery in The Shampoo Effect
Yann Martel
Author
Author of Life of Pi; new novel Son of Nobody
Episode: Kid approved books they will actually want to read this Summer
Donna Dingwall
Producer
Ideas (CBC Ideas)
Episode: Kid approved books they will actually want to read this Summer
Bridget Raymundo
CBC Books producer
CBC Books
Episode: What is the greatest Canadian novel of all time?
Angela Misri
Author of the Portia Adams Adventure Series
Self опубликовано; author
Episode: Mystery solved: your summer reading list

Host

Antonio Michael Downing
Host of the show, CBC Books / The Next Chapter contributor, CBC Books and related CBC outlets.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 233 ratings
  • AMD & Friends!

    I love being able to dip into these engaging conversations about books! The chemistry between AMD and his guests is always electric. <3

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ADIDA$&ACID
    Canada5 months ago
  • Shelagh is great!

    I love Shelagh’s interviews. I don’t like the way the producers cut in with ads about other CBC shows. Sometimes they cut in in mid sentence, and they do it at a volume that is much greater than Shelagh’s volume. This would be five stars but for the CBC’s shabby production values.

    Update - I was sad when Shelagh retired, but I am enjoying Antonio Michael Downing very much. He is an excellent host!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Proud Canadian Triathlon Fan
    Canada7 months ago
  • Please find a different new host

    Ryan B. Patrick is not experienced enough to host this show. His radio voice is lacking any kind of enunciation and his volume dips down so low you often can’t hear him. He resorts to juvenile slang to praise authors and seems like an unprepared student trying to bluff his way through every assignment. Please don’t let the amazing legacy of The Next Chapter be ruined by a poor choice of new host. Shelagh Rodgers is truly irreplaceable, but there has to be someone who has more skill available tha... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Scyvghb
    Canada3 years ago
  • The Theory of Crows

    I never miss an episode and often order the books based on your conversation. I just ordered The Theory of Crows. Your avid listener, Verla k

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Treesmendus.com
    Canada4 years ago
  • Random, Canadian, but good.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    chrisabraham
    4 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Shows the host's depth in literature and culture, with diverse perspectives.
Positive feedback on accessibility and depth, though some misses long-form panels.
Listeners praise thoughtful guests, though some complain about ads and production pacing.
Engaging book-focused conversations with strong guest variety.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#23
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#58
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#140
Australia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#85
Hong Kong/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#153
Hong Kong/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#161
Taiwan/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

What is the hardest part of translating a beloved novel?
Q: From Éric's perspective, what should readers take away after finishing the book?
Éric suggests that readers bring their own inner empathy to identify with characters, and that the book allows individuals to fill silences with personal interpretation, making the experience uniquely intimate for each reader.
What is the hardest part of translating a beloved novel?
Q: Why is this book universal, Pablo, in your view as translator, and what about its structure helps it travel across languages?
Pablo describes the book's detective-story-like structure, emotional depth, and the interplay of love and obstacles that make it relatable to readers in any country or age group, plus the way the narrative reveals meaning through careful structural design.
What is the hardest part of translating a beloved novel?
Q: What is your earliest memory of a library, Pablo, and how did that shape your view of reading and translation?
Pablo recalls his mother taking him to libraries weekly and finding a personal living space there, which underscored the importance of libraries as welcoming, transformative spaces that foster curiosity and language learning.
Why Ernest Hemingway had a problem with Toronto
Q: If someone just discovered Hemingway, what should they know about him?
He had a monumental life that fed a legendary writing career; his work was shaped by a background in journalism, a preference for spare, muscular prose, and a prolonged engagement with major literary circles in Paris and North America.
Spilling secrets and small-town adultery in The Shampoo Effect
Q: What is the title of this book?
The Shampoo Effect, and its companion read is Couples by John Updike.

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 The Next Chapter

What is The Next Chapter about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on deep conversations with authors, editors, musicians, actors, and literary thinkers who explore books, reading culture, and storytelling in a Canadian context. Episodes blend literary analysis, author backstories, and cross-genre discussions (from romance and mystery to history and sci‑fi), often tying books to broader culture, fashion, media, and current events. A standout trait is collaborations with CBC Books and Canada Reads participants, creating a book-club vibe that invites diverse perspectives and practical takeaways for readers, retailers, and brands exploring authentic literary storytelling.

Noteworthy elements include a strong focus on Canadian authors and publishing, cross-media guests (music, theatre, journa... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with The Next Chapter:

1. Bookends with Mattea Roach
2. The Sunday Magazine
3. Ideas
4. Q with Tom Power
5. White Coat, Black Art

How many episodes of The Next Chapter are there?

The Next Chapter launched 18 years ago and published 70 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Next Chapter?

Recent guests on The Next Chapter include:

1. Éric Chacour
2. Pablo Strauss
3. Terry Fallis
4. Clare Mackintosh
5. Jenny Jackson
6. Yann Martel
7. Donna Dingwall
8. Bridget Raymundo

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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