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The Next Chapter with Antonio Michael Downing

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

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 weeklyEpisodes52Founded18 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArts

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Artwork for The Next Chapter

Latest Episodes

Graham Wright is a musician who spent almost twenty years playing keyboards in the band Tokyo Police Club, and has also done solo projects. Even before he developed his love for music, he had a passion for books. He joins the show this week to recomm... more

Vampires not only don’t die, they never seem to go away. From ancient myths to modern stories, books and movies, the vampire sucks our attention. On a recent visit to New Orleans, Antonio Michael Downing saw the home of Anne Rice and immersed himself... more

Lately it’s started to feel like tech, big, small and in between has taken more from us than it’s given. For sane, humane takes on tech we call on Vass Bednar. She’s a public policy expert and the director of The Canadian Shield Institute. She joins ... more

Few authors have impacted young readers' lives as much as Judy Blume. Her beloved books are frank about puberty, sex and the messiness of growing up. Alicia Cox Thomson and Brian Francis, two lifelong Judy Blume fans join the show to talk about their... 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

Amanda Brugel
Actress known for The Handmaid's Tale, Kim's Convenience, Orphan Black
CBC/TV credits
Episode: How Amanda Brugel manifested her role in The Handmaid’s Tale
Ray Robertson
Author of The Right to Be Wrong
Author
Episode: How Amanda Brugel manifested her role in The Handmaid’s Tale
Malia Baker
Actor and writer, known for Canada Reads contestant and Disney projects
Disney Universe / Canada Reads participant
Episode: The youngest Canada Reads contestant is now a Disney star: Here’s what she’s reading now
Loghan Paylor
Author of The Cure for Drowning
Random House Canada
Episode: How iconic musician Tegan Quin plans to tackle Canada Reads
Tegan Quin
Musician, half of Tegan and Sara
Tegan and Sara
Episode: How iconic musician Tegan Quin plans to tackle Canada Reads
Tom Best
Executive Director of Bookclubs for Inmates
Bookclubs for Inmates
Episode: A look inside Canada’s prison book clubs
Josh Dela Cruz
Actor, champion of Foe on Canada Reads 2026
Canada Reads (CBC)
Episode: The quiet terror of Foe: why Actor Josh Dela Cruz is bringing it to Canada Reads
Iain Reid
Author of Foe
Author
Episode: The quiet terror of Foe: why Actor Josh Dela Cruz is bringing it to Canada Reads
Gill Deacon
Writer, musician, and broadcaster discussing her book About Coping with Uncertainty, and Leaning into the Uncertainty of Modern Life
Author of A Love Affair with the Unknown
Episode: This writer's mystery illness defied diagnosis for months - here's what she learned from the uncertainty

Host

Antonio Michael Downing
Host of The Next Chapter, known for engaging conversations about literature and insightful discussions with a diverse range of authors and literary figures.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 226 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
    Canada2 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
    Canada3 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
    Canada3 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.

Insightful discussions about books and reading culture that resonate with the audience.
Hosts deliver engaging interviews with authors and literary enthusiasts, making the content relatable and meaningful.
Listeners appreciate the discussions about censorship and inclusivity in literature, indicating a thoughtful approach to contemporary literary issues.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#22
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#64
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#121
Austria/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#238
Denmark/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How iconic musician Tegan Quin plans to tackle Canada Reads
Q: How has your own background shaped your approach to storytelling and defending this book?
Loghan explains how personal histories—especially around gender and community—inform the characters and narratives, driving a commitment to making space for diverse voices in literature and public discourse.
How iconic musician Tegan Quin plans to tackle Canada Reads
Q: Why did you pick this book for Canada Reads and what made it stand out to you?
The book resonates across generations with universal themes of love, family, and longing, while centering queer and trans lives in a historical Canadian setting in a way that feels cinematic and accessible to a broad audience.
The youngest Canada Reads contestant is now a Disney star: Here’s what she’s reading now
Q: Amazing. And you mentioned flipping from in front of the camera to behind the camera. Very different mindset. Was that hard at first?
Totally hard at first; adjusting to filming from the other side gave me time to think about what I wanted to say and how it would look, which helped me grow in both roles.
How Amanda Brugel manifested her role in The Handmaid’s Tale
Q: What is your principle defect?
Brugel candidly describes it as the very thing she wanted to do—be a writer—yet has learned to accept that being a creator sometimes means grappling with self-doubt and imperfect progress.
This Amazing Race winner’s latest challenge? Reading 50 books in a year
Q: How did you do with your reading challenge?
I ended up reading in like nine months, 52 books.

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?

Focused on literature and the reading experience, this show brings together authors, critics, and book enthusiasts to explore a range of themes related to books and reading culture. Frequent discussions cover topics such as censorship, the poignancy of family-owned bookstores, the influence of literary prizes, and the importance of inclusivity within literary dialogues. The content is distinguished by a nurturing tone and an emphasis on community, often drawing on personal stories to connect with broader issues in literature and society. It seeks to engage listeners by celebrating the joy of reading and the insightful conversations that can arise from it, making it an excellent choice for avid readers looking to deepen their appreciation fo... 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. White Coat, Black Art
5. Q with Tom Power

How many episodes of The Next Chapter are there?

The Next Chapter launched 18 years ago and published 52 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. Amanda Brugel
2. Ray Robertson
3. Malia Baker
4. Loghan Paylor
5. Tegan Quin
6. Tom Best
7. Josh Dela Cruz
8. Iain Reid

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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