Mornings with Simi

Seg 1: Why are US customs agents stopping more north-bound travellers Seg 2: What’s the latest on the disappearance of two Nova Scotia kids? Seg 3: What makes some people so susceptible to gaslighting? Seg 4: How new genetic tools can help treat brain diseases Seg 5: What’s the secret to faster knee and hip surgeries? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lily Sullivan, 6, and Jack Sullivan, 4, have been missing since the morning of May 2, 2025, from their home on Gairloch Road in Lansdowne Station, Pictou County, Nova Scotia. They were last seen playing in the yard around 10 a.m. Their disappearance was reported after their mother and stepfather, Daniel Martell, realized they were gone. Guest: Laura Jones - Atlantic Reporter for the Globe and Mail Based in Halifax Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mary Lou Steward, the mayor of Blaine, Washington, expressed concern over the recent outbound inspections by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the Canada-U.S. border, calling them uncommon. She said officials told her there’s reason to believe more fentanyl is entering the U.S. from Canada than data suggests, prompting the added inspections. Guest: Mary Lou Steward - Mayor of Blaine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a major scientific breakthrough, researchers from 29 institutions across North America—led by the Allen Institute—have developed over 1,000 new genetic tools called enhancer AAV vectors to precisely target specific brain cells. Guest: Dr. Bosiljka Tasic - Director of Molecular Genetics at the Allen Institute for Brain Science Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Weekly Cecchini Check-In: Harvard lawsuit Biden's cancer diagnosis Trump's call with Putin Plus lots more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal suggests that long wait times for hip and knee replacement surgeries in Canada — affecting about one in three patients — could be significantly reduced by implementing a centralized, team-based referral system instead of turning to private clinics. Guest: Dr. David Urbich - Study Author and Head of the Department of Surgery at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gaslighting isn’t just a lie – it’s a deliberate form of psychological manipulation that distorts someone’s reality, often slowly and subtly, until they begin to doubt their own thoughts, memories, and perceptions. Guest: Dr. Eamonn Walsh - Neuroscientist at King’s College London Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1. Why can’t police shut down meth and fentanyl superlabs? 2. The Fraser River in British Columbia is expected to see a record-breaking pink salmon run this year, with around 27 million fish returning—nearly double the previous count. 3. Why we shouldn’t rely on GPS! 4. Two Israeli embassy staffers, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, were shot and killed by a lone gunman outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night. 5. Why is Kelowna considering detaching itself from the RCMP? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex Hutchinson’s book reflects on his decision to avoid using GPS navigation, despite its convenience, in favour of engaging more actively with their surroundings. This choice is spurred by concerns that relying too much on turn-by-turn directions weakens the brain’s hippocampus, which is responsible for spatial memory and cognitive mapping. Guest: Alex Hutchinson - Author of “The Explorer’s Gene: Why We Seek Big Challenges, New Flavors, and the Blank Spots on the Map” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Critics on both sides of the U.S.-Canada border say Canada must improve its policing of illicit drug labs—especially those producing methamphetamine and fentanyl—by enhancing inter-agency communication and reforming RCMP training in evidence handling. A Globe and Mail investigation revealed only one person was charged after two significant drug raids in B.C., highlighting systemic issues. Guest: Dr. Christian Leuprecht - Professor at the Royal Military College and Queen’s University, Senior Fellow at the Macdonald Laurier Institute, and Author of “Security. Cooperation. Governance.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kelowna, home to Canada’s largest RCMP detachment, is considering moving away from the RCMP and establishing a municipal police force. The city has issued a call for bids to review its current policing model and assess whether a municipal force would be a better fit for its growing population and safety needs. Guest: Tom Dyas - Mayor of Kelowna Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Fraser River in British Columbia is expected to see a record-breaking pink salmon run this year, with around 27 million fish returning—nearly double the previous count. While this surge is a hopeful sign for a coast long troubled by declining salmon stocks, scientists caution it’s not entirely good news. Guest: Brendan Connors - Fisheries and Oceans Scientist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two Israeli embassy staffers, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, were shot and killed by a lone gunman outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night. The couple, about to become engaged, were attending a diplomatic event hosted by the American Jewish Committee. Guest: Reggie Cecchini - Washington Correspondent for Global News Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is BC doing about municipal embezzling? Guest: Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs Why BC business leaders are pushing for action from Ottawa Guest: Laura Jones, President & CEO of the Business Council of British Columbia Why a man walked butterflies on a leash Guest: Dr. Sam England, Sensory Ecologist at the Natural History Museum in Berlin Could more massive solar flares cause blackouts in Canada? Guest: Dr. Rachel Ward-Maxwell, Researcher-Programmer in Astronomy and Space Sciences at the Ontario Science Centre The enduring legacy of Sesame Street Guest: Dr. Rhonda McEwen, Professor of Communication, Culture, Information and Technology at the University of Toronto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Time for Making Cents of the Markets with Lori Pinkowski. Lori Pinkowski is a Senior Portfolio Manager at Canaccord Genuity. You can contact The Pinkowski Wealth Management team directly at 604-695-LORI or visit their website at Pinkowski.ca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is BC doing about municipal embezzling? Guest: Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why BC business leaders are pushing for action from Ottawa Guest: Laura Jones, President & CEO of the Business Council of British Columbia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The enduring legacy of Sesame Street Guest: Dr. Rhonda McEwen, Professor of Communication, Culture, Information and Technology at the University of Toronto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Could more massive solar flares cause blackouts in Canada? Guest: Dr. Rachel Ward-Maxwell, Researcher-Programmer in Astronomy and Space Sciences at the Ontario Science Centre Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

View From Victoria: Metro Vancouver can't hack it Guest: Vaughn Palmer, Vancouver Sun Columnist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don't trust the AI generated content Guest: Scott Shantz, CKNW Contributor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why a man walked butterflies on a leash Guest: Dr. Sam England, Sensory Ecologist at the Natural History Museum in Berlin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is Canada's legal weed tied to a smuggling epidemic abroad? Guest: Allan Woods, Paris-Based Staff Reporter for the Toronto Star Why is Canada Post going on strike again? Guest: Stephen Gale, BC Representative for the Canadian Union for Postal Workers Why are monkeys starting to kidnap each other? Guest: Zoë Goldsborough, Behavioural Ecologist at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour and Research Associate with the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Why is BC losing track of patients once they leave psychiatric care? Guest: Mike Hager, Reporter with The Globe and Mail’s B.C. Bureau in Vancouver Canadian Tire is saving The Bay Guest: David Ian Grey, Retail strategist and Owner of DIG 360 Why “silly” science is still worthwhile Guest: Dr. Carly York, Animal Behaviorist and Physiologist at Lenoir-Rhyne University in North Carolina and Author of “The Salmon Cannon and the Levitating Frog” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why “silly” science is still worthwhile Guest: Dr. Carly York, Animal Behaviorist and Physiologist at Lenoir-Rhyne University in North Carolina and Author of “The Salmon Cannon and the Levitating Frog” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is Canada's legal weed tied to a smuggling epidemic abroad? Guest: Allan Woods, Paris-Based Staff Reporter for the Toronto Star Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why is Canada Post going on strike again? Guest: Stephen Gale, BC Representative for the Canadian Union for Postal Workers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Canadian Tire is saving The Bay Guest: David Ian Gray, Retail strategist and Owner of DIG 360 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why is BC losing track of patients once they leave psychiatric care? Guest: Mike Hager, Reporter with The Globe and Mail’s B.C. Bureau in Vancouver Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

View From Victoria: BC asking Ottawa for bail reform...again! Guest: Vaughn Palmer, Vancouver Sun Columnist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Would you pay $30 for concert tickets? Guest: Scott Shantz, CKNW Contributor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why are monkeys starting to kidnap each other? Guest: Zoë Goldsborough, Behavioural Ecologist at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour and Research Associate with the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Ministry of Forests responds to industry criticism Guest: Ravi Parmar, BC’s Minister of Forests Why are taxpayers subsidizing big business? Guest: Laurent Carbonneau, Director of Policy and Research at the Council of Canadian Innovators and Author of “At the Trough: The Rise and Rise of Canada’s Corporate Welfare Bums” How researchers discovered an original Magna Carta Guest: Professor David Carpenter, Professor of Medieval History at King’s College London The impact of the Silverlynn Apartments fire Guest: Kerry Romaniuk, Daughter of Displaced Tenant Case for the Prosecution: What goes into laying charges? Guest: Jennifer Johnston, Vice President of the BC Crown Counsel Association Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Case for the Prosecution: What goes into laying charges? Guest: Jennifer Johnston, Vice President of the BC Crown Counsel Association Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Monday Morning Quarterback Guest: Ryan Rigmaiden, GM of the BC Lions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The impact of the Silverlynn Apartments fire Guest: Kerry Romaniuk, Daughter of Displaced Tenant Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why are taxpayers subsidizing big business? Guest: Laurent Carbonneau, Director of Policy and Research at the Council of Canadian Innovators and Author of “At the Trough: The Rise and Rise of Canada’s Corporate Welfare Bums” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Ministry of Forests responds to industry criticism Guest: Ravi Parmar, BC’s Minister of Forests Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

View From Victoria: A window into government operations Guest: Vaughn Palmer, Vancouver Sun Columnist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How researchers discovered an original Magna Carta Guest: Professor David Carpenter, Professor of Medieval History at King’s College London Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Should Canada allow more AI in court? Guest: Ryan Fritsch, Toronto-Based Lawyer who Specializes in AI Criminal Justice How qualified is the new Provincial Forest Advisory Council? Guest: Kim Haakstad, President & CEO of the BC Council of Forest Industries Do free divers of Jeju Island have a 'superpower' in their genes? Guest: Dr. Melissa Ilardo, Evolutionary Geneticist at the University of Utah Is Canada failing its women physicists? Guest: Dr. Alannah Hallas, Associate Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at UBC’s Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute How Sidney McIntyre-Starko’s death is reshaping BC programs Guest: Lori Culbert, Reporter for the Vancouver Sun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How Sidney McIntyre-Starko’s death is reshaping BC programs Guest: Lori Culbert, Reporter for the Vancouver Sun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kickin’ It with the Whitecaps Guest: Jesper Sørensen, Head Coach of the Vancouver Whitecaps Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How qualified is the new Provincial Forest Advisory Council? Guest: Kim Haakstad, President & CEO of the BC Council of Forest Industries Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is Canada failing its women physicists? Guest: Dr. Alannah Hallas, Associate Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at UBC’s Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Should Canada allow more AI in court? Guest: Ryan Fritsch, Toronto-Based Lawyer who Specializes in AI Criminal Justice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

View From Victoria: Deep disappointment in the Premier Guest: Vaughn Palmer, Vancouver Sun Columnist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do free divers of Jeju Island have a 'superpower' in their genes? Guest: Dr. Melissa Ilardo, Evolutionary Geneticist at the University of Utah Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why did BC hire a special advisor for the Downtown Eastside? Guest: Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction Should space law protect historical sites on the Moon? Guest: Michelle Hanlon, Professor of Practice and the Executive Director of the Center for Air and Space Law at the University of Mississippi School of Law Can cybernetics rewire the way we understand the mind? Guest: Dr. Adam Mastroianni, Experimental Psychologist and Author of the “Experimental History” Newsletter How are stratas and strata fees affecting the real estate market? Guest: Paul Mendes, Partner and Strata lawyer, LM Law How will BC work with Ottawa to improve public safety? Guest: Niki Sharma, Attorney General of BC The power of listening to strangers Guest: Paul Jenkinson, Man Who Launched the “You Are Not Alone, I Will Listen” Cross-Country Tour Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The power of listening to strangers Guest: Paul Jenkinson, Man Who Launched the “You Are Not Alone, I Will Listen” Cross-Country Tour Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why did BC hire a special advisor for the Downtown Eastside? Guest: Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices