Christine McLean is a documentarian, broadcaster and academic based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. This is her third episode for CBC's The Nature of Things. Entitled 'Dad Bods', it explores new research into the impact of fatherhood on male physiology.

Description: "Scientists have since learned that the more a father is involved, the lower his T levels are. They’ve discovered dads, like moms, experience spikes in other hormones, like oxytocin, the “cuddling hormone”, when interacting with their infants. These changes don’t just show up in fathers, there’s evidence that grandfathers and male parents in same sex couples are impacted. Neuroscientists are now studying how men’s brains are changed by parenthood. “Daddy brain” is a thing!"

Christine was head writer on the Science Channel series Mega Marine Machines and the second season of If We Built it Today. She has also directed seven wildlife documentaries for CBC’s Land and Sea. In 2017 she received a Wave Award from Women in Film and Television for her dedication and mentorship in the documentary world.

PLUS audiobooks you can download with you library card using the Libby app. I used my Toronto Public library to bring you these samples of 2SLGBT+ audiobooks. Happy Pride! Happy Indigenous Month!

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I had the pleasure of chatting with actor David Lopez (see credits below) about his role as a swing for the Toronto production of the Tony Award-winning play, A Strange Loop. Don't know what a swing is? Not to worry. David is going to give personal insight into this often publicly overlooked theatrical role and how it relates to him being in A Strange Loop. Due to popular demand the show has been extended until June 8, 2025. www.soulpepper.ca for details and tickets.

Four theatre companies came together to co-produce this multiple award winning musical: Crow's Theatre, Soulpepper Theatre, The Musical Stage Company and TO.Live.

David Lopez

For Soulpepper: Debut Other Theatre: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (YPT), Seussical (YPT, Citadel), The Wild Party, Passing Strange (Musical Stage Co.), The Rocky Horror Show (CanStage, RMTC, STC), High Society (Shaw Festival), The Little Mermaid (Globe Theatre), Ain’t Misbehavin’ (CanStage, Dora Award Nomination), La Cage aux Folles (Neptune Theatre, Merritt Award Nomination), Kinky Boots (Mirvish Productions) Film &Television: Once Upon A Mattress, At The Hotel, Stormy Weather, A Handmaid’s Tale, Workin’ Moms Other: Backup dancer for Patti LaBelle and Katy Perry.

Music/Spoken Word: Ebony Stewart 'Gay God' ; d'bi.young anitafrika, 'gendah bendah' ; Jade Elektra 'What a difference a day makes' (performed live at the 2024 Poz-To Awards.

Inside Out 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival 2025 coverage with Colette Johnson-Vosberg about her film 'Unlabelled.' The film explores the diverse stories of three trans people with some surprising revelations.

Hot Docs and Inside Out Films festivals overlap with my interview with director, Noam Gonick and producer, Justine Pimlott about their NFB film 'Parade: Queer Acts of Love and Resistance'. My guests join me to talk about their Hot Docs experience and looking forward to their Inside Out screening.

Music: Jade Elektra, 'Basic Bitch'