Beloved CBC Quirks & Quarks host Bob McDonald regularly regales Festival audiences with insights into under-considered topics. This year, he’s delving into a fascinating topic once again: his career. In his revealing, captivating memoir, Just Say Yes, he offers an intimate view of the path that brought him from a blue-collar background to his long-standing role as Canada’s foremost explainer of all things scientific. Starting from a low-income family in a small town to sailing adventures on the high seas, motorcycling across the continent, and travels around the world and beyond, audience members can discover the story behind this infectiously optimistic and curious communicator. Moderated by Jerry Wasserman.

Auto-generated closed captions will be available at this event.

This event is open to everyone, and has been curated with the Pro-D day for teachers in mind. Teachers may be interested in the following information. This event is also suitable for students in grades 10–12.
Themes: Pro-D, memoir, media, radio, career
Curriculum Connections: Career-Life Education, Career-Life Connections

More information about the Festival:
Box Office | Accessibility | Venue Map

Event Participants:

Bob McDonald

BOB MCDONALD is a Canadian science journalist, author, has an asteroid named after him and is an Officer of the Order of Canada. Currently the host of Quirks & Quarks on CBC Radio, he is also science correspondent for The National on CBC television and popular speaker at science based events and conferences across the country.

Jerry Wasserman

JERRY WASSERMAN is an actor, theatre critic and Emeritus Professor of English & Theatre at UBC. His latest book, Life Could Be a Dream: African American Blues, R&B, Gospel & Doo Wop, 1946-56, is forthcoming from McFarland.