How are you handling the heat?

Ambassador (Ret'd) Louise Blais joins us on American Independence Day for a conversation about Canada's strained relationship with the US. Blais served as a Canadian diplomat in the United States and is currently Diplomat in Residence at Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia and Laval University in Quebec City.

American sociologist Ray Oldenburg coined the term the "third place" in the 1980s to describe where we find community outside of our work and home. We explore what those environments are in your life with our guest Debbie Rudman who's a distinguished professsor at Western University.

It's the time of year when people go on holidays -- and some take their furry friends with them. Veterinarian Dr. Cliff Redford hears your stories about holidaying with your pet, shares when it is a good idea (or bad one) to travel with an animal, and offer some suggestions on how to do make the travel plans go smoothly. Also joining us, Gord Hunter, executive director of the Kingston Humane Society.

We hear from Pride Toronto's executive director Kojo Modeste and board co-chair Nirmalan Vijeyakumar and we hear your thoughts on the meaning of pride this year.

As the school year wraps, 2050 graduates and co-hosts Nanak Sidhu and Bupa Zhang join us to hear student feedback from across Ontario.

Yale researcher and author James Kimmel hears your stories. Kimmel's latest book is called: The Science of Revenge: Understanding the World's Deadliest Addiction--and How to Overcome It.

Your stories with Zane Colt, board chair of the advocacy group Conceivable Dreams. He and his partner have already conceived using IVF and surrogacy, and are now trying for a second child. We also hear from retired Ottawa fertility specialist, Dr. Art Leader.

Our expert gardener, Mary Shearman Reid, fills in for Paul Zammit. She offers some advice for gardeners during this heat wave and takes your questions.

Your stories about escaping the blistering heat and we hear from Caroline Metz, managing director of the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation at University of Waterloo.

Novelist Waubgeshig Rice and callers share stories of trying to learn lost languages, and what that teaches you about your people and identity.