CBC and the Toronto Star today announced the first-ever partnership between two hit investigative crime podcast series, CBC’s Uncover and the Toronto Star’s Suspicion. The new untitled podcast tells the story of Canadian Olympic snowboarder turned FBI Most Wanted fugitive and alleged drug lord Ryan Wedding. Hosted by Michelle Shephard with Toronto Star reporter Calvi Leon, the podcast features new on-the-ground reporting and original interviews, and will be released in fall 2026 on both CBC’s Uncover and the Star’s Suspicion feeds, everywhere podcasts are available.
CBC previously announced an original documentary series titled Snow King: From Olympian to Narco about Wedding, which also features Leon’s investigative work for the Toronto Star alongside journalist Jesse Hyde’s in-depth reporting for Rolling Stone. Produced by Visitor Media, the two-part docuseries is in production now and will also debut in fall 2026.
“This unbelievable true story, with its roots in Canada and many layers of mystery, is a perfect fit for CBC’s popular Uncover podcast series. We’re thrilled to build on CBC’s relationship with the Toronto Star to create a world-class podcast exploration of this ongoing international case, as the web of those accused of involvement continues to grow,” said Arif Noorani, Director, CBC Podcasts. “The coordinated launch of CBC’s podcast and docuseries will allow audiences to experience the in-depth investigation and incredible storytelling on the platform of their choice.”
“Sometimes the truth is stranger, and more terrifying, than fiction,” said Nicole MacIntyre, Editor-in Chief, Toronto Star. “The Star’s Suspicion investigative true crime podcast series is pleased to join forces with the CBC on this groundbreaking investigation as the hunt for Ryan Wedding continues. And while this case is still underway, the entire world is fascinated by the former Canadian Olympian who is now one of the FBI’s most wanted. The Star’s Calvi Leon has been at the forefront of this story from the beginning. And there is no one better to work alongside Calvi than former Star journalist Michelle Shephard. This new podcast from the Toronto Star and CBC will give listeners the chance to hear the whole story.”
Wedding was a promising Canadian athlete — now he’s known as El Jefe, accused of running a deadly trafficking empire with a $15 million FBI reward on his head. In this new podcast from CBC and the Toronto Star, host Shephard and reporter Leon trace Wedding’s descent into a violent criminal underworld. From his beginnings as a bouncer in Vancouver, to Toronto and the scenes of the shocking murders he’s accused of ordering, to Mexico where he’s believed to be hiding under the protection of the notorious Sinaloa Cartel, they uncover his illicit connections and the stories behind the victims caught in the crossfire. The Star’s Leon has traced the story’s network of sicarios, special agents, innocents and inside men.
An investigation into one of the FBI’s most wanted fugitives, this podcast exposes how a small town Canadian boy allegedly became a narco kingpin and asks: what will it take to bring him to justice?
Shephard, former national security reporter at the Toronto Star, is an award-winning journalist, author, filmmaker and podcast host and producer, covering issues of terrorism and civil rights. She most recently hosted the second season of White Hot Hate: Agent Pale Horse, a CBC podcast that goes behind-the-scenes in the life of FBI undercover agent Scott Payne and his 28-year-long career spent infiltrating the most dangerous gangs of our times. Leon is a young Toronto Star reporter with a focus on breaking news and investigations. Producers also include Falen Johnson, acclaimed playwright and host of CBC podcasts See You In Court and Secret Life of Canada, among others, and Julia De Laurentiis Johnston, co-host and producer at the Star’s news podcast, This Matters, and producer of Suspicion: 40 Years Cold, among others. The senior podcast producer is Andrew Friesen, Chris Oke is executive producer of CBC Podcasts, and Arif Noorani is the Director of CBC Podcasts.
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About the Toronto Star
The Toronto Star is Canada’s leading media outlet for investigative reporting and award-winning journalism. Founded in 1892 and proudly Canadian owned and operated, the Toronto Star is committed to investigating and advocating for social and economic justice. The Toronto Star publishes a daily newspaper and delivers multimedia content on thestar.com and mobile applications. The Toronto Star has been making a difference in the lives of children for more than 100 years through the Toronto Star Fresh Air Fund and the Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund.
About CBC/Radio Canada
CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster. Through our mandate to inform, enlighten and entertain, we play a central role in strengthening Canadian culture. As Canada’s trusted news source, we offer a uniquely Canadian perspective on news, current affairs and world affairs. Our distinctively homegrown entertainment programming draws audiences from across the country. Deeply rooted in communities, CBC/Radio-Canada offers diverse content in English, French and eight Indigenous languages: Dehcho Dene Yati, Dënesųłıné (Chipewyan), Eastern Cree, Gwich’in, Inuktitut, Inuvialuktun, Sahtu Got'ine Godi, and Tłı̨chǫ (Tlicho). We also deliver content in Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Punjabi and Tagalog, as well as both official languages, through Radio Canada International (RCI). We are leading the transformation to meet the needs of Canadians in a digital world.
