For five decades, Bob McDonald has been one of science journalism’s most revered and recognizable names as the host of CBC Radio’s award-winning science program, Quirks & Quarks, and the author of six bestselling science books.

In his latest book, Just Say Yes, Bob is sharing a more personal story — his own. The most frequent questions Bob gets asked are about his background — how many PhDs does he have? How did he get to be on national television? How did he land the gig as host of Quirks & Quarks? His new memoir answers those questions and more as he shares his captivating story about how a university dropout and former construction worker became one of Canada’s most prominent science journalists.

Just Say Yes brings readers right back to the beginning — Bob’s childhood in Orillia, growing up in a low-income family plagued by alcoholism — and shares powerful insights on how he learned to overcome his fear of failure, tackle life-transforming challenges, and have the courage to leap into every opportunity that came his way.  

Adopting a “Yes” Mentality

Speakers Spotlight: Your memoir’s title Just Say Yes hints at the mentality that has guided your career. How did you adopt this “yes” mindset and how did it help you navigate your life and career?

Bob McDonald: I didn’t know I was doing it at first, but it came out of my very first convocation speech when I got my first honorary doctorate. I choked on stage. I’d never seen my name on a university diploma, and I got emotional. I ended up sharing how I got to where I am by saying “yes”. Throughout my life and career, I’ve learned three things:

1. When an opportunity comes your way and it’s something you want to do, just say yes. Often, our first instinct is to say “no” because we don’t have the “experience”. That’s just fear. So, say yes.
2. When you get scared, because you will, the next step is to focus on the first thing you need to do. That first thing may be asking for help.
3. Finish what you start. I say yes, I work really hard to figure out what I need to do, and then I finish it. People will appreciate that you get things done, and tremendous reward comes from finishing something new. This gives you strength to keep moving forward.  

I said yes to the Ontario Science Centre back in the 1970s. I was hired purely on my enthusiasm to work there. Out of that came media. I was asked to appear on television to talk about robots on Mars, I said yes even though I’d never been on TV. This led to more TV appearances until I was asked to host Wonderstruck, which lasted six years. Then I was told that Quirks & Quarks was looking for a host and I should give them a call, so I did. And many more opportunities came from that.

I didn’t plan this. I am very much an opportunist. That’s the lesson I’m trying to give to anyone who reads my book. If I can do it, so can you.

Combating Imposter Syndrome

SpSp: You mentioned that you’ve suffered from imposter syndrome throughout your life. How did you become aware of it and stop it from holding you back?

BM: It came from my upbringing. I come from a low-income family. We were the poor people on the block. This instills in you a sense that you aren’t like the others, that you’re an imposter. But when you feel you aren’t good enough, you work harder to be as good as others. I’ve learned the feeling like an impostor is not necessarily a bad thing, it can be turned into a motivator to work hard. And eventually, as I continued to do things that people liked and became successful, that feeling diminished.

Overcoming Fear of Failure

SpSp: Similarly, you discuss overcoming a fear of failure in your new book. What strategies or experiences helped you confront that fear?

BM: Mainly worrying that there would be someone better than me. Growing up, I thought I would be an actor. But I didn’t like the idea of having to audition, I was afraid I would never get a part. So, I didn’t become an actor because of that fear of failure. But again, finishing what I started and having friends, family, mentors, and co-workers who were encouraging, that is jet fuel for emotional stability. It buoys you up and you want to honour that support. And that is what helps me work harder and overcome that fear of failure. The fear is always there but it becomes a motivator.

Healing from Trauma

SpSp: You’re very vulnerable in your memoir, discussing your childhood sexual abuse. Why did you decide to go public with this now?

BM: I have never ever gone public about this before, I’ve always kept it to myself other than friends. The reason I wanted to open up about it now is that it’s part of my history, part of my story, and I wanted to send a message to anyone who has suffered from child abuse or trauma that you can get past it.

I’m a living example that you can have a successful career even though something traumatic has happened. What helped me was to create a mental vault deep in my mind with a very heavy door and lock. Only I have the key and I don’t open it. I don’t deny those memories, I won’t ever forget them, but they live in that vault, and all decisions about my life are made by the other parts of my brain.

If you allow childhood trauma to interfere with your adult life or inhibit you, you are giving more power to the abuser. They already had power over you as a child, they don’t deserve it as an adult. Take charge of your life, don’t give them the power. That’s my message. It’s not easy, but we can support each other.

What do you hope people take away from your memoir?

I hope people walk away understanding that anyone can succeed. You don’t have to be a certain type of person or come from a certain family to succeed. You just have to make good decisions and not be afraid to take chances and follow your dreams. I have found the secret to life is to get paid to have fun. I like what I do, I like my job. It might take time, but you can do it. You can make choices, and make changes.

Bob McDonald has devoted his career to exploring the vast, intricate wonders of our planet and universe, making science accessible to all. Now, in his revealing and captivating memoir, he looks within, offering 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.

Drawing from his memoir, Bob’s new keynote presentation shares powerful insights on overcoming fear of failure and tackling life-transforming challenges. Audiences will leave empowered to break through whatever is holding them back and follow their dreams.

Whether you’re looking for a fascinating foray into today’s top science news or a motivational speech from one of Canada’s top storytellers, contact us to learn more about Bob and what he can bring to your next event.