Eighty Thousand Steps

Solve a mystery, one step at a time. A trailblazing experience from the CBC.

Ready for an inspiring journey? Here’s the twist. You power this story—with your footsteps. Take a walk in someone else’s shoes. Uncover a long-buried secret.

Welcome to a story like no other. Walk the dog, run an errand, stroll the park, take a coffee break around the block. You can even run or jog, hit the treadmill, step machine, or elliptical. Now listen. And be prepared: this will move you in every way. Body, mind, and heart.

A cinematic saga for the ears. An intimate personal secret, dipped in folklore and magic. Eighty Thousand Steps is a unique, genre-bending interactive podcast about family and migration, inspired by the true story of journalist Crystal Chan’s search for what really happened to her grandmother as a refugee. Follow the clues beyond the headlines.

How do you keep going, no matter where life takes you?

From award-winning studios Stitch Media and CBC Arts: a show for those who walk their own path.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. What step will you take today?

HAPPY STEPPERS

“It’s like a double whammy, getting my exercise in and listening to a story—2 for 1 value.”

“Very fun and I enjoyed having something to walk to that added purpose to my movement.”

“I have been enjoying the story while I do my daily walk. It’s so immersive and I love the interactive quality.”

“This approach to storytelling feels so fresh and real and human.”

“Really tugged at my heartstrings.”

SPECIAL FEATURES

Motivating Step Counter:

In-app step counter shows your steps traveled as you uncover the mystery.

Immersive Storytelling:

Groundbreaking surround-sound audio with hand-illustrated scrolling art. Unlock clues after listening to each of the six episodes.

Accessible and Adaptive:

Completely free. Available offline. All transcripts available. Walk or run at any speed. Enable Accessibility Mode to enjoy without walking.

Secure and Private:

Will not save or store your health, motion or fitness data.