Madison Tevlin has always been a conversationalist, someone who is curious about others, and always loves to ask questions, so hosting the new talk-show web series Who Do You Think I Am?, was a natural fit for her. But for Madison, the show is also about showing people that having Down syndrome doesn’t define her.

“There are so many reasons why I wanted to start Who Do You Think I Am?. It’s not right to feel judged. It doesn’t feel good. We all want to be treated in our own different ways. Just because I have Down syndrome, that doesn’t matter,” she tells me. 

In the ten episodes of Who Do You Think I Am?, Madison sits down with people she admires, people that have also experienced misrepresentation. Guests include Ann Pornel from The Great Canadian Baking Show, influencer Sarah Nicole Landry of The Birds Papaya, and Canadian singer Tyler Shaw, to name a few.

Madison asks her guests all sorts of interesting and revealing questions, and in doing so gets to the heart of who they are. When sitting down with Landry, in Episode 1, she cuts to the chase asking, “What is your definition of influencer?” It’s a question we’ve all been pondering for years. The conversation then moves to the “why” behind The Birds Papaya, and the two go on to talk about body image, depression, self-love, and so much more.  

As she continues to pull wisdom from her guests, Madison also shares honestly and candidly about her own life experiences. Unlike most talk shows, Who Do You Think I Am? gives audiences an enthralling two-way conversation that is smart, uplifting, and full of compassion; Madison is a gifted host. 

“I’m a big talker. And I love asking people questions and just getting to know them, who they really are, and what their stories are about. And I just love talking. It’s so natural for me,” she says with a smile. 

Seeing some of Canada’s biggest influencers and TV personalities open up about their fears and hopes is touching, but Madison is also inspiring a larger conversation about stereotypes, and the insecurities and concerns we all share—no matter who you are. 

“I hope this show will inspire so many people. I want them just to watch it and really see what our stories are about and how we are connected in our own ways,” says Madison. “Just because I have Down syndrome, and someone else could be totally different, we all can feel the same way. It’s really interesting and cool to see all the different sides of different people and what they’re about.” Who Do You Think I Am? is now playing on CBC Gem.