Season Two
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (radio)
Guest: Matt Watts
Joe and Mark talk to Matt Watts about one of their favorite pieces of art (and silliness), the incomparable work of Douglas Adams. But the radio version, not the book!
Sonata Pathétique
Guest: Brian Wyvill
Mark and Joe are joined by Brian Wyvill, who is a pianist himself, to discuss Beethoven’s music; they take a deep dive into the classical composer’s Piano Sonata No. 8, also known as the Sonata Pathétique.
Akira
Guest: Benoit Chartier
Joe and Mark learn from Canadian writer Benoit Chartier how the manga and then the 1988 movie version of Akira, by Katsuhiro Otomo, set him on the road to becoming a science fiction writer. The also talk about how AI is affecting the publishing business.
Poets in Collaboration
Guest: Penn Kemp
Joe and Mark discuss poetry and soundscapes with the former Poet Laureate of London, Ontario, the singular and talented Penn Kemp.
The Camouflaged Piano
Guest: Gerard Pas
Joe and Mark are joined by visual artist Gerard Pas to discuss the work of Greg Curnoe.
The Time Machine
Guest: Robert Charles Wilson
Mark and Joe jump around in time with Nebula- and Hugo-Award winning author, Robert Charles Wilson.
The Eye of Horus
Guest: Karina Bates
Joe and Mark chat with Karin Bates, a potter from Omemee, Ontario about ancient Egyptian mythology and what that has to do with “throwing” pots and other ceramics.
Machines of Loving Grace
Guest: David Brin
Mark and Joe are joined by the scientist, futurist and award-winning science fiction writer, David Brin. They discuss a positive future for AI and how Richard Brautigan’s poem fits in that picture.
The Plays of Edward de Vere
Guest: Saul Rubinek
Joe and Mark have a wonderful conversation with the Canadian actor, writer, director and producer about who probably wrote all of Shakespeare’s plays and poetry, among many topics. Then they discuss his work in the new film, Shttl.
Paris in the 20s
Guest: Terry Fallis
Mark and Joe chat with the beloved and bestselling Canadian author, Terry Fallis. The humor writer has a replica of an old map of Paris, circa 1928, on his wall in his office; the three discuss how important Paris in that era was to the history of modern literature.
Doug and the Slugs
Guest: Teresa Alfeld
Joe and Mark are joined by the West Coast documentary and narrative film director, Teresa Alfeld, who grew up in Vancouver. As a child, she was best friends with Shea Bennett, the daughter of Doug Bennett; it was only later in life that she learned who he was!
The Thing
Guest: Timothy S. Johnston
Joe and Mark discuss the classic 1982 science fiction horror movie, The Thing, directed by John Carpenter with another London writer, Timothy S. Johnston.
Dirty Dancing
Guest: Tanya Davis
The Poet Laureate of Prince Edward Island joins the lads to talk about her life in music and poetry … and the classic 80s movie in which Baby and her talented dance instructor fall in love at a summer camp in the Catskills.
Christmas Evil
Guest: Jeff Preston
Academic, motivational speaker and disability activist Jeff Preston introduce Mark and Joe to the cult classic 1980 American slasher film, directed by Lewis Jackson and starring Brandon Maggart.
Al Christie’s Know Thy Wife
Guest: Mark Kearney
Joe and Mark are joined by journalist and biography writer Mark Kearney, to learn about a little-known early director of Hollywood films in the 1910s and 1920s.
Hear About It Later
Guest: Steve Rosen
Rock journalist and biographer Steve Rosen joins the lads to talk about rock and roll. Specifically, they discuss the life and music of guitar legend, Edward (Eddie) Van Halen.
Doctor Who Fandom
Guest: D. G. Valdron
D.G. Valdron introduces Joe and Mark to the fandom of Doctor Who, via a discussion of his A Pirate’s History of Doctor Who – the first volume of three chronicling the many enthusiastic amateur productions of the Doctor’s adventures.
Babylon 5
Guest: Noah JD Chin
Noah Chin, a Canadian writer whose work was influenced by the 90s SF classic, Babylon 5, pitches the lads on why they should watch the show. It’s an easy sell for Joe, who loved it in the 90s. Listen to see if Noah makes the case for Mark.
Spider-Man
Guest: Mark Leiren-Young
Mark and Joe are joined by the Swiss Army Knife of writers, Mark Leiren-Young, whom the National Post described as “one of the most talented, multi-disciplinary voices in Canada.” They nerd out and discuss how Stan Lee’s Spider-Man changed the way Mark LY thought about writing.
Planet of the Apes
Guest: Robert J. Sawyer
The “dean” of Canadian science fiction, Robert J. Sawyer, joins the lads for a rollicking conversation about the 1968 classic, Planet of the Apes. They discuss the influence the movie had on science fiction, and on Rob’s writing in particular!
Season Two Recap
Mark and Joe
Joe quizzes Mark about the first two seasons of the podcast. Is he having as much fun as it sounds? Check out this short episode to see if they plan to continue the show with a third season. (Yes. Yes, they will.) Bonus content: more time travel and Tom Hanks!