Backstage at the Vinyl Cafe

“I will never forget that day.” We have something very special for you this week. From one of the most-requested Vinyl Cafe episodes, this is Stuart’s re-telling of the life story of holocaust survivor (and my husband’s Zaidie) David Kilberg. This episode features music by the Manitoba band Finjan, from the album “Dancing on Water”.  Ad-free listening is here! Listen to the pod ad-free and ea...

“How can you deny an old man his dying wish?” This week’s episode is all about the powerful pull of home. We start with a story about Dave’s neighbours Eugene and Maria and their longing for their hometown of Rendi. And in our second story, an event in Dave’s Big Narrows brings back a cascade of memories.  Ad-free listening is here! Listen to the pod ad-free and early, PLUS a whole bunch...

“It was one of those moments that make you wonder if your life is cursed.” In this week’s episode, two stories of a mystical flavour, with mysterious encounters for both Stephanie and Dave. Ad-free listening is here! Listen to the pod ad-free and early, PLUS a whole bunch of other goodies – like virtual parties, Q&As, listener shout-outs & more. Subscribe here:  apostrophe.supercast.c...

“How was Dave supposed to know the Madden kids were all lactose intolerant.” Today on the pod, two stories where Dave bites off more than he can chew. In the first he babysits a cell phone that is left in the store; in the second he attempts to babysit some neighbourhood kids, with hilarious consequences. Ad-free listening is here! Listen to the pod ad-free and early, PLUS a whole bunch of ot...

Our Thanksgiving tradition: The Arthur Awards! Two more of our favourite Vinyl Cafe Arthur Awards. Ad-free listening is here! Listen to the pod ad-free and early, PLUS a whole bunch of other goodies – like virtual parties, Q&As, listener shout-outs & more. Subscribe here:  apostrophe.supercast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“The day Annie began violin lessons was the most exciting day of her life." This week’s episode is all about music. It was such an integral part of both the radio show and the touring show. We have two music stories for you today. The first story is about the trials and tribulations of music lessons. In the second, a departed friend is celebrated in song. You’ll even briefly hear Stuart’s dul...

“He was a great dog.” Today on the podcast, two stories about dogs – one of my favourite subjects! The first is about Dave’s two dogs: Scout and, of course, Arthur. The second is a listener story about a remarkably faithful friend.  Ad-free listening is here! Listen to the pod ad-free and early, PLUS a whole bunch of other goodies – like virtual parties, Q&As, listener shout-outs & mo...

“Carl didn’t want to retire.” Today on the podcast, two stories about embracing change. Dave’s neighbour Carl Lowbeer (and his wife Gerda) get to grips with a major change in their lives: retirement! And Stephanie starts her new life at university. Ad-free listening is here! Listen to the pod ad-free and early, PLUS a whole bunch of other goodies – like virtual parties, Q&As, listener shout-ou...

“I made predictions. They are all coming true.” This week, we’re talking about kids and independence. In our story, Sam gets guidance from an unexpected source: a fortune teller named Madame Nina. And we have a very special script: about trust, and hope, and goodness. Ad-free listening is here! Listen to the pod ad-free and early, PLUS a whole bunch of other goodies – like virtual parties, Q&...

“He came downstairs in a Grateful Dead t-shirt and a pair of bell bottoms.”   Welcome back for Season 4 of Backstage at the Vinyl Cafe! This week, two stories about school: Dave gets nervous about presenting to a class at university; while Sam and Murphy go to their first school dance. Ad-free listening is here! Listen to the pod ad-free and early, PLUS a whole bunch of other goodies – like v...

We’re so excited to be back next week with Season 04 of Backstage at the Vinyl Cafe. Join us for hilarious Vinyl Cafe stories and inspiring scripts by Stuart McLean. Here's a sneak peek... Ad-free listening is here! Listen to the pod ad-free and early, PLUS a whole bunch of other goodies – like virtual parties, Q&As, listener shout-outs & more. Subscribe here:  apostrophe.supercast.co...

In this bonus episode you’ll hear my conversation with Roger Woodward, the boy who went over the falls. You loved hearing his remarkable story in our Niagara Falls episode (back in October 2023) and wanted to hear more. Roger and I had a great time catching up and I learned so much more about that momentous day.  Ad-free listening is here! Listen to the pod ad-free and early, PLUS a whole bun...

By popular request, for our first bonus episode of season 3, this is part II of Stuart and I in studio, back in 2011, talking - and laughing - about some of his most hilarious bloopers.  Ad-free listening is here! Listen to the pod ad-free and early, PLUS a whole bunch of other goodies – like virtual parties, Q&As, listener shout-outs & more. Subscribe here:  apostrophe.supercast...

“There is nothing like a neighbour throwing money about their garden to make you feel bad about yours.”   It's summer all the way on this week’s episode. In our first story, Mary Turlington unwittingly trips off a chain of events that get heated under the summer sun. And in the second, Sam and Murphy have the summer of a lifetime in Big Narrows, Cape Breton. Ad-free listening is here! Li...

“It was Sam’s first year in high school. And it was not going well.”   Sam’s turn this week: We have a story about Sam’s first job and about finding his passion. Plus, an essay from Stuart McLean about his first jobs. Including his life-changing experience at summer camp. Ad-free listening is here! Listen to the pod ad-free and early, PLUS a whole bunch of other goodies – like...

“How bad could it be? Statistics. That’s how bad it could be.”   This week, two stories about Dave and Morley’s daughter, Stephanie – Stephanie at school and at work. Jess talks about Stuart’s goals in writing those stories and what they show us about success … and failure. Ad-free listening is here! Listen to the pod ad-free and early, PLUS a whole bunch of other goodies – like virtual parti...

“Whenever the cat is around, things seem to go wrong.”   This week, Dave discovers a stowaway on the family road trip, with hilarious consequences. And Jess shares two more of Stuart McLean’s Postcards from Canada: from St John’s, NFLD in the east and Powell River, B.C. in the west. Ad-free listening is here! Listen to the pod ad-free and early, PLUS a whole bunch of other goodies – like virt...

“Not everyone in the world is cut out to be a school janitor.”   We’re full of the milk of human kindness on this week’s podcast. We play Stuart’s heartwarming interview with one of our favourite Arthur Award winners and Jess awards an Arthur of her own – to a Vinyl Cafe character! Plus, a Dave and Morley story that you may not have heard before. Ad-free listening is here! Listen to the pod a...

“A hive of bees is like a harvest kitchen. They gather up the summer: the heat of the sun, the warmth of the rain…”   This week on the podcast, two Stuart McLean stories to whet your appetite for summer. In the first, Dave remembers an incredible woodland encounter from his youth in Cape Breton; in the second, Eugene puts Sam and Murphy on the trail of a bee line.  Ad-free listening...

“It started like a sprint. One moment you were standing still, and the next you were running as fast as you could.”   Hold on tight! On today’s show, in time for Mother’s Day, two Vinyl Cafe stories about motherhood. And Jess shares a backstory about her own experiences – cue the bucking bronco! Ad-free listening is here! Listen to the pod ad-free and early, PLUS a whole bunch of other g...

“It says it’s one of the most wonderful tastes in the world.”   It’s a gastronomical episode of the podcast today. Stuart loved writing about his favourite foods – both in fiction and non-fiction – and Jess has gathered some great examples of both for today’s show. Plus a hilariously endearing story about Sam’s first passion.  Ad-free listening is here! Listen to the pod ad-free and earl...

“He’s not well, Stuart.”   We’re going way back today with two pieces from pre-Vinyl Cafe days! One is a favourite you’ve been requesting, back from Stuart McLean’s regular appearances on Peter Gzowski’s Morningside. (Spoiler alert: You’ll see what happens when two presenters get the giggles on live radio.)   Excerpt from Morningside reproduced by permission of CBC Licensing. ...

“There are only so many holes a man can cut in his own house before he is told to stop.”   Today on the show, two classic Stuart McLean stories, including Odd Jobs. That’s the one where Dave tries his hand at some home renovations, with hilarious consequences. And Jess has a backstory about the magic of Vinyl Cafe audiences. Ad-free listening is here! Listen to the pod ad-free and early, PLUS...

“I guess I figured having a fish head could come in handy.”   On this week’s episode Stuart celebrates the joys of birding and the Spring bird migration. And we have two springy stories, including a favourite from the Vinyl Cafe story exchange. To submit your short, true story to the Story Exchange, send it to  vinylcafe@vinylcafe.com . Ad-free listening is here! Listen to the pod ad-fre...

“There is nothing like a wedding to addle people’s minds.”   Today on the pod we have two hilarious stories about marriage and proposal. In the first, Dave loses his wedding ring and fears it may have been swallowed by a duck! In the second, Dave’s mom Margaret surprises everyone by agreeing to marry again. And Jess shares her own experience of wedding rings and proposal. Ad-free listeni...