(Extra) Ordinary People

Josh Burke (he/him) is an artist, a voice acting enthusiast, an explainer of video games (to me), and an ocean floor mapping master's student. I've also been meaning to record an episode with him since this podcast started... in 2021.  In this episode: learning to love voice acting, narrative video games, keeping track of quotes, taking a long time to set up a microphone, falling into a...

Bia Cordeiro (she/her) is a stage manager, private chef, and defender of how good the Twilight movies are (I agree) - and this episode was a delight to record! We had so much fun chatting all things stage management and breakfast.  In this episode: the "I can do it" gene, managing stress as a stage manager, growing up in the culinary industry, haggling in Brazil, why you can skip New Moo...

Fiona Conway (she/her) is a reader, writer, and medical school student. We started chatting on Instagram (Fiona has the best book recommendations - I have read a lot based on her reviews, and she never misses), discovered we have a whole bunch of real life mutual friends, and now I'm stoked to have her on the podcast!  In this episode: the Dear Canada books, bookstagram, writing reviews, grow...

Hannah Haynes-Macdonald (she/her) is a researcher, MSc student, avid concert-goer, and one of the kindest people that I know; I'm so excited that she agreed to come on the podcast and chat about her thesis project and her love of live music.  In this episode: nitrogen, tree cores, frisky fish, Maggie Rogers' master's degree, Troye Sivan, feeling music in your body, contentedness, an...

Jason McIntyre is an emerging artist, improviser, comedian, and very wise friend of mine. I’ve been meaning to have him on the podcast for literal years, so I figured we’d start season two off with the first EVER episode of the podcast to break an hour!  In this episode: what makes something funny, knowing which notes to take, edgy comedy, whipping out Socrates, morbid curiosity, the Münster rebel...

Laura Kojima (she/her) is an alligator ecotoxicologist and reptile enthusiast who recently defended her master's at the University of Georgia. This episode was recorded in September 2022; I'm thrilled I finally get to share this conversation on the podcast!  In this episode: reptiles, ecotoxicology, plasma samples, herping, the Savannah River Site, a day in the life of an ecologist, and...

Indhu Iyengar (she/her) is a biology & philosophy student, figure skater, and the all around queen of hobbies. Indhu and I recorded this episode back in the fall, and I'm so thrilled that it is finally available for everyone to listen to!  In this episode: combining disciplines, singing, crochet scrunchies, surprising cynicism, Nickelodeon sitcoms, vegetarianism, and three kinds of soup. ...

Grace Harrington (she/her) is a dancer, teacher, and maker of impulsive decisions. I got the chance to catch up with Grace after years of having lost touch, and I was so excited to hear about her life, the kids she works with, and her next steps.  In this episode: teaching boundaries, goat yoga, impulsive decisions, assessing risk, monkeys, and re-evaluating your relationship with alcohol. PATREON...

Alex Dawson (they/them) and Al Newling (any pronouns) are writers, actors, official founding members of the Teen Collective, and definitely not sculptors. I’m super glad I got to have a chaotic video call with these two and learn about what it’s like to be a teenager writing cool queer stories in 2022.  In this episode: writing authentic stories, the best myths, teachers who are good at what they...

Mary Walker (she/her) is an actor, graphic design legend, and first generation Canadian with a strong dislike of sunny winter days. Mary and I have known each other for a long time (and have worked together many times), and I’m so glad that we finally sat down to record an episode together.  In this episode: toast, the process for putting together a poster, acting as self-expression, wearing brigh...

Dani Brun (she/her) is an SNL line veteran, former Toronto resident, and Sara Bareilles fan (but just a normal amount). This episode was both one of the funniest I’ve ever recorded, and also a great chance to catch up with someone I don’t get the chance to see that often!  In this episode: astrology, seeing John Mulaney live, art installations in Toronto, synesthesia, obnoxiously fluffy cats, and...

Armin Panjwani (she/her) is a stage manager, media & theatre student, and very good friend! We recorded this episode late at night, and it felt like the cosiest, most comfortable conversation in the world. I’m so glad she agreed to be part of the podcast.  In this episode: engaging with news, what being a stage manager is like, Shakespeare  plays, first flight experiences, building community i...

Karolina (she/her) is a masters student, passionate defender of Anne Brontë, and bookstagrammer (@karolinaofbookland).  I'm super grateful that she was able to come onto the podcast - this was an incredibly fun conversation to have. It’s always a blast to go full English major with someone.  In this episode: weather in Slovakia, reading mostly classics, 19th century social movements, the impo...

Matthias Whalen (he/him) is a fashion communications student currently on a semester exchange in Copenhagen. Matthias and I have been friends for years now, and recording this episode was an excellent excuse to catch-up.  In this episode: idealized places, sustainable fashion, validation on social media, recorded conversations, soup drama, and seaweed. Mentioned: @matthiaskw https://www.goodreads....

Emily Darling (she/her) is a director, drama and psychology student, and avid Taylor Swift fan. Fun fact: Emily and I had our first ever conversation while fake knife fighting in a first year drama class. It was definitely a solid start, because that just kicked off a beautiful friendship!  In this episode: discovering directing, dreading director’s notes, character psychology, Taylor Swift, re-re...

Esme Newling (she/her) is a book lover, classics student, actual social media icon, and longtime best friend of the podcast (and me). Recording this episode was the highlight of my week, and editing it down to a reasonable length was the lowlight of my week. Enjoy! In this episode: thoughts on Greek men, creating artefacts, internet fame, mean comments, revolution-worthy bread, and the literary pr...

Tanya Senechal (she/her) is an English student, England enthusiast, event planner, and cat owner. I met Tanya in online classes during Year One of the pandemic, but I’m so glad I’ve gotten the chance to get to know her in person - and now here, on the podcast! In this episode: the East Coast Music Awards, Maggie Rogers, going back to university, if we can still enjoy Harry Potter, the arts scene i...

Nadia Henderson (she/her) is a short story author, nature writer, and recent arrival to life in the Swedish countryside. I reached out to Nadia on Instagram after being fascinated by how she approaches the intersection of creative writing and environmentalism, and I’m so glad she agreed to be on the podcast and chat all things seasons and writing.  In this episode: short stories as a form, consist...

Chris Rogers (he/him) is an artist, musician, theatre student, and longtime pal of the podcast. Chris was there when I was first spitballing ideas about this podcast - in fact, he’s the creator of the unremarkable fact segment - and I’m so glad I finally convinced him to come on board.  In this episode: Robert Pattinson, writing monologues, lyrics versus melodies, musical influences, staying off o...

Lynn Koworera (she/her) is a researcher, mentor, and productivity content creator. As if that wasn’t enough, she’s also in the midst of her doctorate degree. This episode is a perfect one to listen to if you’re looking for productivity inspiration or a reminder that everyone is on their individual career journey.  In this episode: authenticity, studygram, taking a career break, being an extrovert...

Naomi McGowan (she/her) is an actor, theatre artist, ESL teacher, and potential crazy animal lady. Filled with insights on everything from actionable career choices to acting theory to taking care of injured pigeons, Naomi is super inspiring and always joy to chat with.  In this episode: first acting roles, new year’s resolutions, one-legged crows, many cat stories, the musical Once, witnessing co...

Swarna Naojee (she/her) is an international student from Mauritius, salt marsh researcher, and advocate for preventing burnout. Currently in the midst of her master’s degree in environmental management, Swarna took the time to sit down with me for this wonderfully inspiring conversation.  In this episode: mindful morning routines, long flights, why the province of New Brunswick should sponsor the...

Tess Benger (she/her) and Julia McLellan (she/her) are performers, environmentalists, and co-owners of the Canadian Green Alliance, a not-for-profit dedicated to bridging the gap between sustainability and theatre. As an emerging theatre artist, getting to talk with folks doing this kind of work is deeply inspiring, and I’m excited for you all to tune in to this conversation - it’s a great one to...

Anthony Bryan (he/him) is a writer, comedian, teacher, and film enthusiast. With nuggets of wisdom on everything from playwriting to cancel culture, Anthony is basically the dream podcast guest and an overall gold star human.  In this episode: the importance of audience, bad ideas, Roger Ebert reviews, Jungle Cruise, chasing the laugh, and responsibility as a comedian. Mentioned: @antuhnybryan_ Ju...

Hailey Heslop (she/her) is a professional baker (though she’s never called herself that), dog lover, and future globetrotter. Filled with insights on everything from trade school to Tinder, Hailey is a friend that goes way back to my angsty teenager days. It was a pleasure to have her on the podcast to talk about all of the things. In this episode: how to become a baker, wages in the industry, Eur...