Ramblings From the Little Shed

Episode Summary A candid conversation covering music, personal growth, and cultural identity — from piano purchases and midlife creativity to Canadian artists and the unifying power of Buffalo Plaid. Key Topics The significance of Buffalo Plaid as a cultural and personal identity marker Music as a tool for emotional well-being Navigating life transitions through creative pursuits like learning pia...

Episode Summary   Becca Syme is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach and has individually coached over 6000 authors at all levels. She is the author of a series of books for writers, the popular Write Better-Faster course, and the host of the Quitcast for Writers podcast and YouTube channel. She also writes mystery novels and lives on one of the thousand lakes in Minnesota.   Holly discovered this e...

Episode Highlights Holly and Rogan wrap up an emotionally resonant episode, reflecting on their conversation with guest Anne last time on the podcast , whose storytelling about her dogs and life left Holly visibly moved. Holly describes Anne's calm, unhurried voice as deeply affecting and hopes listeners will connect with it the same way. Things of the Week Rogan — Public transit. A self-proclaime...

The conversation explores the profound influence of animals on creativity and the role of pets in the writing process. Anne shares her experiences with her pets, Shay, Marlowe, and Mireille, and how they have inspired and influenced her writing journey. The conversation delves into the writer's routine and lifestyle, the challenges of social media and marketing, the pressure of online platforms, b...

Can You Hear Me Now? In this lively episode, Holly and Rogan share a candid, humorous conversation covering everything from unexpected snowstorms and their evolving hobbies to work stress and fitness pursuits. Perfect for those who appreciate real-life banter with insights on balancing chaos and passion. Key Topics: Dealing with unexpected snowstorms and weather disruptions Sharing personal "thing...

Episode Summary In this episode, Holly B. sits down with the wonderfully multi-layered Cheryl Kemppainen — culinary school graduate, holistic nutritionist, animal naturopathy student, yoga teacher, English teacher, and author — to talk about her spirited Belgian Malinois Lila, life on a property with eleven horses, and how her animals became the unlikely catalyst for her most joyful creativeprojec...

Episode Summary  Season 1, Episode 15 Holly and Rogan catch up on life, celebrating Holly's impressive book sales at a vendor show, reminiscing about the Olympic gold medal game, and bonding over their shared love ofskating. The episode also covers favourite drinks, fun snack discoveries, a Dexter-styled basement greenhouse, and wraps up with Holly's take on the fantasy novel Dungeon Crawler Carl...

Episode Summary Holly sits down with Kari A. Kilgore, an indie author who is celebrating a remarkable milestone: her 50th book and 10th anniversary of publishing — all in the same year. Kari A. Kilgore is an independent author and publisher based in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, living on 250 acres deep in the woods with her husband (also a writer), two rescue dogs, and a collection of res...

Season 1, Episode 13 Episode Description Join host Holly B. and co-host Rogan for an inspiring conversation with Alexia about building creative community, multidisciplinary art, and the power of poetry. Discover how one person's vision to find community transformed into a thriving arts organization that's bringing emerging and established artists together in innovative ways. Pets & Creativity...

Season 1 Episode 12 EPISODE DESCRIPTION Join Holly and Rogan for another fun-filled episode where they share their "Thing of the Week," discuss Holly's newly published book, reflect on their recent guest, and explore everything from skating with properly fitted skates to the Rideau Canal's freezing challenges. As always, they close with their signature sign-off and a call for listener engagement!...

Season 1, Episode 11 Episode Summary  Holly, Rogan, and Mitzi explore the profound influence of pets on creativity, the power of storytelling, and the journey of self-publishing. They discuss the emotional connections we have with our pets and how these relationships can inspire our creative endeavours. The trio emphasizes the importance of positive thinking and the impact of writing as a legacy....

Episode Summary Adam Mardero is a queer, neurodivergent author who lives and writes in Ontario. His first book, "Uncommon Sense: An Autistic Journey" chronicled what it was like to grow up Autistic and ADHD in the 90s and early 2000s, while his latest project is a young adult science fiction series about overcoming trauma and hate through found family. He lives with his pet cat Shelby. Holly B. an...

Episode Description Season 1 Episode 9 In this heartfelt conversation, registered psychotherapist and author Ingrid Phaneuf joins us to discuss how animals influence creativity, the importance of normalizing death, and her upcoming novel that weaves together grief, humour, and magical realism. Ingrid shares her unique journey from journalism to psychotherapy, and how her experiences with grief—bot...

Indie author Cindy Ojczyk shares her self-publishing journey, writing process, and how foster fail pets inspired her books about teen mental health and animal rescue. Learn book marketing strategies, overcome pet loss grief, and discover the realities of independent publishing. Episode Summary Cindy Ojczyk joins Holly and Rogan for an intimate conversation about her unexpected path to writing and...

Anke Hermann is the creator and host of Soul Touched byDogs - an award-winning podcast , virtual event, and community platform to celebrate the human-canine connection. She is also an advocate for holistic approaches to canine health and education, with a focus on the specific needs of rescue dogs. When she's not talking about dogs, she is a multi-passionate coach and online tech expert helping do...

Holly and Rogan recorded a casual holiday episode of "Ramblings from the Little Shed," touching on several fun topics: Main Highlights: They had a disappointing encounter with an unenthusiastic Santa on a streetcar The hosts picked up adorably tiny pottery pieces they made in a class—so small they could barely fit a single blueberry Rogan shared stories from his solo trip to Utah and Nevada, which...

Episode Overview - Episode 5 In this episode, hosts Holly and Rogan sit down with author A-M Mawhiney to discuss her journey from academic writing to fiction, her three-book series of speculative fiction novels, and the creative process behind her work. Anne-Marie shares insights into her writing style, the influence of her editor, and how her beloved dog, Charlie, inspired her creative life. A-M...

Episode Overview In this engaging conversation, Holly and Rogan welcomeEmily De Angelis to discuss the profound impact of pets, particularly cats, on creativity and writing. They explore the joy of running and community, the emotional connections we form with our pets, and how these relationships influence artistic expression. Emily shares insights into her writing process, upcoming projects, and...

Ramblings from the Little Shed - Episode 3 Guest: Liisa Kovala - Author, Book Coach, and Podcaster Episode Overview Join hosts Holly and Rogan as they welcome special guest Liisa Kovala, a Finnish Canadian author, book coach, and podcaster. She is the author of Like Water for Weary Souls (House of Karhu, 2025), Sisu's Winter War (Latitude 46, 2022) and Surviving Stutthof: My Father's Memories Behi...

Welcome to the Ramblings From the Little Shed Podcast, where Rogan and I have conversations with creative minds about how their fur companion influences their creative process. In today's episode, meet Shanon and Lulu. Shanon is a watercolour artist with an affinity for all things vintage. From classic cars to fountain pens and typewriters, Shanon is fascinated by the care and craftsmanship of des...

In this conversation, Holly and Rogan discuss their long-awaited collaboration and the creative ideas that emerge from their discussions. They reflect on the process of working together and the excitement of exploring new concepts.