On this episode, I’m joined by Derek White, The Geek Preacher. Derek’s an ordained United Methodist minister and chaplain for Gary Con gaming convention. Derek loves LOTS of geeky things. But he’s particularly passionate about Dungeons and Dragons. Derek was featured in the Refuge 31 documentary, The Satanic Panic and the Religious Battle for the Imagination, where he talks to people about Dungeons and Dragons, especially in light of the religious hysteria of the 1980s. If you didn’t live through that period, you really missed some wackiness. Derek and I were both in the Refuge 31 documentary, The Science Fiction Makers, so he’s been on my radar for a while. I’m so glad we got to have this conversation. Derek’s a passionate advocate for the creativity of roleplaying games. I know you’ll love this discussion.

On this episode (my last before a breif hiatus), I’m joined by Adam Graham. Adam is a PROFILIC, OG podcaster, releasing content for over 16 years. Adam hosts a slew of podcasts, most notably, Great Detectives of Old Time Radio, which releases episodes daily. Adam and I talk about how he first got into Old Time Radio, his favourite detective shows (his least favourite show), and what prompted him to start sharing these shows with others through this wacky medium of podcasting. We talk about his recent decision to make podcasting his full-time occupation (ah, the dream) through audience support.

Lindsay Zier-Vogel is a Toronto-based writer and arts educator and the creator of the internationally acclaimed Love Lettering Project. Her writing has been widely published in Canada and the United Kingdom. Her debut novel, Letters to Amelia, was published in 2021. Her debut novel Letters to Amelia came out in 2021 and her picture book, Dear Street just came out in May 2023. For many years, Lindsay studied danced until one day, she stopped. Recently, as she'd begun research for her next novel, she went to New York City and took some classes at the Martha Graham Dance studio. I was curious to talk to someone who returned to something they had been so dedicated to but had moved on from.

On this episode of Geek4, I'm joined by Lucas Twyman. Lucas is a well-known figure in the Toronto bar scene, having bartended here for the past ten years. He's my local barkeep, making delicious cocktails at Famous Last Words in the Junction. He also teaches cocktail making classes there and those classes are excellent (I've taken three of them). Recently, Lucas has become the Angel's Envy Whiskey Guardian for Toronto, representing the Angel's Envy brand across the city. I wanted to find what made Lucas interested in liquor, mixology, and bartending - which is as much a social skill as a technical skill. Over the course of the conversation, I learned that Lucas is a geek for lots of thing - Godzilla, he worked for a roleplaying game company. This was a fun conversation. I only wish we could have had it over a drink.

On this episode of Geek4, I am joined by poet and professor Tanis MacDonald. When I reached out to her about her interest in coming on the show and topics she might want to talk about, one suggestion immediately shot to the top of the list. Tanis LOVES movies in which animals attack people! Although she usually gravitates towards films where mammals attack people, like Grizzly (1976), the documentary Grizzly Man (2005), and Cocaine Bear; but she also delights in Jaws (1975) and Squirm (1976). Although we talk about some pretty cheesy film, our conversation reflects on the hubris of people, eco-criticism, and the commodification of nature. I ADORE talking to smart people about bad movies.

On this episode of Geek4, I'm joined by the delightfully magical Dr. Marcelle Kosman to discuss her newly discovered love of Walt Disney theme parks! Dr.  Kosman (pronouns she/her) is a public scholar and educator. She is the co-host of the amazing podcast Witch, Please, and teaches at the University of Alberta.  I knew this would be a fascinating conversation because Dr. Kosman is equal parts joyous enthusiasm and deeply thoughtful intellectual. We discuss how the Magic Kingdom assaults you into a state of wonder, transforming Dr. Kosman into a "wine drinking Disney mom." She describes the differences between Disney World and Land, introducing her 7 year-old daughter to the parks, and we discuss millennials, Gen X, Michael Jackson, "magic capitalism," and an assortment of things.

The tables are turned in this episode when my friend and journalist John Longhurst interviews me about some of the changes that have happened in my life over the last year.

n this episode of Geek4, I'm joined by the returning Dr. Mandy Elliott. The last time Mandy was here, (all the way back to episode 15!) we discussed her love of Alfred Hitchcock movies. This time, we discuss her current obsession with American screwball comedies and those innovative filmmakers who were able to get risque material past the rigid Hays code in the mid 1930s to the 1940s. Filmmakers like Preston Sturges and Frank Capra and films like HIs Girl Friday (1940) and The Miracle of Morgan's Creek (1944) (my personal favourite "alternative Christmas classic - you guys can keep Die Hard).

On this episode of Geek4, I'm joined by Julie S. Lalonde. Julie is an internationally recognized women's rights advocate, feminist killjoy, and pubic educator. In fact, Julie's probably the top public educators in Canada. Her work on consent, stalking, and bystander intervention have made her an in-demand speaker, not only in Canada, but around the world. Her memoir, Resilience is Futile: The Life and Death and Life of Julie S. Lalonde was released right at the beginning of lockdown (Spring 2020) and is a funny, harrowing tale of her own experience with stalking. When I reached out to her to ask if she'd be interested, I knew it was a long shot. (I never think anyone wants to come on my show). Julie is popular and highly sought after speaker... and she gets a lot of death threats (as we discuss a bit). But she wrote back almost immediately, "Are you free this Thursday?" And we talk about Julie's "true love": classic Volkswagon cars. She owns two of them. They have names. As a non-car person (I have often said, only slightly joking, for me cars are stereos with wheels), I was especially interested to talk to someone who loves something I just don't understand. Her book, Resilience is Futile: The Life ad Death and Life of Julie S Lalonde, is available wherever fine books are sold. Order it from your local bookstore.

On this episode of Geek4, I'm joined by Megan Phillips. Megan is a ridiculously talented writer/performer who's won awards for her shows. She's an excellent teacher and facilitator. And she LOVES Grease and Grease 2. Like a lot. She's writing a show about how much she loves Grease and Grease 2. This is a funny, moving conversation about finding comfort and safety in things that we love.