Best Hotbed Collective Podcasts (2024)

1
How Canada became a hotbed for romance writers, growing up at a logging camp in Haida Gwaii in Sisters of the Spruce, the death of mall culture, a culinary tribute to Agatha Christie, and more 49:23

3h ago49:23

49:23

Why Canadian writers such as Carley Fortune and Elle Kennedy are soaring through the charts in the Canadian romance renaissance; Leslie Shimotakahara pulls inspiration from her ancestors and “the tapestry of stories” within remote B.C.; teen angst and buying individuality in Big Mall by Kate Black; a cookbook that celebrates the mysteries of Agatha…

1
Amazon First Novel Award winner Jasmine Sealy, Itah Sadu’s latest children’s book, author Genevieve Scott revisits the 90s and more. 54:14

5d ago54:14

54:14

The award-winning novel The Island of Forgetting reimagines Greek mythology, children’s book I Am Big explores race and hockey, The Damages is a chewy new read set in the 90s, and more.

1
Antonio Michael Downing shares three “ahead of their time” classics, sending your kids away for safekeeping in Little Sanctuary, novels where the internet comes back to bite, and more 49:53

12d ago49:53

49:53

Writer and recording artist Antonio Michael Downing recommends three boundary-breaking stories, Randy Boyagoda talks about his first novel for young readers, iskwē on why she loves Beautiful Star, William Ping shares books that highlight the power of the internet, and more.

1
Cassandra Calin on creating her first comic book for kids, voyaging through Bella Bella with Brandon Reid, a new take on the boarding school novel in Land of No Regrets, and more 51:00

19d ago51:00

51:00

The New Girl is the latest project from the creator of hit webcomic Cassandra Comics, revealing the similarities between different ways of life in Beautiful Beautiful, Sadi Muktadir writes about Madrasa hijinks in his new book, the Canadian combination of hockey and Joni Mitchell, and more.

1
The memories of a Truth and Reconciliation Commissioner, A queer Syrian refugee memoir, the importance of failure with Jean Marc Ah-Sen, and more 54:12

26d ago54:12

54:12

Dr. Marie Wilson reflects on her time as Truth and Reconciliation Commissioner, Danny Ramadan shares what it was like to seek refuge and search for acceptance in Canada, an exploration of the literary scene in Kilworthy Tanner, and more.

1
Eccentric relatives and family feuds in Queers Like Me; the extensive comic book collection of David A. Robertson; big city, big dreams in The Education of Aubrey McKee, and more 54:13

1M ago54:13

54:13

Michael V. Smith talks about growing up queer in rural Ontario in his latest poetry collection, two-time Governor General's Literary Award winner David A. Robertson answers the Proust Questionnaire, What made Biography of X a standout book of 2023, the latest novel from Alex Pugsley, and more.

1
Pets against ecological exploitation in Mood Swings, three thriller novels to get your heart racing this summer, toxic work environments in I Hope This Finds You Well, and more 54:12

1M ago54:12

54:12

Montreal-based author Frankie Barnet writes about obstinate pets and tech billionaires in her latest book, Robert J. Wiersema recommends a few of his favourite new thrillers, why sending hate mail to colleagues is a bad idea with Natalie Sue, and more.

1
Ruth Reichl’s decadent adventure through 1980s Paris, looking back on Alice Munro, brothers and co-authors Will and Ian Ferguson take the Proust Questionnaire, plus more. 53:42

2M ago53:42

53:42

Food writer and editor Ruth Reichl talks about her new coming-of-age novel set in France, revisiting Shelagh Rogers’s 2006 conversation with Alice Munro about her short story collection The View from Castle Rock, Will and Ian Ferguson discuss their love of writing, plus authors Elisabeth de Mariaffi and Andrew Pyper reflect on Alice Munro’s legacy.…

1
Space travel and cryogenics in The Downloaded, award-winning TV writer and author Zoe Whittall, online craft sellers in Peacocks of Instagram, and more. 50:24

2M ago50:24

50:24

Ontario science fiction writer discusses the mind, body and cryogenics in his 25th book; Baroness Von Sketch and Schitt's Creek writer shares her first short story collection; Deepa Rajagopalan on the peafowl documentary that inspired her latest book, and more.

1
Toxic relationships and territorial Whitehorse politics in Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit, Amy Lea on influencers and Nova Scotia lobster fishermen, escaping the cycle of addiction in Manitoba-set novel What’s ... 54:13

2M ago54:13

54:13

Nadine Sander-Green pulls inspiration from her time as a reporter in the Yukon in her debut novel, the ultimate tale of opposites attracts in Maritime romance The Catch, Nora Decter on the ripple effect of addiction in her latest book, Cory Doctorow explains the value of geeky friends, and more.

1
Modern-day weirdness and worries in Last Women, the popular reads at these Canadian independent bookstores, an East Coast mystery from Elaine McCluskey, books that examine life as a second-generation immigrant ... 54:13

2M ago54:13

54:13

Vancouver author Carleigh Baker explores topics like climate anxiety in her latest short story collection; hear from the folks behind indie bookstores McNally Robinson and Inhabit Books on the popular titles in their shelves; Nova Scotia fiction writer Elaine McCluskey on her latest novel; books that feature contemporary immigrant stories with Anni…

1
A herd of Bison in Downtown Edmonton, running from bald men in Interesting Facts About Space, what it means to have good Broughtupsy, and more 50:30

3M ago50:30

50:30

The true story that inspired the latest novel from Alberta author Conor Kerr; Emily Austin on odd phobias and cool space facts; Christina Cooke discusses Broughtupsy and queerness in Jamaica, and more.

1
Celebrating the art of doing nothing with Brian Francis, how the story of a reluctant private investigator came to be in Who By Fire, growing up off the grid in Dawn MacDonald's poetry collection, and ... 51:40

3M ago51:40

51:40

Writer and columnist Brian Francis recommends three books to help you slow down and smell the roses, Greg Rhyno on writing his new mystery series, a glimpse at life in Yukon through the poetry collection Northerny, three mind-expanding science books, and more.

1
Romance writer Sonya Lalli and her thriller author alter ego S.C. Lalli, the importance of mobility scooters in The Scooter Twins, Village Weavers looks at female friendships and class divisions in 1940s ... 49:57

3M ago49:57

49:57

How Sonya Lalli balances writing romance and thrillers; disability advocate Dorothy Ellen Palmer talks about her scooter named Rosie; Ontario musician Jeremie Albino on battling writer's block; Myriam J. A. Chancy’s new novel reflects on Haiti’s past and present; multi-Juno winner Tom Wilson answers the Proust Questionnaire, and more.…

1
Shilpi Somaya Gowda examines a fictional immigrant family chasing the American dream, Vancouver bar karaoke lore in Laser Quit Smoking Massage, May-December romance titles, and more. 53:36

3M ago53:36

53:36

Shilpi Somaya Gowda discusses her latest novel A Great Country; thriller author Nicole Lundrigan answers The Next Chapter’s version of the Proust Questionnaire; writer and lifelong skateboarder Cole Nowicki on his latest essay collection; an exploration of power dynamics by way of May-December romance novels, and more.…

1
A sleepy cottage town with a dark secret in Bury the Lead, the aftershock of losing the family matriarch in Louisa Onomé’s latest novel, dissecting the university experience through campus novels, and ... 50:56

4M ago50:56

50:56

Canadian authors Kate Hilton and Elizabeth Renzetti talk about teaming up to write their latest mystery novel, Toronto pop-punk artist Garrett Neiles on songwriting, the humorous and heartwarming tale of a Nigerian Canadian family in Pride and Joy, Talia Kliot recommends three campus novels, and more.…

1
The Meteoric rise of 'romantasy' novels, a new take on time travel in The Other Valley, three recommendations of novels set in the early 20th century, and more. 50:21

4M ago50:21

50:21

CBC Book’s in house TikTok star Bridget Raymundo on why 'romantasy' is having its moment, B.C. writer Scott Alexander Howard talks philosophy, time travel, and grief in The Other Valley, writer and 20th century fiction fan Christine Estima shares her top picks from the genre, and more.

1
Debut author and BookToker Sarah Mughal Rana, Sheung-King’s ode to Hong Kong, audiobooks with unforgettable narrators and more. 50:35

4M ago50:35

50:35

The Hope Ablaze author discusses the inspiration behind her first novel, Sheung-King explores millennial life in Hong Kong, The Next Chapter columnist Treasa Levasseur on her favourite audiobooks, plus more.

1
Maurice Vellekoop’s new graphic memoir of self-discovery, three shocking stories about con artists, healing childhood traumas in Dinner on Monster Island, and more 54:14

4M ago54:14

54:14

Award-winning visual artist Maurice Vellekoop on his vividly rendered graphic memoir I’m So Glad We Had This Time Together, Steven Beattie recommend three books that explore the art of the scam, Vancouver author Tania De Rozario gets personal in her essay collection Dinner on Monster Island, the acclaimed Newfoundland novelist Donna Morrissey answe…

1
Relive San Francisco’s catastrophic 1906 earthquake in new novel The Phoenix Crown; Hockey Hall of Famer Ken Dryden takes our version of the Proust questionnaire; borders, battles and bloodlines in memoir ... 49:33

4M ago49:33

49:33

Historical fiction buffs Janie Change and Kate Quinn discuss their novel The Phoenix Crown, legendary Montreal Canadiens goaltender and author Ken Dryden answers the Proust questionnaire, hockey romance writer Rachel Reid dishes on her novel Time to Shine, sportswriter extraordinaire Morgan Campbell talks about writing his debut memoir, and more.…

1
Canada Reads contenders Téa Mutonji and Kudakwashe Rutendo, a fiction debut from Canisia Lubrin, 3 “must-read” graphic novels, new music and a book recommendation from Beverly Glenn-Copeland, and more ... 50:41

5M ago50:41

50:41

Breakout actor Kudakwashe Rutendo sits down with Toronto author Téa Mutonji to discuss the Canada Reads novel Shut Up You’re Pretty; acclaimed Canadian poet and writer Canisia Lubrin on her fiction debut; Why musician and composer Beverly Glenn-Copeland loves The Nightingale; CBC Books producer Ashly July on what Spider-Man graphic novel reigns sup…

1
Canada Reads contenders Jessica Johns and Dallas Soonias, 3 “must-read” Black Canadian writers to check out in 2024, Sheila Heti on publishing her diary, and more 51:53

5M ago51:53

51:53

Former professional volleyball player and filmmaker Dallas Soonias sits down with Jessica Johns, author of the bestselling Canada Reads novel he will be championing in the upcoming March debates; Ryan B. Patrick announces his anticipated Black Canadian writers to watch list; Sheila Heti explains how she turned 10 years of diary entries into her lat…

1
Canada Reads 2024 contenders Catherine Leroux & Heather O’Neill, Drew Hayden Taylor’s mystery thriller Cold, Safia Fazlul’s new novel The Red One, and more. 53:51

5M ago53:51

53:51

Acclaimed Montreal writer and past Canada Reads-winning author Heather O’Neill on why she chose to champion fellow Quebecer Catherine Leroux’s novel The Future in this year’s debate; why Drew Hayden Taylor is the ultimate modern day storyteller; examining abuse and gender expectations in novel The Red One by Safia Fazlul, and more.…

1
Canada Reads contenders Mirian Njoh and Carley Fortune, Matthew R. Morris on Black masculinity, Jennilee Austria-Bonifacio’s debut novel highlights the Filipino Canadian community, and more. 49:03

6M ago49:03

49:03

Fashion influencer Mirian Njoh talks about championing author Carley Fortune’s Meet Me At The Lake during the upcoming Canada Reads debates, Matthew R. Morris discusses his poignant essay collection Black Boys Like Me, Jennilee Austria-Bonifacio on her charming novel Reuniting With Strangers, plus more.…

1
The latest from Leacock Medal for Humour winner Gary Barwin, snowy winter reading recommendations, girlhood and grief in Vauhini Vara’s debut story collection, plus more. 49:32

6M ago49:32

49:32

Ontario poet and author Gary Barwin discusses his new nonfiction Imagining Imagining, columnist Alicia Cox Thomson recommends three novels set in cold or snowy destinations, Canadian American author Vauhini Vara on her short story collection This Is Salvaged and more.

1
S3 Kangaroo Massacres: Australia's Dirty Secret 48:41

2+ y ago48:41

48:41

Guests Kate McIntyre Clere and Mick McIntyre come on the show to discuss a difficult topic – the commercial killing of wild kangaroos and their joeys. Kate and Mick are an Aussie filmmaking duo with Second Nature Films. Back in 2018, they released a shocking and damning expose about Australia's secretive kangaroo killings – the largest land slaught…

1
S3 Giving Haven to Animals Most in Need 45:29

2+ y ago45:29

45:29

If you've ever thought about rescuing and providing sanctuary to an animal in need, this episode is for you! Guests Kate Tsyrklevich and Hope Hilman run Heartwood Haven, a popular microsanctuary for farmed animals in Gig Harbor, Washington, USA. Pigs and roosters are their preferred rescues. Many of the hundreds they've saved come from appalling co…

1
S3 The Land Stand of the Mountain Caribou with David Moskowitz 42:38

2+ y ago42:38

42:38

In British Columbia, Canada, an elusive animal has been adapting to co-exist with the world's largest remaining inland temperate rainforest since the last ice age. They're the gentle and beautiful mountain caribou, and our guest this week is perhaps their loudest defender. David Moskowitz, renowned nature photographer, wildlife biologist and tracke…

1
S3 A New Global Vision for Whales and Dolphins with Sue Fisher 47:48

2+ y ago47:48

47:48

From grassroots to policy, we want to follow up on last week's popular podcast by introducing listeners to another amazing ambassador for the oceans – Sue Fisher, of Portland, Oregon. Sue is interim marine policy director (international) for the Animal Welfare Institute. She's been advocating for greater protections for cetaceans through the Intern…

1
S3 Ocean Love and Activism with Peggy Oki 1:01:14

2+ y ago1:01:14

1:01:14

Environmental artist, activist and teacher. Free-spirited surfer and voice for her beloved whales and dolphins, whom she's dubbed The Cetacean Nation. Oh, and skateboarding sensation on the famous Zephr ("Z-Boys") competition team from the mid-1970s in California. She's the one and only Peggy Oki, and we're thrilled to have her on the show in this …

1
S3 Ratifying Animal Sentience with Claire Bass 52:34

2+ y ago52:34

52:34

In November 2021, the United Kingdom recognized crabs, lobsters, octopus and other decapod crustaceans and cephalopod invertebrates as sentient beings. The animals were added to the UK's new Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill, which will protect them for the first time when the bill becomes law in early 2022. Expanding our awareness to more species is…

1
S3 The Weight of Empathy with Lucas Spiegel 45:32

2+ y ago45:32

45:32

We're so happy to release the first episode of Sentient Planet – Season 3! Today’s guest is the vegan writer, photographer and lover of all creatures – Lucas Spiegel. Lucas quit his job as an architect in North America to spend nearly two years traveling the world, working on animal sanctuaries as he explored cultures and what it would take to live…

1
S2 What is Sentience with Roshi Susan Murphy 53:51

3y ago53:51

53:51

What is sentience? If we're to ask the question directly, perhaps a good place to seek an answer is with a great teacher. This week, it's our honor to welcome and share the Earth wisdom of the joyful Dr. Susan Murphy. Susan is a Roshi, a learned teacher in the tradition of Zen Buddhism. She is the founding and resident teacher of the Zen Open Circl…

1
S2 For the Love of Moon Bears with Jill Robinson 47:55

3y ago47:55

47:55

Jill Robinson first encountered a captive Moon Bear in 1993. The experience, which she recounts in our interview, changed her life. It also sparked the beginning of the end of the horrific bear bile industry. Moon Bears are Asian Black Bears. They are called Moon Bears in reference to the trademark white fur crescent that appears across their necks…

1
S2 An Icon for Our Sentient Planet with Mark Stoop 40:40

3y ago40:40

40:40

What a treat to introduce the Dutch nature photographer and our far-flung team member, Mark Stoop. Mark lives in Singapore, where he works as a marketing director and indulges his passion for photographing the biodiverse animals who live around him. Birds and reptiles hold a special place in Mark's heart. Indeed, it was his beautiful photo of a cur…

1
S2 Bonus Episode: "The Face" with Dany Celermajer 10:18

3y ago10:18

10:18

This bonus episode, exclusive to Sentient Planet listeners, accompanies our Season 2 episode, "Living Through Fire with Danielle Celermajer." Dany reads "The Face," a short chapter from Summertime: Reflections on a Vanishing Future (Penguin Books Australia 2021). Her brave and unflinching account of animal sentience beseeches us to wake up and face…

1
S2 Living Through Fire with Danielle Celermajer 55:07

3y ago55:07

55:07

This week's guest is the profound Australian author, Professor Danielle Celermajer. Dany is a philosopher, the director of the Multispecies Justice Project at the University of Sydney, and the author of Summertime: Reflections on a Vanishing Future (Penguin Books Australia 2021). Dany started writing Summertime in situ during the peak of the Black …

1
S2 Communicating Animal Sentience with Carl Safina 56:41

3y ago56:41

56:41

On the topic of non-human animal sentience, Carl Safina is one of the most experienced observers and gifted communicators in the world. The renowned ecologist turned bestselling author has penned 10 books about our human relationship to nature and her myriad species. For example, in Becoming Wild: How Animal Cultures Raise Families, Create Beauty, …

1
S2 Bonus Episode: A Prayer for All Beings with Jo McArthur 2:08

3y ago2:08

2:08

This bonus episode, exclusive to Sentient Planet listeners, accompanies our Season 2 episode "The Long Road to Liberation with Jo-Anne McArthur." Jo talks about the award-winning photo collection, "HIDDEN: Animals in the Anthropocene," and she reads a short and ancient Buddhist prayer for the liberation of all animals, including we humans. Photo co…

1
S2 The Long Road to Liberation with Jo-Anne McArthur 59:09

3y ago59:09

59:09

We're honored to launch Season 2 with this guest, the acclaimed animal photojournalist, author, humane educator and founder of We Animals Media, Jo-Anne McArthur. Perhaps no human has done more to bring the suffering of our animal kin into the light. For more than 20 years, across more than 60 countries, Jo has documented the truth of what happens …

1
Rivers Are Life with Amy Souers Kober 42:23

3y ago42:23

42:23

In our last episode for Season 1, Amy Souers Kober, of American Rivers, talks about the rising global movement to restore free-flowing river ecosystems, upon which so much sentient life depends. We discuss the benefits of removing the thousands of dams that still crisscross North America. Right now, there is a groundswell of support to breach four …

1
Koala Crusader with Cate Faehrmann 38:57

3y ago38:57

38:57

How are koalas faring after the great climate fires that bore down on Australia in 2019-20? One of the best people to ask is Cate Faehrmann, Member of Parliament for the New South Wales Greens Party. Also an environmental activist, Cate chaired a recent parliamentary inquiry into the status of koalas in New South Wales, where the population is quic…

1
The Custodians of Creation with Tyson Yunkaporta 56:35

3y ago56:35

56:35

This week, we switch hemispheres and head Down Under for an out-of-the-ordinary conversation with the Australian indigenous writer, academic and traditional wood carver Tyson Yunkaporta. Tyson reflects on the dominant global order behind our current crises and the havoc it's wreaking upon animals and all life. We're caught up in an unstoppable race…

1
Bonus Episode: Researcher Ken Balcomb Talks Orca 46:31

3y ago46:31

46:31

For those who can't get enough of "podfather" Ken Balcomb – and those new to his lifetime of dedication to the Southern Resident Orca (SRO) – here's the additional interview we promised. Listen to Ken describe the staggering natural beauty that drew him to North America's Pacific Northwest, his first orca sighting 45 years ago, and what it's been l…

1
Mapping the Salish Sea with Stefan Freelan 31:17

3y ago31:17

31:17

This week, we step back from the Southern Resident Orca to discover more about their watery home through the eyes of a mapmaker. Stefan Freelan is the cartographer from Western Washington University who created the Salish Sea & Surrounding Basin map, aiding a decades-long campaign to bring an official name (and purpose) to an entire ecosystem. To d…

1
Podfather: One Man's Journey to Save the Southern Resident Orca 28:34

3y ago28:34

28:34

This week's episode is from the field! Susan interviews whale researcher Ken Balcomb. The interview takes place at Ken's Big Salmon Ranch property on the beautiful Elwha River, acquired to preserve a key salmon-spawning habitat that is vital to feeding J, K and L pods. Calls to Action: For more stories, photos and videos about the individual whales…

1
A Writer's Connection to the Salish Sea with Rena Priest 36:14

3y ago36:14

36:14

Rena Priest is an award-winning poet and writer, a National Geographic Explorer and a member of the Lummi Nation. In April, she was named Washington State Poet Laureate - the first time Washington has awarded this role to an indigenous poet. Today, we discuss Rena’s calling to write about the Southern Resident Orca, whom the Lummi consider their "r…

1
Bonus Episode: Poet Rena Priest Reads "Words of Encouragement" 2:01

3y ago2:01

2:01

Congratulations to Rena Priest, named Washington's Poet Laureate in April 2021. She is the first indigenous poet to hold this prestigious position in Washington state. "Words of Encouragement" appears in For Love of Orcas: An Anthology, published in 2019 by Wandering Aengus Press. Photo: The Whale Sanctuary Project.…

1
Bringing Her Home: The Lummi Claim to a Captive Orca 36:31

3y ago36:31

36:31

In honor of Earth Day, we dedicate the first ever Sentient Planet audio documentary to Sk'aliCh'elh-tenaut (also known as Tokitae and Lolita) – a wild Southern Resident orca confined to a tank in the Miami Seaquarium for the past 50 years – and to her indigenous relatives, who are working tirelessly to bring her home. This is their story. May human…

1
Understanding Environmental Grief with Dr. Kriss Kevorkian 32:09

3y ago32:09

32:09

Witnessing the decline of species and habitat in this time of mass extinction is deeply painful. In 2001, thanatologist Dr. Kriss Kevorkian gave a name to what many of us are feeling – environmental (and ecological) grief. In our first Sentient Planet guest interview, Kriss talks about her journey from a love of whales to working in death and dying…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Hotbed Collective Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide