Best Leslie Watts Podcasts (2024)

1
ON THE SLY - High-Powered Workforce 45:54

9d ago45:54

45:54

Hey Nerdherd, Jess here, On The Sly, a new "Mini" episode we will be doing once in while. I sat down on my own recently and did a little solo project without the other nerds, SHHH. Thought I would pass on some of my wisdom that I recently was tasked with for a interview and hopefully inspire some other leaders. Reach out and touch one of the nerds …

1
Big Data - Darn, even internet cookies made me gain weight 1:04:59

1M ago1:04:59

1:04:59

Today we sit down and discuss the modern world of Data and analytics. Where does all my information go? Who has access to it? How much data is there in the world? We try to make sense of some the recent news, like the Cambridge Analytica scandal. We try to resurrect the ghost of Tim and generally just have a good time hanging out. Unraveling the Ca…

1
Farmers, Lock Up Your Daughters (Part 2) 1:06:07

7M ago1:06:07

1:06:07

We sit down for more Ag Tech with Heather Clair. Well the nerds have found a kindred spirit in the AG Tech sector. Born and raised on the Saskatchewan prairies, with a life full of farm and Ag experience, she has moved into Sasktel as a Marketing Manager to help prepare the industry for coming robot overlords (Sorry Tim, they are here). We talk dro…

1
Farmers, Lock Up Your Daughters (Part 1) 39:46

7M ago39:46

39:46

Well the nerds have found a kindred spirit in the AG Tech sector. This week we sit down with fellow Nerd, Heather Clair, and talk about her life in the blossoming Ag Tech Industry and what is next. Born and raised on the Saskatchewan prairies, with a life full of farm and Ag experience, she has moved into Sasktel as a Marketing Manager to help prep…

1
Guest Spot on TURN DOWN FOR WATT - Part 2 43:08

8M ago43:08

43:08

More chatting about Life with Kristian's Hyundai Ioniq 6. Lots of talk about the coming EV models and cars we dream of. Just a ton of fun with the Tennessee boys Josh and Jessie from Turn Down For Watt podcast. Check out their YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@TurnDownforWatt Or Their podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/turn-down-f…

1
Guest Spot on TURN DOWN FOR WATT - Part 1 49:24

8M ago49:24

49:24

Interested in EV and Solar culture? Stop in as we have a chat with our friends from Tennessee, Jessie and Josh from TURN DOWN FOR WATT. We harass Jessie about being late, having no hair, and just getting older. In between our good laughs and fun, we get a little bit more knowledge out there about Solar and EV's. The discussion on Solar and EV's, an…

1
Guest Spot on TALKING ABOUT RADIO with John Leslie 51:43

8M ago51:43

51:43

The Nerdherd in Moose Jaw are the three guys who have taken the new medium of podcast broadcasting to a new high. We break down the scientific news of the day and tell us about it in terms that we understand. Podcasting is brought to our computers by radio waves on the internet just like AM and FM. You can't fool these nerds, they know their stuff …

1
Near Death & Crypto Update with Ryan Godlien 57:13

9M ago57:13

57:13

Listen as we sit down with Ryan Godlien and talk to him about his success and failures with Crypto Currency over the past decade. We go into some of the recent changes to many of the cryptos, as well as get caught up on a decade of lost time with our old friend. Reach out and touch one of the nerds with a DM Support the Show.…

1
Solar Shenanigans: The Nerds Illuminate Saskatchewan's Solar with Ryan Dionne 1:03:37

1y ago1:03:37

1:03:37

In this uproarious episode of "Solar Shenanigans," the three nerdy hosts embark on a side-splitting adventure, with Ryan Dionne, through the sun-soaked plains of Saskatchewan, shedding light on the humorous side of solar energy. Armed with their wit and insatiable curiosity, they dive headfirst into the world of photovoltaics, ready to brighten the…

1
World, Meet Fergal! 1:02:45

1y ago1:02:45

1:02:45

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, it's time to shake things up and give a warm welcome to a new host on the Nerd'ish Nerdy Nerd News! Please join us in saying hello to Fergal Kearney! Originally hailing all the way from the Emerald Isle, Fergal has since seen the light and embraced his new Canadian home. While he might be a tech-wiz in his prof…

1
Journalism, Fake News, and integrity with Larissa Kurz 59:54

1y ago59:54

59:54

This week, we are putting on our journalism hats and diving deep into how technology has changed the media game. Spoiler alert: it is a lot. From Twitter threads to deepfake videos, we are exploring all the ways facts can get twisted and how we can stay sharp in a constantly changing landscape. We are thrilled to be joined by special guest, Larissa…

1
Lawyers, the Law, and the Robots that will defend us with Talon Regent 59:22

1y ago59:22

59:22

We sit down with our special guest, and friend, Talon Regent. Talon is a local lawyer, entrepreneur, politician, philanthropist, and fellow nerd. We discuss the coming AI apocalypse, how he is preparing himself for a future with AI created art, literature, and so much more. Support us on our website: http://www.wildshot.ca Follow us on facebook: ht…

1
We clone Kristian and call him Keaton 28:59

1y ago28:59

28:59

At long last, our Nerds step back to the mic with a season 2 kickoff episode! The wait is over! In this "amuse-bouche" episode, The Nerds ease us back into their wonderful world with topics ranging from next gen podcasting, a look at what the under 10 crowd do for fun, and the Nerds get down with a burgeoning new nerd, and Kristian’s son, Keaton. S…

1
Deep Fakes 28:12

2y ago28:12

28:12

A bit exciting, albeit, also a bit scary. We get into Deep Fakes, what the are and little history, how are they used and what this portends for the future of culture, politics and security. Is Tim even real? Support us on our website: http://www.wildshot.ca Follow us on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nerdishnerdnews Contact us at: info@wildshot…

1
Nuclear Power - not just a job for Homer 46:12

2y ago46:12

46:12

In today's episode, the nerds take some dad jokes out for a spin, and get into all things nuclear. So much to discuss, fission, fusion, explosions, how do reactors work? Three myths, only one is true: three-eyed fish are real, nuclear is unsafe, Tim was born with a 6th finger. The answer will blow your mind, tune in to find out. Support us on our w…

1
Cosplay 38:24

2y ago38:24

38:24

What, in fact, is up Cosplay? Why do folks do it? What's involved in the art form? In this special episode, the Nerds and Tim have their first, in-studio guests, real, live professional cosplayers! You're not gonna want to miss it. Demonstrating his inability to stay on topic, Tim reveals he's in a band? You should check them out: https://www.thebr…

1
3D Printers 41:20

2y ago41:20

41:20

What's up with 3D printers anyway? The nerds explore the wonders of programming a thing a to make another thing...like the tooth of T-Rex. If this all sounds completely bananas, then you likely know how Tim feels. 3D printers have evolved and with little sign of slowing down. We're talking tools, internal organs and even entire communities, maybe e…

1
Video Games 31:16

2y ago31:16

31:16

Yes, the term "vintage vid" is officially a thing. Gaming is mainstream, artful, epic, and here to stay. Writers and dreamers have found a place in this billion(s) dollar industry and it's not just your kids in the basement, far from it. As Tim charges his Gameboy, our Nerds delve into complex, imaginative and entrenched world. Support us on our we…

1
Smart Homes 29:47

2y ago29:47

29:47

Do you remember Rosey from the Jetsons? Well, we're not really at a place where we have robot maids in our house, but we're pretty close. In this episode the nerds bring Tim up to speed on the state of smart homes. Support us on our website: http://www.wildshot.ca Follow us on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nerdishnerdnews Contact us at: info@w…

1
Telescopes, blown minds and you! 31:27

2y ago31:27

31:27

From the dawn of time, we have stared into the night sky in awe and wonder. What's up there? What can we know? From Aristotle to James Webb, telescopes have helped earthlings unlock the mysteries of the heavens; we've come a long way. In this episode, the nerds blow Tim's mind with the state of telescopes today. Support us on our website: http://ww…

1
Dungeons and Dragons! 1:10:45

2y ago1:10:45

1:10:45

Well here it is! Our first (and likely not last) Dungeons and Dragons episode! Everything you ever wanted to know about D&D but were too afraid to ask...Tim, as usual, is not too afraid to ask. We're talking history, myth, legend, and lore. Honestly, this episode wrote itself. Support us on our website: http://www.wildshot.ca Follow us on facebook:…

1
Drones! 42:48

2y ago42:48

42:48

We're talking Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, yup RPAS! The things in the sky! The facts are in, we love drones and the implications are fascinating when it comes to regulations, commercial applications, fighting crime, and saving lives. Tim reflects deeply on technology that just sorta showed up one day and now they won't leave. Support us on o…

1
Moore’s Law and the really big numbers! 52:13

2y ago52:13

52:13

The Moore's Law episode, the nerds discuss both the speed of technological change as it relates to computing power. Why is our tech obsolete 30 seconds after we buy it and is this trend going to settle down? Well, there's a law to describe the phenomenon. Tim spells the word Abacus correctly. Support us on our website: http://www.wildshot.ca Follow…

1
Nerds, Geeks, or Jocks who will prevail? 29:39

2y ago29:39

29:39

In this episode our nerds dig into that most basic question, what is a nerd anyway? Drawing on language, popular culture and a bit of vigorous debate, the nerds discuss important topics such nerds vs. geeks, what's the dif.? Sometimes the simplest questions are often the most difficult. For Tim, this adage is simply a way of life. Support us on our…

1
Electric Cars and the grid will survive! 38:43

2y ago38:43

38:43

In this episode, our nerds electrify us with an enlightening discussion on Electric Vehicles, how they work, what they cost and how they perform in frigid, Canadian (Moose Jaw) weather. Tim basically tries to figure out what a battery is. Support us on our website: http://www.wildshot.ca Follow us on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nerdishnerdne…

1
Crypto Currency & the $500 million pizza! 26:21

2y ago26:21

26:21

In our very first episode, the nerds take a bite out of Bitcoin...if you're gonna start a hot, new nerd podcast, go for the hottest of nerd topics, eh? Our nerds explain the basics of all things Crypto as Tim struggles to grasp the concepts of invisible money, robots and algorithms. Support us on our website: http://www.wildshot.ca Follow us on fac…

1
A Wizard of Earthsea - Global Story 56:39

3y ago56:39

56:39

Get a bird’s-eye view of A Wizard of Earthsea while Leslie and Valerie offer a macro analysis of this fantasy origin story using Story Grid’s Editor’s Six Core Question. The 1968 story was written by Ursula K. Le Guin. Click here for the full show notes.By Valerie Francis, Leslie Watts

1
Season Three Preview 7:08

3+ y ago7:08

7:08

This season on the Story Grid Writers’ Room podcast, Leslie and Valerie are doing a full Story Grid macro analysis of A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin. We'll review the Editor’s Six Core Questions and look at each of the acts in detail. The Story Grid Writer’s Room is a show dedicated to offering a practical approach to the Story Grid meth…

1
Gone Girl - Key Takeaways 43:21

3+ y ago43:21

43:21

Stay tuned to discover the final takeaways from Valerie and Leslie’s deep study of Gillian Flynn’s 2012 novel, Gone Girl. Find out what they’ve learned from applying Story Grid’s Editor’s Six Core Questions and breaking down each quadrant of this compelling Psychological Thriller. The Story Grid Writer’s Room is a show dedicated to offering a pract…

1
Gone Girl - Ending Payoff 37:51

3+ y ago37:51

37:51

Wonder how to deliver a powerful and satisfying finish to your story? On the Story Grid Writer’s Room podcast this week, Valerie and Leslie analyze the ending payoff of Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl to unpack what makes this story work so well. The Story Grid Writer’s Room is a show dedicated to offering a practical approach to the Story Grid method so…

1
Gone Girl - Middle Build Two 45:52

3+ y ago45:52

45:52

Feeling stuck in the middle of your story? On the Story Grid Writer’s Room podcast this week, Valerie and Leslie analyze the middle build 2 quadrant of Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl to unpack what makes this story work so well. The Story Grid Writer’s Room is a show dedicated to offering a practical approach to the Story Grid method so you can put it t…

1
Gone Girl - Middle Build 1 39:12

3+ y ago39:12

39:12

How can you keep readers turning pages through the middle build of your story? On the Story Grid Writer’s Room podcast this week, Valerie and Leslie find out by analyzing the middle build 1 quadrant of Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl. The Story Grid Writer’s Room is a show dedicated to offering a practical approach to the Story Grid method so you can put…

1
Gone Girl - The Beginning Hook 53:04

3+ y ago53:04

53:04

What makes the opening of Gillian Flynn’s 2012 Psychological Thriller, Gone Girl, so compelling? On the Story Grid Writer’s Room podcast this week, Valerie and Leslie analyze the beginning hook to find out. The Story Grid Writer’s Room is a show dedicated to offering a practical approach to the Story Grid method so you can put it to work. This seas…

1
Gone Girl - Editor's Six Core Questions Analysis 53:39

3+ y ago53:39

53:39

Follow the clues this week to uncover the genius behind Gillian Flynn’s 2012 Psychological Thriller, Gone Girl. Valerie and Leslie analyze the macro story by applying Story Grid's Editor’s Six Core Questions. They identify the global genre, the conventions and obligatory moments of the genre, point of view and narrative device, objects of desire, t…

1
Roundtable Reissue - Gone Girl E6CQA 42:48

3+ y ago42:48

42:48

Ever since the Story Grid Editor Roundtable started three years ago, we've been asked to apply the Story Grid method to a novel. Well, this is it! This season we're doing a full Story Grid macro analysis of Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. We'll review the Editor’s Six Core Questions in the first episode. Haven't read it yet? Grab a copy of the novel no…

1
Season Two Preview 7:53

3+ y ago7:53

7:53

Ever since the Story Grid Editor Roundtable podcast started three years ago, we've been asked to apply the Story Grid method to a novel. Well, this is it! This season we're doing a full Story Grid macro analysis of Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. We'll review the Editor’s Six Core Questions and look at each of the acts in detail. Click here for the ful…

1
Season One Wrap-Up 39:19

3+ y ago39:19

39:19

It’s a wrap! In this episode, Valerie and Leslie close out the first season of the Story Grid Writer’s Room Podcast with a review of takeaways and lessons learned. This season we're analyzing scenes from novels, short stories and films because scenes are the basic building blocks of story. To be able to write a story that works, you must be able to…

1
Exposing the Criminal Scene - The Body in the Library 47:33

3+ y ago47:33

47:33

In the Writers’ Room this week, Valerie and Leslie find out whodunit and how in the Core Event of The Body in the Library by Agatha Christie. The 1942 Cozy Mystery features a classic "summation gathering" scene when Miss Jane Marple reveals how she discovered the killer’s identity. We're focusing on scenes this season because scenes are the basic b…

1
Lightbulb Moment Scene - The Secret Life of Bees 51:26

3+ y ago51:26

51:26

In the Writers’ Room this week, Valerie and Leslie look at internal conflict and character revelation in a Turning Point scene of Sue Monk Kidd’s 2002 Worldview Story, The Secret Life of Bees. See how quiet moments can lead to scenes with big impact. We're focusing on scenes this season because scenes are the basic building blocks of story. To be a…

1
Hero at the Mercy of the Villain - The Girl on the Train 41:24

3+ y ago41:24

41:24

In the Writers’ Room this week, Valerie and Leslie unpack the many points of conflict from different perspectives in the Core Event of The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins. The 2015 Psychological Thriller culminates in an extended Hero at the Mercy of the Villain scene that features a “Tug of War” where life hangs in the balance. Learn about unre…

1
"I Have a Voice" Scene - Performance Story 49:39

3+ y ago49:39

49:39

In the Writers’ Room this week, we listen closely to the “I Have a Voice” scene in the 2010 film The King’s Speech. The Oscar-winning story was directed by Tom Hooper from a screenplay by David Seidler. The scene in the spotlight today delivers the middle build climax of this Performance Story by “poking the bear.” But that’s not all it does. Don’t…

1
Revolution Scene in a Society Story 44:56

3+ y ago44:56

44:56

We slide into the Revolution Scene in the Writers’ Room this week as we analyze the 1911 novella Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton. We look at the difference between cautionary and tragic tales and discuss what The Hunger Games and The Accidental Tourist have in common with Ethan Frome. This season we're analyzing scenes from novels, short stories and f…

1
Toolbox Episode - Sales Copy for Your Book 34:09

4y ago34:09

34:09

Don't know what to include in the sales copy for your book? How can you describe your story to appeal to the ideal reader? Shawn Coyne and Valerie Francis help you find your way in a special Toolbox episode of the Writers' Room Podcast. Click here for more information.By Valerie Francis, Shawn Coyne

1
Hero at the Mercy of the Villain - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince 55:25

4y ago55:25

55:25

This week we face the Hero at the Mercy of the Villain in the Writers’ Room as we analyze the core event of the 2005 novel Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling. But that’s not all! In addition to analyzing this excellent example of a “chase scene” in an Action Story, we discuss set pieces, emotional connections, and how to hide a …

1
Big Showdown - 3:10 to Yuma 43:19

4y ago43:19

43:19

It’s time for the Big Showdown in the Writers’ Room this week as we analyze the 1953 short story “3:10 to Yuma” by Elmore Leonard. This season we analyze a scene from a novel, short story or film because scenes are the basic building blocks of story. To be able to write a story that works, you must be able to write a scene that works. Click here fo…

1
The Big Choice - I Stand Here Ironing 31:33

4y ago31:33

31:33

It’s the Big Choice plus perspective in the Writers’ Room this week as we analyze the 1961 short story “ I Stand Here Ironing” by Tillie Olsen. Each week this season, we'll analyze a scene from a novel, short story or film because scenes are the basic building blocks of stories. To write a story that works, you must be able to write a scene that wo…

1
Victim at the Mercy of the Monster - The Tell Tale Heart 40:45

4y ago40:45

40:45

It’s the victim at the mercy of the monster this time as Valerie and Leslie analyze the 1843 Horror story “The Tell Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe. This season we're analyze a scene from novels, short stories and films because scenes are the basic building blocks of story. To be able to write a story that works, you must be able to write a scene th…

1
Lovers Meet Scene - Bridget Jones's Diary 1:01:33

4y ago1:01:33

1:01:33

What makes a great lovers meet scene? Find out when Valerie and Leslie analyze the turkey curry buffet scene in Bridget Jones’s Diary, the 1996 Love Story by Helen Fielding. This season we analyze scenes from novels, short stories and films because scenes are the basic building blocks of story. To be able to write a story that works, you must be ab…

1
Introducing the Story Grid Writers' Room 14:48

4y ago14:48

14:48

In this episode, Story Grid editors Valerie Francis and Leslie Watts introduce the new Story Grid Writers’ Room. Each week this season, we analyze a scene or short story to get to the bottom of how to write scenes because to write a story that works, you must be able to write scenes that work. Click here for the full show notes.…

1
Bite Size Episode - Marriage Story Scene Analysis 39:04

4y ago39:04

39:04

It’s 30 minutes of deep insight as Valerie Francis and Leslie Watts bring you a bite-size episode on analyzing a scene, with an example from Marriage Story. Here on the Roundtable we're dedicated to helping you become a better writer, following the Story Grid method developed by Shawn Coyne. In these episodes we bring you some shorter solo articles…

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