Content warnings: nausea mention, alcohol use In which we reach a boiling point. Squad assigned: Star Vipers Lance (he/him), Legion officer Whisper (he/she/they), Broken of the Never Nikolaj (he/him), Legion augur Waloot (she/her), Legion scout Jemma (he/they), Legion soldier And introducing... Serj (he/him), Tailos elder --- Episode transcript can…

We begin this episode of DXP hearing from Christian about his (alleged) epidural, which leads us down a rabbit trail about science fiction and the mystery of the human brain. We briefly discuss just how young the United States is (three people old to be exact). We discuss the theory of Panspermia (which is not as exciting as it sounds), and then la…

Annie Carpenter's life was upended by colonialism, the Indian Act and the residential school system. For 80 years, her family tried to find out what happened to her. Now, journalist and filmmaker Tanya Talaga is telling her great-great grandmother's story in her new book and documentary series, The Knowing. She talks to Mattea Roach about the strug…

When Alison McCreesh was 21, she left her Quebec hometown and hitchhiked to the Yukon searching for something she couldn't quite put her finger on — and hasn't left. She talks to Mattea Roach about her graphic novel Degrees of Separation, which reflects on the everyday lives of people in the North... and how it's changed during her time there.…

Content warnings: alcohol use, animal death, forced sedation, relics made of body parts, burning hair In which we're offered a drink. Squad assigned: Star Vipers Lance (he/him), Legion officer Jemma (he/they), Legion soldier Whisper (he/she/they), Broken of the Never Nikolaj (he/him), Legion augur Waloot (she/her), Legion scout Aisling (he/they), L…

The Paris-based Turkish writer spoke with Mattea Roach about her new novel, The Anthropologists, which centers on a young immigrant couple in an unnamed city, navigating love, friendships and the guilt of being away from family.

Sloane Crosley’s jewelry was stolen from her home, and one month later, her best friend, Russell, died. She writes about these experiences in the memoir Grief is For People, which is witty and heartbreaking. Sloane joined Mattea Roach to talk about her grief, her best friend and writing about it all.…

Content warnings: refugees of war, alcohol In which we take the temperature. Squad assigned: Star Vipers Lance (he/him), Legion officer Nikolaj (he/him), Legion augur Jemma (he/they), Legion soldier Waloot (she/her), Legion scout Aisling (he/they), Legion soldier Karla (she/her), Eyes of Smoke augur --- Episode transcript can be found https://docs.…

We begin this episode of Drunk Ex-Pastors with a recap of Christian’s recent vacay to Asia, from which we springboard to whether it’s okay to eat our pets. We discuss the new Max documentary, Wise Guy, about David Chase and The Sopranos, which leads into one of Jason’s theories involving Goodfellas and The Godfather. “Pastor Jack’s Off” returns, wh…

The novel Oil People is about a family in southwestern Ontario with deep connections to the oil industry. Oil is their present-day livelihood and heritage, but it might also be poisoning them physically and spiritually. David Huebert speaks to Mattea Roach about writing Oil People.

Heather O'Neill is an icon in Canadian literature who has won a ton of awards. And now she has a new novel. It’s called The Capital of Dreams and it’s about the influence of art and literature on our lives. It follows 14-year-old Sofia as she hunts for her mother’s lost manuscript during the chaos of war. Heather speaks to Mattea Roach about her la…

Content warnings: mourning, agoraphobia, animate body parts In which we remember why we fight. Abunalance (he/him), Legion officer Nabain Palisade (he/him), Legion medic Nine (he/they), Legion scout Dorado (she/her), Legion soldier Waloot (she/her), Legion scout Suleiman (he/him), suspicious alchemist Tzufit Live Well It is the Best Revenge (atz/at…

Iranian American writer Kaveh Akbar and his novel Martyr! are everywhere these days. Martyr! made the New York Times bestseller list and several summer reading lists, including Barack Obama's. Drawing on Kaveh's own experience with addiction and recovery, it's about Cyrus, a 20-something Iranian American poet who’s in the early years of sobriety. C…

When the book ends, the conversation begins. Mattea Roach speaks with writers who have something to say about their work, the world and our place in it. You'll always walk away with big questions to ponder and new books to read. Beginning Sept. 8 on CBC.

For the conclusion of Writers and Company, the tables are turned and author Madeleine Thien interviews Eleanor Wachtel. Recorded at the Blue Metropolis International Literary Festival in Montreal last spring, Thien speaks with Eleanor about her early life in Montreal, memorable moments from her career and more. They also look back on Eleanor's conv…

Content warnings: law enforcement cover-ups, corpse desecration, mob violence, assassination, beheading, bombardment In which we inherit Draknor's throne. Dorado the Adamant (she/her), Legion co-commander Sophina Laurentis (she/her), Speaker of the Senate Kael Osier, the Smiling Willow (they/them), Legion lorekeeper Vahn Born of Renwahl (he/him), A…

In this episode of Drunk Ex-Pastors we talk a bit about corporate sponsorship of literally everything, and then spend a fair bit of time dissecting the music and mythology of the band Twenty One Pilots, springboarding into issues surrounding power and the resistance to it. We listen to Pastor Jack being off (again), and then share biebers involving…

The Scottish author reflects on the stories she grew up with, the influence of feminism and how time moves in circular patterns. Ali Smith has been shortlisted for the Booker Prize four times. Her 2014 novel How to Be Both won the Women's Prize for fiction and the Costa Book Award for novel. She spoke with Eleanor Wachtel in 2018 about the first tw…

Content warning: mourning In which we grieve for those we've lost. Lark the Reticent (she/her), Legion assassin Sophina Laurentis (she/her), vitriolic senator Waloot (she/her), Lark's protege Kael Osier (they/them), lorekeeper Nikolaj (he/him), newly-minted spymaster Vahn Born of Renwahl (he/him), despondent senator Dorado the Adamant (she/her) Aza…

We begin this episode with a brief rant about Amazon Alexa and how she’s a useless horrible person who deserves to die. We then hear from a caller insisting that Jason should watch that new Godzilla movie. We take a call from another listener who is going through a divorce, so we share some of the ups and downs from our own lives. Another caller se…

The American architect, known for challenging the idea of form, reflects on his life and the experiences that shape his work, from his days as a lieutenant in the Korean War to his time studying in Europe. He founded the Institute for Architecture and Urban Studies and is the author of several books on architecture and design, including Lateness. P…

Content warnings: bombardment, domestic terrorism, mob violence In which a spark is lit. Sophina Laurentis (she/her), Senator Samnael Evergrace (xe/xem), Legion man-at-arms Kael Osier (they/them), Legion lorekeeper Azar Born of Draknor (he/him), Legion co-commander Vahn Born of Renwahl (he/him), Senator Dorado the Adamant (she/her), Legion co-comma…

We begin this episode with a discussion of the new Beverly Hills Cop movie, springboarding to the issue of whether comics lose their edge as they get older. We revisit Brats, the recent documentary about Hollywood’s “Brat Pack,” and then hear from a TikTokker about just how monumental the Trump assassination would have been had it succeeded. We dis…

The American novelist draws on her experience growing up in an interracial family in her edgy, prize-winning fiction. Raised with an acute black consciousness, during a time when "'mixed' wasn't an option; you were either black or white," Senna brings an awareness — and astute analysis — of class, race and identity to all her writing. She spoke wit…

A short episode of jokes, out-takes, and other stuff that's on the editing room floor. Back with a new episode next week! Episode transcript can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/14kW3iFJNHxReTl_bIlfFMXdx6XLg82laz4SQ0Hcg_iQ/edit?usp=sharing --- http://oathswornpodcast.com OATHSWORN is a Band of Blades actual play podcast created by …

Episode #491 starts with a discussion of the new show Dark Matter, and how it may just be a retelling of an old classic. We discuss the connection between music and nostalgia, and then debate the results of a new study that suggests that people’s faces grow into their names over time. “Pastor Jack’s Off” returns, demonstrating just how much evangel…

Novelist and biographer Francine du Plessix Gray reflects on the fascinating lives of her parents in her memoir, Them, which follows their journey from the artistic Russian émigré community of 1930s Paris to the top of New York's high society. The memoir won the 2006 National Book Critics Circle Award for autobiography. Francine du Plessix Gray was…

Content warning: description of torture, coercion, suicide bombing In which some go and some stay. Azar Born of Draknor, Legion commander Dorado the Adamant, Legion not-the-commander Marshall, Legion marshall Nikolaj, Legion augur Samnael, Legion spymaster Serikali, Chosen of the Senate Weigraf, Speaker of the Senate --- Episode transcript can be f…

We kick things off by wondering aloud if a new approach to stand-up comedy is needed, and then discuss FX’s hit show, The Bear (which we both just finished). We talk about Biden’s recent withdrawal from the presidential race, and then turn our attention to Trump’s remarks about how much he loves Christians (despite claiming not to be one). We tease…

Born during the Depression in Lockport, New York, Joyce Carol Oates started writing as a teen and has since written more than one hundred books, many of them portraying the darkness of American society. Her writing has earned her virtually every major American literary prize, as well as Montreal’s Blue Metropolis Grand Prix in 2012. After accepting…

Content warning: alcohol use, injury during arrest In which a deal is struck. Dorado the Adamant (she/her), Legion soldier Serikali (she/her), Chosen of the Senate Azar Born of Draknor (he/him), Legion commander Weigraf (he/they), Senate Speaker Leer (he/him), Weigraf's spy Sophina (she/her), Senate firebrand --- Episode transcript can be found her…

In this episode of Drunk Ex-Pastors we continue our discussion about the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, as well as the reactions on the left and the right and what we know about the shooter so far. We share our theories about what would happen if/when Biden drops out of the race, and then “Pastor Jack’s Off” returns. Biebers involve eyesi…

The Indian journalist and novelist writes stories that are autobiographical and revealing. Kumar joined Eleanor Wachtel in 2018 to talk about his book Immigrant, Montana - a mix of fiction, memory, politics and the pursuit of romance. Kumar's new novel is called My Beloved Life.

In which bells are ringing. Kael Osier (they/them), lorekeeper and consultant Sophina Laurentis (she/her), senator and Archsybil Serikali (she/her), Chosen of the Senate Leer (he/him), Weigraf's spy Dorado (she/her), Legion soldier Azar (he/him), Legion commander Masha (she/her), Matzor rookie Jemma (he/they), lonely rookie Bowie (he/him), inverted…

We begin this episode with some banter about one of our favorite bands, and then hear about Christian’s latest health scare. We recount visiting Calvary Chapel together for the first time in decades, and then turn our attention to the Donald Trump assassination attempt, discussing what this might mean for his campaign moving forward. We then weigh …

Even though Edna O’Brien left Ireland more than 50 years ago, the texture and atmosphere of the country continue to permeate her work. Her first seven books were banned or suppressed in Ireland. In fact her debut novel, The Country Girls, was burned in her home parish for depicting the ambitions and sexual desires of young women. Today, O'Brien is …

Content warning: execution by firing squad In which we ask for a favor. Dorado the Adamant (she/her), Legion soldier Thar Born of Darknor (he/him), Legion rookie Builder Kayo (they/she), Legion heavy Judet the Bladesinger (she/her), Chosen of the Lord of Song Azar Born of Draknor (he/him), Legion commander Lance (he/him), Legion officer Waloot (she…

This episode of drunk ex-pastors was recorded on location on Palm Spring’s hottest day on record (a comfy 124 degrees). We discuss a couple reaction videos, one by a classical composer who’s never heard Paranoid Android, and another by some hip-hop head who has never listened to Stairway to Heaven. We talk about Jason’s recent stand-up set, and the…

In 2018, Eleanor Wachtel went to New York City to interview one of North America's most renowned and daring creative pioneers, Laurie Anderson. The multimedia artist and musician had just published her retrospective book, All the Things I Lost in the Flood, inspired by the devastation of Hurricane Sandy in 2012, which destroyed Anderson's archive o…

In which we're asked a favor Lark the Reticent (she/her), silent protagonist Mordecai Sing That Which is True (he/him), troubled rabbi Dorado the Adamant (she/her), returned to the fold Azar Born of Draknor (he/him), Legion commander Abunalance (he/him), injured officer Rahel Kill Not a Creature (she/her), lyrical Matzor --- Episode transcript can …

We begin this episode with sharing some tech woes, as well as another horrifying poop-tale from Christian. We discuss the issue of Fourth of July fireworks and pets/vets, and then hear about the recent pastors conference that Jason snuck into. We talk about the presidential debate and its possible implications, and then share biebers involving pron…

This week, for Pride season, the Oscar-nominated playwright and screenwriter Tony Kushner. Known most recently for his movie collaborations with Steven Spielberg, including Lincoln, Westside Story and The Fablemans, Kushner's breakout hit was his epic play Angels in America, the winner of multiple Tonys and a Pulitzer Prize, among many other awards…

This week, American Canadian novelist Claire Messud. Throughout her career and in her new book, This Strange Eventful History, one of TIME’s most anticipated of 2024, Messud draws on her own family's history, especially that of her French Algerian father. In 2001 she spoke with Eleanor about her novel The Last Life, which traces three generations o…

In which we bury hatchets. Weigraf (he/they), Speaker of the Senate Serikali (she/her), Chosen of the Senate Judet (she/her), Chosen of the Mitzrayim Kael (they/them), Lorekeeper of the Legion Lance (he/him), Officer of the Legion Dorado (she/her), "Captain" of the Legion --- Episode transcript can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/…

We begin this episode by talking about the best and worst ways to kill ourselves, and then discuss the convictions of Hunter Biden and Donald Trump, as well as the precedent such political targeting is likely to set. We discuss stand-up comedy and hear about a listeners’ favorite’s first ever open mic set went. “Pastor Jack’s Off” returns, and bieb…

In honour of the centenary of the death of Franz Kafka, one of the most influential writers of the 20th century, Eleanor Wachtel revisits her 2005 conversation with one of his biographers, Nicholas Murray.

In which we assign blame. Kael (they/them), here to impart wisdom Dorado (she/her), here to keep the peace Samnael (xe/xem), here to listen in Lark (she/her), here to do what's right Azar (he/him), here to maintain order Nikolaj (he/him), here to not be seen And introducing... Nine (he/they), here to pay respects Argyle (they/them), here to keep an…

In this episode of DXP we briefly touch upon one of Elon Musk’s arguments that we’re living in a simulation, and then discuss the balance between age and quality of life. We hear a standup-comedy update, and then dive into the whole Man vs. Bear nonsense. “Pastor Jack’s Off” returns, and biebers involve Wordpress and Spotify.…

Germany's Jenny Erpenbeck is the winner of the International Booker Prize 2024 for her novel Kairos, translated by Michael Hofmann. She spoke with Eleanor Wachtel, who chaired the International Booker Prize jury, in 2015 about The End of Days, an imaginative story that spans the 20th century through the eyes of a character who lives multiple versio…

In which we jockey for position. Azar, born of Draknor (he/him), commander of the Legion Senator Weigraf (he/him), Speaker of the Senate Kael Osier (they/them), lorekeeper of the Legion Senator Sophina (she/her), Archsybil of the Eyes of Smoke Dorado the Adamant (she/her), de-facto leader of the splinter Legion Serikali (she/her), Chosen of justice…