In our first episode recorded at the Sewanee Writers' Conference in the summer of 2022, Alexander Chee (How to Write an Autobiographical Novel) talks to James about his career, being the most photographed author in history, the late Randall Kenan, and Courtney Love. Plus legendary editor and founder and President of Words Without Borders, Alane Mas…

In our fourth and final episode recorded at the Sewanee Writers' Conference in the summer of 2021, Elena Passarello (Animals Strike Curious Poses) tells James about sleeping in Elvis's teenage bedroom, getting advice from long-haul truckers, and having screams sent to her. Plus the legendary Mary Flinn of Blackbird. Apply to the Sewanee Writers' Co…

Only the great Carl Phillips could warrant an episode all to himself. Recorded at the Sewanee Writers' Conference in 2021, James and Carl discuss assembling a collection, enjoying feeling lost, letting go of the argument, and putting a wedge between yourself and the unbearable. Sewanee Writers' Conference 2022 Applications due March 15! Buy Carl's …

The third summer of conversations recorded at the Sewanee Writers’ Conference (2021) continues with M.O. Walsh (The Big Door Prize), who gives a writing tip James has used ever since, then chats about writing a novel you like, being under the influence of John Prine, and writing one of the greatest cocktail scenes ever. Plus, independent editor and…

The third summer of conversations recorded at the Sewanee Writers’ Conference (2021) opens with the brilliance of Katie Kitamura (Intimacies, A Separation), who talks to James about pushing back on expectations, writing things you don't think you can, having your best reader in your own house, and the ghosts of edits past. Plus, the also brilliant …

Part of the struggle to build a better world is how the stories of those struggles are told. Mainstream media emphasizes the voices of the powerful, while changes to the media landscape are forcing many journalists to focus more on quantity over quality. Barrie Community Media wants to do things differently. Joining Michael Speers to discuss how th…

Landlords continue to wage war against working people. The only way to stop them is to organize, which is exactly what Emina Gamulin has been doing. On this episode, we speak to her about the power of organizing and the lessons we can learn that can help tenants and working people everywhere.

When it comes to the fact that supervised consumption sites save lives, there really shouldn’t be any debate. But opponents - be they politicians, business owners or residents - still argue with the experts and dispute their effectiveness. On this episode, Sarah Tilley from The Gilbert Centre joins Michael Speers to discuss drug use, the intersecti…

Antisemitism is on the rise, so we need to do everything we can to end it. But the fight against antisemitism must be joined to the struggle for equality and human rights for all people. On this episode, Corey Balsam from Independent Jewish Voices Canada joins Michael Speers to talk about the IHRA definition of antisemitism and why governments shou…

Barrie council is currently taking a look at whether or not the city should move to a ranked ballot system. On this episode, Dave Meslin and Jennifer Van Gennip join Michael Speers to discuss why making that change is the right thing to do.

After two massive protests and days of action, Barrie and other towns and cities are ready for a revolution. But just saying Black Lives Matter isn’t enough. We are hearing a call to action, and we need to answer it. Joining Michael Speers this week is community activist Shelly Skinner. Check out her new initiative on Facebook at https://www.facebo…

Brandon Rhéal Amyot joins Michael Speers to talk about the concerns of students in Canada, lacklustre support initiatives, and why politicians keep ignoring the needs of students despite the broad economic benefits of their education.

As we mark another International Workers’ Day, activist and organizer Pam Frache joins Michael Speers to talk about the unity and power of workers, reform and revolution, and how socialists can connect with all working people as we journey along that path together.

At first glance, cottage country may not seem like a place where the fight for fair and decent workplaces would take root. But Diana McConnell is putting low-wage and precarious workers’ issues front and centre in the small communities and waterfront homes of Muskoka. She joins Michael Speers to talk about organizing, educating workers and putting …

Jessa McLean is a community activist with a bold vision for working people. The former federal NDP candidate in the riding of York-Simcoe is a proud socialist who has been fighting for years to end capitalism’s exploitation of workers. She joins Michael Speers to discuss class consciousness, amplifying socialist voices and building a political part…

Victoria Butler is a young writer full of insights and perspectives well beyond her 23 years. In this interview, we talk about her poetry and what inspires it, the role of the artist when it comes to creating change, how capitalism seeks to silence artists, and why art must be more available and accessible to everyone.…

Michael Speers and Keenan Aylwin debate the concept of a universal basic income. Is UBI a pragmatic solution to the problems of capitalism or is it just another market mechanism that ignores the need to dismantle capitalism altogether?

In this special interview, Michael Speers speaks with Keenan Aylwin - a democratic eco-socialist and Barrie city councillor - about what motivates him, where he finds the courage to stand up to establishment politicians and what needs to be done to create a better city and society.

Michael Speers looks at government responses to the Coronavirus pandemic and how recent reforms can be a springboard to our socialist future.

What’s it like being a socialist in a region many people consider to be a conservative stronghold? What are the obstacles and opportunities? Joining Michael this week are Sheetal Rawal and Holly McDaniel. Sheetal is an elder millenial living in the exurbs of Toronto. A lawyer by training, she is an aspiring lady of leisure who has, on occasion, put…

Yes, liberals can become socialists. Join host Michael Speers as he opens up about his political transformation and how socialism can begin to take hold outside our urban areas.

The second summer of conversations recorded at the Sewanee Writers' Conference continues with playwright Rachel Bonds, who tells James about finding her voice in a one-act, using jealousy as a job coach, being on the writing treadmill, and recognizing the struggles of those close to us. Plus, actor and Performing Prose co-founder Sean McIntyre. htt…

Struggle in the Suburbs is a new podcast that looks at how socialism and leftist politics are defined and experienced outside of our urban areas.

The second summer of conversations recorded at the Sewanee Writers' Conference continues with Tim O'Brien, who tells James about winning the National Book Award, writing THE THINGS THEY CARRIED while on a break from another book, not leaving a sentence until it's finished, being a father, knowing death, and recognizing the maybeness of it all. Plus…

The second summer of conversations recorded at the Sewanee Writers' Conference begins with James speaking with Marilyn Nelson, who has written poetry in many forms and for many audiences. Marilyn tells James about her fears of being pigeonholed as well as her love of musicality, embodying voices, and finding a way forward. Plus, Copper Canyon Execu…

Kevin Wilson's fifth book, the novel NOTHING TO SEE HERE, is a perfect combination of everything that made his previous work so singular: the humor and edge of THE FAMILY FANG, the intensity of his short fiction, and the heart and earnestness of PERFECT LITTLE WORLD. He and James talk depicting basketball, writing being fun and versatile, keeping i…

Calvin Hennick jokingly calls his memoir, ONCE MORE TO THE RODEO, "every thought I've ever had," and the book touches on fatherhood, manhood, race, family, alcohol, baseball, and countless other topics, all considered on a road trip to his childhood hometown with his young son. He talks to James about having the memoir roundly rejected until it won…

Two incredible authors discuss their debuts. First, Elizabeth Chiles Shelburne tells James about her Tennessee-set HOLDING ON TO NOTHING (Blair), reading while driving (?), Dolly Parton, time machines, and two beer guitars. Then Amy Kurzweil on her depiction of three generations, including her grandmother surviving the Holocaust, in FLYING COUCH: A…

Between his work as an ad writer and software developer, Mark Barr worked on a classic tale set in 1930s Tennessee that would become his debut novel, WATERSHED. He talks to James about being a Southern voice, identifying as a meat-and-potatoes stylist, setting quotas for his writing, breaking problems down into their smallest components, and fudgin…

The latest novel from Alix Ohlin, DUAL CITIZENS, depicts the lives of two sisters as they navigate family, art, love, and life. She tells James about the depicting the whoosh of time, rewatching Hitchcock's VERTIGO, recommitting yourself, establishing patterns, putting things into your basket, and missing wolf licenses. Plus, Alix's friend and agen…

It started as a short story in grad school, but Gabriel Urza kept coming back to what would eventually be his novella THE WHITE DEATH: AN ILLUSION. He talks to James about feeling like a child in the face of magic, having trouble extricating past from present, portraying the ambiguity of the supernatural, working through your problems when writing,…

It took Amanda Goldblatt eight years to write her debut novel, HARD MOUTH. The result is a brilliantly inventive work combining style with emotional impact and classic storytelling. She and James talk about their long friendship, cutting the apocalypse, summoning (or not) imaginary beings, making rules for novels, and remembering the books they rea…

The debut novel by Miciah Bay Gault, GOODNIGHT STRANGER, is an intoxicating mix of mystery and grief set in a sandy, salty place. And sexy triplets. She tells James about adjusting the level of magic, breaking the rules, sagging middles, writing as an act of faith, and facing the threat of writing something new. Plus, publicist Laura Gianino. - Mic…

Russ McKenzie chose to change his entire lifestyle when he was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. Russ lost over 100lbs in the span of just one year. In this episode he takes the time to chat with me about being a Dad, his new found love of cycling, the things he has sacrificed and how he changed his entire life not only from a health perspective but …

No, not the Mistress of the Dark. Elvira (Nane) is my 85 year old grandmother and she took the time from her (very) busy schedule to talk to me about her life and experiences. She goes on to discuss how technology has changed, the differences in child care, if she has any regrets and her emotional story about meeting the pope.--- Send in a voice me…

The intro episode of the Make Life Podcast letting you know what it's all about and what you can expect from upcoming episodes. Enjoy! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/makelifepodcast/message

In reporting several food articles, Kevin Alexander found the same stories coming up again and again: genius chefs opened one-of-a-kind restaurants in places like Portland and San Francisco, and in the on-rush of attention struggled to maintain their excellence. In short, we lived through a golden age of American cuisine that is now already over. T…

A random sign for free dogs inspired Mary Miller to drop a manuscript she'd been researching and create the character of Louis McDonald, Jr. for her hilarious and heartbreaking novel, BILOXI. She tells James about feeling indebted to her characters, teaching herself to write, looking in holes with her dog, needing to find joy, and reading with John…

Christian Kiefer had great reservations about writing his beautiful new book, PHANTOMS. He tells James how he found the story, and the steps he took to tell it. They also talk about capturing bear consciousness, being haunted by one's own work, finding joy in music and writing, and those troublesome flugelhornists. And then our old friend Christoph…

A night spent drinking and writing about his parents' divorce uncovered an urgent need in Stanford professor Jamil Zaki to author THE WAR FOR KINDNESS: BUILDING EMPATHY IN A FRACTURED WORLD. He and James talk about how empathy can literally grow parts of the brain, hating the term hard-wired, facing the problems of the world today, and (sigh) STAR …

Satire can be the last, best way to critique difficult topics, and Ryan Chapman's blistering novel, RIOTS I HAVE KNOWN, takes on, among other things, incarceration, literature's standing in the culture, and intellectual pretension. He and James talk novellas, using contemporary cultural references, writing to a melody, and publishing a book after w…

With the long road of a novel ahead of her, Julia Phillips mined her obsessions, and based her debut, DISAPPEARING EARTH, on her love of Russia's Kamchatka peninsula and her desire to portray the effects of violent acts on women. She and James talk about the cost of being horrified, the surprising realization that not everyone loves Soviet architec…

The dazzling, drunken, dirty (in an elegant, literary way) debut by Chip Cheek, CAPE MAY, is the result of a feverish writing spree and a measured revision process. Old friends Chip and James discuss learning to let go, having fun at the desk, selecting the right words in sex scenes, discovering characters through their dialogue, and changing ice c…

At first, she wrote essays as a distraction from her fiction, but over time, Grace Talusan felt the pull of the experiences that would form the foundation of her memoir, THE BODY PAPERS. From immigration to cancer to sexual abuse, the book depicts a life marked by trauma, and yet through it all there is humor, family, and hope. Grace tells James ho…

Chatting with Jessica Sole about her experiences as a musician, model and growing on instagram in 2019. Jessicas Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicasole_/ My Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kristiankumric/By kristian kumric

Back in episode 47, Whitney Scharer discussed the incredible sale of her debut, THE AGE OF LIGHT, and now, she and James discuss the actual novel, which depicts the relationship between Lee Miller and May Ray. They talk about creating fictional characters from real people, when she had her "Aha!" insight into Lee's psyche, cultural movements, Bosto…

In our final episode of our Sewanee Writers' Conference series recorded in the summer of 2018, James is joined by Christine Schutt, one of our greatest authors, to discuss her career from FLORIDA to her latest, PURE HOLLYWOOD. They cover a lot of books, and a lot of ground, from nerves about reading to insecurity about writing, in an honest and ill…

The third in a series of conversations recorded at the Sewanee Writers' Conference in the summer of 2018 finds James sitting down with Randall Kenan, who talks about the books that made him feel less alone, the art of writing about food, and the legacy of James Baldwin. Plus, Anna Lena Phillips Bell, editor at Ecotone Magazine. - Randall Kenan: htt…

Mikey Taylor is a Professional Skateboarder who has recently stepped into the Entrepreneurship world and has been absolutely killing it. In todays episode we chat about his transition from professional skateboarding to owning multiple companies, his thoughts on creativity, as well as what he looks for when hiring creatives. Check out Mikey on Insta…

In the second in a series of conversations recorded at the Sewanee Writers' Conference in the summer of 2018, James spoke to three people from the world of playwriting: old friend and playwright Dan O'Brien, agent Beth Blickers, and actor Emily Shain. They discuss what draws them to work, how the written word earns its space, and the great value of…