Best Toronto Public Library Podcasts (2024)

1
How the Bicycle Mayor of Toronto is Making Toronto's Streets Safer for All | Lanrick Bennett Jr., Joycelyn Guan & Erin 1:09:56

7M ago1:09:56

1:09:56

Join me, along with my co-hosts Joycelyn and Erin, as we dive into an insightful conversation with Lanrick Bennett Jr., Toronto's Bicycle Mayor, and the Executive Director of Charlie's FreeWheels. We explore his tenure as a bike mayor and the expansive network of BYCS-appointed mayors, stretching from India to Uganda and beyond. In this episode, we…

1
Artistry Beyond Borders: Exploring the Power of Public Art in Toronto with Destinie Adélakun 12:21

7M ago12:21

12:21

This episode marks the first video episode of the podcast! Here's a sneak peek of my conversation with Destinie Adélakun, an emerging multi-disciplinary artist, who masterfully weaves her Nigerian-Indian heritage into her breathtaking solo exhibition, "Journey of Adé." Destinie also shares the excitement of exhibiting at Toronto's renowned Nuit Bla…

1
How the Charter Cities Institute Promotes Inclusive and Adaptable Planning for Sustainable New Cities | Heba Elhanafy 43:18

1y ago43:18

43:18

Join me in this captivating episode of the podcast as I have an insightful conversation with Heba Elhanafy, an urban researcher from the Charter Cities Institute (CCI) Zambia. Together, we explore the fascinating world of charter city development and dive deep into the Planning Guidelines Report titled "Guided Organic Growth: An urban planning fram…

1
How Ushahidi is Using Crowdsourcing to Help Community Disaster Response and Recovery | Angela Oduor Lungati 35:42

1+ y ago35:42

35:42

In this episode, I chat with Angela Oduor Lungati, the CEO of Ushahidi. Ushahdi is a mobile platform dubbed “Africa’s Gift to Silicon Valley” by the New York Times. Born out of a crisis, the open-source software enables virtually anyone with a cellphone or internet connection to efficiently crowd-source information, map it and share it with those t…

1
Climate Fiction 49:05

1+ y ago49:05

49:05

In his final episode as host of the podcast, Oliver chats with author Kim Stanley Robinson about Climate Fiction. KimStanleyRobinson.info Merril Links The Merril Collection! Friends of Merril (Facebook & Twitter)By The Friends of Merril

1
Comment le Centre d'Art Waza fait la promotion des artistes et de l'art populaire à Lubumbashi | Patrick Mudekereza 51:30

2y ago51:30

51:30

En novembre 2021, j'ai eu le plaisir de parler avec M. Patrick Mudekereza le Directeur Exécutif du Centre d'Art Waza. Le Centre d'Art Waza, situé à Lubumbashi, en République démocratique du Congo une ville désignée en 2015 par l'UNESCO, comme étant la Ville créative d'artisanat et des arts populaires. Ainsi, pendant notre discussion nous parlons pa…

1
How CLUSTER is Bridging Western Urban Understanding From the Middle East to North Africa | Salma Elbasty & Sami Ferwati 35:20

2y ago35:20

35:20

In this episode, my co-host Sami Ferwati and I chat with Salma Elbasty from CLUSTER (Cairo Lab for Urban Studies, Training and Environmental Research). CLUSTER undertakes a number of research, architecture, and arts-based urban initiatives with a special focus on analyzing urban informality and highlighting its role in our cities. During our discus…

1
How Book Bunk is Restoring Public Libraries Across Nairobi | Marion Anvango & Jane O'Brien Davis 40:13

2y ago40:13

40:13

In this episode, my co-host Jane O'Brien Davis and I chat with Marion Anvango at Book Bunk. Book Bunk is "working to restore some of Nairobi's most iconic public libraries into sites of heritage, public art, collective memory, knowledge production, shared experiences, cultural leadership and information exchange." During our discussion, we explore …

1
Folklore and the Four Winds Storytellers Library 32:07

2y ago32:07

32:07

Oliver talks with Norman Perrin about folklore in general, and Norman's unique, privately owned, publicly accessible archive of folklore knowledge he’s run from his Toronto apartment since 1990. The Four Winds Storytellers Library on Facebook Merril Links The Merril Collection! Friends of Merril (Facebook & Twitter)…

1
Beyond Lovecraft 48:48

2y ago48:48

48:48

Oliver talks with Scott Dorward about H.P. Lovecraft, how his legacy has been built on, and how writers might take things even further. The Good Friends of Jackson Elias, a Lovecraft & gaming podcast Scott co-hosts (Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, Discord) Scott’s Twitter Merril Links The Merril Collection! Friends of Merril (Facebook & Twitter)…

1
How Black Futures Now Toronto Turned Local Histories into a Virtual Community Centre | Adwoa Afful 44:07

2y ago44:07

44:07

In this episode, I chat with Adwoa Afful, the founder of Black Futures Now Toronto (BFN TO). BFN TO is collective that uses a mixture of storytelling, radical mapping, and a whole lot of creative talent, to develop a number of interactive ways of archiving, experiencing, and celebrating overlooked Black histories and geographies. During our talk, w…

1
Graphic Novels 31:50

2y ago31:50

31:50

Oliver talks with the man behind Beguiling Comics, Peter Birkemoe, about graphic novels. The Beguiling (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) Little Island Comics Merril Links The Merril Collection! Friends of Merril (Facebook & Twitter)By The Friends of Merril

1
How Buildher is Empowering Women Through Construction | Tatu Gatere 47:57

2y ago47:57

47:57

In this episode, I speak with Tatu Gatere, the co-founder and CEO of Buildher. Buildher is a non-profit based in Nairobi Kenya that is on a mission to promote gender equality within the construction industry through the provision of accredited construction, artisanry, and manufacturing skills to women that participate in their training program. Thr…

1
Alternate Histories 34:25

2y ago34:25

34:25

Oliver talks with author Gideon Marcus about alternate history speculative fiction. Gideon Marcus (Twitter) Galactic Journey (Twitter, Facebook) Merril Links The Merril Collection! Friends of Merril (Facebook & Twitter)By The Friends of Merril

1
Norse Mythologies 27:23

2y ago27:23

27:23

Oliver discusses Norse mythology, and its influence on speculative fiction, with Senior Department Head of both the Merril and Osborne Collections, Sephora Henderson. The Merril Collection! Friends of Merril (Facebook & Twitter)By The Friends of Merril

1
Haunted Houses 35:50

2y ago35:50

35:50

Oliver talks with author Gemma Files about haunted house stories. Gemma’s Website (Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads) Merril Links The Merril Collection! Friends of Merril (Facebook & Twitter)By The Friends of Merril

1
Sci-Fi Digests 51:33

2y ago51:33

51:33

Oliver talks with Trever Quachri, head editor at Analog magazine, about scifi digest magazines. Analog Magazine’s Website (Twitter, Facebook) Merril Links The Merril Collection! Friends of Merril (Facebook & Twitter)By The Friends of Merril

1
Sword & Sorcery 56:00

2y ago56:00

56:00

Oliver talks with Brain Murphy, author of Flame & Crimson: A history of Sword & Sorcery, about the mighty thewed fantasy sub-genre birthed by Robert E Howard when he created Conan the Barbarian. The Silver Key, Brian’s Sword & Sorcery Blog Buy Flame & Crimson! Merril Links The Merril Collection! Friends of Merril (Facebook & Twitter)…

1
How Justice Defenders is Using Education to Defend the Defenceless | Milly Kakungulu & Hannah Ahamedi 1:10:13

2y ago1:10:13

1:10:13

In this episode, my co-host Hannah Ahamedi and I chatted with Milly Kakungulu, the Education Department Lead at Justice Defenders Uganda. Through our discussion, we learned more about how the Justice Defenders (formerly known as the African Prisons Project) are defending the defenceless by educating prisoners on how to provide legal services for th…

1
How Lima’s Sonic Landscapes Are Shaped by Afro-Peruvian Women | Roxana Escobar Ñañez 1:10:33

2+ y ago1:10:33

1:10:33

In this episode, I chat again with Roxana Escobar Ñañez. Roxana is pursuing her Ph.D. in Human Geography at the University of Toronto and she was recently one of five special guests on the 12th episode of the podcast. Given her unique research interests, after our last conversation, I decided to invite her to the show again to dive deeper into her …

1
An Exploration of Black Excellence in Future Geographers and Planners at the University of Toronto | Jane, Brianna, Priscilla, Roxana & Bola 57:32

2+ y ago57:32

57:32

This special episode of Urban Limitrophe is brought to you in collaboration with the Graduate Geography & Planning Student Society (GGAPSS) in celebration of Black History/Black Futures Month! In this episode, I speak with Roxana Escobar Ñañez (PhD Human Geography), Brianna Lane (MSc Physical Geography), Priscilla Ankomah-Hackman (MSc Planning), Ja…

1
How the Black Planning Project is Diversifying Urban Planning One Story at a Time | Abigail Moriah 39:48

2+ y ago39:48

39:48

In this episode, I speak with Abigail Moriah, a registered urban planner and founder of the Black Planning Project. Through this initiative, Abigail and her team, collect and share the stories of Black urban planning professionals and students to highlight their important work and encourage more diverse voices to enter the profession. Most importan…

1
How the BuildX Studio is Creating Dignified Circular Affordable Housing Across Kenya | Carolina Larrazábal 45:40

2+ y ago45:40

45:40

In this episode, I speak with Carolina Larrazábal, the co-founder and design director at BuildX Studio. BuildX Studio is an innovative award-winning architectural studio based in Nairobi, which is the first architecture, engineering or construction company in Africa to become B Corp™ certified. The team at BuildX Studio is on a mission to build rad…

1
How the Dikan Center Is Building the First Photo Library in Ghana | Paul Ninson 37:05

2+ y ago37:05

37:05

In this episode, I speak with Paul Ninson, a photographer, and filmmaker about the importance of visual storytelling and how after collecting over 30,000 books on photography and film, he is in the beginning stages of building The Dikan Center. The center will be the first visual storytelling library in Ghana. The Dikan Center will train not only t…

1
How Waste Reclaimers Recycle 80 to 90% of South Africa's Waste | Dr. Melanie Samson 36:58

2+ y ago36:58

36:58

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Melanie Samson, about the important role that waste reclaimers play in our cities, particularly in Johannesburg. Melanie works closely with the African Reclaimers Organization (ARO), a non-profit group that is fighting to get waste reclaimers the rights and recognition they deserve for their hard work and ensuring …

1
How OFF TO Magazine is Celebrating African Cities One Issue at a Time | Liz Gomis 46:22

3y ago46:22

46:22

In this episode, I speak with Liz Gomis, about the inspiration and process of developing OFF TO Magazine. OFF TO Magazine is a bilingual, biannual magazine available online and through print, that explores African Cities through the eyes of local citizens. Each issue centers around one African city and uses the experience of local journalists, writ…

1
How the Mmofra Foundation is Designing Playful and Child-Friendly Cities in Ghana | Amowi Phillips 1:18:13

3y ago1:18:13

1:18:13

In this episode, I discuss urban play spaces and child-friendly cities with Amowi Phillips from the Mmofra Foundation. The Mmofra Foundations is a non-profit based out of Accra, Ghana that transforms urban spaces and urban green spaces into creative labs where children and youth can play and learn while being exposed to art, culture, and nature. In…

1
How Gbobètô is Turning Waste into Sustainable Energy in Port-Novo, Benin | Naomi Fagla Medegan 46:48

3y ago46:48

46:48

In this episode, I discuss recycling and the importance of creating sustainable energy alternatives with Naomi Fagla Medegan, the founder of Gbobètô. Gbobètô is a non-profit based out of Porto-Novo, Benin that sees waste as a tool for social and sustainable development and through their various recycling programs works to make cities cleaner and co…

1
How Hope Raisers Uses Digital Storytelling to Build Community Climate Resilience in Nairobi, Kenya | Daniel Onyango 41:47

3y ago41:47

41:47

In this episode, I discuss a bit about community climate change adaptation and the importance of incorporating the youth voice in decision-making with Daniel Onyango, the founder of The Hope Raisers Initiative. The Hope Raisers Initiative uses arts, culture, and sports to amplify the youth voice in the neighbourhood of Korogocho in Nairobi, Kenya. …

1
Afrofuturism 30:14

3+ y ago30:14

30:14

Host Oliver Brackenbury examines the evolution of Afrofuturism in speculative fiction with writer and educator Quentin VerCetty Lindsay. Links to some of the things mentioned in this episode: BSAM Quentin VerCetty “Afrofuturism Rising: The Literary Prehistory of a Movement” by Isiah Lavender III “Parable of the Sower” by Octavia Butler “Black to th…

1
How The Abibiman Project is Tackling Food Insecurity One African Dish at a Time | Rachel Adjei 34:30

3+ y ago34:30

34:30

In this episode, I discuss a bit about the role of the cultural appropriateness of food in tackling food insecurity and chat with Chef Rachel Adjei, the founder of The Abibiman Project. The Abibiman Project is an initiative started by Rachel in October 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, that uses African cuisine and ingredients to help pr…

1
Selling Speculative Fiction 21:20

3+ y ago21:20

21:20

Host Oliver Brackenbury explores the world of sci-fi/ fantasy bookshops with Chris Szego, former manager of Bakka Phoenix Books, the oldest extant science fiction bookstore in North America. Links to some of the things mentioned in this episode: Bakka-Phoenex Bookstore The story of the LOTR Paperback Copyright Controversy “This Body's Not Big Enoug…

1
Dystopias & Utopias 37:43

3+ y ago37:43

37:43

York University's Professor Allan Weiss joins host Oliver Brackenbury for a discussion on the history of utopian and dystopian speculative fiction. Links to some of the things mentioned in this episode: Allan Weiss (http://www.yorku.ca/aweiss/) Thomas More's “Utopia” Platos “The Republic” H.G. Wells “The Time Machine” “The Machine Stops” by E. M. F…

1
Canadian Speculative Fiction 23:08

3+ y ago23:08

23:08

Toronto-born speculative writer Cory Doctorow talks with host Oliver Brackenbury about Canadian sci-fi, his mentors in the genre, and his current experiences as an ex-pat author living in America. Links to some of the things mentioned in this episode: Cory Doctorow BoingBoing Harold and the Purple Crayon Judith Merril Bakka-Phoenix Books Futurian H…

1
The Pulps 28:49

3+ y ago28:49

28:49

Neil Mechem, co-founder of Toronto's Fantastic Pulp Show takes host Oliver Brackenbury on a journey into the world of classic pulp magazines – a major source of inspiration for modern horror, science fiction, fantasy, comics, film & TV, and more! Links to some of the things mentioned in this episode: Too many titles mentioned to list, but we encour…

1
How iAfrika is Helping Local Public Libraries Bridge the Digital Language Divide | Grant McNulty & Dr. Lia Frederiksen 46:47

3+ y ago46:47

46:47

In this episode, I discuss the importance of public libraries in cities with Professor Lia Frederiksen. I also chat with Grant McNulty of McNulty Consulting the team behind iAfrika, a mobile-friendly platform that works with local libraries to help their communities create and distribute African language content. In this episode, you'll learn about…

1
Role-Playing Games & The Appendix N Reading List 48:19

3+ y ago48:19

48:19

Host Oliver Brackenbury explores the world of role playing games and the Appendix N reading list that inspired them with master gamer and commentator Jeff Goad. Links to some of the things mentioned in this episode: Spellburn Appendix N Cleave-Land Podcast The Appendix N Reading List Dungeon Crawl Classic Call of Cthulhu Monster Hearts RPG Vampire:…

1
LGBTQ+ Speculative Fiction 31:05

3+ y ago31:05

31:05

Host Oliver Brackenbury discusses queer sci-fi with Nebula Award-winning author Kelly Robson. Links to some of the things mentioned in this episode: Kelly Robinson Barrel Racing The Ozark Trilogy by Suzette Haden Elgin Woman on the Edge of Time by Marge PIercy The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K Le Guin “The Female Man” by Joanna Russ James Tiptr…

1
The Merril Collection of Science Fiction, Speculation & Fantasy 25:07

3+ y ago25:07

25:07

In this episode, host Oliver Brackenbury wanders the stacks of the Merril Collection with Services Specialist Annette Mocek and learns how acclaimed sci-fi writer Judith Merril transformed a small "Spaced Out Library" into one of the world's largest collections of genre fiction. Links to some of the things mentioned in this episode: The Merril Coll…

1
Teaser for Unknown Worlds of the Merril Collection 0:37

3+ y ago0:37

0:37

A tiny trailer for Unknown Worlds of the Merril Collection, where host Oliver Brackenbury interviews special guests about notable history and new frontiers in the worlds of science fiction, fantasy and horror as found in Toronto's Merril Collection, the Western Hemisphere's largest publicly accessible archive of genre materials. Produced by Chris D…

1
How Surf Ghana is Building the First Skatepark in Accra | Sandy Alibo 36:23

3+ y ago36:23

36:23

In this episode, I discuss a bit about the role of skateboarding and skateparks in city building. I chat with Sandy Alibo, the founder of Surf Ghana, a non-profit based in Accra, Ghana that transforms its communities by bringing youth together using the power of skateboarding and surfing. In this episode, you'll learn about: Surf Ghana's Freedom Sk…

1
Welcome to Urban Limitrophe 0:48

3+ y ago0:48

0:48

Urban Limitrophe is a podcast exploring the various initiatives happening in cities across the African continent to creatively solve problems, support their communities, create vibrant urban spaces, and build better cities overall. Tune in to catch interviews with various guests doing great work to change the future of their cities and get inspired…

1
Umberto Eco: The Name of the Rose 36:26

4y ago36:26

36:26

Works by Umberto Eco The Name of the Rose Foucault’s Pendulum The Prague Cemetery On the Shoulders of Giants Other Related Books or Materials Signs and Secrets: the Worlds of Umberto Eco (2013 documentary) Always Narrating: The Making and Unmaking of Umberto Eco (link opens a 2020 Los Angeles Review of Book article) The Man Who Loved Books: Intervi…

1
Austin Clarke: Sometimes, A Motherless Child 42:51

4y ago42:51

42:51

Works by Austin Clarke In This City They Never Told Me and Other Stories The Polished Hoe Other Related Books or Materials Odetta’s 1960 recording of “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child” (link opens a Youtube video) Austin Clarke’s Harlem (link opens part of a CBC audio documentary produced by Austin Clarke in 1963 about the Civil Rights Move…

1
Doris Lessing: Homage to the New Man 41:06

4y ago41:06

41:06

Works by Doris Lessing The Golden Notebook Stories by Doris Lessing The Grandmothers: Four Short Novels The Grass is Singing (ebook) Other Related Books or Materials Doris Lessing: A Biography by Carole Klein Doris Lessing: First Visit to Toronto (link opens a 1984 photo by Reg Innell, courtesy of Toronto Star Archives at Toronto Public Library) Do…

1
Eduardo Galeano: Memory of Fire 24:11

4y ago24:11

24:11

Works by Eduardo Galeano Memory of Fire Volume One: Genesis Memory of Fire Volume Two: Faces and Masks Memory of Fire Volume Three: Century of the Wind Children of the Days: A Calendar of Human History Soccer in Sun and Shadow Las venas abiertas de américa latina (ebook) Other Related Books or Materials The Pan American: The World of Eduardo Galean…

1
Angela Carter: Nights at the Circus 33:54

4y ago33:54

33:54

Works by Angela Carter Nights at the Circus The Bloody Chamber, Wise Children, Fireworks Writers Talk: Angela Carter with Lisa Appignanesi (evideo) The Infernal Desire Machines of Doctor Hoffman (ebook) Other Related Books or Materials Angela Carter: A Literary Life by Sarah Gamble Nights at the Circus is Feminist... (link opens an article from The…

1
Luisa Valenzuela: Love of Animals 18:19

4y ago18:19

18:19

Works by Luisa Valenzuela The Lizard’s Tail (print book) The Wanderer by Luisa Valenzuela, translated by Marguerite Feitlowitz (link opens a short story from The Brooklyn Rail's InTranslation) He Who Searches Latin American Literature Series (link opens Dalkey Archive Press site with two translated works - print on demand) Collections/Anthologies C…

1
Shelve Under: Book Club 43:23

4y ago43:23

43:23

Books and resources discussed in this episode: Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo The First Feminists: A Short Story by Bernardine Evaristo Bernardine Evaristo in conversation with Donna Bailey NurseBy Jason, Mike, Wendy, Eunice

1
Richard Wagamese: A Quality of Light 27:27

4y ago27:27

27:27

Works by Richard Wagamese A Quality of Light (ebook) One Drum: Stories and Ceremonies for a Planet (all formats) One Drum: Stories and Ceremonies for a Planet (audiobook) Starlight (ebook) Indian Horse Other Related Books or Materials Honouring Richard Wagamese (link opens a 2017 article from Indian Horse) Richard Wagamese’s final novel ‘a captivat…

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