Morgan Baskin is a Corktown resident who ran for mayor of Toronto when she was 18 years old. Morgan’s 19 now, and though she didn’t win the election, she’s still committed to making Hogtown a better place. Morgan spoke with us about protesting Mike Harris as a toddler, overnight fame, and how being a public servant is anything but private. She also talked about how she hates issue-based campaigns, debating Doug and Olivia, and what she plans on doing now that the circus has left town.
Category Archives: EXTRAS
EPISODE 9: AUTHOR STEPHEN MARCHE
Stephen Marche is a columnist at Esquire, novelist, and doctor of Early Modern Drama. He’s written about sex, hockey, and Megan Fox, among many things. Stephen spoke with us about his lifelong obsession with the novel, being labelled a misogynist and idiot, and why writing is not for whiners. He also talked about how Americans could give two shits about the CBC, why writing fiction takes courage, and Toronto’s future. (It won’t be boring.)
EPISODE 8: WRITER JOHN SEMLEY
John Semley is a freelance writer living in West Queen West. The former city editor of the A.V. Club Toronto, his writing has appeared in the Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, and The Walrus. John and Barry also share the same barber. John spoke with us about why he hates self-identifying as a writer, reading for pain and pleasure, and The Onion‘s failure in Hogtown. He also talked about the fine line between being an asshole and a contrarian, NOW Magazine’s knack for survival, and why you don’t have to leave Toronto to be successful.
STATE OF THE PODCAST: SHIT’S GOOD
Hi, Hogtonians. Thanks for showing up.
After nearly a decade of shoving needles into the crotch of my Rob Ford Voodoo doll, I now find myself at an ethical crossroad. I am at once empowered by my adolescent foresight, and troubled by the notion that my rage may have somehow rippled the spiritual universe of moral cause and effect.
But who really gives a fuck?
Response to the show has been great. I have no idea who’s listening, but it’s happening. Episode 7 with Brittany Allen has gotten a shitzillion listens by my standards, and the shock is only now beginning to dissipate. People have contacted me on Twitter and Facebook telling me how much they like the show, and it feels good.
We’ve got great guests lined up. I can’t say who they are right now, but a lot of them are women; great women, smart, talented ones that effect (and affect) Toronto in big ways. So far, the podcast has been male-dominated. But when you’re a young man with miniscule social reach and codependency issues, you stick with what you know. I’m working on it!
Anyway, thanks again. I can’t wait for what’s next.
Love,
Barry.
EPISODE 7: ACTRESS BRITTANY ALLEN
Brittany Allen is an actress, singer, and entertainer. She’s starred in All My Children, and appeared in numerous films and TV shows. And she graduated from Barry’s favourite circus, the Etobicoke School of the Arts. Brittany spoke with us about growing up in Scarborough, acting as therapy, and how Mirvish Productions can break hearts. She also talked about winning an Emmy, the ordeal of auditions, and the joy of rediscovering her hometown.
EPISODE 6: THE FILM BUFF’S SCOTT WORSLEY
Scott Worsley is the co-owner of The Film Buff, one of Toronto’s premiere movie stores, and gem on the Roncesvalles strip. When Barry heard that The Film Buff East at Queen and Greenwood was shutting down, he had to speak with Scott and pay tribute to an institution that had given so much joy to Hogtown cinephiles. Scott spoke with us about opening his small business all those years ago, curating Toronto’s best film collection, and the virtues of art house entertainment. He also talked about championing a more personal retail experience, whether Toronto deserves to call itself a movie town, and why we need a Toronto-Montreal film summit.
WELCOME TO THE INTERMISSION
Hello Hogtonians. Thanks for showing up.
Though I promised otherwise, the podcast has and will be on break for the next few weeks. As some of you (Mom and Bronson) know, I own a parallel identity as a proletariat lackey. This mistress lifestyle pays the bills, but affords me sparse time to update the podcast and entertain you good folk.
Having typed that, I have some great episodes in the bank, and some great guests on the horizon. I can’t tell you about the latter category at the risk of jinxing their happening, but they’ll be good. Think Toronto film, music, and general fun.
And we still have the first five episodes to listen to. I’m so happy that they’re up, and happier still that friends and strangers have seemingly enjoyed them. Like I said, I started this thing, because I love listening to interviews, but more importantly, I wanted to exercise my muscle as a conversationalist; to become a better listener and a more insightful speaker. That I can listen to old episodes without shoving a fork in my crotch means I’ve done something good!
Immeasurable thanks again go out to Shannon Jager for designing this website, Chris MacDonald for drawing the logo, Bronson Allen for cutting the trailer, Sam White for being an all-round G, and all of my giving guests.
So please: Follow us on Twitter, Like us on Facebook, subscribe to us on iTunes (the kinks are still being kinked out here, but whatever), tell your friends about the podcast, and visit this website early and often.
Thanks and love,
Barry.
EPISODE 5: ENTREPRENEUR BRUCE CROXON
Bruce Croxon is Managing Partner of Round13 Capital and a former star of CBC’s Dragons’ Den. A Scarborough boy, Bruce co-founded Lavalife, a company that pioneered online dating and social media. And aside from being the most successful person that Barry’s interviewed, Bruce is a pretty happy guy. He spoke with us about growing up in a mixed race family, dealing with loss, and how being ethical makes you money. Bruce also talked about why he would be a bad mayor, the uncertainty of Tinder, and fighting off retirement.
EPISODE 4: MAN OF MEDIA CHRIS BERUBE
Chris Berube is an associate producer for CBC Radio’s Q and host of The Walrus Podcast. He’s also worked for The Grid, the Globe and Mail, Radiolab, and NPR. And he’s the former president of Humberside Collegiate Institute’s student body. Chris spoke with us about interviewing George Clinton, surviving the unpaid intern circuit, and what makes a great podcast. He also talked about working on one of North America’s most renowned radio programs, and the unknown future of journalism in Toronto (and everywhere else).
EPISODE 3: POET MICHAEL LISTA
Michael Lista is a poet, columnist for the National Post, and the poetry editor at The Walrus. The Montreal Gazette called Michael a “brilliant, erudite new voice on the Canadian poetry scene,” and Barry called him, “a great host who got me drunk during our podcast interview.” Michael’s book The Scarbourough, due out in September, is a collection of poems that takes place during the weekend Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka abducted Kristin French. Michael spoke with us about the agony and ecstasy of the ‘burbs, Biggie vs. Tupac, and being called a literary rapist. He also talked about aesthetic theory and what he’d say to the “Ken and Barbie Killers” if given the chance.
Hogtown Talks 