EPISODE 27: MUSIC MAN ALAN CROSS

alan-cross-croppedAlan Cross is a broadcasting legend, music historian, and creator of The Ongoing History of New Music. And Alan’s been schooling Barry on music since the latter was a child. We spoke with Alan about hitting clubs on Yonge and Queen in the 80s, birthing one of the best music shows ever, and getting fired and rehired by a media giant. We also talked about how the market forced Indie88 and Edge102 to play the same homogenous shit, how the Trickle Down theory is good for musicians, and why Toronto is the key to Canada’s music future.

EPISODE 12: ACTIVIST AND WRITER DESMOND COLE

me and jerry on white privilege2Desmond Cole is project coordinator at City Vote and a staff writer for Torontoist. Most notably, Desmond covered the Ferguson protests following a grand jury’s choice not to indict white police officer Darren Wilson in the killing of black youth Michael Brown. We spoke with Desmond about the resolve of Ferguson’s protestors, whether it’s possible to be an objective reporter in the face of tragedy, and how many people can’t seem to admit that they’re scared of black people. Desmond also talked about how blogging led to his career in journalism, Toronto’s denial of its own systemic racism, and still, why Hogtown is an amazing place.

EPISODE 4: MAN OF MEDIA CHRIS BERUBE

Chris (2)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).