This was the second show I ever did, and let me tell you, it was a thrill to be able to talk to someone as amazing and (frankly) popular as Madeleine Thien. She had just won the Giller for Do Not Say We Have Nothing. This fledgling program was not on anyone’s radar yet, so I felt that having her name on E02 would help me garner more guests. It probably did help, but more importantly, Madeleine was wonderful and even took the time to speak to me when she was in Hamilton for her event. I was new to this world; she helped me feel more comfortable in it.