This week's special guest is Melissa Gilbert; an Emmy-winning, Golden Globe-nominated actor, director, producer, and New York Times Best-Selling author. Melissa’s career began at the age of 2 appearing in commercials and guest spots. Melissa achieved iconic status by the age of 19 after a 10-year run on the television classic Little House On The Prairie where she played the role of Laura Ingalls Wilder. She has starred in over fifty television movies and feature films including The Miracle Worker, The Diary of Anne Frank and Splendor in the Grass. As an author, Melissa has penned four best-selling books; Prairie Tale: A Memoir (New York Times Best Seller) Daisy and Josephine, My Prairie Cookbook and Back To the Prairie: A Home Remade, A Life Rediscovered. Keep up with Melissa and listen to her podcast, The Knitty Gritty Podcast, on her website: https://www.modernprairie.com/.
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Melissa Gilbert and The Modern Prairie Life

THE JANN ARDEN PODCAST is a weekly show hosted by multi-talented Canadian icon Jann Arden alongside Caitlin Green and Sarah Burke. The self-titled podcast discusses the challenges, triumphs, and tribulations of everyday life. Every week, you can expect a relatable experience that explores what makes all humans authentically themselves with a variety of special guests including musicians, actors, politicians, writers, and athletes. New episodes publish every Friday!

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Rick Mercer is back to discuss their 'Will They or Won't They' tour and the joy of spreading "mirth" to audiences across Canada. They reflect on their favourite tour experiences and share some behind the scenes moments, including the misconception that Peter Mansbridge is traveling with them and doing the voiceover for their show from backstage. Jann and Rick discuss their on-stage dynamic and chemistry and the enjoyment they get from making people laugh, along with the importance of respect and kindness to eachother. They also discuss the changing landscape of television and the possibility of future projects together.
This week’s episode is brought to you by the home and auto insurance brand Canadians trust most, Intact Insurance.
In case you're not familiar with THE Rick Mercer; he is a Canadian comedian, television personality, political satirist and author. He is best known for his work on the CBC Television comedy shows This Hour Has 22 Minutes, Made In Canada and Rick Mercer Report. He is the author of four books all of which have been national best sellers. Mercer has received nearly 30 Gemini Awards and Canadian Screen awards for his work on television. His CBC Television special Talking To Americans remains the highest rated Canadian comedy special ever with 2.7 million viewers.
Rick holds Honorary Doctorates from Memorial University, Laurentian University, University of British Columbia, McMaster University, Bishop's University, Brock University and the University of Guelph. In 2014, he received Honorary Doctorates from the Royal Military Academy and from University of Western Ontario and York University.
He is on the board of directors of Historica Canada, an organization dedicated to promoting Canadian history, identity and citizenship. They are the "Heritage Minute" people. He is also a recipient of the Governor Generals Performing Arts Award for lifetime achievement and in 2014 was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada. He is a native of St. John's, Newfoundland.
Find out more about Rick Mercer: https://www.rickmercer.com/
Jann, Caitlin & Sarah also discuss their fabulous 'company dinner' this week at Gia (don't forget to check out Stefanos Sandwiches), and Caitlin tries to pull Jann further into reality television.
Keep sending your voicenotes in at www.jannardenpod.com (click the little red microphone at the bottom of the page) and have a great long weekend!
We are thrilled to be working with our friends at Intact Insurance again and they've got so many great tips for any Canadian long weekend HERE.
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Rick Mercer: Will They or Won't They?

This week, Jann Arden is home for only 24 hours between her tour with Rick Mercer, and a quick trip over the pond to England. They discuss routines and habits as Sarah is trying to kick her dependency on cannabis before bed, and she shares her experience so far going through an ADHD diagnosis. Caitlin pops in for a message for Mother's Day and Sarah and Jann wrap up reflecting about their relationships with their moms through different phases of life.
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On The Road Again

In this episode, Jann Arden, Caitlin Green and Sarah Burke speak to Lori Dyan, also known as Tarot Lori, a tarot card reader with 35 years of experience. They discuss the origins of Lori's interest in tarot, the misconceptions surrounding tarot reading, the popularity of moon rituals and the upcoming release of Lori's book, 'Burn Your Sh*t: The Life-Changing Magic of Rituals.'  The conversation highlights the importance of rituals and the role of tarot in providing guidance and empowerment. They explore the idea that humans have the potential to expand and be braver in their lives, and how rituals like tarot and astrology can help connect us. The conversation concludes with a tarot card reading for each of the hosts.
This week’s episode is brought to you by the home and auto insurance brand Canadians trust most—Intact Insurance.
A note from Lori on her upcoming book:
Rituals are routines infused with loving intention. The empowerment and unburdening they provide is immense and undeniable. Whether you’re releasing something (or someone) with a Full Moon ritual, elevating your morning skincare routine with a ceremony of self-love or celebrating a milestone moment, rituals can enrich—and even transform—your life. 
Burn Your Sh*t guides readers to discover what is possible (and the work that needs to be done) with rituals to help them step into their potential and make their own magic.
Full Moons are an opportunity to let go of limiting beliefs, negative self-talk or any other bad mojo that’s hanging around. Crystals can promote healing and boost manifesting. Sacred geometry offers ancient wisdom to amplify ambitions. Sleeping on top of intentions can turn your life around. 
You can easily customize rituals to meet you where you’re at in any given moment—from fuelling your body to finding your soulmate. With the right rituals, you can face challenges with clarity, connect to your inner wisdom and become the designer of your dreams. 
Find out more about Lori Dyan and her book:
https://www.tarotlori.com/
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Tarot Lori: Burn Your Sh*t

In this conversation, Jann Arden, Caitlin Green, and Sarah Burke discuss various topics including Jann's recent National Geographic show narrating the secrets of whales with a live symphony orchestra, the importance of animal advocacy, Taylor Swift's new album, and the challenges of being an artist. They also touch on the impact of social media and the future of Taylor Swift's career. They also touch on the TV show 'Hacks' and their love for the Toronto Maple Leafs (well some more than others, anyway).
This week’s episode is brought to you by the home and auto insurance brand Canadians trust most, Intact Insurance.
The conversation concludes with a segment on disability that picks up another perspective on our recent episode about medical assistance in dying (MAID) and the importance of listening to different perspectives. Our guest is Mitchell Tremblay, an advocate who’s fighting for a better future for all Canadians with disabilities
Mitchell has been in and out of hospitals since he was 17, diagnosed with social anxiety, generalized anxiety, PTSD and personality disorders. He was homeless by age 18 and has since been homeless 7 times. 
A note from Mitchell:
I am just one voice of many, at least 1.5 million Canadians with disabilities are in legislated poverty. We have advocates who've ended their lives. It's so hard to mobilize with mobility issues and protests are non existent yet we are the largest minority in Canada.
His single wish for those who have been unaware about this situation in Canada is to listen & learn, so we invite you to follow along with Mitchell and we thank him for joining us this week.
At 42 years old now, Mitchell is one of the strongest voices advocating for the disabled community. Mitchell wanted us to share the link to this Al Jazeera story with our audience, although he’s done many interviews about his experience:
https://youtu.be/cxqVaaBx3gg?si=ZptbjeteKfVYwEEY
Please find out more about Mitchell by following along with him on socials and giving a listen to his podcast where he speaks to people with disabilities from coast to coast about the state of disability in Canada and the lived realities of those impacted by broken systems.
-Jann, Caitlin & Sarah
The PWDcast episodes:
https://open.spotify.com/show/4NG7aOO1fjsq94VmRwvK1E
All interviews:
https://linktr.ee/odspoor
Read more about this topic in last week's budget announcement: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/national-disability-benefit-announced-federal-budget-1.7175828
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The Tortured Poets Podcast Department

This week's guest is the incredible Kate Bowler! She is a four-time New York Times bestselling author, award-winning podcast host, and an Associate Professor of American Religious History at Duke University.
This week’s episode is brought to you by the home and auto insurance brand Canadians trust most—Intact Insurance.
Jann and Kate discuss the importance of taking action in the face of challenges, the need for authentic conversations about grief, and the pressure to always be positive. They also touch on the topic of medically assisted dying and the complexities surrounding it. Kate Bowler shares her personal experiences with chronic pain and how it inspired her latest book, 'Have a Beautiful, Terrible Day,' which offers bite-sized reflections for navigating ups and downs in life. In this conversation, Kate Bowler discusses the challenges of navigating grief and supporting others in times of difficulty. They explore the concept of being overwhelmed by other people's problems and the need to set boundaries. They also discuss the role of religion and spirituality in coping with hardship and finding a sense of community. The conversation emphasizes the importance of vulnerability, love, and self-compassion in helping each other through tough times.
More about Kate Bowler:
Kate studies the cultural stories we tell ourselves about success, suffering, and whether (or not) we’re capable of change. She is the author of Blessed: A History of the American Prosperity Gospel and The Preacher’s Wife: The Precarious Power of Evangelical Women Celebrities. After being unexpectedly diagnosed with Stage IV cancer at age 35, she penned the New York Times bestselling memoir, Everything Happens for a Reason (and Other Lies I’ve Loved) and No Cure For Being Human (and Other Truths I Need to Hear). She has also co-written with Jessica Richie, spiritual reflections: Good Enough: 40ish Devotionals for a Life of Imperfection and The Lives We Actually Have: 100 Blessings for Imperfect Days. Kate’s most recent book, Have a Beautiful, Terrible Day! Daily Meditations for the Ups, Downs, and In-Betweens, is packed with bite-sized reflections and action-oriented steps to help you get through the day, be it good, bad, or totally mediocre. Kate hosts the award-winning Everything Happens podcast where, in warm, insightful, often funny conversations, she talks with people like Malcolm Gladwell and Beth Moore about what they’ve learned in difficult times. She lives in Durham, North Carolina with her family and continues to teach do-gooders at Duke Divinity School.
https://katebowler.com/
Watch Kate Bowler's Ted Talk 
Order her latest book Have a Beautiful Terrible Day: Daily Meditations For the Ups, Downs & In-Betweens 
Jann, Caitlin & Sarah also talked through some comments from listeners from last week's episode surrounding medically assisted death - stay tuned for next episode but here is the article that was referenced during this week's show:
https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/why-are-15-times-more-canadians-than-californians-choosing-assisted-death
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Melissa Gilbert and The Modern Prairie Life

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