Shed Dogs

Most widely known for her 2018 run at becoming Mayor of Vancouver, KJ’s family friend Shauna Sylvester is an award-winning thinker and social analyst. She shares with us her inspiring and insightful thoughts on poverty, the housing crisis, what leadership is and is not, which local leaders are making a difference, and much more. If you’ve ever wanted to clarify your thoughts on what kind of leaders you want or the kinds of things we can do to improve our collective lot, this is your episode. Take some time with it. Watch the video. Talk to your friends and loved ones. It’s worth it.

Links: Shed Dogs; the YouTube version of this episode is about 15 minutes longer and includes a bit more about the McNulty / Sylvester family associations; Shauna’s role at SFU; the SFU Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue; the Burnaby Mayor’s Task Force on Community Housing; Shauna’s campaign policies in the 2018 Vancouver municipal election; BC’s COVID politicians; the Downtown East Side; Shauna is interviewed about democracy in Canada; Studio 58 at Langara.

Theme music by Voodoo Jazz!

As you listen to our dynamic and energy packed episodes, it’s easy to assume we are always on the go, never sitting down, constantly pursuing information and entertainment. Here in Episode 112, we reveal our more relaxed side, and share what we’re enjoying on Netflix and YouTube, how to locate programs you’ve heard about, theories on what makes a great action movie, and more. We also get to read great listener feedback on recent episodes. So take a load off, maybe get a favourite beverage, and take a moment to hear what your fellow Doggites are thinking and pick up viewing tips into the bargain!

Links: Shed Dogs; John Wick; Space Sweepers; read in wonder KJ’s Wikipedia page; Balthazar (use your browser’s language translation skilz); justwatch.com/ca; Vincenzo; Billie Eilish doc; Meghan talks to Oprah; The Crown; Scotty Kilmer’s YouTube channel; the 100-ton gun.

In a time traveling episode spanning a full month, the Dogs of the (virtual) Shed go over a lot of thoughtful and entertaining listener mail, ask for help with inventing new words and playing solitaire, and worry about the stab-in-the-back myth. Things are looking up! In the Spring an old dog's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of vaccination—fancy passing a little time waiting with us? Red jack on the black queen!

Links: Shed Dogs; current BC vaccine schedule; the stab-in-the-back myth; solitaire.

Theme music by Voodoo Jazz!

Honestly, we started out talking about serious stuff like how we’d rule our private islands and what’s been going on with the stock market lately. We talked about finding old letters we sent and received back in the dawn of our time, and how they’re a cool look back into who we were, or maybe still are. It was all going so well, and then somehow we drifted into...pickup trucks and imploding pianos. Now our lives are upside down. Have a listen, but be warned: it could be life changing.

Links: Shed Dogs; rayon; artificiality; Guy Garvey & Rachael Stirling episode of theBunk Bed podcast; GameStop.

We received great responses on the episode with MP Mumilaaq Qaqqaq, so we share them here, along with a first exposure for KJ and RJ to “Gone with the Wind”, a tip on how to be notified about email ID theft, and our thoughts on Twitter bans and those pesky half-awake dreams. Nothing here should disturb your days or nights, so tune in and listen on, Garth. Back in the day, toasters could fly!

Links: Shed Dogs; Mumilaaq Qaqqaq; Moments with Mumilaaq; Twitter suspensions; Choral Society of Durham Holiday Concert 2020; haveibeenpwned?; toasters.

This very special episode features a conversation with Mumilaaq Qaqqaq, the NDP MP for Nunavut. We touch on a wide range of issues and topics focused on life in the territory, its differences, challenges, problems, and joys. Listen to this committed, people-focused parliamentarian talk about her work, her constituents, and her colleagues and leader in the NDP, as well as some of the ups and downs involved in representing Nunavut and being a young female indigenous MP. It’s food for thought and a call to action. We hope you enjoy special theme music by permission from Nunavut-born songwriter Becky Han, as well. Come along for the commute without leaving your chair!

Links: Shed Dogs; this episode on YouTube; Mumilaaq Qaqqaq; Baker Lake; the sled dog slaughter; Mumilaaq’s housing tour; impacts of banning/limiting the seal trade; the Qikitani Truth Commission (FAQ); Becky Han; have a walk around the Sanikiluaq Street View; full tracks of this episode’s opening music and closing music.

It’s more of the arts this week, as KJ chats about his recent online performance in the National Arts Council’s “The Little Red Warrior and His Lawyer”, and we provide our review of “Nate - a One Man Show” on Netflix. After loading up on all that culture we get the pleasure of reading a ton of Listener Mail (always a favourite activity in the Shed), difficult vaccination choices for RJ, and a smattering of reminiscences. You can’t get 193 years of life in one room without some reminiscences, let’s face it. So come along, enjoy our new Voodoo Jazz podcast music, and have a few laughs!

Links: Shed Dogs; Little Red Warrior and His Lawyer; Nate - A One Man Show; Puddles Pity Party doing “Royals”.

Thanks to Voodoo Jazz for our title music.

Jesse of Montreal completes his visit with the Dogs, discussing how one learns French on the fly, neighbourhood notoriety, and how to engage with believers of all sorts. Naturally we propose solutions for the political problems of the day, and have a bunch of fun receiving and discussing podcast production and content advice from a pro like Jesse. As a bonus we hear a couple of clips from his band Voodoo Jazz, learn who’s behind those classic mid-2000s Canadian Tire Guy ads (spoiler: Jesse), and confirm that the tales of playing cruise ships and jazz venues are true! Long live the Pragmatic Party! Long live the Hockey Party!

Links: Shed Dogs; Voodoo Jazz—Dig!; Canadian Tire ads Jesse was involved with (mid-2000s)—stubby gear wrench, (potentially exploding) rotary tool, compressor system (filmed in winter), motor oil (filmed in summer); raw Roller Derby footage from Jesse and partner’s first attempt at a film (that’s Jesse at 0:08 holding the camera and filming the team captain).

You can also watch this episode on YouTube. However, the audio version is tighter and includes some great clips from Voodoo Jazz. The YouTube version does include the actual Canadian Tire ads as they are discussed, but we’ve provided links to them above anyway.

The Shed Dogs hold forth with special guest Jesse of Montreal in this first of two fun-filled episodes! This week we cover Jesse’s Karen missive, career non-planning, how to stage a zoom session, life on the campaign trail with Jack Layton, and what life as a cruise ship musician is really like (along with heavy classism with respect to some of the other jobs on the ship). Now we know all about those big freezers on board. Ship him to Greece and party on Winifred!

Links: Shed Dogs; this episode on YouTube; The Larry Sanders Show; cruise ships crew; Avenue8 (Jesse’s business); Jack Layton’s 2006 campaign.

It’s tough to adequately express the relief of leaving 2020 behind and heading into a New Year, but be assured your Shed Dogs are very happy to be giving it a try. We have some fun with PJ’s latest sure-fire money making ideas, offer some solid gold movie and actor recommendations, hear how much KJ is enjoying “Glee”, but what we really do, and bring you along to do, is open our arms wide to welcome 2021! At the same time, we apologize in advance for leaving you verklempt.

Re RJ’s PSA on switching phone providers: be sure you’re not in a contract with your current provider before switching. Also, avoid contracts, as they always seem to save you money but almost never do.

Links: Shed Dogs; this episode on YouTube; a toilet in the shower stall; switching phone providers; fixing treasured hair looms; The Crown Season One; Ted Lasso; Glee; Right Now, Wrong Then; Dogville; Spy; swallowed by a whale!; The Sit-In (Belafonte); Auld Lang Syne (performed by Dougie Maclean); Auld Lang Syne (performed by Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians).