Ink in the Blood: 40 Years of Satire with Cartoonist Kevin Tobin | #SpillingtheMeans

In this episode of #SpillingtheMeans, host Gerry Carew sits down with legendary Newfoundland and Labrador editorial cartoonist Kevin Tobin to discuss his remarkable 40-year career. With over 8,000 cartoons to his name, Kevin shares the stories behind his beautifully crafted retrospective book, "Fly on the Wall: The Best of Kevin Tobin", published by Breakwater Books. 

Episode Highlights:
The Origin of the Fly: Kevin explains how his signature "fly on the wall" motif started in the 1990s as a cheeky commentary on politicians, noting that flies naturally chase after garbage and political "BS".
Celebrity Encounters: Hear incredible behind-the-scenes stories about Kevin's interactions with notable figures, including broadcasting legend Bob Cole signing 40 prints of a commissioned portrait, and a hilarious bookstore meeting with Gordon Pinsent where the actor slipped right into his "Boris Becker" persona.
Early Controversies: Kevin recounts a 1985 cartoon featuring Tina Turner, Mick Jagger, and Live Aid that provoked open-line radio callers and nearly ended his career before it even began.
The KT Signature: Discover how a professional photographer's unique signing style inspired Kevin's distinct "KT" bracketed signature on his cartoons.

Support Our Sponsor:
A big thank you to our sponsor, **Wordsworth Gifting**. If you want to move beyond generic corporate gifts, Wordsworth Gifting offers curated book collections that let your recipients choose their own read—providing personalized marketing with a real social impact.

Connect with Kevin Tobin:
You can find Kevin on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn under the name Kevin Tobin or KT Creative. Be sure to pick up your copy of "Fly on the Wall" at Breakwater Books on Duckworth Street, Chapters, or Coles. 

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Timestamps or Chapters:
00:18 - Sponsor Message:A word from Wordsworth Gifting about their curated book collections.
00:45 - Episode Intro:Gerry introduces Kevin and reads the emotional dedication from his new retrospective book, Fly on the Wall.
4:58 - Early Beginnings:Kevin introduces himself and discusses starting his cartooning journey at age 14 in Stephenville.
6:45 - The "Gang" Series:Kevin talks about publishing his first 10 books of editorial cartoons between 1992 and 2000.
10:02 - Inherited Talent: Kevin shares how his mother's artistic abilities inspired him to start drawing when he was just a baby.
12:02 - Drawing as a Superpower: Using his art skills to draw superheroes and avoid childhood bullying.
14:43 - The Bob Cole Portrait:The story behind painting the legendary broadcaster and having him sign 40 individual prints.
18:18 - "The hand has a memory":Kevin explains how sketching people allows him to instantly recognize their faces in public.
20:43 - Meeting Justin Trudeau:A surprising encounter where Kevin told the future Prime Minister about a cartoon he drew of Pierre Trudeau.
24:39 - Tribute Cartoons:The thought process behind memorializing figures like Ray Guy and Mary Pratt, and why he never includes his signature fly in these pieces.
26:41- Early Controversies: How a 1985 cartoon featuring Tina Turner, Mick Jagger, and Live Aid provoked angry callers and nearly ended his career.
31:27 - Dual Identities:How Kevin separated his day job as a graphic designer from his edgy persona as an editorial cartoonist.
32:13 - The "KT" Signature:How the branding of 1970s professional photographers inspired his distinct bracketed signature.
36:03 - A Day in the Life:Kevin outlines his typical Monday routine, dealing with deadlines, and bouncing ideas off creative writers.
41:42 - Family First: Kevin discusses semi-retirement and putting his pencils down when his grandchildren are visiting.
48:01 - The Gordon Pinsent Encounter:The hilarious, multi-part story of a phone call with Gordon Pinsent that culminated in the actor slipping into his "Boris Becker" character at Chapters.
54:48 - 8000 Cartoons:Kevin reflects on the sheer volume of his 40-year body of work.
1:00:55 - Origin of the Fly:The true meaning behind his "fly on the wall" motif and how it started as a commentary on political "BS".
1:02:30 - Pandemic Portrait:The story behind creating a highly detailed, colourful self-portrait to pass the time during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This special in-person edition of #SpillingtheMeans ia a deep-dive conversation with journalist and author Alex Bill. Breaking away from the usual "read and react" format, this episode features a face-to-face sit-down with the man who lived the story, providing a tangible look at the effort required to document a life as complex as his father’s.

In this wide-ranging discussion, Alex Bill explores the dual nature of his latest project: a meticulously researched biography of his father, Roger Bill. The conversation covers:

The Business of News: Alex discusses his role as editor of *All Newfoundland Labrador* and how their subscription-based model thrives in a struggling industry.
The Draft Resistor Experience: A look at Roger’s journey from a Republican upbringing in Indiana to becoming a fugitive in Canada during the Vietnam War.
The Activist Legacy:The fascinating history of how Roger and a group of architects fought "Plan 91" to save downtown St. John’s from being gutted by a four-lane highway.
A Son’s Perspective: The challenge of maintaining journalistic objectivity while uncovering emotional family letters and exploring the flaws and successes of a local media icon.

0:00 Introduction
0:18 Sponsor: Biblio Gifting
0:46 Interview begins with Alex Bill
1:20 Alex Bill's background in journalism
2:13 The business model of All Newfoundland Labrador
3:51 The decline of print vs. digital security
5:08 Growing up in a house of journalists
5:55 From law school back to the newsroom
6:48 The role of luck in a career
7:40 The effort of writing a 86,000-word biography
9:39 Interviewing a "difficult" subject: Roger Bill
10:48 Balancing son vs. journalist perspectives
11:56 The emotional letter Roger wrote to his father
13:10 Impact of the Vietnam War and the draft
15:14 Roger's Republican roots in Indiana
17:41 Living as a fugitive and secret U.S. visits
19:40 Researching draft resistors in Newfoundland
22:36 Newfoundland's unique affinity for Americans
24:32 Plan 91: Saving downtown St. John's from a highway
26:13 Why Roger Bill made Newfoundland his home

Buy the book on Amazon here:
https://www.amazon.ca/Dangerously-Close-Contempt-Journalisms-Unrepentant/dp/1738353664

How Harry Steele Built a Newfoundland Empire at 49 | Spilling the Means

Is it ever too late to build an empire? On our premiere episode of Spilling the Means, hosts Gerry Carew and Wayne Howlett dive into the fascinating biography of Newfoundland business legend Harry Steele: The Commander.

From growing up in isolated Musgrave Harbour to mortgaging his house at age 45 to buy a failing airline, Harry Steele’s journey is a masterclass in risk, leadership, and recognizing value where others see a lost cause. We discuss his turnaround of Eastern Provincial Airways (EPA), the incredible business mind of his wife Catherine Steele, his unlikely friendship with Craig Dobin, and the controversial reason he preferred not to hire golfers!

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a history buff, or just looking for some serious motivation, this episode is packed with lessons on how to build, scale, and lead.

A huge thank you to our sponsor, Biblio Gifting! Move beyond generic corporate gifts with curated book collections that let your recipients choose their own read. Perfect for personalized marketing with real social impact. Check them out: https://www.bibliogifting.com/

👇 Navigate the Episode:

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and let us know in the comments: what was your biggest takeaway from The Commander's story?

Timestamps

0:00 - Intro & Sponsor (Biblio Gifting)
0:46 - Welcome & Introducing "The Commander" Biography
1:31 - Harry Steele’s Superpower: Recognizing Value
4:16 - Starting an Empire at Age 49
6:47 - Early Mentorship: "I Sold for Cash" vs. "I Sold for Credit"
8:36 - Military Lessons: Secrecy, Listening, & Leadership
13:00 - The Eastern Provincial Airways (EPA) Turnaround
19:33 - Banning Smoking on Planes to Cut Costs
23:21 - Risking It All: Mortgaging the House at 45
28:06 - The EPA Pilot Strike & Management Style
32:34 - Expanding the Empire: Clarke Transport & Halterm
34:32 - The Media Play: Newspapers, Radio, & Conrad Black
39:07 - Catherine Steele: The Driving Force Behind the Albatross Hotel
44:36 - Craig Dobbin: A Friendship of Polar Opposites
49:19 - Fishing Lodges, Work Ethic, & Why He Didn't Hire Golfers
55:44 - Harry the Man: Kinetic Energy & Final Thoughts
1:01:27 - Sponsor Shoutout (Biblio Gifting) & Outro

Conversations about Inspiring Biographies.
Why Biographies? Because Every Great Journey Leaves a Map. 🗺️
We are thrilled to announce the launch of Spilling the Means.
Joined by my longtime friend and business school classmate, Wayne Howlett, we’re diving deep into the lives of Canada’s most impactful figures. We aren't just reading stories; we’re "spilling the means"—uncovering the tools, mindsets, and lessons that turned ordinary lives into extraordinary legacies.
In a world full of noise, we wanted to create a space for high-signal, positive conversations. Our goal? To find mentorship in the pages of Canadian books.
What to expect:
* 🇨🇦 A focus on Canadian icons leading off with two of Newfoundland and Labrador’s most iconic entrepreneurs.
* 📚 Monthly deep dives into definitive biographies.
* 💡 Raw, unscripted takeaways on entrepreneurship and leadership.
Our first deep dive: The Commander: The Life and Times of Harry Steele.
#SpillingTheMeans #Entrepreneurship #Biographies #CanadianBusiness #Leadership #NewPodcast

If you would like to contact us reach out to [email protected]