This week, Steve and Diana talk to correspondent and producer for ‘Full Frontal with Samantha Bee,’ Allana Harkin! Allana talks about her love of her hometown, Hamilton, producing Full Frontal while on a boat during the pandemic, and why Canada needs its own late-night talk show.

Allana shines the spotlight on Indigenous fashion designer and model, Lesley Hampton, who not only dressed Allana for The Emmys but has been endorsed by the musician Lizzo! Lesley explains how she started her first fashion line before finishing design school at George Brown, why ‘slow fashion’ is so important, and why her company is working to shift how the fashion industry can affect mental health issues. 

To learn more about Allana Harkin, follow her on Twitter and Instagram @allanaharkin. Check out Full Frontal with Samantha Bee here: https://www.tbs.com/shows/full-frontal-with-samantha-bee

And to learn more about Indigenous fashion designer Lesley Hampton, check out her website: https://lesleyhampton.com/

Photo credit: Billie Chiasson (for Lesley Hampton’s promotional photo)

HOST: Steve Patterson (Twitter: @patterballs)

PRODUCER & CO-HOST: Diana Frances (Twitter @dianafrancesvan)

TECHNICAL PRODUCER: Donovan Deschner from Fracture A Femur Productions (www.fractureafemur.com)

MUSIC BY: Imagine Sound Studios (www.imaginesoundstudios.com)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Steve and Diana chat with Diana’s favourite Canadian musician (Sorry Jim Cuddy, but you haven’t yet returned her calls), Dan Mangan. Dan explains how the pandemic forced his company Side Door Access (www.sidedooraccess.com) to pivot from being the Airbnb of venues to an online platform for artists to connect with virtual audiences. He talks about his goal of 100,000 artists making $100,000 a year, as well as his cover tunes album called ‘Thief’ and why he’s passionate about helping other white Canadians educate themselves on Indigenous issues.

Dan introduces us to the Vancouver based powerhouse musician and composer and his neighbour - Veda Hille. Veda shares how she first collaborated with Dan on the song ‘The Indie Queens are Waiting’ - thanks to owing his sister money and she discusses her new autobiographical show, ‘Little Volcano’ - which combines her own songs with the music of Bach. 

To learn more about Dan Mangan and Side Door Access, check out the websites www.sidedooraccess.com and www.danmanganmusic.com

You can also follow Dan on Twitter and Instagram @danmanganmusic

And to learn more about Veda Hille and her new show Little Volcano, go to www.vedahille.com. To hear Nicholas Krgovich’s album of Veda Hille cover songs, check out: https://nicholaskrgovich.bandcamp.com/album/this-spring-songs-by-veda-hille-2

You can also follow Veda on Twitter @vedahille and on Instagram @loveyoulikealion

HOST: Steve Patterson (Twitter: @patterballs)

PRODUCER & CO-HOST: Diana Frances (Twitter @dianafrancesvan)

TECHNICAL PRODUCER: Donovan Deschner from Fracture A Femur Productions (www.fractureafemur.com)

MUSIC BY: Imagine Sound Studios (www.imaginesoundstudios.com)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Steve & Diana chat with Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi, who was awarded the ‘World Mayor Prize’ in 2014. Mayor Nenshi talks about how he got talked into politics by trying to talk other people into politics. He also tells us why his political colour is purple, and how his post Mayoral life will include ‘Seva’ - selfless acts of service - and finally watching Game of Thrones.

Mayor Nenshi introduces us to Calgary actor, podcaster, producer and filmmaker, Griffin Cork. Griffin is part of a new generation of young people who are changing the way we think about theatre and film in Western Canada. Griffin is embarking on the second season of his web series called, ‘Abracadavers’ and spills the beans about hosting a daily podcast with his equally talented and artistic mother, Karen Johnson-Diamond.

To learn more about Mayor Nenshi you can go to the City of Calgary’s website https://www.calgary.ca/citycouncil/mayor.html or follow him on Twitter and Instagram @nenshi

And to learn more about Griffin Cork, you can visit his website at http://www.griffincork.com, listen to his podcast ‘The Breakfast Dish’ https://thebreakfastdish.buzzsprout.com/ or follow him on on Twitter and Insa @griffincork

HOST: Steve Patterson (Twitter: @patterballs)

PRODUCER & CO-HOST: Diana Frances (Twitter @dianafrancesvan)

TECHNICAL PRODUCER: Donovan Deschner from Fracture A Femur Productions (www.fractureafemur.com)

MUSIC BY: Imagine Sound Studios (www.imaginesoundstudios.com)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Steve and Diana chat with Emmy award-winning actor Annie Murphy! Annie admits how nervous she was on the first day of shooting Schitt’s Creek, how her mother boldly asked Fred Penner to be in her short film, and how tapping into her dark side was smashingly therapeutic on her new AMC series, ‘Kevin Can F*ck Himself.’

Annie introduces us to her best friend and incredibly talented Shakespearean actor, Antoine Yared. Antoine spills the tea on his long-term friendship with Annie and talks about what it was like to learn how to speak English at 16 and then be the first Lebanese actor to play Romeo at the Stratford Festival only a few years later.

To learn more about Annie Murphy you can follow her on the socials at: @annefrances and to learn more about Antoine Yared, follow him on Insta @Ant1.ya

HOST: Steve Patterson (Twitter: @patterballs)

PRODUCER & CO-HOST: Diana Frances (Twitter @dianafrancesvan)

TECHNICAL PRODUCER: Donovan Deschner from Fracture A Femur Productions (www.fractureafemur.com)

MUSIC BY: Imagine Sound Studios (www.imaginesoundstudios.com)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Steve and Diana chat with Canadian improv legend and nicest human alive, Colin Mochrie, who regales them with the tale of his worst gig ever, and how he knows that Peter Mansbridge packs a strong punch. Colin shares the spotlight with his incredibly talented wife, Deb McGrath, who explains how she met the Queen of England, and why she chose to step back from her career to raise Kinley Mochrie - who just happens to be our third guest! That’s right! It’s a three episode treat! Kinley is a rising acting star and trans activist who may or may not be responsible for the drum kit in Colin’s office.

To learn more about Colin Mochrie you can check him out at www.colinmochrie.com or follow him on the socials at:

Twitter & Facebook @ColinMochrie

Insta: @colinmochrie7591

And to learn more about Deb McGrath, follow her on Insta @debmcgrathics.

And to learn more about Kinley Mochrie, you can find her on Twitter and Insta @kinleymochrie

HOST: Steve Patterson (Twitter: @patterballs)

PRODUCER & CO-HOST: Diana Frances (Twitter @dianafrancesvan)

TECHNICAL PRODUCER: Donovan Deschner from Fracture A Femur Productions (www.fractureafemur.com)

MUSIC BY: Imagine Sound Studios (www.imaginesoundstudios.com)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Steve and Diana chat with Canadian sketch comedy royalty, Bruce McCulloch of Kids in the Hall. Bruce talks about what it’s like to be back together again for the Amazon reboot of Kids in the Hall, how writing for SNL created his lifelong commitment to KITH and why he develops new sketch talent with groups like TallBoyz and the featured guests he introduces us to, Folk Lordz.

Todd Houseman & Ben Gorodetsky started as an improv duo called Folk Lordz in Edmonton and quickly pivoted to creating digital sketches that reflect their urban-Indigenous and Russian-Jewish-Canadian roots. Their absurd and darkly satirical 18-part sketch series caught the eye of Bruce McCulloch and we’re thrilled he introduced them to us and the world!

To learn more about Bruce McCulloch follow him on the socials at:

Twitter @BrucioMcCulloch

And to learn more about Folk Lordz, check out their website at: www.folklordz.com

To watch the sketch ‘Statues’ references in the interview, click on this! The Statue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGBDjT__sJo

Twitter: @folklordz Instagram: @folklordz

HOST: Steve Patterson (Twitter: @patterballs)

PRODUCER & CO-HOST: Diana Frances (Twitter @dianafrancesvan)

TECHNICAL PRODUCER: Donovan Deschner from Fracture A Femur Productions (www.fractureafemur.com)

MUSIC BY: Imagine Sound Studios (www.imaginesoundstudios.com)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Steve and Diana chat with none other than Olympic legend, Silken Laumann. Not only did Silken overcome a near career-ending injury to go on to win an Olympic medal, but her memoir ‘Unsinkable’ has helped demystify issues around mental health and spawned her new non-profit, ‘We Are Unsinkable.’

Find out the story behind her incredibly unique name, how opening up about her own mental health issues has inspired others and how she stacks up against Diana when it comes to speed-typing.

Silken shares the spotlight with 15-year-old youth activist Arissa Roy, who is not only an ambassador for ‘We Are Unsinkable,’ but she has started ‘Project Power Global’ which fights for access for education to alleviate poverty.

To learn more about Silken Laumann and the work of 'We Are Unsinkable' check out:

www.WeAreUnsinkable.com

Twitter @Unsinkable Instagram @unsinkablestories

And to learn more about the work Arissa Roy is doing, check out:

https://www.projectpowerglobal.org

Twitter: @itsarissaroy Instagram: @arissa_roy

HOST: Steve Patterson (Twitter: @patterballs)

PRODUCER & CO-HOST: Diana Frances (Twitter @dianafrancesvan)

TECHNICAL PRODUCER: Donovan Deschner from Fracture A Femur Productions (www.fractureafemur.com)

MUSIC BY: Imagine Sound Studios (www.imaginesoundstudios.com)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 This week, Steve and Diana chat with one of their favourite Canadian Sarahs - none other than Juno and Canadian Screen Award-winning singer-songwriter, Sarah Slean!

Fresh off having a new baby, getting nominated for a Juno AND her first Canadian Screen Award (spoiler alert - she won!) Sarah talks about how she found out about her latest Juno nomination while in her housecoat scrubbing her kitchen floor, why she is running to become a leader at SOCAN, plus she inadvertently gives a lot of plugs for Side Door Access.

Sarah rolls out the red carpet for Iranian-Canadian actor turned political hopeful Ali Momen who has put his successful acting career on hold in order to run for the Ontario Liberal nomination in Parkdale-High Park. Coincidentally, where Steve lives! Ali shares his experience being an immigrant to Canada and having his first McChicken, why providing affordable childcare is so important to the economy and why we need to have an artistic vision in today’s politics.

To learn more about what Sarah Slean is up to, go to www.sarahslean.com

Twitter @sarahslean

Instagram @sarahslean

And to learn more about Ali Momen, check him out here: www.alimomen.ca

Twitter: @alimomen

Instagram: @alimomen

HOST: Steve Patterson (Twitter: @patterballs)

PRODUCER & CO-HOST: Diana Frances (Twitter @dianafrancesvan)

TECHNICAL PRODUCER: Donovan Deschner from Fracture A Femur Productions (www.fractureafemur.com)

MUSIC BY: Imagine Sound Studios (www.imaginesoundstudios.com)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our inaugural episode features Canadian comedy legend and Order of Canada member Rick Mercer. Rick shares stories about making television in Canada, meeting President Obama, and how it was so easy to get content for Talking To Americans, that he and his producers got to see a LOT of afternoon baseball games. Plus, a surprise tidbit about Jack Layton’s bedroom!

Rick shines the spotlight on fellow stand-up comedian Sophie Buddle, the first woman to win a Juno for Best Comedy Album. Find out how Sophie was destined to become a comedian when she started stand-up at the tender age of 15 (and was almost immediately the funniest one on amateur nights), why we should all thank our mothers for our sense of humour, and excellent advice for anyone thinking of getting into comedy. 

To learn more about what Rick Mercer is up to, go to www.rickmercer.com 

Twitter @rickmercer 

Instagram @itsrickmercer

And to learn more about Sophie Buddle, check her out here: www.sophiebuddle.com

Twitter: @sophiebuddle

Instagram: @sophbuds

Find the show notes for this episode here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Canada doesn't really have a 'star system' like our neighbours to the south. In fact, many of our celebrities have had to leave the country to find the work and recognition they deserve. 

Well, THE CANADIAN STAR SYSTEM aims to change that. Each week, host Steve Patterson (CBC Radio's The Debaters) and his producer/co-host Diana Frances (Canadian Screen Award-winning comedy writer) interview a well-known Canadian celebrity who then shines the spotlight on someone THEY think should also be a star. That person joins the conversation and we learn why they are worthy of being a household name... in households other than their own.

Season One guests include: Order of Canada member Rick Mercer (who shines a light on Juno award-winning comedian Sophie Buddle), Olympic legend Silken Laumann (who shares the spotlight with teen activist Arissa Roy), Emmy award-winning actress Annie Murphy (who rolls out the red carpet for actor Antoine Yared) and singer-songwriter Dan Mangan (who shares the love with fellow musician Veda Hille), plus many, many more!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.