The Megablast Podcast

Child prodigy, producer, jazz musician - jazz critic, author, Renaissance Man Nick Catalano has rubbed shoulders with all the greats, has been an integral part of the New York cultural scene for half a century.

This episode was published in 2022. The terrible and sad shock of Tanya's passing in March, 2023  has led Megablast to republish this episode. Dedicated to a wonderful mother, wife, and political organizer. God rest her soul. The original description read as follows: 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau -- the art of normalizing betrayal. Vaccine hypocrisy. The beautiful and the damned retreating from the abyss of political correnctness. In each others crosshairs: conservative and libertarian movements scrap it out. Will the Conservative Party co-opt populist principles as a winning formula? Will Eric Duhaime's and the new Conservative Party of Quebec explode the Quebec political landscape.

Despite living for three years with a progressively crippling neurological disorder (ALS), Serge Ouimet focuses on fully appreciating the moment rather than fretting about his condition. The podcast you are about to listen to bristles with humour and insight into the human condition touching on subjects dear to him: his relationship with Montreal, his ten years as a night-time taxi driver through the 80s, his love of music and the visual arts as well as exploring the world of ideas with a large circle of good friends and correspondents. He describes himself as an atheist with a profound sense of wonder at all the beauty and mystery of existence. 

Does anyone care about the Awards in the 2020s? Should we? What is the deal with Satan these days, is he just another dude, or is creative transgression just not a thing anymore? How well is Madonna ageing? Liz & Jason get into it. Plus: How beautiful is it to be alive? Jason praises life and Liz responds in a drole fashion, to create a diabolically good listening experience.. + much more! :)  

Montreal Legend Leonard Cohen's wonderful work The Stranger Song. Deconstructed by non-legend lol Montrealers  Ken Doolittle & Jason Mcdonald.

Sloppy and Depressed: Ken and I introduce the podcast and dig into Open Heart Surgery by the Brian Jonestown Massacre. 

What makes a truly great song? Rhythm? Guitars? Vocal work? Lyrics? How do the elements mix together to create a deep experience? What moves us to sublime beauty, to revulsion? Ken and Jason dig deep. Artists include: Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, The Rolling Stones, Fiona Apple, Bonnie Prince Billy, and The Brian Jonestown Massacre. As well: I surprise Ken with a French Canadian classic by Les Colocs, and he's inspired to share Rip Rig + Panic (Featuring Neneh Cherry). Then: at the very end: we return to the root, to the father of Rock n Roll, and break it down. Can anyone guess? Winners get a chance to be on Megablast! A must listen! 

Today we flip the script on the Megablast Podcast: John Woolfrey interviews me on living and travelling in different parts of the world. What does it take to be a world traveller? How wild is Eastern Europe? Does everyone go through a life-changing experience visiting Hiroshima? We dig into it. Plus: what is it like to learn Slovak? What is it like crossing the fortified Greco-Turkish border? Jason tells all, and more! :)

How much strength does it take to live with bipolar disorder? What does it feel like? John Jordan tells it like it is, what it is like to be on a manic high and then the subsequent crash. Plus: what was it like to be in a touring rock band? He discusses touring with his band - Me, Mom, & Morgentaler. What does it mean to be NDG (West End Montreal 'hood) proud? John explains some of the amazing contributions he has made to his beloved neighbourhood; and much more! :)

Liz and I hash out the Twitter situation and Musk. Why do so many people hate that guy? We dig into it. Also: in part 2 of this podcast we go through some interesting observations from listeners regarding our discussion on Jian Ghomeshi and Will Smith.