I must’ve sat down twenty times to write this synopsis, and Im still having a hell of a time making it make sense.

Kevin Makins is a little bit too hard to quantify...so I’m gonna tell you to just take a listen.

I will say this though, Kevin will use any means necessary to put his message out into the world. He has used comedy, philanthropy, and high art to make us think, and reconsider our positions on things. No small feat.

And, perhaps my favourite thing about him, is that he is an extremely deep and critical thinker, yet manages to do so with an optimistic smile.

So who is he!?

He is a Pastor — a “man of the cloth”.

But, from what I’ve gathered, Kevin Makins is more like a Joseph in his Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat.

Thanks Kev.

When I approached Alexander Notarangelo to be a guest on this platform, he said yes, followed by this caveat:

“So, just so we’re on the same page, I am not a well liked artist in the city…”

He was giving me an out, which was thoughtful, but I was not having it.

I wanted to hear his story, because honestly, I’d heard about him perhaps more than I’d beheld his work. He was like a talented rumour within the city of Hamilton, Ontario.

That being said, the art work I did see was remarkable and had a ferocity to it, just like him.

So, local art community comment section be damned…we were doing the interview.

Jump to the convo:

What can I say? He’s gentleman; full of honesty, self-reflection, and a type of humility underpinned by informed opinion. It was refreshing.

I think people might be missing the point on Alexander. He’s simply a disciple of hard work, owns some strong opinions, and seems to have an allergy to those who don’t take art seriously.

I guess that kind of passion burns too hot for some.

That said….

Pursuing art can be a lonely, long-suffering, and lean experience. But, when you talk with a guy like Alexander, he never complains about that. He makes you feel the colour and warmth in all of it.

Like artists do.

Enjoy.

Hamilton, Ontario is like a high school hallway…especially within the arts/hospitality/maker space.

We all move through the same orbit, waving at each other on the way to class, but never really landing at a locker for a good convo or a cafeteria hang.

We all kinda know each other, and we all kinda don’t.

Jump to this interview:

Tania LaCaria is the perfect example of that “cool kid” I always bumped into, but never knew her story. And frankly, I wanted to, as I’ve been watching it evolve and glow these past ten years with great interest.

Thankfully, I have a podcast and was able to hear the story of how she’s become the woman and artist that she is today.

She is as fierce as she is vulnerable, and her willingness to “go there” made this conversation EASY, and I think it’ll resonate with many of you.

Thank you Tania, for letting me sit at the cool kid table.

When you have a shared experience with another person, a friendship isn’t far behind.

Somehow, there is a safety and muscle memory when two people have felt the world in the same way.

Cue Clare Chiappetta…

Like me, Clare wrestled with obesity, body image, building a brave face, and living as a hostage in unwanted skin.

We both underwent bariatric surgery, lost the weight, and set out on our respective journeys to reclaim the missing pieces.

Clare has a fantastic perspective and attitude toward her past, present, and future. I think that’s partly why I feel so comfortable sharing my own story with her…because she’s hopeful.

I am very hard on my self. Many times I feel like I’m renting a new body, and at any moment, someone can just call it in and take it all back.

There’s a lot of work left to do in this head and heart of mine…

Clare has gone ahead of me in many ways, and I’ve found myself following her lead, and I think you’ll hear that in this interview.

Needless to say, I’m thankful for Clare.

If you’re wrestling with YOU, and feel like you can’t get out from underneath your situation, you might find this chat helpful.

I know I did. Thanks Clare.

Enjoy

After a long break, our passion project TIMES jumps back with a fifth installment of “X Night”.

This was an evening of firsts for us:

- New location ( shout out Ooey Gooey’s).

- 2 guests.

- Bigger live audience.

- Full length performance from Drummer/Producer Danny Miles (July Talk)

The room was loud, packed, and exactly what we hoped it would be. Illustrator, Tyson Bodnarchuck’s art adorned the walls, and Danny’s drums made our bodies and floorboards moooove.

Thank you to EVERYONE who showed up to #5.

NOTE: Though this interview is shorter than usual, this particular X night was bigger than the rest.

Big love,

L.A., Allan, & Rocky

I’ve had a hard time writing a synopsis for this episode, because in a way..I don’t feel like I’m supposed to.

When someone shares their story the way Bethany Kenyon did with me, it just doesn’t need any help. So, I won’t be adding any of my words to hers.

If you want an example of honesty, and courageous story telling - this is the interview, and you just need to listen.

I will say this..

Bethany is doing what all good artists should be doing: searching for self, telling the truth, and digging a little deeper.

Enjoy.

Nicole Rae is one of those people that when you meet her, you immediately want to join her club. She is gracious, kind, and very, very easy company.

I have been watching her sip latte’s, and sit at some of the areas finest tables these last couple years (Instagram)….and, as luck would have it, I had the chance to have her at my own table and hear her story.

We only had an hour to chat, but we poured over her humble beginnings as a content creator, and how today, she is breaking into deep, and beautiful new ground.

Her new series “Little Chats” is wildly charming and oozes a kind of mellow-yellow cool, and I love it.

Her content is evolving, and I expect her cool-kid- club will continue to grow.

Enjoy

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new lands but seeing with new eyes." - Marcel Proust 

I’ve known Becky Sutherland for the better part of ten years. The woman she is today, is worlds apart from the girl that I first met.

She has been on an odyssey of self discovery, and she, along with her sister Sarah, are helping others to do the same.

More on that in the interview….

Becky & Sarah bravely walked me through their shared journey of pain, healing, growth, reinvention, and reclaiming their ancestral roots & genetic memory.

They are adventurers; time-travellers in pursuit of where they’ve been, and bringing the best parts of their generational story into the future.

Take a listen.

Stephanie Rico & Connor Marquis-Young have birthed a beautiful thing, and it’s JUNQ.

An independent literary magazine gathering works of writers, poets, and wild-eyed makers.

It is beautiful, very cool, and above all else, a love letter to the tactile experience of print.

Take a listen.

Walking away is never easy.

Losing a piece of you….whatever it is, will cost its pound of flesh.

Some retreat while they recover, and others do what Krys has done; pressing record and documenting the journey on social media.

Alcohol. Drugs. Food.

Whatever the habit, people like Krys are letting us all know….we are not alone.

Take a listen.