At eighteen, Anna receives an envelope that changes everything. Her adoption records. Inside: names, a letter from her mother, and the first clues in a decades-long search for identity and connection. As always, the episode closes with a touch of relaxing music to lighten the day.

Anna sits down with songwriter John Kirby in this introspective and quietly playful episode, to explore the structure and rhythms that shape his songwriting, the art of revisiting unfinished work, and the transformative power of self-kindness. From spreadsheets to sea shanties, they unpack what it means to return to something with new eyes, and why sometimes, the second, third or fourth drafts hold the real magic.

In this richly layered episode, host Anna Blair sits down with Canadian musician Bill Wood, whose career spans decades, from fronting 70s pop-punk band The Oh No's! and 80s alt-pop act Eye Eye to leading the soulful, roots-rock collective Bill Wood & the Woodies. Bill opens up about the mystery and magic of songwriting, his daughter’s brief but powerful musical chapter, and the soulful resonance of songs born from real-life heartbreak and hope. He shares how his experiences, from addiction recovery to two decades of volunteer work with marginalized youth, have shaped not only his music but the man behind it. The episode wraps with a playful rapid-fire round and a moving performance of “Tumbleweeds,” a song rooted in Bill’s deep connection to the street-involved youth he’s worked with. A testament to the enduring link between lived experience and lyrical truth.

Host Anna Blair chats with Hair of the Dog—Troy Smith, Eric Smith, Steve Smith, Greg Lucier, and Simon Gilmartin—for a lively conversation about life in a cover band, the art of the perfect setlist, and the brotherhood that keeps the music tight and the crowds singing along. A riff-filled ride through classic rock, smoked Manhattans, and the joy of playing it loud.

Guitarist and songwriter Jarrod William (aka Of Blues and Green) former member of According to Simon, joins host Anna Blair for a heartfelt ride through pedal boards, poetry, and the creative push and pull of life on and off the stage. 

They talk alternate tunings, broken strings, the meaning behind his interstellar project Of Blues and Green, and the joy of rediscovering your voice.

Plus: a live performance of “Strings” and a few cosmic metaphors to tie it all together. 

Themes:  Songwriting, indie production, barefoot performances & finding your sound again

A passing comment on another podcast sends Anna wandering down a different kind of trail this week, through Carolinian forests, great lakes, quiet cliffs, and the steady hum of this place she calls home. In this side-trail episode, Anna explores the wild beauty, artistic heartbeat, and understated magic of Ontario. From the windswept shores of Lake Superior to a hoppin' speakeasy in Burlington, the museums of Ottawa, and the vineyards of Niagara , she honours the creative genius and natural wonder that permeates the province.

In this gentle episode of Loose Threads, Anna speaks to the invisible weight of autoimmune illness — the deep exhaustion, the anxious fog, and the quiet grief of not being able to do what you used to. But woven through the fatigue is something holy: a reminder that we are not defined by our productivity, but by who we are — wonderfully made, even in the weariness. She shares the practices that help her stay grounded — prayer, nourishment, boundaries, and breath — and invites you into a moment of stillness with soft music and guided breathing to close. For anyone who’s ever felt broken by their body… this one’s for you. You are not lazy. You are not alone.

In this special two-guest episode, Anna sits down with Greg Smith (The Lowest of the Low, The Weakerthans) and Bry Webb (Constantines) for a thoughtful, quietly powerful conversation about identity, experimentation, and the long road of self-expression.They talk about shifting creative paths, the tension between solo work and collaboration, and the evolving relationship between sound, space, and self. It's a rich exchange between two artists who’ve spent decades learning how to listen, reshape, and sound out who they are.

Anna sits down with Aleks Jurcev — frontman of Burlington’s own The Regulars — for a conversation that’s full of heart, humour, and unexpected depth. They talk about songwriting, local stages, creative intuition, and carving your own path through the noise. And to close things out - A rare treat — the first-ever live performance of Aleks’s brand new song, Highlands. Honest, quirky, and quietly profound, this one’s for anyone who’s ever felt like the “regular” road just didn’t quite fit.

Paul Kennedy has been a staple of the Burlington music scene for decades — a guitarist, a frontman, and the driving force behind The Joe Rockhead Band. In this episode, host Anna Blair sits down with Paul to talk about what it takes to keep a band thriving, the highs of playing live, and the deeper heart behind the hardheaded rock persona. We get into the joys and challenges of fronting a cover band, the stories behind those unforgettable Saturday night sets, and what keeps Paul posting ads, booking shows, and holding it all together after all these years.