Valerie's Variety Podcast

episode 109 season 3

Glencairns

Whiskey Tastings:

Why whiskey or is it burban?What did you learn about Bourbon scotch & whiskeyWhere do these originate?Why did you choose the ones we’re trying today?Why the order?Price point?Describe the glasses - shapeWater?

First time my hubby takes a spot on my microphone..todays show is about Bourbon, Scotch and Whiskey or whisky? I’d like to Welcome my husband Jeff to the show, you’ve heard his name over the course of the last 99 shows here and there. He listens to the show sometimes and gives me feedback on the episodes where I’ve recorded him and some of our intimate discussions…but todays show is different today we are doing a tasting episode. A few burbans, and scotches to wetted our pallets - enjoy the episode. This episode was originally recorded later in 2019…

Well our first interview together now you finally know what my husband sounds like and  thanks for joining us on our first whisky tasting - it was very enjoyable to learn and try these out…not sure they are for me but I’m always up for trying something new. If you’ve gone down this bourbon rat hole, let me know what you’ve tried and enjoyed. I’m thinking there will be more experimentation in the future with my hubby.  If you have any questions about whiskeys please check out the show links to everything we’ve discussed today and drop a comment or question and we will get back to you :) 

Some cool things to check out...happy tasting!

I’d like to Welcome my husband Jeff to the show, you’ve heard his name over the course of the last 99 shows here and there. He listens to the show sometimes and gives me feedback on the episodes where I’ve recorded him and some of our intimate discussions…but todays show is different today we are doing a tasting episode. A few burbans, and scotches to wetted our pallets - enjoy the episode. This episode was originally recorded later in 2019…

Break One

Monkey Shoulder is a blended malt scotch a product of multiple single malt scones - in this case of Money should it’s from their 2 neighbouring speyside distilleries includes whisky from Kinivie, Balvenie and Glenfiddich, this particular distillery has been opened since 1990.

Break Two

Mash is made from grain 

Scott whisky must be aged in oak barrels for at least 3 years to All Scotch whisky must be aged in oak barrels for at least three years. Any age statement on a bottle of Scotch whisky, expressed in numerical form, must reflect the age of the youngest whisky used to produce that product. A whisky with an age statement is known as guaranteed-age whisky. These barrels are USED

Break Three:

These barrels for example Jack Daniels cost roughly $160 these are the original JD barrels they used to age their whisky - for $300-$600 you can find quality barrels that are not sanded or polished as they are used for function and storage. They can only be used once when making the Jack Daniels batches- then they are sold to hot sauce makers, beer brewers and Scotch whiskey distillers who will reuse them…In Kentucky you can only use the barrel once, Burbon has to be in a brand new barrel - scotch cannot be used in the brand new barrel…

Break 4

Glencairn - spell it - these glasses are the coolest scotch, bourbon and whiskey tasting nipping glasses. A Glencairn is a tombstone erected on the highest mountain peaks to mark the grave sights and honour fallen Scottish warriors. The glass was designed with aid of master blenders from five of the largest whisky companies in Scotland - in 2001. Specifically for ‘nosing’ the whisky sample. The glass itself is small just holds 6 ounces when plumb full but typically should only hold 1.75 ounces. Guess what this glass on the Queen’s award for Innovation in 2006.

Break 5

We’ve all heard the word proof before when describing alcohol or moonshine even. The term proof dates back to the 16th century in England or 1848 in the USA - when spirits were taxed at different rates depending on their alcohol content and proof was on a score of 0 - 200. Originating in England proof was equal to 1.82 times the alcohol by volume ABV or generally twice. 100 proof would be to the equivalent in today measurement at approx 57% Alcohol by Volume or ABV. So if 100 was the middle anything above this when tested in a burn or no burn test which was based on alcohol igniting was said to be above proof.

Break 6

Whiskey or Whisky

- the word whisky is the spirit or alcohol that is used as the base this word actually just means water of life in Gaelic.  The spelling tells you the location it originated from whiskey is for Ireland and whisky without the e is used in all other whisky producing regions. Scots, Canada and Japan to not use the ‘e’. So the top 9 are Irish Whiskey (e) Scotch Whisky (no e) Japanese Canadian, Burbon Whiskey (American), Tennessee (American)Whiskey Rye Whiskey (American) and then blended whiskey - made for cocktails

Break 7

When you smell whisky with your mouth open the alcohol in the whisky doesn’t burn your nose…and you can smell the floral ness of it

Break 8

Jeff’s so accurate in his details, the level of smokiness is of a whisky is determined by the time the barley grain is exposed to the pungent peat smoke during drying. Damp malt is usually dried for approximately 30 hours. Others dries its malt over peat fire for about 18 of these 30 hours, some only use only unpeated fire. Scotland has large peat bogs wich grow approx 1mm a year. - so a 3 meter peat bog takes 3000 years to grow!

Break 9

Okay so here’s a bit of a breakdown, alcohol vs sugar…the spirit should not have any sugar in it like gin, vodka, whiskey  - unless you add mix of course. White wine is approx 3 grams per 5 ounces and and beer is approx 5 grams/12 ounce. For wine, just to clarify this comment, also Alcohol levels in wine are directly correlated with the amount of sugar that's developed in the grapes at harvest time: the higher the sugar levels, the higher the potential alcohol. This doesn't mean higher alcohol wines are sweeter, though sometimes this is the case.

Break 10

There are 5 regions in Scotland where whisky without the e remember comes from Campbeltown, Highland, Islay, Lowland and speyside

Break 11

Markers mark does indeed come from Loretto, Kentucky, USA by Beam Suntory originally called th eBurks Distillery and production began in 1954 so not quite hundred of years old but definitely getting up there. It had a slogan of “ it Tastes expensive…and it is”

Also one of the most unusual qualities about markers mark is that no rye is used as part of the math over 70% is corn and it’s aged for about 6 years.

Break 12

Makers Mark fires each barerel for a customary number 3 char in just 40 seconds - new American white oak is seasoned outdoors for nine months, including the summer before the firing takes place. Also all barrels are rotated by hand in their warhorse ensure proper exposure to different temperatures first with a minimum of 3 hot Kentucky summers on the top of the rack house.

Break 13:

Yes aficionados of bourbon and corn whisky (at least 51% corn) say it’s sweeter and more robust in 

Whisky room - try all sorts of options here with different woods they use to smoke the glasses and different types of bitters, mixes etc. something fun to maybe try with friends…

A bit of a re-cap - we tasted Monkey shoulder $60/bottle Blended Malt Scotch - Genfiddich 18 year  Scotch $130/bottle - GlenFarclas  single malt scotch 21 year about $150/bottle   - makers Mark  Burbon $50/ bottle.

Well our first interview together now you finally know what my husband sounds like and  thanks for joining us on our first whisky tasting - it was very enjoyable to learn and try these out…not sure they are for me but I’m always up for trying something new. If you’ve gone down this bourbon rat hole, let me know what you’ve tried and enjoyed. I’m thinking there will be more experimentation in the future with my hubby.  If you have any questions about whiskeys please check out the show links to everything we’ve discussed today and drop a comment or question and we will get back to you :) 

Links:

Glencairn Whisky Glass - Even the queen voted for this innovation!

Whiskey or Whisky - Where is it from?

Scotch Whisky Regions: Where and their specific names.

Top 9 Whiskey you need to know - these are the must try

Scotch Whiskey - What is this?

Smoke Whisky - significance of Peat Moss

Promo Clip

Eerie & Absurd Podcast - give it a listen Website @ EERIE & ABSURD Instagram @ Eerie & Absurd

Follow Me:

Website @ ValerieMoss.ca

Instagram @ValerieJMoss

Facebook @VSMoss

YouTube @ValerieJMoss

Pinterest @VJMoss

The show music is call ‘Girl’ by Text me Records and Leviathe

The cover art, storytelling and production is by me, Valerie Moss.

Stay Tuned for the next season, season 3 on Valerie’s Variety Podcast with your host me, Valerie Moss from Studio 17

episode 108 season 3

Studio 17 Tour

Hey Everyone, it’s Valerie here - Todays show Studio 17 -  was originally published on my YouTube site and a fun little project I wrote, produced and directed. It’s a tour of my studio with some subtle humour and over exaggerated descriptions of the space.. I wanted to make it sound like you were walking into an architectural feat - but alas this is my space, where I write, learn and grow as podcaster, audiobook narrator, host and dabble in my own videography. This is the space I transform my stories and publish them for all of you - so without further adieu, here’s studio 17 and your audio tour  - to see the full video, please check out the link in the show notes.

Welcome to Studio 17…located in Calgary, Alberta Canada in this glorious space where the works of Valerie Moss and many guests have performed their conversations, story telling in both audio and video productions…this is the place where Valerie has accomplished more than 100 podcast episodes and over 30 audiobook productions for audible, along with hours of video clips - all composed right here in this 100 square foot space.Designed in 2019 with love.. as it began like most projects with a board on Pinterest to include a pallet of colours (greens, purples and greys), a feeling and mood and a collection of items like antique, wrought iron, spindles, angles and prettiness to make this space complete…it was a success.Draping these walls of marshmallow purple are elements of her daughters former crib. One the East wall, hangs the bottom plate of the crib with 13 rungs measuring 2” high x a staggering 22” wide…this forefront quilt adorning this piece of a small Childs bed was hand crafted in 2011 by Valerie’s mother… the front of this quilt showing-casing over 288 2” squares appliquéd onto this neutral background..sandwiched in cotton. Below this, festoons a remarkable quilt showcasing dupioni silks imported from India, the hand stitching is worth bragging about consisting of more than 1000 French knots tied in silk floss, the flowers and butterflies glisten off this quilt top just begging for your attention…this EAST wall provides colour and beauty and has an uncanny ability to absorb sound making this side of the room perfect for recording audioworx.As we move through the room with it’s exaggerated white frames and glistening stainless steel knobs, Kurt silver hinges on the two secret doors holding all sorts of miscellaneous items  …we find the south wall, this small section with the quaintest of features exhibiting a $3.00 rake found at a local garage sale…no longer wanted by it’s previous owners. Valerie and her love of DIY projects took this pine rake and with paint that has been historically stored in her undercroft at studio seventeen - provided this rake with the love an attention it so needed, coloured it with fresh creams, and neutral tones giving it the uplift it always desired and a warm clean space right here in this pocket sized spot. This pole with a cross bar toothed end is holding a bouquet of dried lavender from the fields of a local garden centre along with a miniature hand crafted heart made out of black felted wool.The centre of the ceiling is enraptured by this glorious 3 bulb chandelier purchased from a back alley exchange with a 40 something women through the world renowned Kijiji site and installed into this custom location by Valerie’s groom. This painted rod iron focal point completes the top of this space, casting striations across the milky egg shell coloured highest permissible level.Below the origin of light the focal point of this atelier, is the foundation of the creative space. Valerie wanted the studio to have a rotund piece and this ornate table filled this vision stupendously…with the elegant gold, all colours mixed together equalling the colour of white, the four legs of this table sweeping out so elegantly finishing in claw feet with the surest poise. The legs on this table have miles of engraved lines and hundreds of intricacies carved into the apron. The charm radiating from the heart of this wooden piece is felt by all who pass over the threshold. This table was purchased through that previously stated online merchant exchange platform of Kijiji where Valerie got to know this women and her story of 7 children and her love of furniture at a very personal level…and had to buy this piece, this was the start, the focus, the mood.As we move to the south wall of this stupendous space we catch our breath on this colourful wall of texture and beauty. Starting with the nine wooden frames…these frames were hand crafted by Valerie. She spent one sunny afternoon taking an old set of wooden lawn furniture purchased years ago from the infamous COSTCO store. Her family used and kept in in her backyard for 15 years of seasons, gathering of family and friends and weathering these Swiss inspired Adirondack chairs with attached coffee tables -  just to the perfect shade of pearl grey. Spending 360 minutes in the south facing yard in the heart of the spring knocking these chairs apart with hammers and mallets branded by Stanley. Securing these boards with miscellaneous galvanized screws to create this wall of chassis. Years ago on a trip south of Canada into the incredible state of Montana, USA Valerie encountered this log cabin quilt in traditional cotton fabrics, buried in an antique store and she knew she had to bring it back to Canada. Containing an treasury of colours contrasting to the marshmallow purple walls she begun cutting this quilt up just ‘so’ to fit into these 8 frames with this exact vision in mind…this wall makes the perfect sound absorbing platform to record her latest episode of her well over 100 episodes of her podcast, Valerie’s Variety Podcast…and her next audio production adding to the over 30 titles to date. The last lonely frame is used here and there to complete sound absorption and in photos when desired.When we turn to the last wall, facing westward to the rocky mountains beyond the borders of the studio -  subsumed in two mirroring components of said daughters past crib, these sweeping frames facing each other brings a sense of partnership to this vertical space. Again providing the quietness needed to absorb sound and allow the voice only to encapsulate the room. Corresponding to the easterly wall, this side offers colours of onyx, creamy coffee brown as well as shades of cranberries and eggplant. These quilts are made with love by astounding quilter hands throughout the years. This unique wrought iron key holds the signature silhouette to enter into Studio 17 at your leisure, it’s coveted from those that have come before to share their story in an Interview or in print for Valerie to broadcast to the world through video and audio productions.  The impedimenta that Valerie is using is all collected with a central purpose of good sound, good video and exceptional research and development for every plug, screen and user interface application like GarageBand and audacity along with many available files of free music, loops and visual aids to make the process as advanced as possible.Concluding this tour, when you have a chance to visit Valerie’s webpage, audio productions and her works in the theme of EAT READ CREATE just know that she adores what she does in this extraordinary space with natural light in the day and the view of magical stars at night. In the incredible window - as this last wall facing north is in it’s entirety glass…Also around the atelier you will find one single Queen Anne’s antique chair, miniature Bird cage, steel baskets, an ironing board she pulled from a dilapidated barn covered in years of storage - regained to this beautiful shade of pewter grey - all of these pieces found and placed with purpose and love for things that make Valerie’s heart swell…the space holds hours of writing, planning, and stories waiting to be shared. This video was written and produced by Valerie Moss, editing by London Moss and the music and video production by Valerie Moss…This story about Studio 17 is available in both video and audio. Visit ValerieMoss.ca for all the links to her podcast, audio productions and videos…

This is fun video written & produced by me, Valerie Moss, showing casing my small studio in an over-exaggerated way. Narration is completed in this space to go alon with the photography and videography. This Video highlights my space, sound absorption, my equipment and so many of my artistic finds to make STUDIO 17 complete.

Enjoy!

The Education of Hoot: A Spiritual Journey

https://youtu.be/bHZonc-IePA

episode 107 season 3

Life Inside The Lorraine

Todays' show is about The Lorraine, a building, #620 and has always been my favourite building in Calgary, I’ve always wanted to live here, only had the opportunity once years ago to visit it and it was…disappointing. BUT this article written by Heidi Klaassen for The Sprawl (an undefended local journalism platform) right here in Calgary wrote the story that I believed and still believe is why I love The lorraine…

Heidi Klaassen is a born and raised Calgary writer of fiction and non-fiction. She works for the Alexandra Writers’ Centre Society and her eco-friendly label, Hekkal & Hyde. She lives in Calgary with her husband, sons and rescue chihuahuas.

Here's the article as published in The Sprawl Been Caught Stealing, Life Inside the Lorraine that I've narrated and produced verbatim for Heidi.

When I reached out to Heidi about producing this article she’d written, she was thrilled and in turn reached out to The Sprawl for their permission - which they granted. Heidi is an author and is shopping her current novel around for promotion she also belongs to and works at the Alexandra’s Writers’ Centre who support local creative writing through learning and shared experience.

If you’re from the Calgary area and know this building, do you have any stories to share? When I mentioned I was in this building once, I was back in 2015 or so, I was there for a meeting and was so excited. When you enter in the Lobby true to Heidi’s story the floor is black and white checkered tiles, the wood and structure takes your mind back into a fairy tale of Beauty and the Beast with it’s opulent wood work. I was meeting an architect, and was so awe struck that I got to be in The lorraine that I can’t even remember what the meeting was about!

Upon closing I sure hope you loved this story as much as I did and thank you to Heidi for letting me share her story. Heidi has quite the talent, not only does she write - articles like this one, fiction and non-fiction novels but she also runs an incredible eco-friendly artisan bags shop on etsy, these are hand made (they say made by ‘two hands’).. bags, clutches, napkins and more…

I perused her site and found a couple of adorable items 

1) reusable snack bag - sandwich bag - hand printed with a rustic heart bag - this bag is shown with fish crackers toppling out of it, a modelled print fabric and is just perfect to slip into your handbag or your kiddo’s lunch price $13.

2) reversible fabric napkins - who doesn’t love a nice cotton napkin, I LOVE them, $48 dollars for a set of six in a variety of of prints and options polka-dots, flowers, abstract so many options to choose from

Well I think I’ve covered my theme in whole EAT - we will take a set of 6 reversible napkins please READ - this tasty article about the lorraine - CREATE as some of you know I love a good sewing project - between these handmade bags, napkins and clutches of Heidi’s we can check off all of the boxes.

Until next time, stay safe everyone…

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The show music is call ‘Girl’ by Text me Records and Leviathe

The cover art, storytelling and production is by me, Valerie Moss.

episode106 season 3

Cheapest bottle of Wine in NYC

Hey Everyone, it’s Valerie here, Todays show $14 Bottle of Rose in New York  I have a special guest, Rod Lechalt, we originally met when I was working on an audiobook production/radio show called Project DF he was one of my casted characters, take a listen…

He was so good I casted him for another part

…take a listen

And then we followed each others socials and I discovered we have similar interests like food and drinks so, we got to talking and here’s our interview, think EAT - great good around the world, CREATE - great memories about travel and a good storyteller, oh and he’s from Calgary, Alberta also like me, enjoy the show! This show was originally recorded in May of 2020, there is some light swearing which I do not beep

One thing you’ll notice right away from Rod is his love to tell a quick snippet story here and there like this one..

As I mentioned at the top of the show this was originally aired in May of 2020 when covid was in full swing in our city…Michelin stars is a rating that was first introduced in 1926....Has this every happened to you - I’m sure it has...More Corona virus chat...I had not seen the video - I have however watched it - well part of it...Rod and his wife posed nude .....Sous Vide...Why do they call it Hell’s kitchenLe Pain Quotidien....oui oui

Wow what an interview, such a friendly guy hey? We had a great time, and since we originally recorded this episode in May there’s so much that has happened in the world and one of the major things for this episode is numerous places that Rod has visited on his food travels are no longer open or temporarily closed due to covid. So many great restaurants haven’t made it through this difficult time and with more and more people learning to cook at home this will likely continue.

Here's a recap of the places we chatted about:

The Three chimneys, Isle of Sky in Scotland

Meaning of Michelin Stars

Ad hoc + addendum Restaurant, California

The French laundry, Yountville California

Hayden block, Calgary Alberta

Mandy Lee, The art of Escapism Cooking Book - A Survival Story, a Lady and pups Cookbook

Momofuko Group, David Chang, New York

https://momofuku.com

Ugly Delicious, Netflix Show,

Global News, Imagine Segment

https://globalnews.ca/news/6701227/celebrities-imagine-singalong/

Cooked, Netflix Show

Flour, Water, Salt Yeast, Book

L’entrecote de paris, Paris France

The Final Table, Netflix Series, Calgary Chef

4th spot kitchen and bar, Calgary Alberta

Captain’s Boil, Calgary Alberta

Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan New York

Le Pain Quotidien, Manhattan New York

Mendicino County, California Highways

Fetzer Winery, Old River Road, Hopland CA

The Canada 150 Project Podcast

One thing I have to confess is we each recorded our sides of the conversation on our own mic as well as over zoom…I however when it came to editing this show late in 2020 could not find my side of the recording…so the editing and processing was a bit of a feat with the online audio.

Until next time, I’m Valerie from Valerie’s Variety Podcast in Studio 17

Rod’s Instagram

Other shows similar to this one:

https://valeriemoss.ca/?s=vegas, Vegas Baby!

https://valeriemoss.ca/2019/10/29/review-without-papers-inglewood/, …when the moon hits your eye like a BIG pizza Pie…

Cheapest Wine in NYC with Rod Lechelt

Follow Me:

Website @ ValerieMoss.ca

Instagram @ValerieJMoss

Facebook @VSMoss

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The show music is call ‘Girl’ by Text me Records and Leviathe

The cover art, storytelling and production is by me, Valerie Moss.

Stay Tuned for the next season, season 3 on Valerie’s Variety Podcast with your host me, Valerie Moss from Studio 17

episode105 season3

Book Review and sneak Peak into this incredible horror story, Limbo by Marko Pandza

Limbo Book Review

Hey there, it’s me, Valerie Moss, todays is a follow up show to yesterdays interview with Marko Panza and his book Limbo, we're going to review the book and get a sneak peak at chapter 1. Now that you met the author let's meet Grim the Reaper and his love Dora and see what other readers have to say about the book.

Again, this isn’t a family friendly episode, soooo….there's swear words that I do not beep and other scary language.

Here’s the retail…

First when you get his book, it’s not the average paperback size it’s slightly large, the cover is ominous with a dark figure, and white orb surrounding it - you can’t really tell if it’s walking away or towards to you, colour greyscale. Also the print is a dark black, on white paper again not your typical paperback colour.

Marko has laid the book out in a today time slot, the present and then a yesteryear time slot, way in the past, however in limbo you aren’t really sure about the timing of anything.

Those of you who like to get into a good scary story, not like a mystery more like a horror, this book will put your detective skills to the test and those that like a movie director like Tim Burton and or Rob Zombie, this will lend itself nicely.

When he goes back and forth in time, and introduces you to these two worlds the living and the dead…

Marko has a way of perpetuating your ideas of the characters in the book, like Dora she is so sure of herself it even scares her assistant, poor RAMBO who’s always yelling you root for him and people do the strangest things to him…the people in limbo are being watched by….. well I can’t give that part away.

The love story portion of this book, probably hits home to almost anyone who reads it because…it’s sort of envious if you were Jekle and your partner was Hyde.

The redest of red hair and smashing of canvas paintings always struck me as an interesting side story that I was intrigued by. Here’s a glimpse of Dora

One of the places in the book that has sat with me is when Caitlin and Grim are walking…

They stopped talking and continued their slow walk, Caitlin periodically swallowing the threat of nausea. Grim was impressed to see her side-stepping knee-high piles of petrified chicken bones and mummified bread littering the path as if she were on a track, further evidence of her tenure in the Den. 

Here’s a few reviews on amazon:

1. I don't usually read horror novels especially...

2. Truly gripping from start too finish, a perfect blend of humour....

3. Loved it, loved the imagery, loved the symbolism.....

And here’s my review as the producer we always read the book first then we get into the production of it. When I read this book, it was an instant page turner because of the two universes and the time shifting between current and past, love and hate the have’s and have-nots. It kept me wanting more and trying to figure out Grimm’s plan and his relationship with the cop.

Thanks for listening to the show today, links to Marko and is book Limbo are in my show notes and we will close this episode with a listen to chapter 8. Appetite in it’s entirety to tempt you further. Buy the book Limbo by Marko Pandza here

Book Review of Limbo...

Follow Me:

Website @ ValerieMoss.ca

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The show music is call ‘Girl’ by Text me Records and Leviathe

The cover art, storytelling and production is by me, Valerie Moss.

Stay Tuned for the next season, season 3 on Valerie’s Variety Podcast with your host me, Valerie Moss from Studio 17

episode104 season 3

Interview with Author Marko Pandza

Explicit

Hey everyone, it’s Valerie here, todays show is called Limbo is an interview with an Author that I collaborated with and produced his book. The book is called Limbo, the author is Marko Pandza, he’s from eastern Canada. Today we discuss the book, if you’re looking for a good scary thriller, that has a theme like non I’ve heard of - Limbo, the place between the living and the dead. There are curse words in todays episode which I do not beep and there is discussions about drugs and negative relationship views This is not a family episode.

markopandza.com

INTRO

Do you know what a copyrighter is...

Marko reads the back cover...

Background on the grim reaper...

This is a great way to sum up...

Show Links:

 Jack Whitehall, Comedian from the UK

Follow Me:

Website @ ValerieMoss.ca

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Facebook @VSMoss

YouTube @ValerieJMoss

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The show music is call ‘Girl’ by Text me Records and Leviathe

The cover art, storytelling and production is by me, Valerie Moss.

Stay Tuned for the next season, season 3 on Valerie’s Variety Podcast with your host me, Valerie Moss from Studio 17

episode 103 season 3

Todays show is a Review of the Book from yesterdays episode, Ghost of Me by Amanda Steel, this was my first fiction book with characters that I completed. I loved this book and I loved that I produced this for a women in the UK. We will explore some pieces of this book today to maybe enticee you to buy a paperback or an audio version of this book. We’ll share chapter 1 at the end of the show…

One thing that stands out about her writing for Ghost of Me, is that the books starts out with a poem.

Haunting my own life 

I'm a ghostHaunting my own life Trying to remember How not to be forgotten 

I'm a ghostBut my heart still beatsNow I'm slowly fadingSoon there will be nothing left 

I'm a ghostWatching, listening, wishingI was still part of something While everyone else gets to live 

I'm a ghostThough I still have breath Everything plays out in front of me 

But it's all just out of reach 

Doesn’t this just set the stage for the book, you get an idea of what you’re walking into but nothing on how it plays out.

As you heard in the interview with Amanda, she chose locations in her book that were sort of true but changed the street names and areas to disguise these just a little.

One Review says: This is a rare find. A great paranormal thriller. Spine-tingling and goosebumps throughout the book. Fast paced and action packed storyline. Keeps you from putting this book down.

Another Review says: This is the 1st book I've read written by Amanda Steel; she has done a great job at writing a good book; I can’t wait to read more of her books.The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book. I loved the chemistry between the characters.

Another Reviewer says: She was killed and she is now a ghost. She finds out there is a chance she had been murdered. Being a ghost is not going to stop looking for her killer. Who killed her? How will she do it? See if she can

My Review: If you like a good crime story, and paranormal bits added in, this is a great read - who wouldn’t want to solve their own murder? But as a ghost it makes things a lot more difficult like talking or writing or transporting to another location. Amanda has thought of all kinds of angles in this book keeping you guessing and pondering. I also like that the book is written in first person which makes it more personal, especially as a female reader and narrator.

Thanks Amanda for trusting me with your book and liking my voice!

Here’s chapter one of Ghost of me!

What did you think of this sneak peak, please visit the show notes to purchase a copy of Ghost of Me Audio Book or check out Amanda Steel Writer website and her other books that are more in the zombie line up.

Follow Me:

Website @ ValerieMoss.ca

Instagram @ValerieJMoss

Facebook @VSMoss

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The show music is call ‘Girl’ by Text me Records and Leviathe

The cover art, storytelling and production is by me, Valerie Moss.

Stay Tuned for the next season, season 3 on Valerie’s Variety Podcast with your host me, Valerie Moss from Studio 17

episode 102 season 3

Hey Everyone, it's Valerie here, todays show is an interview with The Author of Ghost of Me, Amanda Steel. She is an author and copywriter living in Manchester, UK. Ghost of Me is her second novel to be converted into an audiobook. She also has a third in production. As the co-host of a book review podcast, she has become an avid listener of audiobooks, to ensure that she always has enough books to review each month. She finds she can often listen while doing some more mundane tasks, which don't require a lot of thinking, can't we all agree with this?

1. Intro 1:13.0 todays show I have a special guest, Amanda Steel author of Ghost of me a book I had the pleasure of producing, it was my first fiction book and it had a character named Valerie, how fitting right? Well we will get to know Amanda and the goods behind this story, the characters and her love of writing..

2. Speakeasy have you ever been to a spoken word night? I’ve been to an open mic night with muscian which would be a similar theme when I checked out their fb page (link in show notes)…https://www.facebook.com/speakeasymanchester/ it’s a large living room setting and has a great vibe by the pictures anyway…

3. We are going to touch on covid, before we do though I just want to let you know that I originally recorded this in June you know in the middle of this pandemic — this show was edited late in 2020 when the 2nd wave is in full swing across the world and currently calgary where I live is in a semi lockdown state - we cannot socialize with any one out of our cohorts - yes weird word I know but we cannot socialize with anyone out of our home residence - at the time of this editing, the world has reached 76, million covid cases and 1.6 million fatalities -  it has touched the world. It’s interesting listening to Amanda and how she knows people. And the discussion about masks is so suprising - especially mid pandemic. 

4. Amanda lives in Manchester UK which has a population of 2.7 million and their case count as of today in late dec 2020 is 35,000 active cases.

End, well thank you to Amanda Steel for taking the time to be interviewed on my show, I loved talking to her about her book and getting to the know the author, the first author who I read a fictional book for - it was such a great experience for me…to conclude I thought I’d play you chapter 1 and if you’re interested in hearing more, please let me know and I can give you a free download credit to the complete audio book.

Find Amanda:

Her Website

Her InstaGram

Her PodCast

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The show music is call ‘Girl’ by Text me Records and Leviathe

The cover art, storytelling and production is by me, Valerie Moss.

Stay Tuned for the next season, season 3 on Valerie’s Variety Podcast with your host me, Valerie Moss from Studio 17

episode 101season3

Turn your Palm Towards the Light

Todays Show is with Founder and owner of Calling Mountains Productions, Valerie St-Arnaud. Growing up in Quebec offered a wealth of inspiration but as she grew older there was always something calling her away from the city lights and when she arrived in Whistler, BC in 2013 she realized it had been the mountains all along. Valerie has her degree in Communication and Marketing from the University of Ottawa specializing in media studies. In 2012 she won the Ottawa international film festival and that's when her passion for film started. She is known to bring the feels right to your screen. She is passionate about her art form but even more about her clients. You will find her capturing memories and chasing the light in and around the Sea to Sky corridor. The mountains called her here and now she is returning the favor. See you in the mountains... They are calling!  

some of Valerie St-Arnaud's work

BREAK THREE: (5:38) let’s just dig into this a little bit. This was in 2012 the criteria for the submissions are things like, must be live streaming (no download required) language (English and French or French with subtitles), presentation copies, your typical deadlines, transportation and insurance to ship materials, selection process, now if you’re selected your requirements for type of file, sound quality, bios, photos, payment for submission, renumerations, and the different juries things like short film, international and children’s which are judged by children, pretty cool hey. We get into more detail about this shortly..

More of Valerie's work...can't you feel the emotion in these photos?

 WHAT A NEAT WAY TO MAKE SOMEONE COME TO LIFE AND LIFE 

BREAK FIVE: If you haven’t listened to my episode with Valerie Butters do, she is so casual and creative. Also Pemberton is located in British Columbia approx 160km from Vancouver, only 25km from the beautiful ski resort Whistler. This place is for people who love winter for the snow sports, cross country skiing, back country skiing, ice fishing, snowmobiling and more…that fresh mountain air, can you just feel that - my favourite feeling is that!

BREAK SIX: I originally interviewed Valerie St Arnaud back in April of this year so at the start of covid here in Western Canada…we did the interview over Skype, she in her tank top, and ball cap, me in my favourite chair sitting cross legged…wanting to know her secrets to film, photography and creating these incredible memories in still and motion…

BREAK SEVEN: the basic rules for operation of a drone when you don’t have a licence - which is most of us - the drone must be under 250 grams in weight, there’s very specific areas that you are allowed to fly this tiny vessel so check your local regulations - Val here is so much to have someone who’s fully liscenced to help her with her videos as when you take the time to stop by you’ll be amazed at what she captures.

BREAK EIGHT: did you catch that slight tip she gave us - is you shoot your image and it’s blown out or too bright because of the sunny day…change it to black and white and voila you have a great photo! 

BREAK NINE: chasing the light is her motto - did you catch that tip put the palm of your hand and if it shows shadows move until the light is brighter - boom you got good light on your subject! 

BREAK TEN: get confidence, get creative and gain confidence..

BREAK TWELVE: wow what a story. You know I think this is something that we all need to hear, even tho we are here to do a job weather it be me podcasting or this Val in her specialty we will run into people that are critics and want to be heard in an opposing manner. Life is full of stories and here’s one that had made it’s mark on Val - she will always remember this women, who in the end gave Val more strength in the end to own her craft.

BREAK FIFTEEN: It seems so long ago when I interviewed her - and we are still even more heavily effected by the corona virus. Obviously the wedding photographers will be effected and who wanted to have a wedding with the new rules of just 10 people at this very moment in Nov when I wrote these show notes.

BREAK SIXTEEN:  if you’re not a wine drinker you can skip this part…but BC is known in canada for their amazing wines, grapes like no other place in canada and their wines have a special classification of wines with distinction meaning 100 percent of the grapes come from bc - which is incredible and shows the abundance of the volume of grapes available for these saught after wines.

BREAK SEVENTEEN: she has so much depth to her personality, lives life to the fullest and captures so many memories for herself and her clients. She’s diverse running her business that crossed many business types, she’s smart and grounded. Yep we could be friends…

FIND HER SHOW LINKS and pictures of the images we chatted about today - check these out!

BREAK EIGHTEEN: MUSIC

Bonding river media - first nations media recording languages

End - well that was such a refreshing interview, she’s so lively and neat to speak with, I can’t wait to interview her again, saving the indigenous languages…

Lilwat Home - First Voices

As always visit my show notes for the images and links to this awesome guest Valere St.- Arnaud from Pemberton British Columbia and check her our instagram page of Calling Mountains and her website Callingmountains.ca

Until next time, where a mask…

Follow Me:

Website @ ValerieMoss.ca

Instagram @ValerieJMoss

Facebook @VSMoss

YouTube @ValerieJMoss

Pinterest @VJMoss

The show music is call ‘Girl’ by Text me Records and Leviathe

The cover art, storytelling and production is by me, Valerie Moss.

episode 100 part 5 season 3

The Anglers Catch the Authors

Todays show part 5 and the final part of our look back over the last 100 shows we end on my new theme, a great pattern to brighten up your bed, anglers, chakras, covid and more…enjoy this episode. We also have many clips from all of you sharing what you've learned after 100______ including mine. This was such an amazing look back reminiscing over these episodes, guests and more!

Episode 83 - EAT | READ | CREATE I needed a regroup, new theme, new goals and when I set these, things came to life!

Episode 84 - What 2 Do - What 2 Do A bit about my year (did you loose your job too) in a nut shell along with a few other peoples perspective - becoming a teacher and more, check this out.

Episode 85 - Easiest Spring Pillow Case & GiveAway  A fun project to brighten up your bed with new pillow cases, easy step by step instructions and a bonus giveaway!

Episode 86 -  Chakras, What are these? Another great audio book produced by your truly, Heart Chakra is positioned in your heart area and focuses on love, relationships and self acceptance…here’s the clip

Episode 87&88 - Valerie Butters OH MY goodness was this lady fun to interview, she’s a player of paint on canvas and is so real in her social posts it’s really a give in to follow her and learn from her wit, trials, paint and her life.

Episode 89 - Mental Health - Challenge Me This was a difficult episode to write about, I was part of a challenge and won based on these words, I feel like we all go through bouts of depression or sadness in our lives - here’s my story, this originally aired in season 1 episode 46 and think it's even more valuable today.

Episode 90 - Guest Spot, On Being Human Podcast, I saved a Life An emotional retelling of a time I saved a life while on my honeymoon…

Episode 91 - Buddhism for Beginners One of my first audiobooks, and when I discovered the love to tell stories.

Episode 93 - It’s about the People A great InterView with a local Calgarian and Podcaster, Michael Montgomery who finds the stories behind the people, startups, home buyers and more, this is a 2 part episode.

Episode 94 - Black Cats & Magic Crystals An audiobook produced by me which was eye opening and interesting learning about this Nature Based Religion, Wiccan.

Episode 95 & 96 - She’s an Angler When I interviewed these two amazing women I didn’t know at the time even what an Angler was…what a fun and awesome episode with the two fisher women, you're in for a treat! This is a two part episode.

Episode 97 & 98 - InterView with Liam Callanan and his book, Paris by the Book This book was a gift and a great read and I got to interview this ultra famous author and wow is he humble and in love with Paris!

Episode 99 - The Close of 2020 My year in review, Downs and some UPs a story of perspective and feeding the homeless, falling pants and giving back.

The Anglers Catch the Authors

Follow Me:

Website @ ValerieMoss.ca

Instagram @ValerieJMoss

Facebook @VSMoss

YouTube @ValerieJMoss

Pinterest @VJMoss

The show music is call ‘Girl’ by Text me Records and Leviathe

The cover art, storytelling and production is by me, Valerie Moss.

Stay Tuned for the next season, season 3 on Valerie’s Variety Podcast with your host me, Valerie Moss from Studio 17