Each week on this series, we tell the stories of famous names who overcame debilitating career rejection. We’ve talked through the careers of actors, artists, authors, athletes and even one astronaut. But rejection affects us all. So we put out a call for listener rejection stories. Your stories.

They’re inspiring, they’re insightful, they’re remarkable. Take a listen.

Tell us YOUR rejection story:

Record your voice: https://speak-to.us/rejection

Write to us: [email protected]

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In Part II of our "Rejecting Monty Python" episode, the Knights of the Round Table head west. Led Zeppelin enters the chat. Rabbis protest – and the Life of Monty Python is saved by a Beatle.

Hope you’ll join us.

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We DON'T regret to inform you that our show will be airing on the CBC this summer.

Find us on CBC Radio One & Sirius XM ch.169 for 10 weeks, beginning June 25th:

• Wednesdays at 11:30am (CBC & Sirius)
• Fridays at 4:00pm (Sirius)
• Sundays at 7:00pm (CBC & Sirius)
• Or stream us anytime on the CBC Listen app.

It's a CBC summer. Hope you'll join us.

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

Lo! Upon the first breath of Monty Python’s Flying Circus o’er the enchanted waves of BBC One, scribes within the castle walls did trade many a curious whisper and scroll, to wit:

“This episode contained two really awful sketches.”

“The treatment of the national anthem is not amusing.”

 “Parts of this...are disgusting.”

And, “The death sequence was in appalling taste.”

Prithee, join us.

Tell us YOUR rejection story, and you may be featured in an upcoming episode:

Record your voice: https://speak-to.us/rejection

Write to us: [email protected]

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

Today we bring you another favourite episode from our Apostrophe team. On the eve of The Truman Show's 27th anniversary, our sound engineer Geoff Devine explains why this timeless film is one of his all time favourites and why Carrey's stand up story stands out for him. Jim Carrey is Ace Ventura. He’s the Grinch. He’s Bruce Almighty. Need we say more? But in 1989, Carrey was getting routinely crucified on stage, rejected for parts and was nearly starving to death – living in a bachelor apartment with a baby basket on the floor. Then one day, he wrote himself a check for $10M for “acting services rendered” – dated five years in the future.

Tell us YOUR rejection story, and you may be featured in an upcoming episode:

Record your voice: https://speak-to.us/rejection

Write to us: [email protected]

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

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

Mariska Hargitay has played Captain Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU for 26 years and counting. In 2024, Forbes named Hargitay the highest paid TV actor by a wide margin. But in 1999, she had been a struggling actor for decades, landing only a handful of substantial roles. She turned 35 and decided to leave Los Angeles. Then she got a call about an audition – for a “dark” New York-based show called “Sex Crimes.”

Tell us your rejection story, and you could be featured in an upcoming episode:

Record your voice: https://speak-to.us/rejection

Write to us: [email protected]

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

Billie Holiday’s life is one of perseverance like we’ve never seen before on our show. Her story is heartbreaking, beyond inspiring and important. Hope you’ll join us.

Tell us your rejection story, and you could be featured in an upcoming episode:

Record your voice: https://speak-to.us/rejection

Write to us: [email protected]

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

Happy NFL Draft Day to all who celebrate.

Quarterback Josh Allen just signed a six-year, $330M contract with the Buffalo Bills, with $250M guaranteed – the largest guaranteed contract ever given to an NFL player. Yet, when Allen graduated high school, he had zero four year scholarship offers. He bounced around junior college before deciding to send 1000 emails to D-1 coaches across the country. The opening line? “I want to be your quarterback.”

Hope you’ll join us.

Tell us YOUR rejection story, and you may be featured in an upcoming episode:

Record your voice: https://speak-to.us/rejection

Write to us: [email protected]

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

In honour of the 13,700 women running today in the Boston Marathon, we bring you an encore of our favourite episodes, and take you back to a not-so-distant time when the number of women running the marathon was one. Join us as we remember the stories of two brave women – Bobbi Gibb and Kathrine Switzer – the first women to ever run the Boston Marathon, after 70 years as a men’s-only event. Plus, a few thoughts on the story from our producer, Allison.

Tell us YOUR rejection story, and you may be featured in an upcoming episode:

Record your voice: https://speak-to.us/rejection

Write to us: [email protected]

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