Episode 232: Lucas Twyman walks into a bar...

Michael W. Boyce Episode 232: Lucas Tywman walks into a bar....
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On this episode of Geek4, I'm joined by Lucas Twyman. Lucas is a well-known figure in the Toronto bar scene, having bartended here for the past ten years. He's my local barkeep,  making delicious cocktails at Famous Last Words in the Junction. He also teaches cocktail making classes there and those classes are excellent (I've taken three of them). Recently, Lucas has become the Angel's Envy Whiskey Guardian for Toronto, representing the Angel's Envy brand across the city.

I wanted to find what made Lucas interested in liquor, mixology, and bartending - which is as much a social skill as a technical skill. Over the course of the conversation, I learned that Lucas is a geek for lots of thing - Godzilla, he worked for a roleplaying game company. This was a fun conversation. I only wish  we could have had it over a drink.

If you're in and around Toronto and want to take one of the literary-themed cocktail making classes at Famous Last Words, check our their events at:   FLW

You can follow Lucas on Instagram at @ontariobourbon and check out Famous Last Words at @famouslastwordsbar

Follow me on Twitter  @mwboyce  and Instagram @mwboyce and follow my website michaelwboyce.com/

You can follow the podcast on Twitter @geek4pod and on Instagram @geek4pod

If you liked the show, hit Subscribe and please consider leaving a 5 star review. The more reviews we have, the more we show up in searches. Somehow. I think magic.

Or, tell a friend. Word of mouth is still an effective advertising tool.  

 

I respectfully acknowledge that I live and work on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis people

Episode 231: Crossing Animals with Tanis MacDonald

On this episode of Geek4, I am joined by poet and professor, Tanis MacDonald. When I reached out to her about her interest in coming on the show and topics she might want to talk about, one suggestion immediately shot to the top of the list. Tanis LOVES movies in which animals attack people! Although she usually gravitates towards films where mammals attack people, like Grizzly  (1976),  the documentary Grizzly Man  (2005), and Cocaine Bear; but she also delights in Jaws (1975), Jurassic Park (1993), and Squirm (1976). Although we talk about some pretty cheesy film, our conversation reflects on the hubris of people, eco-criticism, and the commodification of nature. I ADORE talking to smart people about bad movies.

Tanis does share a video of a white-tail deer attacking a hunter, and we talk about it. If you want to see it,

It's hilarious. Seriously. I want to re-edit it with the song, "Yakety Sax".

You can order Tanis's book, Straggle: Adventures in Walking While Female from Wolsak & Wynn or order it from your local neighbourhood book shop! It's a series of beautiful, insightful essays on nature and walking. It's truly lovely.

You can follow Tanis on Twiter at @Tanis_MacDonald and Instagram @tanismacdonald

Follow me on Twitter  @mwboyce  and Instagram @mwboyce and follow my website michaelwboyce.com/

You can follow the podcast on Twitter @geek4pod and on Instagram @geek4pod

If you liked the show, hit Subscribe and please consider leaving a 5 star review. The more reviews we have, the more we show up in searches. Somehow. I think magic.

Or, tell a friend. Word of mouth is still an effective advertising tool.  

 I respectfully acknowledge that I live and work on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

Michael W. Boyce Episode 231: Crossing Animals with Tanis MacDonald
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Also, Tanis's geekiest objects are the novelizations of the The Planet of the Apes films. But, she only has Battle for The Planet of the Apes , Escape from The Planet of the Apes , and Beneath The Planet of the Apes . If any of you wonderful geeks know where she can get the other books in the series, please reach out to her! Come on, geeks. Let's get this done!

Episode 230: The Wonderful World of Dr. Marcelle Kosman

On this episode of Geek4, I'm joined by the delightfully magical Dr. Marcelle Kosman to discuss her newly discovered love of Walt Disney theme parks! Dr.  Kosman (pronouns she/her) is a public scholar and educator. She is the co-host of the amazing podcast Witch, Please, and teaches at the University of Alberta.  I knew this would be a fascinating conversation because Dr. Kosman is equal parts joyous enthusiasm and deeply thoughtful intellectual. We discuss how the Magic Kingdom assaults you into a state of wonder, transforming Dr. Kosman into a "wine drinking Disney mom." She describes the differences between Disney World and Land, introducing her 7 year-old daughter to the parks, and we discuss millennials, Gen X, Michael Jackson, "magic capitalism," and an assortment of things.

You can follow Marcelle’s archived tweets @kosman8r. Watch for the new iteration of Witch Please that looks beyond the Harry Potter universe And watch for Marcelle’s new podcast, Gender Playground, which talks about gender-affirming caregiving for kids, and launches in June.

Follow me on Twitter  @mwboyce  and Instagram @mwboyce and follow my website michaelwboyce.com/

You can follow the podcast on Twitter @geek4pod and on Instagram @geek4pod

If you liked the show, hit Subscribe and please consider leaving a 5 star review. The more reviews we have, the more we show up in searches. Somehow. I think magic.

Or, tell a friend. Word of mouth is still an effective advertising tool.  

 

I respectfully acknowledge that I live and work on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples

Michael W. Boyce Episode 230: The Wonderful World of Dr. Marcelle Kosman
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Episode 229: It's Me, Hi.

The tables are turned in this episode. My friend, journalist John Longhurst is the one asking the questions of me. John has been a constant source of encouragement for me over the past year . When he asked if I’d ever considered being the subject of an interview for my own podcast, my first thought was “no way.” But then I thought about it. People seem to be curious about the huge changes I’ve been through and I knew John was someone I could trust.

This episode isn’t as “geeky” as some of the other ones, but I think it’s interesting.

Michael W. Boyce Episode 229: It's Me. Hi.
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Episode 228: Coding Subversion - Post Code Films with Dr. Mandy Elliott

Michael W. Boyce Episode 228: Coding Subversion - Post Code Films with Dr. Mandy Elliott

For this episode of Geek4, I'm joined by the returning Dr. Mandy Elliott. The last time Mandy was here, (all the way back to episode 15!) we discussed her love of Alfred Hitchcock movies. This time, we discuss her current obsession with American screwball comedies and those innovative filmmakers who were able to get risque material past the rigid Hays code in the mid 1930s to the 1940s. Filmmakers like Preston Sturges, Howard Hawks, Frank Capra  and Ernst Lubitsch.

And films like HIs Girl Friday  (1940)

and The Miracle of Morgan's Creek (1944) (my personal favourite "alternative Christmas classic - you guys can keep Die Hard).

and To Be or Not To Be (1942).


You can follow Mandy Elliott on Twitter @mandy_elliott and check out her podcast,  The Juiciest Bits, wherever fine podcasts are sold.

Follow me on Twitter  @mwboyce  and Instagram @mwboyce and follow my website michaelwboyce.com/

You can follow the podcast on Twitter @geek4pod and on Instagram @geek4pod

If you liked the show, hit Subscribe and please consider leaving a 5 star review. The more reviews we have, the more we show up in searches. Somehow. I think magic.

Or, tell a friend. Word of mouth is still an effective advertising tool.  

I respectfully acknowledge that I live and work on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

Episode 227: Required VWing with Julie S. Lalonde

Episode 227: Required VWing with Julie S. Lalonde
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On this episode of Geek4, I'm joined by Julie S. Lalonde. Julie is an internationally recognized women's rights advocate, feminist killjoy, and pubic educator. In fact, Julie's probably the top public educator in Canada. Her work on consent, stalking, and bystander intervention have made her an in-demand speaker, not only in Canada, but around the world.

Her memoir, Resilience is Futile: The Life and Death and Life of Julie S. Lalonde, was released right at the beginning of lockdown (Spring 2020 by Between the Lines) and is an engaging, harrowing tale of her own experience with stalking.

When I reached out to her to ask if she'd be interested, I knew it was a long shot. (I never think anyone wants to come on my show). Julie is popular and highly sought after speaker... and she gets a lot of death threats (as we discuss a bit). But she wrote back almost immediately, "Are you free this Thursday?"

And we talk about Julie's "true love": classic Volkswagon cars. She owns two of them. They have names.

As a non-car person (I have often said, only slightly joking, for me cars are stereos with wheels), I was especially interested to talk to someone who loves something I just don't understand.

You can find out more about Julie and her important work at yellowmanteau.com

 

Follow me on Twitter  @mwboyce  and Instagram @mwboyce and follow my website michaelwboyce.com/

You can follow the podcast on Twitter @geek4pod and on Instagram @geek4pod

If you liked the show, hit Subscribe and please consider leaving a 5 star review. The more reviews we have, the more we show up in searches. Somehow. I think magic.

Or, tell a friend. Word of mouth is still an effective advertising tool.  

 I respectfully acknowledge that I live and work on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

Episode 226: Greased Up with Megan Phillips

Michael W. Boyce Episode 226: Greased Up with Megan Phillips
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On this episode of Geek4, I'm joined by Megan Phillips. Megan is a ridiculously talented writer/performer who's won awards for her shows. She's an excellent teacher and facilitator. And she LOVES Grease and Grease 2. Like a lot. She's writing a show about how much she loves Grease and Grease 2. This is a funny, moving conversation about finding comfort and safety in things that we love.

You can learn more about Megan and what she's up to on her website meganphillips.com, follow her Instagram @megnatphil

Follow me on Twitter  @mwboyce  and Instagram @mwboyce and follow my website michaelwboyce.com/

You can follow the podcast on Twitter @geek4pod and on Instagram @geek4pod

If you liked the show, hit Subscribe and please consider leaving a 5 star review. The more reviews we have, the more we show up in searches. Somehow. I think magic.

Or, tell a friend. Word of mouth is still an effective advertising tool.  

 I respectfully acknowledge that I live and work on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

Episode 225: Technically Speaking with Bonni Stachowiak

Michael W. Boyce Episode 225: Technically Speaking with Bonni Stachowiak
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My guest on this episode is Bonni Stachowiak. Bonni is dean of teaching and learning and professor of business and management at Vanguard University of Southern California. As the creator and host of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast, she provides a space for discussing the art and science of facilitating learning. She also explores ways to improve instructor’s productivity, so they can be more present for their students and have more peace in their lives.

Bonni has conducted workshops and presented keynotes at various academic conferences on how to more effectively facilitate learning. She’s also shared ways to use educational technology to improve teaching and approaches for providing greater agency to our students in their learning. And it’s her infectious love of technology and her willingness to try new toys that we talk about today.

She is married to Dave Stachowiak, host of the Coaching for Leaders podcast. They have two young children, work full-time jobs, are both computer geeks, and are living joyfully ever after together.

You can find Bonni online at https://teachinginhighered.com and her podcast, Teaching in Higher Ed, is available where all the finest podcasts are found.

Follow me on Twitter  @mwboyce  and Instagram @mwboyce and follow my website michaelwboyce.com/

You can follow the podcast on Twitter @geek4pod and on Instagram @geek4pod

If you liked the show, hit Subscribe and please consider leaving a 5 star review. The more reviews we have, the more we show up in searches. Somehow. I think magic.

Or, tell a friend. Word of mouth is still an effective advertising tool.  

 I respectfully acknowledge that I live and work on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

Episode 223: How you like that (Fiona) Apple? with Liz Harmer

Michael W. Boyce Episode 223: How you like that (Fiona) Apple? with Liz Harmer
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On this episode of Geek4, I'm joined by Liz Harmer. Liz is an award-winning Canadian writer living in California. Her essays, stories and poetry are widely published. Her first novel, The Amateurs, was called a "near perfect debut novel" by Quill and Quire. Her next novel, Strange Loops, will be released Jan 31 with Knopf/Vintage Canada. It's available for preorder now wherever fine books are sold.

As a a writer - and as a human being - she's smart, witty and thoroughly engaging. We talk about Liz's long lasting love of the music of Fiona Apple and what Apple's five albums have meant to her.

The conversation goes in some fascinating directions (all thanks to Liz) about art and music, and women's art, and mental health. I loved getting a glimpse of Liz's creative process and the role music plays in that.

For those of you in the Greater Toronto area, Liz will be at Flying Books in Toronto on Feb 2 (from 6:30 - 8:30) as part of the launch of Strange Loops . I'll be there and would love to see you. Liz will be other places too, so check out her EVENTS page to see if she'll be speaking close to you.

For information about Liz', check out her website https://www.lizharmer.com. You can follow her on Instagram @harmerliz and Twitter @lizharmer.

Follow me on Twitter  @mwboyce  and Instagram @mwboyce and follow my website michaelwboyce.com/

You can follow the podcast on Twitter @geek4pod and on Instagram @geek4pod

If you liked the show, hit Subscribe and please consider leaving a 5 star review. The more reviews we have, the more we show up in searches. Somehow. I think magic.

Or, tell a friend. Word of mouth is still an effective advertising tool.  

 I respectfully acknowledge that I live and work on th traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples