This is my Toronto

Do you sometimes feel left out when friends are discussing the news? Do you wish you were more interested in the current events of the day? Would you like to be more fluent in world issues but simply don’t have the time to cozy up with a newspaper on a regular basis? Perhaps you're a news junkie, that is always looking for one more story? My guest today is Jacqueline Leung, Founder and Editor and Chief of Pressed, a Toronto based news service that offers a solution for exactly those dilemmas. Their goal is really simple: to bring the top 5 news stories to your inbox every day and to do it in a way that makes news easy and fun to read. In this episode, we talk to Jacqueline about where she got her start, what led her to start Pressed, why they chose 5 articles, some of their successes and challenges, and what the future holds for them. Pressed News can be found at pressednews.com. It’s easy to sign up and it doesn’t cost you anything. Check it out while you’re listening to our conversation. Please remember to take 5 seconds to leave a rating on iTunes. Comments are welcome also. If you're a regular listener and you enjoy the show, please consider donating to our Patreon campaign at patreon.com/thisismytoronto. Previous episodes can be found on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play Music, or else at our website, http://thisismytoronto.com. Thanks for listening!!

My guest today is Ewan Wardle. He’s a Program Development Officer at Fort York National Historical Site, where he has served in various roles for the last 17 years. As a young person, Ewan got involved with War of 1812 re-enactments, a passion that has continued to this day. Through this, he fostered a lifelong interest in early 19th century British military history that culminated in his being awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal in recognition of his contributions to Fort York. More recently, his knowledge and understanding of 1812 military re-enactments have made him an important consultant to the film industry. Toronto and its surrounding area is located on an incredible watershed. As a result, and as a result of its naturally protected harbour, people have been coming here for thousands of years, for the most part because of its excellent hunting and fishing. In no way is there any intention in today’s show to sweep the displacement of Toronto’s indigenous peoples under the rug. The ill-defined treaties with the Anishnabek people that ultimately took their land from them is a tragic history that must and will be told by This is my Toronto. Today, however, Ewan will be discussing with us the establishment of the town that will one day become the City of Toronto that we know today and the Fort that was created to protect Upper Canada’s newly minted capital. Please remember to take 5 seconds to leave a rating on iTunes. Comments are welcome also. Previous episodes can be found on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play Music, or else at our website, http://thisismytoronto.com. Thanks for listening!!

My guest today is the City Librarian at the Toronto Public Library, Vickery Bowles. The Toronto Public Library (or TPL) is a one hundred branch system intertwined to serve 2.8 million people in the City of Toronto. This makes it the largest and busiest urban public library system in the world. Vickery has worked as a leader within TPL, spearheading numerous service development activities and developing solutions that engage all members of our diverse and growing city. She is currently working to advance TPL’s new strategic plan and its digital strategies that support new service models, digital inclusion, mobility, e-learning, and innovation. Today we’ll talk about those initiatives, the many programs they offer, their special shows and collections, their core values, and as you heard from our opening, what the library means to democracy. Please remember to take 5 seconds to leave a rating on iTunes. Comments are welcome also. Previous episodes can be found on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play Music, or else at our website, http://thisismytoronto.com. Thanks for listening!!

My guest today is well-known Canadian portfolio manager, Kim Shannon. Kim is President and Co-Chief Investment Officer at Sionna Investment Managers, a Toronto based firm that she founded 2002. Prior to founding Sionna, she was Chief Investment Officer and Senior Vice President at Merrill Lynch Investment Managers Canada. She is on the board of the Canadian Coalition for Good Governance, the Accounting Standards Oversight Committee and the CFA Institute's Financial Analysts Seminar. She is also a past President of the Toronto CFA Society. She has previously been awarded the Morningstar Fund Manager of the Year award, the RBC Canadian Woman Entrepreneur Award, and the Women’s Executive Network’s, Canada’s Most Powerful Women Top 100 Award. Today we’ll talk to Kim about the catalyst for creating Sionna, her investment philosophy, and the value of ongoing financial advice. We’ll also talk about Toronto as Canada’s Financial Capital and we’ll get her thoughts on women within the financial services sector past/present/and future. Please remember to take 5 seconds to leave a rating on iTunes. Comments are welcome also. Previous episodes can be found on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play Music, or else at our website, http://thisismytoronto.com. Thanks for listening!!

My guest today is lead singer and guitarist Casey Van from the band Turbo Street Funk. This New Orleans inspired Brass Rock Band started out here in Toronto busking at Queen and Spadina back in 2011. In 2014, a chance meeting with one of their idols allowed them to record their very first record entitled “To The Street” and they’ve been continuing to build their name and reputation ever since. Today, we talk about the band, their influences, what the future holds and who that “chance” meeting was with back in 2014. Before we get started, I’d like to make a request. If you’ve never done so, I would really appreciate it if you would take 5 seconds to leave a rating on iTunes, and if you want to take the additional time to write a comment, that would be great too. Previous episodes can be found on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play Music, or else at our website, thisismytoronto.com. Thanks for listening!!

My guest today is Steve Thomas. Steve runs Stephen Thomas Ltd, a company that specializes in helping organizations develop and run effective fundraising campaigns. In fact, when it comes to fundraising, there’s few, if any that know the business like him. Case in point, he has been described as both the ‘guru’ and the ‘godfather’ of Canadian direct mail fundraising. Since the 1970s, Steve has built his reputation as a saavy fundraiser, both for charitable organizations, and the provincial and federal NDP. He’s also won numerous awards and honours from various organizations around the world including the International Fundraising Congress in Holland, the London based Resource Alliance, and Amnesty International. Today, we’re going to discuss where he got his start, how he became interested in fundraising, and the development of his consulting firm and now agency, Stephen Thomas Ltd. We’ll also discuss the two books he’s written and one of his other big passions – coaching high school basketball. The music for the podcast has been graciously provided by Toronto’s own, Modus Factor. The music is from their new album The Picasso Zone which can be purchased on iTunes or at www.chrislesso.com Previous episodes can be found on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play Music, or else at our website, http://thisismytoronto.com. Thanks for listening!!

My guest today is Toronto based production designer and director David Hackl. David is probably most well-known for his work on the SAW franchise of movies, but he has many other credits to his name as well. He started his career on the set of a music video for Kim Mitchell, before he began building his reputation as a terrific Art Director and Production Designer. Today we’re going to talk about where he got his start, how he got drawn into the horror genre, and how the horror film business works. We’ll also discuss his films, past, present, and future, what it’s like to work with Bart the Bear, and the film industry in Canada in general. The music for the podcast has been graciously provided by Toronto’s own, Modus Factor. The music is from their new album The Picasso Zone which can be purchased on iTunes or at www.chrislesso.com Previous episodes can be found on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play Music, or else at our website, http://thisismytoronto.com. Thanks for listening!!

My guests today are two award winning Toronto Theatre veterans, Sue Miner and Mark Brownell. They are the co-founders of the Pea Green Theatre Group, which they established in 1988. Their goal was to bring a wide variety of stories and characters to appreciative audiences across Canada. Since their inception, they have received 15 Dora Award nominations, which is an award presented annually by the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts that honors theatre, dance, and opera productions in Toronto. Today we’re going to talk to Sue and Mark about where they got their start, how they met, the Theatre scene and business in Toronto and Canada, and their most recent production Clique Claque, which premiered at the 2017 Next Stage Theatre festival. Previous episodes can be found on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play Music, or else at our website, thisismytoronto.com. Thanks for listening!!

My guest today is renowned biographer & historian Charlotte Gray.  Charlotte is a master storyteller, who brings history to life in a way that makes it accessible to anybody. She’s written about people like Alexander Graham Bell, Nellie McClung, and E. Pauline Johnson (Tekahionwake). Her book on the Klondike called Gold Diggers is a pure page turner, on a cast of characters that includes the famous Mountie, Sam Steele. Today we’re going to talk about where she got her start, her first big success, The Massey Murder, Gold Diggers, the upcoming Sesquicentennial, and of course, her new book, The Promise of Canada. Previous episodes can be found on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play Music, or else at our website, thisismytoronto.com. Thanks for listening!!

Today's guest painted Hockey Knights in Canada, the famous murals that are opposite each other at the College Street Subway station.  His name is Charles Pachter, and his work not only adorns subway halls in downtown Toronto, but also the Canadian Embassy in Washington, Canada House in London, the Parliament Buildings, the Prime Minister’s residence, and the Embassy of France in Ottawa.  There’s also a short video that goes with this episode that I’ve posted to Youtube. It's called 'Canada's Artist' Charles Pachter.  Previous episodes can be found on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play Music, or else at our website, thisismytoronto.com.

If you listened to last week’s episode, you know that I had indigenous artist, activist, and educator, Eddy Robinson on the show. This is part 2 of that episode. Today, as a continuation of our discussion, Eddy and I are going to talk about leadership, some of Toronto’s odd choices for public indigenous statues, Truth and Reconciliation, and what the future holds for the exceptional work that he does. We’re also going to discuss his thoughts on multiculturalism and the impact it has on the indigenous community. If you are a music fan, I think you’re going to love this episode. Eddy deconstructs and demystifies indigenous music for me, and if you’ve always wondered what Pow Wow music is all about, today you’re going to find out. The music for the podcast has been graciously provided by Toronto's own Modus Factor. The music is from their new album The Picasso Zone, which can be purchased on iTunes or at www.chrislesso.com. Previous episodes can be found on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play Music, or else at our website, thisismytoronto.com. Thanks for listening, and remember: Don't let it get stuffy in here Toronto. Let's keep the roof open!!

My guest today is indigenous artist, activist, and educator, Eddy Robinson. Eddy is an Anishinaabe/Muskegowuk Cree of the Missanabie Cree First Nation, raised in the city of Toronto. In our talk over the coming two episodes we'll discuss what it was like growing up indigenous in Toronto (or Canada), what challenges he faced, and whether those challenges are common for others. We'll also talk about indigenous music, multiculturalism, current issues like Truth and Reconciliation, and his career as as an "artist, activist & educator" as well as his company, Morningstar River. The music for the podcast has been graciously provided by Toronto's own Modus Factor. The music is from their new album The Picasso Zone, which can be purchased on iTunes or at www.chrislesso.com. Previous episodes can be found on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play Music, or else at our website, thisismytoronto.com. Thanks for listening, and remember: Don't let it get stuffy in here Toronto. Let's keep the roof open!!

My guest today is Julian Taylor, of the Julian Taylor Band. Julian has been a part of the Toronto music scene since the late 90s. In 2001, he enjoyed considerable success with his band Staggered Crossing, but unfortunately massive national and international success would elude them and they would finally break up in 2007. Fortunately, this talented artist could not be held at bay and soon was releasing new and exceptional material that would find its way onto radio, and tv and movie soundtracks. Now, in 2016, he has released an absolute gem in the album Desert Star which is gaining well deserved acclaim across Canada and south of the border. Some have said Julian Taylor represents “The Toronto Sound”, and if that’s the case, I think we have a lot to be proud of. Of note in this episode, it does occasionally contain some strong language and a couple of themes that are of an adult nature. Just giving you the heads up. The music for the podcast has been graciously provided by Toronto's own Modus Factor. The music is from their new album The Picasso Zone, which can be purchased on iTunes or at www.chrislesso.com. Previous episodes can be found on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play Music, or else at our website, thisismytoronto.com. Thanks for listening, and remember: Don't let it get stuffy in here Toronto. Let's keep the roof open!!

My guest today is Jarka Crawford, a Registered Holistic Nutritionist and Certified Holistic Cancer Practitioner. Her story is like so many Torontonians and Canadians in general. She's a relatively new immigrant, who's raising a family and running a business at the same time. You probably know someone just like her. Today we'll talk about her business (Clever Family Meals), how to make simple changes to your diet for longer term health, and what life was like growing up in communist Czechoslovakia. The music for the podcast has been graciously provided by Toronto's own Modus Factor. The music is from their new album The Picasso Zone, which can be purchased at www.chrislesso.com. Previous episodes can be found on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play Music, or else at our website, http://thisismytoronto.com. Thanks for listening, and remember: Don't let it get stuffy in here Toronto. Let's keep the roof open!!

My guest today is Alice Klein, co-founder and CEO of NOW Magazine. NOW is the number one alt-weekly publication in all of North America with a weekly readership of over 325,000. Alice is an amazing entrepreneur, publisher, writer, documentarian, and activist and in the year 2000, was called one of the 100 Graduates Who Shaped the Century by the U of T Alumnae Association. Today we’re going to talk to Alice about her early life and career, the creation of NOW Magazine, her 2007 documentary, The Call of the Hummingbird, and some of her other projects where she’s an active board member. The music for the podcast has been graciously provided by Toronto's own Modus Factor. The music is from their new album The Picasso Zone, which can be purchased at www.chrislesso.com. Previous episodes can be found on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play Music, or else at our website, http://thisismytoronto.com. Thanks for listening, and remember: Don't let it get stuffy in here Toronto. Let's keep the roof open!!

Today we're "jumping the shark" by having Canadian film icon, Don McKellar on the show. His work includes such masterpieces as Roadkill, Highway 61, Twitch City, The Drowsy Chaperone, Blindness, The Grand Seduction, Sensitive Skin, and my personal favourite, The Red Violin. Today, we're going to talk to Don about where it all began, the importance of family, his many collaborators, and why he stayed in Toronto, where many would have gone to Hollywood or New York. The music for the podcast has been graciously provided by Toronto's own Modus Factor. The music is from their new album The Picasso Zone, which can be purchased at www.chrislesso.com. Previous episodes can be found on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play Music, or else at our website, http://thisismytoronto.com. Thanks for listening, and remember: Don't let it get stuffy in here Toronto. Let's keep the roof open!!

Welcome to This is my Toronto, the podcast that showcases our great city by focusing on the incredible and talented work of local entrepreneurs, entertainers and historians. Our guest today is Rory O'Shea, a well-known Toronto radio personality and commercial voice. Over the years, Rory has been the voice of The Weather Network, Fallsview Casino, Aleve, K'NEX building sets, and P90X. Prior to that, he was a successful DJ at stations such as Toronto’s Q107. Today, we'll talk to Rory about how he became interested in radio, where he got his start, his time at the Mighty Q, and the formation of Imedge Communications to represent all aspects of his full schedule of voiceover and acting work. The music for the podcast has been graciously provided by Toronto's own Modus Factor. The music is from their new album The Picasso Zone, which can be purchased at www.chrislesso.com. Previous episodes can be found on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play Music, or else at our website, http://thisismytoronto.com. Thanks for listening, and remember: Don't let it get stuffy in here Toronto. Let's keep the roof open!!

Our guest today is local Toronto actor and musician, Joe Kelly.  The focus of our talk will centre around his band My Psycho Ex, and his relationship with a wonderful program called The Keys to the Studio.  We'll also talk about the high cost of living in this city and the amazing way that Joe is challenging the status quo in that regard.  The music for the podcast has been graciously provided by My Psycho Ex, and they can be found on Soundcloud.

Our guest today is Mark Bowden, an expert on human behaviour and body language.  Today we'll talk to Mark about how he became interested in body language, when it's important to be inauthentic, and his company and methodology, TRUTHPLANE.  The music for the podcast has been graciously provided by Toronto's own Modus Factor and it's from their new album, The Picasso Zone which can be purchased at www.chrislesso.com.

Our guest today is Jonathan Scotland from the University of Toronto, and we'll be talking with him about what war means to Canadians, our relationship with Vimy Ridge, and the conditions and challenges our veterans faced when they came home to Toronto following the Great War.  His website is www.jonathanscotland.com.  The music for the podcast has been graciously provided by Toronto's own Modus Factor.  The music is from their new album The Picasso Zone, which can be purchased at www.chrislesso.com

Welcome to This is my Toronto, the podcast that showcases our great city, by focusing on the incredible and talented work of local entrepreneurs, entertainers, and historians. Our guest today is Sebastian Major, a Toronto area teacher who hosts a fantastic podcast called Our Fake History.  which seeks to determine those things in history that are fact, fiction, or simply a good story that must be told.  The podcast can be found at www.ourfakehistory.com The music for the podcast has been graciously provided by Toronto's own Modus Factor. The music is from their new album The Picasso Zone, which can be purchased at www.chrislesso.com. And remember:  Don't let it get stuffy in here Toronto.  Let's keep the roof open!!

Welcome to This is my Toronto, the podcast that will showcase our great city by focusing on the incredible and talented work of local entrepreneurs, entertainers, and historians. Have you ever wanted to play drums?  Our first guest Chris Lesso made that dream a reality and turned it into a career of performing, teaching, and inspiring all those around him. The music for the podcast has been graciously provided by Toronto's own Modus Factor.  The music is from their new album The Picasso Zone, which can be purchased at www.chrislesso.com. And remember:  Don't let it get stuffy in here Toronto.  Let's keep the roof open!!

Welcome to This is my Toronto, the podcast that will showcase our great city by focusing on the incredible and talented work of local entrepreneurs, entertainers, and historians. The music for the podcast has been graciously provided by Toronto's own Modus Factor.  The music is from their new album The Picasso Zone, which can be purchased at www.chrislesso.com And remember: Don't let it get stuffy in here Toronto.  Let's keep the roof open!!