This week we discuss some of our favorite comic book robots! Plus this week's best comics and our review of Junkyard Joe!

On this episode we bring on Phoenix Rose on the show. Artist and Animator, also running her animation studio Little Green Bug, she’s amassed a huge social media audience with her stop motion animations, which has led to different commission projects and collaborations. She currently just released a new book called “The Everyday Adventures of Terryn…

Dr. Marie Wilson reflects on her time as Truth and Reconciliation Commissioner, Danny Ramadan shares what it was like to seek refuge and search for acceptance in Canada, an exploration of the literary scene in Kilworthy Tanner, and more.

Satisfy your sweet tooth and then slap on some stamps! This week we're checking out the mail-away comics Marvel put out as part of a marketing campaign with several candy brands in the 1990s! ----more---- For the transcript of this episode, head over to https://www.tencenttakes.com/transcripts. Email: tencenttakes@gmail.com Twitter: @Tencenttakes I…

On this episode we are talking about your alter ego and who you represent could help you get to the next level in your creative quest.Black Mamba, Sasha Fierce (Beyonce), The Rock, Adele. These names are synonymous with various attributes, qualities, demeanor, strengths, and resilience. And what you believe to be true has incredible effects on your…

Michael V. Smith talks about growing up queer in rural Ontario in his latest poetry collection, two-time Governor General's Literary Award winner David A. Robertson answers the Proust Questionnaire, What made Biography of X a standout book of 2023, the latest novel from Alex Pugsley, and more.

We're getting all dolled up and checking out some books worthy of the runway. For this week's fashion-themed Dollar Bin Discovery, we're looking at Models, Inc 1 and Fashion In Action's Summer Special! ----more---- For the transcript of this episode, head over to https://www.tencenttakes.com/transcripts. Email: tencenttakes@gmail.com Twitter: @Tenc…

Montreal-based author Frankie Barnet writes about obstinate pets and tech billionaires in her latest book, Robert J. Wiersema recommends a few of his favourite new thrillers, why sending hate mail to colleagues is a bad idea with Natalie Sue, and more.

This week we discuss some of our most memorable comic book wars! Plus this week's best issues and what we thought of Tolkein: Lighting up the Darkness!

It's finally happened! We're taking a comic we covered for a Dollar Bin Discovery and doing a proper deep dive on the series. Jessika is leading this week's discussion on Alter Ego, an extremely meta homage to pulp comics by industry icons Ron Harris and Roy Thomas. ----more---- For the transcript of this episode, head over to https://www.tencentta…

This episode I bring on a designer, illustrator and teacher with more than 30 years of creative work under his belt. Starting out with the likes of Wildstorm Comics, and Image Comics in their early years, to working on promotional and comic work for Masters of the Universe and other licensed characters, creating his on music and album, and even now…

Food writer and editor Ruth Reichl talks about her new coming-of-age novel set in France, revisiting Shelagh Rogers’s 2006 conversation with Alice Munro about her short story collection The View from Castle Rock, Will and Ian Ferguson discuss their love of writing, plus authors Elisabeth de Mariaffi and Andrew Pyper reflect on Alice Munro’s legacy.…

What does a pulp hero from the 1930s have in common with a bunch of meddling teenagers? They're Mike and Jessika's choices for this episode's theme of "classic characters!" Mike checked out The Shadow 1, while Jessika picked up Scooby Doo, Where Are You 83! ----more---- For the transcript of this episode, head over to https://www.tencenttakes.com/t…

This episode was inspired from a recent conversation with a fellow creator. Maybe there’s a time you knew you had the gift of creativity, but your problem was having the resources, knowledge, connections, technology, and skills to amplify and unlock what was already in you. So we’ll do this episode like a RPG game. We all start out as base players.…

Ontario science fiction writer discusses the mind, body and cryogenics in his 25th book; Baroness Von Sketch and Schitt's Creek writer shares her first short story collection; Deepa Rajagopalan on the peafowl documentary that inspired her latest book, and more.

This week we recap FCBD and some of our favorite parts. Plus our favorite recent books and what we thought of Spider-Man by Tom Taylor!

Do you love freedom? Do you love it almost as much as the sweet, sweet taste of Bubble Drink? Well, good news! This week, we're talking about the dystopian sci-fi police story Justice Warriors with the comic's creators Matt Bors and Ben Clarkson! ----more---- For the transcript of this episode, head over to https://www.tencenttakes.com/transcripts.…

On this episode we have Jay Montero: A designer, comic book publisher, and athlete. He’s the co-founder of Broken Reality Comics, an indie comic publisher breaking the mold on today’s comics. We talk shop-talking about his comic book series Alpha, the challenges of producing a comic, he shares a little bit of upcoming news in the BRU (Broken Realit…

Nadine Sander-Green pulls inspiration from her time as a reporter in the Yukon in her debut novel, the ultimate tale of opposites attracts in Maritime romance The Catch, Nora Decter on the ripple effect of addiction in her latest book, Cory Doctorow explains the value of geeky friends, and more.

Grab your lightsabers! Find some spice to smuggle! Maybe smooch your sibling! In honor of May the Fourth: It's a very special Star Wars edition of Dollar Bin Discoveries! ----more---- For the transcript of this episode, head over to https://www.tencenttakes.com/transcripts. Email: tencenttakes@gmail.com Twitter: @Tencenttakes Instagram: @Tencenttak…

You have all the gifts and talents you will ever need. Your challenge may be thriving in an environment that’s not set up for you to win. Finding ways of creating the right outer and inner environment for you to be your best creative self.SHARE, SUBSCRIBE, COMMENTThis audio only episode is available onAVAILABLE ON SPOTIFY, SOUNDCLOUD, APPLE PODCAST…

Vancouver author Carleigh Baker explores topics like climate anxiety in her latest short story collection; hear from the folks behind indie bookstores McNally Robinson and Inhabit Books on the popular titles in their shelves; Nova Scotia fiction writer Elaine McCluskey on her latest novel; books that feature contemporary immigrant stories with Anni…

This week we're talking about Amalgam Comics, the publisher that mashed up DC and Marvel comic characters! So it only makes sense to honor our show format and create a very special Dollar Bin Discovery episode with the help of a special guest expert! ----more---- For the transcript of this episode, head over to https://www.tencenttakes.com/transcri…

This episode is from a recent travel to watch the USA Wrestling Olympic Trials held over the weekend at Penn State University. From all the matches watched over 2 days, I’m sharing 3 things I observed and hopefully these insights gives you some value. I also share about the Silent Auction fundraiser for our memorial art scholarship and helping 3 se…

The true story that inspired the latest novel from Alberta author Conor Kerr; Emily Austin on odd phobias and cool space facts; Christina Cooke discusses Broughtupsy and queerness in Jamaica, and more.

This week we discuss some of the worst comic book costumes! Plus our recent favorite comic books and our thoughts on Batman & Robin: Batman Reborn!

Let's do some graverobbing! This week we're digging up Mort the Dead Teenager, one of the strangest comics Marvel ever put out in the 1990s. Joining us to talk about the book is zombie expert and comic creator Will Robson! ----more---- For the transcript of this episode, head over to https://www.tencenttakes.com/transcripts. Email: tencenttakes@gma…

Writer and columnist Brian Francis recommends three books to help you slow down and smell the roses, Greg Rhyno on writing his new mystery series, a glimpse at life in Yukon through the poetry collection Northerny, three mind-expanding science books, and more.

It's time to throw on some comfy sweats, grab your favorite beverage, and burrow under your favorite blanket because we're talking about cozycore comics! Mike picked up Superman Meets the Quick Bunny, while Jessika snuggled up to Star Wars: Ewoks! ----more---- For the transcript of this episode, head over to https://www.tencenttakes.com/transcripts…

Stepping into the spotlight, I found my pulse racing with the familiar thrill of live performance—an exhilaration I thought I'd forgotten during my time away from the stage. It's a roller coaster of emotion that director Kate Carson-Groner knows all too well, as she brings her own brand of magic to "Dead Man's Cell Phone", captivating audiences wit…

How Sonya Lalli balances writing romance and thrillers; disability advocate Dorothy Ellen Palmer talks about her scooter named Rosie; Ontario musician Jeremie Albino on battling writer's block; Myriam J. A. Chancy’s new novel reflects on Haiti’s past and present; multi-Juno winner Tom Wilson answers the Proust Questionnaire, and more.…

Howdy, partner! This week's Dollar Bin Discoveries has us checking out some Wild West-themed comics. Mike came across an issue of the Justice League tangling with DC's Weird West heroes and Jessika rode into town with Billy the Kid's Old Timey Oddies! ----more---- Our new site is live! For the transcript of this episode, head over to https://www.te…

This episode was inspired from a recent conversation with a fellow creator. Maybe there’s a time you knew you had the gift of creativity, but your problem was having the resources, knowledge, connections, technology, and skills to amplify and unlock what was already in you. So we’ll do this episode like a RPG game. We all start out as base players.…

Shilpi Somaya Gowda discusses her latest novel A Great Country; thriller author Nicole Lundrigan answers The Next Chapter’s version of the Proust Questionnaire; writer and lifelong skateboarder Cole Nowicki on his latest essay collection; an exploration of power dynamics by way of May-December romance novels, and more.…

This week we discuss some of our favorite comic book based cartoons that we watched when we were young. Plus this weeks best books and our thoughts on TMNT Saturday Morning Adventures!

What happens when you really want to put Godzilla in your comic but don't have the rights anymore? Well, if you're Marvel, you have Iron Man fight a knockoff kaiju. Buckle up, folks! We brought in Godzilla expert Nick Marino to talk about this arc, and it's an absolute blast. ----more---- For the transcript of this episode, head over to https://www…

This throwback episode, from a topic sent to me from a listener. We talk about the Dream Deferred, the cost of not going after the things you were put here on this planet to do. Many times we fall into the delusion of feeling like we always have tomorrow. There’s someone that’s waiting for the right words to hear, the music to feel, the art to see …

Ever wondered how an actress could convincingly portray man's best friend on stage? In our latest episode, we're joined by the incredible Britt Cannino, who shares her journey into the heart of a beloved canine character in the play Sylvia. Strap in for a whirlwind exploration of the acting world, where laughter mingles with profound insights. Brit…

Canadian authors Kate Hilton and Elizabeth Renzetti talk about teaming up to write their latest mystery novel, Toronto pop-punk artist Garrett Neiles on songwriting, the humorous and heartwarming tale of a Nigerian Canadian family in Pride and Joy, Talia Kliot recommends three campus novels, and more.…

Are you ready to listen to us talk about heroes you've (probably) never heard of? This week, we're looking at some lesser-known superhero books: Mike's checking out Pantheon while Jessika is reading Alter Ego from First Comics! ----more---- Our new site is live! For the transcript of this episode, head over to https://www.tencenttakes.com/transcrip…

This episode is taken from the dreaded orange maintenance required light that recently popped up on my dashboard. I use this opportunity to craft a a creative episode based around that. Who are the people, or circumstances that throw you the maintenance required signal when you feel low on energy or maybe pushed a little too hard? We need those sig…

It's a bit after St. Patrick's Day, but that won't stop us from reminiscing about the good times and the less good (corn dog incident), Pull up a chair as we candidly navigate the often-misunderstood realm of Kegel exercises, debunking myths and offering a fresh perspective on pelvic health. You'll get a dose of our personal experiences and perhaps…

CBC Book’s in house TikTok star Bridget Raymundo on why 'romantasy' is having its moment, B.C. writer Scott Alexander Howard talks philosophy, time travel, and grief in The Other Valley, writer and 20th century fiction fan Christine Estima shares her top picks from the genre, and more.

This week we talk about some of our favorite comic book kids, our favorite recent books, and what we thought of Fantastic Four: Life Story!

When is a comic not so much a comic and more a synesthesiastic pulp fever dream? This week, Jessika's taking us on a tour of one of the most avant garde comics ever: Steve Aylett's Hyperthick! ----more----For the transcript of this episode, head over to https://www.tencenttakes.com/transcripts. Email: tencenttakes@gmail.com Twitter: @Tencenttakes I…

This episode we talk about imposter syndrome. Everyone has experienced it in some form or fashion. The context of the episode is from a short conversation between me and a mma fighter after a workout. He didn’t feel deserving of a jiu jitsu belt promotion, a very important ceremony in jiu jitsu culture. The feeling of unworthiness can drown out any…

GC stumbled across the possibility that his ancestors may have been slave owners, sparking a candid exploration of heritage. Switching gears, we plunge headfirst into the high-stakes world of women's basketball, where passion and competition recently boiled over into a physical altercation on the court in the SEC Championship game between South Car…

The Hope Ablaze author discusses the inspiration behind her first novel, Sheung-King explores millennial life in Hong Kong, The Next Chapter columnist Treasa Levasseur on her favourite audiobooks, plus more.

It's March! Which means it's Women's History Month! This week, the Dollar Bin Discoveries are Women's History-related. Jessika picked up Female Force: Hillary Clinton, while Mike brought in Death Talks About Life. ----more---- Our new site is live! For the transcript of this episode, head over to https://www.tencenttakes.com/transcripts. Email: ten…

This episode we sit down with Ciara Dominique. A multi disciplinary creative who uses music, writing, and film to highlight the importance of our stories. As Co-Founder of The Silent Disc0 and Founder of Re Radio there is a heightened belief that it is not good enough to create the spaces we need, we must create them with everyone in mind.We share …