Shows
Kobo in ConversationLeanne Toshiko Simpson on self-care and writing a prize-winning rom-comJoined by a live audience in Kobo's intimate event space, Michael Tamblyn spoke with novelist Leanne Toshiko Simpson, author of Never Been Better and winner of the 2025 Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writer Prize. Never Been Better is the story of a group of three friends who met in a psych ward, but time has passed and now two of whom are about to get married while the third tries to figure out whether to swallow her feelings or let it all out. Leanne Toshiko Simpson on self-care and writing a prize-winning rom-com
2026-02-1834 min
Canada Reads American Style2026 CBC’s Canada Reads Long ListIt's that time of year again when Rebecca and Tara try to predict which five books will make CBC's Canada Reads Short List for 2026! Adding to the excitement is that this year is the 25th anniversary of the debate, so they are hoping for an entertaining look back to find the one book all of Canada should read!
https://www.cbc.ca/books/canadareads/canada-reads-2026-longlist-9.7029177
A Minor Chorus by Billy-Ray Belcourt
Celestina's House by Clarissa Trinidad Gonzalez
Crossroads by Kaleb Dahlgren
Everything Is Fine Here by Iryn Tushabe
Foe by Iain Reid
Heated Rivalry by Rachel R...
2026-01-0826 min
It's a LotFalling Down to Get Back Up (with Leanne Toshiko Simpson)Content warning: This episode contains mentions of suicide attempts (they are not discussed in a detailed or graphic way, but they are mentioned briefly). Please take care while listening.Author, educator, mental health advocate, and mom Leanne Toshiko Simpson joins host Emily Hessney Lynch for a thoughtful and funny conversation about her chaos whirlwind life. Leanne talks about living with bipolar disorder, how having a kid can help you hate mornings less, the ways we're conditioned to shrink ourselves and not be "too much," the power of mad friendship, writing funny in her novel Never Been Better...
2026-01-0652 min
Book Lounge by LibbySun, Sand & Stories: Authors on Crafting the Perfect Summer ReadWhat makes a book the perfect beach read? In this sunny episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe is joined by authors Clémence Michallon, Jonathan Parks-Ramage, Megan Miranda, and Sara Hamdan for a lively conversation about the art of crafting a summer page-turner. From thrillers to romances and everything in between, they unpack what “beach read” really means, how they keep readers hooked, and—crucially—their go-to writing snacks.
Then in segment two, Amy, Bre, Cece, Jananie, and Kayla stop by with top-tier book recommendations to toss in your tote bag, whether you're headed to the coast or j...
2025-07-171h 49
What Happened Next: a podcast about newish booksLeanne Toshiko SimpsonMy guest on this episode is Leanne Toshiko Simpson. Leanne is an author and educator who co-founded a reflective writing program at Canada’s largest mental health hospital and teaches at the University of Toronto. Her debut is the novel Never Been Better, published by HarperCollins Canada in 2024. That book recently won the KOBO Emerging Writer Prize in the category of Romance. In a starred review, Kirkus Reviews called the novel “a funny, refreshing, and generous story full of wisdom on mental health.”Leanne and I talk about how she, as someone with bipolar disorder, handles moment...
2025-07-1430 min
Happy to See Me with Erika CasupananSurviving the psych ward, Asian mental health and turning it all into a romcom with Leanne Toshiko SimpsonLeanne Toshiko Simpson is a psych ward survivor who turned her experience into a refreshingly honest romcom novel about people with mental illness who are happy. In this episode, Leanne shares her journey with bipolar disorder, the dynamics of her multigenerational Japanese Canadian family and her work as a writer and mental health advocate. Leanne delves into the challenges of communicating mental health issues across generations, the inspiration behind her book Never Been Better and the therapeutic power of storytelling. Tune in for an honest conversation about resilience, love, and finding light in the darkest of times.
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2025-05-1240 min
The Self AdvocateOctober EventsI talk with Leanne Toshiko Simpson, Justin Albay, and Nicole Kaler. Leanne is an author of the book, Never Been Better. She is speaking at the Vancouver Writers Festival on October 22nd. Justin is a jewelry maker and will be at the Inclusion Art Show on October 23rd at the Roundhouse Community Centre. Nicole is the president of BCEdAccess and their conference, AdvoCon, is November 1st and 2nd. If you have any questions or comments, please email me at alison.mira.klein@gmail.com
2024-10-221h 00
NBM Talks: Podcast from the Narrative-Based Medicine LabLeanne Toshiko Simpson reads from "Never Been Better"Described as a "hilariously offbeat and tender comedy about one bipolar woman’s messy search for love at a seaside wedding where no one can stay afloat," Leanne Toshiko Simpson reads an excerpt from her new novel Never Been Better (HarperCollins, 2024).
2024-10-1802 minNBM Talks: Podcast from the Narrative-Based Medicine LabA Conversation with Leanne Toshiko SimpsonAuthor and Foundational Certificate alum Leanne Toshiko Simpson shares her thoughts on the connections between her fiction writing and her path in the health humanities, and speaks about the inspiration behind her new novel Never Been Better (HarperCollins, 2024), out now.About Our Guest:Leanne Toshiko Simpson is a mixed-race Yonsei writer, educator, and psychiatric survivor from Toronto. She loves writing joyful, messy, laugh-out-loud stories about living with mental illness, and the moments of hope that help us get out of bed day after day. Leanne is a graduate of the University of Toronto...
2024-10-1828 min
BookCapNever Been BetterThis month Chelsea and Marg dive into Never Been Better by debut author: Leanne Toshiko Simpson. We’re excited to share a special interview with Leanne herself and her own best friend, Lauren Dwyer!
What we’re reading and watching - 1:30
Never Been Better Summary discussion - 10:20
Interview - 15:00
Notes App Segment - 51:10
Media Mentions:
Books -
Bonds that Tie Series by J. Bree
One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
Funny Story by Emily Henry
The Subtweet by Vivek Shraya
I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue
Crescent City Series by Sarah J Mas
Throne of Glass Series by S...
2024-05-3057 min
The Reader's CouchEp. 192 Never Been Better by Leanne Toshiko SimpsonSend me a text messageJetset to the Turks and Caicos, get recommendations of what to do when visiting, and learn more about Leanne’s debut novel Never Been Better. In the novel, we meet a woman navigating mental health struggles, love, and friendships while attending a destination wedding for her best friends in Turks and Caicos.BOOK:Never Been Better by Leanne Toshiko Simpson on Amazon or Bookshop. SHOW NOTES & BOOKLIST:Find the episode show notes and a list of all the books mentioned her...
2024-04-2234 min
LifeSpeakNever Been Better: A Personal Conversation About Mental Illness With Leanne Toshiko SimpsonAuthor and mental health advocate Leanne Toshiko Simpson talks about her personal experience as a psychiatric survivor, what it's like living with bipolar disorder, and why she decided to write a romantic comedy about mental illness. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
2024-04-1725 min
Q with Tom PowerLeanne Toshiko Simpson: Why the rom-com is the perfect format to discuss mental illnessLeanne Toshiko Simpson is looking at romantic comedy through a new lens. The fourth-generation Japanese Canadian writer has just released her debut novel, “Never Been Better,” which tells a love story set at a psychiatric facility. Leanne lives with bipolar disorder and has spent time in a psych ward herself. She joins Tom to tell us why she wanted to use the rom-com format to talk about mental illness.
2024-04-1624 min
Find Best-Selling Full Audiobooks in Fiction, Contemporary WomenNever Been Better by Leanne Toshiko SimpsonPlease visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/1/audiobook/697151 to listen full audiobooks. Title: Never Been Better Author: Leanne Toshiko Simpson Narrator: Kym Miller Format: Unabridged Audiobook Length: 8 hours 26 minutes Release date: March 5, 2024 Genres: Contemporary Women Publisher's Summary: A hilariously offbeat and tender comedy about one bipolar woman’s messy search for love at a seaside wedding where no one can stay afloat. Is she falling in love, or falling apart? Dee, Misa, and Matt were the 'three musketeers' of the psych ward. A year after discharge, Dee is eager to convince everyone that she’s finally turning things around. But Matt and...
2024-03-0510 min