Shows
Journey of the ArtEp 28: When Sickness Comes: Children navigating hard timesIn Episode 28, I’m joined by Kate Jenks Landry, author of A Summer Without Anna, to discuss the hardship children face when a family member is sick.When we think about sickness, especially those requiring hospitalizations and long-term care, the focus is on the patient and rightfully so. But what happens to the children in the family, who often have to live with a relative or family friend? Is there any impact of this separation on their state of mind and worldview?A Summer Without Anna revolves around Junie, a young girl who is placed in...2025-07-1650 minJourney of the ArtEp 27: Through the Prism of Crisis: Reflections on Alcoholism and Political UnrestWhat parallels can be drawn between personal and societal crisis?In this episode, I’m joined by James Cairns, professor and writer of the essay collection, In Crisis, On Crisis, to discuss what happens when we examine crisis not just from the lens of societal injustice and political upheaval but also from the lens of personal, secret struggles.James opens up about overcoming alcohol addiction, and we discuss the impact of his revelation on his work relationships. We also stumble on a looming crisis as we unpack these matters—the diminishing privilege of truth telling and w...2025-07-0351 minJourney of the ArtEp 26: Parenting ADHD Through the Lens of Ship SalvageWhat do ADHD and ship salvage have in common? In this episode of the Journey of the Art podcast, Elizabeth Rynecki and I discuss her six-part podcast series, That Sinking Feeling, exploring the similarities between her father’s job in ship salvage and her son’s ADHD struggles. When Elizabeth completed her non-fiction memoir and began looking for her next project, an unlikely convergence of ideas occurred to her. Sorting through her father’s work in ship salvage, she began to see a connection between the explosive nature of ship salvage and her son’s explosive...2025-06-1849 minJourney of the ArtEp 25: The Untold Daughter of Cervantes: Martha Batiz on Voice & Historical FictionWho really was Isabel de Saavedra? And was she really as cruel as history portrays her? In Episode 25, Martha Bátiz tells me what inspired her to reimagine the stories of Miguel de Cervantes, his sisters, wife, and daughter, Isabel de Saavedra, in her latest historical novel, A Daughter’s Place. Set in 16th-century Spain, the historical fiction revolves around Miguel’s daughter, Isabel, who finds out after her mother’s death that her father is the renowned poet and war hero, Miguel de Cervantes. Isabel is forced to po...2025-06-0459 minJourney of the ArtEp 24: Rewriting the Masters: Radha Chakravarty on Translating Tagore, Feminism & Pandemic PoetryI’m joined by poet, scholar, and renowned translator Radha Chakravarty for a powerful conversation on the crossroads between translation and literature, feminism in writing, and the inner work of creating across languages. We explore Radha’s life as a multilingual writer in India, her deep relationship with Tagore’s work, and what it means to be a translator of emotion, memory, and resistance. From pandemic poetry to the importance of community, we unpack the responsibility—and courage—of those who carry words across borders.If you care about women in literature, literary translation, and writi...2025-05-2145 minJourney of the ArtEp 23: Writing as Redemption: Alex R Johnson on Family, Race, and Brooklyn“Whatever my life story is, the last line cannot be: ‘And then he died in Texas.’” — Alex R Johnson In this episode, I’m joined by filmmaker and debut author Alex R Johnson to unpack the story behind his debut novel, how screenwriters are robbed of creative ownership, and what it takes to push past imposter syndrome—even at 50. Show Highlights00:00 Introduction3:11 Leaving Brooklyn for Texas and the problem with copyright laws for screenwriters in Hollywood 5:41 What inspired Brooklyn Motto?12:04 What Brooklyn in the '90s still te...2025-05-0748 minJourney of the ArtEp 22: Talking Body Image and Belly Love with Children's Author Thao LamIn this episode, children’s book author and illustrator Thao Lam opens up about her latest picture book, Everybelly—a joyful celebration of body diversity and inclusion for young readers.We discuss:How her daughter’s first comments on her body sparked the book’s creationThe power of bellies as a storytelling lensRaising kids to love their bodies in a judgmental worldCultural identity, food, and body imageHer creative process, artistic challenges, and how she overcame imposter syndromeThao also shares her journey fr...2025-04-2237 minJourney of the ArtEp 21: Unearthing Climate Change in Farah Ghafoor's Shadow PriceWhat happens when poetry meets climate crisis?In this episode, I’m joined by award-winning poet Farah Ghafoor to discuss her poetry collection, Shadow Price, from House of Anansi Press.Taking its title from an economics term—the estimated value of things without a clear market price—Shadow Price explores themes of climate change, capitalism, colonialism, and the multigenerational impact of biodiversity loss. Farah shares how her poems blend lyricism and essayistic form to confront uncomfortable truths about how we live, what we value, and the stories we pass down.2025-04-0733 minJourney of the ArtEp 20: Sometimes I Eat With My Hands: Honouring Food and CultureIn Episode 20, I chat with Kid Haile, author and illustrator of Sometimes I Eat with My Hands. We explore the intersection of food, culture, and identity and how mealtime traditions shape our sense of belonging. Kid shares his journey from science to art, how his daughter inspired his book, the deep meaning behind the Ethiopian dish, injera, and the role of food in preserving cultural heritage. Sometimes I Eat with My Hands gives us a glimpse into a mealtime at Feven’s house, the role of family members during mealtimes, and the importance of honouring eating traditions. It...2025-03-2434 minJourney of the ArtEp 19: Writing feelings: Tackling childhood anxiety in Shy MeHow can we help kids understand and process their emotions? This episode features Sandra V. Feder, author of the Emotions and Me series, to discuss her latest book, Shy Me. We explore the power of storytelling in helping children navigate their feelings, from anger and shyness to peace and resilience.Sandra shares how her experiences as a parent and observer of children’s emotions inspired this series. We also discuss how Shy Me encourages young readers to overcome anxiety, and we get a sneak peek into Lonely Me, her upcoming 2026 release.Show...2025-03-1028 minJourney of the ArtEp 18: Of war and love: Exploring Chinese Canadian history in The RiveterWhat will we see about ourselves when we look at the past?In this episode, I’m chatting with Jack Wang about his debut novel, The Riveter. We discuss themes of love, betrayal, honour, and identity. Jack tells me how he was able to narrow down his research to the most important things and honour the past by carefully relocating it in present bodies. I learned a lot from Jack, and I think this episode is a great resource for anyone writing historical fiction. The Riveter is out now from House of Anansi Pres...2025-02-2445 minJourney of the ArtEp 17: What we keep and lose: Writing about clutter and memoryIn this episode, I sit down with author Jenny Haysom to discuss the themes of keeping and losing in her novel, Keep. We explore the delicate balance between motherhood and creativity, the struggle of carving out solitude as a writer, and the impact of community on personal growth. We also look into the world of home staging, hoarding, and the emotional weight of objects. Keep tells the moving story of two home stagers and their client, Harriet, an elderly poet who is reluctant to sell her home and let go of the paraphernalia of her life. As th...2025-02-1040 minJourney of the ArtEp 16: Rooted in words: Finding home through poetryIn this episode, I reunite with Jonaki Ray (who I met in 2019 as a co-recipient of the Iceland Writers Retreat Alumni Award) to explore the themes of home, belonging, and the delicate dance between art and science in her poetry collection, Firefly Memories. Part memoir and travelogue, Firefly Memories is a poignant collection that speaks to the struggles of belonging, blending beauty, food, and memory to confront hardship and heartache and redefining home and the search for safe places.Whether you’re at home or in search of one, you’ll be inspired by Jonaki’s take on...2025-01-2743 minJourney of the ArtEp 15: Writing the Caribbean: Power, Sex, and Identity in The BelieversIn this episode, I sit down with A.K. Herman, Caribbean poet and fiction writer, to discuss her latest work, The Believers. This compelling collection of eight short stories, mostly set in Trinidad and Tobago, explores themes of religion, politics, love, sex, and spirituality. A.K.’s storytelling pays homage to the storytelling traditions of the Caribbean.
A Goodreads Editors’ December Book Pick, The Believers captivates with its seasoned storytelling. A.K. shares the inspirations behind her writing, the cultural and spiritual influences shaping her narratives, and how she grew as a student of literature.
2025-01-1349 minJourney of the ArtEp 14: What it takes to land big clients in Nigeria's movie industryIf you’re a freelance artist wondering if there’s a secret to landing big clients in your industry, there is, and this episode will tell you what it is! Episode 14 of the podcast is with Feyisayo Oyebisi (aka Feyzo!), who I've known for over ten years.
Feyzo! is a makeup artist and special effects professional who has worked on the biggest productions in Nigeria’s movie industry, including A Naija Christmas and Everybody Loves Jenifa, which is currently in cinemas.
Feyzo!, who calls herself The Billionaire Makeup Artist, is also a...2024-12-2348 minJourney of the ArtEp 13: How a publisher is shaping modern African literatureIn this episode, I chat with editor and publisher, Anwuli Ojogwu, about some trends in modern African literature. We talk about what Nigerians at home and abroad are writing now, her work on the Caine Prize anthology for 2021/22, and some self-publishing tips for writers.Anwuli is a co-founder of Narrative Landscape Press and the Society for Book and Magazine Editors of Nigeria. Find out more about Anwuli below.0:00 – Introduction1:40 – What's the IT factor with popular writers?6:03 – How to build trust with writers 9:48 – Starting a societ...2024-12-0945 minJourney of the ArtEp 12: How to bring communities to life for young readersIn this episode, I chat with Uma Krishnaswami about her latest work, Birds on the Brain. Uma has written for young readers for over 30 years, and she taught writing for 16 years. I think of this episode as a mini-masterclass in writing for children, and I'm so grateful for the tips Uma graciously shared.
Show highlights
(0:00) Introduction
(2:12) Arriving at great ideas through story
(4:57) Book Uncle and the Istri Lady
(7:26) Helping children become better readers
(10:49) How to develop socially conscious themes in children’s book writing
(13:52) Showing re...2024-11-2532 minJourney of the ArtEp 11: Two writers on getting an MFA: Workshops, homesickness, and fundsFrom dealing with homesickness, to learning how to manage workshops, to building community in strange places, Charlie Muhumuza and Chido Muchemwa, PhD, share their experiences in MFA programs. In this honest conversation, they answer the ultimate question: Is getting an MFA necessary for writers? Show highlights0:00 — Introductions and welcome2:18 — The motive for getting an MFA3:54 — Managing workshops and the MFA’s impact on the writing voice11:19 — Giving feedback tactfully and growing in confidence 15:57 — Juggling the workload and managing time 20:34 — Choosing and building community26:52 — All...2024-11-1252 minJourney of the ArtEp 10: Starting a literary magazine: AI, submissions, and fundingUkamaka Olisakwe, the founder and editor-in-chief of Isele Magazine, shares the realities of starting Isele in 2020 and building it into a key platform for African writers.
From navigating challenges like funding to handling submissions from across the globe, Ukamaka shows that passion, dedication, and perseverance are crucial to running a literary magazine.
Show highlights
The inspiration behind Isele Magazine and its launch during the pandemic.
Managing funding and AI-generated submissions.
Insights into building a magazine team and creating a sustainable literary platform.
What makes a good submission stand out.
Key advice for w...2024-10-281h 02Journey of the ArtEp 9: A critic's view on the Nigerian movie industryIn this episode, Jerry Chiemeke and I discuss his work as a movie critic and what he thinks the Nigerian movie industry needs to compete globally. Listen in and let us know your thoughts in the comments below!Jerry Chiemeke’s writing has appeared in Die Welt, The I Paper, The Africa Report, Berlinale Press, and elsewhere. He has been selected for several international film festivals including Sundance, Berlinale, Blackstar Film Festival, and Durban International Film Festival. Show HighlightsFun questions to get to know Jerry (Find out if he does paced...2024-10-1548 minJourney of the ArtEp 8: How to write from dreams and the cure for writers' blockIn this episode, I chat with Mubanga Kalimamukwento, attorney, editor, and author of Obligations to the Wounded. Mubanga shares her cure for writers' block, how she manages being a lawyer and creative writer, and how to write from dreams. We also go into an extensive conversation on Mubanga's forthcoming short story collection, Obligations to the Wounded.HighlightsFun questions to get to know Mubanga (Find out if she prefers writing by hand to typing!)Mubanga reflects on the first time she felt pleased with her writingMubanga's journey from litigation to creative writingStarting a literary...2024-09-3058 minJourney of the ArtEp 7: From beach idea to children's book: Stephanie C. Watterson's inspiring storyFrom an idea that came on a beach in Cuba to a rejection that came 13 months after querying, to a self-published children’s book, Stephanie C. Watterson is evidence that you can manifest your dreams if you’ll just take a leap!
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Guest’s links
Buy Septopus on Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/septopus-stephanie-c-watterson/1146107608?ean=9781779417176
Visit Stephanie’s website: https://contentauthoring.com
Follow Stephanie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-c-watterson-648a60315/
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Host’s links
Find out more about the show: h...2024-09-1637 minJourney of the ArtEp 6: How enamel pins became a creative enterprise | Rubeena IanigroRubeena Ianigro, Founder of The Gray Muse and The Aura Market, and I talk about why (and how) creative entrepreneurs should (and can) establish internal control to grow and pivot in their businesses.
We discuss how to create a business structure, how to rest and lean on support, and why we should let go of expectations that exceed the boundaries of our capacity.
If you’re a creative entrepreneur who is struggling with burnout, focus, and growth, this episode is just for you.
Find out more about Rubeena: https://wordcaps.com/what-it-takes-to-be-a-creative-entrepreneur-with-rubeena-ianigro/
Hig...2024-09-0252 minJourney of the ArtEp 5: "Cry, but move on quickly": Life as an immigrant artist | Tèmítáyò OlófinlúàIn this episode, Tèmítáyò Olófinlúà and I unpack what it means to be an artist and an immigrant. We share vulnerable moments about struggling to survive, learning to write in foreign places, fighting for our creativity, and being open-minded.
We had a lot of laughs on this one, and this might be the episode where I’ve spoken the most!
Highlights
The struggles of job-hunting in the UK
Pivoting to writing for the stage
Stealing time to preserve creativity
Finding new writing communities
Mining stories/the writer as a col...2024-08-1944 minJourney of the ArtEp 4: Why did JJ Lee curate horrible Christmas stories? | JJ LeeIn this episode, I chat with JJ Lee, former CBC host and producer and author of the popular memoir, The Measure of A Man: The Story Of A Father, A Son, And A Suit. JJ tells me what led him to curate imperfect Christmas stories. We discuss the role of the editor as a curator, what happens when trust gets broken between an editor and their client, and he tells me the secret to remaining consistent on his artistic journey.Guest’s links: JJ’s website: https://jj-l...2024-08-0643 minJourney of the ArtEp 3: Why stories get rejected and how to fix themAs an editor and submissions reader, I’ve reviewed hundreds of manuscripts, and over the years, I’ve learned a few things about writing engaging stories. In this episode, I share two reasons why stories get rejected and how to fix them.Get coaching and visit the website: https://linktr.ee/journeyoftheartpod2024-07-2215 minJourney of the ArtEp 2: Handling weirdness & evolving as an artist | Stephanie WattersonIn this episode, Stephanie Watterson (writer, editor, and mixed media artist) and I discuss the importance of evolving as artists and embracing one’s differences.
Stephanie reminisces on painting on the glass doors of her childhood home and shares a touching piece of advice her dad shared with her about being the weird one. In Stephanie's words, "Nobody has your brain, nobody has your heart, nobody has what you have. And even if you're the weird kid, there's a reason why you're the weird kid. You'll find your tribe, you'll find your species."
A...2024-07-0840 minJourney of the ArtEp 1: The Road to the Salt Sea with Samuel KolawoleOn this inaugural episode, I chat with Samuel Kolawole, Assistant Professor of English and African Studies at Pennsylvania State University and author of the forthcoming novel The Road to the Salt Sea.
Listen as we chat about Samuel’s beginnings as a writer, his writing studio for upcoming writers, and his MFA experience. In our extensive discussion about his forthcoming novel, we tried our very best not to give anything away and even spoke some Yoruba!
Artist’s links
Order a copy of The Road to the Salt Sea: https://samuelkolawole.com/the-road-to-the-salt-sea
Read Samuel’s story in the New...2024-06-241h 05