The Artsy Raven Podcast about Writing and Art with host JF Garrard

James Cairns explores how crisis shapes our world, why hechose to write about it beyond academic constraints, and the creative risk of starting to write before feeling fully ready.

James Cairns lives with his family in Paris, Ontario, onterritory that the Haldimand HAULD a min Treaty of 1784 recognizes as belonging to the Six Nations of the Grand River in perpetuity. He is a professor in the Department of Indigenous Studies, Law and Social Justice at Wilfrid LaurierUniversity, where his courses and research focus on political theory and social movements.

James is a staff writer at the Hamilton Review of Books,and the community relations director for the Paris-based Riverside Reading Series. James has published three books with the University of Toronto Press, most recently, The Myth of the Age of Entitlement: Millennials, Austerity, and Hope (2017), as well as numerous essays in many periodicals.

In this episode, James reads from In Crisis, On Crisis:Essays in Troubled Times.

Book webpage: https://bookstore.wolsakandwynn.ca/products/in-crisis-on-crisis

Artsy Raven links:
For more about The Artsy Raven Podcast or to join ourexclusive Artsy Raven club to receive free books and other cool stuff, visit: https://artsyraven.com/

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Tracy Wolff shares how working with middle-grade students who hated reading inspired her to start writing, explains her process for choosing a myth for each new book, and talks about the joy she finds in worldbuilding.

Tracy Wolff is the #1 New York Times, #1 internationally, #1 Wall Street Journal, and USA TODAY bestselling author of the Crave series as well as many other novels. A lover of mythology, vampires, and getting lost in a great book, she’s spent her whole life asking “what if” and “what happens next”—questions being a writer has helped her answer again and again. At six, she wrote her first short story—something with a rainbow, a unicorn, and a shapeshifting prince—and atseven, she forayed into the wonderful world of middle grade literature with her first Judy Blume novel. A one-time English professor, she now devotes all her time to writing fun, action-packed, romantic stories with fantastical worlds and characters who leap off the page. She has written all her seventy-plus novels from her home in Austin, Texas, which she shares with her partner, her sons, and their three adorable dogs.

In this episode, Tracy reads from The Aftermyth.
Author website: https://tracywolffauthor.com/

Artsy Raven links:
For more about The Artsy Raven Podcast or to join our exclusive Artsy Raven club to receive free books and other cool stuff, visit: https://artsyraven.com/

If you really like this show, please feel free to send us a digital tip https://ko-fi.com/jfgarrard
Patreon subscribers remember to access your bonuscontent for each episode: https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard

Philip Caputo reflects on why writing is a calling, sharesthe life experiences that shaped his path from Marine Corps veteran to Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist, and discusses his latest book, Wandering Souls.

Philip Caputo was born in Chicago in 1941 and educated atPurdue and Loyola Universities. After graduating in 1964, he served in the US Marine Corps for three years, including a sixteen-month tour of duty in Vietnam. In addition to Memory and Desire, he has written seventeen books, among them three memoirs, ten works of fiction, and four of general nonfiction.

His first book, A Rumor of War, is considered a classic of warliterature. It has been published in fifteen languages and has sold more than 1.5 million copies. A Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist, Caputo has written dozens of articles in major magazines, op-ed pieces, and reviews for publications across the United States, including the New York Times, National Geographic, and the Chicago Tribune. He lives in Norwalk,Connecticut, and Patagonia, Arizona.

In this episode, Phillip reads from Wandering Souls.
Book link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1648211585?&tag=skyhorsepub-20

Artsy Raven links:
For more about The Artsy Raven Podcast or to join our exclusive Artsy Raven club to receive free books and other cool stuff, visit: https://artsyraven.com/

If you really like this show, please feel free tosend us a digital tip https://ko-fi.com/jfgarrard

Patreon subscribers remember to access your bonuscontent for each episode: https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard

Dean Gilmour reflects on his remarkable journey building atheatre company, shares how he transforms literary works into dynamic stage productions, and reveals the inspiration behind his latest production, Pu Songling: Strange Tales.

Dean Gilmour graduated from the University of Windsor withan Honours BFA degree in Dramatic Arts in 1976 and immediately traveled to Paris, France to attend the School of Jacques Lecoq. He has created, directed, and performed in 42 Theatre Smith-Gilmour productions and has performed hiswork in Toronto, across Canada and in 11 countries around the world. Dean has received 2 Dora Awards for best director, 2 for best actor, 2 for best production, and 1 for best new play for his work as actor, writer, and director in Chekhov Shorts and Chekhov Longs...In the Ravine.

Details about the English-language world premiere of PuSongling: Strange Tales at https://www.crowstheatre.com/
https://www.crowstheatre.com/shows-events/pu-songling-strange-tales
 
Artsy Raven links:
For more about The Artsy Raven Podcast or to join our exclusive Artsy Raven club to receive freebooks and other cool stuff, visit: https://artsyraven.com/

If you really like this show, please feel free to send us a digital tip https://ko-fi.com/jfgarrard

Patreon subscribers remember to access your bonuscontent for each episode: https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard

Jon Chiang reflects on how he found his voice as a documentarian, the experience of bringing SPRING AFTER SPRING to life, why having a side job can be essential for emerging filmmakers.

Jon Chiang of Chifa Studios is an award-winning Chinese-Peruvian filmmaker based in Vancouver, BC. Growing up straddling multiple identities, his upbringing has shaped his approach to his films. He’s worked with broadcasters including CBC, Knowledge Network and TELUS originalsand his films have screened at many film festivals including Whistler Film Festival, Vancouver Asian Film Festival and Reel Asian to name a few.

SPRING AFTER SPRING follows three Chinese Canadian sisters who all defied their mother’s wishes and became accomplished dancers. After their mother’s death, they reunite to lead Vancouver’s Chinatown Parade, forcedto choose between honouring their past or letting it go. SPRING AFTER SPRING recently had a successful world premiere at the Vancouver Asian Film Festival in November 2025 where it won the award for Best Canadian Feature.

Film information:
SPRING AFTER SPRING will have a screening and Q&A panelon Feb. 1st, 2026 at the Chinatown Storytelling Centre in Vancouver.
Then it will have a theatrical run at the VIFF Centre on Feb. 6th, 8th, 9th, 15th and 17th. It will launch on the Knowledge Network for viewers across the country on February 17th.
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/spring-after-spring-community-film-screening-tickets-1979911102405
https://viff.org/whats-on/spring-after-spring/
https://www.knowledge.ca/program/spring-after-spring

Artsy Raven links:
For more about The Artsy Raven Podcast or to join our exclusive Artsy Raven club to receive free books and other cool stuff, visit: https://artsyraven.com/

If you really like this show, please feel free to send us a digital tip https://ko-fi.com/jfgarrard

Patreon subscribers remember to access your bonus content for each episode: https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard