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  • How to Make an Album and Hundreds of Exquisite Paintings with Sandra Taylor

    How to Make an Album and Hundreds of Exquisite Paintings with Sandra Taylor
    2026/07/09
    Sandra Taylor is a wildly talented painter, singer-songwriter, and pianist. Her watercolours bring us exquisite explorations of nature, (shout-out to the birds), and truly unique abstract designs. In 2024, Sandra launched her album “Life Beautiful Life,” which combines down-to-earth, whimsical lyrics with her soothing voice and impressive musicality. Sandra was also my first-year university roommate, back when we were almost as young and full of promise as we are now. It is such a gift to have kept in touch after all these years, and a true dream to have her on the show. Thank you, Sandra!(And please listen to the end for a beautifully special surprise!)Sandra Taylor on the interwebsFollow Sandra Taylor on Instagram: @sandrataylormusicBuy her album Life Beautiful Life on bandcamp: More on Sandra’s watercolours and music at sandrataylormusic.com*All excerpts from Life Beautiful Life were used with Sandra’s permission. Life Beautiful Life was produced by Chris Stringer and engineered by Darren McGill.Erica J. Schmidt on the InterwebsInstagram: @erica.j.schmidtSubstack: @ericajschmidtWebsite: ericajschmidt.comThe Donate ButtonIf you would like to be a beta reader for one of Erica’s two manuscripts, please get in touch! THANK YOU SO MUCH!Timestamps for Life Beautiful Life: Music, Watercolours, and Creativity with Sandra Taylor00:00:00 Theme song and Sandra Taylor’s bio01:52:11 How Erica and Sandra Taylor met (at the cool kids residence, Solin Hall, Mcgill University, 2003) Their moderate approach to cleaning routines lined up great. Erica was trying to make her boobs grow with 2% milk.00:04:30 How did Sandra’s creativity start? When did she start being creative? As a kid, Sandra loved running around outside, putting on plays with her siblings, and writing stories. But she also got really far in the Royal Conservatory of Music. Her Bach is lit!00:08:43 But did the Internet take over your life in grade eight or nine? What about MSN messenger and ICQ? Sandra doesn’t let her life revolve around a device. Erica does her best.00:12:32 Erica and Sandra are McGill dropout twins. Does Sandra have advice for people hoping to go to university and become an artist?00:18:47 Now Sandra is back at university finishing the music degree she started when we first met. How is that going?00:20:23 Special excerpt of Sandra’s music video LIFE BEAUTIFUL LIFE. Watch and listen to the whole thing here!00:21:27 How Sandra keeps the faith and how she keeps making things.00:24:14 It’s time for Sandra Taylor’s routines! Hurray! Starting with her morning routine.00:25:44 Erica and Sandra discuss yoga routines of yore.00:29:36 Sandra Taylor’s creative routine. “A lot of this stuff is just putting the hours in.”00:32:44 The value of setting a specific goal, like when she tried to work on her portrait skills.00:32:18 Special Bach Surprise. More where that came from here.00:37:45 Sandra Taylor’s Cleaning Routine00:41:17 Special excerpt of “Downhill Too Fast” from Sandra Taylor’s album, “Life, Beautiful Life.” Watch the whole video here!00:42:29 Listener Question from I.T. GUY. APPARENTLY.00:52:46 Sandra Taylor’s spectacular TED talk00:58:11 Where people can find Sandra Taylor online. The hyper-free links: https://www.instagram.com/sandrataylormusic/https://sandrataylormusic.com/shop-musichttps://sandrataylor.bandcamp.com/album/life-beautiful-life00:59:53 If you enjoyed this episode, you will also enjoy Hot Dates and Frenching withLou Laurenceand Singing for Bliss with Kathy Kennedy01:00:16 Wrap-up and Thank yous01:01:26 Modern Life by Sandra Taylor mixed with miscellaneous video clips. Listen to the entire album, Life Beautiful Life. Thank you for listening to this episode of This Is Your Strange and Beautiful Life. LOVE YOU, BYE!
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  • Unhinged Ways to Learn French in Quebec (with Jahon Mousavi-Torbati)

    Unhinged Ways to Learn French in Quebec (with Jahon Mousavi-Torbati)
    2026/05/07
    Erica and Jahon are two artsy, nerdy, anglophone Montrealers. And today, we’re coming together for our special episode, Unhinged Ways to Learn French in Quebec. Join us for adventures in French stand-up comedy, cringe slam poetry, and becoming a Quebec Grey’s Anatomy superfan. We talk education, French immersion in Perth Ontario, reading in French, dating in French, hobbies in French, and more. Make sure to listen to the end for a riveting listener question from Girl Who Just Wants to French Some Dudes.Please note that this episode is in English, making it a wonderful start for learners of all levels. Wherever you are in your French journey, it’s never too late and it’s always worth it.Jahon Mousavi-Torbatiis a talented concept artist and regular artist who has made a recent pivot to storytelling and stand-up comedy. Jahon has great enthusiasm for urban transit, kobo e-readers, pineapples, and ending doom-scrolling for all time. In general, Jahon is someone who exudes great enthusiasm for just about everything. Also, he is Erica J. Schmidt’s boyfriend!Erica J. Schmidt grew up in Perth Ontario, where she enjoyed half-day immersion from grade five to eight. Then there was a touch of extended French in high school, but odds for mastery were not in her favour. Despite this, she moved to Montreal and proceeded to become a French-to-English translator. These days, she is proud to be able to read full novels in French with the help of her trusty kobo.Jahon Mousavi-Torbati on the InterwebsFollow Jahon on Instagram @jahonartCheck out his Concept Art Drink and Draw: @conceptartdrinkanddrawJahon’s Quebec fantasy illustration projectJahon on LinkedInJahon’s Website: artstation.comErica J. Schmidt on the InterwebsInstagram: @erica.j.schmidtSubstack: @ericajschmidtWebsite: ericajschmidt.comThe Donate ButtonIf you would like to be a beta reader for one of Erica’s two manuscripts, please get in touch! THANK YOU SO MUCH!How to Learn French in Quebec: Art, Books, and ResourcesC’est L’Halloween (Est-ce que tu as peur? Oui, oui, oui, oui, oui!)Watch STAT on icitouttv‍ ‍Book: 99 Francs, a novel by Frédéric BeigbederBook: Spoken Here: Travels among Threatened LanguagesLOVING SHOUT-OUT TO OUR FABULOUS TEACHERSFrom Stewart School, Perth Ontario: Mme. Shelley Fillipoff, Mme. Renée Capello, Mme. Denise Baker, Mme. Danielle Normandin‍From John Abbot College, Saint-Anne-de-Bellevue:Frédéric Laganière‍How to Learn French in Quebec: Timestamps00:00:00 Theme Song00:00:34 Introduction to VIP guest, Jahon and his extra special episode, Unhinged Ways to Learn French in Quebec. Teasers about Jahon’s slam poetry and fun facts on how to pronounce poutine. Disclaimer about how this episode will NOT address language politics00:02:54 Official Bio: Jahon Mousavi-Torbati00:04:20 Jahon’s incredibly biased bio for host Erica J. Schmidt. Slide into Erica’s DMs if you’d like to be a beta reader for one of her manuscripts.00:07:17 Erica and Jahon’s linguistic origins. Jahon was Montréal born and raised by French-Canadian mother and Persian father who both spoke English at home. He went to French immersion school and eventually was accepted to a French program at university.00:11:12 Erica grew up in the metropolis of Perth Ontario. Her French career started with core French songs like C’est l’Halloween before she embarked on four years of half-day immersion from grade 5 to grade 8.00:16:55 Jahon feels he did not read enough books in French. Shout-out to his teacher Frederic who had him read the book 99 Francs and dessicrate it00:18:27 How Jahon’s father ended up in Quebec, and his French story. The moments Jahon realized that his French was not at an adequate level. Jahon reads book Spoken Here and commits to improving his French and he applies to Université de Montréal. 00:23:11 The moments when Erica realized her French was not at an adequate level. 00:24:54 Erica binge watches STAT on icitoutv. (Quebec’s Grey’s Anatomy)00:28:50 The first time Jahon was referred to as le Quebecois, and how that became part of his identity.00:32:19 Deeper into unconventional ways Jahon and Erica learned French, especially improv and stand-up comedy.00:39:19 Erica explains Shadowing, the technique she used while practising to become an interpreter. It involves listening to the language you are practising and then repeating the words while you are still listening to what comes next.00:41:45 One last conventional way to learn French: Read! And ideally get a Kobo which lets you take books out of the library and look up words without checking your phone.00:44:19 Listener Question from A Girl Who Just Wants to French Some Dudes00:58:02 Always read books with your girlfriend. Stay tuned for an exciting surprise on This Is Your Strange and Beautiful Life59:22 Thanks and wrap-up. Follow Jahon and Erica on the Interwebs. Go to Jahon’s Concept Art Drink and Draw. Never give up on your French. LOVE YOU, BYE!!!
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  • In Loving Memory of Mary Adamson Owen

    In Loving Memory of Mary Adamson Owen
    2026/03/20

    For our first-ever encore episode, we have Mary Adamson Owen, otherwise known as the best grandma in the world. Grandma was my inaugural podcast guest and reason for starting This Is Your Strange and Beautiful Life.

    After a long, strange, and beautiful life, Grandma died on November 14, 2025. She was 99. To honour her memory, I am reposting the extra special interview we did back in March of 2023. We recorded from her tiny room in long-term care, where she had just moved in. Unsurprisingly, she was an all-star guest. It is such a treasure to be able to listen to her voice and her stories now that she is “gone,” whatever that means.

    I have added an only slightly teary intro and some VIP footage at the end. Check out the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/PQACTE_CduA

    To learn more about Mary’s life, you can read her obituaryor watch a wonderfully extensive interview series, created by the Crestwood history project, created when Grandma was 98!

    Bravo, Grandma! We miss you so much.

    Thank you everyone for listening.

    Love, Erica

    Instagram: @erica.j.schmidt

    Substack: ericajschmidt.substack.com

    Website: ericajschmidt.com

    The Donate Button. Thank you so much!

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    53 分
  • As Good a Place as Any with Rebecca Păpucaru

    As Good a Place as Any with Rebecca Păpucaru
    2026/02/05
    Today we have a writer’s writer’s talk with the accomplished author and poet Rebecca Păpucaru. Rebecca has published an impressive variety of poetry and fiction, and she is someone who works very hard and long on her creative projects. Legend has it that some of her published poems and her recent novel have taken years (and even a decade or so) to make them what they are today. So,if you’re someone who’s been toiling on a project forever, if you feel like you’re stuck, or even if you haven’t started yet, this interview is bursting with hope, tips, and inspiration.Bio: Rebecca Păpucaru (also known as Rebecca Schwarz)Growing up in Montréal, Rebecca Păpucaru was always the English teacher’s pet. During her youth, she won second prize in an Archie comics’ writing contest. Her essay on how to change the world beat out hundreds of American and Canadian competitors. In 2018, her collection of poems, The Panic Room won the Canadian Jewish Literary Award for Poetry. Her novella Yentas won the Malahat Review’s 2020 Novella Prize. And her recent novel, As Good a Place as Any has met great acclaim, making all kinds of lists including the CBC’s selection for Best Canadian Fiction Book of 2025. As Good a Place as Any tells the story of 16-year-old Paulina, who is forced to flee Chile with her brother after the 1973 coup. They land in Toronto, and no spoilers but Paulina has a much better time than her brother Ernesto does, and we get to read about her unlikely quest for freedom as a queer woman and aspiring actress. It’s a historically relevant, emotionally compelling coming-of-age novel. You’ll love it as much as you’ll love this episode! Thank you, Rebecca for coming on the show. Follow Rebecca on Instagram: @rebeccapapucaruwriterRebecca’s author page on FacebookBook of Poetry: The Panic Room (Nightwood Editions)Novel: As Good a Place as Any (Guernica Editions)Erica on Instagram: @erica.j.schmidtErica on Substack (new!): @ericajschmidtErica's website: ericajschmidt.comFull shownotes: ericajschmidt.com/podcast/as-good-a-place-as-any-rebecca-papucaruIf you enjoyed this podcast, you may also enjoy:Montréal’s Favourite Anita Anand (Author, Translator, Peace Seeker):Apple Podcasts SpotifyTrue Stories to Save Your Life with Nisha Coleman:AppleSpotifyCuriosity with Michelle Syba (Author of End Times):AppleSpotifyRebecca Păpucaru on This Is Your Strange and Beautiful Life (Timestamps)00:00:00 Theme Song, Intro + Rebecca Păpucaru’s bio00:03:50 Rebecca gushes about Erica’s squatty potty set-up in her bathroom. Erica: You want to give birth and take a dump in a squat.Rebecca and Erica talk ergonomic redemption and the importance of internal plumbing as you age.00:08:00 Rebecca was born Rebecca Schwarz but prefers her father’s family name Păpucaru, which he changed when he came to Canada. “If I’m honest, my decision to publish under that name is a certain internalized self-loathing. But on the other hand, I really like the sound of it.”00:12:05 Writer’s Block Trick: If you don’t have money for a writer’s course, just write an essay on your name.00:12:47 Rebecca Păpucaru’s creative origins and how she became a writer (Early journals, lots of reading, and winning the Archie comic writing contest)00:16:55 Theatre school at Dawson college and why Rebecca did not become an actor00:19:52 The call to read. University of TorontoRebecca is captivated by Sylvia Plath and decides she wants to write poems. Ends up studying English at U of T. She writes poem but they rarely submits them anywhere. Then her uncle dies when she is 38, and she vows to take the writing thing seriously. 00:27:31 What is most natural, writing poetry or fiction?00:31:05 The tension between commercial and literary fiction and the pressure to write something high-brow and cerebral. 00:32:03 Elevator pitch for As Good a Place as Any00:36:19 Did Rebecca do research to authentically and respectfully depict the experience of the queer Chilean woman? Rebecca describes her process and self-doubt, and the trip where she met her main character.00:42:37 A sign that you’re really stuck with your writing.00:43:29 Writing through shit in the dark and/or How to get into a flow state and get your characters to talk to you00:48:30 Rebecca Păpucaru’s Morning and Creative Routines00:53:31 Rebecca Păpucaru’s Spectacular TED talk00:54:59 More writing tips! How to write or not write and not hate yourself01:48:00 Rebecca Păpucaru’s Cleaning Routine01:03:40 How to read outside reading bubbles and Instagram lists. Reading tips and recs01:07:59 Wrap-up and where to find Rebecca online and buy her bookTo support this independent podcast, please consider purchasing a Lil and Bud dog greeting card at ericajschmidt.com/merch. You can also make a one-time donation here at The Donate Button.Feel free to get in touch for other sponsorship possibilities. My infinite thanks for all of this.More infinite thanks, as always, to ...
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    1 時間 11 分
  • How to Be an Artist with Gretchen Andrew

    How to Be an Artist with Gretchen Andrew
    2025/12/18
    “An artist is someone who is celebrated for being themselves. A professional artist is someone who is paid for being themselves.”“It takes as much creativity to make it work as it does to make the work.”—Gretchen AndrewGretchen Andrew is a viral painter, hacker, and creator of the award-winning FaceTune Portraits, a series of oil paintings that “reveal the hidden scars of social media filters.”Two years after college, Gretchen quit her so-called “dream job” at Google and set out on a performative experiment to become an artist. It was a wild success! Most recently, two paintings from Gretchen’s Facetune Portrait series have been put forth for permanent acquisition at the Whitney. These provocative portraits criticize how AI and plastic surgery are homogenizing and dictating our collective beauty standards. The world needs this series and it was a joy to talk to Gretchen about creativity, algorithms, morning routines, robots, Botox, and how to become an artist. Follow Gretchen on Instagram @gretchenandrewGretchen Andrew’s website: gretchenandrew.comErica on Instagram: @erica.j.schmidtErica on Substack (new!): @ericajschmidtErica's website: ericajschmidt.com Full shownotes: ericajschmidt.com/podcast/artist-gretchen-andrewGretchen Andrew on This Is Your Strange and Beautiful Life00:00:00 Intro: Gretchen on today’s unreasonable beauty standards00:01:44 Theme song plus Gretchen’s bio and riveting banter on Botox00:06:04 Gretchen gets a running scholarship at Boston College. Landed a job at Google, which she quit after two years to illegally move into her art studio. How did this happen and how did it go?00:09:39 Using the Internet as a force for good. Trying to make it as an artist in San Francisco00:16:30 Gretchen’s take on the term “self-taught.” How she acquired the technical skills she needed without getting an MFA. How she found mentors like Billy Childs00:21:00 Gretchen’s artistic origins. Did she draw as a child? Why art now? Gretchen’s dream of becoming part of the art world. Making your life one beautiful piece of art. 00:23:57 Promoting yourself as an artist. “It takes as much creativity to make it work as it does to make the work.” Networking, snail-mail thank you cards. Making it fun.00:29:52 Using SEO to hack the search term “Next American president” with her vision boards during the 2020 election. How to make the Internet “a global subconscious manifestation machine.”00:36:23 Gretchen’s morning routine. It involves setting an intention in front of the mirror at 4:55 a.m. She records herself and listens to the recording throughout the day. Seems like it is working?00:40:21 Robotics and Gretchen’s Facetune Portraits. More on our society’s impossible beauty standards, the effects of AI filters, the cost of Botox, fillers and other interventions. 00:40:34 Specifics about the mechanics of Gretchen’s robots. Check out Erica’ smash-hit YouTube channel for footage!00:51:41 How the Facetune project has affected Gretchen personally in terms of how she processes appearance expectations for women. More on Botox, haha, and does EMDR therapy make you prettier?01:04:42 Gretchen Andrew’s creative routine. It can vary by week, month, or even two-to-five year period. And she has stop watches to keep track of it all. 01:13:08 Gretchen Andrew’s cleaning routine. Her house is spotless! And she hits Inbox Zero every afternoon. What a surprise.01:15:37 Gretchen Andrew’s spectacular TED talk. Listen to the end for the title and topic!01:16:25 Wrap-up and closing theme song. Sing or dance along. Thank you so much, Gretchen. What a blast and an honour. If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like: How to Be a Writer with Kyle Stevenson, Making It Fun with Mary Owen, and Moments of Joy with Al Lafrance.To support this independent podcast, please consider purchasing a Lil and Bud dog greeting card at ericajschmidt.com/merch. You can also make a one-time donation here at The Donate Button. Feel free to get in touch for other sponsorship possibilities. My infinite thanks for all of this.More infinite thanks, as always, to Taes Leavitt (darling big sister, Big Heart Journey), Sherwin Tjia (technical and creative advisor, Sherwin’s Quirky Events, Episode 22) and my dearly departed aunt Eileen Gun, whose generous gift helped to fund my new podcast equipment. Stay tuned for more episodes extra soon. Don’t forget to follow This Is Your Strange and Beautiful Life on your favourite podcast platform. And if you enjoyed the episode, I would be immensely grateful if you could share it with a friend and/or leave a kind and enthusiastic rating and review.
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  • Comfort Is For Wimps with Jessica O’Reilly

    Comfort Is For Wimps with Jessica O’Reilly
    2025/10/23
    Jessica O’Reilly is a hilariously unconventional writer, digital nomad, YouTuber, and workout queen. Her YouTube channel, Comfort Is For Wimps dives deep into her life as a digital nomad—couch-surfing in Afghanistan, checking out Medellin’s love hotels, and babysitting rich people’s pets in lieu of rent. Along the way, she examines the disparities in the cost of living between countries, passes the mic to locals, and through it all, rocks a splendid sense of humour. Hit up her Instagram for zingers like, “I don’t fall in love. I audition for the role of ‘lesson I had to learn the hard way.’” Jessica O’Reilly is the perfect complement to your Instagram relationship coach. Make sure to listen to the end for the stellar advice she gives to “Should I LTR or Should I Bounce.” A committed digital nomad falls in love in a city he does not fancy. It’s the deepest connection he’s ever had, but she can’t follow him around the world. What should he do? Jessica and Erica can’t fix it—but we have thoughts.Subscribe to Jessica’s YouTube Channel @comfortisforwimpsFollow Jessica on Instagram @comfortisforwimpsErica on Instagram: @erica.j.schmidtErica on Substack (new!): @ericajschmidtErica's website: ericajschmidt.comErica’s Interview with Jessica O’Reilly from Comfort Is For Wimps00:00:00 This Is Your Strange and Beautiful Life Theme Song + Jessica O’Reilly’s bio 00:03:06 How Jessica and Erica met in Varanasi, India00:06:12 Jessica’s Motto and YouTube channel, Comfort Is For Wimps00:10:48 Is confidence fake it til you make it? 00:13:00 How to Solve the Problem of Paying Rent00:20:44 What is a digital nomad? Are you a digital nomad? The challenge of the day job, monetizing your joy and art, etc.00:28:23 Staying healthy and reasonably sane while travelling. Jetlag hacks, packing cubes, workout schedules and more.00:37:05 Losing your job and finding your niche 00:41:38 Friendship and Romance on the Road. Is it lonely? (Yes.)00:48:05 Humour, self deprecation and self-help00:51:25 Listener question: Do I LTR or do I bounce? A lovestruck digital nomad wonders if he should stick around in a city he doesn’t love for the first real connection he has felt in a while. 00:55:00 Freedom in commitment 01:03:14 Jessica O’Reilly’s Routines and A+ workout habits:01:05:29 Jessica O’Reilly’s Spectacular TED talk01:07:58 Wrap-up and final theme songListener Question from Do I LTR or Do I Bounce?Dear Jessica and Erica,I’ve been a digital nomad for almost a year now. I totally love it! In general, I’ve tried to stay away from serious relationships that could cost me my freedom.However, I recently met a local during my travels, and suddenly I’m head over heels in love. I’ve never managed to connect with someone like this, and it feels awesome. We’ve been hanging out for four weeks now which is way longer than I’d tend to stay somewhere. Now the tricky part is that I want to continue my nomadic lifestyle whereas she wants to stay. She doesn’t have the kind of lifestyle that lets her travel for much longer than a couple weeks at a time, barely a couple of times per year, and never without tons of planning. She has a job that isn’t mobile, a house, and even a dog. I get that this is what a lot of people want in their lives. But it’s not what I want. At least not right now.I’d consider staying a bit longer, but honestly, I don’t really like her city. It’s her I love. I don’t know how to navigate my love for her with my dream of living a location-independent lifestyle. I worry I’m just a selfish avoidant jerk with a closed heart. Do you have any experience with this? Should I extend my stay and see what happens? What do you think I should do?Love, Do I LTR or Do I BounceIf you enjoyed this episode, you might also like: How to Be a Writer with Kyle Stevenson, ChatGPT Is My Therapist, and Funemployment with Erica J. Schmidt.To support this independent podcast, please consider purchasing a Lil and Bud dog greeting card at ericajschmidt.com/merch. You can also make a one-time donation here at The Donate Button.Feel free to get in touch for other sponsorship possibilities. My infinite thanks for all of this.More infinite thanks, as always, to Taes Leavitt (darling big sister, Big Heart Journey), Sherwin Tjia (technical and creative advisor, Sherwin’s Quirky Events,Episode 22) and my dearly departed aunt Eileen Gun, whose generous gift helped to fund my new podcast equipment. Stay tuned for more episodes extra soon. Don’t forget to followThis Is Your Strange and Beautiful Life on your favourite podcast platform. And if you enjoyed the episode, I would be immensely grateful if you could share it with a friend and/or leave a kind and enthusiastic rating and review.
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  • Montréal’s Favourite Anita Anand (Author, Translator, Peace Seeker)

    Montréal’s Favourite Anita Anand (Author, Translator, Peace Seeker)
    2025/10/02
    There is more than one famous Anita Anand, but this Anita Anand is the best. She is a Montreal-based author, literary translator, language teacher, and cherished guest at Erica’s ukulele parties. All the while, she yearns for peace on earth and a free Palestine!You must read her books! Her novel, A Convergence of Solitudes was a finalist for the 2022 Paragraphe Hugh MacLennan Prize for Fiction. And her first book, Swing in the House and Other Storieswon the 2015 Quebec Writer’s Federation Concordia University First Book Award. Anita’s fiction is as charming as she is, featuring delightful characters who are often in the midst of what Anita calls, “a minority’s predicament.” In the various neighbourhoods of her childhood, Anita was always the only girl her age of Indian origin. As such, Anita grew up quite familiar with the “minority’s predicament.” She believes this experience was pivotal in helping her to become a writer, but she’d also like to help bridge the gap of understanding that people of visible minorities experience every day.It was such a joy to have Anita on the podcast. Make sure to listen to the end for a universally relevant listener question and a five-star ukulele segment with Anita on guitar. Links and ResourcesAnita’s website: https://anitaanand.carrd.co/Anita on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ms.anitaanand/Erica on Instagram: @erica.j.schmidtErica's website: ericajschmidt.comFull shownotes at ericajschmidt.com/podcast.anita-anand-montreal-authorVERY IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: Me, Anita Anand, Nisha Coleman, and just about all of my guests are HORRIFIED by the genocide happening in Gaza. The situation is tragic and unfathomable, but there are concrete actions you can take!Concrete Steps for Palestine - Write letters to the other Anita Anand, Canada’s minister of defence - Follow @yousaama on Instagram. Yousaama shares insightful, philosophical, along with links to emergency aid campaigns at chuffed.org.Two Great Options:Rapid Relief for Displaced Families and ChildrenThe Zaynab Project:A women-led, 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit delivering critical aid to families and orphaned children across Gaza. Now’s the time to donate! Follow Yousaama and other Free Palestine activists, give what you can, read about Palestine, talk about Palestine, share stories, be brave, do not fall into despair. xoxoxoxoxo.Erica’s Interview with the Best Anita Anand00:00 This Is Your Strange and Beautiful LifeTheme Song + and Anita Anand’s bio00:02:24 How to go from “I have a book inside of me” to actually writing the book00:05:35 What about getting published?00:12:13 The “perfect novel” that became the title story in her collection “Swing in the House”00:13:05 Elevator pitch for The Convergence of Solitudes00:16:58 Inspiration of Serge Fiore in the novel. Un Musicien parmi les autres00:19:05 Anita calls Australian journalist “stolen” from Vietnam and turns her into a character (with her permission). Should you always ask people you write about for their permission?00:22:51 How being an outsider has helped Anita’s writing.00:26:41 Why Anita has decided not to write another book and focus on literary translation and guitar.00:31:23 Support Palestinian families by following @yousaama on Instagram. Yousaama posts heartfelt, insightful updates, and the latest in urgent aid campaigns on chuffed.org00:34:15 Learning guitar00:35:04 Writing routines and accountability00:36:58 Listener Question from Losing My Moji for My Sweet Slovenly Boyfriend. His partner’s apartment gives him the Ick. Is this a dealbreaker?00:57:19 The title and topic of Anita Anand’s spectacular TED talk.00:01:01:07 Half-bad Ukulele Segment:Drivin' on 9 by The Breeders00:01:04:47 Wrap-up and Closing Theme SongThank you so much, Anita! And thank you everyone for listening and hitting up these shownotes. LISTENER QUESTION FROM LOSING MY MOJO FOR MY SWEET AND SLOVENLY BOYFRIENDDear Anita and Erica,I’m a gay 33-year-old, almost a year into a relationship with a dude who, in theory, makes me incredibly happy. He’s hilarious and kind and attentive to my emotional needs in ways no partner has ever been for me before. Historically, our sex life has been great, and we’re talking about taking next steps like moving in together and even marriage. Earlier in the relationship, I was thrilled about all these conversations. But lately, I’ve started to freeze up. From what I can tell, the main reason is truly embarrassing. Here’s the issue: His apartment gives me the ICK.I put a great deal of effort into taking care of my home. I clean regularly and have set up my space with colours and furniture and art that make me feel calm, organized, and safe. When we first got together, we spent all our time at my place, so all was well But we’ve started going back and forth more, and I find I feel uncomfortable and gross when I stay at his frat-boy digs. He thinks doing the dishes (and cleaning the ...
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  • Luke Anderson Is One Cool Dude (Deep Thoughts on Grief, Healing, and Accessibility)

    Luke Anderson Is One Cool Dude (Deep Thoughts on Grief, Healing, and Accessibility)
    2025/08/07
    It was my honour to welcome Luke Anderson to This Is Your Strange and Beautiful Life! Luke Anderson is a speaker, singer, dancer, harmonica player, accessibility advocate, and athlete of the body turned athlete of the spirit. He is relatively famous for co-founding the revolutionary StopGap Foundation, a registered charity that builds bright and beautiful ramps across Toronto and North America. StopGap’s mission is to “bring people together to take practical steps to make spaces more accessible.”I think about this interview every day. Please enjoy! Luke Anderson: “I’ve developed a way of life that recognizes the possibilities of what I have now. And the way that I’ve chosen to recognize my physical situation right now is that, at the time of my injury... I was experiencing a piece of the pie of life. That was my periphery, that was my field of view, a slice of the pie of life. And because of the pie of life. And because of my injury and it helping me broaden my perspective, I’m now able to see a new slice of that pie of life. So, that kind of speaks to what I was saying... to see that moment, that injury I sustained on October 27, 2002 as a gift. It gifted me an opportunity to see life through a new lens.” Links and ResourcesLuke Anderson on Instagram: @lukewanders_onThe StopGap Foundation: stopgap.ca@stopgapfoundationStopGap on HotDocs: Stop Gap MeasureStopGap, The Luke Anderson Story: Watch on YouTubeLuke's Harmonica Teacher Nico TysonErica on Instagram: @erica.j.schmidtErica's website: ericajschmidt.comErica's Interview with Luke Anderson00:00:00 Riveting clips from Luke Anderson’s Interview. Watch and understand immediately why you MUST listen to the end. 00:01:48 This Is Your Strange and Beautiful LifeTheme Song + Luke Anderson’s bio 00:04:55 Language in the world of disabilities. How to empower, connect, remove barriers, and create a sense of possibility? 00:12:13 Living with a high-level spinal cord injury. Luke’s physical experience and need for assistance 00:18:08 Athlete of the body turned athlete of the spirit. An afternoon of mountain biking that would become Luke’s Day of Rebirth 00:28:06 The inner knowing that came over Luke soon after the accident. How this mysterious calm would help him help his friend Johnny save his life. 00:31:48 Early days at the spinal rehab centre. Did Luke every imagine himself beating the odds and find the cure to spinal cord injuries? 00:35:39 Navigating grief after injury. Climbing the ladder of consciousness and growing skills of patience, acceptance, empathy, compassion. Learning to embrace the grief and sadness when it comes up. 00:41:43 Erica asks Luke for wisdom on emotional regulation, among her life’s greatest challenges 00:49:56 How to find meaning and purpose in the face of grief and loss.00:54:52 Friendships and dating when you have a disability. On being a serial online dater, navigating relationships new and old, and transcending rom-com stereotypes. 01:02:02 Dating with a disability continued. Whether to disclose your disability on the apps. People with specific preferences for dating people with disability. Feedback and insight from Luke’s past partners. 01:13:18 Meditation to feel more. And invigorating a fading life force. 01:20:16 Everything StopGap. Bulding ramps and perspective. Transforming despair and frustration into creativity: How the StopGap Foundation was born 01:30:33 Luke Anderson’s first spectacular TED TALK, stage fright, and what's on for Luke's TED talk 2.0 01:38:46 Record-breaking harmonica playing on This Is Your Strange and Beautiful Life. Luke rewrites the theme song and it’s awesome. 01:43:29 Final credits and wrap-up.THANK YOU SO MUCH, LUKE ANDERSON! THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR LISTENING! LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!And if you enjoyed this episode, you might also like: No Surrender with Hollis Peirce,How to Be a Writer with Kyle Stevenson, and Stories from L'Arche with Jimmy and IsabelleTo support this independent podcast, please consider purchasing a Lil and Bud dog greeting card at ericajschmidt.com/merch. You can also make a one-time donation here at The Donate Button.Feel free to get in touch for other sponsorship possibilities. My infinite thanks for all of this.More infinite thanks, as always, to Taes Leavitt (darling big sister, Big Heart Journey), Sherwin Tjia (technical and creative advisor, Sherwin’s Quirky Events,Episode 22) and my dearly departed aunt Eileen Gun, whose generous gift helped to fund my new podcast equipment. Stay tuned for more episodes extra soon. Don’t forget to followThis Is Your Strange and Beautiful Life on your favourite podcast platform. And if you enjoyed the episode, I would be immensely grateful if you could share it with a friend and/or leave a kind and enthusiastic rating and review.
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