GEAR:
Producer, Editor, Script-writer, Story Consultant, Recordist
This microphone has taken me to the bottom of the world, been useful in extreme weather and sub-zero climates, and found quiet places to record long interviews on a small ship where there is no quiet. I have experience navigating environments and recording with endangered wildlife, on a tippy zodiac boat, while hiking on land and then, finding just the right moment to connect with people inside large crowds. I get the job done.
Recently I teamed up with a professor at at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU, formerly Ryerson), to teach how to make a short narrative podcast sot that this could be their major assignment. I’ve also acted as podcast consultant and producer-mentor for students at OCADU.
Occassionly, around Toronto, I have been hired to record tape synchs and double enders by Pacific Content, the BBC, NPR the LA Times and other private clients. I’ve recorded conversations in board rooms, hotel rooms, co-op housing, and out on the street, with everyone from grandmothers to Hollywood producers. To hear a sample of this work, click here and here for special panel discussion recorded during TIFF 2019. Since the pandemic, I do this much less, but reach out if you are looking for an end-to-end producer recordist.
This Is Our Time
This is Our Time is a narrative storytelling podcast that follows a women’s leadership expedition to Antarctica.
It’s a deeply personal work that where I ask myself some difficult questions.
“It’s like a radio movie”
“A vulnerable, raw story”
Season 1 followed four women as they embarked on this journey. When I was finishing Season One, I was invited to join the expedition as Podcaster-in-Residence…which became the story for Season 2.
Follow me on this journey to the frozen bottom of the planet….but be ready for some tough questions. And some completely unforgettable experiences.
This year I was delighted to be selected to be part of Radiophrenia: The light at the end of the dial
Part of the Centre For Contemporary Arts in Glasgow…and temporarily broadcast at 87.9fm in Glasgow, and online
Here’s a selection of Podcasts that I’ve guested on:
Selection of Past Work:
Venmo Reparations
One morning in June of 2020, Beandra went on Twitter saw this tweet:
“In honour of Breonna Taylor, I’d like to offer $100 to any Black women writers…post your Venom, and I’ll transfer the money.”
This was a white screenwriter who wanted to donate her residuals to any Black women writers, no questions asked. We followed the trail back to why.
Created by Samantha Hodder and Beandra July for the KCRW Radio Race in 2020.
This piece was later also sold through the PRX Marketplace and broadcast on WAMC in June of 2020, to mark Juneteenth.
Seed Seeking
Climate change threatens small islands, especially dry, engendered ecosystems like Catalina Island, CA. One day I tagged along with a volunteer seed seeker and discovered she has helped build arc of seeds, enough to replant this entire island, in case of fire.
Created in the Transom Travelling Workshop, Catalina Island, CA. June 2019. Led by Rob Rosenthal with TA Misha Euceph
Broadcast on KISL, Catalina Island. June 8, 2019
It’s not about being a climate change super hero. It’s about how collecting these tiny seeds is about something so much bigger.
Where Do All The Flowers Come?
Try and think of a Mother’s Day in the last five years that you haven’t bought flowers for Mum.
It’s the busiest day of the year for flower shops.
I wanted to understand how flower shops get ready for their busiest day of the year, so I went to a flower auction at 4am the week before Mother’s Day and discovered it all starts in reverse, at the Ontario Flower Growers Auction.
Broadcast on Metro Morning, CBC Radio One, on May 10, 2019
The Egg Carton
This was my first effort at creating a storytelling podcast. The planning began during some long walks in 2012, and eventually we finished and released it to the world. It took some time to sort out how to do all of this way back when.
Fun fact: I did all of this on the original Garage Band software. I don’t recommend this!
In this series, we cracked open this idea of Innovation. It’s an over-used word that’s everywhere, but what does it really mean?
Episodes :
You Are What You Eat: According to A Genetic Test
The Greatest Innovator You’ve Never Heard Of
Authenticity & Backyard Chickens in Brooklyn
The Story Of Uber Landing in Toronto: Disruption
Listen here.
One Man Band
I never did believe in love at first sight. Until I saw him, the One Man Band, skillfully playing at least 10 different instruments strapped to his body. He was the boom-boom, the high hat and the Cha Cha all in one...right there in front of me, in the Piazza in Rome, Italy. So what else can a girl do, but learn to play herself...Could that help bring me back to him? First aired on CBC Radio’s Outfront in 1999.
Skipping Songs
Fudge Fudge Call the Judge … Do you believe that we learned all we need to know in the school yard, taught through song? I went back to recess to rediscover this dark art. First aired on CBC Radio’s Outfront in 2000.