Best Bury Libraries Podcasts (2025)

1
Grammar, Grit, and Girl Power: Confessions of a Grammar Queen Release Party 40:58

3h ago40:58

40:58

Join Eliza and guest host, Sophie Perinot, as we celebrate the launch of Confessions of a Grammar Queen, the bold, feminist, and delightfully bookish novel that proves copyediting is a revolutionary act. We’re talking red pencils, office politics, feminist book clubs, and what it means to rewrite the rules—one sentence (and sexist boss) at a time. …

1
The movement that unlocked a new masculinity – Dandyism 54:06

10h ago54:06

54:06

For over 200 years, the Dandy has been a provocateur, someone who pushes against the boundaries of culture, masculinity and politics. From Beau Brummell to Oscar Wilde to contemporary Black activists, IDEAS contributor Pedro Mendes tracks the subversive role the Dandy plays in challenging the status quo. *This episode originally air…

1
What's the Secret to Nintendo's Success? 42:22

4d ago42:22

42:22

From Nintendo's history with the Yakuza to its dabbling in the seedy motel business, the House of Mario has a much longer and stranger history than you might guess. Find out what happened when the company tried to make knitting popular, how America's obsession with robots helped them nudge their way into retailers, and why a grabber called the Ultr…

1
How Canadian nationalism died 54:08

4d ago54:08

54:08

In George Grant's famous 1965 essay, Lament for a Nation, the Red Tory philosopher argued that Canadian nationalism had died. He believed that when Canada was tied to the UK, the country was committed to a collective common good. But when it became integrated with the U.S., Grant says Canada abandoned this idea. Sixty years later, …

1
The famously polarizing father of capitalism 54:07

3h ago54:07

54:07

The 18th-century philosopher Adam Smith is often called “the father of economics,” and sometimes “the father of capitalism.” IDEAS contributor Matthew Lazin-Ryder examines how Smith’s name has been used and abused to both defend and attack free-market economics since his death.

1
What it’s like to discover you have ADHD after 50 54:08

5d ago54:08

54:08

When IDEAS contributor Sandra Bourque was diagnosed with ADHD in her early 50s, she was relieved. Finally, everything made sense to her. Bourque became obsessed with learning everything about how her brain worked. What she found was a mountain of information that focused on ADHD deficits and challenges, ways to "fit in better and be mor…

1
Episode 57: Charlotte & Luke Giddings - from kitchen table to award-winning bakery – the Brownie and the Bean story 39:32

6d ago39:32

39:32

From tough beginnings and panicked late-night baking sessions to supplying top retailers and winning multiple awards, this is a heartfelt and frequently hilarious episode of true entrepreneurial grit, creativity, and really great brownies. Zanna sits down with Charlotte and Luke, the dynamic duo behind the award-winning Suffolk business, Brownie an…

1
What it means to fully embrace neurodiversity 54:08

6d ago54:08

54:08

Imagine a world without Mozart or Michelangelo, Einstein or Edison. Famous for their creativity, a "mysterious force" that psychiatrist and ADHD expert, Ed Hallowell, says is a commonality in neurodiverse people. Neurodiversity is a relatively new term, but the thinking behind it has been going on for a while. There’s increasing evidence that wh…

1
9 Prime-Time Secrets of TV Guide 23:20

7d ago23:20

23:20

What do TV listings have to do with the arc of American history? Quite a lot, it turns out! From hard-hitting journalism that exposed fake news, to billion-dollar business deals, to a photo manipulation scandal that made Oprah very angry, Will and Mango uncover the many ways this little magazine has made a big impact on our lives. Thanks to Ken at …

1
Auntie Em’s Untold Story: Hazel Gaynor on Before Dorothy 38:12

7d ago38:12

38:12

I’m excited to be joined on the show today by guest author, Hazel Gaynor. On this episode we’re going to talk about her book, Before Dorothy. Long before Dorothy visits Oz, her aunt, Emily Gale, sets off on her own grand adventure, leaving gritty Chicago behind for Kansas and a life that will utterly change her. Paired with this episode: Hazel: Aun…

1
Do books have the power to heal us? 54:08

7d ago54:08

54:08

If you're someone who thinks reading is therapeutic, you aren’t alone. On the surface, bibliotherapy might sound like another personal wellness trend, but it definitely isn’t. In fact, it’s an approved form of mental health treatment in Canada. And it’s been around for at least a century. In this episode, researchers Sara Haslam and Edmund King …

1
Hallelujah! The transformative power of Black gospel music 54:34

10d ago54:34

54:34

When Darren Hamilton began university, he was shocked to find that there were no Black music courses and Black music professors. He grew up singing spirituals every Sunday in church. Now at the University of Toronto, Hamilton teaches Gospel Choir, U of T's first credit course in Black gospel music. Students of all backgrounds and ages come to le…

1
Thanks, Canada! 9 Great Inventions from the Great White North 24:37

11d ago24:37

24:37

If you’ve ever taken out the trash, bought eggs, or gotten immersed in Avatar, you have Canada to thank for it. Pop on your toques and join Will and Mango for a deep dive into some fascinating Canadian inventions—and yes, hockey is mentioned. Twice. Got a question you’d like us to answer? An obscure rabbit hole you think we should explore? Send an …

1
Why we can’t live without the universal feeling of disgust 54:34

11d ago54:34

54:34

Disgust — an emotion that makes us human. It can keep us safe from drinking milk that's gone off, thanks to the revolting smell. And as Charles Darwin suggests, disgust serves as part of our core evolutionary function. But it also has a dark side. Disgust has been co-opted by culture, to religious and political divides. Scholars say we need to r…

1
The philosophy behind why humans are so self-conscious 54:33

12d ago54:33

54:33

For centuries, Western philosophers have contemplated the question: “Who am I?” To get to the answer, 19th-century German philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel suggests, start by replacing the “I” with “we.” His philosophy looks at why we should care what others think of us because people’s perspectives play a huge part in how we see ourselv…

1
How the fear of fire is taking control of us 54:08

14d ago54:08

54:08

Humans used fire as a tool. Now we fear its destruction. But we're responsible for changing the climate, argues John Vailliant, "in a way that favours fire way more than it favours us." The Vancouver author unpacks how fire made humans who we are — and how humans are changing fire in his award-winning book, Fire Weather: The Making of a Beas…

1
Are Pigeons Smarter Than They Look? 30:01

14d ago30:01

30:01

Sure, they nuzzled their way into Mike Tyson's heart (and Nikola Tesla's, and Bert's from Bert and Ernie!), but how intelligent are pigeons? Have scientists really trained them to read? Did they actually play a role in discovering the Big Bang? And why are they so darn good at finding their way home? Plus: Are catfish their new nemesis? This episod…

1
Sisters, Summers, and Secrets: Brooke Lea Foster’s Timeless Tale 42:09

14d ago42:09

42:09

I’m excited to be joined on the show today by guest author, Brooke Lea Foster. On this episode we’re going to talk about her book, Our Last Vineyard Summer, a captivating new novel set in 1965 and 1978 about a graduate student who returns with her sisters to their family’s summer home on Martha’s Vineyard and begins to unravel old family secrets. P…

1
The unforgivable crime of being queer in Africa 54:34

14d ago54:34

54:34

Homosexuality is a crime in more than half of African countries — a crime punishable by prison sentences. Or in some cases: death. New laws in some states make it illegal for anyone to even advocate for LGBTQ rights. These laws bring up questions of foreign influence, neo-colonialism, and the role the international community could and should pla…

1
Bringing child sex abusers out of the shadows 54:38

17d ago54:38

54:38

No one likes talking about child sex abuse. But prevention experts say we need to bring pedophilia out of the shadows if we ever want to end abuse. They insist, it is not inevitable. CBC producer John Chipman explores an innovative new program in Kitchener, Ontario, that has sex offenders and abuse survivors working together to prevent future ha…

1
Did a Volcano Eruption Really Help Invent the Bicycle? 28:44

18d ago28:44

28:44

Will and Mango dig into all the biggest bicycle questions: From how bikes seriously altered the dating scene, to how blind people ride bikes through traffic, to the ingenious way Kermit pedaled his Schwann in the Muppets Movie. Grab a helmet and join us! This episode originally aired on November 7, 2019. Got a bike we should see? Tag us on Instagra…

1
Why our long term relationship with the U.S. is done 54:38

18d ago54:38

54:38

America is just not that into you anymore, says historian Marci Shore. It's not us — it's them. The Yale professor blames the U.S. for the failed relationship and warns the world that her own country can no longer be counted on to defend democracy, not even within its own borders. Shore has been studying the history of totalitarianism for nearly…

1
Where did modern news culture come from? Think Shakespeare 54:38

20d ago54:38

54:38

It might seem like the vast, turbulent ocean of information we call news has always existed, but that's not the case. Theatrical plays in Elizabethan England set the stage for our modern news culture, argues Stephen Wittek in his post-doctoral work. He says the cross-pollination between theatre and news developed the norms for our contemporary p…

1
Champions of cormorants argue the water bird is unfairly vilified 54:38

20d ago54:38

54:38

It's not them, it's you. That's what fans of the cormorant argue, pointing out how people see the gangly aquatic bird all wrong. This common bird has gained a bad reputation by irritating communities with its large colonies, extreme fishing habits and tree-killing excrement. But defenders suggest maybe it's humans and their cultural assumptions …

1
Why Do We Blow Out Birthday Candles? 32:10

21d ago32:10

32:10

You are cordially invited to this very festive episode about parties! Will and Mango unpack Italy’s history of painful confetti, the surprisingly violent origin of surprise parties, and the accidental invention of glitter. (Hint, it involved schnibbles in New Jersey.) Plus: Will makes a convincing case for having MORE clowns at parties. Photo by An…

1
Buried Histories: Portland's Women, the Shanghai Tunnels, and The Girls of Good Fortune with Kristina McMorris 37:19

21d ago37:19

37:19

I’m excited to be joined on the show today by guest author, Kristina McMorris. On this episode we’re going to talk about her book, The Girls of Good Fortune. A captivating tale of resilience and hope that explores the complexity of family and identity, the importance of stories that echo through generations, and the power of strength found beneath …

1
Why music — even sad music — is 'inherently joyful' 54:38

22d ago54:38

54:38

Music is joy declares Daniel Chua. The renowned musicologist says music and joy have an ancient correlation, from Confucius to Saint Augustine and Beethoven to The Blues. Of course there is sad music, but Chua says, it's tragic because of joy. Chua delivered the 2025 Wiegand Lecture called Music, Joy and the Good Life.…

1
The three ingredients in an autocrat's recipe for power 54:34

24d ago54:34

54:34

There are three components that could end constitutional democracy as we know it, says scholar Peter L. Biro — fear and its weaponization, habituation which involves the consequence of not noticing, and the 'stupidification' of our minds and of our discourse. He argues that we, as law-abiding average citizens, have the power to save our dem…

1
What's the World's Most Ridiculous Video Game? 24:39

25d ago24:39

24:39

Sure, Animal Crossing is cute. But what about a Tetris sequel that features Abe Lincolns and Frankensteins? Or a game that somehow blends Honey, I Shrunk the Kids with an anti-smoking campaign? Or the greatest (and maybe only?) game based on Noah's Ark? Today Will, Gabe, and Mango try to outdo each other with funniest, silliest, and most ridiculous…

1
A pig was shot dead in 1859. It sparked a British-U.S. war 54:34

26d ago54:34

54:34

In 1859, an American shot a pig that belonged to the Hudson’s Bay Company. Suddenly, the U.S. and British Empire were on the brink of war once again. The incident became known as The Pig War, and it claimed one casualty: the pig. Over the years, tales about the conflict have been embellished and exaggerated, conspiracy theories invented, and les…

1
The trailblazing all-Black baseball team that made history 54:34

27d ago54:34

54:34

More than ninety years ago, led by “Boomer” Harding, “Flat” Chase, and King Terrell, the Chatham Coloured All-Stars became the first all-Black team to win the Ontario baseball championship. Now the story of their historic 1934 season, including the racist treatment they endured and their exploits on the field has resurfaced in an online project,…

1
Let's Kiss the Cod in Newfoundland! 30:06

28d ago30:06

30:06

Today Will and Mango are taking you on an adventure to the far-flung Canadian island of Newfoundland, a place known for its rugged beauty, majestic icebergs, sneaky fairies, rare fossils, and... moose bologna. Along the way we'll discover some of its unique traditions, like welcoming visitors by making them smooch a fish. Pack your bags and pucker …

1
Episode 56: Nicola Weldon & Chitra Watson, Ellisons Solicitors - talk wills, trust funds and careers in law 28:01

28d ago28:01

28:01

If you're thinking about writing a will, setting up a trust fund or getting on the career ladder within a successful law firm - this podcast episode is definitely for you! Nicola Weldon - Partner, Solicitor and Head of Private Client and Chitra Watson Head of HR, talk about their personal experiences of working at Ellisons Solicitors, and how appro…

1
Russia’s constant craving for U.S. recognition 54:35

28d ago54:35

54:35

Historian Sergei Radchenko revisits the Cold War, focusing on what the idea of global power meant to the Soviet Kremlin. He argues that Soviet leaders, from Joseph Stalin to Mikhail Gorbachev, have always had a strong desire to be recognized as a superpower on the world stage, especially from the U.S. For decades, this desire could never be sati…

1
Codebreakers & Rumrunners: Erika Robuck on The Last Twelve Miles 21:09

28d ago21:09

21:09

On this episode we’re going to talk about her book, THE LAST TWELVE MILES. Based on true events, The Last Twelve Miles follows a deadly, high-stakes game of cat and mouse between cryptanalyst Elizebeth Smith Friedman and rumrunner Marie Waite. As Elizebeth fights to crack smuggler codes in D.C., Marie builds a dangerous empire across the Straits of…

1
Her job is to find buried children at residential schools 54:34

29d ago54:34

54:34

Métis archeologist Kisha Supernant was sometimes called a 'grave robber' when she started her line of work. With an eye to restorative justice, she tries to help Indigenous communities locate the graves of children who died at residential schools. Now, she's called on to find children's graves. In this public lecture, Supernant explains how the …

1
The power of white evangelical Christians in MAGA politics 54:25

1M ago54:25

54:25

In the past decade, there has been one stable voting bloc: white evangelical Christians. Their support has been at a constant 80 per cent for Donald Trump, according to historian Kristin Kobes Du Mez. In her book, Jesus and John Wayne, she describes the Trump era as the latest chapter in a long story of exclusion, patriarchy, and Christ…

1
PTG Classic: 9 Surprising Facts about Moms 13:40

1M ago13:40

13:40

In honor of Mother's Day, Will and Mango talk about what make moms special, from why their hearts are so in sync with their babies to their impact on your driving habits. Plus: how Thomas Edison's mom challenged his teacher—and helped him believe in his own genius. Photo: Yes, that's Mango and his mom Lalita! Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius!…

1
There's no potential danger of AI discrimination — 'it's here' 54:35

1M ago54:35

54:35

The grave consequences artificial intelligence poses aren't 'potential' — they are happening now, warns MIT researcher Joy Buolamwini. She argues that encoded discrimination embedded in AI systems — racial bias, sex and gender bias, and ableism — pose unprecedented threats to humankind. Buolamwini has been at the forefront of artificial intellig…

1
The one exception that makes killing civilians legal in war 54:35

1M ago54:35

54:35

International law is clear: warring parties cannot kill civilians. It's a war crime. But there is one exception. An attacker can justify killing them if they’re being used as a shield for military objectives. This means a belligerent could kill a civilian and claim, after the fact, they were being used as shields by the enemy. Increasingly, that…

1
The 2,000-year-old travel list to complete before you die 54:35

1M ago54:35

54:35

More than 2,000 years ago, someone sat down and wrote a travel bucket list for the ancient world — suggesting must-see places that we now call The Seven Wonders of the World. It was kind of a Lonely Planet guide of its time, and included the Pyramid of Giza, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the lighthouse of Alexandria, and the Temple of…

1
Why Chickens are Smarter Than You Think! with Sy Montgomery 35:02

1M ago35:02

35:02

Chickens are full of surprises, from their understanding of property boundaries to their unique personalities to their ability to recognize (and name!) the humans around them. Author and longtime chicken enthusiast Sy Montgomery stops by to share some fascinating facts—and hilarious true stories—from her new book, What the Chicken Knows. Buy Sy’s b…

1
Secrets in Miniature: Elise Hooper on The Library of Lost Dollhouses 40:07

1M ago40:07

40:07

I’m excited to be joined on the show today by guest author, Elise Hooper. On this episode we’re going to talk about her book, The Library of Lost Dollhouses. When a young librarian discovers historic dollhouses in a hidden room, she embarks on an unexpected journey that reveals surprising secrets about the lost miniatures. Paired with this episode:…

1
Canadian troops who freed the Netherlands from Nazis 54:35

1M ago54:35

54:35

On May 5, 1945, Canadian soldiers played a key role in the liberation of the Netherlands from the German forces. Almost 80 years later, a large group of Canadians travelled to the Netherlands to pay tribute to their relatives who'd helped liberate the country in the Second World War. They walked on a nine-day pilgrimage through villages and town…

1
What it means to call your loved one a ‘corpse’ 54:08

1M ago54:08

54:08

In the hour’s following her mother’s death, Martha Baillie undertook two rituals — preparing a death mask of her mother’s face, and washing her mother’s body. That intimacy shaped her grief. She had learned earlier to witness death and be present, living with regret after she left the room to get a nurse when her father died. For Baillie her mot…

1
PTG Classic: Who's the Greatest Pirate of All Time? 46:44

1M ago46:44

46:44

Will and Mango have so many questions about pirates: Did they really exaggerate their R's? Did they all have parrots? Were lady pirates more successful than male ones? And was there really a rabbi pirate who made his crew keep kosher? From buried treasure to walking the plank, Will and Mango take a good look at the Golden Age of piracy. Photo via C…

1
The limitless mind and body of an 83-year-old super-athlete 54:08

1M ago54:08

54:08

"Never let anyone tell you that you're old," says Dag Aabaye, an 83-year-old super athlete who defies age. He runs two to six hours daily in B.C.'s Okanagan Valley, where he lives alone on a mountain. For him, running is “life itself." Blizzards, heat waves, even running 24 hours straight Until he met Aabaye, Brett Popplewell u…

1
How the American cowboy ignited the Republican movement 54:07

1M ago54:07

54:07

The cowboy — a symbol of the true American man who is anti-government, works independently and protects his family. Historian Heather Cox Richardson calls this rhetoric “cowboy individualism”, and says this myth is the basis for 40-year-old Republican ideology. In this public lecture, Cox Richardson argues that the current Trump administrat…

1
How horses shaped humankind, from wearing pants to vaccines 54:08

1M ago54:08

54:08

We have a lot to thank horses for in our everyday lives, from the Hollywood motion picture, to life-saving vaccines for diphtheria and tetanus, to a staple in our closets: pants. "Prior to riding horses, no one wore pants," says historian Timothy Winegard. He argues that horses are intertwined in our own history to the point that we overlook the…

1
9 Super Catchy Facts About Theme Songs 18:18

1M ago18:18

18:18

Chances are, you’ve heard all these songs made famous by film and TV… but you probably haven’t heard the stories behind them. Why did young Will Smith overrule music legend Quincy Jones? How did a contract clause influence the lyrics to one of the best-known theme songs of the 1960s? And what did Joe DiMaggio really think when Paul Simon wrote a so…

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