Beautiful Bride & Radio Reunion
CJBK morning co-host Loreena Dickson got married on the weekend. She invited the CJBK morning crew to the reception and I’m so grateful that I was included, despite being an ex-crew member.
…CJBK
Re(something)ment
I haven’t accepted the word retirement and I don’t think it’s accurate. But everyone who wants to know how I’m doing asks me how retirement is going! My fondness for food and shelter means I need to work. But it’s kind of like branding; a brand doesn’t get to decide how it’s seen by others. It’s defined by the way it’s perceived.  …
Decisions, Decisions
When you were a little kid and you needed to make a decision about your life, it was simple. Do you want to go to Grandma’s house or should I turn this car around right now? Okay then, stop fighting, you two! And you and your brother stopped fighting, because you loved Grandma and she probably baked a pie. Not to mention, no one ever noticed you digging into Grandma’s candy dish, where you would eat as many dusty Humbugs as you could free from the hard, sticky ball they had become. …
The Way We Were
There’s no question about it, I’m going to miss Ken Eastwood. He’s a great on air partner, a good guy and a hell of a baker and cook. Stephanie Vivier starts with him tomorrow on CJBK. Today, for me, it’s about looking back. …
Bad Text Reading
Journalism is about truth and truth is about authenticity. And that’s what was in my head last Friday morning when I basically stopped the show in its tracks and asked, “What is wrong with people today? Is every texter in a foul mood?!” …
The Ultimutt Radio Show
Meet Pickles. Pickles is about to become a famous dog. He’s not just a performer, he’s a bit of a miraculous survivor. …
Backstage Stories as The Park Rocked 80s Style
The music of the 1980s withstood a lot of mocking. Hair bands and synthesizers, all pushed in our faces by cheesy music videos. But as last Thursday night proved, there were some really great songs that have passed the test of time. …
Don’t Bug Me
Last week, I ate a cricket. I hadn’t planned to but I got caught up in the moment. Ken and I were interviewing a naturalist from the Butterfly Conservancy of Cambridge about their Chocolate Bugfeast that’s on this week. Ken chomped on some chocolate-covered critters and I decided to join in. Â …
A Ford, A Woman and a Tulip
The “progressive” part of the Ontario Progressive Conservatives was removed from their name on the weekend. What a mess. The Liberals were the real winners of the PC leadership debacle that elected Doug Ford. …
Last Week in Listener Texts
I maintain that there is no “war on Christmas”. People began saying “Merry Christmas” less often because they were trying to be inclusive. Some Canadians celebrate other holidays such as Hannukah, Kwanzaa and the Solstice. It would be a problem if people guessed at someone’s religion just by looking at their face. …
A Good Canadian
The tweet from The Tragically Hip announcing the news of frontman Gord Downie’s death in a statement, was published just as a newscast was ending. …
Dining in the Dark
Late last week, live on our show, Ken experienced what it’s like to eat when you can’t see. We set this up to highlight the upcoming fundraiser for Deaf/Blind Ontario, Dining in the Dark. Guests are served a formal meal and have to eat it while blindfolded. …
Talk Talk
The TV promos we shot for News/Talk 1290 CJBK are on the air. The idea is to inspire listeners to discuss the reasons why news and talk are important. The promos drive viewers to our website where there’s a forum for discussion. Yeah, I know, a discussion on the Internet. What could possibly go wrong? …
Starsky & Hutch, Turner & Hootch, Ken & Lisa
Ken and I are shooting a TV commercial this morning. It’s not just for our Morning Show on CJBK; afternoon drive host Andy Oudman is also in it and although the script is a closely guarded secret, I gather we are taking part in a mock debate, so it sounds like it will be fun. I will post it here once it’s finished and on the air. …
“Never work with animals or children.” WC Fields
On Thursdays, we have a segment on the show called Ask Me Anything. Someone with a fascinating hobby or profession comes in and answers anything we and our listeners want to know about what they do. We’ve had a funeral director, a gun fanatic, a veterinarian, a former police chief and other interesting people. This week, I invited intuitive medium – psychic, if you like – Tania Thomas. She knew from the outset that I was a skeptic and she loves to talk about her work. But the result was unpredictable for another reason altogether. …
Facebook is Stalking Me
If you’ve never had reason to buy advertising on Facebook, let me tell you that it works. You can micro-target your ad to reach the narrowest of demographics. Do you want to appeal only to Moms in their 30s with two children who belong to Pinterest and eat only organic arugula? Done. Or you can blanket the whole FB population. You control it and you set the budget. You pay by the click. It’s cheap and it’s effective. …
Slings and Arrows of Outrageous Misfortune
When Ken’s away, I’ll do whatever it takes to not be boring.  Our morning show – a talk show, may I remind you – eats up so much more content when there’s just one person at the helm. Without Ken there to keep the conversation going, there’s only so much I can do alone that’s interesting. Oh, I could prattle on incessantly if I loved the sound of my own voice a bit more! But “interesting” is the key! …
Weekday Wedding
The Ken and Lisa Morning Show pitched a contest idea some time ago: a wedding vow renewal. We’d choose a couple and give them a CJBK Wedding Do-Over. Mary and Fred’s entry was selected some time ago, and their mini-wedding was held last Wednesday evening. It was wonderful! We selected a couple whose first wedding had a lot of mishaps including a lost ring and no money for a honeymoon. It also happens to be their fiftieth anniversary year. …