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Dennis speaks with Norma Dunning, Author of Naoyak: A Novel.  Funny, biting, tender, fantastical and spiritually charged, Naoyak is a blend of social satire and a loving ode to Inuit women and mothers.

Introducing The Optimism We All Need Right Now with Simon Sinek from The Oprah Podcast. Follow the show: The Oprah Podcast BUY THE BOOK! Start with Why by Simon Sinek  https://amzn.to/4xQ0ETD Simon Sinek’s landmark New York Times bestseller Start with Why transformed how leaders, entrepreneurs and employees think - inspiring them to shift their focus from what they do to why they do it. Simon brought this revolutionary concept to life with his Ted Talk, "How Great Leaders Inspire Action" which instantly went viral - and now ranks as the fourth most-watched Ted talk of all time with more than 90 million views.  In this conversation, Oprah and Simon talk about how to feel more energized, optimistic and engaged in your work and life - especially at times of high anxiety and uncertainty. Simon answers questions from several viewers including a woman who is considering leaving her 9-5 job to become an entrepreneur, one who is still looking for her dream job at age 49 and another who is terrified about losing her identity as she faces retirement. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone who may be feeling a little lost and looking for clarity, direction and optimism.  00:00:00 - Welcome Simon Sinek, author of “Start with Why”  00:05:15 - The golden circle  00:09:15 - Asking for help 00:10:30 - Why vs. intention  00:13:30 - The thread of your life  00:17:40 - The age of the Influencer  00:20:10 - Optimism meaning 00:27:10 - Introverts and extroverts 00:28:40 - Blocking out doubt when chasing your why 00:32:30 - Jobs are not safe 00:34:50 - Find your guiding question 00:41:40 - Is a "dream job" a goal? 00:48:39 - The friend test  00:54:00 - The importance of relationships  00:55:20 - The key to finding your why 00:57:00 - A well-lived life Follow Oprah Winfrey on Social: https://www.instagram.com/oprahpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/oprahwinfrey/ DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

Cutting Edge: An examination of ice hockey through a queer lens-  Dennis discusses this book with auth Daniel Gawthrop.

In this tender, humorous and moving tribute, former journalist and broadcaster Mike McCardell brings his sharp eye and sense of compassion to the story of his fifty-eight-year marriage to his late wife, in an unforgettable expression of love, loss and the solace of memory.

Dennis talks "The Angels' Share" with Jane Bow, where 39 year-old Dion leaves her government job to help save her family's winery in Crete from a Russian oligarch, only to be drawn into a high-stakes heist of a two-million-dollar bottle of cognac.

Dennis talks to Will Ferguson, a Calgary based award winning travel writer and novelist about his book "Meanwhile,  Back in Nokomis."

Dennis interviews The Honourable Whit Fraser, former vice regal consort of Canada, on the book "From Ragged Ass Road to Rideau Hall."

Dennis talks with NHL Hall of Famer and referee aobut his book, "Ice Level"

Dennis talks about The Road to Bard, about Shakespeare and Bard on the Beach and all sorts of other things.

We meet again with Sam Wiebe to discuss his gripping sixth Wakeland novel. Guns Across the River delivers a taut, atmospheric mystery that dives into corruption, crime and family secrets deeply rooted in Vancouver's underworld.

Dennis talks about Cheapskate in Lotus Land by Steve Burgess...How to live well on a small budget.

Since 2003, Mo has worked as writer, teacher and editor. In her early career Mo taught Business Communications and English as an Additional Language. Her years spent working with international students, travelling and exploring the world inspired her to write, and in 2015 she received her Masters in Fine Arts in Creative Nonfiction from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. Her own memoir, Unpacked: from PEI to Palawan  (Pottersfield Press) tackles a family journey under extraordinary circumstances, and was published in 2017.

In her second novel Rufous and Calliope (Douglas & McIntyre), a cartographer with a novel form of dementia attempts to cross a perilous mountain pass, seeking the treehouse hideaway where he spent one memorable childhood summer on the run with his three older siblings and his twin sister, Calliope. Released fall 2025, and recently shortlisted for the Ethel Wilson Fiction prize. The French edition Ciel Noir, Coeurs Battants was released in February 2026.

When Betty Baxter was hired to coach the Canadian women's volleyball team in 1980, she was met with a media frenzy as the first woman in the position. Then her career was cut short—Baxter was fired in January 1982 and tossed from volleyball at age twenty-nine because of rumours about her sexual orientation. This personal memoir chronicles Baxter's journey from a small-town prairie girl discovering her passion for sports, through the years of international success, including harsh coaches, excruciating training regimes and the inequities in the sports system, especially for a closeted gay athlete. After her abrupt dismissal, Baxter turned to activism, seeking equality for women, initiating a new coaching school and working for a healthy, visible LGBTQ+ community through the internationally recognized Gay Games.

Shirley is only five years old when she is taken away by the Indian agent to live at a residential school. She loves learning, but she is not there by choice. From the first day walking up the long, lonely stone steps of the school building, life is hard and full of rules. Separated from her brothers and sisters, she is truly on her own.  Shirley is very brave, but there is no one she loves to hold her at night when she is afraid. No one to tuck her in and comfort her. Shirley keeps going despite the sadness. She makes friends and has adventures. And most of all, she looks ahead to summertime, when she will be able to return to her family and the happiness of home. A true story.