Happy 2023! Podcast Launch, New Essays and More!

Happy 2023! 
Actually, happy almost February!

Feeling grateful for all the natural beauty I've witnessed these past months. Here are Cody and I enjoying a stunning American Thanksgiving in Vancouver. Lucky us!

And I'm feeling grateful for all the creative collaborations in my life.

1. Fine Cut with Alyson

I've had the great fortune of becoming friends with and guesting on many podcasts with the Comics in Motion Network, in particular with Femme on Film and Ria Carrogan. When she approached me and three other incredible women, Tonya Todd, Jess Davies and Ada McCartney about expanding Femme On into a larger podcasting collective I said "yes" before I really knew what we were creating, because I was that excited about creating something with these women. 

Femme On launched at the beginning of the year and it offers a little bit of everything. My show, Fine Cut, keeps it brief and meaningful with episodes around 20 minutes long. A guest and I closely read a scene of the guest's choosing from movies, TV, comic books, novels, any media really as a way to have a deeper conversion about a topic that's meaningful to them. ​

If you have a moment to listen, fantastic, it's available wherever you find your podcast and if you're so inclined subscribe, rate and review the podcast too. It really helps!

2. Essays
There is No Escape at Voices of Addiction at The Rumpus
When I first became aware of the Voices on Addiction column at The Rumpus I dreamed of being a part of it and now I am with a piece of writing of which I am extremely proud.

How to Hold Love at Pithead Chapel
I haven't written much about Cody and I did with this essay. I love the guy a lot. 

The Bible at The Keepthings
Love being a part of this incredible Instagram account, the Keepthings with a story about my relationship with Cody's Grammie and one of the many keepthings she left behind.

3. Where I'm From
I'm recording #70 this week, exciting! I have so many incredible writers scheduled to join me in 2023. And the series continues to be such a source of joy and inspiration for me. Please join us sometime or watch the replays on Instagram or YouTube.


4. What I'm Watching and Reading

Slow Horses on Apple+ 
I'm mildly obsessed, it's espionage annnd what happens to them when they go home. They're fallible and complicated and hilarious. One of the actors, Saskia Reeves, described it as "James Bond with farts." Which is not wrong but it's even more than that, highly recommend.

Inciting Joy: Essays by Ross Gay
If you're feeling like joy is a waste of time (it's not!) read this book. Here is a quote I love, "What does joy incite? -  I should say, I have a hunch, and it's why I think discussion of joy is so important. My hunch is that joy is an ember for or precursor to wild and unpredictable and transgressive and unboundaried solidarity. And that solidarity might incite further joy. And so on and on." Read the book for more.

5. Words of inspiration

Last month, I was feeling down about my writing, one of those, "who cares, what's the point, etc." It happens and after sitting with it for some time I made a brave and new choice, I reached out to someone I like and deeply respect and she wrote back, 

"In times of Great Doubt these words of Nikky Finney really helped me. They still do. 
'You must be taken with yourself to do anything well in this life. Anything...I'm talking about looking yourself in the mirror and understanding that you have come here to do something...To be taken with yourself is to say: I have come to do this. I am here to do this well.'

That she took the time to write me back and show her support and solidarity means the world to me. And now these words live in me. 

I hope these words offer you some solace when you are struggling.

Let's tell our stories, we can do this. Alyson