For this edition of #BookCast, your hosts Garth Casbourn, Meghan Voll, and Scott Walters cover the unique writing of People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks, a tale based on a real and highly important Jewish prayer book told through fictional vignettes of its history. Hanna is a book conservator tasked with restoring a famous (and very real) copy of the Haggadah Jewish text that has experienced a tumultuous past. Blending actual history with fictional accounts of the text's origins and mysterious migrations through time, and telling the stories of the people, both real and imagined, that brought it to the present. We discuss the uncommon structure of this novel, the historic foundations of Brooks sweeping epic, and several of the principal themes. Join us in exploring what has been described as "an erudite Davinci Code".

This episode was recorded on June 4, 2025

Produced by Scott Walters

Theme song provided by https://freebeats.io/ Produced by White Hot

In this week's episode, hosts Ryan Baxter and Mark Ambrogio interview Natasha Beaudoin, a student in the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program. The MFA has both academic and production elements, which enables Natasha to pursue her interests, mixing traditional painting techniques with influences from social media, gaming, and digital culture. Natasha is inspired by the use of light in the works of the Italian renaissance painter Caravaggio (1571- 1610). While portraiture is sometimes associated with the past, Natasha would like to see this tradition continue. Natasha can be found on Instagram and her website is: https://tashaskates.wixsite.com/mysite Some of Natasha's paintings will be featured at Western's McIntosh Gallery, from June 6 to July 4, 2026. Recorded on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 Produced by Mark Ambrogio Theme song provided by FreeBeats.io (Produced by WhiteHot)

This week, hosts Anthony Cruz and Mark Ambrogio interview Aoife Hawthorne, a master's student in Western's Curriculum Studies program in the Faculty of Education. Aoife's research focuses on teacher attrition and how different factors like courses taught, funding, and even postal code affect likelihood to remain in a teaching position.

On top of her research, Aoife, Mark, and Anthony discuss their experiences in elementary and high school, the Irish teaching system, and how getting involved on campus can lead to a greater sense of belonging in our own educational environments. Tune in to learn more!

Recorded on Tuesday, November 11, 2025

Produced by Evelyn MacKay-Barr

Theme song provided by FreeBeats.io (Produced by White Hot)