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Re-Creative

Re-Creative

By: Mark A. Rayner and Joe Mahoney (MonkeyJoy Press and Donovan Street Press Inc.)
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 Hosted by Joe Mahoney and Mark A. Rayner, Re-Creative is a podcast about creativity and the works that inspire it. We talk to creative people from all walks of life, and learn from them what piece of art stokes their own imaginative fires.

mahoneyj.substack.comJoe Mahoney Art Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Nina Munteanu

    Nina Munteanu
    Feb 17 2026
    Re-Creative Spotlight: Nina Munteanu on The OverstoryOn this episode of Re-Creative, Mark and I talk to writer, naturalist and limnologist Nina Munteanu about a Pulitzer Prize winning novel that had quite an impact on her: Richard Power’s The Overstory. Nina considers herself an environmental activist and ecologist. Much of her fiction is written in a sub-genre of SF: eco-fiction. She’s also a lover of irony, which is one of the reasons she loves the novel so much.Each character in The Overstory is either an avatar of a tree, or, perhaps, the trees are the main characters and the people simply represent them. “What Powers does is very powerful, in that he keeps it real,” Nina tells us.The novel deals with issues of deforestation, ecological collapse, and the extinction of some large trees.In this engrossing conversation, Nina teaches us some new ecological terms, such as the “duff” — the litter, or the decaying vegetation on the forest floor, underneath the overstory. (Also, limnology, the study of waters found within continents.)By the end of this conversation you will want to read not only The Overstory, but Nina’s own work!Support our Guest!Nina Munteanu is a Canadian ecologist and internationally published novelist of science fiction and fantasy. In addition to eight published novels, Nina has written award-nominated short stories, articles and non-fiction books, which have been translated into several languages. Recognition for her work includes the Midwest Book Review Reader’s Choice Award, finalist for Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year Award, the SLF Fountain Award, and The Delta Optimist Reviewers Choice.Nina’s latest work (as of this recording) is A Diary in the Age of Water, which is an eco-fiction that follows the climate-induced journey of humanity through four generations of women with a unique relationship with water.Find all her books at her website, here! Paid subscriptions of this podcast support Donovan Street Press Inc. and the creation of new books and podcasts.Re-Creative is a co-production of Donovan Street Press Inc. in association with MonkeyJoy Press.Contact us at: contact@donovanstreetpress.com If you don’t wish to receive the podcast (or you’re receiving too many emails from this newsletter), it is possible to manage your Substack subscription to receive only the sections you want (e.g., the Donovan Street Press newsletter, the Captain’s Away serial, the Re-Creative podcast) via your account settings. You can do so by clicking on your avatar and selecting “Manage subscription” or by directly navigating to your account page.Follow Joe Mahoney and Donovan Street Press Inc. on: Goodreads, Bluesky, Threads, Mastadon, Facebook, and Instagram Get full access to Donovan Street Press Inc. at mahoneyj.substack.com/subscribe
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    43 mins
  • Singer-Songwriter Jenn Grant and The Daily Drum

    Singer-Songwriter Jenn Grant and The Daily Drum
    Feb 10 2026
    Re-Creative Spotlight: Jenn GrantIn this episode of Re-Creative, Mark and I talk to singer-songwriter Jenn Grant about coffee, smoothies, and a whole lot more, including Jenn’s upcoming tour Cradled by the Waves, described as “a groundbreaking live tour that transforms her forthcoming album, Queen of the Strait, into a stunning multimedia performance blending music, film, theatre, and dance.”My wife and I have tickets to see Jenn on this tour at the Capital Theatre in Moncton. I was already keen to see Jenn perform, but after hearing her describe her plans for this personal, ambitious show, I can hardly wait! Drawing inspiration from Sarah Harmer, Jenn sees her work as an act of service, viewing music and art as forms of resistance, especially in these troubled times. We talk about how her current album Queen of the Strait was recorded “live off the floor” in four magical days, in their own home studio, and how the “Queen” in the title is an homage to her mother, who displayed remarkable resilience during a tumultuous time in their lives. Jenn also shares the true story behind her wonderful song “Jim Cuddy Dress” (the title of which I mess up in the introduction!) There is also a very cool video for Jim Cuddy Dress that I recommend you check out, especially if you want some glimpses of Prince Edward Island back in the day. Because it’s what we do on Re-Creative, we also talked to Jenn about some of her favourite art. She spoke passionately about her own journey with visual art and her admiration for the work of Mi’kmaq artist Alan Syliboy, and about the importance of reconciliation and supporting the long-standing work of indigenous creators.Long ago, back in 2007, I had the great pleasure of recording Jenn on the CBC Radio show Q. It was so great to have the chance to speak with her again in the company of my good pal and co-host Mark Rayner. As a special treat, we close the episode with another “live off the floor” recording: this time that very recording I made of Jenn on Q so long ago, in Studio 203 of the Toronto Broadcast Centre. It’s one my favourite songs of Jenn’s: Dreamer. Support Our GuestJenn Grant is a three-time Juno-nominated singer, songwriter, and internationally acclaimed recording artist whose music has been described as “the aural equivalent of a warm embrace” (Pop Matters), “majestic vocals” (Consequence of Sound), and “dreamy, harp-and-woodwinds folk, the work of a painter born in paradise” (The Age, AU). With eight studio albums to date, she has become one of Canada’s most distinctive voices, earning East Coast Music Awards, a Polaris Prize long-listing, and widespread recognition for her ethereal sound and evocative storytelling.Her forthcoming album, Queen of the Strait (2026), is her most personal work yet. Co-produced with Joshua Van Tassel (Bahamas, Christine Bougie, Doug Paisley) and longtime collaborator Daniel Ledwell, it is a modern-day classic of country and Americana, elevated by Jenn’s unmistakable pop-infused charm.You can pre-order Queen of the Strait now on Bandcamp.There is also a very cool video for Jim Cuddy Dress that we recommend you check out, especially if you want some glimpses of Prince Edward Island back in the day.Support Alan Too!And you can support Alan Syliboy here at his online store, where you can get one of your own daily drums!You can subscribe to six month’s worth of this podcast completely for free. Paid subscriptions support Donovan Street Press Inc. and the creation of new books and podcasts.Re-Creative is a co-production of Donovan Street Press Inc. in association with MonkeyJoy Press.Contact us at: contact@donovanstreetpress.com If you don’t wish to receive the podcast (or you’re receiving too many emails from this newsletter), it is possible to manage your Substack subscription to receive only the sections you want (e.g., the Donovan Street Press newsletter, the Captain’s Away serial, the Re-Creative podcast) via your account settings. You can do so by clicking on your avatar and selecting “Manage subscription” or by directly navigating to your account page.Follow Joe Mahoney and Donovan Street Press Inc. on: Goodreads, Bluesky, Threads, Mastadon, Facebook, and Instagram Get full access to Donovan Street Press Inc. at mahoneyj.substack.com/subscribe
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    50 mins
  • John Corcelli on George Carlin and Occupation: Foole

    John Corcelli on George Carlin and Occupation: Foole
    Feb 4 2026
    Re-Creative Spotlight: John Corcelli on George CarlinOn this episode of Re-Creative from our first season, Mark and I talk to John Corcelli, author of Frank Zappa FAQ, about his latest book on George Carlin. We take a fascinating deep-dive into the work, life and genius of the comedian, actor, philosopher, social commentator, and just plain funny guy George Carlin. Myself, I have loved the work of George Carlin ever since my childhood friend Philip Fehr first introduced me to him. When we were both about 12, Philip played Carlin’s “Seven Dirty Words You Can’t Hear on Television” for me and that was it, I was a fan for life.As is often the case on Re-Creative, the conversation strays, allowing John, Mark and I to get into the vagaries of (ancient) analog media, the history of the CBC (where John and I both worked, once upon a time), until finally we segue into Carlin’s fifth album, Occupation: Foole.When John first heard the 1974 album, he felt like Carlin was speaking directly to him as opposed to a large audience. This is not surprising considering Carlin had been a disc jockey before becoming famous for his stand up; as John points out, DJs often have the ability to connect directly with individual listeners. Occupation: Foole was a critical moment in Carlin’s career, John says, representing the evolution of Carlin from class clown to jester, poet, and philosopher.Support Our Guest!John Corcelli was born and raised in Toronto. He’s a musician, actor, radio producer and writer.He considers music his “religion”, with a love for all of its forms especially jazz. Corcelli graduated from Toronto Metropolitan University (Ryerson) in 1984 with a Radio & Television Arts degree, one that laid the foundation for a career in broadcasting with radio as his preferred format to educate and entertain.In 2021, after 18 years, Corcelli retired from the CBC Music Library. During those years he produced some radio docs. One of his favourites was the eight-part series, RPM: Indispensable Canadian Pop Albums. To mark the 100th anniversary of its sinking, Corcelli produced a documentary about the musicians who played on the Titanic, called Hartley’s Violin.He’s published two books, Frank Zappa FAQ and Outside Looking In, The Seriously Funny Life and Work of George Carlin. He’s currently working on a book about film composer Howard Shore.Learn more about John and get his books at his website.You can subscribe to this podcast completely for free. Paid subscriptions support Donovan Street Press Inc. and the creation of new books and podcasts.Re-Creative is a co-production of Donovan Street Press Inc. in association with MonkeyJoy Press.Contact us at: contact@donovanstreetpress.com If you don’t wish to receive the podcast (or you’re receiving too many emails from this newsletter), it is possible to manage your Substack subscription to receive only the sections you want (e.g., the Donovan Street Press newsletter, the Captain’s Away serial, the Re-Creative podcast) via your account settings. You can do so by clicking on your avatar and selecting “Manage subscription” or by directly navigating to your account page.Follow Joe Mahoney and Donovan Street Press Inc. on: Goodreads, Bluesky, Threads, Mastadon, Facebook, and Instagram Get full access to Donovan Street Press Inc. at mahoneyj.substack.com/subscribe
    Show More Show Less
    52 mins
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