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
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    52 mins
  • Diane Walton and On Spec: The Canadian Magazine of the Fantastic

    Diane Walton and On Spec: The Canadian Magazine of the Fantastic
    Jan 27 2026

    Re-Creative Spotlight: Diane Walton

    In this episode of Re-Creative, Mark and I talk to Diane Walton, a founding member and long-time managing editor of On Spec: The Canadian magazine of the Fantastic. On Spec is well known in Canadian speculative fiction circles (and beyond!) for publishing quality fiction and art from (largely but not exclusively) Canadian writers and artists.

    Prompted by one of Mark’s famous opening questions, we begin with a lighthearted discussion about our favorite writing implements before diving into Diane’s amazing 35-year legacy with On Spec.

    Diane tells us how the highly regarded Canadian spec fic magazine began in Edmonton around 1989 after a creative writing group at the University of Alberta grew frustrated with American magazines rejecting their work for being “too Canadian”. She recounts the early days of assembling an editorial team, securing startup funds, and commissioning stories from notable authors like Dave Duncan and Eileen Kernaghan for their first saddle-stitched issue.

    Despite the magazine recently coming to an end in its original form, Diane reflects on its success in providing a credible, well-edited platform for Canadian speculative fiction. I submitted to it twice, always intending to submit more. Although I was never published in On Spec personally, I am proud to have received two rejection letters. Both from Diane personally!

    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
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    58 mins
  • Arlene F. Marks and Children’s Games

    Arlene F. Marks and Children’s Games
    Jan 16 2026
    In this episode from the first season of Re-Creative, Mark A. Rayner and I revisit childhood with Canadian author Arlene F. Marks, as Arlene introduces us to one of her favourite paintings, Children’s Games by Flemish Renaissance artist Pieter Bruegel the Elder. You can see it pictured below. The painting shows 230 children playing 83 different games from the renaissance period. It resonates with Arlene because it’s important to her that each character she writes in her novels has their own story.As a speculative fiction writer, the painting has also helped Arlene with her world building. Naturally, a book focuses on a detail of a larger picture, but there is a whole universe outside of what she can show in a single book, or even a trilogy.Arlene has been writing since the age of 6, and has no plans to stop. A veteran teacher of the craft, she has authored two literacy programs for the classroom. Her short stories have appeared online and in print, notably in an anthology of re-imagined fairy tales, Grimmer Tales Volume One. She is also the author of the Sic Transit Terra space opera series (from Edge Publishing) and Adventures in Godhood, her first of several recent releases from our friends at Brain Lag Publishing.Arlene’s short story collection, Imaginary Friends, and her paranormal mystery Weekends Can Be Murder came out in 2022 to great reviews. A new series, The Nash’terel, launched in May with the release of The Earthborn. It will continue in November with The Bloodstone.As Arlene mentions in this episode, her newest book (as of this recording, anyway) is The Earthborn! Amazing Stories describes The Earthborn as “a light-hearted Philip K. Dick novel on steroids.” Author Ed Greenwood warns: “Buckle up, reader! You’re in for a wild ride.”Arlene lives with her husband on the shore of beautiful Nottawasaga Bay in Ontario, where she dreams of one day having a tidy, well-organized office.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
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    36 mins
  • Lynda Williams and Edgar Rice Burrough's Tarzan

    Lynda Williams and Edgar Rice Burrough's Tarzan
    Jan 10 2026
    Re-Creative Spotlight: Lynda WilliamsIn this episode of Re-Creative, Mark A. Rayner and I dive into a fascinating conversation with author and publisher Lynda Williams, the “obscure Canadian Tolkien.” Joining us from Prince George, B.C., Lynda shares how she balances her academic background in Artificial Intelligence with her sprawling, ten-novel epic, the Okal Rel saga.We explore Lynda’s unique approach to collaboration, where she invites other writers to play in her sandbox rather than protecting her turf. We nerd out on the physics of “reality skimming” (her version of faster-than-light travel) and discuss how her universe evolved from a passion project into a collaborative literary ecosystem.For her "homework," Lynda chose Edgar Rice Burrough's Tarzan of the Apes series. We have a frank and illuminating discussion about the Victorian and colonial influences of this early 20th-century classic, and how those "larger than life" archetypes eventually seeped into—and were subverted by—Lynda’s own bioengineered cultures and dramatized philosophies.Support Our GuestLynda Williams is a powerhouse of Canadian science fiction whose work bridges the gap between hard science and epic space opera. Her ability to maintain an arc from beginning to end across ten novels has earned her a dedicated following from Germany to the Maritimes.Beyond her fiction, Lynda is a pioneer in the Canadian small-press scene and an educator who understands the intersection of technology and storytelling. Many of her co-collaborators have ensured that all aspects of the Okal Rel universe--everything from faster-than-light travel and fencing-- are grounded in scientific logic and reality.Lynda currently hosts a blog called Reality Skimming, where she continues to foster community by hosting guest posts on a wide range of intriguing themes.You can explore the vast Okal Rel universe and find all of Lynda’s work by visiting her blog at realityskimming.com or her official series hub at okalrel.org.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
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    50 mins
  • Kurt Vonnegut's Cat's Cradle

    Kurt Vonnegut's Cat's Cradle
    Jan 3 2026
    In this episode of Re-Creative, Mark and I discuss Cat’s Cradle, by Kurt Vonnegut.We talk about Vonnegut’s life, in particular his experiences during World War II; Vonnegut was captured during the Battle of Bulge and then lived through the firebombing of Dresden. We talk about how this experience shaped Vonnegut’s writing, his view of science and his humanism.Cat’s Cradle came out in 1963, before Vonnegut had the immense success of Slaughterhouse 5, which was based on his experiences in the war. Before he became well-known, Cat’s Cradle was an underground hit in the hippie movement, largely because of the pacifist message and Vonnegut’s invented religion, Bokonism.We chat about the charms of the book, the importance of the novel in Vonnegut’s canon, and how well it has aged over the decades since it was first published.The verdict: Mark and I both highly recommend this book.Support the Co-Hosts!If you’re looking for a way to support the show, the best option is to buy one of our books! We have lots to choose from between us. And then, if you like the book you’ve chosen, an even greater show of love is to review the book positively on websites like Amazon, Goodreads and LibraryThing!You can get A Time and a Place where-ever you buy your books online. Alpha Max is available everywhere too, including on Amazon and at Bookshop.org. Mark’s latest, The Gates of Polished Horn, which the Toronto Star just selected as one of its Favourite Books of 2025, is also available everywhere. You can also check out their other books on Joe’s website and Mark’s 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
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    42 mins
  • Christopher Sweet and Stephen King's The Dark Tower

    Christopher Sweet and Stephen King's The Dark Tower
    Dec 21 2025
    Christopher Sweet is an author from New Brunswick. I was introduced to his work by the folks behind Partridge Island Publishing when I visited their bookstore in Saint John and asked them what I should be reading. They handed me Christopher’s novella Something Sweet. I read it and was impressed. This guy can write! I thought, and reviewed it thusly:“I’m impressed. At 73 pages, this indie novella is expertly constructed and tightly written and boasts a pitch-perfect ending. It isn’t for the faint of heart, though. It contains adult situations and the author himself calls it a “gross little story” (it’s only gross at the end though).It would make an excellent X-Files episode and is reminiscent of the work of Stephen King (in the best possible sense). Can’t wait to see more from Christopher Sweet!” ~ Joe Mahoney, Shepherd.comA few months later I met Christopher at the Greater Moncton, Riverview, Dieppe Bookfair (which, while I’m on the subject, probably needs a pithier name) and discovered that he’s a pretty cool guy as well as a great writer. Other local writers have said to me, “Watch this guy. It’s only a matter of time until he’s Canada’s Stephen King.” Having compared him to the master himself, I believe it. Christopher Sweet has been, in his words, “…a freelance writer, manager, waiter, bartender, event DJ, actor, children’s entertainer, truck driver, shopkeeper, call centre operator, concierge, office assistant, barista, supply teacher, and—most recently—a campground manager.” He’s a cinephile, a bibliophile, a lover of nature, and currently resides on a campground in New Brunswick on the other side of the Miramichi with, as he puts it, “his growing tribe of people and pets on a peaceful river in New Brunswick’s Acadian Peninsula.”In this episode of Re-Creative, Mark Rayner and I talk to Christopher about, well, everything we could think of related to writing, books and publishing… including our darkest fears. We each have one! But you’ll have to listen to the podcast to discover what they are. We explore Christopher’s love for Stephen King’s The Dark Tower series, and tumble headlong down rabbit holes containing more of King’s work, including in particular The Shining. Christopher shares his thoughts on indie publishing, his own budding career in writing, and even waxes poetically about em dashes—a subject upon which the three of us agree. It’s a fun, illuminating conversation with a talent to be watched… and read. 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
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    55 mins