the dot matrix

All things "Get Back!" today. The Beatles docuseries was the inspiration to get Sean, Justin and Michelle back to the mic almost a year after their last podcast. With the pandemic still underway, it was nice to focus on something so joyful. The long and winding discussion touched on the Rooftop concert, Sean's super-fan expectations realized for all this new footage, Michelle's emotional connections, and Justin's appreciation of the work and effort involved. All to say, "three thumbs up!"  

Justin and Michelle finally hopped onto a FB Messenger Video chat with Sean to get back to podcasting. While still in the midst of the pandemic (much has changed and much has not since the last episode), the trio discussed the latest coverage in BC (Canada) of Dr. Bonnie Henry, including a recent interview, and vaccine line jumpers. Sean mentioned an article that sparked the segment of how politicians are often a generation (or three!) behind when reacting to criticism. The public craves much more transparency and frankness than most politicians wants to give. Of course, the resignation of Julie Payette, the former Governor General was discussed. Their last big conversation (before delving into New World Pinot Noirs), was of course the recent transition of the federal government in the US.

It took a pandemic for Sean and Justin (and now Michelle!) to dust off the microphone and sit down to do an episode virtually, safely distanced apart from each other. The topic of motivation? The sexual assault allegations against Joe Biden, and the questionable media coverage of it. Also on their minds, the missed opportunity of Bernie Sanders campaign and the protests taking place in the US against the quarantine. Here's a link to the blog that was referenced about explaining the Evangelical Christian perspective. And links to Ozark (watch it!) and The Sinner Season 3 (don't!). 

After a 1 year unintended hiatus, Sean and Justin are back for episode 68, with Justin's partner Michelle as their special "in studio" guest (as well as an in-the-background cameo appearance by Sean's partner Elaine and their dog Sadie!). The trio celebrate by casting over a glass of Coeur de Terre Pinot Noir. The episode has three parts. First, some podcast recommendations: My Dad Wrote a Porno, Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend, Discography, Serial: Season 3, and the Acting Real episode with Josh Radnor. The second part involves some geeking out about wine and Sean's wine education. The third part caps off the episode with current affairs talk - particularly on US-related topics (like what's going on in Venezuela) given the American in the room! 

Justin and Sean celebrated 10 years of recording "The Dot Matrix" podcast by welcoming their second guest in a row - this time Justin's partner Michelle. Michelle is completing her PhD research, which takes a learning lens to better understand social justice movements and what brings them together. She contributed her formidable and progressive voice to our podcasting duo. Because she was coming live from Chicago (the marvels of Skype!), the three focused on all the chaotic and dramatic happenings down in the US. The main topic of the day was the efforts to push through tax changes and the outrageous rushing of the process by even writing on the margins of the bill. A few other enraging videos they spoke about are here and here for your viewing pleasure. In the conversation, they reference two really great podcasts: By Any Means Necessary and On the Media (we've included links to the specific episodes they referenced). Also, according to the Onion, apparently you aren't supposed to leave Mike Pence alone with a Mrs. Butterworth bottle nearby.

For Episode 66 (here's the Star Wars reference Justin was talking about), Sean and Justin sat down fairly quickly (at least of late!) since their last podcast to talk taxes. Yes, that's right. Taxes! Their long-time friend Karen, who is a doctor in Vancouver, wondered if they would be interested in having a discussion around the proposed tax changes that the Canadian government is proposing. And so the duo took to the Interwebs to find out more about the issue (like this useful radio interview), and Karen joined them as their first ever podcast guest (first in 10 years!) to take a deeper dive into the issue. Not being tax experts, the three do their best to understand the tax implications, but more importantly to unpack the real life implications to physicians and as well how emotional the language has been throughout the consultation process to date. Case in point, the pretty one-sided tone in which this blog was written. Public consultations continue until October 2, 2017. Finance Canada is receiving responses via fin.consultation.fin@canada.ca

Sean and Justin sit down for the first time since March to record their much anticipated 65th episode. As the two tuck into some wine, cheese and crackers they 'cast, and take a page from wine podcasts like Tasting Room Radio. Being with an extended discussion about the Conor Sur Bicicleta Viognier they are drinking, Sean's raving about the Top Drop experience, and Justin's obsession with the Suvla Reserve Syrah 2011. Because it's 2017, the conversation inevitably turns to the political and governmental chaos happening down in the US. At the time of recording this podcast, Donald Trump's non-declarations against racist white supremacists was still top of mind. The conversation then takes related turns towards, a Boston University student who participated in the racist march, a trouble Fifth Estate episode about police in Thunder Bay, an enlightening TEDx video about cycling, and an unrelated final topic about the recent solar eclipse.

Justin and Sean sat down to do some podcasting and started by listing some of the podcasts they listen to regularly: Canadaland, On the Media, The Daily, Modern Love the Podcast, Democracy Now, Here's the Thing, By Any Means Necessary, CBC's Power and Politics and Tasting Room Radio. While describing their #trypod recommendations, they moved onto... not anything Trump yet (wait for it!), but about how personal stories and experiences should be influencing policy, governance and the law. Sean noted Lisa Raitt's revelation about her husband as she runs for the leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada. Eventually... 22 minutes in, they get to Trump and the Healthcare vote. But soon they move onto better non-Trump topics like a This Hour Has 22 Minutes video about Canadian judges being incredibly on point, the upcoming BC election, the duo's recent Cap Crusher trail race, and finally a strong recommendation for Graceland's 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon that was decanting as they podcasted. Not a bad topic to end on.

As you can tell from the title of episode 63, Justin and Sean are talking post-election win of Donald J (whatever that stands for) Trump. The two finally sit down again, to process their own reactions and thoughts about the win - from disbelief to a rejection of covering elections like a horse race, to what all this reminds us about humanity. The two also sat down right after participating in a large and inspiring pro-environment rally in Vancouver to send a clear message to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau - do not approve the Kinder Morgan pipeline, and more specifically actually BE the climate leader you said you would be during the campaign last year. And, as promised, here are some links to podcasts (general or specific episodes) that the two referenced during their discussion: By Any Means Necessary, Democracy Now, Here's the Thing with Alex Baldwin, On the Media (their series called The Poverty Tour is exceptional), and The David Gregory Show.

Sean and Justin sit down in for a podcast pretty quickly after their last one (quickly for them!) and it was good timing given that everyone was talking about Donald Trump becoming the presumptive Republican nominee for President of the United States. Obviously it became the main topic of conversation, but not just to boost listenership! Through the circus that is happening in the US, the two unpack the idea of leadership and the difference between things like value, tactics, demeanour, spirit and tone. A little comparison with Justin Trudeau was inevitable along the way!

Back in their podcast seats for the first time since September, Justin and Sean discussed the heavier topics of the day.  First up, some thoughts on the selective emphasis of the media for covering some terror attacks and not others in the wake of the events in Brussels. Reflections about the 10th anniversary of Twitter transitioned to the oddities of US politics, with some kudos to the comedians Samantha Bee (particularly segments about Ted Cruz and Abortion, Texas-Style) and John Oliver (dissecting Donald J Trumps wall). Both Bernie Sanders and David Suzuki came up.  The two ended with their thoughts on the Jian Ghomeshi verdict of not guilty, particularly reflecting and responding to an analysis by Neil Macdonald.

Life has a way of zipping by quickly.  And that's no exception for Sean and Justin!  It's been since the end of 2014 that the duo from The Dot Matrix sat down to 'cast.  It was good timing, with so much "democracy" in the air - with election season both in Canada and the US.  After getting warmed up, the two started with the mounting humanitarian crisis of Syrian refugees fleeing the war-torn region - particularly the Canadian government's response.  Even since recording the podcast, there are new developments and criticism.  The conversation then turns to the upcoming Canadian federal election, only a day after the second leaders debate, this one hosted by the Globe and Mail.  Of course, there was some discussion of the Republican leaders debate hosted by CNN, with a surprising close to the podcast talking about last year's tour tax that went along with the Temporary Foreign Worker Program controversy.  A lot of ground to cover in almost a year!

Justin and Sean sit down to talk democracy and elections on the night before the 2014 municipal elections in Vancouver and elsewhere in BC.  The duo gets warmed up by unpacking the Mid-terms Elections in the US (http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2014/11/12/?entry=5505&_php=true&_type=blogs&ref=us) and how the implications for President Obama and issues like the Keystone XL pipeline (http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/15/us/politics/house-passes-bill-directing-obama-to-proceed-on-keystone-pipeline.html?ref=politics&_r=0).  A conversation switched to the US-China climate accord (http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/12/world/asia/china-us-xi-obama-apec.html), which led the two back to the main topic, the upcoming civic election (http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/5-election-races-to-watch-outside-metro-vancouver-1.2835816).  The podcast ends with some not overly surprising election result predictions!

This podcast starts with Sean and Justin settling into the microphone with glasses of Le vieux pin and Inniskillin wines in hand.  On their minds were the recent passing of Robin Williams, the #ALSIceBucketChallenge, an interesting discussion about how we build connections to certain causes and issues, and the notion of slacktivism, the events in Ferguson, oh and Peter MacKay and his crazy pro-gun t-shirt.  Sean ends the podcast by sharing an excerpt of a Jim Morrison poem, Far Arden, and why he wanted to share it.  Here's a link to the poem read by Jim himself, and a link to the poem turned into the song "The Ghost Song" by the Doors posthumously.

A lot has happened since Justin and Sean sat down to record a podcast.  The episode almost didn't happen, but they managed to squeeze in a podcast right before Sean was to celebrate his birthday.  Apart from turning another year older, Sean also had an adventurous Spring on an European tour with his band Mode Moderne, which he recounted a few tales from the road.  The topic of running and races came up, as well as the duo's support of Ricochet Media, a new independent news organization.  You can still support their IndieGoGo campaign here.  As well, you can support Don Cheadle's Miles Davis IndieGoGo project too.

After an unintended hiatus, Sean and Justin are back at it.  To start 2014, the duo discuss their feelings on (yet another) Tonight Show transition, diverge into an interesting conversation about the immediate and long-term forms of journalism and moving to the questionable, but entertaining Pew Institute quiz on how millennial you are.  The two end with an interesting discussion around gender equality (are we there yet?), inspired by a Tegan and Sara performance.

Part Two of a two-part series where Justin and Sean take turns interviewing each other.  This time, Sean is at the helm, asking Justin some probing questions that tease out his history to date.  Sean starts with Justin's experience of being on of three siblings and gracefully moved the conversation to a point where he gets Justin to share his philosophies of work, life and play.  If you found the interview of Sean enlightening, you will find this interview with Justin equally so.

For episode 54, Justin and Sean get inspiration from Alex Baldwin's brilliant podcast, "Here's the Thing," and turn the mic on each other.  First up, Justin interviews Sean and walks him down memory lane to some of the key points in his childhood that made Sean the person he is today.  Justin also curiously asked Sean about the sparks that drove his passion for music, the World we live in, and the people in his life.  Hopefully this podcast helps listeners know more about Sean - one half of The Dot Matrix duo.

After a failed attempted at playing tennis, Sean and Justin sat down to a new podcast full topics of life and politics.  Recording from Sean's new home, they two quickly shifted gears from the move to their upcoming Tough Mudder adventure.  And then squarely into politics - like Christy Clark's by-election in Kelowna to the scandals in Ottawa big (the Senate spending scandal) and small (the expensive paint job to the Prime Minister's plane).  Also, the pair promised to post a link to Elizabeth May's calling out Mike Duffy on his television show a few years back - illustrative of things to come.  Click here for that clip.

Sean and Justin sit down for their first podcast of 2013 and it's already April!  The duo have home on the brain, with Sean in the midst of searching for a new home and Justin finally making it to the new Crate & Barrel in Vancouver.  That theme doesn't last too long and they gravitate back to the topics of recent weeks - the new Pope and the state of the Catholic Church, the Liberal Party of Canada leadership race (including Justin's perspective on a leader's need to articulate a vision), as well as muzzling in Canadian politics and the scientific community.