60 acast.com A Love Affair with the Unknown with Gill Deacon https://shows.acast.com/a-love-affair-with-the-unknown-with-gill-deacon en Gillian Deacon and Carla Turner uncertainty,courage,change,resilience,unknown,humour,community Malt Bread Media Saying Yes to uncertainty

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]]> false Gillian Deacon and Carla Turner info+6807e1beda41f5ac1aca22d3@mg-eu.acast.com 6807e1beda41f5ac1aca22d3 a-love-affair-with-the-unknown-with-gill-deacon episodic https://assets.pippa.io/shows/cover/1745346704462-7ebc6733-578d-428a-a943-6e39b626142e.jpeg https://shows.acast.com/a-love-affair-with-the-unknown-with-gill-deacon A Love Affair with the Unknown with Gill Deacon TIM CROUCH There are no guarantees, onstage or off TIM CROUCH There are no guarantees, onstage or off Tue, 14 Apr 2026 11:00:00 GMT 39:32 69d3e28cb76468caac672731 false https://aloveaffairwiththeunknown.com/ 69d3e28cb76468caac672731 6807e1beda41f5ac1aca22d3 tim-crouch-there-are-no-guarantees-onstage-or-off There are no guarantees, onstage or off full 3 7 British actor, director and playwright Tim Crouch has created some of the most unusual and influential stage productions in history. Described as a “theatrical wonder”, the experimental artist believes that the reason audiences attend the theatre is to feel alive, and his plays—which have been performed internationally for decades—take bold creative risks to achieve that. A-list Hollywood actors line up to play a role they’ve never seen in his show An Oak Tree, which captured Gill’s attention earlier this year on a Toronto stage. In all his work, Tim Crouch leans heavily into uncertainty, finding enormous creative opportunity in not-knowing. His brave and playful attitude to his craft is an inspiring reminder for all of us to be awake to the world right in front of us, and all the treasure it holds.

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]]> British actor, director and playwright Tim Crouch has created some of the most unusual and influential stage productions in history. Described as a “theatrical wonder”, the experimental artist believes that the reason audiences attend the theatre is to feel alive, and his plays—which have been performed internationally for decades—take bold creative risks to achieve that. A-list Hollywood actors line up to play a role they’ve never seen in his show An Oak Tree, which captured Gill’s attention earlier this year on a Toronto stage. In all his work, Tim Crouch leans heavily into uncertainty, finding enormous creative opportunity in not-knowing. His brave and playful attitude to his craft is an inspiring reminder for all of us to be awake to the world right in front of us, and all the treasure it holds.

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]]> MARIE HENEIN Not knowing what’s next can be a superpower MARIE HENEIN Not knowing what’s next can be a superpower Tue, 31 Mar 2026 11:00:00 GMT 38:37 69c9893de05c00aacf297f6e false https://aloveaffairwiththeunknown.com/ 69c9893de05c00aacf297f6e 6807e1beda41f5ac1aca22d3 marie-henein-not-knowing-whats-next-can-be-a-superpower Not knowing what’s next can be a superpower full 3 6 One of the most prominent litigators in Canada, Marie Henein has a reputation for fearlessness. She credits that courage, and indeed her rise as a powerful criminal defense attorney, in part to her attitude toward what she doesn’t know. A newcomer to Canada as a child, she often felt like an outsider—a formative experience that Marie Henein considers her strength. She makes the case that not having all the answers actually sharpens our powers of observation and widens our perspective. The confidence and unwavering determination with which she stares down uncertainty is sure to leave you inspired and emboldened.

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]]> One of the most prominent litigators in Canada, Marie Henein has a reputation for fearlessness. She credits that courage, and indeed her rise as a powerful criminal defense attorney, in part to her attitude toward what she doesn’t know. A newcomer to Canada as a child, she often felt like an outsider—a formative experience that Marie Henein considers her strength. She makes the case that not having all the answers actually sharpens our powers of observation and widens our perspective. The confidence and unwavering determination with which she stares down uncertainty is sure to leave you inspired and emboldened.

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]]> SUSAN AGLUKARK The joy of curiosity as a tool for healing SUSAN AGLUKARK The joy of curiosity as a tool for healing Tue, 17 Mar 2026 11:00:00 GMT 36:56 69b8479aa0bc40a270d8dd6e false https://aloveaffairwiththeunknown.com/ 69b8479aa0bc40a270d8dd6e 6807e1beda41f5ac1aca22d3 susan-aglukark-the-joy-of-curiosity-as-a-tool-for-healing The joy of curiosity as a tool for healing full 3 5 Acclaimed Inuk musician Susan Aglukark has had an extraordinary career, but the personal story behind her Juno Award-winning songs and international accolades hits even harder. Her latest book, Kihiani: A Healing Journey, tracks the multi-generational impacts of colonization and one woman’s brave and creative path to glorious confidence and strength. Susan believes that reconciliation and Indigenous healing happens by sharing stories like hers—laying bare the trauma in order to move through it. This conversation is a celebration of creativity, of curiosity, of triumph over fear. And a reminder that, as Susan tells Gill, “we don’t know what we don’t know”.

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]]> Acclaimed Inuk musician Susan Aglukark has had an extraordinary career, but the personal story behind her Juno Award-winning songs and international accolades hits even harder. Her latest book, Kihiani: A Healing Journey, tracks the multi-generational impacts of colonization and one woman’s brave and creative path to glorious confidence and strength. Susan believes that reconciliation and Indigenous healing happens by sharing stories like hers—laying bare the trauma in order to move through it. This conversation is a celebration of creativity, of curiosity, of triumph over fear. And a reminder that, as Susan tells Gill, “we don’t know what we don’t know”.

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]]> GABRIELLE DROLET Facing disability with hope and humour GABRIELLE DROLET Facing disability with hope and humour Tue, 03 Mar 2026 12:00:00 GMT 37:45 699e36680e248fdc4f6071af false https://aloveaffairwiththeunknown.com/ 699e36680e248fdc4f6071af 6807e1beda41f5ac1aca22d3 gabrielle-drolet-facing-disability-with-hope-and-humour Facing disability with hope and humour full 3 4 Becoming a New Yorker and Globe and Mail cartoonist in your early 20s is incredible. Getting diagnosed with chronic pain in your early 20s is pretty devastating—and limits your ability to do the very things that give you a sense of identity. Gabrielle Drolet shares the wild and painful ride of managing a debilitating illness in her warm and remarkably funny memoir Look Ma, No Hands, a book she could only write with the help of adaptive voice-to-text technology. In this delightful conversation, she tells Gill how she has grown through this challenging time; how creativity helps with making sense of uncertainty; and how facing adversity deepens our compassion. Gabrielle’s story is a bracing reminder that we always get to choose how we handle the hard things that beset us.

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]]> Becoming a New Yorker and Globe and Mail cartoonist in your early 20s is incredible. Getting diagnosed with chronic pain in your early 20s is pretty devastating—and limits your ability to do the very things that give you a sense of identity. Gabrielle Drolet shares the wild and painful ride of managing a debilitating illness in her warm and remarkably funny memoir Look Ma, No Hands, a book she could only write with the help of adaptive voice-to-text technology. In this delightful conversation, she tells Gill how she has grown through this challenging time; how creativity helps with making sense of uncertainty; and how facing adversity deepens our compassion. Gabrielle’s story is a bracing reminder that we always get to choose how we handle the hard things that beset us.

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]]> NEIL PASRICHA How to reclaim connection and meaning amidst the uncertainty NEIL PASRICHA How to reclaim connection and meaning amidst the uncertainty Tue, 17 Feb 2026 12:00:00 GMT 52:31 6993502ed85aecd27a54e1ec false https://aloveaffairwiththeunknown.com/ 6993502ed85aecd27a54e1ec 6807e1beda41f5ac1aca22d3 neil-pasricha-how-to-reclaim-connection-and-meaning-amidst-t How to reclaim connection and meaning amidst the uncertainty full 3 3 Having first gained acclaim for finding the awesome in the everyday, Neil Pasricha has grown to become a wildly successful expert on happiness. His many books have sold millions of copies and spent over 200 weeks on the bestsellers lists—mostly because of his evidence-based advice on how we can better handle the strain and uncertainty of our busy lives. Neil Pasricha is so good at reminding us that we always get to choose how we respond to life’s unknowns and challenges, and if we take the time to look for it, we can find lots to be grateful for. You’ll want to take notes in this wide-ranging conversation, as Neil shares with Gill his thoughts on how our devices are sabotaging our ability to handle uncertainty, and how we can re-invigorate our relationships to bring more meaning, joy and confidence into every day. 

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]]> Having first gained acclaim for finding the awesome in the everyday, Neil Pasricha has grown to become a wildly successful expert on happiness. His many books have sold millions of copies and spent over 200 weeks on the bestsellers lists—mostly because of his evidence-based advice on how we can better handle the strain and uncertainty of our busy lives. Neil Pasricha is so good at reminding us that we always get to choose how we respond to life’s unknowns and challenges, and if we take the time to look for it, we can find lots to be grateful for. You’ll want to take notes in this wide-ranging conversation, as Neil shares with Gill his thoughts on how our devices are sabotaging our ability to handle uncertainty, and how we can re-invigorate our relationships to bring more meaning, joy and confidence into every day. 

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]]> MIRIAM TOEWS Keep asking questions, answers are for douchebags MIRIAM TOEWS Keep asking questions, answers are for douchebags Tue, 03 Feb 2026 12:00:00 GMT 44:55 6981061119ef991f735e807c false https://aloveaffairwiththeunknown.com/ 6981061119ef991f735e807c 6807e1beda41f5ac1aca22d3 miriam-toews-keep-asking-questions-answers-are-for-douchebag Keep asking questions, answers are for douchebags full 3 2 Since her breakout novel A Complicated Kindness, internationally acclaimed author Miriam Toews has captured our hearts with unforgettable characters and heartbreaking stories. Most of her 10 books have been works of fiction, shot through with threads of her real life experience. In her latest book, A Truce That Is Not Peace, Miriam lays it all bare in memoir form: not just the deaths by suicide of both her father and her sister, but the all-but-unbearable struggle it has been for her to make sense of it. As warm and hilarious in person as she is on the page, Miriam Toews is a courageous reminder that uncertainty is literally all we have, and the idea that we’d ever be able to have all the answers is sheer folly. 

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]]> Since her breakout novel A Complicated Kindness, internationally acclaimed author Miriam Toews has captured our hearts with unforgettable characters and heartbreaking stories. Most of her 10 books have been works of fiction, shot through with threads of her real life experience. In her latest book, A Truce That Is Not Peace, Miriam lays it all bare in memoir form: not just the deaths by suicide of both her father and her sister, but the all-but-unbearable struggle it has been for her to make sense of it. As warm and hilarious in person as she is on the page, Miriam Toews is a courageous reminder that uncertainty is literally all we have, and the idea that we’d ever be able to have all the answers is sheer folly. 

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]]> STEVEN PAGE Adapting to big change and finding joy in the small STEVEN PAGE Adapting to big change and finding joy in the small Tue, 20 Jan 2026 12:00:00 GMT 59:50 696d279298f7a1123e8ebd86 false https://aloveaffairwiththeunknown.com/ 696d279298f7a1123e8ebd86 6807e1beda41f5ac1aca22d3 steven-page-adapting-to-big-change-and-finding-joy-in-the-sm Adapting to big change and finding joy in the small full 3 1

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]]>

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]]> ENCORE EPISODE-CHRIS DUFFY First rule of navigating uncertainty: laugh a little! ENCORE EPISODE-CHRIS DUFFY First rule of navigating uncertainty: laugh a little! Tue, 06 Jan 2026 12:52:16 GMT 45:25 6940d809443ad98913674139 false https://aloveaffairwiththeunknown.com/ 6940d809443ad98913674139 6807e1beda41f5ac1aca22d3 encore-episode-chris-duffy-first-rule-of-navigating-uncertai First rule of navigating uncertainty: laugh a little! full 2 10

The host of the wildly successful TED podcast How To Be A Better Human, comedian Chris Duffy infuses every conversation with thoughtful curiosity, wit and enthusiasm—including this one! Chris and Gill talk about his determination to help us all bring more laughter into our lives; why humour is such a potent stabilizer in the midst of uncertainty and change; the wisdom he learned from his students when he taught fifth grade; and why we should all take ourselves less seriously, especially now. Plus an early peek at some of the strategies Chris shares in his book Humor Me -released January 6, 2026- on how to get better at being funny and finding the comfort and joy of humour wherever you look. 

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]]>

The host of the wildly successful TED podcast How To Be A Better Human, comedian Chris Duffy infuses every conversation with thoughtful curiosity, wit and enthusiasm—including this one! Chris and Gill talk about his determination to help us all bring more laughter into our lives; why humour is such a potent stabilizer in the midst of uncertainty and change; the wisdom he learned from his students when he taught fifth grade; and why we should all take ourselves less seriously, especially now. Plus an early peek at some of the strategies Chris shares in his book Humor Me -released January 6, 2026- on how to get better at being funny and finding the comfort and joy of humour wherever you look. 

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]]> BONUS-PSYCHED UP Gill’s story of resilience BONUS-PSYCHED UP Gill’s story of resilience Tue, 23 Dec 2025 12:00:00 GMT 33:25 694061c780257c9e35fe80e5 false https://aloveaffairwiththeunknown.com/ 694061c780257c9e35fe80e5 6807e1beda41f5ac1aca22d3 psyched-up-gills-story-of-resilience Gill’s story of resilience full 2 9 After an unreasonable number of cancer diagnoses and a nearly two-year battle with long Covid, Gill has learned a lot about navigating uncertainty, yes. She’s also become a model of resilience, something the team at the terrific Psyched Up podcast wanted to celebrate. This week’s episode finds Gill on the other side of the interview microphone. Psyched Up host Dr Diane McIntosh is a psychiatrist and a trusted expert in the field of mental health. She’s a best-selling author, researcher, and practicing clinician. Each episode deals with a different aspect of mental health, with a focus on real-world stories. For the resilience episode, the story is Gill. 

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]]> After an unreasonable number of cancer diagnoses and a nearly two-year battle with long Covid, Gill has learned a lot about navigating uncertainty, yes. She’s also become a model of resilience, something the team at the terrific Psyched Up podcast wanted to celebrate. This week’s episode finds Gill on the other side of the interview microphone. Psyched Up host Dr Diane McIntosh is a psychiatrist and a trusted expert in the field of mental health. She’s a best-selling author, researcher, and practicing clinician. Each episode deals with a different aspect of mental health, with a focus on real-world stories. For the resilience episode, the story is Gill. 

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]]> GENERAL JENNIE CARIGNAN Be prepared—a strategy for facing uncertainty GENERAL JENNIE CARIGNAN Be prepared—a strategy for facing uncertainty Tue, 09 Dec 2025 12:00:00 GMT 43:46 6937113eb07bd5eaa36a843a false https://aloveaffairwiththeunknown.com/ 6937113eb07bd5eaa36a843a 6807e1beda41f5ac1aca22d3 general-jennie-carignan-be-prepareda-strategy-for-facing-unc Be prepared—a strategy for facing uncertainty full 2 8 Imagine taking over the absolute top job in your field, at a time of unprecedented national and international scrutiny on your team. Oh, and you’re the first woman EVER to hold the position. That is the challenge General Jennie Carignan wakes up to each morning, as Canada’s Chief of the Defence Staff, the highest ranking military command in the land. At a time of unprecedented uncertainty about Canada’s sovereignty, and on the heels of historic defence spending in the most recent federal budget announcement, General Carignan sits down with Gill for a frank conversation about how prepared Canada is to weather storms, both political and climate-driven. She talks candidly about how she handles fear, how to mitigate uncertainty with preparedness, and says Canadians can expect significant change in how its Armed Forces operate—a change that might include everyday civilians playing a role in national defence. 

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]]> Imagine taking over the absolute top job in your field, at a time of unprecedented national and international scrutiny on your team. Oh, and you’re the first woman EVER to hold the position. That is the challenge General Jennie Carignan wakes up to each morning, as Canada’s Chief of the Defence Staff, the highest ranking military command in the land. At a time of unprecedented uncertainty about Canada’s sovereignty, and on the heels of historic defence spending in the most recent federal budget announcement, General Carignan sits down with Gill for a frank conversation about how prepared Canada is to weather storms, both political and climate-driven. She talks candidly about how she handles fear, how to mitigate uncertainty with preparedness, and says Canadians can expect significant change in how its Armed Forces operate—a change that might include everyday civilians playing a role in national defence. 

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]]> SERENA RYDER Making art (and strength) out of falling apart SERENA RYDER Making art (and strength) out of falling apart Tue, 25 Nov 2025 07:00:00 GMT 38:55 6924b36b20344a04135d1824 false https://aloveaffairwiththeunknown.com/ 6924b36b20344a04135d1824 6807e1beda41f5ac1aca22d3 serena-ryder-making-art-and-strength-out-of-falling-apart Making art (and strength) out of falling apart full 2 7 Serena Ryder is incredibly comfortable belting her glorious voice into a microphone. A multiple Juno award winner, she sells out concert halls wherever she goes. Songs like “What I Wouldn’t Do”, “Stompa” and more have scored TV soundtracks, and become iconic rallying cries for celebration. But Serena is incredibly courageous about sharing her vulnerable side as well, using her voice to speak up for those who struggle with mental health issues. Serena’s own history with depression and anxiety has taught her a lot about how to face uncomfortable feelings and move through them to heal and grow stronger. In the middle of her “Merry Myths" holiday concert tour, Serena took time to be her most open-hearted self in this conversation with Gill. It’s a beautiful and hope-filled chat—a powerful reminder that even the most successful among us wrestle with uncertainty and challenge. For Serena Ryder it’s all fuel for wonder and learning how to be alive.

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]]> Serena Ryder is incredibly comfortable belting her glorious voice into a microphone. A multiple Juno award winner, she sells out concert halls wherever she goes. Songs like “What I Wouldn’t Do”, “Stompa” and more have scored TV soundtracks, and become iconic rallying cries for celebration. But Serena is incredibly courageous about sharing her vulnerable side as well, using her voice to speak up for those who struggle with mental health issues. Serena’s own history with depression and anxiety has taught her a lot about how to face uncomfortable feelings and move through them to heal and grow stronger. In the middle of her “Merry Myths" holiday concert tour, Serena took time to be her most open-hearted self in this conversation with Gill. It’s a beautiful and hope-filled chat—a powerful reminder that even the most successful among us wrestle with uncertainty and challenge. For Serena Ryder it’s all fuel for wonder and learning how to be alive.

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]]> OLIVER BURKEMAN Life is shorter than you think–why not be here for it? OLIVER BURKEMAN Life is shorter than you think–why not be here for it? Tue, 11 Nov 2025 18:23:23 GMT 43:05 6910ed5c7728b8766c633bd8 false https://aloveaffairwiththeunknown.com/ 6910ed5c7728b8766c633bd8 6807e1beda41f5ac1aca22d3 oliver-burkeman-life-is-shorter-than-you-thinkwhy-not-be-her Life is shorter than you think–why not be here for it? full 2 6 A long-time productivity and self-help writer for The Guardian, Oliver Burkeman catapulted to international renown with his 2021 book Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals. In that book, as well as his 2025 follow up Meditations for Mortals, Burkeman jolts our productivity-obsessed culture awake with the reminder that we can’t possibly get everything under control in the short time we have here on earth. It’s a realization that seems terrifying and slightly depressing at first blush, but the more Burkeman talks us through it the more liberating and life-enhancing it feels. In this conversation, Oliver Burkeman expands on imperfectionism ,on the wisdom of not seeing life as a problem to be solved, and the power that comes with letting the future be the future.

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]]> A long-time productivity and self-help writer for The Guardian, Oliver Burkeman catapulted to international renown with his 2021 book Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals. In that book, as well as his 2025 follow up Meditations for Mortals, Burkeman jolts our productivity-obsessed culture awake with the reminder that we can’t possibly get everything under control in the short time we have here on earth. It’s a realization that seems terrifying and slightly depressing at first blush, but the more Burkeman talks us through it the more liberating and life-enhancing it feels. In this conversation, Oliver Burkeman expands on imperfectionism ,on the wisdom of not seeing life as a problem to be solved, and the power that comes with letting the future be the future.

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]]> ANAR ALI Taking risks brings us closer to what really matters ANAR ALI Taking risks brings us closer to what really matters Tue, 28 Oct 2025 11:00:00 GMT 47:21 68fe7e0318bcdad2ab13c048 false https://aloveaffairwiththeunknown.com 68fe7e0318bcdad2ab13c048 6807e1beda41f5ac1aca22d3 anar-ali-taking-risks-brings-us-closer-to-what-really-matter Taking risks brings us closer to what really matters full 2 5 How do you go from a corporate job you don’t actually like to living your creative and professional dream? For Anar Ali the path involved a lot of leaps into the unknown. Anar is creator and producer of Allegiance, the top-rated show on CBC Television. Before that she was a respected author with a multi-book deal at a major publisher. But none of it would have happened without listening to her instincts and trusting in the possibility of uncertainty. Wise, reflective and bracingly candid, Anar shares her remarkable story—including the frightening chapter that changed how she views everything and made her feel most alive in the midst of the uncertainty.

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]]> How do you go from a corporate job you don’t actually like to living your creative and professional dream? For Anar Ali the path involved a lot of leaps into the unknown. Anar is creator and producer of Allegiance, the top-rated show on CBC Television. Before that she was a respected author with a multi-book deal at a major publisher. But none of it would have happened without listening to her instincts and trusting in the possibility of uncertainty. Wise, reflective and bracingly candid, Anar shares her remarkable story—including the frightening chapter that changed how she views everything and made her feel most alive in the midst of the uncertainty.

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]]> ANDREA CURTIS Hope is a muscle we can strengthen ANDREA CURTIS Hope is a muscle we can strengthen Tue, 14 Oct 2025 17:28:48 GMT 37:51 68e7ea0453a5e2858fed86b6 false https://aloveaffairwiththeunknown.com/ 68e7ea0453a5e2858fed86b6 6807e1beda41f5ac1aca22d3 andrea-curtis-hope-is-a-muscle-we-can-strengthen Hope is a muscle we can strengthen full 2 4 Waking up each morning to a relentless news cycle of fear and despair, sometimes being hopeful can seem naive. How can we possibly have hope for a future that often feels grim? As award-winning author Andrea Curtis shares in her newest book, hope and struggle actually go hand in hand. The Story and Science of Hope is written for middle-grade readers but the neuroscience behind it offers comfort to us all. In her warm and upbeat style, Andrea explains how hope differs from optimism, and lays out the evidence showing the power we have to develop our sense of hope. This conversation is like a mini-course in how to cultivate an essential, life-enhancing emotion.

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]]> Waking up each morning to a relentless news cycle of fear and despair, sometimes being hopeful can seem naive. How can we possibly have hope for a future that often feels grim? As award-winning author Andrea Curtis shares in her newest book, hope and struggle actually go hand in hand. The Story and Science of Hope is written for middle-grade readers but the neuroscience behind it offers comfort to us all. In her warm and upbeat style, Andrea explains how hope differs from optimism, and lays out the evidence showing the power we have to develop our sense of hope. This conversation is like a mini-course in how to cultivate an essential, life-enhancing emotion.

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]]> TIMOTHY CAULFIELD Certainty leaves us vulnerable to misinformation TIMOTHY CAULFIELD Certainty leaves us vulnerable to misinformation Tue, 30 Sep 2025 11:00:00 GMT 38:52 68d6d5e5099369ce420f6888 false https://aloveaffairwiththeunknown.com/ 68d6d5e5099369ce420f6888 6807e1beda41f5ac1aca22d3 timothy-caulfield-certainty-leaves-us-vulnerable-to-misinfor Certainty leaves us vulnerable to misinformation full 2 3 Living in a post-truth world is wildly destabilizing. With so much conflicting information, how can we trust what is real? Timothy Caulfield is Canada Research Chair in Health Law and Policy as well as a popular author. In his latest book The Certainty Illusion: What You Don’t Know and Why It Matters, Caulfield cuts through simplistic misinformation and reminds us why science, in all its complexity, is our best shot at navigating the way forward. As he discusses in this week’s thought-provoking episode, we must learn to get more comfortable with not always having clear answers and control; it is—ironically enough—actually a desire for certainty that has led to the havoc of disinformation and conspiracy theories. 

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]]> Living in a post-truth world is wildly destabilizing. With so much conflicting information, how can we trust what is real? Timothy Caulfield is Canada Research Chair in Health Law and Policy as well as a popular author. In his latest book The Certainty Illusion: What You Don’t Know and Why It Matters, Caulfield cuts through simplistic misinformation and reminds us why science, in all its complexity, is our best shot at navigating the way forward. As he discusses in this week’s thought-provoking episode, we must learn to get more comfortable with not always having clear answers and control; it is—ironically enough—actually a desire for certainty that has led to the havoc of disinformation and conspiracy theories. 

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]]> ALEX HUTCHINSON Bring on the uncertainty! We’re built to handle it ALEX HUTCHINSON Bring on the uncertainty! We’re built to handle it Tue, 16 Sep 2025 11:00:00 GMT 44:41 68c6e10286eb67a6f6d05574 false https://aloveaffairwiththeunknown.com/ 68c6e10286eb67a6f6d05574 6807e1beda41f5ac1aca22d3 alex-hutchinson-bring-on-the-uncertainty-were-built-to-handl Bring on the uncertainty! We’re built to handle it full 2 2 New York Times bestselling author Alex Hutchinson wants us to try new things. A science journalist with a focus on human performance, his new book The Explorer’s Gene is a fascinating dive into why humans are actually wired to not just handle uncertainty but to evolve and thrive because of it.  Betting on the path we don’t know about will yield more rewarding results—even if it doesn’t work out the way we had hoped. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. This is a conversation that will buoy the spirits and boost our confidence to explore, in any part of life. With delightful passion, Alex lays out the research-based arguments showing why trying new foods, new music or a new route on our commute makes us more creative and more able to handle unknowns as they arise. The more we lean into the uncertainty the more the world opens up. 

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]]> New York Times bestselling author Alex Hutchinson wants us to try new things. A science journalist with a focus on human performance, his new book The Explorer’s Gene is a fascinating dive into why humans are actually wired to not just handle uncertainty but to evolve and thrive because of it.  Betting on the path we don’t know about will yield more rewarding results—even if it doesn’t work out the way we had hoped. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. This is a conversation that will buoy the spirits and boost our confidence to explore, in any part of life. With delightful passion, Alex lays out the research-based arguments showing why trying new foods, new music or a new route on our commute makes us more creative and more able to handle unknowns as they arise. The more we lean into the uncertainty the more the world opens up. 

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]]> ARLENE DICKINSON A powerful dragon who isn’t afraid to show weakness ARLENE DICKINSON A powerful dragon who isn’t afraid to show weakness Tue, 02 Sep 2025 11:00:00 GMT 43:30 68b602ac71ccb00a03f241f2 false https://aloveaffairwiththeunknown.com 68b602ac71ccb00a03f241f2 6807e1beda41f5ac1aca22d3 arlene-dickinson-a-powerful-dragon-who-isnt-afraid-to-show-w A powerful dragon who isn’t afraid to show weakness full 2 1 As Dragon’s Den kicks off its 20th season, how exciting to launch our second season with Arlene Dickinson—arguably the most iconic dragon of all. You know Arlene as a titan of business and venture capital, but as she reveals with remarkable warmth and candour as she talks with Gill, her secret weapon is her honesty about doubts, vulnerabilities and uncertainty. It’s what makes her YouTube show Arlene is Alone so popular. In this conversation she talks about the freedom she finds in being on her own, and about her passion for helping Canada through this critical moment of historic uncertainty. Arlene shares deeply personal stories of challenge, lays bare the raw courage it has taken her to keep going through hardship, and reminds us how much strength comes from being willing to accept what we might not know. 


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]]> As Dragon’s Den kicks off its 20th season, how exciting to launch our second season with Arlene Dickinson—arguably the most iconic dragon of all. You know Arlene as a titan of business and venture capital, but as she reveals with remarkable warmth and candour as she talks with Gill, her secret weapon is her honesty about doubts, vulnerabilities and uncertainty. It’s what makes her YouTube show Arlene is Alone so popular. In this conversation she talks about the freedom she finds in being on her own, and about her passion for helping Canada through this critical moment of historic uncertainty. Arlene shares deeply personal stories of challenge, lays bare the raw courage it has taken her to keep going through hardship, and reminds us how much strength comes from being willing to accept what we might not know. 


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]]> BONUS-Thank you for the awesome feedback! BONUS-Thank you for the awesome feedback! Tue, 26 Aug 2025 13:53:30 GMT 7:07 68a77850352b565deb455a73 false https://aloveaffairwiththeunknown.com 68a77850352b565deb455a73 6807e1beda41f5ac1aca22d3 bonus-your-letters Thank you for the awesome feedback! bonus 1 Gill is loving her summer break!

Launching this podcast was itself a bit of a leap into the unknown, so it has been wonderfully rewarding to hear good things from so many of our listeners. Your stories, your responses and your appreciation of our guests this season have been great encouragement—just the fuel we needed to drive us forward to season 2. We wanted to share some highlights from listener letters. (We do read all your submissions, but we couldn’t read them all on the air…) Keep ‘em coming.


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]]> Gill is loving her summer break!

Launching this podcast was itself a bit of a leap into the unknown, so it has been wonderfully rewarding to hear good things from so many of our listeners. Your stories, your responses and your appreciation of our guests this season have been great encouragement—just the fuel we needed to drive us forward to season 2. We wanted to share some highlights from listener letters. (We do read all your submissions, but we couldn’t read them all on the air…) Keep ‘em coming.


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]]> BONUS -JEFFREY JENSEN ARNETT How to trust the uncertain future for young adults BONUS -JEFFREY JENSEN ARNETT How to trust the uncertain future for young adults Tue, 19 Aug 2025 11:00:00 GMT 37:27 68a3b78b73bf5b6298485816 false https://aloveaffairwiththeunknown.com/ 68a3b78b73bf5b6298485816 6807e1beda41f5ac1aca22d3 bonus-jeffrey-jensen-arnett-how-to-trust-the-uncertain-futur How to trust the uncertain future for young adults bonus 1 The future can feel shaky, especially for young people starting out right now. Psychology professor and author Jeffrey Jensen Arnett, Ph.D. changed society's understanding of human development when he coined the term “emerging adulthood.” When adult children are living at home—as many are in this economy— future uncertainty can feel oppressive for everyone in the house. Dr. Arnett gives reassuring context for anxious parents of older children, explaining the social and cultural forces that have changed expectations for young people. He argues that “30 is the new 20” and that parents must learn to be more comfortable with less control, and trust that the kids are, in fact, alright.

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]]> The future can feel shaky, especially for young people starting out right now. Psychology professor and author Jeffrey Jensen Arnett, Ph.D. changed society's understanding of human development when he coined the term “emerging adulthood.” When adult children are living at home—as many are in this economy— future uncertainty can feel oppressive for everyone in the house. Dr. Arnett gives reassuring context for anxious parents of older children, explaining the social and cultural forces that have changed expectations for young people. He argues that “30 is the new 20” and that parents must learn to be more comfortable with less control, and trust that the kids are, in fact, alright.

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]]> BONUS- DR. KIERAN QUINN Medicine is a science of uncertainty BONUS- DR. KIERAN QUINN Medicine is a science of uncertainty Tue, 12 Aug 2025 11:00:00 GMT 29:57 6897d987f9482328d07386bb false https://aloveaffairwiththeunknown.com/ 6897d987f9482328d07386bb 6807e1beda41f5ac1aca22d3 bonus-dr-kieran-quinn-medicine-is-a-science-of-uncertainty Medicine is a science of uncertainty bonus 1 When our health feels uncertain, we turn to our physicians—doctors have all the answers, right? But what about when they don’t? Dr. Kieran Quinn has devoted much of his busy clinical and research time since 2020 to understanding post-Covid syndromes. Though he is considered a top long Covid specialist, it is a condition riddled with unknowns, for which he can offer no remedy, no treatment and very few answers. He talks candidly with Gill—his former patient—about navigating the unstable ground of the unknown, and about what we can all learn about finding purpose when the answers are anything but clear.


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]]> When our health feels uncertain, we turn to our physicians—doctors have all the answers, right? But what about when they don’t? Dr. Kieran Quinn has devoted much of his busy clinical and research time since 2020 to understanding post-Covid syndromes. Though he is considered a top long Covid specialist, it is a condition riddled with unknowns, for which he can offer no remedy, no treatment and very few answers. He talks candidly with Gill—his former patient—about navigating the unstable ground of the unknown, and about what we can all learn about finding purpose when the answers are anything but clear.


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]]> BONUS-SUE HINCENBERGS Failure as fuel to keep going BONUS-SUE HINCENBERGS Failure as fuel to keep going Tue, 05 Aug 2025 11:00:00 GMT 26:12 688ba2defc150bcf7fe7f02b false https://aloveaffairwiththeunknown.com 688ba2defc150bcf7fe7f02b 6807e1beda41f5ac1aca22d3 bonus-sue-hincenbergs-failure-as-fuel-to-keep-going Failure as fuel to keep going bonus 1 If you’ve ever had a secret dream but been too afraid of failure to dare attempt it, Sue Hincenbergs would like a word. Her debut novel—a dark, funny crime story called “The Retirement Plan”—sparked a publishing bidding war and the film adaptation is already in development. (She’s got her fingers crossed for Brad Pitt in a lead role!) Sue makes the case for staying hopeful and working hard, even in the face of failure and uncertainty. 


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]]> If you’ve ever had a secret dream but been too afraid of failure to dare attempt it, Sue Hincenbergs would like a word. Her debut novel—a dark, funny crime story called “The Retirement Plan”—sparked a publishing bidding war and the film adaptation is already in development. (She’s got her fingers crossed for Brad Pitt in a lead role!) Sue makes the case for staying hopeful and working hard, even in the face of failure and uncertainty. 


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]]> JEN MCNEELY What are we getting wrong when we think about change? JEN MCNEELY What are we getting wrong when we think about change? Wed, 30 Jul 2025 12:45:05 GMT 45:02 6887ca6e6ba6bf2e17803ae8 false https://aloveaffairwiththeunknown.com/ 6887ca6e6ba6bf2e17803ae8 6807e1beda41f5ac1aca22d3 jen-mcneely What are we getting wrong when we think about change? full 1 11 Super successful urban blogger Jen McNeely made a name for herself when she created the popular Toronto site “She Does the City”. But the toll that lifestyle took on her personal life became untenable and eventually led her to rehab. In sobriety, Jen has made one massive change after another, leaving her career and the city behind; rewriting her life in midlife. Jen is honest and inspiring as she explains the courage it took to lean into so much uncertainty, and the rewards that could only have come from being courageous and trusting herself to try new things.


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]]> Super successful urban blogger Jen McNeely made a name for herself when she created the popular Toronto site “She Does the City”. But the toll that lifestyle took on her personal life became untenable and eventually led her to rehab. In sobriety, Jen has made one massive change after another, leaving her career and the city behind; rewriting her life in midlife. Jen is honest and inspiring as she explains the courage it took to lean into so much uncertainty, and the rewards that could only have come from being courageous and trusting herself to try new things.


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]]> STEPHEN MARCHE What the hell do we do now, Canada? STEPHEN MARCHE What the hell do we do now, Canada? Tue, 22 Jul 2025 04:00:00 GMT 45:58 68783b4e6fb6cef50ffa6348 false https://aloveaffairwiththeunknown.com/ 68783b4e6fb6cef50ffa6348 6807e1beda41f5ac1aca22d3 stephen-marche-what-the-hell-do-we-do-now-canada What the hell do we do now, Canada? full 1 10 If you’ve been paying even a little bit of attention to Canadian politics, you know that change and uncertainty have been dominant themes for several months now. Trump‘s tariffs and talk of annexation are fueling a lot of fear about what lies ahead. Author, journalist and cultural commentator Stephen Marche explores it all in his new podcast "Gloves Off ". But really, adapting to change and facing up to huge challenges are familiar themes for Marche, as he explains to Gill in this wide-ranging chat. From rethinking the Canadian identity to calming ourselves down about AI, Stephen Marche brings his trademark cleverness to a whole lot of unknowns. 

The Acast podcast "Gloves Off" is now available wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes drop each week.


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]]> If you’ve been paying even a little bit of attention to Canadian politics, you know that change and uncertainty have been dominant themes for several months now. Trump‘s tariffs and talk of annexation are fueling a lot of fear about what lies ahead. Author, journalist and cultural commentator Stephen Marche explores it all in his new podcast "Gloves Off ". But really, adapting to change and facing up to huge challenges are familiar themes for Marche, as he explains to Gill in this wide-ranging chat. From rethinking the Canadian identity to calming ourselves down about AI, Stephen Marche brings his trademark cleverness to a whole lot of unknowns. 

The Acast podcast "Gloves Off" is now available wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes drop each week.


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]]> CATHRIN BRADBURY So you’re retired… now what? CATHRIN BRADBURY So you’re retired… now what? Tue, 15 Jul 2025 04:00:00 GMT 33:07 687533c7e1ed51a8f9a9bb9d false https://aloveaffairwiththeunknown.com/ 687533c7e1ed51a8f9a9bb9d 6807e1beda41f5ac1aca22d3 catherin-bradbury-so-youre-retired-now-what So you’re retired… now what? full 1 9 Retirement ain’t what those ‘Freedom 55’ ad campaigns promised. Bestselling author and award-winning journalist Cathrin Bradbury talks openly about her new book This Way Up and the enormous change of this under-discussed life stage: the wild, unexpected and wonderful chapter that opened up in her life when she finally stepped away from the daily grind. Cathrin shares her own reckoning with all the unknowns inherent in retirement, as she leans into the uncertainty of mapping what lies ahead.


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]]> Retirement ain’t what those ‘Freedom 55’ ad campaigns promised. Bestselling author and award-winning journalist Cathrin Bradbury talks openly about her new book This Way Up and the enormous change of this under-discussed life stage: the wild, unexpected and wonderful chapter that opened up in her life when she finally stepped away from the daily grind. Cathrin shares her own reckoning with all the unknowns inherent in retirement, as she leans into the uncertainty of mapping what lies ahead.


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]]> <![CDATA[ BARAM & SNIECKUS No script, no guarantees, all trust.]]> Tue, 08 Jul 2025 04:00:00 GMT 39:07 686c08ceadc6a61ba8f55c3d false https://aloveaffairwiththeunknown.com/ 686c08ceadc6a61ba8f55c3d 6807e1beda41f5ac1aca22d3 baram-snieckus-no-script-no-guarantees-all-trust No script, no guarantees, all trust. full 1 8 Improvisational sketch comedy offers a master class in how to not just handle uncertainty but lean into it. Superstar improv comedians Matt Baram and Naomi Snieckus make walking the high wire of unscripted performance look easy. A couple both onstage and off, they have navigated huge life changes together, usually with laughs. When both sets of parents died, they set about processing grief—and a lot of inherited possessions— through their work. The result is Big Stuff, a critically acclaimed stage show that sold out an extended run in Toronto before touring Canada in fall 2025.In our conversation they talk openly (and hilariously) with Gill about all the possibilities that open up when you let go of how things are supposed to go, and about how learning to live with uncertainty on stage has helped them navigate the ups and downs of the rest of life.

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]]> Improvisational sketch comedy offers a master class in how to not just handle uncertainty but lean into it. Superstar improv comedians Matt Baram and Naomi Snieckus make walking the high wire of unscripted performance look easy. A couple both onstage and off, they have navigated huge life changes together, usually with laughs. When both sets of parents died, they set about processing grief—and a lot of inherited possessions— through their work. The result is Big Stuff, a critically acclaimed stage show that sold out an extended run in Toronto before touring Canada in fall 2025.In our conversation they talk openly (and hilariously) with Gill about all the possibilities that open up when you let go of how things are supposed to go, and about how learning to live with uncertainty on stage has helped them navigate the ups and downs of the rest of life.

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]]> CLAIRE CAMERON Don’t let fear of death eclipse your life CLAIRE CAMERON Don’t let fear of death eclipse your life Tue, 01 Jul 2025 04:00:00 GMT 46:34 6862c158db315037b7710b4e false https://aloveaffairwiththeunknown.com/ 6862c158db315037b7710b4e 6807e1beda41f5ac1aca22d3 claire-cameron-dont-let-fear-of-death-eclipse-your-life Don’t let fear of death eclipse your life full 1 7 Bestselling author Claire Cameron usually writes fiction, including the award-winning The Last Neanderthal, and The Bear. Her latest book, an instant bestseller, tells a different kind of tale—How To Survive A Bear Attack is a memoir of Claire’s rare genetic condition and cancer diagnosis. Weaving her own experience with the haunting story of a rare, fatal bear attack in Ontario’s Algonquin Park, Claire investigates how to thrive in the face of fear and deadly odds.

In this deeply felt conversation, Claire and Gill talk about facing challenges, both internal and external, about how uncertainty makes the present moment feel extra alive, and about all the forms resilience can take.


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]]> Bestselling author Claire Cameron usually writes fiction, including the award-winning The Last Neanderthal, and The Bear. Her latest book, an instant bestseller, tells a different kind of tale—How To Survive A Bear Attack is a memoir of Claire’s rare genetic condition and cancer diagnosis. Weaving her own experience with the haunting story of a rare, fatal bear attack in Ontario’s Algonquin Park, Claire investigates how to thrive in the face of fear and deadly odds.

In this deeply felt conversation, Claire and Gill talk about facing challenges, both internal and external, about how uncertainty makes the present moment feel extra alive, and about all the forms resilience can take.


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]]> BRITT WRAY Finding hope in the uncertainty of climate peril BRITT WRAY Finding hope in the uncertainty of climate peril Tue, 24 Jun 2025 04:00:00 GMT 35:48 685a0a327cd58072a5cd3039 false https://aloveaffairwiththeunknown.com 685a0a327cd58072a5cd3039 6807e1beda41f5ac1aca22d3 britt-wray-finding-hope-in-the-uncertainty-of-climate-peril Finding hope in the uncertainty of climate peril full 1 6 As a researcher and author, Dr. Britt Wray has a front row seat to the terrifying unknowns of our planet’s future; as a young mother, she has developed very specific coping strategies for staying sane through the eco-anxiety. Britt’s choice to have a child was a central thread in her bestselling and critically-acclaimed book Generation Dread. Her thought-leading work at the intersection of mental health and climate change makes her the best person to listen to in the midst of another scorching, wildfire-plagued summer. In this encouraging and surprisingly hope-filled conversation, Britt Wray offers thoughtful perspective and frank advice about managing the most existential uncertainty of all: the future of life on earth.


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]]> As a researcher and author, Dr. Britt Wray has a front row seat to the terrifying unknowns of our planet’s future; as a young mother, she has developed very specific coping strategies for staying sane through the eco-anxiety. Britt’s choice to have a child was a central thread in her bestselling and critically-acclaimed book Generation Dread. Her thought-leading work at the intersection of mental health and climate change makes her the best person to listen to in the midst of another scorching, wildfire-plagued summer. In this encouraging and surprisingly hope-filled conversation, Britt Wray offers thoughtful perspective and frank advice about managing the most existential uncertainty of all: the future of life on earth.


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]]> CHRIS DUFFY First rule of navigating uncertainty: laugh a little! CHRIS DUFFY First rule of navigating uncertainty: laugh a little! Tue, 17 Jun 2025 01:29:03 GMT 45:30 6850c0d0643970a422cd0d68 false https://aloveaffairwiththeunknown.com/ 6850c0d0643970a422cd0d68 6807e1beda41f5ac1aca22d3 chris-duffy-first-rule-of-navigating-uncertainty-laugh-a-lit First rule of navigating uncertainty: laugh a little! full 1 5 The host of the wildly successful TED podcast How To Be A Better Human, comedian Chris Duffy infuses every conversation with thoughtful curiosity, wit and enthusiasm—including this one! Chris and Gill talk about his determination to help us all bring more laughter into our lives; why humour is such a potent stabilizer in the midst of uncertainty and change; the wisdom he learned from his students when he taught fifth grade; and why we should all take ourselves less seriously, especially now. Plus an early peek at some of the strategies Chris shares in his upcoming book on how to get better at being funny and finding the comfort and joy of humour wherever you look.


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]]> The host of the wildly successful TED podcast How To Be A Better Human, comedian Chris Duffy infuses every conversation with thoughtful curiosity, wit and enthusiasm—including this one! Chris and Gill talk about his determination to help us all bring more laughter into our lives; why humour is such a potent stabilizer in the midst of uncertainty and change; the wisdom he learned from his students when he taught fifth grade; and why we should all take ourselves less seriously, especially now. Plus an early peek at some of the strategies Chris shares in his upcoming book on how to get better at being funny and finding the comfort and joy of humour wherever you look.


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]]> JANN ARDEN Unstoppable courage and creativity JANN ARDEN Unstoppable courage and creativity Tue, 10 Jun 2025 04:16:55 GMT 48:32 68472b69d61256a5780d2617 false https://aloveaffairwiththeunknown.com/ 68472b69d61256a5780d2617 6807e1beda41f5ac1aca22d3 Unstoppable courage and creativity full 1 4 Outspoken, passionate and endlessly creative, Jann Arden is a model of courage in the face of unknowns. As she was finishing work on her latest book and preparing to tour her new album, Mixtape, Gill & Jann caught up about her unexpected viral hit of Canadian pride; how she’s staying grounded in the face of political turbulence; how she developed the confidence to face down whatever challenge she encounters, and what her late mother’s battle with Alzheimers’ taught Jann about handling uncertainty.

Jann performs at Massey Hall in Toronto June 9 and10 as part of her Mixtape tour.


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]]> Outspoken, passionate and endlessly creative, Jann Arden is a model of courage in the face of unknowns. As she was finishing work on her latest book and preparing to tour her new album, Mixtape, Gill & Jann caught up about her unexpected viral hit of Canadian pride; how she’s staying grounded in the face of political turbulence; how she developed the confidence to face down whatever challenge she encounters, and what her late mother’s battle with Alzheimers’ taught Jann about handling uncertainty.

Jann performs at Massey Hall in Toronto June 9 and10 as part of her Mixtape tour.


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]]> LISA RAITT Rethinking what power looks like LISA RAITT Rethinking what power looks like Tue, 03 Jun 2025 05:55:58 GMT 47:42 683e6f6ba14b2948245688ee false https://aloveaffairwiththeunknown.com/ 683e6f6ba14b2948245688ee 6807e1beda41f5ac1aca22d3 lisa-raitt-rethinking-what-power-looks-like Rethinking what power looks like full 1 3 As a federal cabinet minister, Lisa Raitt walked the corridors of power. All that was snatched away when her partner got a diagnosis of young-onset Alzheimer's. With extraordinary candour, Lisa shares with Gill what it’s been like to watch her beloved slip away before her eyes; how she managed the out-of-left-field change to her personal and professional life; what she has learned about what strength and power really looks like; and how sometimes painful experiences can bring us closer to feeling truly alive.


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]]> As a federal cabinet minister, Lisa Raitt walked the corridors of power. All that was snatched away when her partner got a diagnosis of young-onset Alzheimer's. With extraordinary candour, Lisa shares with Gill what it’s been like to watch her beloved slip away before her eyes; how she managed the out-of-left-field change to her personal and professional life; what she has learned about what strength and power really looks like; and how sometimes painful experiences can bring us closer to feeling truly alive.


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]]> IAN BROWN The surprising unknowns of aging IAN BROWN The surprising unknowns of aging Tue, 27 May 2025 09:05:48 GMT 46:23 683490a53162cb8205007d16 false https://aloveaffairwiththeunknown.com/ 683490a53162cb8205007d16 6807e1beda41f5ac1aca22d3 ian-brown The surprising unknowns of aging full 1 2 For decades, Ian Brown has written his way through the unknowns of life. His international bestseller The Boy in the Moon was his way of trying to understand the rare genetic condition his son was born with; his decades of Globe & Mail newspaper columns make sense (and good fun) of the world around us. As he enters some of his final decades, Brown’s powers of observation and wonder are sharper than ever (a point he might dispute). His critically-acclaimed book Sixty examined the unknowns of aging. And now he is working on his next memoir - Seventy. Gill and Ian’s conversation is full of his signature humour, thoughtful reflections on the inevitability of change, and the encouraging sense that getting older is in fact getting better.


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]]> For decades, Ian Brown has written his way through the unknowns of life. His international bestseller The Boy in the Moon was his way of trying to understand the rare genetic condition his son was born with; his decades of Globe & Mail newspaper columns make sense (and good fun) of the world around us. As he enters some of his final decades, Brown’s powers of observation and wonder are sharper than ever (a point he might dispute). His critically-acclaimed book Sixty examined the unknowns of aging. And now he is working on his next memoir - Seventy. Gill and Ian’s conversation is full of his signature humour, thoughtful reflections on the inevitability of change, and the encouraging sense that getting older is in fact getting better.


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]]> MARY WALSH Hard-won wisdom MARY WALSH Hard-won wisdom Tue, 20 May 2025 09:26:13 GMT 50:16 682b5b45ee813e8be20a04b5 false https://aloveaffairwiththeunknown.com/ 682b5b45ee813e8be20a04b5 6807e1beda41f5ac1aca22d3 mary-walsh Hard-won wisdom full 1 1 An iconic legend of Canadian television comedy, a published author, a high-profile spokesperson for mental health advocacy and a loyal Newfoundlander to the end—from the outside, Mary Walsh appears to have it all together. But in this wide-ranging conversation, the deeply intelligent and relentlessly funny Walsh is candid about the sea of unknowns she faces as a mother, a recovering addict, and an independent artist; and about the hard-won wisdom that helps keep her feeling positive in the face of hard things.


Mary is nominated for two Canadian Screen Awards this year: Best Performance in a Supporting Role, and Best Lead Performer In A Comedy. You can catch Mary later this year on the upcoming MGM series The Institute, based on the Stephen King novel.


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]]> An iconic legend of Canadian television comedy, a published author, a high-profile spokesperson for mental health advocacy and a loyal Newfoundlander to the end—from the outside, Mary Walsh appears to have it all together. But in this wide-ranging conversation, the deeply intelligent and relentlessly funny Walsh is candid about the sea of unknowns she faces as a mother, a recovering addict, and an independent artist; and about the hard-won wisdom that helps keep her feeling positive in the face of hard things.


Mary is nominated for two Canadian Screen Awards this year: Best Performance in a Supporting Role, and Best Lead Performer In A Comedy. You can catch Mary later this year on the upcoming MGM series The Institute, based on the Stephen King novel.


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