Story Girl

We Think You'd Enjoy: Lavender Ranks

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 06:00:00 GMT

And the were “roommates”... or at least that’s what some historians would like you to believe. This is episode three of Lavender Ranks, in which we enter our Hallmark era to share a great sapphic love story between war-time Nursing Sisters Ellanore and Murney. Today, hosts Em and Karbon are digging deep to explore how women-loving women relationships were seemingly able to slip under the radar during the First World War only to be erased from the record.

Download our Discussion Questions.

Lavender Ranks explores queer life during the First World War and contains frank discussions of war, discrimination, repression, sexuality, and historical violence. Listener discretion is advised.

Written by Emily Gioskos

Hosts Emily Gioskos & Karbon

Executive Producer Ryan Barnett

Edited by Sonia Gemmiti

Series consultant Sarah Worthman

Illustration by Henry Fong

Additional Research Dr. Sarafina Pagnotta

Featuring original interviews with Sarah Worthman, Mitchell LaFramboise, Cameron Telch, Andrea McKenzie, and Martine Roy.

An original production of Knockabout Media

This podcast was made possible thanks to funding from Veterans Affairs Canada’s Commemorative Partnership Program.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Homework | Mini-bios by Students

Thu, 01 May 2025 06:00:00 GMT

This week, I'm sharing a little extracurricular work. While in production on Story Girl, I was also teaching a podcasting course at Ratihén:te High School. In this class, the students researched, wrote and hosted their own historical biographies. This episode features two stories from the world sports, two world-class snipers, a fashion designer, and rock royalty.

The work featured here was produced by the students of Ratihén:te High School as part of Writers in the Community, a program run by the Quebec Writers’ Federation. The Writers in the Community program would not be possible without the support of:

The Canada Council for the Arts

The Government of Canada

Le Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ)

The Electronic Recycling Association

The Batshaw Foundation

Shell

Donors to the QWF Pyramid Campaign

Eric T. Webster Foundation

George Hogg Family Foundation

Fondation Charles Cusson

Hylcan Foundation

The Hay Foundation

Zeller Family Foundation

*This program and all relevant content is for educational purposes only and to the best of our knowledge is being used under Fair Dealing/Fair Use Act guidelines and within Canadian and United States standards of fair dealing/fair use*

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Maud-swap! with Kindred Spirits Book Club

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 06:00:00 GMT

This week, we're recommending the Kindred Spirits Book Club to our Maud-obsessed listeners. In this episode from their first season, Kelly and Ragon gush about why Gilbert Blythe was their first imaginary boyfriend, what the heck was wrong with Anne, and contemporary successors to Gilbert’s true good guy prototype. They also discuss a year in reading and where they stand on the “rivals to lovers” trope.

Kindred Spirits Book Club is the podcast all about Anne of Green Gables, kindred spirits, and the books that make us who we are! Ragon Duffy and Kelly Gerner are two grown ladies geeking out about Anne of Green Gables, and other books by L.M. Montgomery. They blend modern perspectives with classic storytelling in their engaging discussions of beloved stories and characters. Come for the deep dives on theme and character arcs, stay for the friendship, cozy community and laughter. You can find Kindred Spirits Book Blub anywhere you listen to podcasts!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Bosom Friends Affair

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 06:00:00 GMT

In this episode, we explore queer interpretations of Anne of Green Gables. In conversation with playwright Rosemary Rowe and cartoonist Kathleen Gros, we delve into the deep bond between Anne and Diana, often dubbed the "Bosom Friends Affair."

For more:

Carousel Summer by Kathleen Gros

I Hated You in High School by Kathleen Gros

Anne and Diana Were Totally Doing It by Rosemary Rowe

About This Series:

Discover the life and legacy of L.M. Montgomery in this insightful 7-part podcast, in which we explore her childhood, literary journey, and the timeless impact of Anne of Green Gables on generations of readers.

Written & Hosted by Ryan Barnett

Produced by Ryan Barnett & Sonia Gemmiti

Associate Producers Maia Foster-Sanchez & Kristi Prophet

Recorded by Tyler Rauman

This series features interviews with Kate Macdonald Butler, Kate Scarth, Jessica Young, Laura Robinson, Yuko Matsumoto, Rosemary Rowe & Kathleen Gros.

A Knockabout Media Production

This podcast was made possible thanks to funding from the Government of Canada.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Red-haired Anne : Anne Shirley in Japan

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 06:00:00 GMT

How did Anne of Green Gables become an icon in Japan? This is the story of Hanako Muraoka, the writer who faced grave danger in translating Maud's book—an enemy text—for future generations of Japan.

About This Series:

Written & Hosted by Ryan Barnett

Produced by Ryan Barnett & Sonia Gemmiti

Associate Producers Maia Foster-Sanchez & Kristi Prophet

Recorded by Tyler Rauman

This series features interviews with Kate Macdonald Butler, Kate Scarth, Jessica Young, Laura Robinson & Yuko Matsumoto.

Additional voices by Candace Amarante & Junko Yamakawa

For more information on Hanako Muraoka, read Anne's Cradle by Eri Muraoka

A Knockabout Media Production

This podcast was made possible thanks to funding from the Government of Canada.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An Ode (with an E) to Maud

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 07:00:00 GMT

This episode, we're doing something a little different. We are taking a pause from our narrative series to hear from you, the listeners. We asked you to send in voicemails with your feelings on Maud and her work, and you answered. A big thanks to Mike DiMascio, Irina Levchenko, Rebecca Sullivan, Laura Leden, Gabrielle Fortier, Naomi Burger, Kelly Gerner & Ragon Duffy, and Lois Adamson for your contributions to the show.

Here is a link for information regarding the book collection rebuild for Kelly Gerner, following the LA wildfires.

About This Series:

Written & Hosted by Ryan Barnett

Produced by Ryan Barnett & Sonia Gemmiti

Associate Producers Maia Foster-Sanchez & Kristi Prophet

Recorded by Tyler Rauman

This series features interviews with Kate Macdonald Butler, Kate Scarth, Jessica Young, Laura Robinson & Yuko Matsumoto.

Additional voices by Candace Amarante, Matthew Barnett & Becca Redden

A Knockabout Media Production

This podcast was made possible thanks to funding from the Government of Canada.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At Journey's End

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 03:24:19 GMT

Maud faces some of the toughest years of her life : nuisance lawsuits, an unwanted pursuer, social ostracism, personal humiliations, and drug dependency colour her final days.

Regional Mental Health Resources.

About This Series:

Written & Hosted by Ryan Barnett

Produced by Ryan Barnett & Sonia Gemmiti

Associate Producers Maia Foster-Sanchez & Kristi Prophet

Recorded by Tyler Rauman

This series features interviews with Kate Macdonald Butler, Kate Scarth, Jessica Young, Laura Robinson & Yuko Matsumoto.

Additional voices by Candace Amarante, Matthew Barnett & Becca Redden

A Knockabout Media Production

This podcast was made possible thanks to funding from the Government of Canada.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Woman's Humble Name

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 07:00:00 GMT

Learning that she is under a bum publishing deal, Maud makes the decision to take on her long-time publisher, the shewed, Boston-based L.C. Page.

About This Series:

Written & Hosted by Ryan Barnett

Produced by Ryan Barnett & Sonia Gemmiti

Associate Producers Maia Foster-Sanchez & Kristi Prophet

Recorded by Tyler Rauman

This series features interviews with Kate Macdonald Butler, Kate Scarth, Jessica Young, Laura Robinson & Yuko Matsumoto.

Additional voices by Candace Amarante & Matthew Barnett

A Knockabout Media Production

This podcast was made possible thanks to funding from the Government of Canada.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Double Burden

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 07:00:00 GMT

By the time Anne of Green Gables became a worldwide success, L.M. Montgomery had transformed from a small-town teacher into a celebrated author. But behind the literary fame came profound change — and heartbreak. In this episode of Story Girl: The Life of Lucy Maud Montgomery, Maud becomes a minister’s wife, a mother, and a creative force balancing family and writing. Yet amid her triumphs, she endures the greatest loss of her life, shaping the depth and empathy found in her later novels.

About This Series:

Written & Hosted by Ryan Barnett

Produced by Ryan Barnett & Sonia Gemmiti

Associate Producers Maia Foster-Sanchez & Kristi Prophet

Recorded by Tyler Rauman

This series features interviews with Kate Macdonald Butler, Kate Scarth, Jessica Young, Laura Robinson & Yuko Matsumoto.

Additional voices by Candace Amarante & Matthew Barnett

A Knockabout Media Production

This podcast was made possible thanks to funding from the Government of Canada.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Road to Anne

Thu, 09 Jan 2025 07:00:37 GMT

Maud is now an adult. She attends teachers college, gets engaged and falls in love (not necessarily in that order). She also begins writing the novel that will change her life: Anne of Green Gables.

About This Series:

Written & Hosted by Ryan Barnett

Produced by Ryan Barnett & Sonia Gemmiti

Associate Producers Maia Foster-Sanchez & Kristi Prophet

Recorded by Tyler Rauman

This series features interviews with Kate Macdonald Butler, Kate Scarth, Jessica Young, Laura Robinson & Yuko Matsumoto.

Additional voices by Candace Amarante & Matthew Barnett

A Knockabout Media Production

This podcast was made possible thanks to funding from the Government of Canada.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Spadework

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 14:53:21 GMT

In this episode, we explore the formative years of author Lucy Maud Montgomery. We delve into her early life in Prince Edward Island and discuss the influences and experiences that shaped her writing, including the loss of her mother and the complexities of growing up in a strict household. Join us as we uncover how Montgomery’s youth laid the foundation for her beloved novels.

Regional Mental Health Resources.

About This Series:

Written & Hosted by Ryan Barnett

Produced by Ryan Barnett & Sonia Gemmiti

Associate Producers Maia Foster-Sanchez & Kristi Prophet

Recorded by Tyler Rauman

This series features interviews with Kate Macdonald Butler, Kate Scarth, Jessica Young, Laura Robinson & Yuko Matsumoto.

Additional voices by Candace Amarante & Matthew Barnett

A Knockabout Media Production

This podcast was made possible thanks to funding from the Government of Canada.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Story Girl

Tue, 03 Dec 2024 20:15:06 GMT

Story Girl: The Life of Lucy Maud Montgomery is a 7-part narrative series about the beloved author of Anne of Green Gables.

Lucy Maud Montgomery once wrote that biography is a “screaming farce,” adding that the best biographies give only a two-dimensional portrait of its subject, while everyone has a half-dozen “different sides.” Aware of this fool’s errand, we're leaning in, and examining the different-sidedness of Maud. Each episode explores her personal triumphs and struggles, her creative inspirations, and the ways in which her "scribblings" left a lasting impact on literature and culture.

A Knockabout Media Production

This podcast was made possible thanks to funding from the Government of Canada.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.