writing

E86 – Zane Caplanksy: A Dish, a Dream and a Lotta Hustle

Our guest in this episode is mustard and smoked-meat wizard Zane Caplansky, founder of Caplanksy’s Deli & purveyor of fine mustards. When Nick had the idea of interviewing a chef to discuss the artistic elements of food and cooking, Zane immediately came to mind. As it turns out, the struggles associated with balancing artisanal meats and mustards and attempting to find balance in life are huge. Six-figure-legal-fees huge.

And yet, Zane is probably the most optimistic and hopeful guests we’ve had the pleasure of speaking with – and in the current political climate, that doesn’t seem so easy to do, right? So, grab some pickles, dip ’em in some tasty Caplansky mustard & enjoy our journey strugglin’ on with Zane Caplanksy.

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E85 – Sanctus Editus! Setting Goals for 2024

The irony of this episode is that Nick’s “Word of the Year” for 2024 is EDIT. And it took Brie four months to edit this dang file. Maybe EDIT should have been both our words!

NEVERTHELESS. Here we are. It’s 2024. We’re the happiest new members of PodCavern. And we’re ready to set and tackle our goals in the struggly world of Arts & Entertainment in Canada for this new year. (Aware that we’re already in the second quarter of the new year!)

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Best Of Season 1 – Volume 2

Dare you enter the Cocktagon?! Please enjoy another collection of some of Paul’s favourite stories from the first season of The Pen Is Mightier – featuring performances by Clare Blackwood, Maddox Campbell, Kat Letwin, Matt McCready, Rebecca Reeds, and Velvet Wells.

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Season 2, Episode 5 – Rivals

It’s a crossover episode! Featuring the creators of pop-culture review podcast Rude Dude Takedowns: Bridget Cann (MCU Improvised, Rude Dude Takedowns), Candace Meeks (My Immortal: The Webseries, Rude Dude Takedowns), Chris Middleton (CBC, Rude Dude Takedowns). This week, the panel learns about the etymology of the word “Garfussy,” figures out how many companies can sue the show because of a single story, and the Rude Dudes renew their rivalry with a famous Hollywood director.

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Season 2, Episode 4 – Wish

Featuring Maddox Campbell (Break A Wish, Caverns & Comedians), Tuong La (Podcavern), and Alex Nursall (Parkdale Haunt). The panel discusses what constitutes a “medium” level of gratuity, learns how to make a planet climax, and guesses the flavour of Prince Eric’s dick.

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Best Of Season 1 – Volume 1

Dare you enter the Cocktagon?! Please enjoy a collection of some of Paul’s favourite stories from the first season of The Pen Is Mightier – featuring performances by Jon Blair, Andrew Bushell, Bridget Cann, Taylor Davis, Erin Pim, and Carley Thorne.

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Season 2, Episode 3 – The Christmas Special

Featuring Antony Hall (CBC’s Ming’s Dynasty, Book It Vince!), Simon McCamus (The Second City, Fake Cops), and Brie Watson (The Second City, Improv Niagara). It’s our Christmas Special! This week the panel discusses whether Eyes Wide Shut is a Christmas movie, gets treated to a startlingly clever rundown of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s filmography, and learns about the true meaning of Jizzmas from Ebenezer Splooge.

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Season 2, Episode 2 – Destiny

Featuring Marc Hallworth (SiriusXM, Vest of Friends Podcast), Rachel Manson (What We Do In The Shadows, NOW Toronto), and Zoe Towne (EP Mint & Roses, Ouija Shark). This week, the panel discusses which Pokémon look like genitalia, competes to invent the best McDonald’s-themed innuendo, and gets to enjoy another of Garfield’s manliest adventures.

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Season 2, Episode 1 – The Post-Halloween Special

Featuring Taylor Davis (Parkdale Haunt, Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival), Kat Letwin (1623,Good Morning Tonight), and Cassie Pyatt (Paw Patrol, Babar and the Adventures of Badou). In the debut of Season 2, the panel discusses what everyone did (or didn’t do) on Halloween, what sexual escapades would result from a Jason Voorhees/Michael Myers crossover, and which of our competitors has inescapable “Stanley-Tucci-energy.”

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Interlude 2 – Web Of Lovers

Featuring Rob Lewin (Bad Dog Featured Players, Second City FamCo). In this mini-episode, Paul shares his love of Spider-Man via one of the many web-slinging adventures he’s saved over the years – learn which is the sexiest item of clothing, and also where Spider-Man learned some of his oral talents.

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