Mullinger Meets Canadians

Jonathan Torrens

Mullinger meets actor, director, producer, writer, podcast host, musician and television personality Jonathan Torrens. Best known for his impressive turn as J-Roc in the Trailer Park Boys, Torrens began his career at the tender age of 15, hosting the teen-themed, consumer affairs–oriented program Street Cents.

Seven years later, he created, wrote, co-produced and hosted Jonovision, a wildly successful teen talk-show program that aired for five years and received seven prestigious Gemini Awards. More recently he was a leading cast member on the globally adored sitcom Mr. D and has also played roles in Jason Priestley’s hit show Call Me Fitz, Degrassi: The Next Generation, Game On written seven episodes for Letterkenny.

His podcast Taggart and Torrens (created with Jeremy Taggart) has been downloaded more than four million times and received a Canadian Comedy Award for best audio program in 2018. In this episode of Mullinger Meets Canadians, Torrens and Mullinger discuss their new life as virtual performers, being an entertainer in the Maritimes, the creation of Trailer Park Boys and much more!

Joel Plaskett

In this episode, Mullinger meets Joel Plaskett, one of the most-renowned singer-songwriters in Canadian musical history. From rocking Halifax’s Marquee Club to performing for the masses across the country, and sharing the bill with other Canadian power bands, including Sloan and the Tragically Hip, over three decades Joel Plaskett has forged a reputation as one of Canada’s most engaging performers and respected singer-songwriters. He has won multiple awards over his career including Juno Awards, Canadian Folk Music Awards and East Coast Music Awards. Mullinger and Plaskett discuss fame, success, their shared love for the East Coast of Canada, family, entrepreneurship and much more.

Derek Seguin

Montreal-based stand up Derek Seguin is undeniably one of Canada’s hottest comedians. He has performed at the prestigious Just For Laughs festival an impressive seven times and he filmed a gala set for HBO at the festival where he received a standing-ovation from a sold out audience of 3,500 people. He is also the winner of Sirius XM’s Top Comic contest making him officially the funniest person in Canada. Perhaps most impressively, he has appeared on (and won) CBC’s The Debaters more than any other comedian in history. His new concert album Panderek (1st Wave!) is available now on CD and iTunes and was recorded at Montreal’s The Comedy Nest the weekend before lockdown in March this year. He was one of the first comedians to successfully transition to virtual shows and James chats with him about the intricacies of this new form of live entertainment.

Ali Hassan

Ali Hassan is a comedian, actor and radio and television personality. Perhaps best known as the host of CBC’s Canada Reads and CBC’s Laugh Out Loud stand up showcase, he has appeared in movies such as Goon with Seann William Scott, My Spy with Dave Bautista and in television shows such as Designated Survivor with Kiefer Sutherland and CTV’s Cardinal.

Born in New Brunswick, Ali grew up in Montreal and now resides in Toronto. His hilarious, uplifting show Muslim Interrupted is one of the most critically acclaimed stand up tours in recent years. Mullinger caught up with Ali to discuss friendship, success, cooking, doing the right thing, Canadian comedy, family, lockdown and much, much more.

Pete Luckett

Mullinger meets fellow Brit turned Canadian, Mr. Pete Luckett. The owner of Luckett Vineyards and founder of Pete's Frootique and Pete's Fine Foods, he was born in Nottingham 1953 and in 1979 he moved, aged 26, to Canada and eventually settled in Saint John, New Brunswick. Having worked a fruit and veg stall in his native Nottingham, Pete launched Pete's Frootique in 1981 at the Saint John City Market. His unique banter, knowledge and attention to detail ensured this small business grew into something Peter never anticipated, nor dreamed of.

Rhys Waters and Jonathan Burns

On this week’s episode James is in Halifax with Rhys Waters and Jonathan Burns, the co-founders of Podstarter, a start-up which uses podcasting content to break through the marketing clutter to connect with people.

Rhys Waters was a highly respected and BAFTA-award winning producer, director and editor for the BBC in the United Kingdom. He moved to the Maritimes three years ago with his wife and three children on a whim with a thirst for adventure. 

Born and raised in Nova Scotia, Jonathan Burns has travelled across the globe working with clients like Marvel, Warner Brothers and NBA launching marketing campaigns to reach audiences in unique ways. 

They met in Halifax, in Podstarter's recording studio above James' favourite comic book store Strange Adventures, to discuss their lives, careers and what makes a great podcast.

 

Steve Patterson

In this week’s episode James speaks to comedian Steve Patterson the legendary host of the hit show The Debaters on CBC Radio One. A headlining comedian since 1997, he has taped numerous national television specials, including four for Just For Laughs.

Steve isn’t just a comedian. He’s a husband. A father to two delightful daughters. A keynote speaker. And the unofficial leader of Canadian comedy making it his life’s mission to support up and coming comedians across the country.

Chastity and Chef Michael Smith

James Mullinger chats with world-renowned chef Michael Smith and his wife Chastity Smith, an accomplished interior decorator and musician. They discuss their new property The Inn at Fortune Bridge on their beloved Prince Edward Island, how they survived lockdown, what will save the Atlantic Canadian tourism industry, their favourite dishes and fame in the Maritimes.

Produced by Podstarter in conjunction with The Maritime Edit. 

Jason John Whitehead

James chats with Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia-born but Hollywood-based comedian Jason John Whitehead about his new hit album, writing for Jim Jefferies, the differences between British and Canadian audiences and meeting Maritimers in Hollywood.

Travis Lindsay

James is joined by award-winning comedian Travis Lindsay. They discuss why being a comedian in the Maritimes prepares you for a global pandemic, Travis' hit #1 album, touring, racism, family, kindness and much more. 

Produced by Podstarter in conjunction with The Maritime Edit.