Backstage at the Vinyl Cafe

Today we bring you an episode from our friends at the Apostrophe Podcast Network – one of the most-loved shows from the podcast ‘We Regret to Inform You.’If you’re new to the pod, it’s a series that tells the inspiring stories of actors, athletes and even astronauts, who overcame major rejection on their journeys to the stars. This episode, however, is a little different. It's about an object. Specifically, the goalie mask.Before goalie masks were widely accepted, one hall of fame goalie endured over 400 stitches to the head and neck over the course of his career. Some of the early objections to goalie masks included:“Masks make goalies complacent.”“Masks eliminate fear in goalies – the fear that drives them to play well.”“A real man wouldn’t hide his face from his opponents.” We hope you enjoy "Rejecting the Goalie Mask." 

“He’s not well, Stuart.”We’re going way back today with two pieces from pre-Vinyl Cafe days! One is a favourite you’ve been requesting, back from Stuart McLean’s regular appearances on Peter Gzowski’s Morningside. (Spoiler alert: You’ll see what happens when two presenters get the giggles on live radio.)Excerpt from Morningside reproduced by permission of CBC Licensing.

“Dave chose Happy Hour: Three honey-mint-refresh-colonic cocktails.”The Yoga Retreat: a place of well-being, calm and reflection. Usually. But not always; or not for Dave and Stephanie, at least. This week, Stuart McLean tells two hilarious stories about Dave’s good intentions gone awry. And Jess shares some road stories, including a memorable attempt to get the entire Vinyl Cafe crew up to the remote but spectacular Powell River, British Columbia.

“Eugene’s fig tree is the best-known tree in the neighbourhood.”We’re all about gardening on the podcast this week, with two Dave and Morley stories about the act of faith and hope that goes into creating a garden.

This week we bring you an episode from another Apostrophe Podcast network show: Under the Influence with Terry O'Reilly. In this episode, Terry shares some of his best opening stories of all time. CBC listeners may remember that Terry begins each episode with a story - usually unrelated to marketing - that helps lay the foundation for that episode. They are always engaging, often surprising and certain to give you a story to share at your next dinner party. We hope you enjoy Setting the Table: The Best Opening Stories. 

In this bonus episode you’ll hear my conversation with Roger Woodward, the boy who went over the Falls. You loved hearing his remarkable story in our Niagara Falls episode (back in October 2023) and wanted to hear more. Roger and I had a great time catching up and I learned so much more about that momentous day. 

“She was a woodland bird, in the middle of the city, way off course, and she had landed at his feeder.”Stuart McLean tells two Dave and Morley stories that explore the idea of home in its various forms: in Burd, a tiny feathered friend gets blown off course and finds its way to Dave and Morley’s garden where it decides to stop a while. And in Tree of Heaven a seedling takes root – in Dave’s car… and in his heart. Also this week, Jess tells a hilarious story about the trip she and Stuart took to Point Pelee to learn about birders and birding.

"This is the first summer Sam has been in Big Narrows without Dave and Morley..."We are so ready for summer here! Are you? So on today’s podcast we’re talking summer adventures, start to finish, with two great summer stories by Stuart McLean.