In the final episode of semi-prose, Kai Cheng Thom joins us to assure us we can survive hard conversations (2:50); the performance of virtue in Chinese Christian, SJW, and queer communities (6:00); on the ethics of mentorship (14:15); our bound

Betcha By Golly Tawâw: Tawâw by Shane Chartrand, with Jennifer Cockrall-King

Feb 18th, 2020 38m 32s

Indigenous food for the future (6:10); Saskatoon berries, rose hips, stinging nettles (18:55); on the generosity of Indigenous communities (27:45); check out a round dance, check out a pow wow (31:00); New Moon, Red Chef Revival, The Sous Chef

A Cherie on Top: Empire of Wild by Cherie Dimaline

Feb 11th, 2020 47m 20s

A special live episode from this year's Toronto International Festival of Authors, featuring:Storytelling as survival (12:49); the qualities of Hot Jesus (17:55); what happens when colonization comes for our gods (22:40); on showing the absolu

Jia Whiz: Trick Mirror by Jia Tolentino

Feb 4th, 2020 43m 31s

when seeming good gets in the way of actually being good (4:15); that time Jia was in 'Cats' (19:30); magazines that tell girls that their entire purpose is improving themselves (20:30); the 'side hustle', aka capitalism tilling every last inch

Pico the Guy-o: Autumn Light by Pico Iyer

Jan 28th, 2020 41m 15s

When life gives us dress rehearsals for, you know, death (2:20); it's the impermanence that gives us joy (9:45); California for the possibility, Japan for the reality (11:30); some writing advice from the Dalai Lama (23:55); the perfect foreign

She's The Baum: I Like To Watch by Emily Nussbaum

Jan 21st, 2020 46m 14s

Emily Nussbaum joins Evan and Kristina to discuss her book I Like to Watch and how Buffy the Vampire Slayer changes lives (2:00); when black sitcoms were gentrified off the air (13:02); Game of Thrones was not that interesting, True Detective w

Spilling the Téa: Shut Up, You're Pretty by Téa Mutonji

Sep 10th, 2019 38m 13s

Allie, Kristina, Evan, and Max discuss Shut Up, You’re Pretty by Téa Mutonji and whether you’re more defined by your good sex or your bad sex (11:30); Fleabag and Lynda Barry (15:40); getting to have formative sexual experiences that are positi

Anar-ea of Expertise: Night of Power by Anar Ali

Aug 27th, 2019 35m 35s

Allie, Evan, Kristina, and Max discuss Night of Power by Anar Ali and that one girl in high school who could quote Rumi (10:22); trauma doesn’t just go away (13:07); Anar joins the conversation (15:37); they fuck you up, your mum and dad (15:59

Hey, Mascarenhas: Coconut Dreams by Derek Mascarenhas

Aug 13th, 2019 33m 22s

Allie, Evan, Kristina, and Max discuss their childhood Ikea awakenings (4:42); 5AM breakfast stampedes (5:49); why why why Delilah (9:23); Derek Mascarenhas joins the conversation (17:07); what’s Goa on (18:24); Neighborhood #1, Mara Wilson, an

Going Back to Ali: Love From A to Z by SK Ali

Jul 30th, 2019 35m 13s

Allie, Evan, Kristina, and Max discuss the things they have done to get a kiss (6:26); brown female anger (10:52); SK Ali joins the conversation (16:48); on being both devout and desirous (17:38); you’re beautiful, good, valued, and wanted (25:

The Thanh Commandments: Mistakes to Run With by Yasuko Thanh

Jul 16th, 2019 32m 22s

Allie, Evan, Kristina, and Max discuss bad experiences versus life experiences (3:04); that whole idea of being down (10:06); Yasuko Thanh joins the conversation (13:56); a list can be a dramatic thing (20:26); some bad portraits of sex workers

We on Awad Tour: Bunny by Mona Awad

Jul 2nd, 2019 32m 11s

Allie, Evan, Kristina and Max explain the differences between Smutty Sunday and Smut Salon (4:39); the fantasy of the half-formed man (6:30); that time in undergrad when Evan escaped a cult (11:34); Mona Awad joins the conversation (16:40); bun

Lalli-palooza: The Matchmaker’s List by Sonya Lalli

Jun 17th, 2019 31m 57s

Allie, Kristina, Evan and Max discuss those fumes from past relationships (1:50); the shame that motivates (7:40); whatever fucked up things you get from your parents (13:01); Sonya Lalli joins the conversation (15:57); how finding the right pa

A Spirited Conversation: Guestbook by Leanne Shapton

Jun 4th, 2019 35m 3s

Allie, Kristina, Evan, and Max discuss what makes for a good ghost story (7:50); telling a ghost story is an intimate thing (12:51); the most frightening hauntings are your exes (14:58); Leanne Shapton joins the conversation (17:02); it’s photo

Just Joshing Around: Jonny Appleseed by Joshua Whitehead

May 21st, 2019 29m 32s

Allie, Kristina, and Max discuss the novel's stickiest sex scenes (1:14); how telling stories is different than giving advice (5:38); the narrator as sex worker, the reader as client (12:18); Joshua Whitehead joins the conversation (14:07); sto

A State That's Untouchable Like Elliott-ness

May 7th, 2019 34m 20s

Welcome to Season 2 of semi-prose! Allie, Evan, Kristina, and Max discuss 'A Mind Spread Out on the Ground' by Alicia Elliott and how Kristina used to hate on all your selfies, but no longer(6:12); explanation or excuse? (9:00); seeing mental i

Tanaz Good As It Gets

Jan 29th, 2019 32m 36s

Allie, Evan, Kristina and Max discuss 'The Beauty of the Moment' by Tanaz Bhathena and being cheated on (4:40); on finally seeing your parent as a shitty person (8:23); if you wait for that, you're going to be waiting for a long time (15:11); T

Prin and Redemption

Jan 15th, 2019 31m 15s

Allie, Evan, Kristina and Max discuss ‘Original Prin’ by Randy Boyagoda and feeling guilty about being attracted to your ex (3:24); Catholic residue and the hypest hymns (11:24); it’s my cross(fit) to bear (15:11); Randy joins the conversation

Naben'd It Like Beckham

Jan 1st, 2019 34m 27s

Allie, Evan, Kristina, and Max discuss 'Curry: Eating, Reading, and Race' by Naben Ruthnum and how Gordon Ramsay brought the realness (0:33); Harold and Kumar, trailblazers (8:38); defending Fieri and mourning Bourdain (12:37); Naben Ruthnum jo

Trickster Treat

Dec 4th, 2018 33m 44s

Allie, Evan, Kristina, and Max, discuss Trickster Drift by Eden Robinson and how the supernatural ain’t no thang (8:00); calming chaos through cooking (9:20); Eden Robinson joins the conversation (17:40); let’s call it screwball gothic (19:40);

Esi Does It

Nov 20th, 2018 31m 37s

Allie, Evan, Max, and Kristina discuss the Scotiabank Giller Prize winning Washington Black with Esi Edugyan. On white saviors (3:54); this is the dawning of the age of aquariums (8:49); getting closure at 22-years-old (13:34); Esi Edugyan join

A Bala-ncing Act

Sep 25th, 2018 32m 3s

Allie, Evan, Max, and Kristina discuss The Boat People by Sharon Bala and how Max dated a Priya (2:36); how to pronounce “Gigovaz” (3:57); Kumi as Jiminy Cricket (9:10); Sharon Bala joins the conversation (15:01); hearkening back to the “good o

Scarborough Fare

Sep 18th, 2018 35m 59s

Allie, Evan, Max, and Kristina discuss Scarborough by Catherine Hernandez and dancing to Whitney (3:17); Filipino signposts (4:28); clear eyes, hard lives, can’t lose (10:31); Catherine Hernandez joins the conversation (16:49); on keeping that

Kerri On, My Wayward Son

Sep 11th, 2018 33m 6s

Allie, Evan, Kristina and Max discuss Floating City by Kerri Sakamoto and the parallels to one Charles Foster Kane (1:20); how feeling entitled whilst having a chip on your shoulder is the worst combo (7:30); Evan is the podcast’s Macklemore (1

Crouching tiger, shadow dragons

Sep 4th, 2018 37m 31s

Allie, Evan, Kristina, and Max discuss That Time I Loved You by Carrianne Leung, and the many musical artists – Michael Jackson, Earth, Wind, and Fire, Billy Joel, Donna Summer – referenced within (0:47); how all basement parties are important