blogTO

blogTO
  • 4.4 (194)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL
blogTO

Toronto is home, but how well do you really know it? Host Dani Stover brings you in-depth interviews and stories about the wild, random, important, and under-appreciated places, people and things that shape the city. Regular episodes shine a light on the corners of Toronto you never knew existed and the ones you've always wanted to know more about.

  1. This is the story behind Blake Street in Toronto

    2020-11-30

    This is the story behind Blake Street in Toronto

    Rod Cohen has been the Executive Director of the Blake Boultbee Youth Outreach Service on Blake Street for over 30 years. The small, hidden street played a big part in the development of Toronto, and has a mysterious charm. However, there are some unique challenges faced by the community of state-of-the-art public housing, as it is sandwiched between more affluent neighbourhoods like Leslieville and Riverdale, who according to Cohen, have refused to asknowledge its existence.

    20 min
  2. Exploring Toronto's sexy past from Sir Sandford Fleming to Elizabeth Taylor

    2020-11-26

    Exploring Toronto's sexy past from Sir Sandford Fleming to Elizabeth Taylor

    Adam Bunch is the host of the Canadiana web series, and the author of both the Toronto Book of the Dead, and the forthcoming Toronto Book of Love. We explore a few different stories of love, jealousy, divorce, scandal, and dedication, like that time Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton got engaged at the King Edward hotel, or when Sandford Fleming broke up with his girlfriend over a sunset.

    27 min
  3. This is what it's really like to live on the Toronto Islands

    2020-11-19

    This is what it's really like to live on the Toronto Islands

    Julian Ganton has found himself back living on the Toronto Islands where he and his family grew up. He also runs Toronto Island SUP, and is passionate about preserving and documenting the unique wetlands. As a full-time Islander, Julian talks about what it was like having to swim home after missing the last ferry, the cool wildlife, the trash problem, and the healing power of connecting with nature.

    14 min
  4. This is how Sook-Yin Lee became a VJ at MuchMusic and what she's up to now

    2020-11-12

    This is how Sook-Yin Lee became a VJ at MuchMusic and what she's up to now

    Sook-Yin Lee recalls her time at MuchMusic in the 90s and early 2000s, including the unexpected job offer from Moses Znaimer that started it all. She talks about the move to Toronto, her memorable first day, celebrities, Speaker's Corner, and having the freedom to be experimental on television. Lee also touches on her current project, a feature film called Death and Sickness, made entirely at home during lockdown.

    29 min
  5. The making of Today's Special and how it was the wackiest TV show in Toronto history

    2020-11-06

    The making of Today's Special and how it was the wackiest TV show in Toronto history

    Nina Keogh talks about working in children's television in the 70s, 80s and 90s, on shows like The Friendly Giant, Polka Dot Door, and Today's Special, where she took on the role of the rhyming mouse, Muffy. She also discusses growing up with a family of puppeteers, the logistics behind operating one for TV, and getting freaked out by mannequins while filming after-hours at the old Simpsons department store.

    18 min
  6. This is what it's like to live on a private street in Toronto

    2020-11-03

    This is what it's like to live on a private street in Toronto

    Former Percy Street resident of 23 years, Cynthia Wilkey talks about what it was like to live on a private laneway in Toronto's Corktown neighbourhood. Plus, Wilkey touches on the mysterious wad of cash that was found in her rafters during renovations in 1988, and the unprecedented court case that followed.

    23 min
  7. Russell Oliver is the Cashman behind Toronto's most unusual jewellery store

    2020-10-26

    Russell Oliver is the Cashman behind Toronto's most unusual jewellery store

    Russell Oliver has been in the gold and jewellery business for the past 50 years, so as you can imagine, he's got some interesting stories about his iconic commercials, celebrity encounters, legal issues, and interacting with fans. In what could be his last interview as the "Cashman," Oliver discusses the secrets to his success, including where he got the inspiration for his "oh yeah" tagline.

    24 min

  8. 2020-10-21

    Howard Street in Toronto is a city within a block

    Sasha Ortega and her family own Tinuno, a Filipino restaurant on Howard Street in one of Toronto's most densely populated communities. Sasha talks about growing up in St. James Town, how the area has changed over the years, and what the future holds with the addition of two luxury condos. We also discuss the challenges the restaurant industry is facing these days, and finding creative ways to continue supporting local businesses.

    20 min
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Hosts & Guests

4.4
out of 5
194 Ratings

About

Toronto is home, but how well do you really know it? Host Dani Stover brings you in-depth interviews and stories about the wild, random, important, and under-appreciated places, people and things that shape the city. Regular episodes shine a light on the corners of Toronto you never knew existed and the ones you've always wanted to know more about.

Information

  • Creator
    blogTO
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2020
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    blogTO

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