Ramblings From the Little Shed

Holly B.
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Welcome to the coziest corner of the creative world, where art, literature, and our beloved animal companions come together in conversation. Join us in the little shed—a space where ideas flow freely and creativity thrives—as we explore the profound ways animals influence and inspire our creative lives. Whether you're a writer crafting your next novel, a painter finding inspiration in nature, or simply someone who believes their best work happens with a dog at their feet or a cat on their lap, this podcast is for you.

  1. 1D AGO

    Toulouse on the Counter: Poetry, Pickles, and Finding Your People

    Season 1, Episode 13 Episode Description Join host Holly B. and co-host Rogan for an inspiring conversation with Alexia about building creative community, multidisciplinary art, and the power of poetry. Discover how one person's vision to find community transformed into a thriving arts organization that's bringing emerging and established artists together in innovative ways. Pets & Creativity (02:25) • Meet Toulouse, Alexia's half-Persian, half-Turkish Angora cat • How pets influence creative perspective and writing • The dynamic between Toulouse and Rocky the dog The Birth of Anaphor (10:23) • From open mic series to non-profit organization in months • Building community through identifying local needs • Events maxing out capacity within 20-30 minutes of posting The Anthology Project (07:51) • 24 poets paired with 28 local businesses • Poets create work inspired by or for their sponsor businesses • Publishing summer 2026 • Supporting arts while highlighting community businesses Collage Poetry Workshops (18:42) • Blackout poetry, acrostic projects, and found word poetry • Working with available resources to maximize impact Current & Upcoming Projects • Monthly open mics • Punch card workshop for artist goals and self-care • Surrealism workshop combining painting and collage • Future: Cat-themed multidisciplinary art exhibit (2027) Poetry Reading (32:21) • Alexia shares "Everything Falls Towards" Connect with Anaphor Sudbury • Instagram: @anaphore.sudbury • Facebook: Anaphore Sudbury

    37 min
  2. Published! Plus Skating Tips & Black Cat Energy

    2D AGO

    Published! Plus Skating Tips & Black Cat Energy

    Season 1 Episode 12 EPISODE DESCRIPTION Join Holly and Rogan for another fun-filled episode where they share their "Thing of the Week," discuss Holly's newly published book, reflect on their recent guest, and explore everything from skating with properly fitted skates to the Rideau Canal's freezing challenges. As always, they close with their signature sign-off and a call for listener engagement! HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS EPISODE Holly's Book is Here! Holly shares the exciting moment of holding the physical copy of her book North of Broken & Furever Home, for the first time. A true "Thing of the Year" moment that she modestly calls her Thing of the Week. Skating Pro Tips Rogan's endorsement of the week: buy skates that actually fit you! He shares how much better skating becomes when you're not struggling with uncomfortable rental skates and discusses the joy of skating as a preferred mode of transportation. Episode Reflection Holly and Rogan reflect on their recent conversation with guest Julia, discussing her medium, potential live collaborations, and suggestions for Holly's upcoming book launch. Ottawa Winter Culture Discussion of the Rideau Canal skating tradition, its challenges with freezing, and the status of Winterlude. Listener Appreciation The hosts continue their tradition of acknowledging those who stick around to the end of the episode, showing genuine gratitude for their dedicated audience. THING OF THE WEEK Holly's Thing: Holding the physical copy of her published book for the first time North of Broken & Furever Home (even though she initially forgot what her Thing of the Week was!) Rogan's Thing: Buying skates that actually fit - a game-changer for anyone who loves skating. DRINKS OF CHOICE Holly: Diet Coke with Lime from a Wendy's machine, with a splash of cherry vanilla. Rogan: Americano at 8 PM (because he needed a pick-me-up after a long workday) ENGAGEMENT CHALLENGE Are you Team Black Cat Energy or Team Golden Retriever Energy? Comment and let us know which one describes you best! CONNECT WITH US Website: www.ramblingsfromthelittleshed.com Instagram: @rambling_from_the_little_shed Email: ramblingsfromthelittleshed@gmail.com Novel: North of Broken & Furever Home SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review! Your support helps us reach more listeners and keeps us motivated to create great content. Thank you for listening! Bye for now!

    7 min

  3. 6D AGO

    Eggs, Ontario, and the What-If Factor: A Creative Conversation

    Season 1, Episode 11 Episode Summary  Holly, Rogan, and Mitzi explore the profound influence of pets on creativity, the power of storytelling, and the journey of self-publishing. They discuss the emotional connections we have with our pets and how these relationships can inspire our creative endeavours. The trio emphasizes the importance of positive thinking and the impact of writing as a legacy. They also navigate the complexities of the publishing world and share their future aspirations as creative individuals.  Mitzi is an avid advocate for holistic well-being and the host of the "Mitzi, Let's Think About It" Podcast. Mitzi is also a self-published author of four children’s books. She firmly believes that by encouraging children to think differently and more consciously, we can steer the future towards a positive trajectory.  The influence of pets can significantly enhance creativity.  Storytelling is a powerful tool for connection and understanding.  Self-publishing allows authors to share their work without traditional barriers.  Emotional connections with pets can inspire writing and creativity.  Creative processes often involve brainstorming and idea generation.  Positive thinking can transform the way we approach challenges.  Writing can serve as a legacy, impacting future generations.  Navigating the publishing world requires careful consideration of options.  Future aspirations can drive current creative efforts.  Collaboration and accountability can enhance the creative process.   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Mitzi-Think-Inc/100064244280126/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitzithinkinc X (Twitter): https://x.com/MitziThinkInc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitzi-ocasio-3a343a24b/

    40 min

  4. FEB 4

    Shelby the Cat, Sci-Fi, and Silencing Your Inner Critic

    Episode Summary Adam Mardero is a queer, neurodivergent author who lives and writes in Ontario. His first book, "Uncommon Sense: An Autistic Journey" chronicled what it was like to grow up Autistic and ADHD in the 90s and early 2000s, while his latest project is a young adult science fiction series about overcoming trauma and hate through found family. He lives with his pet cat Shelby. Holly B. and Rogan chat with Adam about his journey as a writer, the importance of pets in providing emotional support, and the challenges of self-publishing. They explore themes of mental health, authenticity, and the role of hope in navigating life's difficulties. Adam shares insights from his experiences, emphasizing the significance of community and creativity in personal growth. The discussion flows from light-hearted banter about pets to deeper reflections on overcoming imposter syndrome and the power of storytelling. The importance of pets in providing emotional support.Navigating mental health challenges through creative outlets.The journey of self-publishing and its challenges.Finding hope in difficult times through writing.The significance of authenticity in personal and professional life.Dealing with criticism and developing a thicker skin.The role of community and support in creative endeavours.Using personal experiences to shape writing and storytelling.The impact of past experiences on current perspectives.The joy of sharing creative work with others.From Pets to Publishing: A Journey of HopeNavigating Life's Challenges Through CreativitySound Bites Chapters 01:45 Exploring Adam's Podcast Journey 04:50 The Bond with Pets: Adam's Cat Shelby 08:41 The Emotional Support of Pets 10:04 Writing and Creativity: Incorporating Pets into Stories 12:33 The Long Journey of Writing a Sci-Fi Series 15:13 Self-Publishing Experience and Challenges 17:40 The Joy of Promotion and Community Engagement 22:27 Handling Feedback and Criticism 24:11 The Cat Chronicles: Life with Shelby 26:16 The Writing Journey: Crafting a Fantasy Series 27:52 Balancing Work and Passion: The Author's Life 29:52 Embracing Authenticity: Overcoming Self-Doubt 32:40 The Power of Resilience: Learning from Adversity 35:17 Finding Hope: The Role of Positivity in Writing 39:24 Inner Critics: Naming Our Doubts 41:52 The Importance of Connection 49:32 Beverage Preferences and Brand Loyalty 52:19 The Stanley Cup Phenomenon 55:23 TMJ and Jaw Health 58:32 Childhood Injuries and Lessons Learned Check out our guest's socials! Adam Mardero - Author The Neurodivergent Polyamorist Podcast Instagram: @adammerdy123

    1 hr

  5. JAN 28

    Paws, Grief, and Fabulism: Writing Death with a Whisker of Humour

    Episode Description Season 1 Episode 9 In this heartfelt conversation, registered psychotherapist and author Ingrid Phaneuf joins us to discuss how animals influence creativity, the importance of normalizing death, and her upcoming novel that weaves together grief, humour, and magical realism. Ingrid shares her unique journey from journalism to psychotherapy, and how her experiences with grief—both personal and professional—inspired her to write fiction that helps readers process loss in new ways. We explore theconcept of "fabulism," the special relationship between humans and animals, and how nature can provide comfort during difficult times. Timestamps01:26 - Ingrid introduces herself and her dog Cole03:18 - How animals influence creativity and mood04:24 - The inspiration behind George the Cat - Schrodinger the neighbour's cat05:06 - The novel's premise: consciousness hijacking an animal05:57 - Animals' healthier relationship with death07:31 - How nature normalizes death and grief08:40 - Holly's plan to become a tree / environmentally friendly burials09:46 - Normalizing conversations about death10:30 - Does Cole come to therapy sessions?11:08 - Diving deeper into the novel idea12:40 - The Tibetan Book of the Dead and reincarnation17:08 - Balancing humour and truth in writing about death22:04 - Ingrid's journey from journalism to psychotherapy24:42 - Reclaiming creative writing during COVID26:56 - Learning to tolerate boredom and see projects through28:25 - The importance of grief counsellors29:45 - "Your heart gets bigger" - understanding ongoing grief31:00 - Traditional vs. self-publishing plans32:12 - Holly's book: North of Broken and Furever Home33:06 - Discovering "fabulism" as a genre34:20 - Discussing their dogs' personalities36:10 - Connecting at MFA residency39:37 - Wrap-up and farewell to Ingrid39:41 - Post-interview chat with Rogan about the episode41:41 - Reflections on the conversation and upcoming plans44:50 - Sign-off and New Year wishes Holly's Book Announcement Holly's debut novel, North of Broken and Furever Home releases February 14th! Available for pre-order on Amazon. The book features dual POVs—a woman and her dog companion—in what Holly describes as contemporary "fabulism" fiction. Connect If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the podcast. Share it with anyone who might benefit from a different perspective on grief, creativity, and the human-animal bond.

    45 min

  6. JAN 13

    When Foster Fails Lead to Creative Wins

    Indie author Cindy Ojczyk shares her self-publishing journey, writing process, and how foster fail pets inspired her books about teen mental health and animal rescue. Learn book marketing strategies, overcome pet loss grief, and discover the realities of independent publishing.Episode Summary Cindy Ojczyk joins Holly and Rogan for an intimate conversation about her unexpected path to writing and the profound ways her pets have shaped both her creativity and her stories. Cindy opens up about the emotional complexities of being a pet foster parent, explaining the bittersweet concept of "foster fails" and processing the loss of beloved animals. The discussion explores her unique writing approach, the realities of self-publishing versus traditional publishing, and the considerable effort required to market independently published books. Cindy also shares how she weaves themes of mental health and animal rescue into her storytelling, with a particular focus on creating conversations around teen mental health issues. Throughout the conversation, she emphasizes the critical role of community support for self-published authors and advocates for greater awareness of the challenges young people face. 01:24 Cindy's Journey as a Writer03:46 The Influence of Pets on Creativity05:42 Understanding Foster Fails08:04 The Impact of Poet the dog: A Foster Fail Story11:40 The Challenge of Fostering Multiple Pets13:50 Cindy's Writing Process and Book Promotion18:57 Lessons Learned from Self-Publishing25:48 Diversity in Publishing and Self-Publishing Freedom30:07 Navigating Themes in Writing: Mental Health and Animal Welfare32:33 Awareness and Leadership in Community Conversations35:45 Embracing the Present: The Journey of an Authorcindyowrites.com Instagram @cindyocheck Facebook Cindy Ojczyk - writer Book Mom Loves the Dogs More

    42 min

  7. 12/30/2025

    The Tech Whisperer with a Soul Touched by Dogs

    Anke Hermann is the creator and host of Soul Touched byDogs - an award-winning podcast , virtual event, and community platform to celebrate the human-canine connection. She is also an advocate for holistic approaches to canine health and education, with a focus on the specific needs of rescue dogs. When she's not talking about dogs, she is a multi-passionate coach and online tech expert helping dog professionals, coaches, experts, and authors turn their expertise into online income, without tech stress.  On Her Philosophy About Dogs Anke views dogs as our wisest teachers who deserve far more respect and understanding than society typically gives them. She stands firmly against treating dogs as status symbols, toys, or emotional outlets, emphasizing that her core value of fairness drives everything she does in the animal welfare space. Her mission is to help people become better advocates for their dogs' needs. Her Work with Dog Professionals Anke specializes in helping dog coaches, trainers, and experts navigate the business side of their practice. She works with people who have deep expertise in their craft but struggle with marketing, technology, and business development. Her key insight: being excellent at what you do isn't enough—youneed to understand business fundamentals to build a sustainable career helping dogs and their people. Published Work Taming the Tech Monster (2020) - This book helps people overcome their fear of technology by reframingit from a threatening obstacle into a friendly challenge. Instead of letting tech intimidate you, Anke shows how to approach it with curiosity and confidence. Upcoming Book (working title includes "The Dog at My Feet") - Her current project addresses the gap between professional certification and business success. Why do so many qualified, passionate dog professionals struggle to build thriving practices? This book aims to bridge that divide. Creative Process Dog walks are a sacred, creative time for Anke. She takes solo walks with her dogs (one at a time) as dedicated thinking sessions away from screens and distractions. Many of her best ideas for podcasts, books, and business concepts emerge during these mindful moments with her canine companions. Business Philosophy Anke is critical of "proven formula" programs that oversimplifythe complex process of building a business. She emphasizes that creating a successful practice typically takes years, not weeks or months. The key to success is understanding your target audience deeply and presenting your offerings in ways that genuinely resonate with their needs and values. Find more on Anke at the following links: The Website soultouchedbydogs.com The podcast Soul Touched by Dogs The Fur Baby Book Candid comments from a pet's POV - Love stories from their owners For Dog Professionals Turning your real-world brilliance into online traction: The Business-Savvy Dog Pro

    50 min

  8. 12/28/2025

    Holiday Rambles and Recent Adventures

    Holly and Rogan recorded a casual holiday episode of "Ramblings from the Little Shed," touching on several fun topics: Main Highlights: They had a disappointing encounter with an unenthusiastic Santa on a streetcarThe hosts picked up adorably tiny pottery pieces they made in a class—so small they could barely fit a single blueberryRogan shared stories from his solo trip to Utah and Nevada, which included attending the Dragon Steel Nexus convention (a Brandon Sanderson fantasy convention) and hiking through five national parks, including Zion, Arches, and Bryce CanyonHolly experienced some FOMO while Rogan was away on his adventureThey enjoyed Toronto's festive holiday decorations and visited a beautifully lit outdoor skating path complete with heated seating areas, twinkling lights, and Christmas musicThe episode wrapped with gratitude for family and each other, plus a preview of upcoming episodes in the new year featuring guests discussing how their pets influence their creativity

    13 min
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Welcome to the coziest corner of the creative world, where art, literature, and our beloved animal companions come together in conversation. Join us in the little shed—a space where ideas flow freely and creativity thrives—as we explore the profound ways animals influence and inspire our creative lives. Whether you're a writer crafting your next novel, a painter finding inspiration in nature, or simply someone who believes their best work happens with a dog at their feet or a cat on their lap, this podcast is for you.

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