The Artsy Raven Podcast about Writing and Art with host JF Garrard

JF Garrard
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JF Garrard (writer, editor and publisher) has frank conversations with writers, editors, publishers, artists, actors, directors and other art professionals about what inspires them to create and what led to their success. Writers on the podcast will showcase their work by reading from their book. Main Artsy Raven website with access to 100+ episodes: https://artsyraven.com/ Artsy Raven merch: https://darkhelixpress.com/merchandise The Artsy Raven is on Feed Spot’s list of Top 60 Literature Podcasts & Top 10 Canadian Literature Podcasts on the web.

  1. Ep142A From Sitcom Star to Storyteller with Kathy Garver

    1D AGO

    Ep142A From Sitcom Star to Storyteller with Kathy Garver

    Kathy Garver reflects on her long career spanning childacting, voice work, and writing, shares what inspired her feel-good book about Hollywood love stories, and discusses the unique experience of filming a microdrama in China. Kathy Garver, best known worldwide as “Cissy” on the hit CBSseries Family Affair, has built a six-decade career that began as a child actor in The Ten Commandments and spans film, television, stage, and award-winning voiceover work. In addition to her iconic on-screen role, she became one of Hollywood’s most in-demand voice actors, voicing fan-favorites including Firestar in Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends and characters in Chuck Norris: Karate Kommandos, The New Yogi Bear Show, and more. Garver has narrated more than 80 audiobooks, earning fourAudie Awards and now a GRAMMY® nomination for her narration of Elvis, Rocky and Me: The Carol Connors Story. She is also a successful author with multiple titles, including Surviving Cissy, X-Child Stars, and The Family Affair Cookbook. Her latest book, 'Romancing With The Stars: Inspiring Hollywood Love Stories,' co-authored with Doug Hartline, highlights inspiring love stories that cast a different, positivelight on Hollywood relationships that have stood the test of time!  Today, Kathy continues to act, write, and record, remainingone of the most beloved and enduring talents of classic television and voice-over entertainment. In this episode, Kathy reads from Romancing With TheStars: Inspiring Hollywood Love Stories. Visit Kathy Garver online at Kathy Garver Artsy Raven links: For more about The Artsy Raven Podcast or to join ourexclusive Artsy Raven club to receive free books and other cool stuff, visit: https://artsyraven.com/ If you really like this show, please feel free to send us a digital tip https://ko-fi.com/jfgarrard Patreon subscribers remember to access your bonus content for each episode: https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard

    18 min
  2. Ep142 Crafting Magic, Worlds, and Stories with F.T. Lukens

    3D AGO

    Ep142 Crafting Magic, Worlds, and Stories with F.T. Lukens

    F.T. Lukens, a New York Times bestselling author of YAspeculative fiction, shares how they became a writer, the inspiration behind their latest book The Last Best Quest Ever, and offers advice for new writers. F.T. Lukens is a New York Times bestselling author of YAspeculative fiction including the novels Love at Second Sight, Otherworldly, Spell Bound (2024 ALA Rainbow Booklist), So This Is Ever After (2023 ALA Rainbow Booklist; 2022 Goodreads Choice Awards nominee), In Deeper Waters (2022 ALA Rainbow Booklist; Junior Library Guild Selection), and the forthcoming The Last Best Quest Ever as well as otherscience-fiction and fantasy works. F.T. resides in North Carolina with their spouse, three kids, three dogs, and three cats. In this episode, they read from The Last Best Quest Ever. Book link - https://simonteen.com/book/the-last-best-quest-ever/ Artsy Raven links: For more about The Artsy Raven Podcast or to join ourexclusive Artsy Raven club to receive free books and other cool stuff, visit: https://artsyraven.com/ If you really like this show, please feel free to send us a digital tip https://ko-fi.com/jfgarrard Patreon subscribers remember to access your bonus content for each episode: https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard

    24 min
  3. Ep141A Art That Documents Human Resilience with Olga Sunden

    6D AGO

    Ep141A Art That Documents Human Resilience with Olga Sunden

    Olga Sunden discusses why she curated a photographyexhibition featuring women soldiers, how art can connect people to the realities of the present moment, and why storytelling during an ongoing war matters. Olga Sunden was born in Kryvyi Rih and studied journalism at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Through her work, she met Jed Sunden in Kyiv — an American journalist, founder of the Kyiv Post and KP Media publishing group. Together, they now live in the United States, actively supporting Ukrainian journalism, the military, and education. Olga is currently the curator of the photoexhibition Through Her Eyes and publisher of the accompanying album of the same name, featuring the work of six women soldiers. Co-founder of Ukrainian American Committee and a mother of 6. Exhibition dates: May 13 to June 8Official album presentation: May 14Location: IS GALLERY, 39 Lispenard Street, NY 10013 Links  https://www.amukr.org/news/through-her-eyes-new-york-spring-2026 Artsy Raven links: For more about The Artsy Raven Podcast or to join ourexclusive Artsy Raven club to receive free books and other cool stuff, visit: https://artsyraven.com/ If you really like this show, please feel free to send us a digital tip https://ko-fi.com/jfgarrard Patreon subscribers remember to access your bonus content for each episode: https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard

    16 min
  4. Ep141 Music, Mental Health, and Healing with Cassidy Waring and Teresa Alfeld

    6D AGO

    Ep141 Music, Mental Health, and Healing with Cassidy Waring and Teresa Alfeld

    Cassidy Waring and Teresa Alfeld discuss their experiencescreating a documentary exploring family relationships, mental health, addiction, and the lasting impact of a traumatic family tragedy. Hearse Chasing will premiere on May 13th, 2026 on TELUS Optik TV Video on Demand channel 8 and TELUS Stream+. Simultaneously, the film will premiere on the TELUS originals YouTube channel at 7:00pm PT / 8:00pm MT on the same day and be available until May 31, 2026, in honour of Mental Health Awareness Month. HEARSE CHASING follows Cassidy Waring, a Vancouver-based singer-songwriter, as she returns to her hometown of Calgary with her brother Cooper to confront the unresolved family tragedy that shaped their lives. What begins as an attempt to better understand their mother’s death gradually gives way to a deeper reckoning, as long-buried memoriessurface and new questions emerge.  CASSIDY WARING is a queer Vancouver-based artist whotransforms her struggles into raw, indie folk songs that resonate with uncompromising honesty, sharp wit, and vivid storytelling. Growing up in suburban Calgary in the 90s, in what was initially a happy and stable household, a chain of events suddenly cracked the family’s foundation, and addiction, abuse, and violence erupted leading to an unthinkable tragedy. Years later, and well into her music career, Cassidy pursues therapy, receiving a diagnosis of Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD), and begins to unpack what happened within her family. TERESA ALFELD (she/her) is an award-winning documentary and dramatic writer/director from Vancouver, living and working on the unceded Coast Salish territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh nations. She is a member of the Director’s Guild of Canada and DOC Canada.  Feature directing credits include the documentaries DOUG AND THE SLUGS AND ME (CBC 2022, winner of the Audience Choice award at ALFF 2023, nominated for one CSA, four Leos, and two VCFC awards), and THE RANKIN FILE:LEGACY OF A RADICAL (Opening Night Selection at DOXA 2018, Knowledge Network premiere 2019). Recent mid-length and short film directing credits includethe Telus originals documentary HEARSE CHASING (CUFF Docs 2025), the Leo Award nominated Crazy 8s comedy drama TOE PICK (Vancouver International Youth FilmFestival Opening Night Selection 2025 and Best Actress Award winner), the short comedy drama BOSSBABE (Audience Choice Award Runner Up at Cinema Spectacular2023), the short comedy DAVID FOSTER’S EGGGPAA starring David Foster and Katharine McPhee (NFB Commission, 2022), and the short documentary JEAN SWANSON: WE NEED A NEW MAP (Crave, 2022). Artsy Raven links: For more about The Artsy Raven Podcast or to join ourexclusive Artsy Raven club to receive free books and other cool stuff, visit: https://artsyraven.com/ If you really like this show, please feel free to send us a digital tip https://ko-fi.com/jfgarrard Patreon subscribers remember to access your bonus content for each episode: https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard

    21 min
  5. Ep140A Writing Turtles, TV, and Beyond with Matthew J. Gilbert

    MAY 15

    Ep140A Writing Turtles, TV, and Beyond with Matthew J. Gilbert

    Matthew J. Gilbert shares how he landed a sought-afterNickelodeon job, got involved in writing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles books, and what keeps him motivated after more than forty books.  Matthew J. Gilbert is the author of more than forty books, including his latest, The New Norm! Besides coauthoring the award-nominated Classroom 13 series, he has writtenbooks for some of the world’s most beloved properties including Stranger Things, Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, TRON, and more. Under the pen name Jordan Quinn, Matthew is the writer for the Dragon Kingdom of Wrenly graphic novel series. Before becoming an author, Matthew was an award-winning TV writer for Nickelodeon, working in creative advertising for big Hollywood movies…all from a tiny cubicle in New York City. He currently lives in far-too-sunny California with his wife and loyal cat sidekick. In this episode, Matthew reads from The New Norm. Book link: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-New-Norm/Matthew-J-Gilbert/The-New-Norm/9798347103393 Author website: https://www.mattgilbertwrites.com. Artsy Raven links: For more about The Artsy Raven Podcast or to join ourexclusive Artsy Raven club to receive free books and other cool stuff, visit: https://artsyraven.com/ If you really like this show, please feel free to send us a digital tip https://ko-fi.com/jfgarrard Patreon subscribers remember to access your bonus content for each episode: https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard

    28 min
  6. Ep140 Exploring Family, Fear, and Fiction with Rea Frey

    MAY 15

    Ep140 Exploring Family, Fear, and Fiction with Rea Frey

    Rea Frey discusses her journey to becoming an author, howmotherhood inspired her latest thriller Dear Mother, and offers advice to writers while exploring the dark, complex ties between family and identity. Rea Frey is the #1 bestselling author of several suspense, women's fiction, and nonfiction books. Known as a "bookdoula," she also helps other authors birth their books into the world. In this episode, Rea reads from Dear Mother. Author website: www.reafrey.com. Artsy Raven links: For more about The Artsy Raven Podcast or to join ourexclusive Artsy Raven club to receive free books and other cool stuff, visit: https://artsyraven.com/ If you really like this show, please feel free to send us a digital tip https://ko-fi.com/jfgarrard Patreon subscribers remember to access your bonus content for each episode: https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard

    35 min
  7. Ep139 From Hardship to Powerful Fiction with Nora Gold

    MAY 8

    Ep139 From Hardship to Powerful Fiction with Nora Gold

    Nora Gold reflects on how her path to becoming a writer proved more challenging than her academic career, explains why she founded the literary journal Jewish Fiction, and shares how her experiences in social work inspired her novella Doubles, about a girl in an institution in 1968. Nora Gold is the prize-winning author of five books and the recipient of multiple awards, including a Canadian Jewish Literary Award, a Vine Canadian Jewish Book Award, and a Canada Council translation grant. Her writing has been praised by Cynthia Ozick, Alice Munro, and Publishers Weekly, and has received international acclaim, including from the New York Times Wirecutter, Los Angeles Review of Books, and Hadassah Magazine. A former professor, Gold is also the founder and editor of the prestigious literary journal Jewish Fiction (www.jewishfiction.com), which has published 650 stories originally written in 23 languages. She’s appeared on podcasts in Canada, USA, Spain, India, and Australia, and has over 100,000 followers on LinkedIn. For more details about her, visit noragold.com In this episode, Nora reads from Doubles. Book link: https://guernicaeditions.com/products/doubles Artsy Raven links:For more about The Artsy Raven Podcast or to join our exclusive Artsy Raven club to receive free books and other cool stuff, visit: https://artsyraven.com/ If you really like this show, please feel free to send us a digital tip https://ko-fi.com/jfgarrard Patreon subscribers remember to access your bonus content for each episode: https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard

    34 min
  8. Ep138 Turning History into Compelling Fiction with K. R. Wilson

    MAY 1

    Ep138 Turning History into Compelling Fiction with K. R. Wilson

    K. R. Wilson discusses the inspiration behind his historicalfiction, how a writing contest launched his career, and why the editing process is something writers should truly savour. K. R. Wilson is a Toronto-area writer. His novel An IdeaAbout my Dead Uncle won the inaugural Guernica Prize in 2018, and his novel Call Me Stan was long-listed for the 2022 Leacock Medal. His follow-up novel Stan on Guard will be published by Guernica Editions in 2026 and his SF-noir Tendrils by Palimpsest Press in 2027. His work has appearedin various literary journals and the flash fiction anthologies This Will Only Take a Minute (Guernica Editions) and Sticks and Stones (Chicken House Press). He can be found at www.krwilson.ca and on social media at @krwbooks. In this episode, Kevin reads from Stan on Guard. Book link: https://guernicaeditions.com/products/stan-on-guard Artsy Raven links: For more about The Artsy Raven Podcast or to join ourexclusive Artsy Raven club to receive free books and other cool stuff, visit: https://artsyraven.com/ If you really like this show, please feel free to send us a digital tip https://ko-fi.com/jfgarrard Patreon subscribers remember to access your bonus content for each episode: https://www.patreon.com/jfgarrard

    29 min
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About

JF Garrard (writer, editor and publisher) has frank conversations with writers, editors, publishers, artists, actors, directors and other art professionals about what inspires them to create and what led to their success. Writers on the podcast will showcase their work by reading from their book. Main Artsy Raven website with access to 100+ episodes: https://artsyraven.com/ Artsy Raven merch: https://darkhelixpress.com/merchandise The Artsy Raven is on Feed Spot’s list of Top 60 Literature Podcasts & Top 10 Canadian Literature Podcasts on the web.

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