Culture Junkie

Culture Junkie
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Society & Culture

Culture Junkie is a creative business solutions agency that helps organizations bridge the gap between where they are today and where they want to be tomorrow. Listen us as we explore the unique journeys and experiences that shape the diverse world of art, media and technology. Tune in to be inspired by the tales of creativity and ambition in the pursuit of storytelling. Join our Patreon for more exclusive content Culture Junkie | Patreon Follow along on social media on our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@CultureJunkieCa or visit our website www.culturejunkie.ca to submit questions, business inquiries, ideas or even petition to be on the podcast!

  1. 4d ago

    Episode 64: From Degrassi to Schitt's Creek The Man Behind the Scenes Mark Pancer.

    Keith is back on his feet after a bout of sciatica and back behind the mic for a special conversation with someone he's known for more than 45 years — Toronto filmmaker and First Assistant Director Mark Pancer. With an impressive career spanning iconic Canadian television, independent films and major productions, Mark has worked behind the scenes on Degrassi, Schitt's Creek, Boston Blue and The Marijuana Conspiracy. But what does it really take to keep a film or television production moving? From the early days of Much Music videos and location managing to orchestrating complex shoots, Mark takes us inside the fast-paced world of the First AD — the person responsible for keeping the set running, the schedule on track and the director's vision alive. Along the way, we get fascinating stories from the set, including filming 2,000 feet underground in a gold mine, navigating productions during COVID, and a close call involving an explosion on *Boston Blue*. We also explore the changing landscape of filmmaking: virtual production, streaming, the challenges facing Canadian productions, the growing role of AI and why, despite all the technology, authenticity and the human touch still matter. It's an entertaining, insightful look at the people, pressure and creativity behind the productions we love — and a chance to catch up with an old friend who's spent decades helping bring stories to life. And stick around to the end… there's still the important question of who's buying dinner! Join Keith and Mark for a candid conversation about filmmaking, friendship, creativity and the ever-evolving business of bringing stories to the screen. 🔗 WATCH, LISTEN & CONNECT 🎙️ Culture Junkie Podcast ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CultureJunkieCa 🌐 Website: https://www.culturejunkie.ca/ 🎧 Listen to the Podcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4dsQG4GE7VcrttG4J9AiwC Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/culture-junkie/id1839017346 iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-culture-junkie-320621269/ 💬 Join the Culture Junkie Community Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/CultureJunkie 🎬 Explore Mark Pancer's Filmography Plex: https://watch.plex.tv/en-GB/person/mark-pancer-1 Film credits and production history: https://jephmann.com/movies/name.php?id=2732357 If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, share and leave a comment. It helps support independent Canadian creators and keeps these conversations going!

  2. Oct 28

    Episode 63: Halloween, Fall Movies & the Future of Filmmaking!

    This week on the Culture Junkie Podcast, Xandra Grayson flies solo while Keith recovers from sciatica. And with Halloween just around the corner, she has plenty to talk about! From Halloween costumes and the changing seasons to the annual frustration of turning the clocks back, Xandra shares why she loves this time of year—and why she thinks the time change has got to go! 🎬 Inside SP Studios: Where Film Meets the Future Xandra also takes us behind the scenes at SP Studios in Mississauga, a virtual production facility run by her longtime friend John. With a massive LED wall, robotic camera arms, and AI-assisted post-production, the studio offers a fascinating glimpse into how technology is changing the way movies and television are made. But is AI here to replace filmmakers, or can it help them do more? Xandra explores why she sees these new tools as an evolution of filmmaking—not an erasure of the creativity, craft, and history that came before. 🍂 What's on Xandra's Fall Watchlist? If you're looking for something to watch as the evenings get darker, Xandra recommends Lars and the Real Girl (2006), a quirky, heartfelt film shot in Southern Ontario that's perfect for a cozy fall movie night. And with Halloween weekend approaching, she's also planning to experience the cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show. 🎥 Coming Up Next Week Keith and Xandra welcome Mark Pancer, an assistant director working in Toronto's film and television industry. Get ready for a conversation about the people and creative work behind the productions we love. 💬 Join the Conversation! What's your favourite fall movie? Are you dressing up for Halloween this year? Do you think AI will enhance filmmaking or change it beyond recognition? And seriously, should we finally stop changing the clocks? Drop your thoughts in the comments! 👍 Like this episode, subscribe to the Culture Junkie channel, and hit the notification bell so you don't miss what's next. And if you're looking for Halloween costume inspiration, you've come to the right place! 🔗 Explore SP Studios: Find the links in the video description or our bio. https://www.spstudios.ca/ Culture Junkie — Guiding tomorrow's vision today, with creative business solutions. #CultureJunkie #CultureJunkiePodcast #Halloween #SPStudios #VirtualProduction #ArtificialIntelligence #FutureOfFilmmaking #TorontoFilm #CanadianFilm #FallMovies #LarsAndTheRealGirl #RockyHorrorPictureShow #HalloweenCostumes #FilmAndTV #Mississauga

  3. Oct 21

    Episode 62: Politics, Protest & Power Who’s Really Listening?

    What does it take to get people out of their seats and into the streets? And what happens when politicians, institutions, and big tech stop listening to the people they’re supposed to serve? On this episode of **The Culture Junkie Podcast**, Keith and Xandra tackle the collision of politics, protest, technology, and public accountability. From Alberta’s referendum and Belleville’s municipal election to controversial data centre developments and the changing face of political resistance, this is a conversation about who holds the power — and what happens when ordinary people decide to push back. The discussion starts close to home, examining local political engagement, campaign transparency, and the importance of showing up for voters. Are candidates making genuine connections with their communities, or are they relying on outdated websites, campaign flyers, and political theatre? Then the conversation goes global. Google’s data centre controversy in Finland and Kevin O’Leary’s proposed Utah data centre plans raise important questions about environmental responsibility, land rights, corporate influence, and the power of big tech to reshape communities. Keith and Xandra also explore how protest culture differs across North America, Quebec, France, and Finland — and why music, poetry, humour, and even ridiculous costumes can become powerful tools of political resistance. From journalism versus opinion to social media accountability, free speech, and the original meaning of being “woke,” this episode challenges listeners to look beyond the headlines and ask some uncomfortable questions. Because democracy isn’t just about casting a ballot. It’s about paying attention, asking questions, and showing up before someone else makes the decisions for you. IN THIS EPISODE Alberta’s Referendum:** Political theatre, public engagement, and the cost of asking the public to weigh in. The Global Protest Movement:** Comparing activism and public demonstrations across North America, Quebec, France, and Finland. 💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION Are political protests still an effective way to create change? Should communities have more control over the data centres and technology infrastructure being built in their backyards? And when it comes to local politics, are candidates doing enough to earn your trust? Let us know what you think in the comments. We want to hear your perspective. 👍 Like this episode if you believe accountability matters. 🔔 Subscribe to Culture Junkie for conversations about culture, technology, business, politics, and the ideas shaping our future. 📲 Share this episode with someone who believes their voice should count. 🔗 FOLLOW CULTURE JUNKIE 🌐 Website: https://culturejunkie.ca ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@culturejunkieca 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/search/Culture%20Junkie 🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/search?term=Culture%20Junkie 🎧 iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/search/?q=Culture%20Junkie Follow us, join the conversation, and help us build a community that values curiosity, critical thinking, and independent perspectives. Culture Junkie — Guiding tomorrow’s vision today, with creative business solutions. #CultureJunkie #politics #politicalprotest #accountability #bigtech #canadianpolitics #localpolitics #freedomofspeech #DigitalAccountability #datacenters #politicalcommentary #democracy #socialissues #podcast #CultureJunkiePodcast

  4. Oct 14

    Episode 61: Bots and Surveillance Quietly Shape What We Believe

    What if the biggest threat to the internet isn’t the bots manipulating it—but the people who believe what they see? In Episode 61 of the Culture Junkie Podcast, Keith and Xandra explore the increasingly blurred line between reality and manipulation in our digital world. From bot traffic and Russian data centres to surveillance, AI-generated misinformation, and the modern information war, this episode examines how online narratives are created, amplified, and used to influence public opinion. Social media platforms can make manufactured outrage look like a groundswell of public opinion. Repeated claims can start to feel like facts. And as artificial intelligence makes it easier to generate convincing content at scale, separating authentic conversations from coordinated manipulation becomes an even greater challenge. But the conversation goes beyond bots and misinformation. Keith also examines the difference between hacking and phishing, the unsettling ways our phones and personal data can reveal information about us, and the vulnerabilities hidden beneath the internet services we rely on every day. From internet outages and digital infrastructure to genealogy, cashless payments, and personal privacy, this episode asks some important questions: Who controls the systems we depend on? Who benefits from the information we consume? And how much of our digital world do we really understand? The internet connects us like never before—but understanding how it works, who influences it, and when to question what we see has never been more important. 🎧 Listen, think critically, and join the conversation. JOIN THE CULTURE JUNKIE COMMUNITY Culture Junkie explores the people, ideas, technology, and cultural shifts shaping tomorrow. Join Keith and Xandra for conversations that challenge assumptions, uncover new perspectives, and encourage a more thoughtful approach to the world around us. If you enjoy the conversation, like, subscribe, share, and leave a comment. What concerns you most about bots, misinformation, and digital surveillance? Guiding tomorrow’s vision today, with creative business solutions. LISTEN & CONNECT 🌐 Culture Junkie Website: https://culturejunkie.ca ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CultureJunkieCa 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4dsQG4GE7VcrttG4J9AiwC 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/culture-junkie/id1839017346 📻 iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-culture-junkie-320621269/ 💬 Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/CultureJunkie HASHTAGS #CultureJunkie #CultureJunkiePodcast #disinformation #Misinformation #artificialintelligence #AIMisinformation #SocialMedia #InternetCulture #Cybersecurity #digitalprivacy #DataPrivacy #OnlineSurveillance #MediaLiteracy #DigitalManipulation #BotTraffic #InformationWarfare #CriticalThinking #Technology #digitalworld #canadianpodcast #podcast

  5. Oct 7

    Episode 60: Tech Billionaires Keep Hitting The Class Ceiling

    When Tech Buys Culture: Sam Altman, Vanity Fair & the New Status Game What happens when the people who built the internet start buying the institutions that once decided what was culturally important? Vanity Fair putting OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on its cover might look like just another celebrity-tech moment. But Keith and Xandra think there’s something much bigger going on. In this episode of the **Culture Junkie Podcast**, they unpack the increasingly strange relationship between **Silicon Valley money, legacy media, celebrity culture, and cultural legitimacy**—and ask whether wealth and influence can actually buy something money has never been very good at purchasing: **class, credibility, and respect.** The conversation moves from **Sam Altman and OpenAI** to **Vanity Fair, the Met Gala, old money vs. new money, the Kennedys, *Titanic*, and *The Gilded Age***, exploring the increasingly obvious divide between having enormous financial power and actually being accepted as part of the cultural establishment. And then things get even more interesting. As technology companies and billionaires increasingly acquire, influence, or reshape the institutions that control our information, what happens to the idea of an independent media? Newspapers, magazines, television, and other legacy platforms may be losing their economic value—but their cultural influence remains powerful enough that the people who disrupted them now seem determined to own them. In this episode: Sam Altman, OpenAI & Vanity Fair:** When does a media profile stop feeling like journalism and start feeling like influence marketing? The “class ceiling”: Why can enormous wealth still leave tech elites outside the cultural establishment? The next media power shift:** If everyone is competing to own the channels of attention, who—or what—is left that can't simply be bought? Ultimately, Keith and Xandra zoom out from the headlines to ask a much bigger question: If the people with the most money are buying the platforms, publications, and cultural institutions that shape what we see, who gets to decide what culture actually means?** It's a sharp, funny, occasionally cynical—and increasingly concerned—conversation about technology, journalism, wealth, status, pop culture, media ownership, and the future of how we consume information. If you follow **tech, AI, journalism, pop culture, media, celebrity culture, or the strange intersection of money and status**, this one's for you. Listen & Follow Culture Junkie 🎙️ **Culture Junkie Podcast** [Culture Junkie on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@culturejunkieca?utm_source=chatgpt.com) 🎧 **Spotify** [Listen on Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) 🍎 **Apple Podcasts** [Listen on Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) 🌐 **Culture Junkie** [Visit CultureJunkie.ca](https://culturejunkie.ca/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Follow the conversation If you enjoyed the episode, **subscribe, follow, like, and share it**. And tell us what you think: Can money buy cultural legitimacy—or is there still a class ceiling that even Silicon Valley can't break through?** #CultureJunkie #CultureJunkiePodcast #samaltman #OpenAI #vanityfair #AI #techculture #SiliconValley #media #mediaownership #Journalism #PopCulture #oldmoney #newmoney #metgala #thegildedage #titanic #technology #digitalmedia #legacymedia #MediaConsolidation #CulturalPower

  6. Sep 30

    Episode 59: AI Agents, Social Media & the New Battle for Your Attention

    Meta AI’s newest moves raise a bigger question: **Who really controls your online experience — you, or the platforms you use?** In this episode of the **Culture Junkie Podcast**, Keith and Xandra take a closer look at the evolving social media landscape as AI becomes increasingly embedded in the platforms we use every day. From Meta AI and the new **Muse** rollout to Threads, Bluesky, and Canadian-friendly alternatives like Gander Social, we explore why social networks are becoming increasingly automated, unpredictable — and sometimes strangely disconnected from the people who actually use them. We discuss: • Why billionaires keep buying platforms, media outlets and digital tools • How friendly, "cute" AI interfaces can make privacy concerns feel harmless • The growing problem of AI-generated marketing, fake personas and synthetic engagement • Why authenticity and trust are becoming increasingly valuable online • What media literacy means when even established platforms constantly change • How to recognize when a brand's online presence feels authentic — versus engineered to extract attention • Why marketers and businesses need to think beyond traditional social media • The growing role of AI agents in how we search, discover and interact online Keith brings the perspective of a longtime online marketer who has watched platforms rise, evolve and sometimes quietly turn against the communities that helped build them. Xandra pushes the conversation toward the human side of the equation: **What does authenticity actually mean when your feed may contain more synthetic content than human connection?** The issue isn't simply whether AI is "good" or "bad." It's whether we're still asking questions about **who built the system, what it wants, what it's collecting — and why it's showing us what we're seeing.** For creators, marketers, business owners and anyone trying to navigate the modern internet, this conversation is about more than social media. It's about **trust.** 🎙️ About Culture Junkie Culture Junkie explores the intersection of **culture, technology, creativity, business and the changing digital world** — with conversations that don't always follow the algorithm. Subscribe and join Keith & Xandra as they explore what's happening behind the headlines, trends and technologies shaping the way we live. 🌐 **Culture Junkie:** https://culturejunkie.ca ▶️ **YouTube:** https://www.youtube.com/@culturejunkieca 🎙️ **Podcast:** Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other major podcast platforms Follow Culture Junkie #CultureJunkie #CultureJunkiePodcast #ai #ArtificialIntelligence #AIAgents #socialmedia #metaai #Meta #digitalmarketing #marketing #medialiteracy #digitalculture #onlineprivacy #Privacy #SocialMediaMarketing #contentcreators #Creators #AIContent #authenticity #technology #canadiancreators #canada #eh #gandersocial

  7. Sep 23

    Episode 58: Belleville, Ed Sheeran & the AI Threat: What’s Going On?

    This week on the Culture Junkie Podcast, Keith and Xandra dive into three very different — but surprisingly connected — stories shaping the world around us. First, they discuss the Belleville synagogue shooting and the broader questions surrounding violence, community, and the increasingly complicated political climate. Then the conversation turns to politics in music, including the controversy surrounding Ed Sheeran and the question of where artists, politics, and public opinion intersect. When does an artist's political expression become part of their work — and when does it become something else? Finally, Keith sits down with longtime Culture Junkie sponsor Dr. Jim of Dr. Jim's Computer Repair for a deep dive into one of the biggest challenges facing computer users today: AI-powered scams and increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. Phishing isn't what it used to be. AI is making scams more convincing, spyware more difficult to detect, and even seemingly legitimate emails, messages and websites harder to trust. Keith and Dr. Jim discuss what has changed, what users should be watching for, and how everyday people can better protect themselves in an increasingly AI-driven digital world. In this episode: • The Belleville synagogue shooting and the issues surrounding it • Politics, music and the Ed Sheeran controversy • How AI is changing phishing and online scams • The growing threat of spyware • Why traditional cybersecurity habits may no longer be enough • Practical advice for protecting yourself in the age of AI It's another wide-ranging Culture Junkie conversation about what's happening, why it matters, and what comes next. 🎙️ Subscribe to Culture Junkie for conversations about culture, technology, creativity, politics, business and the strange world we're living in. #CultureJunkie #podcast #ai #cybersecurity #Phishing #spyware #EdSheeran #belleville #technology #DrJimsComputerRepair #digitalsecurity #canadianpodcast

  8. Sep 16

    Episode 57: Politics and other Nonsense. Politics, Pop Culture & What’s Happening in Our Backyard

    This week, Xandra and Keith catch up on the stories, conversations and happenings that have been grabbing their attention — from pop culture and the latest media buzz to the increasingly interesting world of local politics. One of the big topics is the upcoming Elizabeth Holmes documentary ***You Can See Everything***, the new A24 documentary from Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim. The film takes an unusual look at Holmes and the final period before she began her prison sentence, giving us plenty to talk about when it comes to fame, ambition, technology, storytelling and the way we build — and sometimes destroy — public personas. We then turn our attention closer to home as the 2026 Ontario municipal election season gets underway. Xandra and Keith reflect on the recent Toronto candidates' debate and discuss some of the issues, personalities and questions emerging as communities across Ontario prepare to head to the polls. And for a closer look at what is happening right here in the Bay of Quinte, we sit down for an in-depth conversation with Belleville Town Council candidate Maury Flunder to hear about his perspective on the community, municipal government and the issues facing Belleville. As always, it's a conversation about what's happening around us — without pretending there's only one way to look at it. **In this episode:** 🎙️ The latest Culture Junkie conversations 🎬 You Can See Everything — the new Elizabeth Holmes documentary 💻 Theranos, technology, fame and the documentary's unusual approach 🗳️ The 2026 Ontario municipal election 🏙️ A look back at the Toronto candidates' debate 📍 Belleville municipal politics 🎤 An in-depth interview with Maury Flunder 💬 What actually matters when local politics becomes personal **Useful Links & Further Reading** 🎬 Elizabeth Holmes — You Can See Everything Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim's new documentary is scheduled for theatrical release in October 2026. 🏛️ City of Belleville — Municipal Election Information [City of Belleville](https://www.belleville.ca/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) 🗳️ Belleville 2026 Municipal Election Candidate Information The City of Belleville has published its 2026 municipal candidate information and nomination listings. 📅 2026 Ontario Municipal Election Election Day is Monday, October 26, 2026. 🎥 Previous Elizabeth Holmes Documentary — The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley For anyone wanting to revisit the Theranos story before watching the new documentary. --- **Listen, watch and join the conversation.** Follow Culture Junkie for more conversations about culture, creativity, entertainment, technology, business, politics and the people shaping the world around us.

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About

Culture Junkie is a creative business solutions agency that helps organizations bridge the gap between where they are today and where they want to be tomorrow. Listen us as we explore the unique journeys and experiences that shape the diverse world of art, media and technology. Tune in to be inspired by the tales of creativity and ambition in the pursuit of storytelling. Join our Patreon for more exclusive content Culture Junkie | Patreon Follow along on social media on our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@CultureJunkieCa or visit our website www.culturejunkie.ca to submit questions, business inquiries, ideas or even petition to be on the podcast!

Information

  • Creator
    Culture Junkie
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    64
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Culture Junkie
  • Show Website
    Culture Junkie