Ramblings From the Little Shed

Holly B.
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Arts
  • Updated Weekly

Where pets and creativity curl up together. 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. Wool, Wilderness & Whimsy: A Conversation with Emily Gardner of the Flannel Couch

    1d ago

    Wool, Wilderness & Whimsy: A Conversation with Emily Gardner of the Flannel Couch

    Episode Summary Holly and Rogan sit down with Emily Gardner, the talented, wool-obsessed artist behind The Flannel Couch, to explore how a lifetime spent in the forests of Northern Ontario shaped her unique needle-felting practice, her whimsical animal creations, and an upcoming book that’s been quietly brewing at the back of her studio.   About Emily Gardner •       Needle felting artist and founder of The Flannel Couch brand •       Background in photography, corporate leadership, sewing, and textile arts •       Self-described Aquarius with too many ideas — and proud of it   Key Takeaways •       Art that flows from lived experience resonates more deeply than work copied from references •       Meditative creative practices (felting, writing, photography) are a form of accessible mental wellness •       Small Northern Ontario communities deserve and respond to creative arts programming •       Authenticity over perfection: embrace the happy accidents   Where you can find Emily The Flannel Couch https://www.instagram.com/theflannelcouch/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075888466818

    37 min
  2. A Little Birdie Told Me: Joy Is The Strategy

    6d ago

    A Little Birdie Told Me: Joy Is The Strategy

    Episode Summary What do theme parks, a Jack Russell mix named Birtie, and a drag queen career have in common? They're all part of Ryan Allen's wildly creative worldview — and this episode is packed with all of it. Ryan is the founder of Little Birdie Consulting, and he brings 20 years of live experience design from Disney, Holland America Line, and Carowinds to a surprisingly simple thesis: the best leaders aren't managers; they're hosts. In this conversation, he and Holly wander through dog DNA tests, the secret power of a chief cuteness officer, why creativity has nothing to do with painting, and why asking Chef Priscilla for mac and cheese might be the greatest leadership move of all time. What We Cover·       Meet Birdie — Ryan's rescue Jack Russell/pit mix, chief cuteness officer, and the heart behind the Little Birdie brand. (Yes, she crashes the recording. Yes, it's adorable.) ·       From theme parks to consulting — How 20 years at Disney, Holland America Line, and Carowinds shaped Ryan's approach to guest experience — and why he's now bringing those lessons to law firms, accounting offices, and chambers of commerce. ·       The State Line Celebration — One of Ryan's proudest creative producer moments: an entire event built around a theme park that literally straddles two states. ·       Everyone is creative — Ryan's passionate case for why creativity isn't just painting and drawing. The accountant obsessing over spreadsheets? Creative. The warehouse manager who reinvents logistics? Also creative. ·       Leaders as hosts — Why the best executive Ryan ever worked for was eating lunch in the employee cafeteria with frontline ride operators — and what that means for anyone who manages people. ·       The joy revolution — Both Holly and Ryan get real about the trap of chasing social media metrics, and why coming back to why you started is the only reset that actually works. Resources & Links·       🌐 Little Birdie Consulting: littlebirdieconsulting.com ·       🎙️ The Little Birdie Podcast — one word per episode, rooted in leadership, hospitality, and creativity Keep the Conversation GoingIf this episode gave you a little push to say the C-word (creative), walk the park with someone instead of sending an email, or just smile at a dog photo on LinkedIn — Ryan would consider that a win. Follow Ryan on social media and catch Birdie's weekly memo. And if you're a chamber of commerce, a theme park, or honestly anyone who interacts with other humans — give Little Birdie Consulting a look.

    41 min
  3. Woofing, Walking, and Pickled Cherry Tomatoes

    Jun 1

    Woofing, Walking, and Pickled Cherry Tomatoes

    Episode SummaryThis week Rogan and Holly B. stagger back from 80 kms on the Bruce Trail — blistered, ticked, and somehow already planning to do it all again. They decompress over electrolytes, pickled cherry tomatoes, and the eternal question of summer flannel. Plus: a frank conversation about renting in expensive cities, spite as self-advocacy, and why Wednesday puns are a sacred work ritual.

    21 min
  4. Flesh Babies, Fur Babies & A Filing Cabinet Full of What-Ifs

    May 31

    Flesh Babies, Fur Babies & A Filing Cabinet Full of What-Ifs

    Episode Summary Holly chats with author J.M. Shaw as they cover a range of topics including weather, pet influence on creativity, writing process, and emotional connection to movies. Jennifer's love for writing and creativity is evident throughout the conversation, and the influence of her dog, Glamour, on her creative process is a key theme.   J. M. Shaw is a Canadian author of fantasy fiction who lives in Alberta with her husband and two young children. She’s been writing since childhood, building worlds from raw imagination and quiet observation, but it took years before she found the courage to share them. For Shaw, storytelling has always been more than a passion. It’s a compass. A sanctuary. A way to make sense of the chaos. Episode Highlights ·       Love for writing and creativity ·       Influence of pets on creativity Self-care and relaxation for writers ·       Navigating the challenges of self-publishing ·       The process of editing and re-releasing books Where to find J.M. Shaw’s work www.jmshawauthor.com https://www.facebook.com/jmshawauthor https://www.instagram.com/jmshaw_author

    39 min
  5. Singing While You Work: How Wild Things Feed a Writer's Soul

    May 25

    Singing While You Work: How Wild Things Feed a Writer's Soul

    Episode SummaryHost Holly B. sits down with author and collage artist Carrie Birde — yes, Birde — for a warm conversation about catbirds, collage, and why letting go of fear made her book better. Carrie is a poet, fiction writer, artist, photographer, and author of the debut novel, “A Small Tale of Uncommon Grace”. She is a voracious reader of a wide range of genres, with a particular interest in mythology, folk tales, and fairy tales. Like many of the women in those stories, she has friendships extending beyond the boundaries of species, among these several generations of Gray Catbirds, a kerfuffle of Eastern Chipmunks, a squad of Blue Jays, a singing Calico Cat, and a small, brown, Fey creature currently disguised as a dog.   Episode Highlights•            The catbird that started it all For ten years, a gray catbird with a distinctive missing stripe of feathers returned to Carrie's yard every spring. He waited patiently for raisins, followed her around the garden, and eventually brought his family to meet them. He directly inspired the central bird character in Carrie's novel. •            Olaf the Norway maple An 85-year-old tree in Carrie's backyard — struck by lightning, healed over, and still growing for 15 more years — had to be taken down. Carrie named him, loved him, and grieved him. His replacement, a Dawn Redwood named Eos, is now putting down roots. •            Animals don't have agendas Carrie reflects on why she has always found animals easier to trust than people: they are honest, transparent, and completely free of hidden expectations. Either they want food or love, or they don't. •            Collage as calm When drawing became difficult after an arm injury, Carrie turned to collage using recycled and repurposed materials. The practice of keeping her hands busy quiets the spiralling thoughts of anxiety — a form of creative self-management. •            Writing from fear vs. writing from truth Carrie's novel improved dramatically once she stopped emotionally distancing herself from the work. Trusted author friends helped her reconnect with the story's core, and the result was a book that is more fully her own voice. Connect with Carrie Birde here Website carriebirde.com/blog Instagram @carriebirde

    35 min
  6. Derpy dogs, living starters, and the art of leaving things unfinished

    May 22

    Derpy dogs, living starters, and the art of leaving things unfinished

    Episode summaryHolly surprises Rogan with his best friend, Maryanne, and things immediately spiral into a deeply charming conversation about a 10-pound Shih Tzu-cockapoo mix with an underbite, the philosophy of unfinished projects, sourdough starter feeding schedules, vinyl records, and whether Kraft Dinner ketchup is civilized behaviour. Surprisingly therapeutic. Also, yeast is alive, and that’s terrifying. Topics covered•       Sombra the dog — origin story, the Uber ride home, floor-time naps •       Bless Their Yap — Maryanne’s new podcast (YouTube & Spotify) •       Knitting, sourdough, and cyclical hobbies •       ADHD and the art of leaving things unfinished •       Spend now vs. save for later — FOMO, hustle culture, social media pressure •       Vinyl records — Blue Neighbourhood by Troye Sivan •       The Cheez Whiz debate — and Kraft Dinner ketchup: a generational divide Engagement promptThis week’s comment question: Cheez Whiz — yay or nay? Drop your answer wherever you’re listening. Bonus points for Kraft Dinner ketchup opinions. Sign-offThat’s a wrap, folks — stay derpy, feed your starters, and we’ll yap at you next time.

    46 min
  7. HowlFest & Heart Dogs - On Love, Loss, But Mostly Love

    May 19

    HowlFest & Heart Dogs - On Love, Loss, But Mostly Love

    Episode Summary What happens when grief, love letters, and a frozen pizza-stealing dog collide? You get Dear Hobie: Letters to My Heart Dog — a memoir unlike any other. This week, Holly and Rogan welcome Kathy Mandell, a former travel industry executive turned memoirist, who spent a decade quietly sitting on the most heartfelt book she never planned to publish. From the chaos of Holly being dragged down the street by two enormous dogs, to the daily ritual of HowlFest (yes, it's exactly what it sounds like), to uncovering over 1,000 WWII love letters her father wrote to her mother — Kathy's conversation overflows with warmth, wit, and the particular ache of loving animals with your whole heart. Meet the Pets Tux — 16-year-old cat who dresses better than most of us (tuxedo markings, bow tie, spats — the full look)Charlie Brown — 14-year-old hound dog, the big gentle onePetey — 10-year-old Chihuahua/Dachshund mix, Kathy's "little buddy," daily Substack muse, and apparent podcast critic (he moaned audibly every time Hobie came up) What We Talked About The book that almost wasn't: Kathy began writing letters to her dog Hobie during his final year, continued after his passing as therapy, uploaded the manuscript to Amazon in 2023... then quickly took it down. It sat for a decade until her husband spotted it over her shoulder. HowlFest — the daily morning howling ritual Petey and Charlie perform with Kathy's husband. If he's late, they start without him. Traveling with dogs: Kathy's three-week cross-country road trip (South Carolina → Arizona → back) with two dogs, zero pet-related obstacles, and a van that wasn't quite big enough. An RV is incoming. Pet grief and the Facebook group: Kathy took a course with the Association of Pet Loss and Bereavement and now offers comfort to grieving pet owners online. Her message: "It doesn't get easier — it gets less. You learn to live around it." Her father's 1,000+ WWII love letters: Found in a closet after her parents passed. Her dad wrote to her mom every single day for nearly four years while serving in Europe under General Patton. Kathy typed them all out — in cursive, bad handwriting and all — and published several volumes. A Substack series may be on the horizon. The second memoir: Kathy is currently drafting a memoir about her 20+ years in the travel industry. She wrote 80,000 raw words during a January memoir writing sprint (think NaNoWriMo, but for nonfiction lovers). How to Connect With Kathy 📖 Book: Dear Hobie: Letters to My Heart Dog — available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, and Google Books✍️ Substack: Traveling Dog Lady🐕 Daily content: Follow #DailyDogLady for your regular Petey fix Ramblings From The Little Shed is a podcast about the profound ways animals influence and inspire our creative lives. New episodes drop regularly — find us wherever you listen. Want to be a guest on a podcast or maybe you'd like to find a guest - Look no further - PodMatch has you covered.

    39 min
  8. Labracadabra Dogs, Frauds & Fly Me to the Moon

    May 15

    Labracadabra Dogs, Frauds & Fly Me to the Moon

    Episode Summary In this candid and laugh-out-loud episode of Ramblings From the Little Shed, Rogan and Holly B. catch up on a month’s worth of life — from a bizarre bank fraud incident and a missed CN Tower climb to a surprisingly emotional Tony Bennett moment and an exciting upcoming guest reveal. If you love real, unfiltered conversations about everyday life, family dynamics, music, and adventure planning, this one’s for you. What We Cover in This Episode The CN Tower climb that didn’t happen — and why it’s rescheduled for fallRogan’s bank fraud saga — a misplaced cheque, a nosebleed, and two hours at the bankThe Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga moment that made Rogan cry while cookingHolly’s thrift store win — a pink plaid jacket for an unbelievably good dealUpcoming Bruce Trail hike — 80 km of pain, pride, and content creationPaul Pape & Gamify — a sneak peek at an incredible upcoming guestSombra the dog — the fur niece who hides from the word “walk”Subscriber milestone goals — and what Rogan will do at 100K (hint: it involves his hair) Coming Up 🥾 Bruce Trail Hike — happening in a couple of weeks. Expect trail content, aching feet, and a very dramatic before/after video.🏙️ Toronto Dog Moms Show — Holly will be there with her book and merchandise.🎙️ Paul Pape (Gamify) Episode — dropping in the next few weeks. Do not miss it.🗼 CN Tower Climb — rescheduled for November. Holly is confident. Rogan is competitive. Neither will back down. Resources & Links Mentioned Holly’s Book — Available at upcoming vendor shows including the Toronto Dog Moms ShowBruce Trail — brucetrail.orgCN Tower EdgeWalk/Climb — cntower.ca Connect With Us 📺 YouTube: Rambling From The Little Shed📸 Instagram: @rambling_from_the_little_shed💬 Leave a comment: Do you procrastinate important things? (Rogan does. He still hasn’t booked his flight.) Subscribe & Support We’re at 18 subscribers, and our goal is 20. Yes, 20. It’s an achievable dream, and we’re going for it. Hit subscribe, leave a comment, and tell us: what should Rogan’s hair milestone actually be? “As always, thank you so much for watching. Like, subscribe, comment — all that fun jazz.” — Rogan

    22 min
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Where pets and creativity curl up together. 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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