Writing Our Religion

Writing Our Religion

Author: Aaron Giovannone February 10, 2025 Duration: 29:56

After progress updates on our writing  Aaron finished his novel manuscript! Naomi had two items of writing-related good news this week! we get real about the writing process. We reflect on how you have to wait forever for everything in the publishing business, and the frustrations of continually seeking external validation. Then we discuss a pet theory Aaron is working on, which considers the writing life as a faith-based activity, at least occassionally. Does writing, especially when it seems no one else cares, rely on a belief that stories have some kind of transcendental value, that you're writing them in service of something larger than yourself? Is it wrong to call this a spiritual or religious impulse? Maybe we're getting a little too big for our britches here. It's just a half-baked notion, but airing half-baked notions is what podcasts are for. Enjoy!

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There's a particular warmth to the conversations on Sweater Weather, hosted by Canadian writers Aaron Giovannone and Naomi K. Lewis. Think of it as the audio equivalent of a long, thoughtful chat on a comfortable couch, where the topic just happens to be the shows, films, and books that shape a national identity. This husband-and-wife duo moves beyond simple reviews, weaving personal reflection with cultural analysis to explore both the iconic and the overlooked in Canadian storytelling. Their discussions are smart and often very funny, finding the cozy heart in everything from beloved CBC classics to under-the-radar indie films and literary gems. Listening feels like being included in a great conversation between two people who genuinely love this stuff, dissecting what makes Canadian pop culture distinct without taking it all too seriously. Whether you have a deep nostalgia for CanCon or are just curious about the stories from north of the 49th parallel, this podcast offers a welcoming, insightful space to reconsider what we watch and read. You'll find yourself noticing new layers in familiar favorites and discovering hidden treasures, all through the lens of two writers who know how to talk about art with both expertise and affection. It’s that specific blend of casual and clever that makes Sweater Weather such a consistent listen.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 61

Sweater Weather
Podcast Episodes
#21—The Kids in the Hall (Full Episode) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:56
In the spirit of the season, we've brought out from behind the paywall our full episode on The Kids in the Hall. Happy holidays, everyone! Support us on Patreon ~~ Inspired by the recently released sixth season of The Ki…
#30—The Hockey Sweater, feat. Maxime Raymond Bock [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Sweater Weather Live! in Calgary, Tues. Nov. 22 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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The first ever live recording of Sweater Weather is happening Tuesday, November 22 at the Rose & Crown Pub in Calgary at 7 pm. Reserve your free tickets here at Eventbrite. We'll be fumbling towards the ecstasy that is t…
#28—The Tom Green Show [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:33
In episode 28, we revisit the antics of shock comic Tom Green. In the early nineties, Green rose to local Ottawa fame with a rap album, a radio show, and a program on public-access television. In 1998, The Tom Green Show…
#27—The Sweet Hereafter, feat. Abdul Malik [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:25
Screenwriter Abdul Malik (Peace by Chocolate, CTV's Transplant) joins us to talk about Atom Egoyan's 1997 film, The Sweet Hereafter, one of Canada's most celebrated movies and the pinnacle of the Toronto New Wave moment.…
#26—Are You Afraid of the Dark? feat. Tasnuva Hayden [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:20
We've got one question for you, Sweater Wearers: Are You Afraid of the Dark? This Montreal-produced kids' horror series aired on YTV in Canada, on Nickelodeon in the US, and on networks around the world—including in Norw…
#25—The Rehearsal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:20
From high school improv with Seth Rogen in Vancouver, to a spot on the CBC classic This Hour Has 22 Minutes, to his Comedy Central series Nathan For You, Nathan Fielder's comedic vision has expanded from silly, semi-crue…
#24—Generation X [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:14
Today we're talking about the novel that named a generation. In 1991, Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture by Vancouver author and visual artist Douglas Coupland became a sleeper hit, an objet d'art that no stu…
#20—Degrassi Junior High (Full Episode) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:34:03
We'll be back with a new episode next week, but in the meantime enjoy this content from behind the paywall, our FULL episode on Degrassi from earlier this summer. --- Aaron and Naomi talk about the classic teen drama Deg…