the dot matrix

Episode 66 - "We have our first guest today"

For Episode 66 (here's the Star Wars reference Justin was talking about), Sean and Justin sat down fairly quickly (at least of late!) since their last podcast to talk taxes. Yes, that's right. Taxes! Their long-time friend Karen, who is a doctor in Vancouver, wondered if they would be interested in having a discussion around the proposed tax changes that the Canadian government is proposing. And so the duo took to the Interwebs to find out more about the issue (like this useful radio interview), and Karen joined them as their first ever podcast guest (first in 10 years!) to take a deeper dive into the issue. Not being tax experts, the three do their best to understand the tax implications, but more importantly to unpack the real life implications to physicians and as well how emotional the language has been throughout the consultation process to date. Case in point, the pretty one-sided tone in which this blog was written. Public consultations continue until October 2, 2017. Finance Canada is receiving responses via fin.consultation.fin@canada.ca

Episode 65 - "What Deserves My Total Outrage?"

Sean and Justin sit down for the first time since March to record their much anticipated 65th episode. As the two tuck into some wine, cheese and crackers they 'cast, and take a page from wine podcasts like Tasting Room Radio. Being with an extended discussion about the Conor Sur Bicicleta Viognier they are drinking, Sean's raving about the Top Drop experience, and Justin's obsession with the Suvla Reserve Syrah 2011. Because it's 2017, the conversation inevitably turns to the political and governmental chaos happening down in the US. At the time of recording this podcast, Donald Trump's non-declarations against racist white supremacists was still top of mind. The conversation then takes related turns towards, a Boston University student who participated in the racist march, a trouble Fifth Estate episode about police in Thunder Bay, an enlightening TEDx video about cycling, and an unrelated final topic about the recent solar eclipse.

Episode 62 - "Do You Hate Trump or Do You Hate the System?"

Sean and Justin sit down in for a podcast pretty quickly after their last one (quickly for them!) and it was good timing given that everyone was talking about Donald Trump becoming the presumptive Republican nominee for President of the United States. Obviously it became the main topic of conversation, but not just to boost listenership! Through the circus that is happening in the US, the two unpack the idea of leadership and the difference between things like value, tactics, demeanour, spirit and tone. A little comparison with Justin Trudeau was inevitable along the way!

Episode 60 - "Only a European Problem? Nope."

Life has a way of zipping by quickly.  And that's no exception for Sean and Justin!  It's been since the end of 2014 that the duo from The Dot Matrix sat down to 'cast.  It was good timing, with so much "democracy" in the air - with election season both in Canada and the US.  After getting warmed up, the two started with the mounting humanitarian crisis of Syrian refugees fleeing the war-torn region - particularly the Canadian government's response.  Even since recording the podcast, there are new developments and criticism.  The conversation then turns to the upcoming Canadian federal election, only a day after the second leaders debate, this one hosted by the Globe and Mail.  Of course, there was some discussion of the Republican leaders debate hosted by CNN, with a surprising close to the podcast talking about last year's tour tax that went along with the Temporary Foreign Worker Program controversy.  A lot of ground to cover in almost a year!

Episode 58 - "So What Are We Drinking?"

This podcast starts with Sean and Justin settling into the microphone with glasses of Le vieux pin and Inniskillin wines in hand.  On their minds were the recent passing of Robin Williams, the #ALSIceBucketChallenge, an interesting discussion about how we build connections to certain causes and issues, and the notion of slacktivism, the events in Ferguson, oh and Peter MacKay and his crazy pro-gun t-shirt.  Sean ends the podcast by sharing an excerpt of a Jim Morrison poem, Far Arden, and why he wanted to share it.  Here's a link to the poem read by Jim himself, and a link to the poem turned into the song "The Ghost Song" by the Doors posthumously.

Episode 57 - “This Is the Most Anti-Climactic Race I’ve Ever Done”

A lot has happened since Justin and Sean sat down to record a podcast.  The episode almost didn't happen, but they managed to squeeze in a podcast right before Sean was to celebrate his birthday.  Apart from turning another year older, Sean also had an adventurous Spring on an European tour with his band Mode Moderne, which he recounted a few tales from the road.  The topic of running and races came up, as well as the duo's support of Ricochet Media, a new independent news organization.  You can still support their IndieGoGo campaign here.  As well, you can support Don Cheadle's Miles Davis IndieGoGo project too. 

Episode 56 - "Two old guys talking about Twitter"

After an unintended hiatus, Sean and Justin are back at it.  To start 2014, the duo discuss their feelings on (yet another) Tonight Show transition, diverge into an interesting conversation about the immediate and long-term forms of journalism and moving to the questionable, but entertaining Pew Institute quiz on how millennial you are.  The two end with an interesting discussion around gender equality (are we there yet?), inspired by a Tegan and Sara performance.

Episode 49 - "Sean Loves Dix"

Inching closer to Episode 50, Sean and Justin were back at it for another podcast.  This episode was far reaching from the personal to the global.  On the personal side, Sean talked about his band's upcoming East Coast tour (check out Mode Moderne), and both talked about sleeping on the other side of the bed (separate beds, of course).  Same-sex marriage and the hoopla in the US with President Obama "fully evolving" to support gay marriage.  Locally, topics turned to the protests in Quebec over tuition increases, as well as news of the legislation to bring back the PST and Sean's growing affection for NDP BC leader Adrian Dix.  All-in-all a full episode of The Dot Matrix.

Episode 39 - "We're kind of like Ringo in that way"

Even with a list of topics in hand, Sean and Justin diverge into other conversations during this episode of The Dot Matrix.  All interesting digressions of course!  In particular was their initial conversation reminiscing about their childhood and thinking about sibling rivalries.  Pop culture topics - like that Watson computer on Jeopardy, Betty White winning a SAG award, the future of email, and George Shearing's passing - were all part of the mix.  But of course there's politics.  The history being made in Egypt and the Bev Oda affair (here's a link to the At Issue panel about the topic) were sources of much of their conversation.

Episode 38 - "It's a Sad Day When You Have to Coax People to Vote"

With Sean and Justin's Seattle Guys Weekend a distant memory, the two finally sat down for another podcast to recall that trip (in only broad details of course!), which ended with both of them considering their significant moment/event of 2010.  In between topics like the news anchors on Vancouver TV, ideas of increasing voter turnout, some politics of course, and some of Sean's predictions for 2011.