the dot matrix

Back in their podcast seats for the first time since September, Justin and Sean discussed the heavier topics of the day.  First up, some thoughts on the selective emphasis of the media for covering some terror attacks and not others in the wake of the events in Brussels. Reflections about the 10th anniversary of Twitter transitioned to the oddities of US politics, with some kudos to the comedians Samantha Bee (particularly segments about Ted Cruz and Abortion, Texas-Style) and John Oliver (dissecting Donald J Trumps wall). Both Bernie Sanders and David Suzuki came up.  The two ended with their thoughts on the Jian Ghomeshi verdict of not guilty, particularly reflecting and responding to an analysis by Neil Macdonald.

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!

Justin and Sean sit down to talk democracy and elections on the night before the 2014 municipal elections in Vancouver and elsewhere in BC.  The duo gets warmed up by unpacking the Mid-terms Elections in the US (http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2014/11/12/?entry=5505&_php=true&_type=blogs&ref=us) and how the implications for President Obama and issues like the Keystone XL pipeline (http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/15/us/politics/house-passes-bill-directing-obama-to-proceed-on-keystone-pipeline.html?ref=politics&_r=0).  A conversation switched to the US-China climate accord (http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/12/world/asia/china-us-xi-obama-apec.html), which led the two back to the main topic, the upcoming civic election (http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/5-election-races-to-watch-outside-metro-vancouver-1.2835816).  The podcast ends with some not overly surprising election result predictions!

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.

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. 

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.

Part Two of a two-part series where Justin and Sean take turns interviewing each other.  This time, Sean is at the helm, asking Justin some probing questions that tease out his history to date.  Sean starts with Justin's experience of being on of three siblings and gracefully moved the conversation to a point where he gets Justin to share his philosophies of work, life and play.  If you found the interview of Sean enlightening, you will find this interview with Justin equally so.

For episode 54, Justin and Sean get inspiration from Alex Baldwin's brilliant podcast, "Here's the Thing," and turn the mic on each other.  First up, Justin interviews Sean and walks him down memory lane to some of the key points in his childhood that made Sean the person he is today.  Justin also curiously asked Sean about the sparks that drove his passion for music, the World we live in, and the people in his life.  Hopefully this podcast helps listeners know more about Sean - one half of The Dot Matrix duo.

After a failed attempted at playing tennis, Sean and Justin sat down to a new podcast full topics of life and politics.  Recording from Sean's new home, they two quickly shifted gears from the move to their upcoming Tough Mudder adventure.  And then squarely into politics - like Christy Clark's by-election in Kelowna to the scandals in Ottawa big (the Senate spending scandal) and small (the expensive paint job to the Prime Minister's plane).  Also, the pair promised to post a link to Elizabeth May's calling out Mike Duffy on his television show a few years back - illustrative of things to come.  Click here for that clip.

Sean and Justin sit down for their first podcast of 2013 and it's already April!  The duo have home on the brain, with Sean in the midst of searching for a new home and Justin finally making it to the new Crate & Barrel in Vancouver.  That theme doesn't last too long and they gravitate back to the topics of recent weeks - the new Pope and the state of the Catholic Church, the Liberal Party of Canada leadership race (including Justin's perspective on a leader's need to articulate a vision), as well as muzzling in Canadian politics and the scientific community.