Best Apostrophe Podcast Network Podcasts (2025)

1
Brand Envy (2025) 26:54

2h ago26:54

26:54

This week, it’s our annual Brand Envy episode. We look at four brands that I admire. One is a cosmetics empire started by a woman in an era when women couldn’t even vote. One is a band I have a soft spot for. Another is a family-owned business that has lasted 88 years. The fourth is a TV show that broke records. And they all have one thing in commo…

1
Toys - Rhoda’s Revenge & Planet Stuart 34:37

1d ago34:37

34:37

“When Dave was a boy, dolls terrified him” Something a little different on today’s episode: two stories about kids' toys -- the good, the bad and the ugly! One is a story about Dave's childhood, the other is a story by Stuart about his own childhood experience with toys. Plus a backstory from Jess about how that autobiographical story got its name.…

1
Minisode: Rue McClanahan – “Every Kick’s a Boost” 11:54

4d ago11:54

11:54

Welcome to another “Minisode” – where we zoom in on individual moments or facets of rejection we've come across in our research. This week, we talk about the golden piece of advice Rue McClanahan’s mother gave her when she was told she’d never make it in television. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

1
Out and About - Cousin Dorothy & Have Snake, Will Travel 42:45

9d ago42:45

42:45

“Murphy was terrified of snakes” Today’s episode features two stories that take place out and about, further afield. Dave’s Cousin Dorothy visits from England and has an exciting side adventure on their trip to Ottawa. And in the second story, Dave, Sam and Murphy make an unusual delivery. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information…

1
Rejecting Mariska Hargitay 31:16

10d ago31:16

31:16

Mariska Hargitay has played Captain Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU for 26 years and counting. In 2024, Forbes named Hargitay the highest paid TV actor by a wide margin. But in 1999, she had been a struggling actor for decades, landing only a handful of substantial roles. She turned 35 and decided to leave Los Angeles. Then she got a call about a…

1
CAT-alogues & DOG-alogues: Pet Marketing 27:14

14d ago27:14

27:14

This week, we talk about Pet Marketing. The pet products industry is worth about $150 billion dollars. And when you love a pet, money is no object. We’ll listen to a pet food campaign that had dogs conduct a symphony orchestra. We’ll flip through IKEA’s CAT-alogues and DOG-alogues. And we’ll explore Dolly Parton’s “Doggy Parton” fashion line. Hoste…

1
Birthdays! - Sam’s Birthday & Morley’s 40th Birthday Bash 46:07

16d ago46:07

46:07

“I don’t want a birthday party, said Morley. I hate birthday parties” Some vintage Stuart McLean this week, as Morley celebrates a milestone birthday. And we have an older story for you, one you may not have heard before, where Dave is not necessarily his ‘best self’. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

1
Bookmarks 2025 32:12

21d ago32:12

32:12

This week, it’s our annual “Bookmarks” episode. We read a lot of books to research this show, and often we stumble on great stories that don’t fit our regular episodes. So we save them up for this show. We’ll talk about a new book on SNL producer Lorne Michaels, we’ll take a few notes from a famous songwriter, and we’ll talk about a Bible with a wi…

1
Old Friends - The Wedding Dress & Jimmy Walker of Foggy Bottom Bay 50:46

23d ago50:46

50:46

“Dave was still a kid the night he and Jimmy met.” Stuart loved to write about old friends. This week we’ve chosen two of our favourite friendship stories – one will make you laugh, one might also make you cry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
Rejecting Billie Holiday 36:34

24d ago36:34

36:34

Billie Holiday’s life is one of perseverance like we’ve never seen before on our show. Her story is heartbreaking, beyond inspiring and important. Hope you’ll join us. Tell us your rejection story, and you could be featured in an upcoming episode: Record your voice: https://speak-to.us/rejection Write to us: [email protected] Hosted on Ac…

1
Seizing The Moment 28:06

28d ago28:06

28:06

This week, we look at how the marketing industry seizes pop culture moments. We’ll talk about a website that got national attention by making a bold prediction about a TV show. How A1 Steak Sauce caught the funniest – and luckiest break. And how Pepsi grabbed a hilarious opportunity by following pizza delivery drivers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.co…

1
Car Trouble – Driving Lessons & Car Wash 34:32

1M ago34:32

34:32

"Thank God, he thought, help has arrived.” Today on the show, Jess shares a back story about a Vinyl Cafe tour bus adventure. Plus two Dave and Morley stories about more car trouble.“ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
A Moment I'll Never Forget: The Power of PSAs 27:20

1M ago27:20

27:20

This week, we look at public service announcements. PSAs have to compete with - not just other PSAs - but with all other commercials out there. And do it with an iota of the budget. It requires exceptional creativity. We’ll talk about how Elvis got teens to get a polio vaccine, and a drinking & driving commercial recorded by drunk actors. Hosted on…

1
Stories from Way Back - Walking Man & Why I Buy 8-tracks 38:06

1M ago38:06

38:06

“Dave was going to see Morley. He was trying to find the courage to ask her to marry him.” Some vintage Stuart McLean this week with two stories from way, way back. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
Rejecting Josh Allen 35:13

1M ago35:13

35:13

Happy NFL Draft Day to all who celebrate. Quarterback Josh Allen just signed a six-year, $330M contract with the Buffalo Bills, with $250M guaranteed – the largest guaranteed contract ever given to an NFL player. Yet, when Allen graduated high school, he had zero four year scholarship offers. He bounced around junior college before deciding to send…

1
Brand Strategist & Author Peter Wilken 55:16

1M ago55:16

55:16

Peter Wilken has over 40 years experience working with the world’s top brands. He has run advertising agency networks around the world. In our far-reaching conversation, Peter brings battle-tested insights to the table, tells us interesting stories about the brands he’s worked for, how to manage creative people, and explains the critical difference…

1
Interview with Author & Arkells Frontman Max Kerman 46:17

1M ago46:17

46:17

Arkells frontman Max Kerman has written his first book, “Try Hard: Creative Work in Progress.” Max talks about what a lead singer for a band does all day, the nuts and bolts of song writing, how he prepares for a show - but more importantly - Max talks about how the creative process is not all about talent, it’s about curiosity, enthusiasm, and lea…

1
Encore: Rejecting Women in the Boston Marathon (The Stories of Bobbi Gibb and Kathrine Switzer) 47:17

1M ago47:17

47:17

In honour of the 13,700 women running today in the Boston Marathon, we bring you an encore of our favourite episodes, and take you back to a not-so-distant time when the number of women running the marathon was one. Join us as we remember the stories of two brave women – Bobbi Gibb and Kathrine Switzer – the first women to ever run the Boston Marat…

1
Brand, James Brand 28:45

1M ago28:45

28:45

It was big news recently that Amazon is taking over creative control of the James Bond franchise. So this week, we look at how James Bond has been employed to pitch products over the years. From high-end watches, to beer, liquor and breakfast cereals, 007 has been busy. And even the Bond villains have been hawking products. Hosted on Acast. See aca…

1
Obsession - Blood Pressure Chair & Dave’s Truck 40:04

1M ago40:04

40:04

“It was not as if they *needed* a 1948 red panel truck…” On today’s episode, two hilarious Vinyl Cafe stories that highlight Dave’s tendency to, let’s say, really commit to the things in his life. In the first story it’s his health, in the second, a special new purchase. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

1
Commercial Outtakes & Bloopers 27:25

2M ago27:25

27:25

This week, we have some fun and listen to commercial outtakes. Just like the movies, there are multiple takes, lots of pressure, and mistakes happen. Sometimes actors get the words all mixed up to hilarious results. Sometimes celebrities have melt-downs. And sometimes professional actors just break down in a fit of the giggles. Hosted on Acast. See…

1
Mechanical Mutiny - The Jock Strap & Dave and the Vacuum 31:15

2M ago31:15

31:15

“Morley thought she was the Athletic Support” We’re all about equipment failure on this week’s pod. Those everyday items that make life easier – until, suddenly, they very much don’t! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
Rejecting Alanis Morissette 32:18

2M ago32:18

32:18

Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill is one of the biggest debut albums of all time – selling 33M copies worldwide and earning Morissette the Grammy for Album of the Year. But you oughta know that just one year prior, Morissette was rejected by every major label, on a plane back home to Ottawa and “deeply depressed.” What changed everything? A sp…

1
Two Minutes For Looking So Good: Star Athlete Endorsements 28:23

2M ago28:23

28:23

This week, we’ll tell the stories behind some of the most famous – and infamous – sports star endorsements of all time. We’ll talk about a Rocket Richard commercial that spawned a catchphrase that nearly every Boomer can recite. We’ll look at a powerful Nike commercial Serena Williams did about women in sports. And we’ll talk about what it took to …

1
Parents 29:29

2M ago29:29

29:29

More about parenting and family life this week, with two moving essays by Stuart McLean. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
Minisode: Hader’s Haters – Bill Hader & Critic Anxiety 22:34

2M ago22:34

22:34

Welcome to our first ever “Minisode” – where we zoom in on individual moments or facets of rejection we've come across in our research. This week, we tell the story of Bill Hader’s Saturday Night Live anxiety and what happens when you come face to face with your biggest hater. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

1
Busiest Day Of The Year 27:17

2M ago27:17

27:17

This week, we ask an interesting question: What is the busiest day of the year for pizza delivery companies, Airbnb, Emergency Rooms, Maternity Wards, restaurants and dating apps? What is the busiest day of the year for weddings? And what is the busiest day of the year for… plumbers? It’s all fascinating – and often very surprising. Hosted on Acast…

1
Kids - Susan is Serious & Sam Goes Green 50:00

2M ago50:00

50:00

“I think I have an alien.” This week, two wonderful stories about kids… and their parents. And Jess admits to a surprising source of inspiration for her own parenting journey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
Hug the Cactus: Lessons on Rejection from Under the Influence 27:48

2M ago27:48

27:48

Some companies actually advertise to their haters. Every advertiser gets negative comments on social media. Some brands shrink away – and some take those negative comments and spin them into marketing gold. In this episode of Under the Influence, Terry looks at Supercuts – who took negative comments about cheap haircuts and created a hilarious adve…

1
Brand Envy #Canada 26:32

2M ago26:32

26:32

This week, we thought it would be timely to retrieve this episode from our archives. A Brand Envy episode in celebration of Canadian brands. We’ll look at what may be the most successful global retailer Canada has ever built, a television pioneer worshipped and revered by generations of Canadians and a world-class brand that operates out of the sma…

1
The Power of Song - Dave's Last Kind Word Blues 39:26

2M ago39:26

39:26

“He didn’t understand that the organic confusion that’s at the heart of the Vinyl Cafe is, in fact, the thing that makes it work.” Is there anything that cuts to the heart quicker than music? On the pod today, we’re talking about the power of song. Jess shares a script Stuart wrote for the radio show, about a song that moved him to tears. And we ha…

1
Rejecting the Goalie Mask 32:57

2M ago32:57

32:57

“Masks prevent goalies from seeing the puck at their feet.” “Masks eliminate fear in goalies – the fear that drives them to play well.” “Masks make goalies complacent.” “A real man wouldn’t hide his face from his opponents.” Rejecting the Goalie Mask. Hope you’ll join us. Tell us YOUR rejection story, and you may be featured in an upcoming episode:…

1
Orchestrating Elections: Political Campaign Songs 25:20

3M ago25:20

25:20

This week, we take a look at one of the tools of political marketing – the campaign song. Politicians have used songs going all the way back to at least the 1700s. Sometimes the songs are written expressly for the political party or candidate. Sometimes, politicians co-opt pop songs. And sometimes, pop artists have a major problem with that. Hosted…

1
Stealing - Sam Steals & Emil 40:14

3M ago40:14

40:14

“Crimestoppers. It’s synonymous.” We’ve got two of Stuart’s older stories on today’s episode. One from the very early days of the show; it’s one you may not have heard before. These two stories are both about…stealing! But, as Jess observes, they’re also about parenting, and love, and respect. And they’re both hilarious! Hosted on Acast. See acast.…

1
Recorded Live in Toronto: Wicked Brand Fails of 2024 27:02

3M ago27:02

27:02

Recorded before a live audience at Reid’s Distillery, this episode lists some of the biggest brand fails of 2024. We’ll talk about when Apple launched its thinnest computer ever, which led to a big fat PR problem. We’ll look at a seasonal candle that fired up accusations of white supremacy. And we’ll try and figure out how a children’s doll package…

1
The Movies – Sam’s First Kiss 40:46

3M ago40:46

40:46

“Of all of the theatres, in all the complexes, in all of the towns, she walks into mine.” This week on the pod we’re at the movies, basking in the light of the silver screen. We have Stuart McLean’s Ode to the Movies, recorded at the glorious Capitol Theatre in Port Hope; including a fascinating story about a celebrity interview (with Peter O’Toole…

1
Rejecting Yellowstone 39:47

3M ago39:47

39:47

The season five premiere of Yellowstone drew 16 million viewers. The series creator, writer and showrunner Taylor Sheridan recently signed a nearly $200M deal with Paramount to produce the hit show and its subsequent franchise. But rewind 10 years, Sheridan had $800 to his name. He had been trying to make it as an actor in Hollywood for the better …

1
Putting the Motion in Motion Pictures: Movie Theatre Marketing 27:06

3M ago27:06

27:06

Today, movie theatres have to compete with home theatre systems and streaming services. This week, we look at how cinemas are transforming to attract more movie goers. To survive, theatres now offer restaurant meals and full bar menus. They offer loyalty programs and special theme nights. And many cinemas now offer patrons “atmospheric” movie exper…

1
Deception - Dave and the Sourdough Starter & A Day Off 30:20

3M ago30:20

30:20

“I have a genealogy, said Carl. Of the starter. Like a family tree. I have it in a frame in the den.” A pandemic favourite on this week’s episode: Dave and the Sourdough Starter! And we have two more stories for you, stories about deception! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

1
Season 6. 🤚🏽 1:10

3M ago1:10

1:10

We don't regret to inform you that Season Six of the Rejection Pod will begin in one week's time. Artists, athletes and...umbrellas? Join us for more inspiring stories of grit, determination and courage – with some signature twists and turns along the way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

1
Forbidden Branding 27:18

3M ago27:18

27:18

There are things in the world of marketing that are forbidden. It’s illegal to use certain sounds, for example. If an advertiser does use them, they are heavily fined. In some countries, there are rules around using national anthems in commercials. In other countries, there are no rules. And even Winnie the Pooh is forbidden in one country because …

1
People from the Past - Whatever Happened to Johnny Flowers & Morley and the Century of Wind Theatre Company 49:14

3M ago49:14

49:14

“In celebration of 100 years. Big Narrows, Cape Breton. Centennial Baby.” In our first story this week, Dave is jolted back in time by a sudden reminder of someone from long ago, someone he hadn’t thought about for years. And Jess shares the surprising reason why it took so many years to release our second story. You can find our latest CD, So Long…

1
SNL & Commercial Parodies (Encore) 27:27

3M ago27:27

27:27

During SNL's recent 50th anniversary special, it showed a montage of their famous commercial parodies. Here’s an episode that talks about those and many others - and how SNL influenced the ad writers of my generation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
Hug the Cactus: Advertising to Haters 26:04

4M ago26:04

26:04

This week, we look at how some companies advertise to haters. Every advertiser gets negative comments on social media. Some brands shrink away – and some take those negative comments and spin them into marketing gold. Supercuts took negative comments about cheap haircuts and created a hilarious advertising campaign. Spirit Airlines gave haters a pl…

1
Love – Love Never Ends 32:09

4M ago32:09

32:09

“It’s funny the things that you miss.” For you love birds out there, we’re playing one of our most requested love stories today. The chocolate bar story! And Jess plays an entertaining story exchange and reflects on the somewhat less romantic side of Valentines Day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

1
Strange Smells: The Marketing of Unusual Fragrances 27:17

4M ago27:17

27:17

This week, we take a whiff of some of the strangest fragrances being marketed today. Choosing a perfume or cologne is a form of personal expression. What you smell like says something about you. But does that include bacon perfume? Or mayonnaise cologne? There’s a fragrance that makes you smell like a bakery, and a soap for men that smells like gas…

1
Cape Breton Tales - The Black Beast of Margaree & The Roundabout 48:47

4M ago48:47

48:47

“I didn’t know you were a fan of Mr. Bond…” On this week’s episode we’re spending time in Dave’s childhood neighbourhood: Big Narrows, Cape Breton. Our first story is a hilarious tale of literary adventures, while the adventures in our second story are of the vehicular variety. And Jess shares the inspiration behind that story, inspiration from clo…

1
Purple Comb-Overs: The Power of Personal Style 26:48

4M ago26:48

26:48

This week, we talk about some of the most interesting people throughout history – and the fact they all had a consistent personal style. Consistency is the key to branding, and these famous people all understood that. We’ll take a look at Julius Caesar, who shocked fellow Romans with the way he dressed and acted. We’ll examine the incredible popula…

1
The Neighbourhood - Kenny Wong’s Contest & Late Date 40:50

4M ago40:50

40:50

“How could he explain skulking around their property when he was supposed to be inside eating” Oh Dave, how do you manage it! This week, two more hilarious stories from Stuart McLean, stories about good intentions gone awry. Plus, an exciting announcement about an upcoming project (hint: you’ll finally get to meet Dave). Hosted on Acast. See acast.…

1
The Iceman Cometh: How Ice Transformed Our Lives 27:28

4M ago27:28

27:28

This week, we look at the marketing of ICE. It may sound like a strange topic, but our obsession with ice - as a product - is only 200 years old. The history of ice marketing starts with an amazing story about a bold entrepreneur with a vision, the cutthroat clash between competing ice companies, and the long list of ice brands and products that ha…

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Apostrophe Podcast Network

Podcasts Worth a Listen