Marking the twentieth anniversary of the program, Joseph Planta makes remarks and offers answers to questions sent in by friends and listeners. Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. It was in August 2004 that I started the show. The word podcasting hadn’t come into …

The journalist and author Alan Haig-Brown discusses his new book Raincoast Chronicles 25: m̓am̓aɫa Goes Fishing (Harbour Publishing, 2025), with Joseph Planta. Raincoast Chronicles 25: m̓am̓aɫa Goes Fishing by Alan Haig-Brown (Harbour Publishing, 2025). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: m̓am̓aɫa Goes Fishing Text of the introduction by Joseph …

The marketing executive Pete Crighton discusses his memoir The Vinyl Diaries: Sex, Deep Cuts, and My Soundtrack to Queer Joy (Random House Canada, 2025), with Joseph Planta. The Vinyl Diaries: Sex, Deep Cuts, and My Soundtrack to Queer Joy by Pete Crighton (Random House Canada, 2025). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Vinyl Diaries Text of the…

The artist and writer Seema Shah discusses the collection she’s co-edited (with Betsy Warland and Kate Bird) Off the Map: Vancouver Writers with Lived Experience of Mental Health Issues (Bell Press, 2025), with Joseph Planta. Off the Map: Vancouver Writers with Lived Experience of Mental Health Issues edited by Betsy Warland, Seema Shah, and Kate B…

The writer and novelist Ron Base discusses the fourth book in the Prudence Emery Mystery Series Curse of The Savoy, which he co-wrote with Prudence Emery who died in April 2024, and more, with Joseph Planta. Curse of The Savoy by Ron Base and Prudence Emery (Douglas & McIntyre, 2025). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Curse of The Savoy Text o…

The writer, poet and songwriter Bill Arnott discusses his new book A Season in the Okanagan (Rocky Mountain Books, 2025), with Joseph Planta. A Season in the Okanagan by Bill Arnott (Rocky Mountain Books, 2025). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: A Season in the Okanagan Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Va…

The award-winning stage and screen actress and activist Michelle Thrush discusses the new production of Inner Elder, which she wrote and will star in at the Firehall Arts Centre (22-31 May 2025), with Joseph Planta. Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. The award-wi…

The artist and academic Donna Seto discusses her new book Chinatown Vancouver: An Illustrated History (House of Anansi Press, 2025), with Joseph Planta. Chinatown Vancouver: An Illustrated History by Donna Seto (House of Anansi Press, 2025). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Chinatown Vancouver Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta: I am P…

The director Chelsea Haberlin discusses the new ITSAZOO and Pacific Theatre world premiere production of Katherine Gauthier’s play Meeting playing at the Chalmers Heritage Building (14 May to 07 June 2025), with Joseph Planta. Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. C…

The journalist and educator Petti Fong discusses her recent book Alone Together: A Curious Exploration of Loneliness (Orca Books, 2024), with Joseph Planta. Alone Together: A Curious Exploration of Loneliness by Petti Fong (Orca Books, 2024). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Alone Together Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Plant…

The writer, editor and bookseller Nick Thran discusses his new collection of poetry Existing Music (Nightwood Editions, 2025), with Joseph Planta. Existing Music by Nick Thran (Nightwood Editions, 2025). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Existing Music Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British C…

The director Chris Adams discusses the CTORA Theatre production of West Side Story at the Granville Island Stage (08-24 May 2025), with Joseph Planta. Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. At the Granville Island Stage, beginning Thursday, 08 May 2025 through to 24 …

The singer-songwriter and former judge Philip Seagram discusses his new memoir No Judgment: And Other Busking Stories (Caitlin Press, 2025), with Joseph Planta. No Judgment: And Other Busking Stories by Philip Seagram (Caitlin Press, 2025). Click to buy this book from Caitlin Press: No Judgment Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta…

The author and playwright Mark Leiren-Young discusses his new book Octopus Ocean: Geniuses of the Deep (Orca Books, 2025), with Joseph Planta. Octopus Ocean: Geniuses of the Deep by Mark Leiren-Young (Orca Books, 2025). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Octopus Ocean Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vanco…

The journalist and historian Eve Lazarus discusses her new book Beneath Dark Waters: The Legacy of the Empress of Ireland Shipwreck (Arsenal Pulp Press, 2025), with Joseph Planta. Beneath Dark Waters: The Legacy of the Empress of Ireland Shipwreck by Eve Lazarus (Arsenal Pulp Press, 2025). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Beneath Dark Waters …

The writer Tom Wayman discusses his new collection of poetry Out of the Ordinary (Harbour Publishing, 2025), with Joseph Planta. Out of the Ordinary by Tom Wayman (Harbour Publishing, 2025). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Out of the Ordinary Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia,…

The award-winning journalist and politician Jo-Ann Roberts discusses her new book Storm the Ballot Box: An Insider’s Guide to a Voting Revolution (Nimbus Publishing, 2025), with Joseph Planta. Storm the Ballot Box: An Insider’s Guide to a Voting Revolution by Jo-Ann Roberts (Nimbus Publishing, 2025). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Storm the…

The journalist Taha Siddiqui discusses his new graphic memoir (written with Hubert Maury) The Dissident Club: Chronicle of a Pakistani Journalist in Exile (Arsenal Pulp Press, 2025), with Joseph Planta. The Dissident Club: Chronicle of a Pakistani Journalist in Exile by Taha Siddiqui and Hubert Maury (Arsenal Pulp Press, 2025). Click to buy this bo…

DOXA Documentary Film Festival’s Programming and Industry Manager Marianne Thodas previews this year’s festival, with Joseph Planta. Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. DOXA Documentary Film Festival, Western Canada’s largest documentary film festival returns for …

The writer and novelist Andrew Forbes discusses his new collection Field Work: On Baseball and Making A Living (Assembly Press, 2025), with Joseph Planta. Field Work: On Baseball and Making a Living by Andrew Forbes (Assembly Press, 2025). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Field Work Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On t…

The playwright and artistic director of Some Assembly Theatre Valerie Methot discusses Our Last Tree, the new latest production at the Roundhouse 30 April to 05 May 2025, with Joseph Planta. Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. Some Assembly Theatre celebrates its …

The historian and journalist Mark Bourrie discusses his new book Ripper: The Making of Pierre Poilievre (Biblioasis, 2025), with Joseph Planta. Ripper: The Making of Pierre Poilievre by Mark Bourrie (Biblioasis, 2025). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Ripper Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, Br…

The activist, award-winning journalist, and podcaster Garth Mullins discusses his new memoir Crackdown: Surviving and Resisting the War on Drugs (Doubleday Canada, 2025), with Joseph Planta. Crackdown: Surviving and Resisting the War on Drugs by Garth Mullins (Doubleday Canada, 2025). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Crackdown Text of the int…

The writer, poet and teacher Kate Braid discusses her new collection The Erotics of Cutting Grass: Reflections of a Well-Loved Life (Caitlin Press, 2025), with Joseph Planta. The Erotics of Cutting Grass: Reflections of a Well-Loved Life by Kate Braid (Caitlin Press, 2025). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Erotics of Cutting Grass Text of the…

The award-winning novelist Dietrich Kalteis about his latest book Dirty Little War: A Crime Novel (ECW Press, 2025), with Joseph Planta. Dirty Little War: A Crime Novel by Dietrich Kalteis (ECW Press, 2025). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Dirty Little War Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta: I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, Bri…