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You can listen to episodes of The Next Chapter as a podcast, to which you can subscribe using iTunes or any other podcast-catching software. (It'll take a couple of weeks for our show to actually appear in the iTunes podcast store, but if you follow the link from the CBC Podcasts page, your iTunes program should already be able to find it.)
Our podcasts are exactly the same as the on-air show, except that we have to remove the commercial music used in the broadcast.
Here's what has come in so far. Thank you to everyone who's written to us already!
Good afternoon, Shelagh,
I just finished listening to the podcast of Saturday's broadcast of "The Next Chapter." Bravo, welcome back, well done, and nice to hear your voice on the radio again. Who else could pair up a walkabout with Donna Morrissey (we have bragging rights to her in Halifax!) and an interview with Richard Florida in such a seamless fashion? Great mix of segments.
Now, if I could only find a way to wind time forward to next Saturday so I can get my next fix!
All the best,
Randall Perry
Halifax, NS
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Welcome Back
Dear Shelagh,
What a wonderful gift you have given those of us looking for something meaningful on Saturday afternoon radio (that isn't opera and that also isn't DNTO). I also think you've finally found your groove. What a difference in your interview style in The Next Chapter. No giggling, just being there with the people you interview ... letting their voice come through. WELL DONE. I look forward to more.
Mary Wall
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Shelagh!
Just as I was lamenting the loss of MorningSide (and of course Peter's untimely passing) you pulled it out of the fire (gosh, I love my metaphors!)...with "Sounds Like Canada"...and now, Mr. Gomeshi is going to have a kick at the old can with "Q"...in the mid-morning slot at the Corps...I was prepared to mourn the loss of your voice on the airwaves...
But, now comes "The Next Chapter"!
Good for you! I know that there were various factors at play that conspired to cause the rather untimely (in my humble opinion) demise of Sounds Like Canada...not the least of which were your own concerns about the hectic scheduling and pressures of maintaining such a show...but, however the ultimate decision was made, to end the show - I am so very glad that you have found a new niche at the CBC - one that you are ably fit to fill with your love of literature...
Brian James Wallace
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....so great to hear shelagh's voice again. It's been too long...
lynda wilde
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I would love to listen to your show regularly. However, Saturday afternoons are difficult, and podcasts are not possible for me. Is there any chance all or half of your show could be repeated during the day, Monday to Friday?
Thank you,
Jan Hawtin
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Dear Shelagh,
Welcome back. You have been missed. How fantastic it is that your new show features our Canadian authors, what a perfect fit!.
I am an avid reader and one of my most favourite writers is Donna Morrissey. So today was a total hit for me when I realized you were once again back on the "air" and Donna was your first interview.
What a great show, just wish it was more than once a week. I will stay tuned!!
Jeanette Kenny
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I looked forward to this programme and have enjoyed it very much. It is very pleasant to once again be in the company of Shelagh Rogers. Shelagh does not try to be "hip" and "cool" neither does she talk fast. She listens to her guests and is respectful of her audience. I look forward to next Saturday afternoon. Many thanks for this programme.
Paterson Higgins
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The return of Ms. Rogers to radio is extremely welcome. However, and with all due respect why is this programme being broadcast at 3 p.m. on a Saturday? Most of us are committed on Saturday afternoons to our children's activities, caregiving activities with our aging parents or just simply shopping for the necessities of life.
Is there any reason why this programme cannot be re-broadcast in the 11 p.m. time slot as several other programmes are, so that more of us may enjoy Ms. Rogers' programme.
Jane Charles
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Dear Donna Morrissey
I got this lovely visual of a childhood Donna, running through the woods, pretending...making videos in your mind. Your description of the village and family by you and Shelagh on The Beaches' (radio) set, was most enjoyable.
I have a friend who is still traumatized remembering ... her Mother locking she and several older and younger children out-of-doors daily, summer and winter, for two hours while the Mother got caught up with her sleep. I think my friend will appreciate the knowledge that other Mothers yelled "Out"!!!
The Next Chapter CBC radio show gave some great images of outport life and hardships and good times.
I got what I wanted... having gained some additional insight into your strengths and beliefs. Good stuff to you both...sincerely,
Bren-da LeDrew Keyes
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Hi Shelagh et al:
CONGRATULATIONS! BLOODY MARVELOUS! A terrific terrific addition to Saturday afternoon! Relaxed, intelligent, and so human. Your time with Donna Morrissey was intimate and authentic. I missed the opening of the interview (too small a word for what you lead) but I felt like it was taking place in a car and you were peering out at The Beaches and I was right there in the back seat with you both. You asked all the questions that popped into my head as I followed your conversation… My God…I love radio and what you do with it/ for it.
The two conversations that followed had me sitting the driveway listening in the car ‘til the end of the show. I wish that Stephen Harper had been there to speak with Richard Florida …the cultural economy, the cultural infrastructure…you lead him to to cover all the basis.
A great opener! A vital / vibrant exploration of literature and readers…for, uuuh…like…uhhh…ordinary Canadians, eh? (Sorry, couldn’t resist)
Much love
Paula Jessop
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Lyrics are poems
Of course song lyrics count as poetry! The reason I got into my modest efforts at song-writing is the poetic lyrics of Gordon Lightfoot. If lyrics stand on their own as poetry, that is a major factor in my respect and appreciation of them.
Richard Hancock
One sticking point that emerged during our conversations behind-the-scenes at the Next Chapter was the question of poetry. Shelagh's longtime fans will know that she reads books of poetry all the time, and is a big supporter of modern Canadian poets.
That makes Shelagh a rather odd character, statistically speaking, since the Canadians who read a book of poetry last year are outnumbered by the Canadians who believe Elvis Presley is still alive. Statistics regarding such small groups are very hard to get right... but from the reports I've seen, it looks like poetry-readers make up about 1 percent of the population. Compare that to book-readers overall: they make up about 66 percent of us.
Now, people indulge in plenty of odd little habits, but poetry-reading stands apart because it's so out-of-keeping with the history and prestige of being a poet. We have huge poetry awards like the Griffin Prize and the Governor-General's Award. And yet, most so-called bookish people (and I self-identify this way) avoid the stuff completely.
So, at the end of episode one, Shelagh and I begin a conversation about poems. She's a fan. I'm not -- or, at least, I haven't been up till now. We don't yet know where this conversation will lead, but we expect to revisit it in upcoming shows, and want to include thoughts from listeners. Do you read poetry? Do you aspire to read poems but never get around to it? Does enjoying song lyrics count as being a poetry fan (in which case, poetry isn't such a weird cult after all)? Is the project of becoming a poetry-reader worth the effort?
Anyway. We'd welcome your thoughts.
All the best,
Tom (one of Shelagh's little helpers)