Volition was originally launched in 2022 to run interviews with people whose careers I admired. To learn about how they switched between different kinds of work, learned new skills, and flexed their agency. These episodes will continue to be available in the podcast history but with this episode the podcast is relaunching with a new focus. I recent…

Show Notes: (0:18) Michael’s languages background (3:41) How Latin operates as a gateway drug for appreciating the general structure of language (6:50) Why philology is the atomic element of historiography (8:26) How Michael sent a letter to every federal minister in Canada (14:48) The dangerous and precarious dynamics of a life in policy (19:08) A…

Show Notes: (3:40) That time that Justin printed off a copy of pipe bomb plans (7:30) What is what like living in an Oil & Gas town and what drove Justin to leave (11:52) How and why Justin set up a tech newsletter for Vernon (15:32) The joys of working in co-working space (18:09) How to iterate into creating a coworking space (20:05) Conservatives…

Show Notes: (0:53) The most interesting Substack you’ve never heard of (2:58) Why the serial format is experiencing a renaissance on Substack (5:29) How conventional investing is like Groundhog Day (7:08) How tech avoids the Groundhog Day problem and how Linda ended up jumping ship (10:52) The journey from wood panelled Bay Street to remote Slack c…

Show Notes: (2:35) Why Ben says he studied “Semiotics” at university (6:01) Avoiding broken telephone at work (6:45) How this comes to life when communicating your brand to the public (9:13) Hydrogen’s “brand” story and why it matters to Shopify and to developers (12:40) The pros and cons of headless development (13:54) Ben’s thoughts on product ma…

A mid-summer session of Acts of Volition Radio full of eleven great songs from Polaris Music Prize winners, nominees, and others. Acts of Volition Radio: Session 34 (61MB Ogg Vorbis) (or 93.6MB MP3) Eleven great songs -. Recorded Sunday, July 26, 2009 by Steven Garrity. Run time: 61min. Joel Plaskett – Run, Run, Run Joel Plaskett – Heartless, Heart…

Six months later, a new session of Acts of Volition Radio with eight great songs. Acts of Volition Radio: Session 33 (43MB Ogg Vorbis) (or 52MB MP3) Six months and either songs. Recorded Sunday, Feb 15, 2008 by Steven Garrity. Run time: 42min. Frightened Rabbit – The Modern Leper Gordie Sampson – Davie Jones Holy Fuck – Lovely Allen Mardeen – It’s …

A summer session of Acts of Volition Radio with 2/3rds Canadian content. Acts of Volition Radio: Session 32 (53MB Ogg Vorbis) (or 48MB MP3) 2/3rds Canadian content. Recorded Sunday, July 20, 2008 by Steven Garrity. Run time: 64min. Matt Mays – Building a Boat Sloan – Witches Wand Bell X1 – Rocky Took a Lover Buck 65 – Cries a Girl Guided By Voices …

The first session of Acts of Volition Radio for 2008, the future. Acts of Volition Radio: Session Thirty One (48MB Ogg Vorbis) (or 41MB MP3) Music for 2008, the future. Recorded Monday, February 4, 2008 by Steven Garrity. Run time: 34min. Session Thirty One Playlist: Band of Horses – Is there a Ghost MxPx – Punk Rawk Celebrity Nada Surf – See These…

With winter in the air, Acts of Volition Radio is back with eight great songs. Acts of Volition Radio: Session Thirty (48MB Ogg Vorbis) (or 41MB MP3) Eight great songs. Recorded Sunday, October 15, 2007 by Steven Garrity. Run time: 45min. Session Thirty Playlist: Wintersleep – Weighty Ghost The Weakerthans – Utilities John Vanderslice – Karma Polic…

A new session of Acts of Volition Radio is full of delightful songs for the summer. The songs may also be enjoyed during other seasons. Acts of Volition Radio: Session Twenty Nine (48MB Ogg Vorbis) (or 41MB MP3) Songs for summer. Recorded Sunday, April 5, 2007 by Steven Garrity. Run time: 45min. Session Twenty Nine Playlist: Two Hours Traffic – Arm…

This session of Acts of Volition Radio is party will test your musical attention span with some long songs, but will reward you with some music gratification. Acts of Volition Radio: Session Twenty Eight (42MB Ogg Vorbis) (or 38MB MP3) Songs short and long. Recorded Saturday, April 7, 2007 by Steven Garrity. Run time: 41min. Session Twenty Eight Pl…

The first Acts of Volition Radio session of 2007. Warning: some of these songs might make you cry. Acts of Volition Radio: Session Twenty Seven (44MB Ogg Vorbis) (or 42MB MP3) A few pairs of great songs. Recorded Wednesday, February 5, 2007 by Steven Garrity. Run time: 45min. Session Twenty Seven Playlist: The Delgados – Keep On Breathing Mike Knot…

In keeping with my complete lack of a publishing schedule, here is the latest session of Acts of Volition Radio. If the commentary is lacking, I assure you that the songs are worth the wait. Acts of Volition Radio: Session Twenty Six (45MB Ogg Vorbis) (or 50MB MP3) A few pairs of great songs. Recorded Wednesday, November 22, 2006 by Steven Garrity.…

The day after Canada Day, I put together a new session of Acts of Volition Radio. Acts of Volition Radio: Session Twenty Five (46MB Ogg Vorbis) (or 62MB MP3) Songs for Canada Day, 2006. Recorded Sunday, July 2, 2006 by Steven Garrity. Run time: 44min. Session Twenty Five Playlist: Joel Plaskett – Absentminded Melody Joel Plaskett – Happen Now Pilat…

It’s been a few months since my last session of Acts of Volition Radio was recorded. I’m back with six fantastic songs. Acts of Volition Radio: Session Twenty Four (34MB Ogg Vorbis) (or 40MB MP3) Back with six great songs. Recorded Sunday, April 2, 2006 by Steven Garrity. Run time: 34min. Session Twenty Four Playlist: My Morning Jacket – Wordless C…

My last session of Acts of Volition Radio was recorded in the waning days of my bachelorhood. Though this session now features a married host, the music continues to rock (though sometimes gently). I’m as excited about sharing these great songs as I was when recording the first session. This session is the first available in Ogg Vorbis format (info…