About the podcast
‘Ocean People Inspire’ is a podcast that captures a journey that led to, and included, the 2024 Ocean People Inspire e-book. The e-book is a collection of short stories by emerging and amateur writers from Newfoundland and Labrador who explore, through multiple short story genres, what connects people to the ocean and coasts. The collection shows what it means to be inextricably linked to the ups and downs of coastal and ocean life, and what the draw of this life can do to understanding of our surroundings and ultimately, ourselves.
The e-book was the culmination of the NL Writes Short Story Competition, inviting participants across the province to write on the theme, “The Ocean is a Magnet.” The competition emphasized inclusive participation, reflection, and dialogue, while featuring mentorship, feedback, and celebration. The submissions, written by authors aged 15 to 75, were deeply personal and thought-provoking. The authors told us that this was an opportunity to start or rekindle a passion for writing, as well as experiment with new ideas and take creative risks.
The ‘Ocean People Inspire’ podcast documented the NL Writes journey, the authors’ experiences, and the roles that stories played in contributing to Newfoundland and Labrador’s 2024 Year of the Arts.
Series trailer
Follow a group of emerging writers who came together to share their inspirations in the short story competition, NL Writes. Hear from the writers, mentors, and people who support them in their journey to contribute a collection of short stories to the 2024 Year of the Arts in Newfoundland and Labrador. This is the Ocean People Inspire podcast, which will encourage you to share your inspirations about the ocean and coasts.
Episode 1: The Wave of Inspiration
In episode one, we’ll learn why the NL Writes Short Story Competition was created and what it hoped to accomplish.
Evan Andrews, Memorial University, NL, Canada
Jen Winsor, WritersNL, NL, Canada
Episode 2: The Mentors
In episode two, we meet the NL Writes mentors. We’ll learn about their writing journeys and what being involved in the project meant to them.
Carmella Gray-Cosgrove, writer, NS, Canada
Santiago Guzmán, playwright, dramaturge, performer and director, NL, Canada
Holly Hogan, writer and seabird biologist, NL, Canada
Episode 3: Pull Through & In Between Times
In episode three, we’ll hear the story of a homecoming that unearths an old secret and learn about how author Shawn Doyle’s work as a tour guide inspired his story submission. We’ll also hear a mythical tale of lost love, and learn about author Krista Vokey’s unique family connection to storytelling.
Episode 4: The Unravelling & Mi’kmaq Moons and Magnetically Attuned
In episode four, we’ll hear the story of an immigrant whose past comes back to them in an unexpected way and learn about author Sproothy Raman’s own travels that inspired her story submission. We’ll also take a poetic journey of an Indigenous woman’s connection to the water and her community, and learn from author Erica Sams Hurley about how her experiences inspired her story.
Episode 5: The Ebb and Flow of Memories & A Shifting Relationship
In episode five, we’ll hear the story of a significant trip that gets one woman out of her comfort zone and learn about author Melissa Wong’s experience putting herself out there as a writer. We’ll also hear a tale of how relationships and people change as time passes, and hear from author Fiona Conway about her time at Memorial University and how that inspired her story submission.
Episode 6: Riptide & Golden Bay
In Chapter Six, we’ll hear a story about the challenge of adapting to a new place far away from home, and learn about author Stephanie Boone’s experience teaching in rural Labrador. We’ll also hear a tale of going back to a place rich with family history as well as tragedy, and learn about author Ginny Ryan’s own travels to Golden Bay. Lastly, we’ll also get advice from some of the writers and mentors on how you can start writing.
About the creator
Michael Bertz wanted to lower his environmental footprint, so he built an off-grid tiny house. But when it comes to actually saving the planet, he felt in over his head! He was unsure if his downsizing and minimizing made a difference and wondered about the other aspects of our lives. What started out as simple questions about our personal impact on the planet has evolved into an exploration of bigger themes around living sustainably in a changing climate.
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By giving a voice to researchers, authors, businesses, non-profits, and (sometimes) everyday people, Michael is starting a new conversation about how we can all come together to address our changing climate in a truly sustainable way. In the end, he hopes you’ll feel a little less in over your head when it comes to doing your part for the planet and feel inspired to live more sustainably.
