A fresh batch of secrets from 'The Secret Life of Canada' presented at a wonderful event.
By Hafsa Hanif
On October 21, 2023, The Secret Life of Canada took the Hot Docs stage to record a live episode (Hafsa Hanif/CanCulture)
A masterclass in subversion and storytelling, this beloved podcast promises to whisk you away on a whirlwind journey of laughter and contemplation.
When it comes to excavating the cryptic chronicles of Canada, few podcasts master the art like The Secret Life of Canada. Known for its delectable blend of comedic repartee and sagacious storytelling, this podcast mines the soul of Canadian history, unveiling the extraordinary, the absurd, and the unforgotten.
In a rip-roaring romp through the enigmatic expanse of Canadian history The Secret Life of Canada took audience-members on a journey as they recorded an episode live at the Hot Docs Podcast Festival this past October.
Hosted by Falen Johnson and Leah-Simone Bowen, the live recording pledged to excavate the world of historical heists (the Montreal 1980s Train robberies with Billy Miner), the absurdity of audacious thefts, abandoned board games that vanished like spectres (Kroeger Crokinole), and the quirky evolution of the Barbie Doll's made in Canada.
A 'doll-icious' plunge into the ever-evolving universe and a reflective investigation into Canada's colonial past.
Co-stars of the host of Secret Life of Canada discussing Barbie's history in Canada at the Hot Docs Podcast Festival (Hafsa Hanif/CanCulture)
The Secret Life of Canada podcast took listeners on an adventure through Canada’s captivating narrative, skillfully intertwining elements of colonialism and comedy that evoked both laughter and contemplation during the event. The historical exploration devolved into the intriguing stories of iconic figures such as the Tim Hortons Hockey Barbie, RCMP Barbie theme-doll and the venerable Hudson Bay Company.
Audience members were transported back to the annals of Canadian history, revealing moments reminiscent of high school history lessons or accompanying parents on a nostalgic shopping spree at Hudson’s Bay store. The live podcast recording painted a vivid tableau, evoking the sensation of sitting in a shopping cart as a child, offering company to parents while they pursued the aisles for home essentials.
As the narrative unfolded, the audience was treated to a whirlwind of discoveries ranging from the legal repercussions faced by 'Chair Girl,' who was fined $2,000 and placed on a two-year probation with community service, to the intriguing tale of a Royal Mint employee possibly smuggling out gold nuggets. The podcast also unravelled the origins of the Keg ice cream for Billy Miner and shed light on a forgotten Canadian-made game board.
This special episode covered everything from legal dramas to whimsical ice cream adventures and historical games, transforming Canadian history into a hilarious and thought-provoking experience. It was like chatting with a witty friend who knows all the juicy details about Canada's past!
Billy Miner Ice Cream pie that is offered at Keg restaurants (Hafsa Hanif/CanCulture)
Accompanied by jesters Kris Siddiqi and Brandon Hackett, the event delivered on their promise and took us through an exciting ride. One person in the audience even knew the creators of one of the board games mentioned, how fun!
Many avid listeners of the podcast joined the hosts and their guests on the live-recording. Carli Wulff, a newcomer to Canada, regularly listens to the podcast."It's been really important to find voices that tell Canadian history not from a typical western standpoint," she said.
Podcasts are usually recorded in the confines of a studio, or even on a Zoom call. Listeners rarely get to see what is happening as these voices speak into their years. Jeff Maher, appreciated the experience of watching The Secret Life of Canada being recorded live: "It's interesting to see the body language of the folks that run the show; you only get a single dimension with the podcast, but here you can see the expressions and it makes for a richer experience. I imagine when this winds up as a podcast, there will be parts cut out, and it's kinda fun to watch the transitions in real-time."
Annalise Nielson from Pacific Content said, "The visuals were a great addition. Working in podcasting, I always try to attend at least one festival event each year."
The Hot Docs Podcast Festival not only entertained, but had the audience teetering on the edge of their seats, unable to suppress bursts of laughter, an electrifying testament to the festival’s dynamic and immersive allure.
Chloe Rose, an audience member, said: "It's always gratifying to see live podcasts, it’s fun to see the recorded medium doing something live on stage and connect with the audience. I feel like a lot of podcasters are introverts, so seeing some willing to go up on stage was interesting.”