Weekend Listen: Ocean Vuong finds beauty in a fast food shift

George Takei is one of America’s most beloved actors and activists, known best for playing Hikaru Sulu in the “Star Trek” franchise. In 2019, he released a graphic memoir, “They Called Us Enemy,” which detailed his childhood experience at internment camps during the Second World War. Now, he’s released a follow-up book, “It Rhymes with Takei.” The new graphic memoir unpacks his experience living as a closeted gay man for most of his life. In this conversation with guest host Talia Schlanger, George opens up about fearing punishment for his differences, why he didn’t come out until he was 68, and how his involvement with LGBTQ+ advocacy work has shaped who he is today.

Phil Rosenthal is the creator, writer and executive producer of “Everybody Loves Raymond,” one of the most successful sitcoms of all time. But after the show wrapped in 2005, it took nearly 10 years for him to get his next dream project off the ground. Now, Phil’s food and travel show “Somebody Feed Phil” is in its eighth season on Netflix. He joins Tom Power live on-stage at the Banff World Media Festival to talk about betting on himself, having the courage to stay positive, and why cynicism is a waste of time. 

In his directorial debut, “40 Acres,” Canadian filmmaker R.T. Thorne imagines a post-apocalyptic world where food is scarce, society is in ruins and your family is under threat. It’s an intense movie about fighting for survival, but it also explores the complicated relationship between a mother and a son. R.T. joins Tom Power to share how his mother’s experiences as a Trinidadian immigrant in Canada shaped the mother-son relationship in the film, and how his background making music videos still informs his work today. 

Born and raised in Scarborough, actor Stephan James has defied the odds and climbed the ranks in Hollywood. He’s made a name for himself by playing major historical figures like runner Jesse Owens in “Race,” and civil rights activist John Lewis in Ava DuVernay’s film “Selma.” After working with legends like Julia Roberts and Laurence Fishburne, Stephan wants to come back to his community in Canada and share his success. Tom Power spoke with Stephan in front of a live audience, after he received the Canadian Award of Distinction at the Banff World Media Festival, to talk about his career and his plans to uplift young Black creatives.

Jully Black is a powerhouse singer-songwriter from Toronto who’s often called Canada's queen of R&B soul. Earlier this year, Jully sat down with Tom Power to tell us how singing in church at age six put her on her artistic path, why she feels speaking out is always the right thing to do, and why her mother is her biggest influence.

Calgary’s Jan Lisiecki was only nine when made his orchestral debut as a classical pianist. While most of us were still figuring out cursive, he was playing sold-out recitals — so, of course, he was called a child prodigy. But Jan has complicated feelings about that term. A few months ago, he joined guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about his new album, “Preludes,” and why he doesn’t want to be called a child prodigy.

In just under five years, Eva Victor went from being a viral video comedian to writing, directing and starring in their own feature film, “Sorry, Baby.” The film tells the story of Agnes, a grad school student turned professor whose life was altered by an incident they refer to as “the bad thing.” What follows is a sensitive, fraught and often funny examination of life before and after a sexual assault. Eva drops by our studio to talk to guest host Talia Schlanger about the film, their unique journey in the film industry, and how they bring nuance to the complex and painful experience of trauma.

According to bestselling horror author Stephen Graham Jones, good stories don’t happen in heaven — they happen in hell. His latest novel, “The Buffalo Hunter Hunter,” is a chilling historical vampire story based on real events that happened to the Blackfeet Nation in the United States. Stephen joins guest host Talia Schlanger to discuss the metaphorical link between vampires and colonialism, and what it really means to be a vampire. Plus, he opens up about his frustrations with the media putting Indigenous stories in a “sacred space,” and the damage that does to storytelling. If you’re looking for more from Stephen, check out Talia’s conversation with him from last year.

Long before he became a bestselling writer, Ocean Vuong sold rotisserie chickens at Boston Market. In his latest novel, The Emperor of Gladness, he explores the meaning that can be found in the daily grind of a fast food restaurant. The book follows a young addict named Hai as he unexpectedly becomes caretaker to an elderly woman and makes unlikely connections at the fast-food restaurant where he works. Ocean tells Mattea Roach about challenging the American Dream, how being raised by women shaped him and why this novel is his most self indulgent yet. When the book ends, the conversation begins. Mattea Roach speaks with writers who have something to say about their work, the world and our place in it. You’ll always walk away with big questions to ponder and new books to read. Find and follow Bookends wherever you get your podcasts. More episodes of Bookends are available at https://link.mgln.ai/Afkvzq

Jerry Bruckheimer is the Hollywood producer behind some of the biggest blockbusters of all time, including “Top Gun,” “Armageddon” and “Pirates of the Caribbean.” Now, he’s back with “F1,” which stars Brad Pitt as an aging Formula One driver who attempts to make a comeback 30 years after his career is derailed by an accident. Jerry joins guest host Talia Schlanger to talk about some of the incredible feats he’s pulled off as a producer, and how he drew on everything he knows about making action-packed movies to create this new film.