Best Apostrophe Podcast Network Podcasts (2025)

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Dave Plays Santa - Dave Plays Santa & Springhill 53:03

Play Pause

1h ago53:03

53:03

“Christmas in Dave’s record store is just plain fun” On today’s episode, Jess talks about the challenges of trying to create Christmas magic when you’re not necessarily feeling it yourself. That’s a bit of the back story behind Stuart’s writing of “Dave Plays Santa” - we’ll play that story for you. And we’ve got another back story connected to “Dav…

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Minisode: Be Afraid and Do It Anyway – SNL-Style 12:32

1h ago12:32

12:32

Welcome to another Minisode. This week, we travel to 30 Rock and take a look at courage through the eyes of hopeful [comma] sweaty young comedians. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Nooner Nookie: The Allure of Marketing Freebies 28:07

23m ago28:07

28:07

For over 100 years, “free” has been one of the most powerful words in the marketing world. And believe it or not, companies love freebies as much as their customers do. Because giving away free products generates a lot of goodwill. And goodwill generates free press. We’ll talk about a ketchup company who gave a man a free boat. A hotel who gave a c…

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Gobble Gobble - Dave Raises the Turkey & Dave and the Duck 49:42

3d ago49:42

49:42

“Dave stared at the duck in disbelief. The duck stared back at him.” This week, we’re back talking about birds again, with two of Stuart McLean's hilarious stories about Dave and… poultry. Yes, this week’s theme is quite specific! Our first story is one you may not have heard before: Dave decides to try his hand at small-scale poultry farming… Host…

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Brand Envy 30:08

11d ago30:08

30:08

This week, we take a look at four brands that have found a way to survive for decades. One company has been entertaining crowds with wax for 200 years. One restaurant has been topping their ice cream cones with a unique swirl for over 80 years. Another company teamed up with a certain debonaire spy 60 years ago. And a fourth brand has made a fortun…

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Vinyl Cafe: The Musical - Rashida, Amir and the Great Gift-Giving 40:36

10d ago40:36

40:36

“Christmas Day is going to be a little strained in Dave’s neighbourhood this year.” Today on the pod we’re all about Vinyl Cafe: The Musical! To celebrate its premiere, Jess shares the story of how the musical came into being and the excitement of seeing it come to life. Plus, you can hear one of the stories that inspired the musical in the first p…

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Rejecting Vera Wang 31:49

26m ago31:49

31:49

Vera Wang is synonymous with bridal. The designer's eponymous brand brings in a whopping $700M a year. But before launching her own company in 1990, Vera was rejected for editor-in-chief at Vogue. And before that, she didn’t make the cut for the U.S. Olympic figure skating team. Two major setbacks that left her thinking – now what? Then her dad pro…

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The Phrase That Pays: Marketing Contests 27:16

27m ago27:16

27:16

Marketing contests can be tricky business. On one hand, contests can be designed to help companies achieve certain business goals. On the other hand, companies can lose control over them pretty quickly. This week, we look at some of the most interesting – and hilarious – marketing contests. Including one about a city that held a contest to name a n…

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We Shall Remember - Remembrance Day 36:50

19d ago36:50

36:50

“There’s something about the ghosts who live in the house where you live.” This week something special for Remembrance Day: an essay Stuart McLean wrote about George Lawrence Price, a Canadian soldier killed in the very last moments of the first world war. And we have two Vinyl Cafe stories for you: a wartime story exchange, and a Dave and Morley s…

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How Yoko Survived Rejection: The Beatlology Interviews 51:48

10h ago51:48

51:48

On “The Beatlology Interviews,” Biographer David Sheff talks to Terry about the rejection and resilience of Yoko Ono. Listen to more Beatlology Interviews in the Under the Influence feed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Billboards Are Always In Bloom 27:33

26d ago27:33

27:33

From our Season 12 Archives, Billboards are one of the biggest creative challenges in the marketing world. They need to be seven words or less. They need to contain an idea. And they need to communicate quickly as people speed by. This week on Under The Influence, we look at the most creative billboards from around the world. We’ll talk about a car…

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All Hallows Eve – Halloween 35:48

24d ago35:48

35:48

“Let me state the case for Hallowe’en” Today’s the day - Happy Hallowe’en! We’ve got a wonderful story exchange about an immigrant’s first experience of Trick or Treating. And we'll also play Stuart McLean's story about Sam and Stephanie's Halloween; it's a story about this magical evening, but it's also about growing up and finding independence. H…

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Bookmarks 28:51

1M ago28:51

28:51

Another favourite from our Season 12 Archives. This week it’s our annual Bookmarks episode. I read a lot of books to research Under The Influence. But every season, there isn’t enough room to include all the great stories I find. So this episode is dedicated to those stories that didn’t fit into our regular episodes. But are so good, they are worth…

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Journeys - Vancouver & Kenny Wong's Practical Jokes 51:04

22d ago51:04

51:04

“The baker, the chef, the Indian maestro.” Today on the podcast it’s a smorgasbord from Stuart McLean. About food, about journeys and more in between! We’ve got a postcard from Canada, a moving listener story, and one of our favourite Dave and Morley stories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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Minisode: Bat Girl 10:23

1M ago10:23

10:23

Welcome to another “Minisode” – where we zoom in on individual moments or facets of rejection we’ve come across in our research. This week, let us introduce you to Yankees superfan Gwen Goldman, as we reopen a rejection letter dated June 23, 1961. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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Hitting The Road With Marketing Mobiles 29:10

1M ago29:10

29:10

From our Season 12 Archives... another favourite. You’ve probably seen those Red Bull Mini Coopers driving around town with the giant Red Bull can on their roofs. This week on Under The Influence, we look at the wild and wacky world of marketing mobiles. They’ve actually been around for over 100 years. We’ll crack open the story behind the Planters…

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Amazing Spaces – The Library of Parliament, Museum of History & Gander International Airport 41:58

1M ago41:58

41:58

“There was a time when the Gander airport was the biggest airport in the world” On this week’s episode, we have three of Stuart’s opening monologues – essays about some of the places and spaces that captivated him on his travels across the country. And Jess has a backstory about the perils of mispronunciations! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privac…

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Johnny Wants The Jet: The Loopy World of Loop Holes 27:40

1M ago27:40

27:40

There are some very interesting loopholes in the world of marketing. Because businesses are always looking for an upper hand in a competitive category, loopholes can offer legal advantages. A loophole can help a company overcome barriers in the marketplace. Sometimes, the way a product is marketed can give customers a loophole they can take advanta…

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More Arthurs! 37:07

1M ago37:07

37:07

It’s our annual Thanksgiving tradition – the Vinyl Cafe Arthur Awards. More treasures from the Vinyl Cafe archives about some amazing acts of kindness! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Rejecting Slow Horses 30:19

1M ago30:19

30:19

The novel Slow Horses by Mick Herron tells the story of a team of disgraced MI5 agents assigned to a bureaucratic dumping ground known as Slough House. They’re, by all accounts, failures – demoted from top tier intelligence to basement busy work. That is, until a kidnapping case lands squarely on their dusty desks – thrusting the slow horses into f…

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Touch The Pickle: Marketing Gender Equality 27:43

1M ago27:43

27:43

If you searched the question: “What player has won the most Wimbledon singles titles,” Google will tell you it’s Roger Federer with 8 wins. But that’s incorrect. Martina Navratilova has 9. This week, we look at remarkable ideas that promote gender equality. Including an idea called Correct the Internet.com And one that challenged menstruation taboo…

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Quebec Connection - A Trip to Quebec 54:00

1M ago54:00

54:00

“The Pensionne du Quebec was lit up like a party ship” We’ve got a Quebec selection for you on today’s podcast. A story about Sam’s school trip to Quebec City, plus a Stuart McLean script about cheese making in Quebec’s Eastern Townships, and a backstory from Jess about the trip they took to write that story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy …

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Nashville Songwriter Gary Burr Pens A Novel About A Fictional Beatles Reunion 52:14

1M ago52:14

52:14

The Beatlology Interviews (Season 2, Episode 1) What if John Lennon had never died in 1980. What if George Harrison was still with us? What would it have taken to convince the Beatles to give one more major concert? In “Reunion: A Rock ’N Roll Fairy Tale” author Gary Burr tackles all those questions in a very entertaining novel. By the way, Gary ha…

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Rejecting Dawn Staley, Part 2 34:32

2M ago34:32

34:32

In Part Two of our Rejecting Dawn Staley episode, Staley is informed of her shortcomings, it’s play abroad or die trying – and a dusty VCR tape changes her life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Allure of Bad-Ass Advertising: Anti Heroes 28:23

1M ago28:23

28:23

20th century movies and TV shows were dominated by the traditional “hero.” With high morals and an ethical code of honour. The 21st century has a different take. Today, we cheer the anti-hero. Like the Sopranos, Dexter and Breaking Bad. Anti-heroes are liberated from that line in the sand that holds the rest of us back. They do things we are afraid…

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Cakes Gone Wrong - The Birthday Cake & Arthur Takes the Cake 37:20

2M ago37:20

37:20

“Surely Mary wouldn’t miss one of those little buttercream shrubs…” On this week’s episode of Backstage, two stories about cakes, those special occasion cakes that promise to be oh so good… That is, until Dave and co. get involved… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Tools for the Family Jewels: Gender Bending Brands 27:29

2M ago27:29

27:29

From our Season 12 Archives... This week, we look at companies that have spent decades advertising to only one gender - then suddenly decide to approach the opposite sex. L’Oreal is now marketing makeup to men. Scotch distillers are now targeting women. And lingerie companies are now designing intimates for men. It’s a brand new, gender-bending wor…

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Rodentia - Dave and the Mouse & Rat-a-tat-tat 51:13

2M ago51:13

51:13

“PPMS. Phantom peripheral mouse syndrome” Jess and Dave have something in common: rodent phobia! Jess shares how she got over hers. And in two hilarious Vinyl Cafe stories we’ll hear how Dave managed his. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Rejecting Dawn Staley 25:32

2M ago25:32

25:32

Dawn Staley graduated high school National Player of the Year. She went on to become a two-time National College Player of the Year. She is a five-time WNBA All-Star, a three-time Olympic gold medallist and was the United States flag bearer at the 2004 Games. As a coach, she has won three NCAA titles, four National Coach of the Year titles, and the…

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Hard Days & Golden Knights: The World of Brand Twins 28:07

3M ago28:07

28:07

From our Season 12 Archives. Even though brand names are often protected by trademarks and copyrights, it’s remarkable how many times companies end up with the same names. And they either get along – or they sue each other into oblivion. This week, we look at “Brand Twins.” We’ll talk about when Guns N’ Roses sued Guns and Rosé. We’ll explain why t…

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Compromising Positions - The Bare Truth & Yoga Retreat 40:27

3M ago40:27

40:27

“Mary had never ever been downstairs with no clothes on. Never. Ever.” We’ve got some classic Dave and Mary Turlington adventures on this week’s episode – as they find themselves in some compromising positions! And Jess talks about how Stuart honed his onstage craft over the years. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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You Can Check In, But You Can't Check Out: Branded Hotel Rooms 27:58

2M ago27:58

27:58

From our Season 12 Archives, one of our favourites. This week, we talk about hotel marketing. Specifically, how some hotels attract guests by advertising specific rooms. Some of those rooms are decorated like TV shows, some are inspired by movies, and some hotels advertise the fact something famous – or infamous - happened in their rooms. Hosted on…

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September - School Days 37:48

3M ago37:48

37:48

“Every year on the first day of school, to the great amazement of the kids in kindergarten…Miss MacNeal would burp the alphabet from A to Z.” Welcome back to Backstage at the Vinyl Cafe! Our first episode is all about back to school. We’ve got a story about how Dave and Morley tried to recreate the magic of their own school days for Sam (spoiler: i…

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Rejecting Breaking Bad Guys: Bryan Cranston & Giancarlo Esposito 35:24

3M ago35:24

35:24

For our first episode back, we bring you the stories of two bad guys. Breaking Bad guys – Bryan Cranston aka Walter White and Giancarlo Esposito aka Gus Fring. Both spent decades bouncing around Hollywood. Both faced major rejection. Both the least suspecting drug overlords of all time. ICYMI, Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan has a rejection sto…

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Dish Night at the Movies: Marketing Motion Pictures 27:27

3M ago27:27

27:27

From our Season 12 Archives, one of our favourites This week, we’re talking about the creative ways Hollywood markets films. We’ll talk about how a low-budget horror movie got a ton of press just by asking people to smile. And we’ll examine the marketing of Top Gun: Maverick – the Tom Cruise sequel that Steven Spielberg says single-handedly saved t…

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Season 6 - Starting September 5th 1:03

2M ago1:03

1:03

We hope you'll join us next Friday for Season 6 of Backstage at the Vinyl Cafe! We’ve got more Dave and Morley stories for you, more of Stuart McLean’s wonderful Vinyl Cafe essays and, of course, more behind the scenes stories from Jess Milton. Here's a taster of what's in store... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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The Very First Episode of "Backstage at the Vinyl Cafe" Podcast 43:17

3M ago43:17

43:17

People often tell me they love the storytelling in Under the Influence. One of my favourite storytellers of all time is the late, great Stuart McLean. Which is why it’s been such a joy for our network to partner with Stuart’s long-time producer Jess Milton and the Vinyl Cafe team to bring you the podcast “Backstage at the Vinyl Cafe.” Today we are …

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We Regret to Inform You: Rejecting Monty Python 24:20

3M ago24:20

24:20

This week, more from our Apostrophe Podcast Network family! We think you will enjoy, "We Regret to Inform You: The Rejection Podcast." Sidney O’Reilly shares the stories of successful people who have encountered rejection in their careers – and triumphed nonetheless. For this episode, we enter the wacky world of Monty Python and hear how risky it w…

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When You've Got It, Flaunt It: The George Lois Story 27:38

3M ago27:38

27:38

From our Season 12 Archives, one of our favourites. In this episode, we talk about one of the legends of the advertising business – George Lois. Out-spoken and fearless, he launched Xerox, helped elect Robert F. Kennedy, designed famous Esquire magazine covers and even once climbed out onto a window ledge to convince a client to buy an idea. Hosted…

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REWIND WEDNESDAY: Bloopers 19:33

4M ago19:33

19:33

Something special for you for our first bonus episode. From one of my absolute favourite Vinyl Cafe radio shows, from 2011, this is Stuart and I in studio talking about bloopers! We laughed so hard recording this show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Gold, Silver & Spinach: TV Shows As Marketing 30:11

4M ago30:11

30:11

From our Season 12 Archives.... one of our favourites. With multiple ways to skip commercials at our fingertips, advertisers have found a new way to reach the public. They’re jumping out of commercial breaks and into the storylines of television shows. This week, we look at a list of popular TV shows that aren’t just entertainment. They’re big mark…

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Encore: Rejecting Adam Driver 38:56

3M ago38:56

38:56

Hello from our summer hiatus. We hope you’re soaking up the rays. Whether you're on the road, on the job or on the dock, we thought you might enjoy another team favourite. This week our director Callie shares how she first learned about this two-time Academy Award nominated actor in one of her all-time favourite shows. Adam Driver is known for his …

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REWIND WEDNESDAY: Summertime – Mexican Climbing Mint & Summer of Stars 48:40

3M ago48:40

48:40

“There is nothing like a neighbour throwing money about their garden to make you feel bad about yours.” It's summer all the way on this week’s episode. In our first story, Mary Turlington unwittingly trips off a chain of events that get heated under the summer sun. And in the second, Sam and Murphy have the summer of a lifetime in Big Narrows, Cape…

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History of the Goalie Mask 33:43

4M ago33:43

33:43

We thought you might enjoy an episode from our sister podcast, “We Regret To Inform You: The Rejection Podcast” - this week it’s the history of the goalie mask. Coaches didn’t want them, managers rejected them, the NHL didn’t want them - but one goalie did. The rest is history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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REWIND WEDNESDAY: Road Trip! – Cat in the Car 43:29

3M ago43:29

43:29

“Whenever the cat is around, things seem to go wrong.” This week, Dave discovers a stowaway on the family road trip, with hilarious consequences. And Jess shares two more of Stuart McLean’s Postcards from Canada: from St John’s, NFLD in the east and Powell River, B.C. in the west. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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Long Overdue: The Creative Boom of Library Marketing 27:18

4M ago27:18

27:18

From our Season 11 Archives, one of our favourites. This week, we look at the ways libraries market themselves. If you think libraries are quiet, you’ve got another thing coming. We’ll talk about a library video series that played like a TV cop show - and - we’ll look at library wars - when libraries battle each other on social media. Hosted on Aca…

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The Beatlology Interviews: Actor Mark Hamill 45:09

4M ago45:09

45:09

Something a little different this week that we think you’ll enjoy. From our friends at the Apostrophe Podcast Network: Terry O’Reilly’s “The Beatlology Interviews”. You may not know that Stuart McLean was a huge Beatles fan (though really, aren’t we all?) And he collected Beatles memorabilia. Another huge fan and collector is Terry O'Reilly. In thi…

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Fish Where The Fish Are: Surprising Help Wanted Ads 26:44

4M ago26:44

26:44

From our Season 12 Archives, one of our favourites. This week, we take a look at the most creative “help wanted” ads in the world. We’ll talk about how IKEA recruited new workers without needing to buy an ad. How VW found new mechanics by posting ads in the most unusual place. And the amazing ways the intelligence community recruits spies and code …

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Listener Rejection Stories (2025) 23:06

4M ago23:06

23:06

Each week on this series, we tell the stories of famous names who overcame debilitating career rejection. We’ve talked through the careers of actors, artists, authors, athletes and even one astronaut. But rejection affects us all. So we put out a call for listener rejection stories. Your stories. They’re inspiring, they’re insightful, they’re remar…

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REWIND WEDNESDAY: The Mistakes We Make – Petit Lac Noir & Dog Pills 46:06

4M ago46:06

46:06

Bonjour,” he said. “Je m’appelle Dave.” Yup, sometimes things go wrong. It happens to the best of us. Especially on the Vinyl Cafe, as you’ll hear in Stuart McLean’s Dave and Morley stories Dog Pills and Petit Lac Noir. Also on this week’s episode, Jess shares a surprising and funny backstory about the inspiration behind Dave’s mistake in Dog Pills…