The Lapse Storytelling Podcast

Taking My Parents to Burning Man | Episode 7

Posted on May 5, 2014 by The Lapse Storytelling Podcast

Taking your conservative parents to Burning Man is one thing. Filming every moment is another.

This marks a particularly special episode of The Lapse: two storytellers, one story. Speaking to co-directors Joel Ashton McCarthy and Bryant “Spry Bry” Boesen was a treat. Matthau and Lemon would be proud; they’re an Odd Couple in the best sense, just mismatched enough to compliment one another. In a lot of ways, Joel has more in common with Charles and Lee, Bryant’s parents.

Rather than give away its namesake, aptly named Taking My Parents to Burning Man, this episode explores more of the dynamic between Joel and Bryant. I think it’s a pretty fabulous companion piece. Two voices is a lot of work to edit with, so settle in for something special. It might be a while before this kind of episode again.

In the meantime, you need to see this movie. Get tickets at the Soho Film Festival in New York for May 17th now because the film has sold out at every screening thus far. You can also buy tickets in Vancouver at the Rio Theatre on May 30th and May 31st.

Bryant Boesen is moving on to his next Burning Man-esque venture with The Art of Expression. It’s beautiful. Just incredibly gorgeous. You can also watch him breathe fire which is worth hitting up for that alone.

Joel McCarthy is just about to enter production on After Film School, a delightfully black comedy that’s being funded in part by Telus. The pitch video already makes me smile.

After you listen to this, you can get a whole free freakin’ audiobook!
Visit www.audibletrial.com/TheLapse. Seriously, they’re run by Amazon and their selection is amazing. They want to help hosting this show a little and give you guys free stuff in the process, but only if you hit that link. Get your free audiobook now.

Listen to Episode 7: Taking My Parents to Burning Man on iTunes or stream it below.

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Some Kinda Magic by Christopher James Schuh | Episode 6

Posted on April 19, 2014 by The Lapse Storytelling Podcast

The classic magician is a dying breed. Christopher James Schuh represents a sect of dreamers bent on keeping that tradition alive. Not a relic of vaudevillian past or some Criss Angel special still haunting Spike TV. I’ve seen the man float a table across the room with nary a wire in sight. He’s good. Real good.

If watching the illusion is fascinating, so too is getting a glimpse behind the curtain. This episode is for the kid in all of you. It’s wonder. It’s whimsy. It’s Some Kinda Magic.

For more on Christopher James Schuh, including tour info, videos, and pictures of the table trick in action, be sure to check out his site.

Exciting stuff! We’ve recorded our very first international story with more to come. Busy, busy, busy but keep sending those pitches. Not good story will be turned away. And if you want to contribute to the show from behind the scenes, you can get details here. Looking for story curators, interviewers, and sound people, people!

Download “Some Kinda Magic” on iTunes HERE!

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Stranger Danger by Rob Puittinen | Episode 5

Posted on April 5, 2014 by The Lapse Storytelling Podcast

Like strangers, like dangers, fear takes many forms. Ever wish you had an opportunity to reshape the smirk on every childhood bully? Give ’em all a good fistful of knuckles? Rob Puittinen got that opportunity in a way he never anticipated.

Like Rob, I was no stranger to small town living. I grew up in the Fraser Valley, another peacefully named dung heap on the outskirts of greater Vancouver. Years from now, should I have a kid, here’s the piece of advice I’ll give him: “Livin’ in a small town don’t make you invincible, boy.” With hope, my Canadian accent will have matured into a rugged southern drawl.

Few announcements to make while you download. The show’s growing faster than I anticipated. We’re getting a God’s honest following here, and for that, I love ya. But as the workload increases, The Lapse Storytelling Podcast is Hiring Assistants. See that post for details.

Number two, you might just hear The Lapse on satellite radio, XM Channel 123. That’s right! PRX Remix dug us enough to license a couple episodes for broadcast. Right alongside big brothers like The Moth. The pay is peanuts for us, so don’t clap too loudly, but look at that. Two months in the cockpit and we’re already flying. Let’s see where this baby takes us.

Third, if you’re the disaffected type, if you feel like your vote doesn’t matter, I’ve got news: just a single review from you on iTunes makes us shoot up the rankings. You actually do make a difference, and you’ll keep this show running. Pretty please. Leave a review on iTunes.

Listen to Stranger Danger below or GET IT HERE on iTunes.

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The Lapse is Hiring! Sort Of!

Posted on April 5, 2014 by The Lapse Storytelling Podcast

The Lapse is officially HIRING volunteers.

Up front, this show doesn’t make money. I can’t pay you unless and until it does. What I can promise is a good friend with a knack for storytelling and a solid notch on your resume. This show is growing and it needs your help. We are seeking volunteers to fill one or more of the following duties:

If you followed this link because of this image, I’m not sorry.

Transcriptionist
Basic transcription duties, not a ton of a work at the moment. Maybe an hour long interview a week. Assets:

Quick turnaround time with reasonable accuracy.
A knowledge of (or capacity to the learn) the bare basics marking Audio in Adobe Audition.
A swell guy / stand-up gal.

Curator
Seeking out stories, responding to emailed pitches, and possibly conducting interviews. Assets:

A background in writing, journalism, or oral storytelling.
An understanding of story structure; knowing what makes one tick or bomb.
A desire to meet people from all walks of life.
If conducting interviews, access to a quality microphone.
A swell guy / stand-up gal.

Foley Artist
Spotting for sound, finding or recording sound effects and / or music. Assets:

Experience in sound design; understanding where and when sound can enhance a story.
Patience. A willingness to scour for the right sound.
Creativity. The capacity to create sound where there was none.
Basic cutting with Adobe Audition.
A swell guy / stand-up gal.

No need to live in BC. In fact, I’d love to have a curator not local to Vancouver. Email stories@thelapse.org with the name of the position you’re applying for and a brief summary of experience.

Here’s to future friendships. Let’s make these stories together.

43 & Pregnant by Lee-Anne Ekland | Episode 4

Posted on March 22, 2014 by The Lapse Storytelling Podcast

You’re pregnant. 43 years old. A 1 in 3 chance your child might have Down Syndrome. Do you follow through?

Whatever your belief, understand this: when the hard and fast rules of your life are thrust in front of you, it’s impossible not to question them. Broad strokes of black and white morality soon blend to grey. Cue Lee-Anne Ekland. Fair warning: she’s been through a lot.

This week’s episode gets a little ambitious, skipping and jumping between Lee-Anne’s past and present. For me, it was like putting together a really good puzzle. I think you’ll dig the result.

After you listen to this story, you need to check out Lee-Anne Ekland’s blog. Especially if you’re a mother. Her story here continues there to this day. That’s a spoiler warning if you’re wondering.

Download the story here on iTunes or hit the stream below.

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