The Dream Room
July 2021 Edition
Included Below: Words Matter / The Presentation / The Other Wave / Bourdain / Stories We Don’t Tell Podcast. Click HERE for further information about this newsletter. To those from before and those who are new-
I. WELCOME
Words DO matter.
Over the last few months, I’ve joked with some friends that I was going to start a Communications 101 workshop for politicians. I guess they have all learned to be constantly spinning things so much that they forgot how to share actual information. Life-saving information.
And I’m not just talking about our fearless leader here in Ontario. The newsletters from my MPP - an NDP’er - are riddled with mistakes and often sent two or three at a time correcting mistakes or broken links from previous emails. It’s so pathetically bad that I sometimes think Chris Glover, MPP Spadina-Fort York has gotten stuck in some kind of loop Terminator-style and is trying to fix the past to save the future.
Communication and words and intent all matter. A big part of my job and many others is to concisely and succinctly exchange information with people (for me it's not even life or death) and through a variety of means and platforms. It’s really not hard, or I guess I should qualify that with a “for most people.” I wouldn’t be working at a job if I hadn’t figured this out. So, generally speaking, politicians suck at it. They even have entire communications teams at their disposal (just sayin’).
Some of the people below are masters at communicating, not only with information and ideas, but also with activism, intellect, and beliefs. You could say that Anita Li has built her life around communicating. After years of working at different outlets and organizations, both big and small, she is wanting to help us reenvision media in Canada. I highly recommend subscribing to her newsletter, The Other Wave, which includes her unique and expert insider and outsider perspective on some of the most important stories happening today.
I also included a very old article I wrote about Anthony Bourdain. You could say he knew how to communicate. I feel like his talent was in bridging the facts of a story with the emotional importance of it. Through all the years of writing on my blog, I actually feel that the below article was one of the best. It was honest. I think that’s another thing a great communicator can do - inspire others.
Maybe that’s enlightenment enough: to know that there is no final resting place of the mind; no moment of smug clarity. Perhaps wisdom is realizing how small I am, and unwise, and how far I have yet to go. — Anthony Bourdain.
Q - Who are some people you know that can tell a great story?
II. TALES FROM THE DREAM ROOM
Each month welcomes an exclusive story from a parallel world.
The Dream Room is a place that where everything is interconnected. The sights and sounds and people that inhabit this world feel familiar. The tales pulled from the Dream Room are sometimes true and sometimes fiction, they may scare you or make you laugh. The Dream Room is a place not to be taken lightly and if you’re ready to enter, read the excerpt below and click on the link for the full story.
This story is an excerpt from my latest book, I’m Leaving It. This book was essentially finished last year, but with the whole pandemic thing, I figured I’d wait until a bit. Let things blow over. And so I waited. And waited. And I’m still kinda waiting. I’m figuring out what to do with this at the moment, and although it has been released and is for sale, I’ve done it all quietly. The thing is, I like to do fun and weird book launches, so again, I’ve been waiting to be able to do that before really putting this out there.
That all being said, since this newsletter is loosely about communicating, I thought this story fit in nicely. It’s actually about a small miscommunication, which escalates to somewhat of an identity crisis. You can read the whole story at this link and if you like it, there is an entire book of this kind of stuff.
A taxi came speeding down the entrance and stopped right in front of the grocery store. I ran outside, and the driver put down the passenger side window and asked, "Are you, Carl?" Now, every once in a while, we are fortunate to be present in a specific moment in time, a moment where our life could change, could continue on our usual trajectory or go off in an unknown direction. I thought about the meeting I was trying to get to and how much I didn't want to go. Added to this, the ridiculously cold weather. Plus, there was only so much loitering I could do before having to buy something. So, I made a decision. He asked again, "Are you, Carl?" And I said, "Yes." — Excerpt from I’m Leaving It.
Read the whole story at this link.
Q - Have you ever been mistaken for someone else?
III. PAUL’S PICKS.
A recommendation of something watched, read, or listened to.
Anita Li really is one of the most brilliant people I’ve met. Through her newsletter, The Other Wave, she has a perspective on media and culture that is insightful, innovative, and thought-provoking. So, first things first, open another tab right now and subscribe to Anita’s newsletter. I asked her a few questions about journalism and she delivered. Here are some excerpts from her answers and you can read the whole thing at this LINK. And again, for more of her writing and much-needed voice, check out The Other Wave and learn more about Anita on her website.
What is your background in journalism and what are you doing now?
Currently, I am a full-time consultant and educator who specializes in journalism entrepreneurship, audience engagement, media business models, community-driven journalism, editorial and technological innovation, journalism ethics, and diversity, equity and inclusion in media. I also occasionally freelance, with my op-eds and articles appearing in New York Magazine, Poynter, Policy Options and other publications across North America.
What is the Other Wave about?
The Other Wave is a journalism innovation newsletter I launched in September 2020 that will (1) give you an insider’s look at how I’m challenging the status quo in Canadian journalism and (2) document my outsider’s journey building a media product that will embody modern Canada — that is, younger generations of Canadians who share the same forward-thinking values.
In your opinion, where is journalism heading?
Since the media is a pillar of democracy, my ultimate goal in encouraging Canadian journalism to embrace more progressive editorial and business models is to reinforce Canada's democratic institutions and processes. Given the current threat to democracies worldwide, my mission feels particularly urgent. As a journalist who worked in U.S. media for a portion of my career, and who also covered the 2016 presidential election, I saw firsthand how the lack of shared truth has inflamed misinformation and polarization among the American public — two negative consequences I want to help combat in Canada.
Power is centralized in a journalism industry as small as Canada’s, so failure to consult a diverse array of stakeholders when revitalizing old structures or building new ones during a time of disruption will only reinforce antiquated systems that perpetuate inequality and support regressive models. That’s why it’s important for me to challenge existing paradigms about not only what and who we cover, but also how we cover them.
You’ll really want to read Anita’s full answers over here at this LINK. It really does give you a small taste of what to expect over on The Other Wave.
Below is a video of Anita’s TED Talk on the power of digital journalism. She is also a frequent contributor and panelist and has made appearances on CBC Radio’s The Current and TVO’s The Agenda with Steve Paikin.
Q - How do you think journalism is evolving?
IV. FROM THE ARCHIVES.
An old story brought to you in a new way.
BOURDAIN (July 2018): Bourdain had been able to weave perfectly his writing and creative voice into exactly the right kind of vehicle. The early shows were good, but I felt he was in a constant state of evolution. Each show was a stepping stone along the way, experimenting, trying to get to a place where he felt comfortable. The seemingly unwavering pursuit to be around smart people who are doing interesting things. It wasn’t just about the food. Sure, there was plenty of it. But, more so, there was a respect for people who create, who experiment, and who unabashedly be themselves. The confidence Bourdain seemed to have in his opinions and attitude. He was, in short, inspiring on a few different levels.
People hide parts of them well. Bourdain had talked about his depression sporadically. Sure, he could have a curmudgeon demeanor, but that was all part of his charm. There was always a darkness to him, an edge. I guess it went deeper than we all knew. What I kept thinking about is when people decide to take their own life, what made them take that extra step? He’s written about suicide before, but there was always something stopping him. I’m sure during his drug-infused states as a young man he thought of it. Why now? What was it that happened now that changed it from ideation to action?
One thing I’ve learned is how much I compartmentalize different aspects of my personality. We all do this to a certain extent. I was very good at showing work colleagues one side, family another, and friends yet another. When I got depressed or felt shame about my feelings, I was able to disappear, or at least, only show the people I wanted to show. Really, it was an illusion of control.
Read the whole story at this link.
NOTE: I remembered this article after seeing this trailer for the new documentary about Anthony Bourdain.
Q - Who is someone that inspires you with their work?
V. WATCH, LISTEN, READ, OR DO.
Something to take with you.
The Stories We Don’t Tell crew is excited to drop a bunch of new episodes over the next few weeks and months. Most of these stories were from our online show back in the winter. It’s taken a bit of time to put these together, but everything seems to move a little slower these days.
Each episode includes a brand new story coupled with a discussion about storytelling by the SWDT Crew. The discussion is around a specific topic or concept inspired by the story.
On episode 142, frequent SWDT storyteller Jette shares a story about memories from her past. The crew discusses writing a story that takes place in a specific location. They have some tips and tricks on how to go back into your mind and imagination to tell a story rich in authentic detail.
Listen and subscribe to the SWDT Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.If you have a story that you are interested in telling on our podcast please reach out and let us know!
Q - Any new podcast recommendations?
You’ve probably noticed that I’ve included a question at the end of each section. No, this isn’t required homework. However, if you are compelled to write to me with your thoughts, I would love to hear from you. Who knows, I might even share some of the answers in future newsletters (anonymously, of course). Email me here: jpd@pauldore.com.
June 2021 Edition: Accidents / White Squirrel / Crying in H Mart / The Brain Changes / Dreams of Being a Kiwi.