The Liquid Courage Podcast

Ep. 49 - Samantha Wan (actor, director)

In today’s episode, Amanda drinks some scotch with actor, director Samantha Wan to discuss the entertainment industry in Canada versus in the States, why writing can feel so terrible, and her new venture into directing. At just 23 years old, Samantha became one of the youngest creators to have a prime time series in Canada. She is the co-creator and co-star of OMNI/City TV’s comedy series Second Jen, which was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award, and she was commissioned by OMNI TV to create its first original digital series Sudden Master, a Kung-Fu series that went on to earn numerous awards around the world. You may also recognize Samantha as Zoe Chow from Private Eyes or Cathy from CBC’s Run The Burbs. More recently, she has set her sights on directing, picking up director credits in both tv and film. She directed half of the final season of her series Second Jen, and was the director behind the digital series Lady Ada’s Secret Society, earning her an award for Best Director at the Sydney Web Festival and a nomination for Best Director at the NYC Stareable Film Festival this year. Samantha also directed the TV Movie Love at Sky Gardens and the Hallmark movie Road Trip Romance, both of which are now available to watch in Canada and the US.
 
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Host - Amanda Pereira: insta @hotcoldspicy
Guest on this episode – Samantha Wan: insta @thesamanthawan

Ep. 48 - J Stevens (director, cinematographer, creator)

In today’s episode, Amanda drinks some non-alcoholic beer with director, cinematographer, and creator J Stevens to discuss creating their series Slo Pitch, what draws them to directing, and their favourite TV shows growing up. With over a decade of experience behind the camera, J’s mission is to continue bringing dynamic, personal and visually captivating LGBTQ+ content to the forefront. They are the co-creator, cinematographer and director behind the high-energy mockumentary series Slo Pitch (IFC/OutTV), a director on Season 2 of Sort Of (CBC/HBOMax), and directed an episode of Astrid and Lilly Save the World that earned them a nomination at the 2022 DGC Awards for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Comedy Series. This past September J was invited to participate in TIFF’s Filmmakers Lab, and Playback has named them one of their annual Top 10 to Watch.
 
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Instagram: @liquidcouragepodcast
TikTok: @liquidcouragepodcast
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Reach out at www.liquidcouragepodcast.com
 
Host - Amanda Pereira: insta @hotcoldspicy
Guest on this episode – J Stevens: insta @the_j_stevens

Ep. 47 - Aden Abebe (artist, creator, writer, showrunner, producer)

In today’s episode, Amanda drinks some Chianti red wine with artist, creator, writer, showrunner, and producer Aden Abebe to discuss everything surrounding her new CBC Gem series virgins! – from what compelled her to create the show, to the casting process, to audience reactions, and what she’s learned along the way! Aden is a multi-disciplinary storyteller and artist, committed to telling stories that empower, inspire empathy and meet at the intersection of art and social justice. She is the creator, writer and producer behind the digital series virgins! now available to watch on CBC Gem. virgins! is a dramatic comedy set in Toronto that follows the lives of four 20-something year-old women straddling two cultural spheres, navigating adulthood, work, family, love and relationships as virgins – all the while feeling too modest for the big city of Toronto and too provocative for the East-African homes they come from. Aden is also the founder of ART+HEALTH, a community-based not-for-profit focused on bridging the gap of mental health education, support and resources to the Ethiopian and Eritrean community in Toronto.
 
**Note: We do a pretty good job of not giving any show spoilers away during this episode, but I definitely suggest checking out the series so you really get the most out of our conversation together!
 
Looking for more of The Liquid Courage Podcast?
Instagram: @liquidcouragepodcast
TikTok: @liquidcouragepodcast
Video Episodes & more!
 
Reach out at www.liquidcouragepodcast.com
 
Host - Amanda Pereira: insta @hotcoldspicy
Aden Abebe’s virgins!: insta @virgintheseries
ART + HEALTH: insta @arthealth.ca or www.arthealth.ca

Ep. 46 - Sam Coyle (writer, director)

In today’s episode, Amanda drinks a negroni with award-winning writer, director Sam Coyle to discuss the importance of finding your people, what kinds of stories she’s most drawn to telling, and the release of Avocado Toast Season 2! Sam is best known for directing the first and second season of the award winning series Avocado Toast, which was awarded the Silver Telly Award, Best Director Merced Queer Film Fest, Best Director Portland Comedy Film Fest, & Nominated for 4 Canadian Screen Awards. Sam also directed the evocative queer reality dating show Dating Unlocked won the Silver Telly Award for Best Web Series and Best Direction at the New Zealand Webfest. Sam’s directorial debut feature film, Hazy Little Thing, premiered at the Canadian Film Festival and was sold to Super Channel, and she is now in development on her next feature film, after completing the Attagirl Film Lab, where she was the recipient of the 25k Production Fund grant. Sam is currently in development with CBC Gem and Play Media to develop her half-hour show Get Me Outta Here.
 
Looking for more of The Liquid Courage Podcast?
Instagram: @liquidcouragepodcast
TikTok: @liquidcouragepodcast
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Reach out at www.liquidcouragepodcast.com
 
Host - Amanda Pereira: insta @hotcoldspicy
Guest on this episode – Sam Coyle: insta @its_sam_coyle

Ep. 45 - Julia Haist (owner of Ernie's Icebox)

In today’s episode, Amanda drinks some cocktails (Corpse Reviver #2 to be exact!) with the owner of Ernie’s Icebox Julia Haist to discuss starting her business Ernie’s Icebox, figuring out how to delegate as a boss, and her experience as a female director. In addition to being the founder of Ernie’s Icebox, a premium ice cream sandwich shop here in Toronto, I met Julia through her career in the performing arts. She graduated from Humber College’s theatre performance program as well as Second City’s Conservatory program, and went on to produce, write, and perform in many live theatre productions and comedy performances, including her critically-acclaimed solo show “This is Not She”, where she was nominated for Best Solo Performance by My Entertainment World Critic’s Pick Awards. When the pandemic hit, Julia (like many others) felt she had to pivot career-wise, and so Ernie’s Icebox was born – her very own artisanal ice cream business. Since opening, Ernie’s has been featured by BlogTO, Breakfast Television, in Toronto Life’s annual Holiday Gift Guide, and has made numerous “best of” lists. In July of this year, Julia opened up a storefront for Ernie’s Icebox, located just north of Jane and Bloor here in Toronto – so check it out!
 
Looking for more of The Liquid Courage Podcast?
Instagram: @liquidcouragepodcast
TikTok: @liquidcouragepodcast
YouTube Video Episodes & more!
 
Reach out at www.liquidcouragepodcast.com
 
Host - Amanda Pereira: insta @hotcoldspicy
Guest on this episode – Julia Haist: insta @chameleonorgo
 
Ernie’s Icebox - @erniesicebox