Time is a ridiculously funny thing, isn’t it? When Elyse and I started recording these talks, I don’t think that either of us could’ve imagined how relevant they’d be so many months later. This last talk in particular feels appropriate in opposition to this time of division, apathy and anguish that we’re currently living through. In 2025, the word ‘hope’ almost feels childish to reflect on, but there’s a vitality to that word that cannot be overstated. That the need for hope has to exist across ourselves internally and externally, especially as we continue to navigate the darkness of the world. I want to thank Elyse massively for how she’s opened her heart across these talks. Her willingness to share her doubts, uncertainties and fears is something I find so damn brave, and I hope it helps you listeners out there to feel less alone. As Father John Misty says on Pure Comedy “each others all we’ve got” (intro song is Pale Cerule by Ajwaa).

Something that Elyse and I strongly share is this thought that love isn’t discussed enough in our lives. That might sound paradoxical to some, but just think about it for a second; outside of the context of romance and immediate family…..how often do you hear love openly discussed? Which is a bewildering thought to hold when you consider the beautiful ways in which friendships and community shape our daily lives. That the act of exerting and witnessing love amongst people can contribute to keeping us sane in dire times; especially to those in close proximity to us. So this next episode is all about that, exploring the instances of love that Elyse has witnessed in the Middle East, along with exploring why love continues to be an act of resistance (intro song is Pale Cerule by Ajwaa).

When this series was conceived, the word ‘misconceptions’ was one of the first words that came to mind. As an American who’s lived abroad and has traveled (some of) the world, I think it’s beyond clear that the misconceptions of the Arab world are numerous beyond measure. As stated before, one of the hopes of this series is to celebrate the humanity and dignity of the Arabic people, especially the people of Palestine.

So with this episode, Elyse and I aimed to tackle some misconceptions head-on, both ones that are widespread in our home countries of America and Canada, while also challenging ourselves and our previously held misconceptions (intro song is Pale Cerule by Ajwaa).

Though a ceasefire has recently been reached between Israel and Hamas, we must never lose sight of the insurmountable loss that’s being felt by the Palestinian people, as well as the perpetual dehumanization that continues to transpire. This series was made with the hopes of highlighting the humanity of the Palestinian people and the dignity they (as well as people across various corners of the Middle East) have had to exercise in the face of atrocity after atrocity.

This next episode is about highlighting the people that Elyse has met during her time in Amman and offering you a portrait-of-sorts of who these people are and their lives. (intro song is Pale Cerule by Ajwaa).

A few days ago, we announced this mini-season with my friend Elyse Blennerhassett. The title of ‘From My Eyes’ will very much be about the lives and passage of time that Elyse has witnessed while working in Amman, Jordan. That work has been documenting the impact that genocide has gravely affected both Jordan and Palestine and the realities of the people who have been displaced over 80+ years. This first episode you’re about to hear is a mixture of things, both an introduction to Elyse and the general “why” behind this project.

We mention it amongst ourselves, but as artists, we have an innate duty to document the times we’re living in. To tell stories of those who are marginalized by society and listen to those stories with open hearts. This is the first of five conversations I had with Elyse (intro song is Pale Cerule by Ajwaa).

Welcome to From My Eyes, a new mini-season of the podcast featuring Elyse Blennerhassett. Elyse is a documentarian and writer (she has worked with NPR, TED, BBC, etc.).

From My Eyes is a series of talks I’ve had with Elyse about her time in Amman, Jordan, where she documented the impact of genocide that’s transpired in Palestine for 80+ years and the realities of people who have been displaced by genocide. Our first conversation will be out on Thursday, January 9th.

Be sure to follow Elyse over on Instagram at betweenthebranches and to visit her website to learn more about her and her works (intro song is Pale Cerule by Ajwaa).

Even though season 8 has just wrapped, I do have one more talk to share with you this year and it’s with an old friend mine that deeply inspires me, James Vincent McMorrow. He was my season finale guest way back in season 1 and it’s funny, though he is a musician, it always feels silly to only call him that. Yes, he is a prolific songwriter, a producer and an esteemed performer, but James is also a deep thinker. That aspect of his character seeps into everything that he does, both on stage and off.

At the risk of sounding dramatic, it has become exceedingly more important than ever that we strive to learn from others. People who’ve lived different lives than us, people who’ve had different upbringings, people who have different points of view and aspirations in life. The vitality of learning from others is what has driven this podcast since day 1 and knowing that it’s connected with so many people around the globe….well that truly means the world to me.

In many ways, James journey as an artist evokes these sentiments; where the most important thing for him to do is to connect with people. For James, the best way to achieve that has been music and more importantly, crafting music in his own way; not in a way that’s dictated by algorithms. It’s obvious that this is what led to the creation of his latest album, Wide Open, Horses and in typical JVM fashion; it’s the kind of album you think you can put into a box, only for it to break the corners of that box in a ferocious fashion. It’s an absolute privilege getting to welcome him back on the podcast. Like he said the first time around “fuck these boxes that people try to place us in.”

Someone that comes up near the tail end of the talk is our dear friend Eoin French (aka Talos), who we sadly lost last summer. Eoin’s family are releasing the remainder of music that he made, with the recent release being a beautiful collection of songs called Sun Divider. You can find it on all streaming platforms. Suaimhneas síoraí, a chara.

I gotta say, this is an episode I’ve been dreaming about for a long while now. With the season finales, it’s always the hope that they’re a special send-off, and what could be better than a chat with the one and only AURORA? Among being an actual pop star, AURORA is one of my favourite people on earth. Throughout the years, I’ve been fortunate to have photographed and interviewed her for magazines, learning about how deeply she cares about the art she puts out into the world. It’s mentioned quite early on in this episode, but she’s one of my favourite people to talk to; specifically because how I always walk away from a conversation with AURORA thinking “I have a lot more to learn about life.”

Which is also what makes this talk a unique one, because that sentiment seems to be where AURORA has also found herself. Her latest album, What Happened to the Heart? features AURORA asking tough questions about herself and the world around us. It’s an exploration how even when we’re surrounded by darkness, we still need to explore it so that we can eventually reach the light. But what’s it like to ask difficult questions about yourself? What’s it like to then go and make art that reflects that journey for millions of people to hear? Those are the questions I sought to tackle with AURORA, along with having a chat about…well, life itself.

Also what a wild thing to think that this marks episode 100. All I can say about that is: thank you. This series is routinely streamed across 60+ countries a week and the continuing growth of that is something that’ll forever leave me gobsmacked.

Season 9 of the podcast will be coming at ya early Spring 2025. However, throughout the winter months I’ll be releasing a mini-season of the podcast, which will feature talks I’ve recorded with a journalist friend documenting the lives of Palestinian people in the West Bank. Be sure to be following the podcast so you don’t miss out on those episodes.