What happens when you carry a creative idea with you for decades and finally get the chance to bring it to life?

On today's episode of The DTALKS Podcast, Joe sits down with writer, actor, and filmmaker Michael Tove to talk about his short film Yard Saleing and the long road that ultimately brought it to the screen.

Michael shares how an early experience on the set of The Handmaid's Tale sparked his love of filmmaking, why storytelling has always been part of his life, and how an idea he first began developing more than 30 years ago eventually became an award-winning film.

Joe and Michael also talk about recognizing once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, why simply getting an opportunity is never enough, the importance of respecting and learning from everyone involved in the creative process, and how showing up prepared, curious, and willing to do the work can open doors you never expected.

It's a conversation about creativity, persistence, collaboration, and why sometimes the difference between a dream that stays a dream and one that becomes real is simply being willing to keep your antenna up — and act when the opportunity appears.

Enjoy!

What happens when talent isn't the only thing determining whether you get your shot?

On today's episode of The DTALKS Podcast, author Angelica Cheng joins Joe to talk about her debut novel, The Fast Track, a YA rom-com set in the high-pressure world of Formula racing.

Angelica shares how discovering Formula One during the pandemic — and quickly noticing how few women were represented in the sport — inspired the story of Justine Kwong, a young driver chasing her dream of reaching F1 while navigating competition, sponsorships, expectations, and the constant question of whether she truly belongs.

Joe and Angelica also discuss the difference between being good enough and being allowed the opportunity to prove it, the imposter syndrome that can come with being the only one in the room, why ambition and romance make such an interesting combination, and the importance of writing messy, ambitious girls who are allowed to make mistakes without losing their worth.

It's a conversation about racing, representation, identity, competition, and how we can encourage young people to chase big dreams without letting those dreams become the sole definition of who they are.

Enjoy!

What makes somewhere — or someone — feel like home?

On today's episode of The DTALKS Podcast, award-winning author and illustrator Shaun Tan returns to the show to talk about his latest book, Hometown.

Joe and Shaun explore the story's wonderfully strange premise: a girl who feels completely at home among a family and community that look nothing like her, until someone who looks like her arrives and insists she belongs somewhere else.

From there, the conversation opens into questions of identity, belonging, belief, first contact, and why human beings can become so certain that their way of seeing the world is the correct one. Shaun also discusses the value of leaving room for doubt, the importance of questioning what we inherit, and how Hometown ultimately became a story about making thoughtful decisions rather than simply accepting what someone else tells us is true.

Joe and Shaun also talk about parenting, giving kids enough guidance to feel supported without making their decisions for them, and why home may ultimately be less about where we come from and more about familiarity, love, and having the freedom to change.

Enjoy!