Backstage at the Vinyl Cafe
Episodes
Je Ne Sais Quoi - Petit Lac Noir & Montreal
20 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
“Bonjour,” he said. “Je m’appelle Dave.”Stuart loved Quebec and was proud to have grown up there. That influence is apparent in so many of h...
In the Woods - The Man Who Punched Trees
13 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
“It was a magnificent tree.”We’re thinking about our connection to the natural world on this week’s pod. We’ve got an essay from Stuart McLe...
The World of Work - Boy Wanted & Carl’s Retirement
06 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
“It was Sam’s first year in high school. And it was not going well.”On today’s episode: two of Stuart McLean's hilarious Dave & Morley sto...
Border Crossings - Dave Crosses the Border
27 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
“That afternoon, in his first true act of citizenship, Dave wore five lacy bras across the border.”This week is all about the relationship between...
Hardware Stores – Fireworks & Margaret Gets Married
20 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
“There is nothing like a wedding to addle people’s minds.”Today on the pod we’re celebrating one of Stuart’s favourite stores: The good old ...
Man and Beast - Arthur the Dog & Dave the Dog Walker
13 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
“He wanted to be alone so he could try the beef-flavoured toothpaste”On this week’s episode: two fan favourites: stories about some of the sweet...
Hold the Phone - The Phone Message
06 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
"It began simply enough. It began with a phone call."Stuart loved talking on the phone: much of his work revolved around phone calls. Jess talks about...
Leacock - The Roundabout & Keswick
30 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
“What’s in a name? When it’s yours – a lot, apparently.”We’re talking about Canadian humour today on the podcast. We're following a t...
Shout out to… - Code Yellow & Murphy’s Bar Mitzvah
23 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
“Dave’s relationship with hospitals over the years has not been without problems.”The two Stuart McLean stories on today’s episode are connect...
Après Ski & Other Lessons – The Greatest Hockey Game
16 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
“They tried to stop us, says the old man. But we kept playing.”We’re talking about winter sports on this week’s episode. We’ve got two stori...
New way to listen: Ad-free and much more!
15 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Season 7 of Backstage at the Vinyl Cafe started last week, did you catch the first episode? We’ll be with you every Friday until the summer. Whoo!&n...
Embracing Winter – Holland
09 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
“It was the greatest skate of her life.” Happy New Year! Welcome back to Backstage at the Vinyl Cafe! Light a fire, get a bowl of soup, and a...
Christmas Cheer - Christmas at the Turlingtons’ & Dave Cooks the Turkey
19 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“Did you take the turkey out of the freezer?”For our last episode of the season – and our last before the Holidays – two Christmas classics! P...
Best Behaviour - Christmas at Tommy’s & Polly Anderson’s Christmas Party
12 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“First fires…. and then floods”On this week’s episode, two hilarious Stuart McLean stories about being out and about, Christmas visiting. Our ...
Dave on the Roof - Dave on the Roof & Christmas on the Road
05 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“Eustache was bracing himself for a long and lonely Christmas”It’s December so we’re going the full festive from now until Christmas! This wee...
Dave Plays Santa - Dave Plays Santa & Springhill
28 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“Christmas in Dave’s record store is just plain fun”On today’s episode, Jess talks about the challenges of trying to create Christmas magic wh...
Gobble Gobble - Dave Raises the Turkey & Dave and the Duck
21 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“Dave stared at the duck in disbelief. The duck stared back at him.”This week, we’re back talking about birds again, with two of Stuart McLean's...
Vinyl Cafe: The Musical - Rashida, Amir and the Great Gift-Giving
14 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“Christmas Day is going to be a little strained in Dave’s neighbourhood this year.”Today on the pod we’re all about Vinyl Cafe: The Musical! T...
We Shall Remember - Remembrance Day
07 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“There’s something about the ghosts who live in the house where you live.”This week something special for Remembrance Day: an essay Stuart McLea...
All Hallows Eve – Halloween
31 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“Let me state the case for Hallowe’en”Today’s the day - Happy Hallowe’en! We’ve got a wonderful story exchange about an immigrant’s firs...
Journeys - Vancouver & Kenny Wong's Practical Jokes
24 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“The baker, the chef, the Indian maestro.”Today on the podcast it’s a smorgasbord from Stuart McLean. About food, about journeys and more in bet...
Amazing Spaces – The Library of Parliament, Museum of History & Gander International Airport
17 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“There was a time when the Gander airport was the biggest airport in the world”On this week’s episode, we have three of Stuart’s opening monol...
More Arthurs!
10 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s our annual Thanksgiving tradition – the Vinyl Cafe Arthur Awards. More treasures from the Vinyl Cafe archives about some amazing acts of kind...
Quebec Connection - A Trip to Quebec
03 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“The Pensionne du Quebec was lit up like a party ship”We’ve got a Quebec selection for you on today’s podcast. A story about Sam’s school tr...
Cakes Gone Wrong - The Birthday Cake & Arthur Takes the Cake
26 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“Surely Mary wouldn’t miss one of those little buttercream shrubs…”On this week’s episode of Backstage, two stories about cakes, those speci...
Rodentia - Dave and the Mouse & Rat-a-tat-tat
19 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“PPMS. Phantom peripheral mouse syndrome”Jess and Dave have something in common: rodent phobia! Jess shares how she got over hers. And in two...
Compromising Positions - The Bare Truth & Yoga Retreat
12 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“Mary had never ever been downstairs with no clothes on. Never. Ever.”We’ve got some classic Dave and Mary Turlington adventures on this week’...
September - School Days
05 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“Every year on the first day of school, to the great amazement of the kids in kindergarten…Miss MacNeal would burp the alphabet from A to Z.”&nb...
Season 6 - Starting September 5th
29 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We hope you'll join us next Friday for Season 6 of Backstage at the Vinyl Cafe! We’ve got more Dave and Morley stories for you, more of Stuart McLea...
We Regret to Inform You: Rejecting Monty Python
20 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, more from our Apostrophe Podcast Network family! We think you will enjoy, "We Regret to Inform You: The Rejection Podcast." Sidne...
REWIND WEDNESDAY: Bloopers
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Something special for you for our first bonus episode. From one of my absolute favourite Vinyl Cafe radio shows, from 2011, this is Stuart and I ...
REWIND WEDNESDAY: Summertime – Mexican Climbing Mint & Summer of Stars
06 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“There is nothing like a neighbour throwing money about their garden to make you feel bad about yours.” It's summer all the way on this week’...
REWIND WEDNESDAY: Road Trip! – Cat in the Car
30 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“Whenever the cat is around, things seem to go wrong.” This week, Dave discovers a stowaway on the family road trip, with hilarious consequen...
The Beatlology Interviews: Actor Mark Hamill
23 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Something a little different this week that we think you’ll enjoy. From our friends at the Apostrophe Podcast Network: Terry O’Reilly’s “The B...
REWIND WEDNESDAY: The Mistakes We Make – Petit Lac Noir & Dog Pills
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Bonjour,” he said. “Je m’appelle Dave.”Yup, sometimes things go wrong. It happens to the best of us. Especially on the Vinyl Cafe, as you’ll...
REWIND WEDNESDAY: Summer – A Letter from Camp & The Waterslide
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"This waterslide was the waterslide to end all waterslides” We are taking a break over the summer, so in honour of our final episode of Season ...
Bonus Episode: Meet Greg!
04 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For this summer bonus episode, my conversation with long-time Vinyl Cafe and Backstage at the Vinyl Cafe recording engineer, Greg DeClute. Greg has so...
Summer Trips - Canoe Trip & The Summer Cottage
20 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“There is nothing like a 20th wedding anniversary to drive home the point that you are no longer 20 years old” For our final episode of ...
Childhood - The One and Only Murphy Kruger & The Great Train Adventure
13 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“When are you supposed to let your children march off alone? When are you supposed to let them learn from their mistakes” On today’s episod...
Summer Things - Dave and Morley, Dancing
06 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“Dave said, you’re thinking about dancing, aren’t you?” We’re looking towards summer on today’s episode. We have a script Stuart wrot...
Toys - Rhoda’s Revenge & Planet Stuart
30 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“When Dave was a boy, dolls terrified him”Something a little different on today’s episode: two stories about kids' toys -- the good, the bad and...
Out and About - Cousin Dorothy & Have Snake, Will Travel
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“Murphy was terrified of snakes” Today’s episode features two stories that take place out and about, further afield. Dave’s Cousin Doroth...
Birthdays! - Sam’s Birthday & Morley’s 40th Birthday Bash
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“I don’t want a birthday party, said Morley. I hate birthday parties” Some vintage Stuart McLean this week, as Morley celebrates a mileston...
Old Friends - The Wedding Dress & Jimmy Walker of Foggy Bottom Bay
09 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“Dave was still a kid the night he and Jimmy met.” Stuart loved to write about old friends. This week we’ve chosen two of our favourit...
Car Trouble – Driving Lessons & Car Wash
02 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"Thank God, he thought, help has arrived.”Today on the show, Jess shares a back story about a Vinyl Cafe tour bus adventure. Plus two Dave and Morle...
Stories from Way Back - Walking Man & Why I Buy 8-tracks
25 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“Dave was going to see Morley. He was trying to find the courage to ask her to marry him.” Some vintage Stuart McLean this week with two stor...
Obsession - Blood Pressure Chair & Dave’s Truck
18 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“It was not as if they *needed* a 1948 red panel truck…”On today’s episode, two hilarious Vinyl Cafe stories that highlight Dave’s tendency ...
Mechanical Mutiny - The Jock Strap & Dave and the Vacuum
11 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“Morley thought she was the Athletic Support” We’re all about equipment failure on this week’s pod. Those everyday items that m...
Parents
04 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
More about parenting and family life this week, with two moving essays by Stuart McLean. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informa...
Kids - Susan is Serious & Sam Goes Green
28 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“I think I have an alien.” This week, two wonderful stories about kids… and their parents. And Jess admits to a surprising source of inspir...
The Power of Song - Dave's Last Kind Word Blues
21 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“He didn’t understand that the organic confusion that’s at the heart of the Vinyl Cafe is, in fact, the thing that makes it work.” Is the...
Stealing - Sam Steals & Emil
14 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“Crimestoppers. It’s synonymous.” We’ve got two of Stuart’s older stories on today’s episode. One from the very early days of the sho...
The Movies – Sam’s First Kiss
07 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“Of all of the theatres, in all the complexes, in all of the towns, she walks into mine.” This week on the pod we’re at the movies, basking...
Deception - Dave and the Sourdough Starter & A Day Off
28 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“I have a genealogy, said Carl. Of the starter. Like a family tree. I have it in a frame in the den.” A pandemic favourite on this week’s e...
People from the Past - Whatever Happened to Johnny Flowers & Morley and the Century of Wind Theatre Company
21 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“In celebration of 100 years. Big Narrows, Cape Breton. Centennial Baby.” In our first story this week, Dave is jolted back in time by a sudd...
Love – Love Never Ends
14 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“It’s funny the things that you miss.” For you love birds out there, we’re playing one of our most requested love stories today. The choc...
Cape Breton Tales - The Black Beast of Margaree & The Roundabout
07 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“I didn’t know you were a fan of Mr. Bond…” On this week’s episode we’re spending time in Dave’s childhood neighbourhood: Big Narro...
The Neighbourhood - Kenny Wong’s Contest & Late Date
31 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“How could he explain skulking around their property when he was supposed to be inside eating”Oh Dave, how do you manage it! This week, two more h...
Postcards from Canada - Whitehorse & Annapolis Royal
24 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We’re on the road again! On this week’s episode, two of Stuart’s popular postcards from Canada, from two memorable spots across the country that...
Growing up - Dream Bunnies & Sam is Home Alone
17 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“It’s a tricky thing to negotiate, the war of independence” Today on the pod, Sam and Stephanie step towards independence, while Dave and M...
Winter – Minnedosa & Jim’s Toboggan
10 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“Two men who should have known better, climbing onto an old wooden toboggan” Happy New Year and welcome back to Season 5 of Backstage at the ...
Season 5 - Starting January 10th
03 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Happy New Year everyone! Join us in 2025 for a brand new season of Backstage at the Vinyl Cafe - featuring heartwarming and hilarious stories and essa...
Hanukkah - Dave’s Christmas Tree
27 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“Light, said Dave, amidst the darkness.”An extra episode for the holidays with a special story about Dave and Sam out and about on a perfect winte...
Christmas Preparations - The Christmas Card & Morley’s Christmas Concert
20 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“There is something about sitting on a plastic chair several sizes too small for you that puts you in touch with feelings you never knew you ha...
All I want for Christmas… - Stephanie’s Mystery Book & Dave Makes Snow
13 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“It will snow. And it will be deep and crisp and even.”Some alternate approaches to festive gift giving on this week’s pod. In our first story a...
Christmas Chaos - Mary Turlington and Polly Anderson’s Christmas Collision & Ferrets for Christmas
06 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“He stuck his head in the dryer. It was not the wisest decision.”Today on the pod, two more stories of festive shenanigans. Mary and Polly try to ...
Cape Breton Christmas - Morley’s Christmas Present & Dave’s Christmas Parade
29 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“Genius should never be confused with desperation.”Woohoo! It’s time to play some Christmas stories. This week, two stories from Dave’s hometo...
Getting Older - The Cruise & A Case of the Dwindles
22 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“Bad things happen at sea.”Today’s episode is all about aging – in the best possible way! Mistakenly booked onto a seniors’ cruise, Dave has...
Jobs - Newsboy Dave & On-Stage Defibrillator
15 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“The door to days gone by is a strange little door.”Today on the podcast, two stories about jobs and some of Dave’s more unusual work experience...
Remembrance – Zaidie’s story
08 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“I will never forget that day.”We have something very special for you this week. From one of the most-requested Vinyl Cafe episodes, this is Stuar...
Home - Rendi & Fire at the Old Town Hall
01 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“How can you deny an old man his dying wish?”This week’s episode is all about the powerful pull of home. We start with a story about Dave’s ne...
Myths and Magic – The Mermaid and Other Mysteries & Hello, Monster
25 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“It was one of those moments that make you wonder if your life is cursed.”In this week’s episode, two stories of a mystical flavour, with myster...
In Over Your Head - Dave and the Cell Phone & Dave Goes Babysitting
18 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“How was Dave supposed to know the Madden kids were all lactose intolerant.”Today on the pod, two stories where Dave bites off more than he c...
The Arthurs
11 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Our Thanksgiving tradition: The Arthur Awards! Two more of our favourite Vinyl Cafe Arthur Awards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inf...
Listen Carefully - Music Lessons & Rock of Ages
04 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“The day Annie began violin lessons was the most exciting day of her life."This week’s episode is all about music. It was such an integral part of...
Gone to the Dogs - Le Morte D’Arthur
27 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“He was a great dog.”Today on the podcast, two stories about dogs – one of my favourite subjects! The first is about Dave’s two dogs: Scout an...
Change - Stephanie Goes to University & Carl’s Retirement
20 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“Carl didn’t want to retire.”Today on the podcast, two stories about embracing change. Dave’s neighbour Carl Lowbeer (and his wife Gerda) get ...
The Congregation of Adults - Sam’s Predictions
13 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“I made predictions. They are all coming true.”This week, we’re talking about kids and independence. In our story, Sam gets guidance from an&nbs...
Dave Goes Back to School - Dave Gives a Speech & Planet Boy
06 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“He came downstairs in a Grateful Dead t-shirt and a pair of bell bottoms.” Welcome back for Season 4 of Backstage at the Vinyl Cafe! This we...
Season 4 – Starting September 6th
30 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We’re so excited to be back next week with Season 04 of Backstage at the Vinyl Cafe. Join us for hilarious Vinyl Cafe stories and inspiring scripts ...
Bonus Episode: The Boy Who Went Over the Falls
16 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this bonus episode you’ll hear my conversation with Roger Woodward, the boy who went over the falls. You loved hearing his remarkable story in ou...
Bonus Episode: Bloopers II
19 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
By popular request, for our first bonus episode of season 3, this is part II of Stuart and I in studio, back in 2011, talking - and laughing - about s...
Summertime - Mexican Climbing Mint & Summer of Stars
21 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“There is nothing like a neighbour throwing money about their garden to make you feel bad about yours.” It's summer all the way on this week’...
Sam - Boy Wanted
14 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“It was Sam’s first year in high school. And it was not going well.” Sam’s turn this week: We have a story about Sam’s first job and ab...
Stephanie - Steph’s Statistics Exam & In the Weeds
07 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“How bad could it be? Statistics. That’s how bad it could be.” This week, two stories about Dave and Morley’s daughter, Stephanie – Ste...
Road Trip! - Cat in the Car
31 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“Whenever the cat is around, things seem to go wrong.” This week, Dave discovers a stowaway on the family road trip, with hilarious consequen...
Kindness - Wally
24 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“Not everyone in the world is cut out to be a school janitor.” We’re full of the milk of human kindness on this week’s podcast. We play S...
The Promise of Summer - The Man Who Punched Trees & Rosemary Honey
17 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“A hive of bees is like a harvest kitchen. They gather up the summer: the heat of the sun, the warmth of the rain…” This week on the podcas...
Bucking Bronco (aka Mother’s Day) - Sam’s Underwear & Harrison Ford’s Toes
10 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“It started like a sprint. One moment you were standing still, and the next you were running as fast as you could.” Hold on tight! On today’...
Food Glorious Food - No Tax on Truffles
03 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“It says it’s one of the most wonderful tastes in the world.” It’s a gastronomical episode of the podcast today. Stuart loved writing abo...
The Cricket - The Cricket & I Need to Pee
26 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“He’s not well, Stuart.” We’re going way back today with two pieces from pre-Vinyl Cafe days! One is a favourite you’ve been requesting...
The Alchemy of Audience - Dad is Dying & Odd Jobs
19 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“There are only so many holes a man can cut in his own house before he is told to stop.” Today on the show, two classic Stuart McLean stories...
Spring – The Fish Head
12 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“I guess I figured having a fish head could come in handy.” On this week’s episode Stuart celebrates the joys of birding and the Spring bir...
Marriage - Dave and the Duck & Margaret Gets Married
05 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“There is nothing like a wedding to addle people’s minds.” Today on the pod we have two hilarious stories about marriage and proposal. In t...
Seeds of Hope - The Fig Tree & Morley’s Garden
29 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“Eugene’s fig tree is the best-known tree in the neighbourhood.” We’re all about gardening on the podcast this week, with two Dave a...
What’s in a Name? - Skunks
22 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“It was 4:30 in the morning and Dave was having a nightmare about something that smelled bad.” On today’s episode we have a fragrant story ...
Sap’s Running! - Dave Makes Maple Syrup
15 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“It is the best maple syrup I have ever had, said Sam.”We’re celebrating one of the wonders of spring on the pod this week: Stuart waxes lyrical...
The Wisdom of Children - Annie’s Turn & Dave and the Roller Coaster
08 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“The kids were always up to something in the Narrows.” This week’s episode is all about kids and what we can learn from them. The first sto...
Literary Structures - Dave’s Inferno & Labour Pains
01 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“By the end of the first trimester, Dave had put on 12lbs.” A surprising theme links our two stories this week. In the first, Dave has a...
Trapped - Rat-a-tat-tat & Dave Buys a Coffin
23 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
"He was about to climb in—just for a second, just to see…" Poor Dave gets himself into some tight situations in both this week’s stories. A...