Karl Wells

Tony Murray has been part of the Canadian music industry for many years. Not as a musician, but as a producer. And by all accounts, he’s one of the best. In 2020 he was awarded an Industry Builder Award by the East Coast Music Awards. He calls himself “the man behind the drape,” which is not to say someone who is less important or less significant. Without him and his kind, there would be no music industry.

Dr. John FitzGerald is Director of the Basilica Heritage Foundation. We chat about the most iconic landmark on the St. John’s skyline, beloved by all, regardless of creed or religion, as a valuable piece of the built heritage of Newfoundland, the Basilica Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist. Beloved in ways similar to the love Parisians have for Notre Dame de Paris.

E. Mark Murphy is a professional vocalist from St. John’s, NL who sang in repertory theatre in Europe for fifteen years. His most acclaimed performance was in the Kanter and Ebb musical, Cabaret. He starred as the Emcee. In the fall of 2024 Mr. Murphy brought the character to life again for Tada! at Holy Heart Theatre. In this interview we chat about his life and career.

Dr. Margot Duley has had a distinguished career in academia. Born and raised in St. John’s she received her early and undergraduate education in Newfoundland, and post graduate education in the US and UK. Her love of history earned her a Master’s in British Imperial and South Asian History from Duke University, and a Ph.D. in South Asian History from the University of London. She’s Prof. Emerita of History at Eastern Michigan University and Dean Emerita College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the University of Illinois, Springfield. In this interview she speaks with Karl about her book, “Where Once Our…

Ken Richards has been an employee of Hotel Newfoundland for over fifty years. He began there as a busboy. Today he’s the hotel’s Food and Beverage Outlets Manager. He’s witnessed up-close the way the hospitality industry has evolved over five decades. Ken shares some of his trove of memories with Karl, including the time he cooked for and served President George Herbert Walker Bush, 41st President of the United States.

Edward Hollett has been a communications professional for over four decades. During those years he served as special assistant to premier Clyde Wells, advising on public relations and policy. He’s also an interested observer of all things Newfoundland and Labrador – especially our politics and governance. He regularly gives his opinions on such matters in his newsletter called, Bond Papers, on the Substack platform. In this interview Karl and Edward talk about how Edward got his start in life, what sparked his interest in history and government, and about a piece he wrote on the use of the word “Newfie;”…

Marjorie Doyle is the daughter of one of Newfoundland and Labrador’s most famous sons, the cultural icon, Gerald S. Doyle. In this interview Karl chats with Marjorie about her mother, Mary, someone we know much less about. Even her own children didn’t know as much about their mother as they wanted to. The book, “Mary Foley, Mary Doyle” by Marjorie Doyle, recounts a daughter’s effort to piece together a fuller picture of the enigmatic Mary Doyle.

Frank Galgay is an educator, former city councillor and author. He’s written several books about the history of Newfoundland and Labrador and its people. His most recent is about a Newfoundland World War II commando. It’s called, “Joseph Kearney and the Hunt for Rommel.” Galgay chats with Karl about his book, co-authored by Donna Kearney Adams.

George Masswohl is an actor, singer, and tour guide. He first came to Newfoundland in 2016 to play Sweeney Todd for Opera on the Avalon. Most famously he played the mayor in the Toronto production of Come From Away. Then he moved to Newfoundland permanently, and started a tour company called, George’s Tours. He still finds time to sing. Recently with a group called, The Rowdymen.

Charlene Brophy is President and CEO of Fonemed – a company that provides telephone-based health information to clients in several countries. It’s headquartered in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Ms. Brophy began her career providing care to vulnerable seniors. Today she leads a company that’s helping millions (25 million people in North America alone). Many of whom might not otherwise have access to important health information.