News: Indigo Books Canada chooses Openly Karl by Karl Wells as Best Book of Newfoundland and Labrador 2025

KARL WELLS POINT 2 POINT, E71, GUEST: FRANK GALGAY

2024-12-07

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.

KARL WELLS POINT 2 POINT, E70, GUEST: GEORGE MASSWOHL

2024-12-07

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.

KARL WELLS POINT 2 POINT, E69, GUEST: CHARLENE BROPHY

2024-12-07

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.

KARL WELLS POINT 2 POINT, E68, GUEST DEAN MACDONALD

2024-10-16

Dean MacDonald has had nothing less than an extraordinary career. It began in the early 80s when he was hired by a feisty little company named Avalon Cablevision. From there he went on to work for Ted Rogers and became COO of the Rogers Communications Cable Unit. Subsequently he became CEO of Persona Communications until its sale in 2007. He’s also held positions in our provinces energy sector, and currently is a Director or board member of several companies, not the least of which is Deacon Investments and Deacon Sports and Entertainment.

KARL WELLS POINT 2 POINT, E67, GUEST: LISA PORTER

2024-10-15

Lisa Porter is President of Pope Productions, makers of the hit TV show, Hudson and Rex. She’s been involved as a performer, producer, director, and writer in our arts community, as well as TV and feature length films (e.g. Above and Beyond). Lisa is a co-founder of the summertime Newfoundland and Labrador literary festival, Ochrefest.

KARL WELLS POINT 2 POINT, E66, GUEST ANDREW YOUNGHUSBAND

2024-10-13

Andrew Younghusband was born in Australia and grew-up in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. With little formal training, but plenty of perseverance, he made a career for himself in writing and performing. Eventually he gained national recognition for a show on Discovery Channel called, Canada’s Worst Driver.

Karl Wells Point 2 Point, E65, Guest Marie-Beth Wright

2023-11-22

Marie-Beth Wright spent a career teaching in Newfoundland schools. She’s also researched the early days of Newfoundland and Labrador’s denominational school system in rural Newfoundland and Labrador. It’s a fascinating story of how children (mainly the baby boom generation) were educated in outport communities during the decades between 1940 and 1970. There were no school libraries, no science labs, and supplies were limited. Teachers had to use their ingenuity, be inventive and able to adapt. It’s a story of perseverance, strength, and dedication.

Karl Wells Point 2 Point, E64, Guest Peter Halley

2023-11-22

Peter Halley has made a decades-long career for himself as a music educator, artistic director, and performer in musical theatre. Plus, he managed to do it all while remaining here in Newfoundland and Labrador. Peter chats with me about his early interest in performing, his first foray into the business and much more. Including founding Spirit of NL.

Karl Wells Point 2 Point, E63, Guest Cheryl Hickman

2023-11-22

Cheryl Hickman has devoted her life to music. Her passion for classical music led her to a career singing soprano in opera. She’s performed with opera companies nationally and internationally. Her proudest accomplishment is having established Newfoundland and Labrador’s first and only professional opera company, Opera on the Avalon.

Karl Wells Point 2 Point, E62, Guest Ted Rowe

2023-11-22

Ted Rowe has written yet another biography about a Newfoundland Liberal Prime Minister. This time it’s Sir Richard Squires. The book is called, Mischief in High Places. (Published by Breakwater Books.)

Openly Karl: A Memoir written by Karl Wells and available from 15 April 2025. Click here for purchase options and more details.