Point 2 Point episode guide with links to all episodes:
01 Bob Wakeham, Part 1
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Telegram columnist, Bob Wakeham, has been a journalist in Newfoundland for over 40 years. Many spent with CBC as Executive Producer of TV News and Current Affairs. His latest book, edited with Francis Ennis, is a collection of stories by Newfoundland soldiers who fought at Beaumont Hamel called, I Remain Your Loving Son. Bob is the recipient of several journalism awards, his latest being an Atlantic Journalism Award for an article called, “Over the Top B’ys,” which appeared in Saltscapes Magazine.
02 Bob Wakeham, Part 2
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Telegram columnist, Bob Wakeham, has been a journalist in Newfoundland for over 40 years. Many spent with CBC as Executive Producer of TV News and Current Affairs. His latest book, edited with Francis Ennis, is a collection of stories by Newfoundland soldiers who fought at Beaumont Hamel called, I Remain Your Loving Son. Bob is the recipient of several journalism awards, his latest being an Atlantic Journalism Award for an article called, “Over the Top B’ys,” which appeared in Saltscapes Magazine.
03 Edward M. Roberts
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Hon. Edward M. Roberts, 11th Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador, is a former politician, writer, author, and volunteer. He’s not only been a witness to important chapters in Newfoundland and Labrador history he has been an active participant in it. He entered politics immediately after law school and very soon became the Executive Assistant to Father of Confederation, Joseph R. Smallwood.
04 Iris Petten
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Iris Petten has spent much of her life working in Newfoundland and Labrador’s primary industry, an industry which first brought people here hundreds of years ago. The fishery. She comes from a Hibbs’ Cove family with deep roots in the fishery, going back generations. Her father Vern is a fisherman and boat builder, and it was her experience in the family business that helped launch her career with Fishery Products International and later, Ocean Choice International.
05 Jakub Martinec
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Jakub Martinec is Founder and Artistic Director of The Atlantic Boychoir and The National Boychoir of Canada. He’s also the fulltime Director of Choral Studies at Memorial University. He was born in the city of Hradec Králové, in Soviet controlled Czechoslovakia. He fell in love with music and singing at a young age and has devoted his life to helping others sing well and appreciate the beauty of choral music.
06 Very Reverend Dr. Marion Pardy
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The Very Reverend Dr. Marion Pardy was the 37th Moderator of the United Church of Canada. She hails from Gander, Newfoundland, the town where some might say she found her “calling” at an early age. As a member of Fraser Road United Church youth groups, she took to heart the message of the Golden Rule and doing God’s work in a broken world.
07 Roger Grimes
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Roger Grimes was the eighth Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador. Before politics, Roger Grimes was a teacher; and he also served as the president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association.
08 Dr. Avrum Richler
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Dr. Avrum Richler is a well-known Newfoundland and Labrador optometrist and lifelong learner. Dr. Richler was born and raised in Montreal but has lived in Newfoundland and Labrador for the past 52 years. He is novelist Mordecai Richler’s older brother.
09 Andy Wells
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Andy Wells is a man who has worn many hats. Above all, he was Mayor of the City of St. John’s for 11 years and served on council a total of 31 years. He was responsible for giving Karl Wells his first job in television in 1972.
10 Sheilagh Guy Murphy
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Sheilagh Guy Murphy is a former First Lady of St. John’s, actor, comedienne, producer, writer, charity worker, and society hostess.
11 Grant Boland
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Grant Boland is a prolific Newfoundland and Labrador visual artist. His paintings, mostly in the realism genre, are admired for their depiction of natural light. Boland’s style was influenced by his mentors, Mary and Christopher Pratt.
12 Dr. Doug Dunsmore
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Dr. Doug Dunsmore is a prominent music educator. Most of his working life was spent as a member of the faculty of the Memorial University School of Music in St. John’s, NL. He was also instrumental in the creation of the international choral event known as, Festival 500.
13 Guy Matthews
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Guy Matthews (you may know him as Reverend Guy) has spent most of his life ministering to his fellow human beings and supporting them through the difficult periods of their lives. In this episode Karl Wells chats with Guy about a personal challenge which is having a profound impact on his life. Guy underwent heart transplant surgery.
14 Andy Jones
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Andy Jones is an award winning, much honoured and much loved Canadian actor and author. Jones is one of Canada’s most compelling actors. He is as capable of delivering a riveting performance in tragedy and in comedy. He is as comfortable onstage as he is before a film or television camera.
15 Elaine Dobbin
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Elaine Dobbin is an engaged and engaging Canadian philanthropist. Enjoy this in-depth and revealing half hour of conversation about her life, and the remarkable partnership she shared with her late husband, Craig Dobbin, Newfoundland and Labrador’s most successful entrepreneur.
16 Mark Critch
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Mark Critch, of CBC’s 22Minutes, speaks with Karl about his autobiography, Son of a Critch. A lot of terrain is covered in this lively, animated discussion: from Mark’s childhood to his earliest forays into show business.
17 Mary Barry
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The talented Canadian jazz artist, Mary Barry, joins host Karl Wells to discuss her early interest in music, her musical training, her career and life.
18 Bob Hallett
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Bob Hallett is one of Newfoundland and Labrador’s best known musicians and songwriters, having established himself as such during his long tenure with the Celtic band, Great Big Sea. Bob speaks with Karl Wells about his early career as a magazine editor, his role in the founding of Great Big Sea, and offers up his views on a range of topics dear to his heart.
19 Clyde Wells, Part 1
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Hon. Clyde K. Wells was the fifth Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador and a former Chief Justice of the Newfoundland and Labrador Supreme Court. Mr. Wells is still an active lawyer.
20 Clyde Wells, Part 2
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Hon. Clyde K. Wells was the fifth Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador and a former Chief Justice of the Newfoundland and Labrador Supreme Court. Mr. Wells is still an active lawyer.
21 Remzi Cej
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Remzi Cej is a human rights and immigration specialist.
22 Leo Barry
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Leo Barry worked as a lawyer, a cabinet minister, leader of Her Majesty’s Newfoundland and Labrador Opposition, and as a justice with the Newfoundland and Labrador Court of Appeal.
23 Beni Malone
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Beni Malone has been bringing smiles, joy, and laughter to his audiences since the 1970s. He is a clown, in the best sense of the word: a dedicated practitioner of the art of clowning, a proponent of circus arts in general, founder of Wonderbolt Productions and the major creative talent behind its many shows and workshops.
24 Jane Steele
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Jane Steele is one of Newfoundland’s best known and best loved music teachers. She moved to Newfoundland in the 1960s and soon began teaching. She became one of the busiest piano teachers and accompanists in St. John’s. She also found time for choral directing and formed two much-loved choirs. Many of her students became full time musicians and music teachers, and all have fond memories of being tutored by her.
25 Larry Foley
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Larry Foley has been a part of the Newfoundland and Labrador traditional music scene for over 20 years. In this interview with Karl Wells he reflects on his life as a youngster growing up in Placentia, his early interest in music, time spent on the Emerald Isle and much more.
26 Anne Budgell
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In this episode of Karl Wells Point 2 Point, Karl speaks with journalist and author, Anne Budgell, about her book, We All Expected to Die. It's an account of how the 1918 Pandemic developed in Labrador and the devastation it wrought in Labrador's indigenous communities.
27 James K. Hiller
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In this episode of Karl Wells Point 2 Point Karl speaks with the Emeritus Professor of History (Memorial University of NL) Dr. James K. Hiller. They discuss Dr. Hiller's book, Robert Bond - A Political Biography. Bond is regarded by many as being Newfoundland's best First Minister, during his time as Premier of Newfoundland Colony and subsequently as Prime Minister of the Dominion of Newfoundland.
28 Noreen Golfman
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In this episode of Karl Wells Point 2 Point Karl chats with Dr. Noreen Golfman, former Provost and VP Academic, Memorial University of Newfoundland & Labrador and Founding Director of the St. John’s International Film Festival. They discuss her early life in Montreal, moving to St. John’s, helping establish the first Morgentaler Clinic in Newfoundland, her love of film and the NL film industry.
29 Bert Riggs
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In this episode of, Karl Wells Point 2 Point, Karl is joined by longtime MUN Centre for NL Studies archivist, Bert Riggs. We hear about Bert's outport childhood, his insatiable curiosity, and his love of literature and history. Karl also asks Bert to fill in some details about the lives of several celebrated but forgotten Newfoundlanders.
30 Clifford George
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For decades Clifford George has been as colourful a member of our arts scene as his paintings. Cliff has had many jobs since he learned to draw. We chat about them, and the stories that came with them. It’s a journey that took him from working as a janitor at Eastern Health to eventually retiring from one of its most unusual, yet vital positions.
31 Dr. Brian Ramjattan
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Dr. Brian Ramjattan is a family physician, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and one who pursues multiple and varied interests - often at the same time. We talk about several of his projects and he speaks frankly about what it was like growing up as a racialized Canadian in a mostly white Newfoundland town.
32 Jerry Dick
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Jerry Dick arrived in Newfoundland & Labrador, from rural Ontario, as a young man. He came to work on a Carbonear Main Street Project. He stayed. He became Director of Heritage with the NL Government, and then Executive Director of the Heritage Foundation of NL. We talk about his career and views on current heritage development.
33 Tessa Crosbie
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Tessa Crosbie is a showbiz trooper, in the very best sense. Since the 1970s she’s been in numerous local musical theatre productions and occasionally a play. Best known for her Our Divas performances at Christmastime, on this Karl Wells Point 2 Point Tessa reveals what sparked her interest in performing and discusses the adventures and misadventures she had along the way.
34 Rhea Rollman
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I met Rhea Rollman when she interviewed me for a book she’s writing. Afterward I asked if she’d let me interview her on my TV show. Not an easy decision since I asked her to talk about her ongoing transitioning journey. I’m grateful she did. This interview is remarkable, thanks to Rhea’s forthrightness, honesty and eloquence.
35 Matt Wright
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Gander born comedian Matt Wright learned from an early age that he could make people laugh. He also realized that he liked being in the spotlight. It’s safe to say this young Canadian comedian was destined for a career in stand-up. It’s not the easiest road to success, but so far Matt Wright hasn’t encountered too many bumps along the way. He’s been nominated for a Juno Award for a recent comedy album, he’s appeared at the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal, he’s written comedy for 22 Minutes and he regularly performs at Canada’s top comedy clubs and venues. Karl and Matt talk candidly about how he found his way into comedy, and about his life as a stand-up comedian.
36 Gregory Roberts
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Gregory F. Roberts grew up in Triton Island, a small, remote community on Newfoundland’s northeast coast. His first business was a gas station, but he was determined to achieve much greater success. And he did. Today he’s the owner and CEO of one of the most recognizable fast food brands in Canada, Mary Brown’s Chicken, with close to 200 restaurants across Canada.
37 Ron Crocker
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Much of Ron Crocker’s career was spent with the CBC, but during his student years he worked as a reporter for The Evening Telegram. It’s where he met the subject of his new biography, "Ray Guy: Portrait of a Rebel," a look at the life and writing of Newfoundland’s Leacock Award winning satirist, Ray Guy. Please note, although graphics in this episode give two different titles for the book, the actual title is "Ray Guy: Portrait of a Rebel." A working title was given when the interview was filmed and first edited. It was used inadvertently.
38 Perry Chafe, Producer
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Perry Chafe is a founder of Take the Shot Productions based in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. Take the Shot is an entertainment content provider for TV networks and streaming services such as Netflix. Chafe began his career working for museums and plunged into film production with a series called, Republic of Doyle, in 2009.
39 Hon. Loyola Hearn
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Hon. Loyola Hearn was Canada's Ambassador to the Republic of Ireland. Previously he was Canada's Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. It was during his tenure as an Opposition Member of Parliament under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Joe Clark, and then Hon. Peter MacKay, that he initiated and became directly involved in the delicate negotiations which brought about the marriage of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada and the Alliance Party of Canada - under Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper. In this exclusive interview with Karl Wells, Mr. Hearn speaks candidly about the historic merger.
40 Lorraine Michael
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Lorraine Michael has had a remarkable life. A life filled with joy, some sadness, and some regrets, yet always aiming to bring out the best in herself and others. In this interview she talks about growing up in a tiny Lebanese neighbourhood in St. John’s, Newfoundland. It’s easy to imagine the colour and warmth of those times as Lorraine vividly describes her childhood, especially watching her grandmother prepare delectable Lebanese meals. Later we discuss her teaching career as a convent sister with the RC Church, her work in social justice, women’s rights and, of course, her many years leading the New Democratic Party of Newfoundland and Labrador.
41 Paul Pope
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Paul Pope is a pioneer in Newfoundland filmmaking. His Paul Pope Productions Ltd has become a key player in Atlantic Canada’s film industry. Over the years he has produced a vast body of work, from documentaries to theatrical release movies to episodic television series. A current hit series, Hudson & Rex, is being screened or streamed around the globe. In this discussion with Karl Wells he takes viewers on a trip through the evolution of Newfoundland’s modern film industry.
42 Steve Watson
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Karl's friend, Steve Watson, joins him. They chat about Steve’s younger days in Old Blighty, the journey that brought him to mainland Canada and eventually to Newfoundland as Executive Chef of Fairmont Hotel Newfoundland.
43 Edsel Bonnell CM, Part 1
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Part 1 of Karl Wells interview with Edsel Bonnell. Mr. Bonnell was a pioneering Newfoundland and Labrador journalist, a public relations executive, and Chief of staff to Premier Clyde K. Wells. He also founded the Gower Community Band.
44 Edsel Bonnell CM, Part 2
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Part 2 of Karl Wells interview with Edsel Bonnell. Mr. Bonnell was a pioneering Newfoundland and Labrador journalist, a public relations executive, and Chief of staff to Premier Clyde K. Wells. He also founded the Gower Community Band.
45 Carl English, Part 1
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Part 1 of Karl’s interview with Carl English. From an early age, Carl English experienced tragedy and great loss. He found solace in the game of basketball. Eventually it became his dream to build a professional basketball career for himself. And he succeeded.
46 Carl English, Part 2
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Part 2 of Karl’s interview with Carl English. From an early age, Carl English experienced tragedy and great loss. He found solace in the game of basketball. Eventually it became his dream to build a professional basketball career for himself. And he succeeded.
47 Hon. Pamela N. Parsons
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The Hon. Pamela N. Parsons comes from Spaniards Bay, Newfoundland. Before turning to elected politics, she worked in journalism for over a decade. She became Deputy Speaker of the Newfoundland and Labrador Legislature – only the third woman to serve in that position – and followed that by becoming the Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality. This is an altogether interesting conversation with a woman determined to make a difference.
48 Terri Andrews
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Terri Andrews has had one foot firmly planted in the corporate business world and the other in the world of musical theatre for most of her life. For the last 30 years she’s been President of Quality Plus Inc., a management company consulting in health, safety, environmental and quality systems. Since the early 2000s she’s been the Executive Producer and Artistic Director of Ta-Da Events.
49 Bert Riggs
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Educator and archivist, Bert Riggs, joins Karl to chat about prominent figures from Newfoundland and Labrador’s rich history, namely Professor Charles Henry Danielle and the entertainer known in his day as the King of Broadway, Donald Brian.
50 Rabbi Chanan Chernitsky
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Since 2017 Rabbi Chanan Chernitsky has devoted himself to providing spiritual guidance and religious teaching to the Jewish community of St. John’s, Newfoundland - as well as humanitarian services to the broader community. In this interview with Karl Wells, Rabbi Chernitsky tells us about himself and his work.
51 Jerry Evans
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Jerry Evans is one of Newfoundland and Labrador’s foremost visual artists. He’s a master printmaker, whose images, mostly inspired by his indigenous heritage, are striking in their originality.
52 Theresa O'Leary
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Theresa O’Leary is an award winning radio documentarian. Recently she completed a creative non-fiction manuscript telling the story of how the Associated Press began, including the role played by Newfoundland and Cape Race in early news gathering. It’s called, Race to the Cape.
53 Bill Rowe, Pt 1
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William N. Rowe is an author. He’s also been a radio host, columnist, and commentator. Before all that he was one of Newfoundland and Labrador’s most prominent politicians. We decided to spend two episodes with him. This is Part 1.
54 Bill Rowe, Pt 2
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William N. Rowe is an author. He’s also been a radio host, columnist, and commentator. Before all that he was one of Newfoundland and Labrador’s most prominent politicians. We decided to spend two episodes with him. This is Part 2.
55 Bill Brennan
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Bill Brennan is one of Canada’s busiest, most versatile, and most respected musicians. Most who’ve attended major productions in St. John’s featuring live music will recognize his name, if not his face. His latest album is called, Kaleidoscope.
56 Danielle Irvine
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Danielle Irvine is an award winning theatre specialist. She’s taught theatre, made theatre, and been involved in creating several theatre companies in Newfoundland and Labrador. One of her proudest accomplishments is the role she’s played in the ongoing theatrical venture called, Perchance Theatre, in Cupids.
57 Boyd Chubbs
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It would be an understatement to say that Boyd Chubbs is multi-talented. He is one of Canada’s foremost artists, specializing in pen and ink drawing. He’s also a poet and musician, with six published books of poetry and three released recordings of guitar compositions.
58 Whit Fraser
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Whit Fraser is an author who’s published a novel set in Canada’s Arctic called, Cold Edge of Heaven. He knows the north well, having travelled there extensively. We knew each other in the 1980s when we both worked for the CBC. In subsequent decades he’s chaired the Canadian Polar Commission, and was executive director of the national Inuit organization, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami. He is also the vice regal consort of Canada’s Governor General, Mary Simon.
59 Larry Short
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Larry Short is a financial professional. He’s spent much of his life keeping an eye on the economy, and financial markets. All to serve clients who seek his company’s advice on investing. He’s also someone who’s taken a keen interest in our province’s financial health and industrial development. In this episode of Karl Wells Point 2 Point he and Karl have a chat about the history of the economic path Newfoundland and Labrador has been on since its earliest days. British Crown Colony to Dominion to Province of Canada.
60 Dr. Dawn Howse
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Dr. Dawn Howse spent 20 years of her life in Zimbabwe as a missionary doctor with the Salvation Army. She returned to Newfoundland many years ago and continues to work as a physician at the Carbonear General Hospital in Carbonear, Newfoundland and Labrador. Her story is one of devotion and commitment to serving others, from which we can all learn a thing or two.
61 Rick Seaward
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Rick Seaward began his media career in the early ‘70s. He’s worked in private TV and radio, both on-air and in management. Eventually he focussed on TV news reporting, landing a job with CBC Television in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, where he spent most of his career.
62 Ted Rowe
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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.)
63 Cheryl Hickman
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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.
64 Peter Halley
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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.
65 Marie-Beth Wright
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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.
66 Andrew Younghusband
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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.