My favourite part of being a podcaster is meeting people. In particular, I value having the opportunity to speak with others and learn more about the human condition in the process. That is to say that in the process of learning about bees, law, aviation history, museum exhibits and freehand drawing of circles (to name a few), I’ve learned about passion, innovation, creativity, generosity, curiosity, world smarts (in place of classroom smarts) and strength of character (to name a few).

All of this got me thinking about the interviews I haven’t yet done.

Here then are two lists of interviews I’d still like to do. The first list is my wish list of guests whom are deceased, the second is my wish list of living guests that I plan to invite. It’s worth noting that these lists change on a somewhat regular basis and are by no means complete lists (as they appear here), just what’s on my mind as I write this.

Wish list of guests that are deceased:

• Pierre Trudeau on the cult of personality and having the confidence to make unpopular decisions.
• Abraham Blevis (my dad’s father) about being a radio operator and his service with — and dishonourable discharge (for being underage) from — the Royal Northwest Mounted Police.
• Ty Cobb on how his passion to be the best in his sport impacted his ability to enjoy the game and have lasting friendships.
• Douglas Adams on developing and exercising one’s imagination and creating a visual experience with words.
• Albert Einstein about the connection between the natural and philosophical worlds.

Wish list of guests that are living and whom I plan to invite:

• Sting on the influence of literature on his songwriting, the creative process and staying power in an age of transient bands and a music industry that’s being forced to redefine itself.
• A kindergarten teacher (or a few of them) on what society will be like in twenty years (thanks to Clifford Stoll for this idea).
• An astronaut (Chris Hatfield’s name has been suggested by a friend) on NASA’s purported requirement that astronauts have some form of spiritual belief system as a way of coping with the impact of space travel on ‘the person’.
• A member of emergency services about teamwork and communications in a crisis.
• Andy Summers on creating a unique sound and style when supersaturation seems to be limiting possibilities.
• Jim Foster, a friend, on being a restaurant owner and catering (no pun intended) to the needs of others.
• Stephen Gritt, National Gallery of Canada, on restoration and conservation of art.
• Hugh Padgham, Steve Lillywhite and Daniel Lanois on making a good song great through creative arrangements.
• Tim Burton about turning imagination into entertainment.
• Barak Obama and one of the staff at a local coffee shop on being human.