The Firecracker Department with Naomi Snieckus

Latest Episodes:

Ingrid Veninger Apr 05, 2019

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Ingrid's credits include: The World or Nothing (2019), Porcupine Lake (2017), He Hated Pigeons (2015), The Animal Project (2013), I Am a Good Person/I Am a Bad Person (2011), Modra (2010), Only (2008), Friday the 13th The Series (1987-1990), & Airwaves (1986-87).

Welcome back all you firecrackers! In this episode, Naomi and Ingrid sit down during the Toronto International Film Festival and talk about the beautiful mind behind projects such as Animal Project, Porcupine Lake and The World or Nothing. Ingrid started as an actor at a young age but soon discovered she had a voice that needed to be expressed as a writer and director. She has been part of the Canadian Indie Film scene for years creating some of the most interesting and original projects. What happens when you care less about what people think of you, or what you look like? According to Ingrid, "I'm not the popular girl. I never have been so how can I possibly make a film like that?" Ingrid talks about what it is to embrace your inner "freakdom" as she challenges her actors and her crew to dive deep into unknown creative territory. This talk will make you want to pick up a camera and discover what you can create! Enjoy and don't forget to share your comments and reviews on iTunes and @firecrackerdept!

Tamara Podemski Mar 22, 2019

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Hi Firecrackers! Join me, Naomi Snieckus, as I dive deep into conversation with Tamara Podemski (Coroner/CBC, Never Saw It Coming/Crave) into what it took for her to become the amazing, multi-dimensional artist that she is today. We sat down and talked about her early days doing "Annie" with her sisters (Jennifer and Sarah) and her keen snow shoveling skills she is teaching her husband (Jamie King) now that they are living in Canada again. I'm so honoured to have this heartfelt discussion about her acting life and her family life. I was a fan before but now I'm the president of her fan club.

Jackie Harris Mar 08, 2019

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Hey Firecrackers! Join Jackie Harris (Second City, As Told By Ginger, Jenny McCarthy's Bad Habits) and I for lunch, seriously. Jackie invited me over to her home for food and conversation about stepping in and stepping up in Los Angeles. I've been a fan of Jackie's since seeing her fierceness on the stage at the Old Firehall Second City in Toronto and I have to say that my fandom is reaffirmed after talking with her! I love her approach to the business in Hollywood. She's always authentic and forever funny. And as a bonus, her delightful husband, Paul Greenberg, joins us for some laughs at the end of our chat and they compare Paul McCartney stories. Amazing stories and an amazing salad…I love my job! Enjoy the podcast!

Arwen Humphreys Feb 22, 2019

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Hi-ho! Hi-ho! Does everyone start their acting careers as one of Snow White's assorted dwarves? Naomi and Arwen Humphreys (Saving Hope, Murdoch Mysteries) discover this about each other, as well as being an "Arwen" or a "Naomi" in schools filled with Megans, Ashleys and Jennifers is not always easy. Arwen was discovered at a very young age and put right to work. She has enjoyed playing Margaret Brackenreid on Murdoch Mysteries for 11 seasons that started as a small role!. She respects and understands the work that needs to happen, professionally, personally and spiritually and knows that sometimes the darker places in life can enrich your work as an artist.

Kat Barrell Feb 09, 2019

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Join Firecracker host, Naomi Snieckus, as she chats with Kat Barrell! You know and love Kat from Wynonna Earp, Workin' Moms, Girls Night Out, Murdoch Mysteries and so much more. Listen as Naomi and Kat talk about acting, directing, mental health, and general life advice. Follow Kat on Twitter and Instagram @katbarrell.

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Cheri Oteri Sep 06, 2018

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Firecrackers! What are you up to lately? Whatcha reading, listening to, watching? For me, I recently watched the Garry Shandling documentary on Netflix and it really stuck with me. Garry was one of the funniest, smartest minds of our time and watching the way he did things made me go back and take a look at my own process. It was so inspiring, but also a bit daunting, because to get to the level of someone like Garry is no easy task. It caused me to get a bit down on myself, but at the end of the day, I absolutely love to make people laugh and that is what drives me, so let's keep at it! Anyway, I'd love to hear your thoughts on your own process and what keeps you inspired! Drop me a line at firecrackerdepartment@gmail.com or let's chat over social media at @FirecrackerDept or @Snieckus. Next up, we've got the INCREDIBLE Cheri Oteri! You might remember her from 'Saturday Night Live', or perhaps 'Curb Your Enthusiasm', maybe even 'Liar Liar', whatever it is though, you know this lady makes us all fall to our knees laughing, every time. We had a great chat about her journey through this crazy business and so much more. Enjoy, Firecrackers!

Second City Live Panel Jul 16, 2018

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Hey Firecrackers, welcome to Second City! We're here at my old stomping grounds for a LIVE podcast panel with some real comedic geniuses! Joining us on stage for this chat is Ayaka Kinugawa, Musical Director for Second City Theatrical, Carly Heffernan, current Director of the main stage show 'The Best Is Yet To Come Undone', Teresa Pavlinek, writer, producer, and star of her own show called 'The Jane Show', and last, but not least, current star of the main stage show, Stacey McGunnigle! We're talking everything from how annoying it is to be asked "What is it like being a woman in comedy?" to how they keep themselves creatively fuelled. This chat was inspiring, insightful, and most importantly, absolutely hilarious. Enjoy!

Rebecca Kohler Jun 08, 2018

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Hey Firecrackers! This episode we are talking to one of my favourite people, Rebecca Kohler. Now if you don't know her, you need to go online right now to check out her stand up. She is just so funny and so ballsy. Now recently (we talk about this in the interview) she has been writing a lot for tv. She's writing for "Working Moms", "Kim's Convenience" on CBC, and also "Schitt's Creek". And now, since we had this interview, she's just been hired to write for a show called "Happy Together" on CBS starring Damon Wayans Jr! CBS! How's that, huh? I know Rebecca from the comedy community in Toronto, and I've always admired her stand-up 'cause she's just so bold. We had such a great conversation and talked about what it's like to be in writing rooms. It's hard to stop talking after an hour but I think she's just so interesting, and I know you'll agree! Enjoy, Firecrackers!

Powerful Me - Bonus Episode 3 May 25, 2018

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BONUS EPISODE!

Hey firecrackers! Every month we're asking you a new question, what we're calling the Spark Question of the month! We want to continue to inspire you and everyone in our community, so please tell us your answers so we can all share our experiences!

In April we asked you:

What makes you feel powerful?

The feedback you gave us was amazing, so much so that Naomi recorded and commented on your answers!! Give it a listen:

Jean Yoon May 18, 2018

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Hey Firecrackers! This episode I got to speak with the incredible Jean Yoon! Right now you might know her from Kim's Convenience, but she is an artist on so many different levels; she has been a creator, a producer, a writer, a poet – she's done it all! I remember watching her from shows like The Yoko Ono Project way back when I was in theatre school, and being just astounded with her commitment to the character. She really throws herself into character, both feet in, and she's bringing that into the film and television world with Kim's Convenience. I love that after years of admiring her work I'm sitting down and talking with her about her life and her career and she is so fascinating. I think you'll get really jazzed from this conversation. We talked for so long that I even had to take a pee break; but we did it, we came back and I'm excited to now share our chat with you. Enjoy Firecrackers!