U of A Reads: Stories Behind the Stories

About U of A Reads: Stories Behind the Stories

Welcome to U of A Reads: Stories Behind the Stories — the podcast that takes you beyond the book jacket and into the creative heart of the University of Alberta’s finest storytellers. In each episode, we sit down with U of A authors — from celebrated alumni to inspiring faculty and emerging student voices — to explore the passion, process, and personal journeys behind their latest works. From fiction to memoir, poetry to research, discover the experiences, memories, and motivations that shaped the stories on the page. Because every great book has a backstory — and we’re here to share it. Territorial Acknowledgement The University of Alberta, its buildings, labs and research stations are primarily located on the territory of the Néhiyaw (Cree), Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), Métis, Nakoda (Stoney), Dene, Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and Anishinaabe (Ojibway/Saulteaux), lands that are now known as part of Treaties 6, 7 and 8 and homeland of the Métis. The University of Alberta respects the sovereignty, lands, histories, languages, knowledge systems and cultures of all First Nations, Métis and Inuit nations.

Publisher

University of Alberta, Office of Alumni Relations

Category

arts

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

25 Nov 2025

Latest episode

25 Aug 2026

Latest episodes

10 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   25 Aug 2026

   Crystal Gail Fraser and Sara Komarnisky

   What exactly is a treaty? Why do treaties matter today? And what responsibilities come with living on treaty land? In this episode of U of A Reads: Stories Behind the Stories, we sit down with Dr. Crystal Gail Fraser, '08 BA, '19 PhD, and Dr. Sara Komarnisky, '03 BCom, to discuss their book, Talk Treaty to Me: Understanding the Basics of Treaties and Land in Canada. In our conversation, Crystal and Sara share the story behind the book and discuss why treaty education is so important. We explo...

2. 

   17 Jun 2026

   Tonya Simpson

   In this episode of U of A Reads, award-winning author, educator and forensic anthropologist Tonya Simpson, '16 BSc (AU), '21 MA, discusses her acclaimed children's book, This Land Is a Lullaby. Inspired by a lullaby she wrote for her daughter, the book celebrates the beauty of the Prairies and Plains while exploring the deep connections between Indigenous children, their ancestors and the land. Tonya shares her journey into children's literature, the inspiration behind the story, and the impo...

3. 

   3 Jun 2026

   Rachael Lammie

   This episode features freelance editor and author, Rachael Lammie, ’09 BA, talking about her novel, Simon’s Time — a heartfelt look at growing up, navigating uncertainty, and finding connection during the pandemic. Rachael shares the inspiration behind the book, what it means to write for middle school readers, and how she approached telling a story set during an experience that reshaped childhood for so many. We dive into the craft of creating relatable young characters, the balancing act of...

4. 

   24 Apr 2026

   Jordan Abel

   This episode features Jordan Abel, ’08 BA, a queer Nisga’a writer from Vancouver. He is the author of The Place of Scraps (winner of the Dorothy Livesay Poetry Prize), Un/inhabited, and Injun (winner of the Griffin Poetry Prize). NISHGA won both the Hubert Evans Non-Fiction Prize and the VMI Betsy Warland Between Genres award, and was a finalist for the Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Prize for Nonfiction, the Wilfrid Eggleston Award for Nonfiction, and the Roderick Haig-Brown Regional Prize. Ab...

5. 

   27 Feb 2026

   Alexis Marie Chute

   In this episode of U of A Reads, we sit down with Alexis Marie Chute, ’07 BFA, an award-winning visual artist, filmmaker, art gallery curator, and bestselling author of 7 books, including the fantasy trilogy Above the Star, Below the Moon, Inside the Sun, and memoir Expecting Sunshine. Her latest non-fiction books include Prairie Spirits, The Eternal Summer of Alberta’s Herbarium, Memorable Murals, and Moments in Focus. Her artwork is represented at the Art Gallery of Alberta and her document...

6. 

   29 Jan 2026

   Gavin Bradley

   This episode features Gavin Bradley, ’15 MSc — an Irish writer, musician and palaeontologist from Belfast, living as a permanent resident in Edmonton, on Treaty 6 Territory. His debut poetry collection, Separation Anxiety, won the UNESCO Bridges of Struga International Poetry Award 2023, and was reprinted with an English/Macedonian translation. His play, Seanchaí, won Best Overall Production and Best New Work at both the Edmonton Stage Struck! Festival and Alberta Provincial One Act Play Fest...

7. 

   12 Dec 2025

   Carissa Halton

   In this episode of U of A Reads, we’re thrilled to welcome Carissa Halton, ’03 BA — the author of Little Yellow House: Finding Community in a Changing Neighbourhood and an award‑winning writer whose creative nonfiction has appeared in outlets like The Globe & Mail, Alberta Views, and Today’s Parent. Her stunning debut novel, Revolution Songs, pulls us into a 1930s Rocky Mountain town: Annie Jalmer finds herself torn between opposing forces — a communist union, the rise of the ...

8. 

   26 Nov 2025

   Conor Kerr

   In this special episode of U of A Reads, we sit down with award-winning Métis writer Conor Kerr, '12 BA to explore the stories, history, and fierce heart behind his latest novel, Prairie Edge. Conor is a national award winning Metis/Ukrainian writer and bird hunter living in amiskwaciwâskahikan (Edmonton). Born in Saskatoon, raised in Buffalo Pound Lake and Drayton Valley. He is a member of the Metis Nation of Alberta. His Ukrainian family are Settlers on Treaty 4 Territory. Conor is passiona...

9. 

   25 Nov 2025

   Lauren Seal

   This episode features Lauren Seal, ’13 BA — writer, book lover, and former Poet Laureate of St. Albert. Lauren is deeply involved in building Alberta’s poetry community, mentoring young writers through SWYC, the Spoken Word Youth Choir, and performing with the adult group. Her debut novel-in-verse, Light Enough to Float, was recognized with the Schneider Family Honor Book Award for excellence in artistic expression of the disability experience. In this conversation, Lauren shares how poetry c...

10. 

    25 Nov 2025

    U of A Reads Trailer

    This podcast is brought to you by the University of Alberta Alumni Association. Follow @UAlbertaAlumni on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.