Face2Face with David Peck

Little Lorraine - From Song to Screen

In this episode of Face2Face, David Peck sits down with filmmaker Andy Hines and songwriter Adam Baldwin to explore the powerful Canadian film Little Lorraine. What begins as a conversation about a song becomes a deeper reflection on storytelling, community and the human condition. Together, they unpack how a simple narrative rooted in Cape Breton evolves into a compelling film about desperation, resilience, and belonging. With stunning cinematography and emotionally rich performances, Little Lorraine is ultimately a story about family, survival and the quiet search for healing in hard times. Andy Hines was born into a creative family, Andy’s passion for the arts has been a lifelong endeavor. As the son of a landscape and portrait photographer, Andy grew up with a camera in his hands and the opportunity to travel and grow a world view from an early age. As a Grammy nominated director, Andy has spent over a decade working alongside musicians ranging from Beyonce, Kanye West, and Missy Elliott to Luke Combs and Keith Urban. His range has never been limited by genre or style. His work has garnered multiple MTV VMA Awards and nominations as well as five Cannes Lions including Gold for both commercials and music videos. His debut feature film titled, Little Lorraine, premiered in September 2025 at The Toronto International Film Festival. The film stars Stephen Amell, J. Balvin, Sean Astin and Rhys Darby. Beyond filmmaking, Andy has spent time as an art director for Converse special projects and as a creative director for Grammy nominated singer Khalid, designing the campaign that brought Khalid on the tarmac for his historic performance in front of the Virgin Galactic on its maiden voyage to space. When Andy is away from set, he spends much of his time in the wilderness of Canada and Northern California raising his two daughters, tending to his lifelong passion of raising chickens and goats. Adam Baldwin is a Canadian singer-songwriter from Nova Scotia known for his vivid, character-driven storytelling and East Coast perspective. Blending folk, country, and rock influences, his music explores themes of hardship, resilience, and everyday life with honesty and depth. His song Lighthouse in Little Lorraine, inspired by a real story, became the foundation for the feature film of the same name. Baldwin also contributed to the screenplay, helping bring authenticity to the film’s voice and setting. His work is rooted in lived experience, capturing the struggles and spirit of working-class communities, and continues to resonate with audiences through its raw, human, and deeply relatable storytelling. David Peck is a writer, speaker, and award-winning podcaster who works at the intersection of storytelling, social change, and meaningful dialogue. As the host of Face2Face and former host of Toronto Threads on 640 AM, he has published over 800 in-depth interviews with some of the world’s most compelling thinkers, artists and storytellers, including Viggo Mortensen, Sarah Polley, Raoul Peck, Werner Herzog, Chris Hadfield, David Cronenberg, Jason Issacs, Gillian Anderson and Wade Davis. With a background in philosophy and international development, David brings a thoughtful, globally aware perspective to every conversation He’s a published author and experienced keynote speaker, known for creating spaces where complexity is welcomed and ideas come alive. Whether moderating panels, hosting live events, or speaking on issues ranging from ethics to media, David’s work is grounded in a deep curiosity about people. At heart, he simply loves good conversation — and believes it’s one of the best ways we grow, connect, and make sense of the world. For more information about David Peck’s podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here [https://www.davidpecklive.com/]. F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.   ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Colm Feore - Our Stories, Our Screens

In this episode of Face2Face, David Peck sits down with acclaimed Canadian actor Colm Feore for a thoughtful and engaging conversation on the power of storytelling and the importance of National Canadian Film Day. Together, they explore what makes Canadian cinema unique. They talk about its authenticity, its sense of community, and its ability to reflect who we are. Feore shares insights from his own career, highlighting the value of participation, curiosity, and simply “trying” as a way of connecting across cultures. This is a rich conversation about film, identity, and why our stories matter, now more than ever. For more info on National Film Day head here: www.canfilmday.ca [http://www.canfilmday.ca] Photo: Ann Baggley. Colm Feore is one of Canada’s most acclaimed and versatile actors, with an extraordinary career spanning film, television, and stage. Born in Boston and raised in Windsor, Ontario, Feore has become a defining presence in Canadian arts and culture. A longtime leading figure at the renowned Stratford Festival, he is celebrated for his powerful performances in Shakespearean roles including Hamlet, King Lear and Richard III. His work on stage is matched by an impressive screen career, with roles in internationally recognized films such as Chicago, The Red Violin, Thor, and Bon Cop, Bad Cop, as well as television appearances in The Borgias, House of Cards and The Umbrella Academy. Feore is a multiple Gemini and Canadian Screen Award winner and has been widely recognized for his contributions to the performing arts. Known for his depth, intelligence, and emotional range, he brings a rare authenticity to every role. A passionate advocate for Canadian storytelling, Feore continues to champion film and theatre that reflect the country’s diverse voices and shared cultural identity. His work embodies a deep commitment to the craft of acting and the enduring power of story to connect, challenge, and inspire. David Peck is a writer, speaker, and award-winning podcaster who works at the intersection of storytelling, social change, and meaningful dialogue. As the host of Face2Face and former host of Toronto Threads on 640 AM, he has published over 800 in-depth interviews with some of the world’s most compelling thinkers, artists and storytellers, including Viggo Mortensen, Sarah Polley, Raoul Peck, Werner Herzog, Chris Hadfield, David Cronenberg, Jason Issacs, Gillian Anderson and Wade Davis. With a background in philosophy and international development, David brings a thoughtful, globally aware perspective to every conversation. He’s a published author and experienced keynote speaker, known for creating spaces where complexity is welcomed and ideas come alive. Whether moderating panels, hosting live events, or speaking on issues ranging from ethics to media, David’s work is grounded in a deep curiosity about people. At heart, he simply loves good conversation — and believes it’s one of the best ways we grow, connect, and make sense of the world. For more information about David Peck’s podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here [https://www.davidpecklive.com/]. F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.     ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Curiosity, Magic & Meaning

In this episode of Face2Face, David Peck sits down with magician, historian, and thinker David Ben for a wide-ranging conversation about curiosity, illusion, and the deeper intellectual life behind magic. At the heart of the discussion is Ben’s extraordinary collection, now housed at The Lilly Library at Indiana University, a vast archive spanning more than a century of magical history. Together, they explore magic as a “prism” for understanding the world, touching on ethics, problem-solving, and the power of wonder. This is more than a conversation about magic, it’s about how we see, ask questions and make meaning. David Ben was the sole protégé of Ross Bertram (1912-1992), one of the great sleight-of-hand artists of the twentieth century. While studying magic with Bertram, David also graduated from the University of Toronto (BA), the University of Western Ontario (LLB), and the London School of Economics (LLM). He flirted briefly with a career in tax law but abandoned it in 1990 to pursue his passion for performing, writing and community. David is now recognized as one of the world’s foremost sleight-of-hand artists. Theatrical works he has developed have been staged at the Shaw Festival, Theatre ROM, the Charlottetown Festival, Soulpepper Theatre, Luminato, the Canadian embassies in Paris and Tokyo, the Smithsonian in Washington, DC, and elsewhere. He has made numerous television appearances and was the subject of the award-winning documentary “A Conjuror in the Making.” David has written several books and has contributed articles and reviews to the Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star, and many other publications. He is the co-founder and artistic director of Magicana, a performing arts organization and registered charity, and he uses learning, practicing, and performing magic to help disadvantaged children, to fight isolation in seniors, and to help unlock creativity, innovation, and problem solving. David also tries whenever possible to give back to the community. In 2016, after losing his wife Jan Howlett to brain cancer in 2013, David raised close to $250,000 by having his signature mop of hair shaved off as part of The Princess Margaret Hospital “No Hair Selfie” campaign. A recipient of the Order of Canada, Ben has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to the performing arts and for preserving the cultural and intellectual heritage and legacy of magic. He lives in Toronto with his partner Jessica Levman, near his children Court and Harrison, and spends his spare time playing the piano, painting, indulging in culinary delights, and acquiring historical Canadian art. For more info on David visit his site here [https://davidben.com/]. David Peck is a writer, speaker, and award-winning podcaster who works at the intersection of storytelling, social change, and meaningful dialogue. As the host of Face2Face and former host of Toronto Threads on 640 AM, he has published over 650 in-depth interviews with some of the world’s most compelling thinkers, artists and storytellers, including Viggo Mortensen, Sarah Polley, Raoul Peck, Werner Herzog, Chris Hadfield, David Cronenberg, Jason Issacs, Gillian Anderson and Wade Davis. With a background in philosophy and international development, David brings a thoughtful, globally aware perspective to every conversation. He’s a published author and experienced keynote speaker, known for creating spaces where complexity is welcomed and ideas come alive. Whether moderating panels, hosting live events, or speaking on issues ranging from ethics to media, David’s work is grounded in a deep curiosity about people. At heart, he simply loves good conversation — and believes it’s one of the best ways we grow, connect, and make sense of the world. For more information about David Peck’s podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here [https://www.davidpecklive.com/]. F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Red Power Rising: Tanya Talaga & Shane Belcourt

In this conversation, David Peck interviews Tanya Talaga and Shane Belcourt about their film Red Power Rising, which explores Indigenous storytelling, narrative sovereignty, and the ongoing struggles faced by Indigenous communities in Canada. The discussion delves into the importance of reclaiming narratives, the layers of history and human rights within the film, and the distinction between being a warrior and a terrorist. They also address the systemic issues within Canadian society, the need for education reform, and the hope for future generations to thrive through cultural reclamation. Tanya Talaga is an award-winning Anishinaabe and Polish Canadian journalist, author, and filmmaker whose work powerfully centers Indigenous voices in Canadian public life. Raised in Toronto with deep roots in Fort William First Nation, Talaga spent more than two decades at The Toronto Star, becoming a leading voice on Indigenous affairs. Her acclaimed first book, Seven Fallen Feathers (2017), examined the deaths of seven First Nations students in Thunder Bay and won the RBC Taylor Prize and the Shaughnessy Cohen Prize. She later delivered the CBC Massey Lectures, published as All Our Relations. Through her company Makwa Creative and her latest book The Knowing (2024), Talaga continues to illuminate history, justice, and Indigenous resilience. For more info on Tanya head here: www.makwacreative.ca [http://www.makwacreative.ca] Shane Belcourt is a Métis filmmaker, writer, cinematographer, and musician whose work explores Indigenous identity, urban Métis life, and the complexities of belonging. Born in Ottawa, Belcourt gained national recognition with his debut feature Tkaronto (2007), which premiered at imagineNATIVE and won Best Director at the Dreamspeakers and Talking Stick Film Festivals. His diverse body of work includes feature films, documentaries, and television, including Red Rover (2018), the acclaimed documentary Beautiful Scars (2022), and the drama Warrior Strong (2023). A four-time Canadian Screen Awards nominee, Belcourt continues to tell compelling stories that blend cultural insight, creativity, and emotional depth in contemporary Canadian cinema. For more info on Shane head here: www.shanebelcourt.com [http://www.shanebelcourt.com] David Peck is a writer, speaker, and award-winning podcaster who works at the intersection of storytelling, social change, and meaningful dialogue. As the host of Face2Face and former host of Toronto Threads on 640 AM, he has published over 650 in-depth interviews with some of the world’s most compelling thinkers, artists and storytellers, including Viggo Mortensen, Sarah Polley, Raoul Peck, Werner Herzog, Chris Hadfield, David Cronenberg, Jason Issacs, Gillian Anderson and Wade Davis. With a background in philosophy and international development, David brings a thoughtful, globally aware perspective to every conversation. He’s a published author and experienced keynote speaker, known for creating spaces where complexity is welcomed and ideas come alive. Whether moderating panels, hosting live events, or speaking on issues ranging from ethics to media, David’s work is grounded in a deep curiosity about people. At heart, he simply loves good conversation — and believes it’s one of the best ways we grow, connect, and make sense of the world. For more information about David Peck’s podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here [https://www.davidpecklive.com/]. F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Steve Valentine: Magic, Creativity & the Power of the Subconscious

In this episode of Face2Face, David Peck speaks with magician, actor and creator Steve Valentine about creativity, the subconscious mind and rediscovering the art of magic. Steve reflects on how the brain is always working beneath the surface, often producing creative breakthroughs when we least expect them. He shares how revisiting the history of magic and returning to routines he once performed has reignited his passion and opened new perspectives on his craft. Their conversation explores how reflection, curiosity and our past experiences shape the way we create and perform. Thoughtful and engaging, this episode is a reminder that creativity is rarely linear and that sometimes the best way forward is to look back. Steve Valentine is a Scottish-born actor, magician, and creator whose career spans television, film, voice acting, and live performance. Born in Scotland and raised near London, he began performing at the age of five, training in theatre and dance before discovering a lifelong passion for magic. Valentine has appeared in more than 250 hours of television and over 15 feature films. He is best known for his starring roles as criminologist Nigel Townsend on NBC’s Crossing Jordan, choreographer Martine on WB’s Nikki and 80s rock legend Derek Jupiter on Disney’s I’m In the Band. He also hosted SYFY’s Estate of Panic, earning a Rose d’Or nomination. A versatile performer, Valentine has appeared in The Big Bang Theory, CSI, Supernatural, Psych, and Hot in Cleveland and had a memorable role in Robert Zemeckis’ The Walk. His voice work includes beloved characters in Sofia the First, Tinker Bell and the globally popular Dragon Age video game series. Beyond screen work, Valentine is an internationally acclaimed magician and live entertainer. A multi-award winner at Hollywood’s Magic Castle, including Close-Up Magician of the Year and Stage Magician of the Year. He has performed everywhere from Las Vegas stages to royal palaces. He is also a keynote speaker who blends magic, storytelling, and performance insights to inspire audiences worldwide. A prolific creator, Valentine founded the global training platform Magic On The Go, hosts the popular podcast Magicians Only and continues to develop television projects, stage shows, and creative work that reflects his boundless curiosity and love of performance. Learn more about Steve here [https://stevevalentine.squarespace.com/]. David Peck is a writer, speaker, and award-winning podcaster who works at the intersection of storytelling, social change, and meaningful dialogue. As the host of Face2Face and former host of Toronto Threads on 640 AM, he has published over 650 in-depth interviews with some of the world’s most compelling thinkers, artists and storytellers, including Viggo Mortensen, Sarah Polley, Raoul Peck, Werner Herzog, Chris Hadfield, David Cronenberg, Jason Issacs, Gillian Anderson and Wade Davis. With a background in philosophy and international development, David brings a thoughtful, globally aware perspective to every conversation. He’s a published author and experienced keynote speaker, known for creating spaces where complexity is welcomed and ideas come alive. Whether moderating panels, hosting live events, or speaking on issues ranging from ethics to media, David’s work is grounded in a deep curiosity about people. At heart, he simply loves good conversation — and believes it’s one of the best ways we grow, connect, and make sense of the world. For more information about David Peck’s podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here [https://www.davidpecklive.com/]. F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.   ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.