I Like You

Marissa had been with her partner for two years when the proposal came. She had two options: say yes to a marriage she wasn’t ready for, or say no, and likely break up. We talked to her about what happened. Music in this episode: [NOTE: Unfortunately our music provider was acquired by another company, and they no longer offer free mp3 downloads. Below are the tracks used in this week’s show.] Amy LaVere “Stranger Me” STRFKR “Rawnald Gregory Erickson the Second” The Kin “Change Is Gonna Come”

Janet had been seeing Aaron for a few weeks, and she knew she couldn’t wait much longer to tell him. They had fallen for each other fast, and it seemed like things would only get better – but how would Aaron react when she told him she was transgender? UPDATE: A documentary-style version of this story aired on the CBC’s Sunday Edition! More details and music downloads available in original post.  

If you have sex with someone and don’t tell them you’re HIV positive, you can go to jail. You’re only off the hook if you use a condom and have a low viral load, according to last month’s Canadian Supreme Court ruling. HIV, the judges reasoned, continues to be a serious, life-threatening infection, so exposing others to even a slight risk of transmission without their knowledge should be punishable by law. Opponents fear this will further stigmatize those who are HIV-positive, and say these rules ignore the actual science – that the risk of transmission by those who use a condom or have an undetectable viral load is negligible. But what about people who’ve been infected through non-disclosure – the victims the law’s supposed to protect? Jessica Whitbread contracted HIV a decade ago from a boyfriend who’d been dishonest with her. A few years later, he was convicted of aggravated sexual assault for failing to disclose his HIV status to two other women. In this rerun, Jessica shares her story and tells us why she thinks non-disclosure shouldn’t be a crime. Original post, including music credits.

Konstantine and Salina met in Grade 1 at Faywood Elementary School in Toronto. By grade 4 Konstantine had developed feelings for Salina, and maintained that crush right through to grade 8. They parted ways and went to different high schools, and different universities – but that’s not where the story ends. Here’s a video of Konstantine and Salina dancing together, in grade 2:   Huge thanks to Konstantine and Salina for sharing their story with us. Theme music, as always, by Drew Danburry. Other music by: [NOTE: Unfortunately our music provider was acquired by another company, and they no longer offer free mp3 downloads. Below are the tracks used in this week’s show.] Maurice and the Beejays “The Further Adventures of our Man Friday” Phantom Blues Band “Mary Ann” Tuatara “Falling Pianos” Anne Garner “Stones (instrumental)” Tycho “Hours” The Cactus Channel “Emanuel Ciccolini” This Will Destroy You “Quiet” This Will Destroy You “Freedom Blade” Jill Barber “Chances” Delicate Steve “Love”

Lindsay Miller says she wasn’t born gay – she chose it. Why is that a problem for so many people? To learn more about what “queer by choice” means to Lindsay, you can read her article in the Atlantic  and a more recent article where she explains why “bisexual” doesn’t cover it for her. Above: JP & Elah as babies. We submit to you that they were not gay or straight babies, though their lifelong love of breasts manifested early. Music this week by: [NOTE: Unfortunately our music provider was acquired by another company, and they no longer offer free mp3 downloads. Below are the tracks used in this week’s show.] Jimmy & The Rackets “Black Eyes” Matt Hirt “Jungle Love” Heather Mac Rae “I Choose Love”

This week JP and Elah play matchmaker and send real people on real dates! The catch? Our volunteer Nicole has to pick the gentlemen using smell alone. Will her favorite smell also be her favorite date? We’ll reveal all at the end of the show. This episode uses tape from a pilot we made for CBC Radio. It was intended to be the first in a series where we’d test out a different matchmaking method every week. Sadly, it won’t be going forward beyond the pilot, but we had fun making it and really appreciate CBC’s support and guidance during the production process. We also appreciate that they allowed us to turn the tape into an I Like You episode. Note that what you’re hearing isn’t the pilot, and hasn’t been approved by CBC. So basically, don’t blame them if you don’t like it. If you’ve got a great radio show or podcast idea, you can pitch it the same way we did at cbc.ca/pitch Theme music as always by Drew Danburry, other music this week by: [NOTE: Unfortunately our music provider was acquired by another company, and they no longer offer free mp3 downloads. Below are the tracks used in this week’s show.] The Cactus Channel “The Colour of Don Don” Panik “Lonely Hunter” The Cactus Channel “Emanuel Ciccolini” General Elektriks “Raid the Radio”

Michelle hates being single, despite the many benefits. We investigate why. Pictured above: the Boyfriend Pillow. There was a time, not so long ago, when Elah seriously considered investing in one of these handy little suckers. I didn’t do the best job of selling the single life, but take a look at “How to Be Alone” by Andrea Dorfman and Tanya Davis. It’ll make you feel full and excited about aloneness. Music this week: [NOTE: Unfortunately our music provider was acquired by another company, and they no longer offer free mp3 downloads. Below are the tracks used in this week’s show.] Lillix “Dance Alone” Tim Halperin “I Wanna Fall In Love”  

Kat Angus was the cool ex: she got over her breakup with Brandon quickly, and they stayed friends. Then things went bad. An email was sent to Brandon’s new girlfriend – it was filled with lovey words from Kat – and pictures… Big thanks this week to Kat for sharing her story. If you have a story to share, email us. Theme music, as always, by Drew Danburry. Additional music by Hellenica and: [NOTE: Unfortunately our music provider was acquired by another company, and they no longer offer free mp3 downloads. Below are the tracks used in this week’s show.] Danny Fox Trio “Trudge” Empty Set “My Girl’s On The Other Side Of The World” Gordon Grdina’s Haram “En Shakawt al Hawa” Sean Noonan “Banshee Dance” Maurice and the Beejays “The Further Adventures of our Man Friday” General Elektriks “Raid the Radio” Kishi Bashi “Bright Whites”

Elah’s mom spent most of her life feeling unattractive, but in some ways, it was the best thing that ever happened to her – and in other, more obvious ways, it was the worst. Music this week: [NOTE: Unfortunately our music provider was acquired by another company, and they no longer offer free mp3 downloads. Below are the tracks used in this week’s show.] The Weeks “Hold It, Kid Rodriguez “Sugar Man” Pickering Pick “Like A River”

Love is for chumps. This week, we revisit one of our earliest episodes, guest starring JP’s ex and Elah’s stepdad. Sondra tells us how the L word ruined her relationship, and Amos offers his alternative to romantic love. See the original post for full details and featured music.  

This week we have four short stories from fantastic contributors. They all have to do with the beginning, middle, and/or end of a relationship. Huge thanks to Dave Pickering, Jonathan Harris, Whitney Jones, and Dave Huth for letting us use their stories on the show. Also thanks to Cowbird – a great storytelling site where three of this week’s stories were originally published. Original links to contributor’s stories: Jen by Dave Pickering (in GBA Podcast #1) Something Worth Waiting For by Jonathan Harris First Love and 27 Other Firsts by Whitney Jones Metamorphosis by Dave Huth Theme music as always by Drew Danburry, additional music by Abigail Clarke and: [NOTE: Unfortunately our music provider was acquired by another company, and they no longer offer free mp3 downloads. Below are the tracks used in this week’s show.] General Elektriks “Facing That Void” General Elektriks “Raid the Radio” The Reign of Kindo “Nightingale” ApSci “Crazy Crazy Insane” Kishi Bashi “Bright Whites”

#2: Our Profiles – The Naked Truth by JP & Elah

#3: Dear John by JP & Elah

#4: Taking the Plunge by JP & Elah

#5: You Don't Like Me. HOT. by JP & Elah