PODCAST · society
Talk Description to Me
by Christine Malec and JJ Hunt
Where the visuals of current events and the world around us get hashed out in description-rich conversations. J.J. Hunt is an innovative Audio Describer and a natural-born storyteller. Christine Malec is a perpetually inquisitive member of the blind and partially sighted community who’s always wondering about something. In Talk Description to Me, their discussions plunge into current events and topical issues to explore the content of important images, and help place vivid descriptions in their cultural context. Lively, hard-hitting, witty, vibrant, and fun, this is conversation with a view!
Episodes
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Episode 132 - Air Canada’s Paralympic Send Off Party
Christine and JJ are always up for new adventures and experiences, especially when there are interesting visuals to describe and gab about! This week, Talk Description To Me embarks on a new season of on-location escapades, sponsored by Air Canada. To kick things off, the description duo are...
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Episode 131 - The Gentrification of Chinatown
Anyone who lives in a city or town has heard of gentrification, but what exactly does it look like? In this episode, Christine and JJ head to Toronto's Chinatown to describe the visuals of gentrification in their hometown. Special thanks to Yang Wang, Jun Yan, and Liu Hong for supporting this...
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Episode 130 - Christine and JJ's Year in Review
With the year coming to a close, and another batch of innovative accessibility projects under their belts, Christine and JJ look back on some of their favourite gigs from 2025. Join your old pals for this Year in Review episode, packed with lively conversation and description-rich clips from…
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Episode 129 - The Book of Winter
As you probably know, your friends here at Talk Description to Me love a good story. We like reading them, writing them, and sharing them! This year, to celebrate the holidays, we'd like to offer you a story written and read by our very own Christine Malec (with a bit of help from JJ). Thank you...
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Episode 128 - The Taylor Swift Experience
What does it look and feel like to be in a sea of 50,000 gleeful, sequinned, Taylor Swift fans? That's what our own budding Swiftie Christine wanted to know! In this episode, Christine and JJ take their surround sound mic to the SkyDome and describe the atmosphere, the friendship bracelets, and…
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Episode 127 - The Rocky Horror Description Show
It's no secret that Christine and JJ love their work, and when they get a fun and interesting gig they want to share it with everyone! This Halloween, JJ had the pleasure of describing the Rocky Horror Picture Show, and Christine was in the audience to hear it. The production was staged by good...
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Episode 126 - A Trip to the Fair
What better way to keep summer vibes alive than a trip to the fair? In this special, on-location episode, Christine and JJ explore the wonders of the Canadian National Exhibition, better known to locals as the CNE or the Ex! Join the two friends as they take a nostalgic stroll down the bustling...
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Episode 125 - Radio Lumi
For several years Christine and JJ have been working with Toronto's Luminato Festival, presenting live art, theatre, and dance performances to Blind and Low Vision audiences through the online radio program Radio Lumi. This year, Radio Lumi is expanding its arts and accessibility coverage and...
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Episode 124 - AI Description Part 2
Part 2 of 2. Love them or hate them, AI writing tools like Chat GPT have the potential to change the way we write, communicate, and learn. One group looking to harness the technology with, and for, the Blind community is Be My Eyes, an outfit which connects Blind and low-vision users with sighted...
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Episode 123 - AI Description Part 1
Love them or hate them, AI writing tools like ChatGPT have the potential to change the way we write, communicate, and learn. One group looking to harness the technology with, and for, the Blind community is Be My Eyes, an outfit which connects Blind and low-vision users with sighted volunteers...
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Episode 122 - Warden Woods Ravine Walk
Ravines are a distinctive part of the urban landscape of Toronto. They create a network of natural green space that is one of the city’s defining features. Edited by Christine and introduced by JJ, you’re about to experience a described walk through part of one of them, led by Arborist Todd…
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Episode 121 - Backyard Trek Talk
The Star Trek universe is alive, well, and moving at warp speed. To celebrate Star Trek Day JJ joins Christine in her backyard for a casual conversation about the visuals of two Trek shows, the animated series Lower Decks, and the live action prequel Strange New Worlds. Fast-paced animation, and...
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Episode 120 - The Grinch!
Christmas is a wonderful time to get in touch with old friends, to catch up over a warm mug of hot chocolate, to say "How have you been? I've really missed you!" Well, we've really missed you! This year, to celebrate the season, we'd like to make this small Christmas offering: a reading of How…
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Episode 119 - Toronto and the Toronto Islands
Talk Description to Me is hitting pause -- for the time being! To mark their final episode in this two-year run, Christine and JJ packed a picnic, hopped on a ferry, and headed to the Toronto Islands. Sitting on a park bench, facing the Toronto skyline, the two friends shared one last...
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Episode 118 - River Systems
Fuelled once again by Christine's insatiable curiosity, today Talk Description to Me explores the visuals of river systems. How do rivers form? Are the headwaters obvious? Are stream networks visible in satellite images? Does a river in the Amazon look the same as a river in Egypt? With the help…
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Episode 117 - Virtual Reality Part 3
Back in May, Christine and JJ began examining and describing the world of virtual reality. Today the intrepid pair wraps up the three-part series, exploring surreal spaces and fantastical experiences, including a trippy meditation realm, and a journey to Jurassic World. Then JJ's in-house tech...
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Episode 116 - Spy Movie Tropes
Spy movies are perfect for Audio Description. There are subtle clues to describe, exotic and seedy locations to expound on, and often great visual storytelling for the Describer to work with. But what about those moments that whip by too fast for the AD Narrator? Today, Christine and JJ break…
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Episode 115 - Urban Wildlife
If you live in a city, you have lots of animals as neighbours; squirrels, raccoons, rats, skunks, maybe even foxes or coyotes. But what do they look like? How do they move, eat, and interact? This week, Christine and JJ describe the visuals of urban wildlife. That's right trash pandas -- we're...
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Episode 114 - Cartoons and Animation
Slide whistle falls off of cliffs, and twinkle toes powering Stone Age cars were just a few of the sound effects that made Saturday morning cartoons popular with Blind and Low Vision kids in the days before Audio Description. Today, Christine and JJ aim to fill in some visual gaps by describing…
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Episode 113 - Women's Suffrage
Women had been excluded from voting in ancient Greece, republican Rome, and in emerging European and North American democracies. By the mid 19th century, many had had enough and began demanding suffrage; the right to vote in political elections. While some worked within existing systems, others...
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Episode 112 - Graduation and Convocation
The school year is wrapping up, and students everywhere are gleefully donning their caps and gowns, eager to graduate. This week, to honour the hard work and dedication of students who are Blind and Low Vision, Christine and JJ describe the visuals of convocation ceremonies and regalia....
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Episode 111 - Cooking
The visuals of food prep and cooking can be kind of a mystery, so this week Christine and JJ are donning their jaunty chef's hats and stepping into the kitchen to demystify fancy flambéing, precarious pizza tossing, and curious candy making. Bon appetite! Send us a quick note! Support the show
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Episode 110 - Stonewall and LGBTQ Activism
It's time for our second annual Pride episode! Last year, in episode 57, we described the visuals of Toronto's Pride Parade. This year we take a look at the historical event that led to the first political (and celebratory!) Pride Marches in North America: the Stonewall riots. To hear firsthand...
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Episode 109 - Forests and Fairs
Summer is upon us, so it's time to get outside and do summery things. Today, Christine and JJ take their cues from the weather, the season, and some listener requests, and put their summer hats on. First, they head to the cabin to explore the forest, the trees, and the dappled sun. Then, they...
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Episode 108 - School Shootings
On this podcast, we have tasked ourselves with "Describing the visuals of the world around us." Right now, the world around us includes mass school shootings. After consulting with Blind and Low Vision community members on various social media platforms, today we reluctantly carry on with the...
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Episode 107 - Star Wars Part 2: Obi Wan Kenobi
Christine and JJ just couldn't fit all of their Star Wars talk into a single episode, so today they circle back in their X-Wing to describe ships in the Star Wars universe. Then, having started the new Obi Wan Kenobi series, Christine and JJ go deep on the visual details that inline description...
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Episode 106 - Virtual Reality Part 2
A few weeks back, Christine and JJ began exploring and describing the world of virtual reality. Today, that exploration continues. First they discuss the connection between the visual and physical, then giggle about childhood dreams of a real-life holodeck. Finally, the intrepid pair takes a…
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Episode 105 - Star Wars Part 1
With the new Obi-Wan Kenobi series about to drop, Christine and JJ finally dive into the world of Star Wars! First, they go way back to the 1977 film that started it all to describe the aesthetics of the Star Wars Universe. Then they break down the franchise trilogy by trilogy, describing the...
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Episode 104 - The Circus
With theatres opening up again and big productions rolling into town, JJ recently got to see Cirque du Soleil live in the big tent. In hearing about it, Christine remembered a workshop the pair held a few years back, where they described circus performances with the help of tactile action…
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Episode 103 - Virtual Reality
When an Oculus Quest Virtual Reality headset arrived at JJ's house, his first call was to Christine! In this, the first of three VR episodes we will air in the coming months, the pair describes the headset, the experience of donning it for the first time, and how it tricks the brain through...
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Episode 102 - Silent Jobs
Ever wonder what a conductor is doing at the front of an orchestra? Or grow curious about those hisses and sputters when you're waiting in line for your morning espresso? Today, Christine and JJ break down the routines, gestures, equipment and actions of people who work in silence. Send us a…
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Episode 101 - Robots
Robots have been evolving, both IRL and in popular culture. Today, Christine and JJ break down the look of science fiction robots from the 1950's and 60's, through the 70's, 80's, and 90's; from Robby the Robot to Data and C3PO. Then the pair turns their attention to modern day robots and their...
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Episode 100 - Our 100th Episode!
Reaching the ripe old age of 100 makes a podcast reflective (and perhaps a bit self-indulgent!). Guided by emails and tweets from listeners, Christine and JJ pull clips from key episodes, share fond memories, and discuss what's been learned through their description-rich conversations. A huge...
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Episode 99 - Puppets
For some of us, puppets are lifelong friends; characters from our youth that teach, comfort, and entertain. For others, puppets are mysterious and even unsettling, represented only by strange, disorienting voices. Today, Christine works through her discomfort with the art form by asking questions...
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Episode 98 - Hatching Eggs, Emerging Butterflies, and Blooming Bulbs
Ready to break free of winter and endless pandemic lockdowns? Us too! Inspired by the fresh spring air, and egged on by listener requests ("egged on", get it?!), Christine and JJ indulge in descriptions of emergence in nature: hatching chicks, caterpillars transforming into butterflies, and bulbs...
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Episode 97 - Christine in Vancouver
On a recent trip to Vancouver, Christine met up with some of the great folks at VocalEye, a not-for-profit organization that does amazing and innovative work in the Description world. After a full day of exploring, Christine got a ride home with longtime Describer, and all-around lovely...
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Episode 96 - Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and Political Street Art
When Russia invaded Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy began connecting with his people, and the rest of the world, through selfie videos and video addresses. This week, Christine and JJ discuss Zelenskyy's social media savvy, and describe the visuals of his regular releases. Then the...
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Episode 95 - Movie Posters
For many sighted movie fans, posters aren't just ads; they're a tease, a lure, the first glimpse of an eagerly-anticipated film. This week, Christine and JJ discuss and describe favourite and famous movie posters. From Star Wars to The Graduate , Frankenstein to Pretty Woman, Bill and Ted to...
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Episode 94 - Gestures and Body Language
Christine is fascinated by gestures, body language, and non-verbal communication. In this fun, chatty episode, the Queen of Curious Questions asks JJ to describe facial expressions, eyebrow acting, and a variety of shrugs. Then the pair discusses the language of subtle eye movements, directional...
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Episode 93 - COVID Graphs, and Police Clash with Protestors in the "Freedom Convoy"
Charts and graphs can be useful for recognizing patterns and comparing data sets. Today, Christine and JJ explore visualizations of case numbers, deaths, and vaccinations from the COVID era. Then, the pair checks in on the Ottawa "Freedom Convoy". When police moved in to shut down the occupation,...
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Episode 92 - Russia Invades Ukraine
In this Breaking News episode recorded the morning of Friday February 25th, 2022, Christine and JJ describe news images and video clips from the first 36 hours of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Send us a quick note! Support the show
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Episode 91 - The Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was a complex, clandestine network of people, secret routes, and safe houses that helped enslaved African American freedom seekers reach Northern states and Canada. This week, Christine and JJ describe some of the surviving visuals of this extraordinary network, including...
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Episode 90 - The View From Here, There, and Everywhere
As we all know, Christine is a woman with many questions! What's the appeal of a dramatic view? Do clouds look the same from above and below? What does lightning look like from an airplane? Can you tell if you're being watched by an animal? Or through a camera? This week, Christine lets loose…
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Episode 89 - The "Freedom Convoy"
On Saturday January 29th, a self-described "Freedom Convoy" of big rigs rolled into Ottawa to protest cross-border vaccination rules for Canadian truckers. The protestors have parked their trucks in front of the Parliament buildings, taking over streets and dominating the city's soundscape with a...
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Episode 88 - Fire
Fire has been a game-changer in the story human evolution. It's mesmerizing and romantic, dangerous and terrifying, and utterly compelling. This week, Christine and JJ burn through a box of matches describing the mysterious visuals of fire, from humble candles to devastating wildfires. Send us a...
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Episode 87 - Hunga Tonga Volcano and Tsunami
On January 15th 2022, an underwater volcano erupted in the Pacific Island nation of Tonga, sending an ash cloud 100,000 feet in the air. The massive eruption was clearly visible from space, and sparked a tsunami that rocked Pacific coastlines from New Zealand to Japan, Peru to Canada. Today,...
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Episode 86 - NASA's James Webb Space Telescope
It's been an exciting couple of weeks for space geeks like Christine. On Christmas Day, with help from the European Space Agency, NASA launched the James Webb Space Telescope, the successor to Hubble. Since then, the telescope has been busy unfolding, preparing itself for a million-mile mission…
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Episode 85 - It's Hockey Night Tonight!
"Hello out there! We're on the air! It's hockey night tonight!" - Stompin' Tom Connors. For some, winter means bundling up, locking the door, and hiding under weighted blankets 'til Spring. For others it means lacing up skates, taping up an old stick, and heading to the nearest patch of ice for a...
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Episode 84 - Victorian Christmas Part 2
Happy New Year everyone! To celebrate the season, Christine and JJ head to Toronto's Distillery District Christmas Market. Wandering the cobblestone streets of the Victorian neighbourhood, they describe the decorations and delicious treats, share a few stories, and some good laughs, too. All the...
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Episode 83 - Victorian Christmas Part 1
Merry Christmas everyone! To celebrate the season, Christine and JJ head to Toronto's Distillery District Christmas Market. Wandering the cobblestone streets of the Victorian neighbourhood, they describe the decorations and delicious treats, share a few stories, and some good laughs, too. All the...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Where the visuals of current events and the world around us get hashed out in description-rich conversations. J.J. Hunt is an innovative Audio Describer and a natural-born storyteller. Christine Malec is a perpetually inquisitive member of the blind and partially sighted community who’s always wondering about something. In Talk Description to Me, their discussions plunge into current events and topical issues to explore the content of important images, and help place vivid descriptions in their cultural context. Lively, hard-hitting, witty, vibrant, and fun, this is conversation with a view!
HOSTED BY
Christine Malec and JJ Hunt
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Talk Description to Me have?
Talk Description to Me currently has 133 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Talk Description to Me about?
Where the visuals of current events and the world around us get hashed out in description-rich conversations. J.J. Hunt is an innovative Audio Describer and a natural-born storyteller. Christine Malec is a perpetually inquisitive member of the blind and partially sighted community who’s always...
How often does Talk Description to Me release new episodes?
Talk Description to Me publishes regularly with 133 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Talk Description to Me?
You can listen to Talk Description to Me on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Talk Description to Me?
Talk Description to Me is created and hosted by Christine Malec and JJ Hunt.
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