PODCAST · arts
Talk Paper Scissors
by Diana Varma
Join host, Diana Varma, as she explores the wonderful world of design and printing, typography and branding, books and publishing. Diana loves nothing more than getting creative with Creatives about all things creative. Ready to have some fun? Let's Talk Paper Scissors!
Episodes
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No Bullsh*t Branding with Made by James
Today’s conversation is a fun one! We have the one, the only James Martin, who is a British designer, author, and educator best known as Made By James. For more than 20 years, he has helped thousands of creatives, founders, and brands build recognizable reputations that create extraordinary...
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AI x Law x Digital Publishing with Lawyer and Scholar, Jake Okechukwu Effoduh
Discussions of AI are everywhere today; it’s the culture in which we’re all currently swimming (sometimes drowning!). But today’s guest is the best of the best as it relates to the intersection of AI, the law, and digital publishing. He offers fresh perspectives, clarity, and precision that is…
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OoO @ DesignThinkers Vancouver 2026
Happy summer everyone! This marks the final episode of Talk Paper Scissors before I head on my summer/social media sabbatical until September. Today’s episode contains a compilation of voices from DesignThinkers Vancouver from May 2026. The theme of this year’s DesignThinkers conferences is ‘Out…
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Iconic Publishing Brands in Digital Spaces with Nicola Ryan of Condé Nast
We’re having conversations with magazine-makers— big and small, new and seasoned, independent and commercial—from all over the world, who are sharing what they do and how they do it. This year’s line up includes folks making magazines for kids, art and culture, as well as luxury lifestyle...
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Building Trust Across Print and Digital with Ojus Jain of Esses Magazine (Formula 1)
We’re having conversations with magazine-makers— big and small, new and seasoned, independent and commercial—from all over the world, who are sharing what they do and how they do it. This year’s line up includes folks making magazines for kids, art and culture, as well as luxury lifestyle...
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Launching a New Magazine with Krupa Patel of TURMERIC Magazine
Welcome Magazine Makers! We’re having conversations with magazine-makers— big and small, new and seasoned, independent and commercial—from all over the world, who are sharing what they do and how they do it. This year’s line up includes folks making magazines for kids, art and culture, as well as...
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Designing Reading Experiences for Children with Caroline Versteeg of Owl Kids
It’s magazine time! Welcome to conversations with magazine-makers— big and small, new and seasoned, independent and commercial—from all over the world sharing what they do and how they do it. This year’s line up includes folks making magazines for kids, art and culture, as well as luxury…
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The Library Loiterers — Vol. III: The Zine Scene with Izy Iannetta at Toronto Zine Library
Welcome, dear friends, to The Library Loiterers. Each episode finds Diana loitering in a library with a special guest in a library location of their choosing. We comb the stacks and have a chat about passions, practices, and possibilities—letting the story unfold as it will. You’re encouraged to...
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How to Be a Design Student (and How to Teach Them) with Mitch Goldstein
Design students and design educators — this episode is for YOU! We have Mitch Goldstein, educator and author of How to Be a Design Student (and How to Teach Them), here to share some powerful thoughts and actionable advice. In this conversation, you’ll hear Mitch’s approach to being…
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“Copy, Podcast joy”: NASA’s Artemis II Digital Strategy with Thalia Patrinos
Today’s conversation is out of this world with Thalia Patrinos who works at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. She is the Artemis Digital Lead within the Office of Communications. She leads and strategizes all digital communications about NASA’s Artemis missions to and around the Moon…
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The Library Loiterers - Vol. II: Compositions, Classification, and Card Catalogs with Carl Shura at Toronto Reference Library
Welcome, dear friends, to The Library Loiterers. Each episode finds Diana loitering in a library with a special guest in a library location of their choosing. We comb the stacks and have a chat about passions, practices, and possibilities—letting the story unfold as it will. You’re encouraged to...
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Emerging Typeface Designers: Juliette Bifolchi & Jasmin Gulati
Meet emerging typeface designers, Juliette Bifolchi and Jasmin Gulati! Juliette designed a typeface called Road Block and Jasmin designed a typeface called Invertia. In the following conversation, you'll get to hear about each typeface. You'll also hear their perfect type pairings, sensory...
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Evolving Gotham: Sara Soskolne of Monotype on Expanding One of the World’s Most Recognizable Typefaces
Today’s conversation is with Sara Soskolne, Executive Creative Director at Monotype, sharing her 20-year history of working on one of the world’s most recognizable typefaces: Gotham. In this conversation, Sara shares her recent contributions to Gotham, working directly with the Obama Foundation…
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Fine Specimens with Elliot Jay Stocks of Adobe Fonts
Today’s guest is Elliot Jay Stocks, designer and author, known in typographic circles for his work as the co-creator of Google Fonts Knowledge, founder of 8 Faces magazine, and creative director of Typekit (now known as Adobe Fonts). In this conversation, you’ll hear why Elliot wanted to make his...
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Personal and Peoples Histories Held in Letterforms with Tré Seals of Vocal Type
This is the third episode in a 4-part guest lecture series, speaking with an incredible range of design and typography pros from across North America! In this eye opening look into the history of typography, signage, protest, and histories, Tré Seals thoughtfully explains the ways in which type…
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First Things First 2020 with Marc O’Brien and Benjamin Gaydos
This is the second episode in a 4-part guest lecture series, speaking with an incredible range of design and typography pros from across North America! This episode features 2 of the 3 authors of the First Things First 2020 manifesto, Marc O’Brien and Benjamin Gaydos. (Namita Dharia couldn’t join...
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Designing Systems of Type (Mistakes and All!) with James Edmondson of OH no Type Co.
This is the first episode in a 4-part guest lecture series, speaking with an incredible range of design and typography pros from across North America! This episode features type designer and founder of OH no Type Co., James Edmondson. In this conversation you’ll hear James’ typography origin…
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The Library Loiterers - Vol. I: Following the Fear with Tim Miller at Robarts Library
Welcome, dear friends, to The Library Loiterers. Each episode finds Diana loitering in a library with a special guest in a library location of their choosing. We comb the stacks and have a chat about passions, practices, and possibilities—letting the story unfold as it will. You’re encouraged to...
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Sabotaging Self-Sabotage with Lauren Hortie of Oasis Skateboard Factory
It’s a high school experience like no other — Welcome to Oasis Skateboard Factory in Toronto, Canada where students make, design, and sell custom boards for real clients all while receiving high school credits. This alternative school flips the script on what it means to learn and teach in high...
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The Magic of Metaphor with Psychotherapist and Author Kate Robson
Today’s guest is registered psychotherapist and author, Kate Robson, exploring her new book, Something to Hold Onto: Simple Images, Metaphors, and Practical Tools to Transform Your Life. Her book is an incredible resource where she shares her ideas about complex human problems through a…
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Clarendon: An Incomplete History of Type
From the middle ages to the Middle East, From Futura to Freight, join us on a journey across the type universe and go where no designer has gone before...Welcome to An Incomplete History of Type (Part 6!) This episode is guest hosted by Jordan Grey. Name: Clarendon Release Date: 1845 Designer:...
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San Francisco: An Incomplete History of Type
From the middle ages to the Middle East, From Futura to Freight, join us on a journey across the type universe and go where no designer has gone before...Welcome to An Incomplete History of Type (Part 6!) This episode is guest hosted by Sheilae Siagian. Name: San Francisco Release Date: 2014...
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Verdana: An Incomplete History of Type
From the middle ages to the Middle East, From Futura to Freight, join us on a journey across the type universe and go where no designer has gone before...Welcome to An Incomplete History of Type (Part 6!) This episode is guest hosted by Sol Riquero. Name: Verdana Release Date: 1996 Designer:...
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Garamond: An Incomplete History of Type
From the middle ages to the Middle East, From Futura to Freight, join us on a journey across the type universe and go where no designer has gone before...Welcome to An Incomplete History of Type (Part 6!) This episode is guest hosted by Lilly Clements. Name: Garamond Release Date: Mid 16th…
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Calibri: An Incomplete History of Type
From the middle ages to the Middle East, From Futura to Freight, join us on a journey across the type universe and go where no designer has gone before...Welcome to An Incomplete History of Type (Part 6!) This episode is guest hosted by Emma Pereira. Name: Calibri Release Date: 2007 Designer…
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Marci Stepak on Walking 300 km Through Grief, Connection, and Library Joy (Every Library TO)
Meet our guest, Marci Stepak, who grew up using Toronto public libraries in the late 1970s and early 80s. In this conversation, you’ll hear about Marci’s journey, walking 300 km to visit all 100 Toronto Public Library branches on foot over 10 days. She’s calling it Every Library TO and the walk...
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How to Wrap a Semester-Long Podcast Project
Lights! Microphone! Podcast -- Episode 6 How do you wrap up a massive, semester-long creative project? Join Instructor Diana, alongside student hosts Shana and Alex, for the MDM class's final reflection and listening party. This episode is a behind-the-scenes look at the creative journey…
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How to Master Multilingual Podcasting
Lights! Microphone! Podcast -- Episode 5 What happens when your audience demands a language shift? Multilingual creator Winnie Liao joins host Alex to discuss the reality of launching a content project outside the default English market. Winnie shares the unexpected journey of her show, which...
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How to Optimize Your Podcast for Growth
Lights! Microphone! Podcast -- Episode 4 Are you optimizing your podcast for the right platforms? Jordan Blair, Podcast Producer at Buzzsprout, breaks down the current reality of podcast growth. Jordan explains why you must stop treating platforms like TikTok or Instagram and start treating them...
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How to Build a Millionaire Machine
Lights! Microphone! Podcast -- Episode 3 Host Alex sits down with Javon Martin to get real about building a podcast that's actually a business in disguise. His show, "100 Ways to Make $100K," isn't just content: it's the front door to something bigger. In this conversation, Javon breaks down how…
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How to Compose an Iconic Podcast Theme (Serial)
Lights! Microphone! Podcast -- Episode 2 What goes into creating a piece of music that defines a cultural moment? Nick Thorburn, the composer behind Serial's unforgettable theme, sits down with host Shana to tell the story. Spoiler: it all happened in a weekend, and he had no idea the show would...
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Launching a Podcast From the Ground Up
Lights! Microphone! Podcast -- Episode 1 Ever wondered what goes wrong behind the scenes of a podcast? The production team from "Ctrl Alt Narrate" is here to tell you everything. Sneesha (creative lead), Alisha (logistics and marketing), and Victoria (design) join host Alex to talk about the...
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Introducing: Lights Microphone Podcast
Introducing: Lights Microphone Podcast In Fall 2025, a group of graduate students set out to learn about podcasting from the ground up and Lights Microphone Podcast is the result. Created inside a podcasting special topics course within the Master of Digital Media program at The Creative School…
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net.art Pioneer, Olia Lialina
Down the rabbit hole we go! Each conversation in this series connects in unexpected ways. Every new episode spurring a new line of inquiry, like tunnels turning off in different directions, each with an origin that’s traced back to episodes 273, 276, and 280. This episode features net.art…
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Olympic Design Joy with Paul Twa
Happy Winter Olympic Games in Milano Cortina 2026! Graphic designer and illustrator, Paul Twa, is here and he’s full of insights and passion for Olympic design joy! In this conversation, we talk all things design systems at Milano Cortina 2026. Paul shares the importance of human gesture, energy,...
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Independent Foundry Magic with Libbie Bischoff of Type Du Nord
This is the third episode in a 3-part guest lecture series, speaking with a diverse range of design and typography pros from across North America! This episode features the owner of foundry Type Du Nord, Libbie Bischoff. In this conversation, you’ll hear how Libbie got started in type...
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Design for Social Change and Inclusive City Building with Jay Wall
This is the second episode in a 3-part guest lecture series, speaking with a diverse range of design and typography pros from across North America! This episode features a Creative Director dedicated to social change and inclusive city building, Jay Wall. In this conversation you’ll hear about...
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Indigenous Type Perspectives with Leo Vicenti
This is the first episode in a 3-part guest lecture series in GCM 230 Typography, speaking with design typography pros from across North America! This episode features type designer and educator at Emily Carr University of Art + Design in Vancouver, Leo Vicenti. In this conversation, you’ll hear...
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Currency and Creativity with David Berry and Raymond Biesinger
Today’s episode features two authors with two new books on two interrelated topics: David Berry (How Artists Make Money & How Money Makes Artists) and Raymond Biesinger (9 Times My Work Has Been Ripped Off: An Informal Self-Defence Guide for Independent Creatives). In this conversation you’ll…
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👉🏽 Manicule 👈🏽
Allow me to point something out… From Medieval manuscripts to 19th-century advertising, modern interfaces, and emoji culture, this episode follows the curious history of the iconic pointing hand, commonly referred to as the “manicule”. Inspired by a letterpress project created for the Canadian...
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GeoCities Memory with Jill Blackmore Evans
Down the rabbit hole we go! Each conversation in this series connects in unexpected ways. Every new episode spurring a new line of inquiry, like tunnels turning off in different directions, each with an origin that’s traced back to episode 273. This episode features Jill Blackmore Evans who…
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Certified Letter Nerds with Alanna Munro of Arcane Type Foundry
Today’s conversation is with Alanna Munro of Arcane Type Foundry. She is a certified letter nerd, designer, and educator. In this conversation you’ll hear about Alanna’s creative process for designing type, the importance of squinting, and common misconceptions about independent foundries. You’ll...
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Books as Art with Andrew Huot of Big River Bindery
Today I’m joined by Andrew Huot, who is book making royalty: a book artist, bookbinder, printer, and conservator whose artists’ books are in collections across the US, from the Art Institute of Chicago to Yale University. In this conversation, you’ll hear what the term “book arts” means. You’ll...
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Emerging Typeface Designers Ivana Vukmirovic & Mahrukh Saeed
Meet emerging typeface designers, Ivana Vukmirovic and Mahrukh Saeed! Ivana designed a typeface called Lindworm and Mahrukh designed a typeface called Khabartoon. In the following conversation, you'll get to hear about each typeface, their perfect type pairings, sensory descriptions of each, as...
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Choose Your Own Adventure with George Wylesol
Down the rabbit hole we go! Each conversation in this series connects in unexpected ways. Every new episode spurring a new line of inquiry, like tunnels turning off in different directions, each with an origin that’s traced back to episode 273. This episode features George Wylesol who is an…
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Humanizing the Experiences of Dementia Using Disappearing Ink Technology with Rachel Arthur of boom saloon
Today’s guest and her team’s most recent book project is truly emotional and inspiring. In this conversation, you’ll hear from Rachel Arthur, Founder and Editor of boom saloon, “an independent publisher dedicated to democratizing creativity for good”. You’ll hear about their most recent…
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Making Time with Author Maria Bowler
This episode features Maria Bowler, author of ‘Making Time: A New Vision for Crafting a Life Beyond Productivity’. In this conversation, Maria clarifies the way we orient to the world, either as “the producer” or “the maker”. She dives deep into the problematic ideas around productivity, the ways...
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On a Trip with Amanda Breeze of TRIPPER Magazine
In this conversation, you’ll hear from Amanda Breeze, a cannabis writer based out of Toronto, Canada, who documents international cannabis culture and explores new smells. This year she launched Tripper Magazine, an adventure travel guide to the world’s cannabis friendly destinations. In this...
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Living at the Intersection of Art, Design & Digital Media with Julian Brown
Julian Brown is an independent motion designer and augmented-reality artist. In this conversation, you'll hear how Julian and his wife, Amy Shackleton, work together to merge the worlds of fine art and digital media to create interactive installations. You'll also hear how the design space and…
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Brave Creative Humans: Living a Brave Creative Humanity
Welcome to the Brave Creative Humans series! This is the final episodes in the series featuring some of the many past Talk Paper Scissors guests who exemplify brave creative living: Allison MacKenzie, Kevin Shaw, Vincent Wanga, Meg Lewis, Emad Saedi, and Justine Abigail Yu. In this episode, the 6...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Join host, Diana Varma, as she explores the wonderful world of design and printing, typography and branding, books and publishing. Diana loves nothing more than getting creative with Creatives about all things creative. Ready to have some fun? Let's Talk Paper Scissors!
HOSTED BY
Diana Varma
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Talk Paper Scissors have?
Talk Paper Scissors currently has 321 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Talk Paper Scissors about?
Join host, Diana Varma, as she explores the wonderful world of design and printing, typography and branding, books and publishing. Diana loves nothing more than getting creative with Creatives about all things creative. Ready to have some fun? Let's Talk Paper Scissors!
How often does Talk Paper Scissors release new episodes?
Talk Paper Scissors publishes regularly with 321 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Talk Paper Scissors?
You can listen to Talk Paper Scissors 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 Paper Scissors?
Talk Paper Scissors is created and hosted by Diana Varma.
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