People Arts
Andrew MacLean on travelling and discovering our own backyard – and why storytelling and history matter
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UNBeknownst Podcast Episode 47

Andrew MacLean (BA'07) writes the weekly Atlantic Canadian newspaper column Backyard History and hosts the podcast and TV show of the same name. He has also written 3 books about the forgotten stories of Atlantic Canada's past. Andrew received a degree in history at UNB and then a master's at Dalhousie University. But before beginning writing, he had already lived a far ranging and eclectic life: he has backpacked through 37 countries on 5 continents, visiting over 200 different cities around the world. He has travelled from Nunavut to the Florida Keys doing aerial surveying using lasers to track rising waters of global climate change.

All that world travelling was brought to a screeching halt by the global pandemic, which brought him back home to New Brunswick. Inspired by recalling the local lore he heard from his grandfather in the tiny village of Tide Head, Andrew began digging deep into obscure moments in Maritimes history as a pandemic passion project. It turned into more than he could ever have imagined.

Hosts Kayla Ossachuk (BA'15) and Andrew Martel (BCS'15) chat with Andrew about stories he's uncovered, and why storytelling and history matter.

Listen to the episode

Highlights from the episode

  • A glimpse into Andrew's travel stories
  • What he brought back to Atlantic Canada
  • Why he transitioned to telling stories of history from our own backyard on the East Coast
  • Why storytelling is important
  • Why understanding our history is also important

Links and resources:

Thanks to:

  • Our alumni hosts Kayla Ossachuk (BA'15) and Andrew Martel (BCS'15)
  • Music by alumni artist, Beats of Burden
  • Our alumni Affinity Partners, TD Insurance and Manulife
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