ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Creativity through the lens of an author, musician and creative force
"Creativity is an organic thing - a natural byproduct of humans trying to survive."
Antonio Michael Downing is an acclaimed author, broadcaster, and musician.
His memoir Saga Boy was praised by Kiese Laymon as "singularly dazzling"
and received critical acclaim from publications like Essence Magazine. His
novel Black Cherokee has been called "a triumph" by Giller Prize winner Ian
Williams. He has also won praise for his novella Molasses and children's book
Stars in My Crown. His works have been nominated for several awards,
including the Speaker's Book Prize and the Toronto Book Awards.
As a broadcaster, he hosts Canada's internationally recognized book show
The Next Chapter on CBC Radio, where he engages with celebrated authors,
literary critics, and cultural figures about must-read books while elevating
diverse voices in publishing. As a performer, he has released four albums as
his alter ego John Orpheus. As a speaker, he is known for his breadth of
literary knowledge, engaging storytelling, and entertaining approach to
conversations about identity, creativity, and belonging.
https://www.instagram.com/antoniomichaeldowning/
https://www.antoniomichaeldowning.com/
