The Authority File Round-Up – April 2021

A quick overview of last month's episodes, in case you missed them

April marks the transition between winter and summer. On the cusp of humid nights, but not yet behind those last gasps of wintry cold, this spring month brings thirty days of mud, daffodils, and mutable weather. We plant gardens, clean closets, and attempt at least some healthy lifestyle changes. What is it about spring that sparks these transformations?

Last month, we were lucky enough to have as a guest someone who has undergone many transformations in her life. From living on the streets to running a business, joining the clergy, and campaigning for political office, she adapted to each new lifestyle. What lessons can she teach us? Here’s a quick round-up of the conversation, in case you missed it. We hope you find the episodes engaging, educational, and inspiring. Thanks for listening!


The Queer Evangelist: A Socialist Clergy’s Radically Honest Tale book cover.

The Queer Evangelist

In April, Cheri DiNovo, former member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario and current United Church of Canada minister, joined us on the podcast. Cheri discussed her fascinating life as a businesswoman, politician, minister, and social activist, detailed in her memoir, The Queer Evangelist: A Socialist Clergy’s Radically Honest Tale. Brought to you by Wilfrid Laurier University Press.


Episode one: “It’s Been Quite a Life”

  • Cheri dives into her approach of radical honesty in and outside of politics. What familial, political, and spiritual factors led her to join her church? What are her thoughts on the excessive capitalistic period of the 1980s? Listen to episode one here.

Episode two: Getting into Politics

  • What are the perils and foibles of securing a party nomination? What are some pieces of legislation Cheri passed during her time in office? Listen to episode two here.

Episode three: The Politics of Politics

  • How does a lack of lively debate and bi-partisan collaboration hurt the efficacy and efficiency of legislative work? Is there any value to reform on the way to revolution? Listen to episode three here.

Episode four: Relentless Activism for Dramatic Change

  • What are Cheri’s tips for consistent and result-driven activism? What are the differences between today’s movements compared to those of the 1960s and 70s? Finally, is dramatic change even possible? Listen to episode four here.

I prefer to think, and I guess this is the Christian in me too, or at least the faithful person in me, that there is some good reason people sit in those seats. There is some motivating factor that they actually want to change the world for the better…We may disagree ideologically on everything, we may disagree on how to make the world better, but if we can start with that conversation and kind of proceed from there, we can get something done.

Cheri DiNovo, Minister of Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre for Faith Justice and the Arts
Direct to Open graphic. Black lettering, white background.

Missed March’s episodes? We’ve got you covered.

In March, Gregory Eow, President of the Center for Research Libraries, and Emily Farrell, Library Partnerships & Sales Lead at the MIT Press, joined us to explore MIT Press’s library collective action model, Direct to Open (D2O). How has it developed in the past year? What are the value propositions for participating libraries? Listen to the first episode here.

MLA Handbook 9th edition book cover

What’s Coming Up in May

Paula Krebs, Executive Director of the Modern Language Association, chats about the 9th edition of the MLA Handbook, the 100th anniversary of the Bibliography, the information literacy plight, and the current state of the Humanities. You can find the first episode here.


You can find more episodes of the Authority File here on our websiteApple PodcastsSpotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Thanks for listening! See you next month.


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