As an artist and a lover of the arts, Amy Amantea encourages us all to kick off the new year with looking for ways to get more involved in the arts. We find out what Markus McCracken has been up to in finding accessible video games over the holidays. Spoiler Alert: he found a few. And Mary Mammoliti has us covered in the kitchen with tips on returning back to our routines after the holidays.

After the holidays, the realization hits that it’s still winter and the weather outside is enough to make one want to hibernate indoors. That's why Frances Wong thought it would be a great idea to talk about hygge. Kevin Shaw stamps the businesses that said goodbye last year, and we discuss the legacies they’ve left behind. Lucia Bellafante is back, with the motivation of helping us create parenting and family goals for 2025.

On today’s show, Alicia Grace Chenier joins us to review “Blink”, a documentary on Disney+. Climate change is on the mind of trailblazing artist Persimmon Blackbridge, with her solo exhibition “Speak No emergency,” featuring items created from found, reclaimed and recycled objects. Plus, let’s find out how AMI’s Para Sport Nation is kicking off the year, when we check in with Host Alex Smyth.

On today’s show, Financial Planner Ryan Chin sheds light on what we (Canadians) are saying about how exactly rising prices are impacting our ability to meet day-to-day expenses. Michael Feir’s been deeply enjoying a unique accessible game from Rascal Magic Studios called Bardcard. It combines memory card matching with an adventure roleplaying game in a way that's uniquely inclusive of blind players.

When was the last time you threw out your sponges, washed your dish towels, or replaced your pillows? We’re starting 2025 with a fresh take on home organization and the habits that keep our spaces in check.

Christine Malec has been doing some thinking and experimenting around the relationship the Blind community can now choose to have with photos, and today we’re going to hear about one of her experiments.

Rebecca Dingwell is a writer and editor interested in online trends and pop culture. And we get into Celebrity Worship.

🎉 Join us for the final live edition of KellyCo in 2024! We’ve packed this episode with expert insights and lively debates:

👉 Psychotherapist Fern Lulham returns for part two of her personal development tips debate. Are classic self-help quotes truly impactful or just overrated? We’re diving into:

• “Fake it until you make it” – Confidence booster or deception?

• “Happiness depends upon ourselves” – The role of internal vs. external factors.

• “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with” – How much do those around us shape our lives?

👉 Nutritionist Julia Karantjas unpacks the pros and cons of protein powders:

• Myths about who should use them.

• Benefits for immune health and energy.

• Tips for choosing clean, natural options tailored to your dietary needs (vegan, lactose-free, and more).

👉 Mark Rankin shares his top Orientation and Mobility gift ideas:

• Reflectivity aids.

• Traction tools.

• Lights, earbuds, and sunglasses to help your loved ones stay independent and safe.

🗓 Don’t miss this jam-packed episode as we wrap up 2024 with a bang!

Timestamps:

0:00 – Intro

1:15 – Fern Lulham: Debating personal development advice.

15:45 – Julia Karantjas: Should you use protein powder?

28:30 – Mark Rankin: Orientation & Mobility gift guide.

📌 Subscribe for more engaging content, and hit the 🔔 to get notified for our upcoming shows in the new year!

About Kelly and Company

Kelly and Company is a lively podcast hosted by Kelly MacDonald, featuring contributors from the blind, partially sighted, and disability communities. The show delves into arts, entertainment, and lifestyle topics that resonate with its audience.

The podcast is updated daily, ensuring fresh content for its listeners.

Kelly and Company is produced by Accessible Media Inc. (AMI), a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through the offering of relevant original content.

For those interested in engaging discussions on arts, entertainment, and lifestyle issues pertinent to the blind, partially sighted, and disability communities, Kelly and Company is a must-listen.

Celebrate the season with this holiday-themed episode of Kelly and Company! Hosts Ramya Amuthan and Brock Richardson bring you inspiring stories of music and magic.

✨ Eileen Laverty - Angels in the Snow: A Magical Christmas

Irish-Canadian singer-songwriter Eileen Laverty talks about her enchanting music career, including collaborations with icons like Kenny Rogers and Tom Cochrane. She also gives a preview of her magical Christmas concert at Saskatoon’s Broadway Theatre and performs her original holiday song, Maybe This Christmas.

✨ Michael Feir - The Box of Delights (Big Finish Audio Drama)

Michael Feir shares why The Box of Delights, a modernized adaptation of a Christmas classic, is a must-listen for the holidays. With themes of bravery, magic, and top-notch production, this Big Finish drama is perfect for the whole family.

About Kelly and Company

Kelly and Company is a lively podcast hosted by Kelly MacDonald, featuring contributors from the blind, partially sighted, and disability communities. The show delves into arts, entertainment, and lifestyle topics that resonate with its audience.

The podcast is updated daily, ensuring fresh content for its listeners.

Kelly and Company is produced by Accessible Media Inc. (AMI), a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through the offering of relevant original content.

For those interested in engaging discussions on arts, entertainment, and lifestyle issues pertinent to the blind, partially sighted, and disability communities, Kelly and Company is a must-listen.