Listen to me at the hit podcast, Monetizing Your Creativity

If you've been wondering why my blog has not seen an update for a long time, it's because I've been working on a new project. I've teamed up with my friend Fred Keating to produce a podcast called Monetizing Your Creativity. We interview writers, producers, directors, actors, designers, animators, illustrators – anyone who has found a way to earn a living with their creative talents. We are dispelling the myth that all artists are starving artists.

Response has been fantastic! We're one of the top rated podcasts in the Careers section of iTunes Canada and we have listeners in 250 cities in 60 countries (so far). To subscribe to this free podcast, search for Monetizing Your Creativity on iTunes or the podcast app on your mobile device or you can listen to us at monetizingyourcreativity.com.

Will I resume blogging at verycleverthings.com sometime in the future? Not sure! Fred and I are having a great time mentoring people who want to learn how to earn a living with their creative talents.

Are you a caregiver for an elderly relative? Then you need to watch this.

Many of us are caregivers for elderly relatives. As patient needs increase, demands on caregivers can rise to extreme levels. But what happens when caregivers burn out? Here's a story about how a clever Alberta doctor recognized caregiver burnout and helped avoid a horrible outcome.

I conducted this interview in my role as Editor in Chief of Alberta Doctors' Digest for the Alberta Medical Association. My guest was blogger and author of The Reluctant Caregiver, Bobbi Junior.

Researchers working on "bionic eye" implants

These researchers are working on retinal implants that will eventually help some people with vision loss regain their sight. Check it out.

Got a bird problem? Here a simple solution, right to the point

Problem: birds land on your stuff and leave their droppings behind, creating a big mess that you need to clean up. Sometimes they even build nests where you don't want them (causing a fire hazard, for instance). Solution: put some pointy things where the birds like to land. As gadgets go, it doesn't get any lower tech, inexpensive and effective as this.

Mossom Creek fish hatchery rises from the ashes

A few weeks ago I mentioned that we were producing a video about the remarkable resurrection of the volunteer-run Mossom Creek fish hatchery after a devastating fire. Thanks to Lafarge, other supporters and numerous volunteers, the hatchery is now back and better than ever.

Lily introduces a selfie-drone

Drones are hot stuff right now. But you have to learn how to fly them. Check out this solution from Lily. It's like a selfie-drone!

Bull's eye! Organic greens and biodegradable plastic packaging.

I don't know about you, but when I buy organic greens (which is all time time), I don't feel good about the plastic packaging. Organic food and traditional packaging is an unfortunate contradiction. So I was pleased to find this organic produce from Kildara Farms that's packaged in biodegradable plastic bags. Also, kudos to Thrifty Foods for carrying this produce and Richmond Plastics for manufacturing the bags.

Yes, recyclable plastic packaging is a good thing. But biodegradable is even better. It makes me want to burry the plastic in my garden and see what happens. I can't say I've ever wanted to try that with normal plastic.

More information: kildarafarms.com