Blackout Podcast
Israel Ekanem
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Blackout Podcast: Intimate Conversations With Amazing People Who Do Amazing Things. It is about unfiltered truth. A space to talk openly about life, art, mental health, family, beginnings, endings and everything in between.
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1 day ago
Laura Goode - Face Forge
Laura Goode lives n Bridgewater, Nova Scotia. She took Makeup Artistry & Design at Compu College. Ever since she could hold a pencil she loved to draw. She would draw houses on hills or imitate cartoons. She learned how to draw anime until she discovered Caricatures on a family vacation in Quebec.
She found Caricature Artists very fascinating, how they would make people laugh by enhancing features and how quickly they produced them. As soon as she came back home she taught herself how to draw them. She would practice on family friends and also search for pictures of famous people. When she became comfortable, she would draw them on the streets locally. She came up with the name Face Forge as she sees herself forging faces in a creative way. Every once in a while she would paint a Caricature or a piece out of the ordinary.
When she isn't working or drawing she enjoys drives along the coastline getting lost (on purpose) and exploring local areas. Recently a friend of hers noticed her paintings and challenged her to do South Shore Scenery Folk, Art. With her enjoyment of art and the east coast, she gave it a try and has been happy with the results.
She still enjoys drawing caricatures every now and then but her Folk Art paintings have been her focus.
She hopes everyone enjoys her artwork as much as she loves creating them.
Check her out @faceforge (https://www.instagram.com/faceforge/)
Aug 2, 2020
Chris Geworsky - Photographer
It was the late 1990s and the first roll of film the then, teenage Chris shot was a complete disaster. What made him determined to keep picking up the camera was the idea of composing people and things in that little rectangular viewfinder in a way that could tell a story, communicate a message, explore and express ideas, and impact other people. It was that intrigue that fuelled his desire to become a photographer.
Chris formally studied at both NSCAD University and NSCC’s photography departments followed by work as a production assistant for commercial shooters in Halifax, Toronto and New York.
In 2007, he started working under his own name, taking on advertising, editorial, fashion, corporate and private work.
He strongly believes that personal work helps strengthen creative and conceptual thinking and is an invaluable and inseparable part of who he is as a photographer.
Check him out @chris_geworsky (https://www.instagram.com/chris_geworsky/)
Jul 26, 2020
Kaidain Ivy - Designer
Kaidain Ivy works as a fairy godmother turning something seemingly nothing and turning it into a ball gown. She creates entire outfits from scratch or by repurposing found items such as bedsheets and curtains.
Kaidáin Ivy was created to take an idea, a dream, a concept that was impossibly unreal, and make it real.
There should be beauty and magic in everyday real life. Everyone deserves to feel as beautiful and fantastical as a little girl twirling around in her favourite princess dress. Everyone deserves to feel beautiful and magical. Everyone deserves hope.
Kaidain Ivy's collections were created as a means of coping with diagnosed PTSD. She turns the ugly in this world into art. Her collections often feature several transformations and reveal garments as nothing is ever what it seems and there are always enough shoes for every Cinderella.
Believe in everyday magic; the beauty will not fade at midnight.
Check her out at @kaidainivy (https://www.instagram.com/kaidainivy/)
Jul 19, 2020
Stories By Sheril - Photographer, Chef
His Instagram handle might be more familiar to you than his name, Sheril.
He is originally from Kerala, the southernmost part of India but now lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia. A self-taught freelance photographer and a cook who finished his culinary management diploma from George Brown College, Toronto, ON.
He works at The Bicycle Thief restaurant in Halifax Harbourfront.
He is a creator who tries hard to create and standout from the rest of the herd. He creates for his happiness, to express. feelings, from pain to joy. He likes to speak through my frames and the colours in it.
Staying creative is what he lives for and the air which he loves to inhale.
Sheril believes that being creative is challenging. But he also asks, what is life without a bit of a challenge?
Check him out @stories_by_sheril (https://www.instagram.com/stories_by_sheril/)
Jul 13, 2020
Lindsay - Founder & Happiness Enabler
Lindsay spends her days doing her best to gently encourage others to meditate, be kind & live a life in service.
A former chemical engineer turned happiness enabler & mental illness speaker, Lindsay loves chatting with folks about what they’re doing to elevate their quality of life! She founded The Floatation Centre Health & Wellness in 2015 and has been sharing the benefits of floatation therapy, meditation and mindfulness far & wide since. Self-proclaimed as a goofy, open book who laughs a little too loudly,
Lindsay continues to bumble her way through this whole entrepreneurship gig while finding harmony in her own self-care & health sovereignty.
Check her out @lindsayfloats (https://www.instagram.com/lindsayfloats/)
@thefloatcentre (https://www.instagram.com/thefloatcentre/)
Photos: Meghan Tansey-Whitton
Jul 6, 2020
Fotto - Artist
Jae Thompson's artist Fotto shares his love for music and plans for the future.
Fotto is currently in the studio working on a banger.
Check him out at @officialjaethompson (http://instagram.com/officialjaethompson)
Jun 29, 2020
Lil E - Artist
Jae Thompson's artist Lil E shares his love for music and plans for the future.
Lil E is currently in the studio working on a banger.
Check him out at @officialjaethompson (http://instagram.com/officialjaethompson)
Jun 22, 2020
KD - Artist
Jae Thompson's artist KD shares his love for music and plans for the future.
KD is currently in the studio working on a banger.
Check him out at @officialjaethompson (http://instagram.com/officialjaethompson)
Jun 15, 2020
PDK - Artist
Jae Thompson's artist PDK shares his love for music and plans for the future.
PDK is currently in the studio working on a banger.
Check him out at @officialjaethompson (http://instagram.com/officialjaethompson)
Jun 8, 2020
Romeo - Artist
Jae Thompson's artist Romeo shares his love for music and plans for the future.
Romeo is currently in the studio working on a banger.
Check him out at @officialjaethompson (http://instagram.com/officialjaethompson)
Jun 1, 2020
Kid Coffin - Artist
Kid Coffin is a young artist from Halifax Nova Scotia. He has been performing for years and has a provocative sound with complex lyrics that will make you change the way you think.
He has worked with multiple underground artists and is a figure in the Battle Rap scene in Halifax. Wordplay, punchlines, and meaningful messages encompass what Kid Coffin brings.
A new sound, with every song telling a story. Kid Coffin has multiple releases on all streaming platforms but is currently working on his debut album. Kid Coffin is a must-see in the Halifax scene.
Check him out @kidcoffinofficial (https://www.instagram.com/kidcoffinofficial/)
May 25, 2020
Boma Nnaji - Visual Artist
Boma is a Halifax based visual artist. He is landscape and figure painter.
As an artist growing up in the Golden age of Hip-hop his style is heavily influenced by graffiti art.
He is passionate about sharing cultural themes that are rarely discussed in the media through his art.
He is currently working on a series centered around the subject of African hair.
Check him out @bomatheartist (http://instagram.com/bomatheartist)
May 18, 2020
Shannon Ellis -Artist
Shannon Ellis is an artist, crow whisperer and nerd hailing from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
Her artistic focus varies from traditional mediums and landscapes to repurposing vintage thrift store paintings, fan art and cosplay photography.
With a background in animation and a huge love of nature, her unique vibrant style is sure to make you smile.
Shannon is also on the steering committee for Creative Kick- Halifax’s monthly meetup for the creatively driven.
Check her out @sarradis (https://www.instagram.com/sarradis/)
May 11, 2020
Kat Smutz - Author
Kat Smutz grew up in the Southern Appalachian Mountain, in a small North Georgia town. A love of history grew out of listening to her parents’ stories of growing up in an isolated region of the Smoky Mountains. She began writing in high school, an obsession that eventually led to a career in journalism with detours into engineering, law enforcement and teaching.
In 2009, Smutz retired to work on publishing some of the sixty-plus manuscripts she had written over the years. Her first three books were non-fiction works on the American Civil War, a subject she knows well after more than forty years as a civil war researcher.
Her first historical fiction, Silent Tears, is the story of an abused wife learning to stand on her own in a Victorian society that allowed women few rights.
Her next book, as yet untitled, is about a young woman who becomes separated from her family when the American Civil War erupts. She takes on the guise of a boy and earns her way by spying while she tries to fin…
May 4, 2020
Sandrella Mohanna - Actor
Sandrella Mohanna is an actor, improviser, and aspiring screenwriter from Halifax, NS.
Sandrella has also spent several years competing with the Canadian Bodybuilding Federation
both at the provincial and national levels. Her last competitive year was in 2016, where she took
home two second-place trophies and one third-place trophy. She has also spent time on the
other side of the stage as a bodybuilding judge.
Sandrella is a first-generation Lebanese-Canadian whose mother tongue is Arabic. A lover of
languages and culture, she holds a BA in French and Spanish from Dalhousie University, and
has lived and travelled abroad extensively.
Between cuddling with her cats and fielding questions about the authenticity of her curly hair,
Sandrella can be found lifting heavy things at the gym and spending time with her husband and
daughter.
Sandrella can also be found working on her craft through various workshops and classes
offered locally through Neptune Theatre and AFCOOP. She is also a full…
Apr 27, 2020
Dylan Thompson-MacKay - Elwood Pens
Dylan Thompson-MacKay is a Nova Scotian Entrepreneur from Pictou County who makes handcrafted wooden pens and pencils.
His business is named Elwood Pens and is promoting other people to Write Their Own Story.
It began in a family members garage in 2014 and eventually moved to a full woodworking studio on Argyle Street in Halifax by June of 2018.
Now, Dylan is operating from home back in New Glasgow and will be expanding into other products soon. Dylan’s hope is to help employ as many people in Atlantic Canada as possible.
Check him out @elwoodpens
Apr 20, 2020
Mia Cathleen - Singer, Songwriter, Visual Artist
Mia Cathleen is a Mi’kmaq singer/songwriter and visual artist from Halifax, Nova Scotia. She’s been writing music since high school, but only recently began to perform after releasing her debut, self-written, recorded, and produced the album “Know Me.”
Her style and sound centre around her lyricism, which can be dark, romantic, or playful, but is always poetic, and her chord progressions, which feature a fun mash-up of unique rhythms and scales. While she is best described as a folk singer, Mia aims to add nuance to her style by drawing inspiration from a wide variety of artists and genres, from 90s metal and grunge to jazz and rap.
Mia is currently in the midst of recording her second album, which she hopes to release sometime next year.
Check her out @kloqoejk (https://www.instagram.com/kloqoejk/)
Apr 13, 2020
Colin MacDonald - Filmmaker
Colin MacDonald is a filmmaker with over ten years of experience in the screen industry. He has produced award-winning short films and music videos, Presents (2019), Skyline (2017), If We're Divine (2013) and Presence (2013). His work has been screened internationally at film festivals, featured exclusively on Revolver Magazine and aired nationally on the CBC.
Colin's passion lies documentary and narrative films that have a strong focus on character and story and that strive for innovative ways of evoking emotion in the audience.
Check him out @onstreampro (https://www.instagram.com/onstreampro/)
Apr 6, 2020
Atay & JAX - An Unlikely Pair
Atay & JAX is the result of a child’s Christmas wish bringing their favourite meme page to life. Although they “spit fire bars” they also don’t take themselves too seriously and walk the line between comedy, pop, punk, and hip-hop. They are leading a movement of young-adult fans who aren’t quite ready to grow up.
Atay & JAX is a new Nova Scotian hip hop group compiled of Adam "Atay" Taylor of Spryfield and Jaxon "JAX" Booth of Lunenburg. In 2019 the duo began collaborating in the studio to create "Honey" a 9 song LP that served as JAX's debut album and served up a mellow, alternative hip-hop sound with comedic undertones and small-town stories. Atay engineered, mixed, mastered, and featured on the record.
The intention was never to present as a duo, but when the album launched, the chemistry in their performances was undeniable, and the fans demanded to hear more. Atay & JAX quickly developed a reputation for their gritty, high energy, punk-esque live performances. Footage fr…
Mar 30, 2020
Monique Gracie - Tranquility Spa
Monique Gracie is the proud owner of Tranquility Spa, located on the Waverley Road, in Dartmouth! She is a Master Esthetician who has been in the industry for 17 years. In September 2014, she made the important decision to go back to school and complete a two-year Business Administration program, with a concentration in Entrepreneurship, as she knew she wanted to open her own business and become her own boss. She graduated, with honours, in June 2016, and got her foot in the door with Spa Management.
In June 2018, she enrolled in the CEED program (Center for Entrepreneurship and Education Development), and completed their 40-week program, graduating in June 2019. She opened Tranquility Spa, to the public, on December 8, 2018, and offers a full range of Esthetic services, including but not limited to, manicures, pedicures, facials, dermaplaning, full body waxing, and eyebrow & eyelash tinting.
She is also certified with the Dermalogica skincare line, and has been using their products,…
Mar 23, 2020
Iain MacLeod - Writer, Filmmaker, Film Educator
Iain MacLeod is a writer, filmmaker and film educator originally from New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. Educated at York University and the Canadian Film Centre, Iain started his career in the Nova Scotia film industry writing and directing short films before transitioning to television where he wrote on CBC's Street Cents, and for six seasons on the Showcase, cult hit Trailer Park Boys.
Iain has written and directed two feature films, Your Money or Your Wife and You Ruined Our Life, and co-written three others, Beat Down, Relative Happiness and Hopeless Romantic as well as story editing multiple projects. He also recently earned a Master of Education degree from Mount Saint Vincent University in Lifelong Learning and is the programs coordinator at the Atlantic Filmmakers Co-operative (AFCOOP) in Halifax, working on various film education initiatives, including teaching and mentoring emerging screenwriters.
Mar 16, 2020
Kat Cochrane - One Block Barbershop
Kat Cochrane is a hairstylist from Halifax, Nova Scotia who recently took over ownership of One Block Barbershop on Gottingen Street.
They have been in the industry for eight years and I still love it. Not to mention the love for guests, the amazing team and the community.
Check out @obb4e (https://www.instagram.com/obb4e/)
You can always watch this episode on our YouTube channel. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any episode. (https://youtu.be/4U1oy24C8Go)
Mar 9, 2020
Brittany Pickrem - Branding Expert
Brittany Pickrem is the owner of her self-named, boutique brand and design company that is based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Since 2007 Brittany has been providing sophisticated visual brand and graphic design solutions for community leaders, and change-makers across the globe.
In Halifax, she has provided her brand expertise to the Halifax Jazz Festival, as well as the IWK Children’s Hospital and Foundation.
Internationally, she has worked with Lionsgate Entertainment and has helped to build brands for several entrepreneurs.
It’s Brittany’s passion to help her customers create outstanding brand experiences both online and in person.
Check her out @brandingbypickrem (https://www.instagram.com/brandingbybrittany/)
Mar 2, 2020
Ed Boulter & Nicole Johnson - Forget Cancer
Nicole Johnson is a Canadian Fashion Designer who has been in the fashion industry for over 20 years. Johnson is from the local community of East Preston in Halifax, NS. Johnson has served her community in many facets and seeks to be an agent of change for young people with an entrepreneurial spirit. Johnson uses her skills and talents in her role as Creative Director for the show FORGET CANCER.
Ed Boulter - A Cancer Survivor and a Photographer, Ed has found a way to combine the nasty business that is Cancer and the extraordinary that is art and combine those to worlds into something fun called FORGET CANCER. What started as Ed and one subject on a beach has grown into Ed leading a group of talented, generous and amazing people. Now Ed and the team give people the ROCK STAR treatment on these Photoshoots. They have so much fun sitting through hair, make-up and wardrobe that they literally "FORGET CANCER" for the day!
Check them out @edb_creative (https://www.instagram.com/edb_creative/…
Feb 24, 2020
Vanessa Furlong - Circus And Physical Theatre Artist
Vanessa, co-founder of LEGacy Circus, is a circus and physical theatre artist based in Halifax Nova Scotia.
She specializes in clown and acrobatic stilt movement, as well as duo aerial dance. Vanessa received a degree in theatre and music performance from Bishops University and has developed a unique approach to adaptive and mindful coaching and performance for the last two decades.
Influenced by her work with non-verbal communicators, she was drawn to how this affected her own approach to teaching, creating, and performing.
Check her out @vanessa_bobessa (https://www.instagram.com/vanessa_bobessa/)
Photo: Rachel Mcgrath
Feb 17, 2020
Marc Tetreault - Producer
Marc is an independent producer and writer based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He is a producer and co-owner of Shut Up & Colour Pictures Inc with his partner Jason Levangie.
At S&C Marc has produced countless music videos, including the Prism Prize winner "Brian Wilson is A.L.i.V.E." by Rich Aucoin, a handful of short films including “Benjanmin” (TIFF ’16) and “I Am Coming to Paris to Kill You” (CUFF ’16).
In 2013 Marc premiered his Spanish-language feature film "Saudade" which in 2015 sold to Starz in the US. In 2014 Marc was accepted and completed the Canadian Film Centre's Cineplex Entertainment Film Program Producer's Lab where he spent six months developing feature and television projects with experienced producer mentors from all over the world.
Out of that program, Marc developed and produced the feature film “Suck It Up” by director Jordan Canning, which premiered at Slamdance 2017. In 2016 Marc was co-Producer of festival darling and multiple Canadian Screen Award…
Feb 10, 2020
Jandera Simmonds - Singer, Songwriter, Poet
Jandera Simmonds is a local African Nova Scotian Singer-songwriter and Poet as well as an early child educator.
She has been making up songs and writing poetry for as long as she can remember. Earliest songs date back to 4 years old earliest poems date back to around age 7. Started performing different bars an establishment's about 5 years ago. Started working at different daycares in schools 7 years ago.
Jandera has faced many trials and tribulations along the way including dealing with anxiety, grief, racism and much more. She tries her best to be honest and authentic with her audience as well as write about the things that she knows been through or has experienced.
Check her out @pinkplay7 (https://www.instagram.com/pinkplay7/)
Feb 3, 2020
Gabriela Piccott - Learning Consultant & Online Course Creator
Energetic and enthusiastic Learning and Development professional consultant. Gaby has over 15 years of experience in HR and Training & Development. Gaby has shared her enthusiasm, knowledge and experience mainly with manufacturing, non-profit and IT companies. For that reason, she created her training company Connect the Dots Training where she focuses on designing and delivering online and instructor-led training to front line employees, managers and executives.
As a learner explorer and long-life learner, Gaby believes that the ability to learn is the one skill that every person needs in the digital age. Gaby loves to connect with people and share knowledge with them, for that reason she decided to host a networking event for local entrepreneurs and newcomers, LinkedIn Local in Halifax.
Check her out on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaby-piccott-50163237/)
Jan 27, 2020
Nasser Ayad - 2d Animator, Illustrator & Graphic Designer.
Nasser Ayad is a French-Algerian 2d animator, illustrator, and graphic designer.
He has been living in Halifax for a few years now, working as an animator, as well as pursuing his own projects as an independent director.
Most recently he has both created and directed music videos for French artist, demi portion and the international artist Cesaria Evora. He has also done graphic work for Deepak Chopra, Eckhart Tolle, and Neale Donald Walsch.
Check him out @nasserayadart (https://www.instagram.com/nasserayadart/)
Super Heros (Music Video) - Demi Portion (https://youtu.be/pZA7eKE38jM)
Jan 20, 2020
Kyla Nicolle - Model & Makeup Artist
Kyla Nicolle is a model & makeup artist currently residing in Halifax, NS. She attended the Advanced Makeup Program at Blanche Macdonald Centre in Vancouver BC, before making her way back home to Halifax to continue her makeup career in Film & Television.
When she's not on set you can typically find her at home cuddling her cat, reading up on various topics of interests or out dancing with her pals.
Check her out @kyla_saysmeow (https://www.instagram.com/kyla_saysmeow/)
Jan 13, 2020
Sam Horak - Writer, Producer
Sam Horak is a writer, producer and theatre creator. Past highlights include The Coast’s ‘Best of’ bronze winner, Sissydude, a dandy rock musical (Co-producer, director and dramaturge) and Halifax Fringe award-winning Sit on My Face (Co-writer, producer and director).
For the past few years, Horak has been busy writing two full-length scripts. Her first, Kitchen, a show about artists working in the restaurant industry, was workshopped last year through PARC with direction by Laura Vingoe-Cram. Her second features her love of feminist punk rock and the Riot Grrrl movement.
Horak hopes to continue exploring the producing and writing side of storytelling while maintaining her strong interest in feminist narratives.
Check her out @samaraiswordz (https://www.instagram.com/samaraiswordz/)
Jan 6, 2020
Rockmen Parris - Positive Disruptor
Rockmen is an entrepreneur with a passion for life. He's a positive disruptor giving a voice to the voiceless!
He is a radically opened minded truth seeker on the hunt for the truth! His purpose is to make it better for the next generation! His most important duty is to be an honest person, and be the best father he can!
He values principles, knowledge, and skills, a position title means nothing to him, it's just a title!
He knows how powerful knowledge can be, and that we all have the ability to be more knowledgeable! He knows that smiles are contagious, so he is going to laugh along the way too!
Check him out @rockmenparris (https://www.instagram.com/rockmenparris/)
Dec 30, 2019
Kristen Harrington - Artist & Designer & Michael S. Ryan - Musician
Though born and raised in a small farming community in rural Nova Scotia, Kristen Herrington has called Halifax home for more than a decade. She is a prolific abstract painter and designer, with a particular interest in collaborative works. She studied -what she calls- the artist’s “thing” for her Master’s thesis as an avenue to explore the relationship between the creative individual working in a capitalist society. Through this research, Kristen discovered her own “thing” and has been working on that artistic evolution for the past 6 years.
She identifies as a “fluid-artist”, capturing life’s overlooked moments or ideas on her canvasses. Additionally, she uses digital images of her work to make fabrics for items such as yoga mats, leggings and furniture reupholstery. Her work has been showcased in galleries and shops throughout the province and other parts of Canada.
Michael S. Ryan is the solo project of singer, multi-instrumentalist and frontman for the award-winn…
Dec 23, 2019
Christie Taylor - Artist
Christie is an illustrator and she enjoys drawing in her sketchbook.
In this episode, we talk about her art, inspiration and many more.
Check her out @cirsteh (https://www.instagram.com/cirsteh/)
Dec 16, 2019
Nadia Katherine & Alli Brown - Mystic Moon Tattoos
Nadia Katherine is a tattoo artist in Dartmouth, and co-owner of her new studio, Mystic Moon Tattoos.
Nadia did her first self-taught tattoos 11 years ago, and gained a formal apprenticeship 3 and a half years ago and has continued to hone her skills since.
When she’s not tattooing she spends much of her time engaged in some of her other passions, yoga and pole fitness.
Nadia’s goal is to keep improving her tattooing ability and she plans to begin a second career in fitness and movement.
Alli Brown is a tattoo artist in Dartmouth, NS. She is the co-owner of her recently established studio, Mystic Moon Tattoos, alongside Nadia Katherine.
Alli has been interested in tattooing since she was very young. She has always been inclined to draw and explore her artistic talent, so tattooing seemed like a natural fit for her. She started her journey as a tattoo artist at Gunners Tattoo Shop in 2017, where she learned everything she knows about tattooing from her mentors, Derek Hill and Nad…
Dec 9, 2019
Tofunmi Adesanya - Fashion Entrepreneur
Tofunmi Adesanya is a Nigerian born, self-taught and upcoming fashion entrepreneur. She is a lover of culture and aims to preserve the African culture through her pieces.
Her love for fashion was born out of a fascination with her grandmother’s sewing machine when she was younger.
She hopes to go to fashion school to acquire some formal education in fashion design.
In this episode, we talk about her love for fashion, her first runway show and plans for Tofunmi Adesanya, her label.
Check her out @desolaa_a (https://www.instagram.com/desolaa_a/)
You can always watch this episode on our YouTube channel. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any episode.
Dec 2, 2019
Andrea Lussing - Strategic Intervention Life Coach & EFT Practitioner
Andréa Lussing is a Strategic Intervention life coach and Emotional Freedom Technique (tapping) practitioner based in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
In her coaching practice, she specializes in helping women overcome binge eating and overeating so they can create peace with food and self.
She also holds the larger goal of bringing emotional, physical, and mental peace to people everywhere through the use of EFT.
In her downtime, she enjoys cooking vegan food, spending time with her family, and soaking in the beauty of nature.
In this episode, we talk about her experience in EFT and her future plans for her practice.
Check her out @andrealussing.coaching (https://www.instagram.com/andrealussing.coaching/)
Nov 25, 2019
Alexa Goodman - Scientist, Environmentalist & Founder, Stop Trashing It
Originally from Montreal, Alexa moved to Nova Scotia 6 years ago for her BSc in Marine Biology and Environmental Sustainability and Society (ESS) at Dalhousie University and fell in love with the Maritimes ever since.
Continuing her education at Dalhousie, Alexa just completed her Master of Marine Management, where her research focused on managing abandoned, lost, and discarded lobster fishing gear in the Bay of Fundy.
Her research was inspired by her time working on-board haddock trawlers on George’s Bank in the summer of 2017, where she had first learnt about ghost gear from fishermen.
She also runs a nonprofit she founded called Stop Trashing It, which motivates people to change their single-use waste habits.
On her downtime, you are likely to find her outdoors, probably by the coast doing a shoreline cleanup, or scuba diving, which is her lifelong passion.
As a Sustainable Oceans Alliance Youth Leader, Alexa continues to inspire and motivate others to take action in doing better…
Nov 18, 2019
Travis Lindsay - Comedian
Travis Lindsay is the most prolific writer in East Coast Comedy.
His great mix of jokes and storytelling has been captivating audiences since the early age of 16
He made his TV debut this past fall on CBC at the Halifax Comedyfest and in 2019 he releases his debut album titled The Kid is Alright.
I had a wonderful time chatting with Travis and learned so much. I can't wait to check out his album when it is released.
Check him out @thetravislindsay (https://www.instagram.com/thetravislindsay/)
Nov 11, 2019
Jae "More Than Kings" Thompson - Artist, Producer, Entrepreneur
Jae Thompson is committed to doing all he can to end the violence in this city of Halifax, especially in Spryfield.
"Just anybody getting shot in front of their family, or shot in front of friends … that's an awful thing," he said. "Bullets don't have no names on it. A stray bullet can hit a child that's four or five." That was a quote from Jae after a young man (just 21) Donald Stevenson was shot and killed in front of his family! (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/stevenson-shooting-investigation-continues-1.938332)
He is using his music to create the change he wants to see and in this episode, we talk about the violence, what he is doing about it, Jae Thompson Music Group, White Boy and his squad More Than Kings.
Listen to his song "Dreams" about violence. I can't wait to work on the short film "Dreams" with Jae. (https://audiomack.com/song/jaethompsonmusicgroup/03-dreams-i-dont-wanna-wake-up-prod-by-classixs-beats-x-jtmg)
Check him out @mtk_kxngjthxmpsxn (https://www.…
Nov 4, 2019
Letitia Fraser - Artist
Letitia Fraser is a figurative artist born and raised in Halifax Nova Scotia. Letitia is a proud descendant of North Preston. Coming from a long line of Artists. Her artistic interest was shown early in life. Her interest matured during her high school years driving her desire to continue to NSCAD, where she is a recent graduate.
Her artwork has been featured in exhibits at the Black Cultural Centre of Nova Scotia, the Freedom Festival Art Exhibit coordinated by the African Nova Scotian Music Association; and several exhibits by the Black Artist Network of Nova Scotia (2014-2017). In 2011 she illustrated images for “The Journey Continues; An Atlantic Canada Black experience.” Written by Craig M. Smith.
In 2018 Letitia had the opportunity to have her artwork published alongside other women in Understorey Magazines 12th issue dedicated to African Nova Scotian Women. She was recently given the Nova Scotia Arts Endowment Fund Scholarship and the 2018 RBC Emerging Artist Award from Nova…
Oct 28, 2019
Trevor Murphy - Publicist, Artist
An award-winning publicist, radio host, industry professional, and musician, Trevor Murphy has been a devoted member of the East Coast's music community for well over a decade.
Champion of the underdog, curator of Atlantic Canadian culture, and general man-about-town, Trevor also owns and operates Acadian Embassy Records - a boutique record that label delves into deeper exploration of the Nova Scotian Acadian identity using music as a platform through which to discuss and promote shifts in the culture, community, and history.
Check him out @hfxisburning (https://www.instagram.com/hfxisburning/)
Oct 21, 2019
Tara Thorne - Writer, Editor, Broadcaster
Tara Thorne is a writer, editor, and broadcaster in Halifax.
She appears weekly on CBC Radio in Halifax, Saint John, and Moncton and was on staff at The Coast for 19 years.
She also leads the rock band Dance Movie and does Instagram stories of her cat.
In this episode, we talk about her music, writing and a whole lot more.
Check her out @thorneyhfx (https://instagram.com/thorneyhfx)
Oct 14, 2019
Dr J - Fine Art Photographer
Dr J got involved in imagery and the many facets of its construction from an early age. From the mid-'80s
on photography has been a part of his life in one form or another. From schooling in Photography to
eventually teaching classes in the fundamentals of Darkroom Technology. Dr J has always strived to
understand and show the textures of life around him and the people in it.
Current projects underway are focused on people and the aesthetic form and mood while also tapping
into the darkness that he likes so much. Hoping this will also aid in his growth as an individual and be a
catalyst for those that work with him to tackle their own stories with another layer of understanding.
His work has been published in several imagery-based magazines in the United
States and in Europe as well as local newspaper articles.
More information can be found on my website SuterPhotoworks (http://suterphotoworks.com)
Check him out @drjpermanent (https://instagram.com/drjpermanent)
Oct 7, 2019
Shea - Artist, Producer, Founder
Shea Malcolmson is an award-winning producer/songwriter who has musical achievements ranging from over 250k streams on Spotify for his latest album Altaer and his most recent single Blessed receiving over 120k plays alone, and added on Northern Bars and New Music Canada Spotify playlists. He has performed in over 10 countries worldwide for acts ranging from the Cancer Bats all the way to classic hip-hop acts like Pete Rock.
At one point he was a member of Living Proof, a boom-bap rap group with one of the members of Digable Planets (Doodlebug). The Living Proof album was released on URBNET Records. Fast forward a few years and Shea Malcolmson, dropped the rap name, dropped 80 lbs and became an advocate for mental health in music and overcoming addiction. After also shedding the rap name (Abstract Artform), Shea broke out of the box he had created himself (bridging old school and new school hip-hop) and he began to make new music with a new sense of self, and a new outlook on the music…
Sep 30, 2019
Shelley Thompson - Actress, Writer, Director
An award-winning performer and 12 season veteran of the hit Canadian series Trailer Park Boys (Barb Lahey), Thompson trained at the UK’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, the Canadian Film Centre (2015), and was one of the eight Women In the Director’s Chair - Story & Leadership program (2016/17).
She has played roles at the UK’s Royal National Theatre, in London’s West End and British regional Theatres; at the Shaw Festival and across Canada at major theatres. Recent on-screen work Includes Web series like the groundbreaking Tokens (2019); recent television includes the Trailer Park animation and Diggstown (2019). Film work, including working with Jim Henson on Labyrinth, also includes recent award-winning performances in Michael Melski’s The Child Remains and Splinters by Thom Fitzgerald.
Thompson has begun a transition to writer/director, with her short films included in festivals across North America and Europe. Her short Pearls played at over 30 festivals worldwide, winning…
Sep 23, 2019
Andrea Tsang Jackson - Artist, Designer, Quilt Maker
Andrea Tsang Jackson is an artist and designer based in Halifax, Canada.
After working in various design fields and settings ranging from architecture to museums, the quilting medium called to her as a way to explore place, belonging, and agency. She considers geometry, colour, and narrative to be her raw materials that she moulds into quilts.
Quilts have become a conduit for her to teach design principles and techniques to an audience of engaged creatives.
(https://luckyspool.com/collections/books/products/patchwork-lab-gemology), her first book, is an extension of her geometrical works from 2016.
Andrea holds a Master of Architecture from McGill University and a Master of Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Check her out @3rdstoryworkshop (https://www.instagram.com/3rdstoryworkshop/)
You can always watch this episode on our YouTube channel. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any episode.
Sep 16, 2019
AJ Simmonds - Networking Consultant
AJ Simmonds is from North Preston. He graduated from Auburn Drive high school in 2012. Played on the men’s basketball team at Acadia University for five years and graduated in 2017 with a degree in sociology.
He is currently working at the Halifax partnership coordinating a volunteer networking program, connecting recent graduates and newcomers to Halifax with business and community leaders in their industry.
AJ is also involved with numerous community initiatives targeted to help African Nova Scotian youth.
Check him out @ajsimmonds04 (https://www.instagram.com/ajsimmonds04/)
You can always watch this episode on our YouTube channel. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any episode.
Sep 9, 2019
Katherine Taylor - Letterpress Printer and Bookbinder
Katherine Victoria Taylor (BFA, NSCAD University) is a bookbinder and letterpress printer in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
She has apprenticed with master bookbinder and conservator Joe Landry, award-winning printer and publisher Andrew Steeves of Gaspereau Press, and is currently mentored by Vandercook maintenance expert Paul Moxon. Katherine is the organizer of the Letterpress Gang at NSCAD and has a passion for sharing her love of bookbinding and printing with the community.
It is her desire to use the power of the press to help amplify the voices of marginalized people. Katherine now teaches a variety of letterpress and bookbinding classes and has worked with notable clients such as The Book of Negroes mini-series, The Curse of Oak Island, University of Kings’ College and Saint Mary’s University.
Check her out @kvtprints (https://www.instagram.com/kvtprints/)
You can always watch this episode on our YouTube channel. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any episode. (https://you…
Sep 2, 2019
Jeff Cusick - Entrepreneur
Jeff Cusick, owner/operator of 902 Lit Clothing Co. based out of Halifax, NS is a father, husband, entrepreneur and creative.
In this episode, we talk about his family, friends, support & the future of 902 Lit.
Check him out @902_lit_clothing (https://www.instagram.com/902_lit_clothing/)
You can always watch this episode on our YouTube channel. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any episode. (https://youtu.be/BKlcEXGk6mE)
Aug 26, 2019
Lara Lewis - Theatre Artist
Lara Lewis is a theatre artist. A writer, director and actor.
In this episode, we talk all about her experience in theatre and how that went to her working with the Halifax Fringe Festival.
She has had a number of plays in the Halifax Fringe and this year is no different.
I had a wonderful time with Lara and can't wait to watch her play.
You can always watch this episode on our YouTube channel. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any episode. (https://youtu.be/5mTBvIkllG0)
Aug 19, 2019
Ossama Nasrallah - Future Prime Minister
Born in Kuwait and coming from Lebanon, Ossama Nasrallah is the former President & CEO of Saint Mary's University Students' Association and the Co-owner of The Harbour Watercraft. Ossama moved to Halifax in 2014 ago to study at Saint Mary's University and he is happy to call Halifax home today.
Ossama is engaged in many societies and organizations such as Habitat for Humanity where he travelled the last 4 years to the United States to build houses for people in need, Enactus Saint Mary's where a 135 members worked to tackle food waste in Nova Scotia and with the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations where he advocated on behalf of the NS students to the Federal Government.
Ossama received the "Future Prime Minister" award from the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations, the "Platinum M" which is the highest award granted to those graduating who have given outstanding contributions in extra-curricular activities in the area of student affairs during their stay at Saint Mary…
Aug 12, 2019
Oshé - Style Blogger
Oshe {'Oh-Shay'} is a professional cool girl, online influencer, graduated business student and blogger on the side!
She loves everything fashion, lifestyle, luxe & beauty related!
Check out her blog www.osheorifa.com (http://www.osheorifa.com/) and Instagram @osheorifa to get inspired with style.
Aug 5, 2019
Jessica Murphy - Makeup Artist
Jennifer Murphy is a professional makeup artist working in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
In 2011 she enrolled at The Blanche MacDonald Centre in Vancouver to complete their Global Makeup Program. The yearlong program was very thorough and covered every module from beauty makeup, airbrushing, all the way to special FXs and prosthetics. She finished the program with honours and made her way back to the east coast of Canada, the place she calls home.
In 2013, she began working for MAC Cosmetics and couldn’t imagine a more wonderful opportunity! Working with amazing people and wonderful clients, her hands-on experience at MAC enabled her to meet the varied needs of her clients. The magic of a busy retail setting is that you encounter every different type of person, personality, skin tone, age, and lifestyle. It certainly helped her master her art and confirmed her passion for this industry.
She believes that continual learning and staying with new trends in the industry helps create beautiful…
Jul 29, 2019
Mike Swiech - Photographer
Mike Swiech is a Haligonian transplant from Ontario. He moved here with his then-wife and daughter back in 2013. He is an internationally published photographer. He is a self-taught photographer that has honed his craft by learning from his mistakes and keeps on improving. His passion right now is empowering women to showcase their beauty from within with emotionally charged images via boudoir and emotive portraits. His motto that he strives to ensure his clients adapt is "Embrace your imperfections". He tells his clients that no one is perfect and everyone has some form of imperfection but rather than try to hide or mask it, you should rather embrace it.
He currently is pursuing a 35mm film project that he hopes to release some time in 2020 and have his first gallery exhibition from this project.
He is most proud of his daughter and the woman that she has become and no award or publication can touch that.
If you want to follow his work you can do so via these social me…
Jul 22, 2019
Sebastian Gaskarth - Disc Jockey Poet
Sebastian Gaskarth is a non-binary mature student, currently attending university in Halifax studying psychology in the hopes of working with gender diverse youth and their families. Sebastian is passionate about supporting transgender and non-binary students, disrupting societal norms, and learning new perspectives on how to see the world and engage in it.
Sebastian is an emerging spoken word artist, whose first book, “Disc Jockey Poet”, explores topics around 2SLBGTQIA+ issues, love, self-discovery, nature, privilege, senior care and authorship. “Their words, their rhythm, their beat, their voice synthesized, pulsing vibrational mixes through sounds of resilience, mixed in with the fierce playback of a West Coast, old-growth soul, looped over French Canadian roots.” Sebastian has shared their work and stories at open mic nights, Queer Writers’ Night, the Halifax StART Festival, Word on the Street Festival, and Constellate Storytelling.
Sebastian is exploring new creative en…
Jul 15, 2019
Justin Gaudreault
Justin Gaudreault is a multi-talented recording artist, award-winning audio engineer and overall
creative powerhouse hailing from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Having expertise in audio editing,
music composition and mixing for film, augmented and virtual reality. Justin’s commitment to
excellence and passion for his craft have allowed him to carve out a lane all his own.
Not one to settle for mediocrity, after graduating with his Audio Engineering degree in 2012, Justin
received the Daniel Gaynor Spirit Award, which is the highest form of recognition at the Centre for
Arts and Technology. Shortly thereafter in 2013, Justin was nominated for the National Association
of Career Colleges Graduate of the Year award, which recognizes a new graduate currently
working in the field with outstanding success and work ethic. Justin’s achievements were also
recognized the following year by the City of Halifax when he received the HRM Volunteer of the
Year Award.
In addition to academic and civ…
Jul 8, 2019
Sam Hatfield - Shotgun Vintage
Born and raised in Cape Sable Island, Nova Scotia. Sam had a resume of working with people who have disabilities before changing her career path to pursue the Fashion Industry. She quickly got a Corporate retail job and worked her way up to Visual Merchandiser. After working in retail for a number of years and seeing all the waste that it produces, she decided that it was time to build a brand for herself that she believed in.
Shotgun Vintage was born in April 2018 as an Instagram page. It started as thrifting and selling vintage clothing but after pulling out an old sewing machine to make easy modifications — it soon grew to be a reworking obsession. Completely self-taught on the sewing machine, Sam started to quickly receive a lot of traction through the Maritimes through Instagram. This approach allowed her to be more connected with the customer than it would as a normal web store.
She worked her full-time job and simultaneously worked on Shotgun during nights and weekends for eig…
Jul 1, 2019
Bradley Daye
Bradley Daye is a co-founder of Placemaking 4G a new generation for recruitment in Atlantic Canada.
Bradley is a community leader, a sports enthusiast and member of the African Nova Scotian community with a deeply rooted history in NS. Those roots are what keeps him grounded and provide the motivation behind the work he does now.
As the Grandson of Delmore Buddy Daye, community development is always top of mind, he is an empathetic leader with a successful background in professional sports and business development, he continues to give back through youth football in the north end of Halifax where everything started for him.
Through his community and business involvement, he has established a deep-rooted network of community members and leaders and has the knowledge and experience to evaluate and address community needs.
Check him out @all.daye (https://www.instagram.com/all.daye/)
You can always watch this episode on our YouTube channel. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any epi…
Jun 24, 2019
Jessica Uhlman - Dancing Flame Of Song
Born and raised on the beautiful South Shore of Nova Scotia, Jessica May's curiosity and desire to "experience it all" has led her into many distant lands, highs/lows, hobbies, friendships, spiritual practices, experiments, etc.
Endowed with her 5 senses (and learning to trust her 6th sense too), she is pretty much a 'dancing flame of song' that longs to Know and be Known, and grow beyond the perceived restraints that try and keep her from exploring all of Life.
Jessica thinks "titles and labels" are helpful and very useful at times, but often they leave one feeling boxed-in and truly unknown beyond the surface of our skin or skill-sets. Because she believes we are all so much more than these headlines we take for ourselves and give to each other, she is much more interested in what comprises one with strength of character and integrity, what makes a heart skip a beat or burst into laughter, what brings one to a state of wonder and awe, and how one approaches the pains of one's own…
Jun 17, 2019
Troy Merrick - Wrestler
Troy Merrick is a professional wrestler living in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
He's been in that industry for 13 years and has wrestled throughout Canada, The United States, and the UK.
In recent years, Troy has been dealing with a worsening depressive state and paranoia, but actively tries to promote health and wellness, as well as a positive mental attitude.
Check him out @troymerrick902 (https://www.instagram.com/troymerrick902/)
You can always watch this episode on our YouTube channel. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any episode.
Jun 10, 2019
Jessica Lynn Wiebe - Interdisciplinary Artist
Jessica Lynn Wiebe is a Halifax based interdisciplinary artist.
A former artillery soldier in the Canadian military, her artwork investigates the mechanisms of war, including the complex politics around gender, economy, the architecture of war, and the human condition.
Through the use of various media, she makes work that creates dialogue by engaging and challenging deeply held beliefs and emotions about the military and war.
Currently, she is a participant of the Canadian Forces Artist Program (CFAP) 2018-2019 through the Canadian War Museum (CWM) in Ottawa.
Check her out at @jessicalynnwiebe (https://www.instagram.com/jessicalynnwiebe)
You can always watch this episode on our YouTube channel. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any episode.
Jun 3, 2019
Keonté Beals - Singer & Songwriter
Keonté Beals, 22 years old is a multi-award winning artist including awards such as Music Nova Scotia’s Inspirational Recording of the Year 2016, multiple ANSMA awards & 2 ECMA nominations.
Born and raised in North Preston Nova Scotia, Keonté started singing, dancing & performing at the age of 7. Since finding a passion in entertainment, at the age of 16 Keonté had his first solo in his home church Saint Thomas Baptist Church in North Preston, NS. This particular solo opened up many opportunities to sing at other churches and charity events all around Halifax.
These opportunities generated great buzz about the young singer.
Keonté's style and energy have often been compared to Anthony Hamilton and Michael Jackson. This soul singer’s voice breaks generation boundaries!
With his smooth R&B vocals, high energy moves & killer band he consistently leaves audiences filled with high energy and electrifying vibes.
Keonté is currently working on his first full-length album set to relea…
May 27, 2019
Kylee Nunn and Tyler Simmons - Photographer & Public Speaker
Kylee is a freelance editorial, portrait, and events photographer, as well as a barista working and living in Halifax. Although she is proudly from Cape Breton Island, Halifax has become a second home and Kylee hopes to continue growing with the entrepreneurial community here.
Professionally she most enjoys working with local businesses and entrepreneurs who need polished image content for their branding.
In her personal time, she also creates art using conceptual imagery, and often using self-portraiture, to communicate on themes of mental health, spirituality, and ecofeminism.
She believes in art practice as a methodology of healing and as a way of connecting to our deeper selves, one another, and the earth.
Tyler Simmonds speaks openly about his experience living with mental illness, reminding people that recovery is possible and emphasizing the importance of talking to getting well. Now a motivational speaker, his is clearly a message that resonates with many.
In 2016, the Huffin…
May 20, 2019
Jon Mann - Writer & Director
Jon Mann is a graduate of Acadia University (POLS, 2011) and the New York Film Academy (Screenwriting, 2013). In 2012, he wrote the documentary Drink ‘Em Dry which premiered at Harvard Law School, making Jon the youngest person in the school's history to present written work (at age 22).
After Harvard, the film Drink 'Em Dry is now in universities and colleges in North and South America, Europe, and Australia. Drink ‘Em Dry was also nominated for Best Canadian Documentary at the Canadian Labour International Film Festival (2012).
In 2014, Jon completed his first feature-length documentary, (https://vimeo.com/141135210) which racked up wins and nominations at film festivals worldwide.
In 2017, Jon and production partner (https://www.wildfireshortfilm.com/).
In September 2018, Wolfville was optioned by (http://www.taketheshotproductions.com/).
In October 2018, Jon adapted Stephen King’s short story Popsy into a short film. The film is currently in post-production.
In February…
May 13, 2019
Jackie Torrens - Actor, Writer & Film Director
Jackie Torrens is a Halifax-based actor, writer and film director. She and producer Jessica Brown have, under their company Peep Media, completed four documentary films for CBC, the Documentary Channel and Bravo which include Edge of East, My Week on Welfare, Small Town Show Biz and Bernie Langille Wants to Know Who Killed Bernie Langille, which premiered last spring at Hot Docs.
Jackie has also done two documentary films for Telltale Productions, Free Reins and the feature-length Radical Age. Torrens’ radio documentaries include The Poet Laureate of Youth Now, which received an Atlantic Journalism Award and Camp Mini Ha Ha, which received a CBC Award of Excellence.
As an actor, she was nominated for a Canadian Screen Best Actress Award for her work in Thom Fitzgerald’s mini-series Sex & Violence. In January, she played Hamlet at Neptune Theatre, produced by Below The Salt Theatre.
Her film, Bernie Langille Wants to Know Who Killed Bernie Langille just won Best Short Film Award at…
May 6, 2019
Jessy-Jean Kafka - Artist
Born on the West Coast and living on the East, Jessy-Jean Kafka hopes to share her passion and love for creatures with the world. Having a passion for horror movies, it inspired a lot of spooky and grotesque art. Though her creativity and humour landed her the most recent position in Vandal Doughnut's design team.
An alumnus of NSCAD University, Jessy-Jean Kafka has graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Minor in Illustration. Digital Media is her primary medium, she hopes to fully establish herself as a Halifax creative.
Check her out @wyrmskin (https://www.instagram.com/wyrmskin/)
Apr 29, 2019
William Yijie - Entrepreneur
William loves business, marketing and telling stories.
In this week's episode, he shares his reasons for deciding to study in Halifax, starting www.halifax.business and a lot more.
I had a wonderful time getting to know William a lot better.
Check him out @williamwzc (http://instagram.com/williamwzc)
Apr 22, 2019
Jonathan Hilder - Cyclist
Jon is a Haligonian and a proud father of two girls. His work for the Nova Scotia Health Authority (IT Division) keeps him busy but he always makes time for cycling as an avid cyclist.
Jon loves his long rides. The longest solo ride was 250km this past summer and he will be working on a 300 km ride this September.
He loves being part of getting new folks on bicycles and believes that as a country we need to try harder in looking at alternate avenues of transportation and the bicycle is one. "Hell of a way to make an impact".
I had a wonderful time with Jon and I'm sure you'll enjoy this episode.
Check him out @jjdh_hfx (https://www.instagram.com/jjdh_hfx/)
Apr 15, 2019
Brent McCombs - Photographer
Born in Ontario and trained in Los Angeles, Brent worked internationally as a fashion photographer for eight years creating campaigns for clients in London, Paris, New York, Vancouver and New Delhi before meeting a lovely girl from Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, settling down and refocusing on portrait, wedding and local commercial photography.
In addition to his primary commercial work, Brent has also dabbled in landscape, wildlife and sports photography, seeking a broad range of photographic experiences.
Highlights of his career so far include two expeditions to Antarctica, shooting fashion runway shows in New York City, photographing the Brier and World Hockey Championships, finding himself less than 5 meters from a huge polar bear in Svalbard, Norway, barely surviving being charged by a walrus on the Arctic ice pack, doing the only fashion editorial ever done after dark in Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris and photographing his own wedding. Brent is also the first Atlantic Canadian to be…
Apr 8, 2019
Earl Donald - Artiste
A new act on the streets of Toronto, Earl Donald is the recording project of multi-instrumentalist/producer James Cuvilier. Cuvilier introduced this new project with the release of the EP Where You Know Yourself in the fall of 2018. On WYKY, Cuvilier explores a laid-back minimalist electronic sound featuring melodic vocals and swirling synth lines.
Cuvilier began writing early song ideas that would later become the basis of Earl Donald following a relocation to Toronto in 2017. Both the excitement of city life and the feeling of isolation in a modern metropolis play heavily into the sound and quality of Cuvilier’s music.
Originally from Edmonton, Cuvilier played in the local indie and punk scene for years. In his most recent project, MoonMuseum, Cuvilier opened for the likes of Teen Daze, Beach Season, and Old Man Canyon, and toured extensively across Western Canada.
Check him out @earldonaldmusic (https://www.instagram.com/earldonaldmusic/)
Apr 2, 2019
Chris Henningsen - Inventor
Chris Henningsen is an inventor that believes that we all have a part to play in the healing of the planet. He is passionate about building things, figuring how things work out and making them better.
He got a patent which he talks about in this episode. We also talk about Elon Musk, time travel and how he is like Leonard da Vinci. This was a fun episode.
Enjoy.
Mar 26, 2019
Nicole Steeves - Writer, Director, Actor
Nicole Steeves is an award-winning Writer/Director/Actor.
She has written and directed six short films and two feature films. Her first feature, Head Space was made possible through the 1K WAVE ATLANTIC program created by WIFT-AT and Ingrid Veninger of pUNK Films. Her most recent feature, Aliens with Knives (Co-Directed with Struan Sutherland) was created in partnership with Cinema 902 and Eastlink Television and is currently in its award-winning festival run.
Nicole is one of the five winners of the 2017 national screenwriting competition From Our Dark Side. She was also the winner of the 2015 WIFT Pitch Competition for her project Getaway and is an alumnus of the Women in the Director’s Chair mentoring program.
Along with co-writer Struan Sutherland and producer Andre Pettigrew, Nicole became one of the CineCoup Top 15 finalists in Canada with their concept for Namas-DIE. Gnaw, a short film created for Cinecoup was picked by Telefilms Not Short On Talent Program and screened at Cle…
Mar 19, 2019
Ruth Marsh
Ruth Marsh is a Canadian multidisciplinary artist of settler ancestry based out of Kjipuktuk,(Halifax, NS, Canada) whose practice employs an absurdist approach which seeks to queer the intersections between DIY culture, art practice and science fact/fiction/fabulation to address memory, healing, cybernetic enhancement and responsive mutation both in bodies and environments. She approaches her practice from a perspective which is part mad scientist and part devoted repair technician. Through processes which are inherently labour intensive, repetitive and painstaking; she is interested in playfully exploring the ways in which modalities of labour can translate into a study of enacted care and hopeful mourning.
I had a blast talking to Ruth.
Check her out at ruth_marsh_art (https://www.instagram.com/ruth_marsh_art/)
Photo: Liz Lott (https://www.instagram.com/_lizlott_/)
Mar 12, 2019
Ashley Avery - Poet, Activist, Writer
Ashley Avery is a feminist writer, poet and advocate living in KJIPUKTUK (Halifax).
She holds a BA in Women’s Studies from MSVU and previously completed a Diploma in Social Service Work in Toronto. She is a former member of the Hali Slam team and a competitor at the 2017 Canadian Festival of Spoken Word. Her visual poetry installation titled “Elements of Rape Culture” was featured at the Mount Saint Vincent community art gallery and in 2018 she was commissioned to collaborate with a lucky director (read: myself) on a docupoem titled “How Will You Honour Your Land?” for the Lunenburg Documentary Film Festival. (http://lunenburgdocfest.com/film/tide-and-time-docupoems-on-lunenburg/)
Ashley has performed her poetry at numerous protests and community events across Nova Scotia. She uses spoken word as a form of activism to bring injustice to centre stage and speak truth to power. She is the former women and youth services coordinator at a local non-profit serving criminalized wome…
Mar 5, 2019
Bahia
Bahia is an energy intuitive and Shamanic Practitioner who trusts in the synchronicities of life and believes there are no accidents.
A quote of hers I love: "Do not fear exploring the depths of your soul. You are here to remember your sacred wisdom and share your personal medicine with the world. You are going to shed old patterns and beliefs you have outgrown. Be Brave. Be Bold. Be Kind. Be You. You are on your path to becoming your true authentic self."
In this episode, we talk about it all, her journey so far and the discoveries she has made along the way.
On Sunday, March 10, 2019, in collaboration with Lulu Lemon and Flo Meditation, Bahia will lead a 100-person meditation session. (https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/100-person-meditation-tickets-56278696095)
Check her out @bebelove1975 (https://www.instagram.com/bebelove1975/)
Feb 26, 2019
Trevor Gould
Trevor Gould is an experienced powwow dancer and singer, who has been performing for more than 20 years. He has spoken to audiences about Mi'kmaw culture. He is also known for singing, dancing and drumming. He was in the musical "DRUM!" for ten years. He presently sings with the Eastern Eagle Singers from Indian Brook, Nova Scotia.
When Trevor Gould saw the call for submission for AFCOOP's Languages of Nova Scotia, he submitted his film, Apija’simk. An idea he shared with his friend has now been made into a film that has been screened all over Nova Scotia. Apija’simk is now being submitted to festivals and with the rich subject matter and characters, the film is sure to screen in many with awards to boot.
Check Trevor out @trevg23 (https://www.instagram.com/trevg23)
Feb 19, 2019
Regine Tiu
Regine Tiu is a media art scholar with the Centre for Art Tapes. Her first exhibit Not Your Jolie Poupée as part of CFAT's scholarship presentation (https://cfat.ca/news/3687/)
In this episode, we talk about her art, creative process, the story behind her installation and a whole lot more.
With Becka Barker (http://www.beckabarker.info/) as a mentor on the project, Regine explores being objectified in her exhibit.
"Art can manifest in so many different ways, and have so many different articulations," says Regine Tiu. "There is no quote-unquote fine art." (https://www.thecoast.ca/halifax/regine-tiu/Content?oid=20511350)
Check her out at:
@matchafiend (https://www.instagram.com/matchafiend/)
Check out A Different Place at:
6086 Quinpool Rd Halifax, NS B3L 1A1 (https://www.google.com/maps/dir//6086+Quinpool+Rd,+Halifax,+NS+B3L+1A1/data=!4m6!4m5!1m1!4e2!1m2!1m1!1s0x4b5a222a3cd4792f:0x87caf2e768dc2a13?ved=2ahUKEwjXm67lg8XgAhWnTd8KHRm9A8gQwwUwAHoECAUQAw)
Feb 12, 2019
Kreations By Kemmy
Kemmy turns shoes into works of art. His Custom Sneakers have been worn by people from all works of life include the Olympian, Jill Saulnier. In this episode we talk about it all from his shoe designs and art to his plans to design shoes, to his approach to working with clients, cutting hair and more.
Check him out @kreationsbykemmy (https://www.instagram.com/kreationsbykemmy/)
Feb 6, 2019
Stephanie Clattenburg - Pt. 2
Stephanie Clattenburg is a writer, director, camera operator, drummer, storyteller yet a quick search of her name on Google pops up articles like: "Snoop Dogg's sexist comments about camerawoman 'creepy and awkward'" (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/snoop-dogg-s-sexist-comments-about-camerawoman-creepy-and-awkward-1.3102580). This happened a few years ago during the shooting of Trailer Park Boys in Truro, Nova Scotia.
In this episode, we talk about that incident, about her filmmaking, her interesting Instagram stories and how she still looks the same ten years after.
Enjoy.
Check her out @stephclattenburg (https://www.instagram.com/stephclattenburg/)
Image by @samsonphotography (https://www.instagram.com/samsonphotography/)
You can also watch this episode on our YouTube Channel. Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. (https://youtu.be/gxtjt7UanDY)
Feb 5, 2019
Stephanie Clattenburg - Pt 1
Stephanie Clattenburg is a writer, director, camera operator, drummer, storyteller yet a quick search of her name on Google pops up articles like: "Snoop Dogg's sexist comments about camerawoman 'creepy and awkward'" (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/snoop-dogg-s-sexist-comments-about-camerawoman-creepy-and-awkward-1.3102580). This happened a few years ago during the shooting of Trailer Park Boys in Truro, Nova Scotia.
In this episode, we talk about that incident, about her filmmaking, her interesting Instagram stories and how she still looks the same ten years after.
Enjoy.
Check her out @stephclattenburg (https://www.instagram.com/stephclattenburg/)
Image by @samsonphotography (https://www.instagram.com/samsonphotography/)
You can also watch this episode on our YouTube Channel. Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. (https://youtu.be/gxtjt7UanDY)
Jan 29, 2019
CasSea Creations and Cosplay
Cassie makes magic happen with latex and foam and wigs and many more. In this episode, we talk about her work and plans she has for upcoming projects. We also talk about social media and mental health.
Check her out @cassea64
Jan 21, 2019
Lucia Dodaro - Arcadia
Lucia Dodaro, the director of Tom Stoppard's "Arcadia" talks about the show, Lord Byron and shares a passphrase that will give a lucky listener tickets to the closing show of the play.
Check her out @howlingshoopuf
Jan 21, 2019
Hermione - Arcadia
Hermione, the stage manager of Arcadia shares her experience preparing for the play. She also talks about handling people making comments about her name and more.
She also shares the passphrase that gives a lucky listener two tickets to see the play.
Check her out @hermionetamlin
Jan 16, 2019
Emmanuel "Mister 365" Nwogbo Part II
We continue our chat with Emmanuel "Mister 365" Nwogbo about James Bond, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, CGI, design and race. Check him out @nigerianexpert
Jan 15, 2019
Emmanuel "Mister 365" Nwogbo Part I
Emmanuel set out to create one character from the Bond films every day for a year! The project is done now and he is prepping for his new project while he exhibits his Bond Project.
In this podcast, we talk about James Bond, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, CGI, design and race. Check him out @nigerianexpert
Jan 8, 2019
EPDMC
EPDMC shares his creative process, his music journey so far and talks about his hit single, Blessed. There's also the story about a haunted house!
Jan 1, 2019
Renée The Style Coach
Renée is the owner and stylist behind The Style Coach personal styling service based in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
In this episode we talk about style, dressing for the season and how to keep a balanced life while building a business.