Blackout Podcast

Jessica Steele is a paper collage artist based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She holds a BFA in Fibres from Concordia University and a Diploma of Fine Arts from Dawson College.Working primarily with hand-cut vintage print materials such as books and magazines, Jessica explores how meaning shifts when familiar imagery is separated from its original context and recombined into new relationships. Though collage is often associated with spontaneity, her process is tactile and methodical, involving the careful sourcing, cutting, and arranging of printed fragments to create surreal compositions. She is particularly interested in how a single shift in scale or position can alter the reading of an image, inviting close looking and curiosity.Jessica’s work has been exhibited across Halifax and collected in Canada and the United States. She was selected as one of four emerging artists in the 2025–26 Visual Arts Nova Scotia Mentorship Program, a competitive 10-month initiative supporting the professional development of early-career artists.View her work at jessicasteele.ca or on Instagram @artbyjessicasteele

He’s a photographer, a videographer, a rugby player, and a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan. Meet Tapiwa, the creative force behind Captured by Shumba.In this episode, Tapiwa explains how his journey behind the camera began in 2023, inspired by a photographer he met on a solo trip to see the Cowboys. But more importantly, we get into why his photos stand out. Tapiwa’s mission is to show his subjects a version of themselves they’ve never seen before, making every photoshoot an experience they’ll never forget.We discuss the meaning behind his brand name ("Shumba" means Lion in his native Shona language), how he prepares for the high-stakes world of wedding photography, and his thoughts on using AI as a creative tool.If you’ve ever wanted to turn a spark of inspiration into a full-blown creative career, you won’t want to miss this conversation.Find Tapiwa's Work: @CapturedByShumba

Tatiana is a mining engineer by training, a creative by instinct, and a question-asker by nature. She immigrated to Canada from South America as a teenager, carrying with her a spirit of curiosity, deep resilience, and a desire to understand not only herself but, by extension, the people around her.Along the way, she learned to bridge the worlds of logic and intuition, reconciling a highly analytical mind with spirituality, culture, and creative expression. What began in engineering soon expanded into something far greater: a journey into artistic, entrepreneurial, and community-centred spaces where ideas collide and new narratives are born.Her work flows from a deeper calling rooted in Spiritual Collective Healing, with a focus on community building, questioning inherited beliefs, and honouring the inherent worth of every human being.With a quirky, thoughtful, and unapologetically honest voice, Tatiana uses her own privilege to challenge societal expectations, explore shared ancestry, and celebrate African, Caribbean, and Indigenous cultures. Through her presence and practice, she invites others to think deeper, listen closer, and make space for unity, curiosity, and collective growth.Check her out @lead.tierra

Cathy Akinkunmi is a Halifax-based event producer and Creative Director of Beautiful Celebrations & Design, with over 15 years of experience designing elevated, culturally rich celebrations. She is known for blending tradition with modern elegance to create immersive and unforgettable experiences.In 2024, she produced Halifax's first African-Inspired Wedding Party, a sold-out signature event that spotlighted over 30 brands and generatedmore than 1.3 million online views. Her work bridges culture, community, and contemporary design in bold, intentional ways.Beyond events, Cathy is passionate about empowering entrepreneurs and amplifying diverse voices in Atlantic Canada. Through every production, she continues to redefine modern celebrations as inclusive, stylish, and deeply meaningful.More @halifaxweddingparty_

As someone who has always been drawn to explore a variety of interests, FollyHollyLynn’s creative path reflects a lifelong openness to change and growth. Growing up, she experienced both ends of the spectrum when it came to quality of life; nothing overly dramatic in the early years, but enough to evoke deep feelings at times. Later on, nothing excessively lavish, but enough to inspire genuine joy.At seventeen, she left home to pursue a dream of becoming a scientist at Dalhousie University, enrolling in Neuroscience with a minor in Philosophy. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 proved to be an unexpected turning point. Choosing to graduate with a degree in Psychology instead allowed her the space to take time off from academics and focus on her mental health. During this period, her connection to the arts deepened significantly.Even as she returned to the workforce, her creative practice continued to expand and evolve. Already a writer and musician, she gradually took up painting and later began modelling, with the aspiration of one day moving into performance art. As she puts it, that likely means it's time to start connecting with videographers too.Learn more @follyhollylynn

Literally stumbling into music by escorting a friend to a studio session and jumping on the mic out of curiosity, S.Kae has never looked back. What started as a random moment quickly turned into a serious craft and a movement he is now fully committed to embodying. But being a creative artist was not something new to him.Born in Zimbabwe, he was involved in a High School drama club and some dance competitions in Ukraine. This diverse exposure to artistry made him spend time and build relationships with artists. This later led him to finding his creative footing in Halifax, Canada.S.Kae moves with intention. Backed by a tight team and a clear plan, his sound sits at the intersection of Afro rap, afroswing, street energy, and soul, grounded in African identity and shaped by life in the diaspora.Check him out @savannahking.1

India Gailey is a cellist, composer, vocalist, and improviser who appears most often in the realms of classical and experimental music. Named by CBC as one of “30 hot Canadian classical musicians under 30,” India moves fluidly as a soloist, chamber musician, and interdisciplinary collaborator, performing across the western hemisphere. She has written music for concerts, films, dance, and theatre, often exploring environmentalism and magical realism in her work. In 2022, she composed music for Symphony Nova Scotia to illustrate Mi’kmaw poet Rebecca Thomas’s children’s book I’m Finding My Talk, followed by her own cello concerto Butterfly Lightning Shakes the Earth (Redshift Records), the recording of which received an East Coast Music for Composition of the Year and a 2025 Juno nomination for Classical Album of the Year. India is the recipient of numerous honours, including awards from Arts Nova Scotia, the Nova Scotia Talent Trust, the Canada Council for the Arts, Upstream Music, and Acadia & McGill Universities.Learn more @india.yeshe

Nahom Assefa is a multidisciplinary artist, curator, and writer whose practice explores cross-cultural storytelling, belongingness, and identity through visual and community-based work. Being a self-taught artist and Business Administration graduate from NSCC, Nahom challenges the “starving artist” stereotype by combining art with entrepreneurship. His studio, Cultured Creative Studio, celebrates the beauty in cultural diversity, collaborating with organisations such as Atlantic Flamenco, Latispánica, and Lululemon, among others.Originally from Ethiopia and now based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Nahom's work has gained recognition provincially, including as a Nocturne Festival’s 2025 NOISEmaker, 2025 Ambassador for Atlantic International Film Festival, designer for Halifax Public Libraries’ 40th Anniversary African Heritage Month, logo for “The Breakfast Club” across all 14 NSCC campuses, and recipient of the 2025 NSCC Immigrant and International Student Experience - Student IMPACT Award Winner. He is currently an intern at the Dalhousie Art Gallery, preparing an exhibition exploring Black Life on Treaty Land.Check him out @cest_nahom

Kvng Nova, born Abraham Adebayo, is a Nigerian artist carving out a distinctive sound that bridges cultures and emotions. Blending Afrobeats, Hip-Hop, R&B, and Afrofusion, his music reflects both his roots and a global outlook, delivering vibrant, dynamic tracks that resonate widely.Despite being new to the scene, Kvng Nova shows notable maturity and versatility, placing Afrobeats at the core while weaving in hip-hop grit, R&B smoothness, and experimental elements. His sound is driven by storytelling, rhythm, and emotion, allowing his music to connect with listeners across different moods and experiences.As an emerging voice in today’s evolving music scene, Kvng Nova isn’t just releasing songs; he’s building a sound shaped by identity, passion, and a clear vision for the future.Check him out @kvngnova

DJ Utshab is one of the most renowned DJs in Bangladesh, celebrated for his electrifying performances. He began his DJ career in 2010, and with years of dedication and hard work, DJ Utshab became one of the most sought-after DJs in the country.He has been living in Halifax since 2022, where he performs at the city’s top clubs and events, consistently delivering high-energy sets that leave fans wanting more.For the image, you can use our selfie or any thumbnail from the clip — whichever works best for you.More @djutshab007

Nicolae is an alternative R&B singer, rapper, drummer, and producer based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. His music blends soulful R&B, hip-hop honesty, and rock-leaning energy, with rhythm always at the centre. His latest release, Honey Blooded, explores desire and addiction through metaphor, pairing cinematic textures with an electric edge and deeply personal storytelling.Before stepping fully into his solo work, Nicolae built his reputation as a drummer, performing across Atlantic Canada and beyond. Alongside many other projects, he was a founding member and drummer for Lindsay Misiner & the 7th Mystic, a project that earned two Music Nova Scotia Award nominations and an East Coast Music Award nomination. In November 2025, he performed his first solo showcase at Nova Scotia Music Week, delivering a live-producing set as a singing and rapping solo drummer, building full arrangements in real time using live drums, vocals, and electronics.Outside of music, Nicolae is also a professional Dungeon Master, running hundreds of paid tabletop role-playing games for players around the world. Storytelling connects everything he does — from world-building at the game table to songwriting and live performance. Whether he’s on stage, in the studio, or guiding players through an imagined world, Nicolae’s work is rooted in creativity, connection, and inviting people fully into the story.Nicolae is based out of Kjipuktuk (Halifax), on the unceded territory of Mi’kma’ki.Check him out @musicbynicolaeNicolae Otieno Orengowww.musicbynico.com @israeliekanem

Stacey Moser is a fiercely independent creative who believes reinvention is a choice, not a phase. A SCUBA diver, model, artist, and postmenopausal ADHD woman with relentless curiosity, Stacey has been forging her own path since the 1970s, questioning norms, following instinct, and refusing to live quietly at any age.After retiring from a corporate, career-driven life, she chose freedom over hustle and joy over obligation. Today, Stacey prioritises staying fit, healthy, and fully engaged with life, freelancing in modelling and acting, creating art, and connecting people and projects, but only when it aligns with her values and doesn’t interfere with fun, adventures, or time underwater.Her work and presence challenge outdated narratives around ageing, productivity, and worth. Grounded in lived experience, Stacey’s story is one of resilience, vitality, and conscious self-reinvention. She embodies what it looks like to design a life entirely on your own terms, curious, capable, and unapologetically alive.Find out more @ staceym_model

Born in Ukraine, Margarita Fainshtein earned a BFA from the University of Haifa, Israel and MFA from School of the Art Institute of Chicago.Exhibitions include: Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, Chicago; Chicago Art Department, Chicago; Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Halifax; The Artist House, Jerusalem (forthcoming), The ArtCake Gallery, New York, USA (forthcoming), Katzman Art Projects, Halifax; and venues in North America and Europe.Fainshtein’s work can be found in the permanent collections of Acadia University, Canada; Art Bank Nova Scotia, Canada; Art Institute of Chicago, USA.Fainshtein’s work reflects the complexity of multi-cultural citizenship and immigrant status as it intersects with personal, political, and cultural relations. What relation do political movements have with individual histories? Is there a global citizen? She is Nova Scotian; however, she has other cultural identities which intersect and define who she is.Fainshtein lives and works in Halifax, NS.More of her work @margaritafainshtein

At fifteen, her first song emerged from an English class assignment, built on three chords and sung with friends. That simple moment with a guitar quietly began a path she could never leave. Born in Santiago, Chile, she was raised among films, music, and poetry, where art persistently called to her. Through mentors and fellow artists, she found stages, collaborators, and the understanding that art was a way to inhabit the world.By nineteen, she began recording and performing with bands. She rebuilt her project, co-founded the independent label Caída Libre, and adopted the name Mueres en el Mar, embracing a sound that merges technology and nature, emotion and instinct. Inspired by artists like Björk and Aurora, she chose to create freely, allowing contradiction, tenderness, rage, and silence to coexist.Under that name, she released the EP La timidez de los eucaliptus and the album Ikigai (2023), supported by Chile’s Ministry of Culture. She performed at major festivals and earned national recognition. After a period in Toronto, she is now based in Nova Scotia, rebuilding her project, writing in English, and performing with renewed clarity. Alongside her own work, she studies and supports other artists through creative management. Her story continues to unfold.More @maca.mnm@wearemueres@sellocaidalibre

Dana Elborno is a Palestinian-Canadian social advocate based in Halifax. She is diving into her long-awaited art career. Dana holds a Child and Youth degree with a minor in Psychology from MSVU and currently works as a mental health and youth worker.Dana started her activist career in 2021 and has continued to showcase her advocacy on social media, rallies, events, and fundraisers. She has been inspired by art in every aspect of her life such as her love for fashion, drawing, and poetry. Dana has always had big dreams and is planning to show more of who she is—unapologetically—in 2026.Art has always been embedded in her spirit, especially as she comes from a lineage and family of Palestinians who create. She believes that to be Palestinian, is to be art in itself. Her heritage is rich with artistic traditions that have surrounded her since birth, from Palestinian poetry and traditional hand embroidery, to music, cultural dances, paintings, and all things beautiful. Art is who she is, because she is Palestinian and to exist is to resist the occupation.@danaelborno

What started as a simple side hustle for a single mom in Halifax has exploded into a thriving business crafting stunning charcuterie boards and tables for weddings, corporate events, and more.In this inspiring and down-to-earth conversation, Amanda shares her incredible journey: from buying her first house and needing flexible work, to landing a 250-person corporate gala and fitting four commercial fridges in her kitchen. She opens up about the realities of balancing entrepreneurship with motherhood, the viral power of a genius business name, and how social media helped build a supportive local food community.Get the inside scoop on her creative process, the math behind a 32-foot charcuterie table, and the heartwarming moment her young daughter started passing out business cards for "Stella's Charcuterie." Amanda also gets real about the less-glamorous parts of the job (spreadsheets!) and reveals the profound influence of a father who taught her to "just make it happen."Tune in for a story of passion, perseverance, and pretty plates that proves you can build something amazing right from your own kitchen.Amanda Martin is the heart behind Sweet Cheesus Charcuterie, creating stunning charcuterie boards that turn any occasion into something special. With a love for fresh, local ingredients and beautiful presentation, Amanda brings people together through food.When she’s not designing boards, Amanda enjoys spending time with her daughter, who inspires her creativity and passion for making every gathering unforgettable.Find out more @sweet_cheesus_charcuterie@israeliekanem

Sherry Anne Crowe is a model, actor, and inspirational speaker in her 50s who believes that life is not about fading quietly with age, but about evolving boldly. Through her creative work and growing social media presence, she challenges outdated narratives around ageing, confidence, and visibility, empowering women to take up space on purpose and define success on their own terms.Rooted in lived experience, Sherry Anne’s journey reflects a powerful transformation through periods of reinvention. She chose to explore new possibilities, embrace the courage to try something unfamiliar, and learn to truly love herself along the way. She speaks openly about resilience, inner trust, and the bravery involved in honouring yourself through seasons of change, while encouraging women to love the skin they’re in, honour their bodies at any size, and build confidence from the inside out. Her message resonates with women of all ages.Known for her authenticity and grounded presence, Sherry Anne uses storytelling, creativity, and honest conversation to encourage others to move with intention, live unapologetically, and show up fully as they are. Whether in front of the camera, on stage, or behind a microphone, she embodies what it means to age on your own terms without shrinking, apologising, or asking for permission.@sherryannecrowe

Job Brumaire is a creator and entrepreneur born and raised in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. He is driven by a deep passion for expression through both music and craftsmanship.His journey in music began behind a drum kit in church, evolving into a heartfelt way to connect with people and channel positive energy. Beyond the stage, Job is the owner and operator of Jules & Jax Contracting Services, a dedicated drywall business he built with a focus on reliability and quality.For Job, both his music and his work are rooted in the same core values: consistency, passion, and doing things right. He is committed to continuous growth and strives to leave every person and project better than he found them. Above all, he credits his greatest success and unwavering support to his family, who fuel his drive and keep him moving forward with strength and purpose.Check him out @stixxjobie25

Luke French is a rapper and songwriter out of Westville, Nova ScotiaNow residing in Halifax. Influenced by both new and old-school artists like Griselda, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar and Eminem, French began his career in 2020 after releasing his mixtape “1624”, which earned praise from Griselda producer Camoflauge Monk for his production work. Luke's most recent project with fellow collaborators C-Stone Léon and GhostBoyRJ is titled “Tokyo Sayonara” and is currently out on all platforms.French gained some momentum within Halifax after shows at local venues, and the release of his solo project “Forever Hold Your Piece”, a more introspective project fully produced by Virginia's own Sypooda. With funky vibes like “Acrylic Green” and gritty underground sounds like “Raw talk”, Forever Hold Your Piece” was nominated for Nova Scotia Music Week's 2025 Hip-Hop Album of the Year.Luke's catalogue has something for every fan of Hip-Hop, especially when collaborating with other artists from the Director Collective like Emerson Corleone, Suplo, and C-Stone Léon.Director just released a Christmas-inspired mixtape titled “IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE” available on all platforms.Check him out @iamlukefrench

Natalie Chiasson is a journalist and visual artist based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She moved to the East Coast from western Canada in 2019, and has established strong roots here in Mi’kma’ki.She is passionate about storytelling through writing, photography, videography, and illustration, and strives to document stories that amplify underrepresented voices that bring attention to environmental, cultural, and social issues that help people better understand the world around them.Find out more @nataliechiassonmedia

What happens when you don’t choose music, but music chooses you? In this electrifying episode, the magnetic Nigerian artist Oluzy traces his journey from freestyling on street benches in Lagos to sharing stages with Afrobeats giants like Ruger and Joeboy in Canada.Oluzy pulls back the curtain on his unique creative process, revealing how a chance airport encounter inspired his viral hit “Bamidele Logba Logba” and why he believes the universe, not him, curates the loyal team that surrounds him. He gets real about the pressure to constantly outdo himself, the hustle mentality forged in a Lagos neighbourhood where “nobody did a nine-to-five,” and why he sees his upcoming project as a genre-defying “movement” never before heard in Afrobeats.Oluzy is a Halifax-based afrobeat artist blending Nigerian roots with global vibes. Producing hits like 'Love Me' & 'Bamidele Logba Logba', he's breaking bounds with infectious rhythmsCheck him out @oluzy_

Blackout Podcast Episode 349: Double A - DJ / Founder, Modus Music GroupDouble A first made his mark as a pioneering drum and bass DJ in Montreal’s underground scene in the early 1990s. Over the next decade, he toured extensively across North America and around the globe—from Cape Town to Tokyo, Los Angeles to Toronto. Alongside longtime DJ partner Twist, he co-founded Dune and Nude Recordings, two influential Montreal-based labels that helped shape the city's electronic music landscape.With a string of releases and remixes to his name, Double A shifted gears in the early 2000s, stepping away from drum and bass to embrace open-format DJing. On Canada’s East Coast, he became known for producing some of the region’s longest-running monthly events, earning a reputation for his genre-spanning sets and dynamic crowd connection.After several years in the U.S., Double A is now based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he continues to push musical boundaries with his digital sets while also staying rooted in his love of vinyl. He’s deep into collecting 45s and runs his own 7" imprint, Mountain 45s. His productions have landed on respected labels like Private Stock Records, Heat Rock, Fridays Funky 45s, and Eastside Edits.Known for his eclectic and high-energy sets, Double A seamlessly blends genres whether playing digitally or all-vinyl. He’s not chasing rare collectibles or trying to impress crate-diggers—just delivering pure dance floor fire. All fun. All the time. Check him out @modusmusicgroup

Born and raised in Ottawa, Canada, Caleb Latreille has spent most of his adult life wandering across both the planet and creative disciplines. As a youth, he was a prolific writer, writing and directing for the theatre and becoming deeply involved in the North American zine scene of the late 1990s and early aughts. After a move to Halifax, Nova Scotia, his work with paper shifted towards music: creating posters, fliers, and cassette booklets as a DJ/organizer and selling handmade mixtapes at local craft and record fairs; and to mail art, keeping ties with friends made through zines or while travelling across North America as a record collector, a hitchhiking banjo player, and an occasional roadie and tour manager. A growing focus on DJing led to moves to Melbourne, Montreal, and Negril, and to music production and audio engineering. Eventually, buying a camera to document life at a volunteer-run recording studio in Halifax, he fell in love with photography and has since concentrated his efforts on portraiture. Owing to his past, youth culture and nostalgia are prominent themes in his work.  He is currently in the process of immigrating to Lusaka, Zambia.Check his work out @caleblatreille

Courtney Baker is a self-love coach who helps women reconnect with their worth and remember they are the love of their own lives. Her approach is rooted in softness, honesty, and a deep belief that self-love is a radical, necessary act of reclamation. Not a luxury masked in bubble baths and overpriced coffee, but in fact, your birthright.She works through 1:1 coaching, creating space for body neutrality, emotional healing, and those beautifully imperfect moments of growth. Her work gently guides people back to themselves, one breath, one boundary, and one brave step at a time.Courtney is here for the messy middles, the quiet wins, and the magic that happens when we stop trying to be perfect and start learning to be present. She believes healing doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful, and that you definitely don’t have to do it alone.

Ken Oguzie is a dynamic and results-driven international trade and investment professional. He is the President/ Founder of Africa Canada Trade and Investment Venture based out of Nova Scotia, Canada, with partner offices across Africa. ACTIV is a boutique consulting firm specialising in trade and investment solutions, with a focus on promoting and facilitating Trade and Investment between Canada and Africa, across diverse sectors. With over a decade of experience in the global trade industry spanning 4 different continents, 5 countries, Ken has a proven track record of driving sustainable growth, fostering international partnerships and bringing Economic development to the regions of his focus in sectors ranging from Energy, Agriculture, Infrastructure, Real Estate to professional services. Under his leadership, ACTIV has expanded its global footprint, navigated complex market dynamics and delivered innovative trade and investment strategies that meet the evolving needs of businesses in Africa, Canada and worldwide. Ken is known for combining deep industry expertise with a forward-thinking approach to create long-term value for stakeholders. A skilled negotiator and visionary, Ken has successfully facilitated numerous large-scale Trade and Investment deals across various continents, making them a trusted leader in the sector. He is also a strong DEI advocate and provides advisory support to senior leadership of private and public sector organisations on inclusive leadership and workplace culture. Learn more @activafrwww.activafr.com

Hailing from Kjipuktuk/Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, Jupiter V (they/them) is a queer artist, musician and creative crackerjack with a career spanning over a decade. Making a name with award-winning gig posters, they've gone on to illustrate for film, graphic fiction, children's literature and more.Most recently, they worked with EVERYSEEKER Music and Arts Festival (2025 & 2026) and Nocturne: Art at Night Festival (2024), and is looking forward to publishing their second comic with Duck Prints Press in 2026. Jupiter also composed the original soundtrack for the hit PC game Bopl Battle, and has most recently released the album Last Dance with their synthrock band Minus World. Find out more @jupiterv99jupiterv.nettheminusworld.com

C Stone-Léon, a rapper/producer/curator residing in Halifax, NS. He draws inspiration from underground and old-school sounds, citing influences like Westside Gunn, Roc Marciano, MF Doom, and The Alchemist. Collaborating with long-time friend French, they released Léon’s debut mixtape “Burning Bushes on Marble Floors” in January 2021. The lead single “Matilda” received recognition from Ghostface Killah, Redman, and Busta Rhymes. Léon is the founder of DIRECTOR, a brand spanning music, film, art, and fashion, and has released 9 projects and various singles. His newest collaboration effort with Luke French & Ghostboyrj “Tokyo, Sayonara!” Is out now everywhere.Check him out @cstoneleon

Teo Kim is a story-driven marketer and creator based in Halifax. He shares the people, culture, and everyday life of Atlantic Canada through film, conversations, and community projects. His work connects communities by blending marketing, storytelling, and culture into one cohesive voice. Find out more @teokim.ca

Favour Ikitde is a Canadian based fashion creative whose work blends storytelling, style, and visual experimentation. Originally from Nigeria, Favour discovered his passion for fashion early, but only truly began expressing it after moving to Canada.Through bold concepts, striking silhouettes, and intentional content creation, he has built a unique visual language that resonates with audiences across platforms.Favour continues to explore the intersection of high fashion and everyday style, using his work to inspire others to create fearlessly and authentically.

Maral Porretta is a stylist and creative director who blends fashion, storytelling, and culture into everything she touches. Her work is rooted in authenticity and the belief that style is a language that connects people.She built her career through content creation, community building, and a sharp creative eye that pulls from her experiences in fashion, entrepreneurship, and global travel. Her perspective is shaped by her Mongolian heritage, her time in the corporate world, and her commitment to showing up as her real self online.Maral is also the founder of Club Kind, a new cultural café and laundromat concept opening in Halifax that’s designed to bring people together through creativity, good energy, and a sense of belonging. Her mission is to build spaces and stories that make people feel seen, inspired, and part of something bigger.

Prince Churchill is a multidisciplinary artist, designer, and creative director whose work transforms personal history into bold visual storytelling.Adopted from Haiti after the 2010 earthquake, he channels themes of identity, resilience, and culture through his studio, Art By Prince.His creations blur the lines between art, design, and emotion, transforming survival into a powerful form of expression.Check him out @artby.prince

Dawn “Juan” Collins (she/they) is a multidisciplinary artist, musician, and community builder whose work bridges creative expression, holistic practice, and cultural dialogue. Drawing on decades of experience in social policy, trauma-informed care, and healing arts, Dawn integrates somatics, Indigenous wisdom, and spiritual practice into her performances and community offerings.Her music and performance practice span jazz, Latin, rock, punk, Maqam and world-inspired collaborations, appearing at festivals and international exhibitions across Canada, France, and Egypt. Trained in vocal performance, Nada, Bhakti, and movement-based practices from Egyptian, Sufi, Yogi and lyrical dance, Dawn brings both technical mastery and deep emotional resonance to every piece she creates.Beyond the stage, she cultivates spaces for reflection, dialogue, and embodied growth, honouring ancestral knowledge and the interconnectedness of all life. Based in Kjipuktuk, Mi’kma’ki, Dawn continues to explore the intersections of art, music, healing, and expansion, inviting audiences and communities alike to engage with creativity as a path to insight, compassion, and transformation. Check her out @dawnyjuany

Sarah Poko is a Nigerian-Canadian playwright, screenwriter, and director who uses horror and folklore to reflect society back unto itself. From a young age, she was captivated by the folktales told by her grandmother and the myths she discovered from her travels around the world. An avid storyteller, Sarah uses the supernatural to examine power, identity, and moral consequence in everyday life. Her debut stage play, Chalkdust, explored the themes of alienation and powerlessness brought on by the modern-day eldritch horrors that we call the immigration system. Her latest horror screenplay, Chicken Feet, which was recently featured in a WIP reading with Villains Theatre, earned praise for its sharp imagery and cultural fusion. Sarah is passionate about stories that blur the line between fear, truth, and the seemingly insignificant choices we make in everyday life. She invites audiences to confront their own truths and fears, both within and around them. Learn more @aesops_daughter 

Isi, a content creator, creative director, and the visionary behind Big Sis Club. Isi opens up about her journey from completing an MBA and working in corporate consulting to picking up a camera and finally giving herself permission to create.She gets real about the internal battles that held her back for years, including being a "recovering people pleaser" and the fear of putting her work out into the world. Isi shares the pivotal mindset shift that changed everything—creating first and foremost for herself—and how that unlocked a new level of authenticity and fulfilment.Isi Oye is a storyteller at heart, blending photography, creativity, and lived experience to capture the way people move through the world. As the founder of Big Sis Club, she mentors women stepping into their next chapter, helping them trust their voice and own their story.Her work sits at the intersection of art and connection, whether she’s behind the camera, building community, or shaping narratives that make people feel seen.Follow Isi's journey: @isiomaoyeLearn more about Big Sis Club: @bigsisclub.ca

Kooms, a producer whose journey from church sound systems to crafting hits for artists is a masterclass in persistence and finding your sound.Kooms pulls back the curtain on his creative process, revealing why he always starts with the drums, the one plugin he swears by, and how a single week in Montreal yielded five finished tracks.He opens up about the pivotal moment a top-tier producer validated his work, giving him the confidence to fully pursue his craft, and the importance of patience in a world of instant gratificationThis is a must-listen for any aspiring producer or artist. It’s a raw look at the lessons learned behind the boards, emphasising that the right mindset is just as important as the right plug-in.Kooms is a producer and creative collaborator shaping music across languages, cultures, and styles, all while rooted in Afro-diasporic energy. Born in Ghana and now based in Canada, his multicultural experiences inform a sound that honours heritage while staying firmly planted in modern musical consciousness.He works with artists to discover their unique voice, often encouraging performances in their native languages to capture their strongest expression. Whether it’s rap, Afro R&B, or cross-diaspora collaborations, his productions spark inspiration and help artists define signature sounds that feel authentic and intentional.Currently finishing one project and preparing new collaborations, Kooms continues to explore diverse sounds, bridging cultures and building a body of work that reflects both the artist and his own creative vision.Check him out @kooms___

How does a basketball injury lead to opening for Tech N9ne and D12?In this high-energy episode, Kid Coffin, a Halifax-based rapper, videographer, real estate agent, and Special Olympics coach, unpacks his incredible journey from a shattered sports dream to sharing stages with hip-hop legends. Kid Coffin pulls back the curtain on the grind, revealing the 12-hour rehearsals, strategic networking, and intense mental prep that go into his explosive live performances. Kid Coffin is an artist that you either love or hate. His music is a reflection of a conflicting world with themes reaching from love, kindness, and empathy to themes of corruption, power, and greed. Kid Coffin uses hard-hitting lyricism and vivid storytelling to explore the deep and complex world that is the human condition. Check him out @kidcoffinofficial

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, Chris—a talented blonde specialist and salon owner—takes us on the journey from a kid colouring hair with permanent markers to running a successful, community-focused salon. Chris opens up about the challenges and rewards of becoming a specialist in a world that told her she couldn't, the intense certification processes that left her shaking, and the crucial business lessons she learned before opening her own doors. But this conversation goes far deeper than the chair. Chris reveals the profound, often overlooked role hairstylists play in their clients' mental health, creating a safe space where clients share their most vulnerable moments. Chris has been in the Industry for almost 18 years, and has built an entire career specialising in Blonding!  She was told many times throughout the years that she couldn’t be successful just by doing blonding, but she followed her heart and dreams and opened an Official  Blonding Salon. This is her trademark! She is a certified colourist in two Colour Lines- Redken & Goldwell. She was also a former Educator for Goldwell. She has been reaching other goals outside of this, including BTS of runways, for Major Fashion shows/ Designers who attend Paris Fashion Week / NY Fashion Week.  Most importantly, she is a mom of a beautiful 15-year-old daughter who is my best friend and biggest supporter, which is a huge part of who she is today! Follow Chris's journey @salonicon_hfx

In this episode, we sit down with DJ Suly, a mental health advocate and rising DJ in Halifax's music scene. Suly shares her incredible journey from discovering female DJs on TikTok in 2022 to opening for major acts like Black Bones and DJ Puffy within just one year.She breaks down her origin story, how a conversation with her best friend led to learning from mentor DJ Henry and throwing a surprise reveal party that shocked everyone. Suly explains the technical side of DJing while diving into her experiences as a young Black woman in Halifax, her passion for psychology, and her plans to become a child psychologist.Beyond the music, she opens up about using DJing as therapy, breaking barriers in male-dominated spaces, and advocating for mental health in the Black community. From controllers and cue points to poetry and personal growth, Suly's story is about embracing challenges and following your passion.Find out more @dj.suly_

What happens when a child is handed an instrument they never wanted to play? Cuban violinist Ali Enriquez’s story begins with this exact twist of fate: assigned the violin in Havana’s rigorous music school system based on her small hands, she initially resisted the instrument that would later become her voice. Now a seasoned performer and composer in Canada, Ali reveals how she transformed resentment into artistry and how music became her bridge between cultures.Ali shares hilarious and heartfelt memories of mandatory piano classes, the shock of adapting to Canada’s fast-paced life, and why her violin has become “a companion that’s seen me cry more than anyone.”Between unpacking the differences between melodic and harmonic instruments and demonstrating her songwriting process (from “giving birth” to songs to moments of effortless flow), Ali shares how she fell in love with her craft. Find out more @alien.riquez