Blackout Podcast

Israel Ekanem
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Society & Culture
  • Biweekly

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 and endings.

  1. 2d ago

    Laura Rae - Songwriter / Producer/ Label Owner

    Blackout Podcast Episode 400: Laura Rae - Songwriter / Producer/ Label Owner Bilingual chanteuse, songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist and educator Laura Rae dances between languages and genres, sounding like Metric met Fleetwood Mac in a Folklore forest. Since releasing her first single, Laura has been nominated for Music Nova Scotia’s New Artist Recording of the Year 2022 for "Didn't Know", Prix de l'Acadie 2023 for Chansons pour ma grand-mère, and has taken home bronze for Halifax The Coast Best Folk Artist 2022. Her most recent project, Sad Songs, explores various genres, leaning into rock drums on songs like "Nothing Lasts Forever" and bowed stand-up bass on "House we called Home". Guest Room Records started out as a 450-square-foot, 2 room recording studio in Dartmouth that is owned and operated by Laura Rae. Laura has nearly 3 decades of musical training, including classical piano, guitar, and flute. She holds a B.A. with a Minor in Music, a B.Ed in Secondary Music Education and an M.Ed. focused in the Integration of Music in Second Language Instruction. In 2022, she was selected among hundreds of applicants to participate in SOCAN Foundation's Women Equity X Production Mentorship Program, and shortly thereafter produced her first French EP, Chansons pour ma grand-mère. In 2025, Kristen Martell's album, Allume mon courage, produced by Rae, won Music Nova Scotia's Prix de l'Acadie and was nominated for ECMA Acadian Recording of the Year 2026. Since her start in the music industry, she has noticed that something is missing: continued support for artists who are beyond 'emerging', but who haven't built a team or been signed to a label (aka most of the artists in Atlantic Canada). Provincial industry organisations are amazing resources, but their capacity is limited for 1-1 support for artists who just need to know how to set up their royalty collection and write a press release. Guest Room Records hopes to fill those gaps, supporting artists on an individual level to develop their careers to find success... whatever that might look like for them. Learn more @guestroomrecords @laura_raemusic

    Laura Rae - Songwriter / Producer/ Label Owner

  2. Oct 26

    Robert Howlett - Founder - Redefine Social Health Association

    Blackout Podcast Episode 399: Robert Howlett - Founder - Redefine Social Health Association Robert Howlett (he/him) is an accomplished non-profit leader with experience in strategic planning, program development, and community engagement. His career includes executive roles where he has been a leader in operational management, volunteer engagement, and community development. His work spans international, national, and regional projects, particularly focused on health, community and volunteer program development. Outside of work, Robert is actively involved in his community, serving as Vice Chair of the Landrace Community Garden Society, and is the founder of Redefine Social Health Association. As a creative himself, Robert has a passion for empowering people to find their “why” through community exploration and experience. Learn more @redefinesh

    Robert Howlett - Founder - Redefine Social Health Association

  3. Oct 19

    Jule Rochelle - Certified Sexologist & Embodiment Coach

    Blackout Podcast Episode 398: Jule Rochelle - Certified Sexologist & Embodiment Coach Jule Rochelle is an artist of life, embodied intimacy coach, and trauma-informed Sexologist certified in the Somatica® Method. With a background spanning bodywork, somatics, coaching and sacred sexuality, she brings depth, intuition, playfulness and a healthy dose of magic to her work. Jule believes that living a life infused with Eros is a pathway home to ourselves. Through her work, Jule supports individuals and couples in releasing shame, becoming more deeply connected to their bodies and desires, and creating relationships rooted in authenticity, consent, vulnerability and emotional intelligence. She believes pleasure is our birthright and a worthy pursuit- and that healing doesn’t always have to be so damn serious. Sometimes it happens through laughter, curiosity, touch, play and the courage to be fully seen. At the heart of Jule’s work is a desire to help people move from living primarily in their heads into a more embodied relationship with their hearts, bodies and desires. She sees herself as a catalyst and creatress: someone who helps people gently unravel old patterns, soften their edges and weave new ways of relating- to themselves, to one another and to life itself. Learn more @onda_embodied_intimacy

    Jule Rochelle - Certified Sexologist & Embodiment Coach

  4. Oct 12

    Julia Tynes - Singer/Songwriter/CEO

    Blackout Podcast Episode 397: Julia Tynes - Singer/Songwriter/CEO Julia Tynes is a Halifax-area singer-songwriter, entertainer, educator, choreographer, and CEO whose work brings together soulful music, vibrant live performance, and community connection. Inspired by retro pop, soul, Motown, and R&B, Julia is known for her warm, engaging performances and her ability to connect with audiences of all ages. After spending 13 years building her professional career in Toronto, Julia returned to Nova Scotia, bringing her experience from Canada’s largest music and entertainment market back home. An award-winning and nominated artist, she has been recognised by the African Nova Scotian Music Awards and Music Nova Scotia, and her original music has received national radio play across Canada. She has performed at major events throughout Eastern Canada, shared stages with acclaimed artists, and built a reputation for creating memorable, high-quality live experiences. As CEO and Artistic Director of Julia Tynes Music Inc., Julia has expanded her work beyond the stage to include music education, school and library programming, workshops, choreography, artist mentorship, and large-scale community events. Through her company, she brings together professional musicians, dancers, educators, and community partners to make exceptional live music accessible to diverse audiences. Whether she’s writing and performing her own songs, leading her band, inspiring students, or producing a major event, Julia’s work is rooted in creativity, connection, and her belief that music is for everyone. Check her out @juliatynes

    Julia Tynes - Singer/Songwriter/CEO

  5. Oct 5

    Philip Okunaiya - Financial Professional & Community Leader

    Blackout Podcast Episode 396: Philip Okunaiya - Financial Professional & Community Leader Philip Okunaiya is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), and MBA graduate, with a career spanning financial services, fraud intelligence, audit, and risk management. Beyond his professional career, Philip is deeply passionate about community development and creating opportunities for others. He currently serves as President of the Association of Nigerians in Nova Scotia (ANNS), where he is focused on strengthening the Nigerian community, building partnerships, creating opportunities for newcomers, and helping immigrants thrive in their new home. His commitment to service extends beyond Canada; he has also served for many years with Dream Rite, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to education, empowerment, and creating opportunities for young people in Africa. At the heart of Philip’s story is a belief that success is most meaningful when it creates a positive impact beyond oneself. His journey from Nigeria to Canada, his experiences in professional and community leadership, and his passion for mentorship, service, and empowering others provide a rich perspective on resilience, reinvention, leadership, and building a meaningful life across borders. @nurturingpotentials

    Philip Okunaiya - Financial Professional & Community Leader

  6. Sep 28

    Tanya Suenfa - Co-found MO GATO Mauritian Delicacies

    Tanya Suenfa is the co-founder of MO GATO Mauritian Delicacies, a small Mauritian food business she started with her husband, Hans, in Halifax in 2022. Tanya grew up in Mauritius surrounded by family cooking and baking, and food has always been a huge part of her life. She created MO GATO to share the flavours, traditions and beautiful multicultural heritage of Mauritius with her community in Canada. From the Classic Napolitaine shortbread cookies to a variety of the business’s own flavour creations to Mauritian savoury favourites and homemade treats, everything is made with love and a taste of home. MO GATO can be found at Halifax Brewery Farmers Market (Alexander Keith Brewery building) every Saturday, 8am–1pm, as well as at local markets, festivals and special events throughout the year. Find out more @mogato.ca

    Tanya Suenfa - Co-found MO GATO Mauritian Delicacies

  7. Sep 21

    Chad W Johnson - Creative Entrepreneur

    Chad W Johnson is a Halifax/Dartmouth-based videographer, photographer, filmmaker, mental health advocate, and creative entrepreneur behind ChadJPictures. Through his work, Chad captures authentic stories, artists, events, and meaningful moments while bringing his own approach to visual storytelling. His passion for filmmaking comes from wanting to create work that connects with people and gives a platform to voices, experiences, and stories that deserve to be heard. Chad is also passionate about mental health awareness and using his platform to encourage people to speak openly about their experiences and remind others that they don’t have to go through difficult moments alone. From music videos and documentaries to interviews, events, and creative projects, Chad continues to build his craft and explore different sides of storytelling. Check him out @chadjpictures

    Chad W Johnson - Creative Entrepreneur

  8. Sep 14

    Nik Davis - Photographer

    Nik Davis - Photographer He grew up watching his dad film the family with old digital cameras, spent his college years designing video games, and now he's one of Halifax's most authentic photographers, but he'll be the first to tell you he doesn't identify 100% as a photographer. Meet Nik Davis, a creative who's all about connection, intuition, and having fun with the craft. In this episode, Nik takes us behind the lens of his journey: from making anime music videos as a kid, to studying video game design, to picking up a camera and building a business that's all about serving people. He breaks down how he chooses that one perfect shot from hundreds, why he's more about the vibe than the gear, and how he balances serving clients with staying true to his own creative voice. Nik also opens up about his honest take on AI, the environmental impact, the ethical concerns, and why he believes creatives will always crave the real thing. He shares his thoughts on being "in between" creative spaces, his love for behind-the-scenes content (think Jackie Chan movies), and the high school film teacher who changed the way he watches movies forever. Whether you're a photographer, a creative, or just someone figuring out their next move, this episode is a reminder that you don't have to have it all figured out; just show up and have fun. Learn more @nikdavisphotography

    Nik Davis - Photographer
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5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

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 and endings.

Information

  • Creator
    Israel Ekanem
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    200
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    ℗ & © 2020 Blackout Podcast
  • Show Website
    Blackout Podcast