The Great Amherst Podcast Andrew Cameron

E29:  It's just me on the podcast again today, with an update.  I've decided to make these first 29 episodes Season 1 of the Great Amherst Podcast.  I started this Podcast at the end of March and have done 29 episodes since.  There is SO much that has happened in these last few months that I've decided to wrap up season 1, take a break and plan to come back with Season 2 in early 2021.  Like I've said all along - we've only made it this far because we worked together.  We'll only make it through the next phase together.  So, wear your mask, wash your hands and look after everyone else.Take care - and I'll be back in early 2021

E28:  This week on the Podcast I'm joined by Brian and Laura with Fundy Treasures in Joggins, NS.Brian and Laura started Fundy Treasures in 2014, and are now in there 7th year.  They offer fossil and mineral tours in Joggins and Parrsboro, they make products that are inspired by the Bay of Fundy like Candles, Soaps, Jewelry and stone guitar picks.We talked about the idea behind Fundy Treasures and why they chose to start this business.  Brian's passion for Joggins, the Fossil cliffs and our part of the world came through in this interview.  Laura shared about her time living overseas really brought forward the benefit that tourism can have for a community.  We talked about the tours they offer, the first farmer's market they attended, the Kid's Show Dinosaur Train, the impact COVID-19 had on their business this year.  WE covered a lot of topics.  They redid their website at www.fundytreasures.ca and you can find the tour schedules and links to all their products.

E27:  Today I'm joined by Brent Noiles, the Employment Engagement Specialist at Nova Scotia Works/CANSA.Nova Scotia Works/CANSA is typically known to help individuals find jobs, work on their resumes and to develop skills they may be lacking.  Brent's role is engage with the local business community to help them with their needs.  We covered a lot of ways that Brent is able to the help businesses, including arranging training for a number of companies, or to help businesses to apply for government grants.  We covered a lot of different topics during this interview.  We also recorded this interview at the end of May, so some of the programs may have changed.  My take away from this interview is for any business owner or manager to reach out to Brent directly.  You'll be able to explain to Brent what you need help with and he'll work to help you meet or fill that need.You can contact Brent by email at brent.noiles@cansa.ca or by phone - (902) 661-1059 ext 227.

026:  Today on the Podcast is just me.  At the beginning of July I decided to join the #StopHateForProfit campaign.  I had committed to logging off and not using Facebook for at least the month of July.  I recorded this episode on July 19th and I wanted to share my thoughts on why I joined this campaign and my plans moving forward.Links and articles from today:- Nova Scotia MP speaks out on string of abusive calls, veiled threats- "How Your Brain is Getting Hacked" by Tristan Harris- Kara Swisher's Interview with Mark Zuckerberg- Why Facebook Failed Its Civil Right Audit- Civil rights leaders are still fed up with Facebook over hate speech- Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is essentially untouchable at Facebook

E25:  Today I am joined by Tom McCoag.  Tom first joined the Springhill Parrsboro Record in 1980, and joined the Chronicle Herald Amherst Bureau in 1982.  He was in this position until 2009 until he transferred to the Chronicle Herald head office to be a Copy and Pagination Editor.  In 2017 he left the Chronicle Herald and joined the Town of Amherst as the Corporate Communications Director.  Please note, Tom is doing this interview in a personal capacity and his opinions are his own, not the the Town of Amherst or any previous employers.This is why I wanted to have Tom on the episode.  He was a journalist in Amherst for 27 years, and he would have stories and opinions about the history of our local journalism scene and where it stands now.  And Tom shared these.  We covered how he first got involved in the News industry in High School.  We talked about his education and career paths.  To me the most interesting conversations were about Tom's definitions of what local news and journalism is and why it matters to our community.If you don't remember Tom as a reporter, you may also know him from his days reffing Minor Hockey and Ramblers Games, or as an umpire for Little Baseball, or as a Cadet Officer.  Tom has been involved in our community for many years.As I've said before, I joined in the #StopHateForProfit campaign and have signed off Facebook for at least the month of July.   This conversation reminded me again that Facebook sells ads on stories and content produced by our local news organizations and makes Billions of dollars each year off it.  But, Facebook does not pay for any of this content.  They do not reimburse news organizations, Facebook just expects to get and monetize the hard work of journalists for free.  Facebook, Twitter and other social media companies absolutely play a role in our declining local news system.

E23:  On this week's episode we are joined by Coach Al Theal and Ken MacKenzie.  Al and Ken are two of the founding members of the Amherst Striders Running Group.I wanted Ken and Al to come on and talk about the group, where it started, why they helped start it and how's it grown.  I've been a member of the Facebook group, but haven't gotten myself organized to actually get out for a run with the group.  But one thing that I found is that the Strider's group is a community that runs, and I enjoy the huge amounts of support and encouragement they offer to each other constantly.  This support is for everyone no matter what somone's goal or starting point is.  I wanted to talk about explore this community and support.If people want to get involved with the Striders Group you can find them on Facebook, and they meet every Monday and Wednesday at 6:00 pm and Saturday morning at 8:00 am at the Downtown Tim Horton's parking lot.  Everyone is welcome.  We recorded this interview in May when social distancing rules were different.  I believe at this point the Striders can go out in groups of 10 without social distancing.  Things are getting back closer to normal for this group.I did it again for this interview.  I made a mistake with my microphone.  I apologize for my sound quality again.Finally, like I said last week, I am stepping back from Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp for at least the month of July as part of the Stop Hate for Profit Campaign.  I am increasingly concerned about the amount of mis-information, and hate that is spread throughout Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.  This mis-information and hate is having real-world implications for all of us.  Mark Zuckerberg and his team could do something about how quickly mis-information and hate spreads on Facebook, yet they are choosing not to act.  This is my part to help encourage the CEO and leadership team at Facebook to act with more than just profit and growth in mind.