The Soul Booth

A Conversation with Jenny Kierstead

In May of this year, Nova Scotia was rocked by the worst mass killing in Canadian history. We were already experiencing unprecedented fear and confusion because of the global Pandemic and resulting lockdown. Then, Colchester County became the epicentre of terror when 22 innocent people (including one pregnant woman) were murdered by a twisted gunman. The whole province was thrown into a state of grief, but for the families of those killed it was a true nightmare. Jenny Kierstead knows that all too well. Her beautiful sister Lisa McCully - a beloved teacher, and mother of two young children - was one of the victims.  Jenny joined me in the Soul Booth this week for this open-hearted conversation about her grief journey, and a touching remembrance of her big sister. Jenny is a yoga teacher with a large following - online and off - and her commitment to staying open to the pain of Lisa's death has a lot to teach us all.  You'll hear Jenny refer to a painting on my wall that took her breath away...so I've used it as the cover photo.  You can experience more of Jenny's light at www.jennykierstead.ca [http://www.jennykierstead.ca/] Thanks for listening. Stay safe, and stay tuned ! Nancy

Silver Linings: A Conversation with Janice Landry

Gratitude, paying it forward, mentors, Impostor’s Syndrome, even a behind-the-scenes look at our relationships with some Maritime broadcasting legends…there’s a lot of territory covered in this conversation between two old friends. Decades before Janice Landry was an award winning author of five books, she was a young rookie reporter in the ATV newsroom with Nancy, and this chat will make you feel like you’re sitting in the Soul Booth with them. Janice published her first book in 2013, about the riveting 1978 rescue of a baby from a house fire. It was her father, Baz Landry, who carried that infant out of the flames (for which he won a National Medal of Bravery) and it was his career as a firefighter that inspired Janice’s new path as a writer and advocate for First Responders. Her latest book, Silver Linings is all about Gratitude and its power to create resilience in life-changing ways. As you’ll hear, it is dedicated to Janice’s mother, and our mutual friend Audrey Parker, who both died while Janice was writing the book. This was recorded just before the world changed in March, so Janice’s quote at the beginning of this episode seems eerily prophetic ! Enjoy :)

A Conversation About Race with Rachel Zellars

The past few months have brought into focus the lived experience of Black people in North America, and the protests that were triggered by George Floyd's murder have awakened a lot of us to the despicable lack of value attached to black lives by TOO many.  My poem, in the thumbnail of this episode, sums up for me how I have been feeling about it all…and I was supremely grateful for the conversation you’re about to hear.  I found out about the African Nova Scotian Freedom School recently in conversation with a friend, and when I reached out to the woman who came up with the idea, it became clear immediately that I wanted to help amplify her voice, and her message! Rachel Zellars is a lawyer and an Assistant Professor in the department of Social Justice & Community Studies at St. Mary’s University, and although she grew up in Baltimore, she was drawn to Nova Scotia because of our dynamic Black community and the history at its foundation. Now she’s contributing in a meaningful new way to forging a bright and powerful future, by helping to create a new month long online program for teenagers across the province. It’s aimed at teaching leadership skills that will “create ripples that will be wide and deep for many generations to come.” This conversation goes deep and wide as well. Rachel and I talk about the program and its goals, but we also get into her fascinating life experience, and the activism that has provided roots for the current BLM movement. Oh, and it gets emotional - ‘cause let’s be honest; you can’t have an authentic exchange on this subject without emotion!  I hope you enjoy this episode, and find it as meaningful as I do. And in the spirit of being part of the solution, I invite you to listen with an ear to how you might be able to help… In appreciation & love, Nancy

Creating a Contribution Economy

Covid 19 has been a lot of things to a lot of people, and for many the lockdown has served up an opportunity to hit Reset in their lives. On this episode of the podcast Nancy sits down with Chaz Thorne and Paul MacInnis for a conversation about their vision for a contribution based economy, soul-centred entrepreneurship, and the opportunity to reinvent ourselves in a time of crisis.  “If the world puts you on a road you do not like, if you look ahead and do not want that destination which is being offered and you look behind and you do not want to return to your place of departure, step off the road. Build yourself a new path.” * Maya Angelou, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings (1969)  You can find more information about Paul and Chaz’s upcoming projects at www.soultribe.live [http://www.soultribe.live]

The Power Of Togetherness in Times of Great Uncertainty

Hello my Soul Booth friends. The world has changed radically since I posted my last podcast episode. What we’re going through now as a global community is unprecedented (in our lifetimes) and pretty damn scary ! On Monday morning, I reached out to my friend Anne Bérube to touch base, and to express my gratitude for how she has taught me to move through emotions - a practise that is saving my sanity these days! I also mentioned that I am feeling strongly that we are all called to service in this experience. We talked about hosting an online gathering to connect people - to each other, and to their own feelings of fear and sadness. What resulted was this conversation..and I can't remember ever being part of a group exchange that felt more needed, nourishing, and fortifying.  Thanks so much to Anne Bérubé [https://www.facebook.com/anne.berube.71?__tn__=%2CdK-R-R&eid=ARCnX2ZEBs72YAJMAePDCBM0rR6C6dWhbCbcsMHSyeApowFTW5eSta89crc_1nGp1XltNeIZ-9GfnOlh&fref=mentions] for facilitating this virtual visit. May this demonstration of vulnerability and connectedness be a Calm Balm for many. Please…stay safe, and stay “tuned" ❤️ Nancy Here’s a note from Anne about "The Power Of Togetherness in Times of Great Uncertainty”. In this special episode of my podcast, I am joined by Carole MacInnis [https://www.facebook.com/carole.macinnis.9?__tn__=%2CdK-R-R&eid=ARBB0snC6ocHjVmumIUjgSJiJ5w233g4CqGkQMXNdKe089xlkI5CmG1_oZ50XndOxQtGwf7mapFfksFa&fref=mentions], Nancy Regan [https://www.facebook.com/nancy.regan.58?__tn__=%2CdK-R-R&eid=ARCtV6K0lB3DPuo95hU67LOP72jBsJHyIZ6zbzZmn2e8FFMl544jlaF6ydtXKUzsge0A-hXo0oZSYbor&fref=mentions] and @ Celine Levasseur Burlock [https://www.facebook.com/celine.burlock?__tn__=%2CdK-R-R&eid=ARCm6oF0TmBws84tuP7d36tPcUFzIVWZFue9rclN03KpnfULE9OrEbQAcPlvNFp8zWkH-cEes6HE9HCE&fref=mentions] for a conversation that feels like a warm blanket of compassion and gentleness in a time of disorienting uncertainty. This is the audio recording of our online gathering, held March 18th 2020, with the intention to connect and support our community. Enjoy xo