Feature Friday

S3E2: "Province House is the People's House" with Suzy Hansen

On this month's episode of Feature Friday, we're excited to host MLA Suzy Hansen on the pod! Suzy is the MLA for Halifax - Needham and she chats about what it actually takes to serve community inside and outside the Legislature. She also walks through her roots, the role church played in keeping Black communities connected, and why music has always been her therapy. Suzy Hansen is a Canadian politician who was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in the 2021 Nova Scotia general election and re-elected in the 2024 Nova Scotia general election. She represents the riding of Halifax - Needham as a member of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party. As of August 2025, Hansen serves as the Official Opposition critic for Housing, African Nova Scotian Affairs, the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism, the Human Rights Commission, and Communications Nova Scotia. She also serves as the Caucus Whip. Prior to her election, Hansen was a former board member of the Halifax Regional School Board and other boards and an active volunteer. She was also one of four Black Canadians elected to the Nova Scotia legislature in 2021 and 2024.

S3E1: "Purpose Builds Confidence" | PART 2

Season 3 is here! In part 2 of the premiere, Aaliyah shares a day in the life in med school and Trev reflects on his origin story and what brought him to where he is today. We've got a great season of guests this year and can't wait to share with you the amazing episodes coming your way soon!

Season 3 Premiere | Purpose Builds Confidence | PART 1

Season 3 is here! In part 1 of the premiere, Aaliyah and Trev catch up on life updates and reflect on what they've learned from past seasons — then Aaliyah shares what led her to med school, how purpose fuels confidence, and why trying new things can change your whole trajectory. They also talk identity, ambition, community, and pushing past the fear of not "belonging." We've got a great season of guests this year and can't wait to share with you the amazing episodes coming your way soon!

S2E12: "Start Where You're At" with Nevell Provo and Corvell Beals

On the season finale of season 2, we're honoured to have brothers and entrepreneurs Nevell Provo and Corvell Beals join the pod! The episode traces their journey growing up in North Preston, where basketball wasn't just a game — it was a foundation. They break down how elite-level athletics, from Team Canada to NCAA competition, shaped their confidence, discipline, and willingness to take risks long before business ever entered the picture. Nevell and Corvell dive deep into their transition from sports to entrepreneurship, explaining how problem-solving, leadership, and resilience became the backbone of everything they've built — from Smooth Meal Prep to the rise of R&B Kitchen, a community-rooted business that gained momentum during COVID by serving people first. Beyond business, the conversation explores the real realities of entrepreneurship — failure, financial pressure, mental toughness, and why "chasing failure" is often the fastest path to growth. They speak candidly about putting God first, aligning personal priorities, developing discipline, and how self-development directly determines how far a business can go. A major theme of the episode is community responsibility. Nevell and Corvell share why they chose to build and stay in Nova Scotia, how mentorship and visibility change what young people believe is possible, and why creating access — not just success — is the real legacy. The episode closes with powerful advice for youth, emerging entrepreneurs, and anyone feeling limited by their environment: believe in yourself, learn how to learn, and understand that you are capable. This is more than an interview — it's a blueprint for turning adversity into opportunity and using success to lift others along the way. We'll see you in 2026! 00:00 - Introduction to Nevell Provo and Corvell Beals 04:25 - Leadership & Giving Back 10:45 - Taking Risks & Leaving Home to Chase Opportunity 15:30 - Discovering Entrepreneurship Early 19:45 - Creating Opportunity in Nova Scotia 23:40 - The Birth of Smooth Meal Prep & R&B Kitchen 29:15 - COVID: Crisis Turned Opportunity 31:45 - Hardships, Failure & Mental Toughness 36:00 - Faith, Discipline & Personal Development 38:45 - Learning, Mentorship & Self-Education 44:30 - Teaching, Giving Back & Leading by Example 50:45 - Loyalty to Community & Generational Vision 56:30 - Expanding Beyond Traditional Industries 1:05:30 - Advice to Youth & Emerging Entrepreneurs 1:14:30 - One Word Checkout with Nevell and Corvell!

S2E11: "My Music Found My Audience" with Kye Clayton and Jody Upshaw | PART 2

Our guests for this month's Feature Friday are Kye Clayton and Jody Upshaw. Kye Clayton is a Halifax-based artist, producer, and certified audio engineer pushing the sound of Nova Scotia forward. As Manager of Youth Power and Innovation at Hope Blooms, he empowers youth through music and mentorship. A two-time ANSMA Award winner — earning the Lieutenant Governor Award and Portia White Youth Award — Kye has performed at the ECMAs, Nova Scotia Music Week, and Magnetic World Festival, and opened for Xzibit. Through his collective LDN and upcoming project Live by Faith, Not by Sight, Kye continues to inspire creativity and community growth. Jody Upshaw is a radiant force of emotional truth and feminine power whose brand essence lives at the intersection of beauty and battle, vulnerability and victory. With every lyric, every look, every live moment, she creates a space for women to rise, release, and reclaim their power. From her single being featured on the hit HBO series Euphoria to being named Music Nova Scotia's 2022 Artist in Residence. earning multiple East Coast Music Award nominations, and taking home the African Nova Scotian Music Association's Rising Star Award, Jody has captivated audiences with her signature blend of raw vulnerability and ethereal glamour. Jody embodies liberation through art. Her mantra to #FreeTheGirls from toxic narratives and limiting beliefs isn't just personal - it's communal. Beyond her artistry, Jody is passionate about empowering the next generation of musicians, particularly within the African Nova Scotian community. She envisions using her industry experience and authentic understanding of the creative process to provide mentorship, strategic guidance, and professional development support to emerging artists navigating their own journeys toward artistic and commercial success. It was a pleasure hosting Kye and Jody in part 2 of their episode! Show notes: 00:11 – Roots & heritage 02:40 – "What does community mean to you?" 04:34 – Social media awareness + protecting your mind 06:52 – Being a positive representative (even when others aren't) 11:35 – Giving back "with a real heart" 12:08 – Jody on community + the legacy of Three Mile Plains 17:03 – Finding community beyond where you live 21:12 – Music community + chasing purpose professionally 23:07 – What's next: projects + release plans 25:08 – Ten years from now: Kye's vision + leadership 33:50 – Jody's 10-year vision 35:12 – Career highlights 39:41 – How "Jody + Kye" started 48:58 – One word check out with Jody and Kye!