A Chat with Heart - with Christina Martin

In this episode of A Chat with Heart, host Christina Martin engages in a heartfelt conversation with Amanda Shekarchi, a Toronto-based musician and media producer. They explore Amanda's journey as a blind artist, her early musical memories, the unwavering support from her family, and her experiences in the music industry. The discussion explores the significance of disability representation in the arts, the creative process be...

In this deeply personal and inspiring episode of A Chat with Heart, host Christina Martin shares the mic—and the road—with her mother Cecile Martin, as they drive the scenic route between Halifax and Ingramport. What begins as a simple car ride becomes a moving conversation about resilience, healing, and the power of support through a breast cancer diagnosis.

Christina’s mom opens up about discovering a lump during a routine self-ex...

In this episode of A Chat with Heart, host Christina Martin reflects on her recent Home Routes tour, sharing stories from the road and the heartwarming connections made along the way.

Christina is joined by special guests Simon and Hannah Stockner, a vibrant sibling duo behind the revitalization of the Kispeox River Lodge in Hazelton, British Columbia. Together, they dive into a heartfelt conversation about community, resilience, an...

In this episode of A Chat with Heart, Christina Martin shares personal stories and updates, reflecting on the arrival of spring in Nova Scotia, her tree planting rituals, and the inspiring journey of her friend living with cancer. She recounts humorous adventures with her cat Olivia, announces upcoming shows and a new live album, and expresses gratitude for listener engagement and heartfelt messages. The episode concludes with refl...

In this episode of 'A Chat with Heart', host Christina Martin engages in a heartfelt conversation with Michelynn Touesnard, who shares her journey of living with stage four colorectal cancer. The discussion delves into personal experiences with cancer, the importance of advocacy, and the emotional and relational impacts of a cancer diagnosis. Michelin reflects on her career, the challenges of navigating the healthcare sys...

Have you ever set an ambitious goal only to fall completely short? In this heartfelt season premiere, I'm taking a different approach by sharing both my triumphs and failures from the past year. From the exhilaration of recording my Storm album live with a full band and string quartet to the quiet joy of watching my 77-year-old mother courageously complete her cancer treatments, life has offered much to celebrate.

But...

Christina chats with the incredibly talented and hard working British-Canadian comedian James Mullinger about following your dreams, work ethic, orchestrating outside-the-box events, carving your own path and so much more. 

James Mullinger, originally one of the UK’s hardest working comedians and Comedy Editor for GQ magazine, moved to New Brunswick (the province I grew up in), Canada in 2014 and has since become a sensation across ...

Christina sits down with Lisa MacIsaac for a chat about making room for what you love, surviving a plethora of bad jokes, meeting your heroes, and chasing your dreams. You don't want to miss this one!

Lisa MacIsaac, hailing from Creignish, Cape Breton, is one half of the acclaimed duo Madison Violet, alongside Brenley MacEachern. Known for their evocative harmonies and distinctive sound, the duo has released eleven a...

In this episode Christina chats with Rankin MacInnis about growing up in Mabou, Cape Breton, meeting Dolly Parton, and you’ll never guess what Rankin is addicted to.

Music Nova Scotia's Entertainer of the Year, Rankin MacInnis, is known for his super fun, electrifying and eclectic performances. Leading the charge with his band, the Broken Reeds, Rankin seamlessly blends traditional folk with future pop, delivering high-energy s...

Christina chats  with two brothers, Kyle and Aaron Furlotte, who make up the band The Green Reflectors.  For this episode Kyle and Aaron brought show and tell to Chrisitina's home. They chat with heart about decluttering, the origin story behind The Green Reflectors, and Kyle shares about his very personal experience with cancer. These are two grown boys that still really love toys!

The Green Reflectors are two brothers, who do...

Christina chats with Michael S. Ryan about The Town Heroes new album Singin, why Inverness Cape Breton is so awesome, Uncle Jimmy, punctuality, an incredible secret album release show and far more.

Michael S. Ryan is an award winning professional musician, songwriter, studio owner, and co-author of “You and Me” — a book with his wife, Kristen Herrington.

Ryan has been playing music professionally for over 20 years. As the frontman an...

Packed with soul candy, between meeting the Queen, colonoscopies, and finding The Artist's Way, Christina and guest Kristen Herrington cover a lot of shared experiences in this ultra-inspiring chat with heart. It's no wonder these two became fast friends, and only at Kristen's 100 year death will they part. Plus these two share a really BIG announcement in this chat with heart.

Kristen Herrington is an awar...

Christina chats with acclaimed singer and songwriter DeeDeeAustin about the challenges she's experienced on her path with heart, but also the immense gratitude she has for the music community in Atlantic Canada.  DeeDee is not afraid to tackle difficult subject matter, and strives for love and connection with her work. Find out something that even her biggest fans don't know about her! 

DeeDee Austin, an 18-year...

Christina chats with her wildly talented friend Manuel Krass about getting his start in music on a beat up piano in his basement, reinventing yourself as a creator, working with fear and  PTSD, and how the pandemic led him to find joy in lego.
 
Manuel Krass, born in 1988, is a pianist, actor, and creative mind in the space between art forms.

After completing his jazz piano studies at the University of Music Saar, ...

Christina chats with award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter Shari Ulrich about
living on a commune, the role that solitude plays in creativity, life lessons from being in bands, gaining confidence as a front person, listening to your instincts, and a heck of a lot more!

For over four decades, accomplished singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Shari Ulrich has been winning hearts across North America with her vo...

Louise Triance interviews A Chat with Heart Podcast host Christina Martin. They chat about her start in music, meeting Her Majesty the Queen of England, and her upcoming tour in the UK. There are fun British quiz in the mix to help prepare Christina for her upcoming tour dates. 

Louise Triance runs a community for recruiters, she is an accidental customer services manager for a platform we both work for called Crowdcast, s...

Christina chats with her friend, New Brunswick-based singer/songwriter and graphic designer Jessica Rhaye about her insanely successful viral video for her rendition of Bob Dylan's 'Blowin' in the Wind', finding her musical family, growing up in the country, and songwriting. 

Jessica's songs have twice been a finalist in the Canada Music Week National Song-writing competition as well as a finalist ...

This is a super fun chat with Christina's friend Stephanie Purcell, founder and agent at VOX Agency in Halifax, about attention to detail when event planning, Newfoundland English, and an exciting event happening in Halifax, Nova Scotia in February. Find out what friends and clients of Stephanie have to say about the kind of person she is.  

Stephanie Purcell has been devoted to the events industry for over 15 years. ...

Christina chats with Bangs about her journey from dancer, to couch potato, to fitness instructor and personal development coach.  Bangs offered five fabulous lessons learned from 2023, like stop telling yourself you can't!

Hailing from the UK, Bangs is an award winning spin instructor who has guided thousands of people to find their best selves on stationary bikes. Her classes were so popular, people started asking he...