The Great Amherst Podcast

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 ...

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 arrangi...

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 ca...

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 doi...

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 th...

E23:  Today on the Podcast I am joined by Jessy Wysmyk and Charles Ryan with Wysmykal Farms.   Wysmykal Farm is a certified organic mixed vegetable farm on the beautiful Northumberland shore. Started in 2010 by Charles Ryan and Jessy Wysmyk, Wysmykal Farm offers a weekly veggie basket program, sales through the Sackville, NB and Pugwash, NS markets, and sells veggies to some small grocery stores and  local restaurants and ...

On today's episode is Dr Darlene Strong.  Darlene grew up in Amherst, NS and in 1999 decided to start researching, learning and disseminating information about the African Nova Scotian community that she grew up in.  In February this year she produced a exhibit on the Historic Sand Hill Trail that as displayed the Cumberland County Museum.  Once the Ottawa House, Parrsboro, opens again the exhibit will be displayed there.<...

E20:  Today's guest on the Podcast is Lisette Sumbu. Lisette Sumbu is an artist and activist who grew up in Amherst, NS. She is a singer/songwriter who is passionate about human rights. She is currently in a band called The Black Rose Project. 

I asked Lisette to come on today because she is the driving force and the organizer behind the Black Lives Matter protest in Amherst on June 6th. We talked about why she org...

There's a schedule change this week. I'm going to post my interview with Jessy and Charles from Wysmykal Farms next week. I want to take this episode and share my thoughts on the Black Lives Matter protests and what's happening right now.  I also talk about what we can do in our own community.

The short version of my thoughts: being a straight white male who grew up in Amherst, I've never felt the pain that comes wi...

E19:   Today’s guest is Robert Small, Former Mayor of Amherst.  Rob was Mayor of Amherst from 2008 to 2015 when he decided not to reoffer.  He was also a Town Councillor from 1994 to 2000.  Rob was born and raised in Amherst, has spent most of his career in Town, and raised his three sons here too.

I asked Rob to come to talk with about how individual people can get involved in Municipal Politics and how Municipal Politics ...

Today’s guest is Terry Farrell, our Former MLA from 2013-2017.  Terry is currently a lawyer at Creighton Shatford Law Firm in Amherst.

I asked Terry to on come to talk with about how individual people can get involved in the political process based on his experience as our MLA.  I want to start talking about how individual people can advocate for, and push to make the changes that they want to see in our community.  I know ...

E17:  Today’s guest on the Podcast is Bill Casey, our former Member of Parliament. Bill was first elected as our MP in 1988 and was re-elected as a member of three different political parties until he officially retired in 2019.  

I asked Bill to come to talk about how individual people can get involved in the political process. I want to start a conversation about how individual people can advocate for, and push to make th...

E16:  Here we are episode number 16 since March 30th.  It doesn’t just feel like it’s been 6 weeks.  I’ve enjoyed doing the interviews and producing the shows.  Thank you to all the guests that have been on.  Thank you to everyone who has listened to the shows and subscribed to our email list or on Apple Podcasts.  I appreciate you making me, our guests and this project part of your day. 

 In this episode it is just me, no ...

E14:  Today’s guest on The Great Amherst Podcast is Trina Clarke, CEO of the Cumberland YMCA.  Trina started working part-time at the YMCA 23 years ago in the childcare program, and over her 23-year career has stepped up into managerial roles until she assumed the CEO role in 2008. 2008 was a time of financial crisis for the YMCA and it was close to closing. The community rallied to keep the YMCA open and Trina stepped int...

E14:  Today’s guest is Susan McIsaac with McIsaac Darragh Chartered Accountants in Amherst, NS.  Susan started work with Grant Thornton in Amherst, NS and earned her CA designation in 1990.  She purchased the Grant Thornton office in 1999 and opened sj McIsaac Chartered Accountants.  In 2007 Vicki Darragh became a partner in the office and the name changed to McIsaac Darragh Chartered Accountants. Susan has been active in ...

E13:  Welcome to Episode 2 of the Gratitude Project.  I am grateful to share these stories and submissions with you again this week.  And I am always thankful for Holly Casey with Arc Social Media for coming back to help present the stories.

As mentioned previously, this idea came out of the interview I did with Mayor David Kogon.  We talked about how Public Works employees do not get the recognition or thanks they ...

E12:  Today’s guest is Stephanie Allen.  Stephanie has a variety of different expertise: massage therapy, acupuncture, yoga, and consulting, which ultimately helps her clients break through barriers to live healthier lives and build stronger connections.

I arranged an interview with Stephanie, outlined the topics we would discuss, and had planned on airing the interview in a couple of weeks. 

Then last weekend happened.  

Whe...

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E011:  Here it is, Episode 1 of The Gratitude Project.  I decided to start this project about ten days ago to make sure that we can focus on the positive memories and parts of our communities while we were dealing with social distancing because of COVID-19.  I had no clue what as coming our way.  Then the events of last weekend happened and I wasn't sure whether I could carry on...

E10:  Today’s guest is Denise Corey, the Chief Librarian of Cumberland Public Libraries. Denise has lived in Amherst since 2008 and was originally from New Brunswick. Denise is active in the Rotary Club and on the Fibre Arts Festival Board.

I wanted Denise to come on and talk about the Library Service and what it adds to our communities. I emphasize communities because Cumberland Public Libraries has branches in seven commu...