A year into this pandemic, we look ahead and we realize that there is still a long way to go. I can’t help to think about the front line workers and how much they’ve been carrying on their shoulders. If you’re anything like me you’ve been curious about how they’ve been coping, how they’ve been continuing on. I’ve wondered a lot about the situation in the long term care homes and how bad it actually is.
Melissa Carter joins me on the podcast this month. 

   She stepped up to the Quebec governments call to train new PAB’s or personal support workers in a very short period of time. Melissa talks about her experience working in these homes, and her experiences and stories literally brought me to tears. Her strength amazes me. So sit back and take this one in. 

   After listening back to our episode I am in deep gratitude to Melissa and everyone who’s out there doing their best to ease and lessen the blow of COVID-19.

In this episode I invited my dear friend Benita Bailey up to the mic and she stepped up brilliantly.  Benita is a an actor in theatre, film/tv and also the creator and host of a new show called Yell It! that is gaining momentum across Canada and Germany. I was so delighted to be able to have her on the show, nestled in between trips to Germany and mothering her two young children.  We talked relationships, the reality of parenting, trying to juggle it all but one of my favourite topics at the moment was about the healing nature of diverse representation not just on screen but across the board.  You're gonna fall in love with Benita's groundedness in this one and be astonished and inspired by everything she is doing and working for and towards.

www.benitabailey.com

Insta: @yell_it_from_the_mountain

My next guest needs no introduction. But I’m going to introduce her anyways cause that’s what I do here on the show.  If you’ve been in Montreal for long enough you’ll recognize her voice as a broadcaster on CBC’s the Bridge and the Arts and Culture contributor on Daybreak. She’s a regular panelist on like, every panel in town, she’s a hip hop artist part one of the only two women in the group Nomadic Massive who were nominated for an award at L’ADISQ this year by the way, she’s also a mom. I can go on and on about Nantali Indongo but I’ll let this interview speak for itself. I gotta say I’m bowled over by her generosity and openness. Ladies and gents Nantali Indongo. 

Artists mentioned in this episode: 

@witchprophet

@sunsunart503

@sunsunbeats

@fiyabruxa

@teenadultt

@nik_brovkin

Hair.  It's political,  it holds power, trauma, our little girl memories in it's coils as tightly as we hold our identities to our hearts.  That's why talking with Abisara Machold was such an exciting experience for me, especially being the owner of one of my favorite places in Montreal.  She is a queen, and I definitely had a fan girl moment interviewing her.  Abisara owns inHairitance, a salon that specifically targets curly hair.  She has built a community, an essential service, if you ask me, and every one of her customers.  Her upbringing has so interestingly paved her way towards leadership, activism and reclaiming her femininity and black identity.  She shares her heart, her own path, how Covid-19 has affected her business and also bonus for you curly folk out there gives us a masterclass in how to take care of your locks.  This is a one of a kind episode.

Instagram: @inhairitance_curlcare

Links to Black business' mentioned in episode: 

Tourist in my city

Marché Coloré

Librairie Racines

Fimo Mitchell (meditation teacher)

Boutique Espace Urbain

I had so much fun in this one.  Dayane and Aiza Ntibarikure joined me and shared some wise life tips and how to live big celebrate the sh*t out of everything.  If you haven't heard yet singer/songwriter Aiza is pretty much a Canadian star in the music industry and Dayane has worked across Canada, onscreen and onstage as a director, actor and creator in many artistic mediums.  They are honest about their struggles and anxieties, especially during this time.  Dayane and Aiza share such a deep sisterly bond and realness and they are letting us in! Both on the podcast and on their IGTV show which is now in development with CBC.  I   laughed a lot in this one and came out of it supercharged and energized.  Their spirits are infectious.  This is a good one y"all.

DnA Unscripted IGTV Monday 7pm est

@aizabby

@dayaneKN

Actress, singer, producer, mentor, creator, and mother Mariah Inger joins me on the podcast as part of the Black Voices Matters series.  Mariah has a very strong voice & screen presence and had some very poignant thoughts about racism, and how it has been affecting her and her community.  We go deep into representation in media and how important this moment is in defining the next generation of creators and story tellers.  Mariah reminds us that we it is about time we make space for ugly conversations.

Black Wealth Media

Facebook Page

Shanice Nicole is back.  Go back and listen to my first interview with her on the SEX series.  This time we are talking about coming back to the body in times of crisis.  Some of the ways she does it may delightfully tickle you! 

Shanice Nicole Website

Facebook Page

Notes: 

Marcia Thomas of MarZen: https://instagram.com/marzen_tcm

Pre-Order her book : Dear Black Girls

In the entertainment industry there is a certain position that is highly underrated, unrecognized in all the award ceremonies and no one really gives out major accolades to, yet people who are in this position have the ability to change someone’s life, overnight. The casting director. They are somewhat of the intermediate between the actors & production. Put simply they help cast the show but really they do so much more than that. They rely on their intuition and Instincts and hold stake in the reason why you love that character but can’t put your finger on why...I was so lucky that Jessica Greenberg, of Greenberg Casting sat down with me to talk about this unconventional career path. It was really interesting to have a relaxed conversation with someone who sits on the other side of the table and have her demystify the process. Jessica is refreshingly down to earth, positive and really excited to get to know actors and local talent! She built her company from the ground up cause there’s no casting director training but the job itself.  Actor or not this is a rare insight on an elusive industry and Jessica Greenberg makes is more relaxed, welcoming and fun!

*Cet épisode est bilingue * This episode is bilingual in French and English

Do you know about the business of death here in Quebec?  Connaissez-vous la procedure, qui vous devez contactez apres la mort de quelqu'un.  Connaissez vous vos droits en tant que parenté de la personne qui est morte.  I had no idea about the legislation of death until Marie-Pier Beausejour sat down with me to explain the current law around death & funerals; what happens to the body right after death and the choices that are available to us  here in Quebec.  Marie-Pier is a 2nd year PhD student in humanities and her fields are anthropology, sociology and public health...comme elle l'explique si bien: “Je me questionne, sur ce que veut dire la mise à distance du corps, dans un contexte de sécularisation, médicalisation,  professionalisation et bureaucratisation, de construire une relation avec le cadavre dans la mesure où les soins ont été déplacés des familles aux industries funéraires et médecins''.   We tend to shy away from the subject of death let alone the logistics of it so it was surprisingly refreshing to speak with Marie-Pier who is so curious, inquisitive and who doesn't burrow away from the mess of death.  In fact thanks to Marie-Pier I have been reflecting on how we can make death and after death more just, inclusive and diverse.  I think Marie-Pier is one of the thought leaders of this so hopefully we will have her back on post phD for more, but for now, this is an extremely educational and interesting interview and I hope it gets you thinking and challenging the status quo.

Marie-Pier is also an extremely resourceful person for articles and media on death and dying.  Here are some resources if you would like to explore this subject more: 

Article: Trop Jeune pour voir mourir maman     & The Uses and enchantments in American Home Funerals / en Français

Documentary to watch: How to die in Oregon

Podcast: Criminal ep. 17 - Final Exit

In certain lineages of Buddhism one important meditation is that if death.  Meditating on death can be an albeit peculiar way of appreciating this earthly life.  I’ve been wanting to talk more deeply about the subject for a very long time perhaps as a way to prepare for the inevitable, perhaps as a way to find some succour and beauty in the greatest mystery of all.  What better way to welcome in a new year than to contemplate death not alone but with other people who are around it and study it.  After speaking to my guests on the death series, I am reminded that we will never know what it is until we go through it, and we will go through it.  The dying remind us that under the layers and veneer of this mortal coil is a truth that we can access by opening our hearts, listening deeply and being present with one another.

This is something my last guest has practiced.

Amelie Villeneuve currently works in palliative care as a spiritual aid in a public hospital here in Montreal.  My talk with her was fascinating as someone who is surrounded by death everyday, but she also works with people who are healing or dealing with a loss but still have a lot of life to live.  It has definitely made her reflect on her own spirituality and what that means and how it changes, she tells me about what challenges her in the work but also the simplicity of connecting with someone, a stranger, who is dying and how intimate that is.  .  If you’re looking for answers, for life hacks, for the meaning of life, you won’t get it here but you will listen in on a very interesting. And intimate conversation

It reminded me that death is coming for me and that life is now.  Ok let that sink in.

Welcome to the 2nd season of Her Story!

We are kicking off 2020 with a series on Death & Dying.  

In certain lineages of Buddhism one important meditation is that if death.  Meditating on death can be an albeit peculiar way of appreciating this earthly life.  I’ve been wanting to talk more deeply about the subject for a very long time perhaps as a way to prepare for the inevitable, perhaps as a way to find some succour and beauty in the greatest mystery of all.  What better way to welcome in a new year than to contemplate death not alone but with other people who are around it and study it.  After speaking to my guests on the death series, I am reminded that we will never know what it is until we go through it, and we will go through it.  The dying remind us that under the layers and veneer of this mortal coil is a truth that we can access by opening our hearts, listening deeply and being present with one another.  

This is something my next two guests have practiced on a daily basis.  First, Val Thomas used to work palliative care as a spiritual aid in a public hospital here in Montreal.   she talks about her experience with accompanying people in their final days and hours, how it has affected her personally, and the wisdom she has taken from her work.  This interview blew me away and I think you’ll be touched by it too.  Find your coziest chair, a cup of something warm and settle in.

www.valthomasmusic.com