Nothing Exists - Episode 32

Check out my interview with Ian Everdell where we chat about things like:

• Ian‘s favourite thing about Port Hope

• Ian’s career and the skills he has learned throughout his professional journey

• The reason Ian and his wife chose to settle and build their family in Port Hope

• What Ian has learned from him involvement in community theatre

• Ian’s vision for economic development in Port Hope

• Affordable housing

• The waterfront

• Accessibility

• Effective communication and what it looks like in practice

• 65 Ward

• Young people running for council

• Youth engagement

• Drawing on the skills people in our community have to build a better municipality

 

Featured Tunes:
Consequence Free by Great Big Sea
I Wish I Could Be Happy by Rational Anthem
City Kids by Cleopatrick
Soggy Bones by Madman’s Window

Nothing Exists - Episode 33

Check out my interview with Adam Bureau where we chat about:
– Adam‘s favourite things about Cobourg
– Adam’s career
– The Cobourg DBIA, Downtown Coalition Vitalization Plan and the Board of Management and Adam’s participation in those things
– The Safe and Inclusive Streets Strategy in Cobourg
– Adam’s vision for economic development in Cobourg
– Affordable housing
– The waterfront
– Transit in Cobourg
– Parking in downtown Cobourg
– Snow removal in Cobourg
– Tourism from a “locals first” perspective
– Being a foster parent
– Youth engagement
– How cannabis could be managed in the municipality post-legalization
– Why Adam’s running for council

Featured Tunes:
A New One by The Tattle Tales
Pink Underwood by The Flipsides
In a Letter Never Sent by Even in Blackouts
Suicide Bomber by Against Me!

Nothing Exists - Episode 31

Check out my interview with Miles Bowman where we chat about:

• Miles‘ favourite things about Port Hope

• Miles’ career up to this point

• What leadership means to him

• Qualities of good strategic plans

• Miles’ involvement with Critical Mass

• Miles’ vision for economic development

• Affordable housing

• The waterfront

• Collaboration and what it looks like in practice when it works well

• Miles’ vision for youth engagement

• 65 Ward St.

• Bullying, bystanders and strategies to address bullying

• Navigating conflict and restorative justice

• Increasing diversity and creating safer spaces for more people

• Sexual harassment policies in the context of council

 

Features Tunes:

Inside and Out by Feist
Sleeping Sickness by City and Colour
The Good in Everyone by Sloan
Basement Apartment by Sarah Harmer

Nothing Exists - Episode 30

Check out my interview with Todd Attridge where we chat about:

• Todd‘s favourite things about Port Hope

• Todd’s career and what he’s learned from that that may be useful on council

• Turning strategy into reality

• What leadership looks like

• Todd’s best strategies for business development

• What Todd’s involved in locally

• Todd’s position on the waterfront cleanup

• Todd’s thoughts on affordable housing

• Todd’s vision for economic development in Port Hope

• Todd’s thoughts on making life better for our seniors (including his positions on the Ruth Clark Centre and 65 Ward)

• Todd’s plans for increasing youth engagement

• Todd being new to town and how that may be an asset when it comes to sitting on council

• Todd’s strategies for collaboration

 

Featured  Tunes:
Tonight by The Soviettes
Falling On by Finger Eleven
Rockerchick by Lipstick Homicide
The Promise by Cale Crowe

Nothing Exists - Episode 22

Check out my interview with Wendy Meadows! We chat about:
– Who Wendy is, what she does, and why she wants to run for council
– Her band, Wendy Meadows Trio
– The importance of transparency and communication in council
– What a young woman in the community can expect from women on council
– Wendy’s vision for sustainable social and economic growth
– Wendy’s thoughts on aging in Port Hope and the importance of longterm health care
– Her thoughts on West Beach and the waterfront
– Wendy’s vision for more affordable housing

Correction: At 27:18, Wendy refers to WWII when she meant to say WWI

Featured Tunes:

Running by Jully Black
Walking By Myself by Suzie Vinnick
Crystal Pistol by Chloe Watkinson
Paper Thin by RVIVR

Nothing Exists - Episode 23

Check out my interview with Jeff Lees! We chat about:

- Balancing volunteering, work and council

- The Port Hope Fall Fair

- Sidewalks around schools

- Keep council accessible and accountable

- Why Jeff wants to reintroduce a CAO if re-elected

- Jeff's vision for more affordable housing

- What's going on with Lakeland Place

- Tourism's role in supporting local business

- Why Jeff feels community policing is important and mental health crisis training for Port Hope Police

- A new seniors centre and splash pad for Port Hope

- Jeff's thoughts on the West Beach

Featured Tunes:

My Own Way by Fea

Carnival by Bikini Kill

Who's the #1 Cop by The Hextalls

Dear Coach's Corner by Propagandhi

Nothing Exists - Episode 26

Check out my interview with Nicole Beatty! We chat about:

• Nicole‘s favourite things about living in Northumberland County

• About Nicole’s career in community development and resource development management

• What lead Nicole to run for council

• Nicole’s experience with being a young women running for town council

• Nicole’s vision for economic development in Cobourg

• Nicole’s vision for culture and tourism in Cobourg

• Nicole’s vision for sustainability in Cobourg (including the inflatable floating playground at Cobourg Beach)

• Nicole’s vision for affordable housing

• Nicole’s vision for engaging youth in the community (including all-ages show venues and a youth advisory council)

• Nicole’s advocacy work

• What community looks like to her

• Nicole’s favourite Cultivate moment ever

• Cannabis legalization, the role of municipal government in managing it, and looking to Indigenous communities to learn from them.

• What song Nicole is learning on uke

 

Local Organizations Nicole is Associated With:

• Local Food for Local Good

• Sounds of the Next Generation

• 100 Women Northumberland

• Cultivate Festival of Food & Drink

Featured Tunes:
Born to Love You by Ellen Torrie  (Click her name to check out her rad new website!)
I’ll Wait by Sweet Alibi 
Burn the Rapists, Not the Witches by Backyard Riot (From their brand new, locally written and recorded EP!)
Bro Hymn by Pennywise

Nothing Exists - Episode 29

Check out my interview with Les Andrews where we chat about:

– Les’ favourite things about Port Hope
– What Les is most proud of accomplishing over his last 4 years on council
– What else Les is involved with locally
– Les’ passion for celebrating volunteers
– Broadening his platform compared to last term
– Affordable housing for Port Hope
– How Les thinks council could approach any claims of sexual harassment against councillors differently in the future
– Les’ thoughts on the waterfront clean up
– Making our roads safer
– Making Port Hope more accessible for seniors
– Les’ position on 56 Ward St.
– Ruth Clark Center
– Lakeland Place
– Engaging youth in the community
– Les’ thoughts around community policing
– Les’ thoughts on the Port Hope citizens association
– Debt repayment and the recent council meeting

Featured Tunes:
Robbie Burns Day by Jim Yates and friends
Moment of Weakness by Bif Naked
Read My Mind by The Anti-Queens
Endless Chain by Tanika Charles

Nothing Exists - Episode 28

Check out my interview with Laurie Carr! We chat about:

• Laurie‘s favourite things about Port Hope

• What’s going on at Laurie’s businesses, The Social and Cats Media

• Why Laurie is running for town council

• Laurie’s mission

• Working collaboratively

• Sustainability

• The waterfront clean up

• Laurie’s vision for balanced economic growth

• Accessibility

• Laurie’s thoughts on the state of local media

•  Laurie’s thoughts on affordable housing

• Laurie’s experience as a woman in a male-dominated industry and how that experience can apply to being on council

• Laurie’s thoughts on 65 Ward St.

 

Featured Tunes:
Yeah by Hiccup
Something to Believe in by Ramones
Smile by My Son the Hurricane
Since the Divorce by Gillian Shields

Nothing Exists - Episode 27

Check out my interview with Evan Rose!

We chat about:
– Gunt‘s recent mini tour
– How Evan found and fell in love with music
– Using music as an outlet and how that contributes to being well
– The benefits of learning music
– Our mutual deep love of Propagandhi
– How Evan acquired a jam space turned punk show venue in the basement of a roti restaurant
– The challenge of dealing with jerks at shows as a promoter- and how they avoid having to deal with that at the Roti
– Evan’s advice for the folks in Northumberland County trying to revitalize the DIY music scene here
– The update on Gunt (new singer and new recordings!)
– How people can support their local music scene

Nothing Exists - Episode 24

Check out my interview with Meghan Sheffield! We chat about:
– Her favourite thing about living in Northumberland county
– Meghan’s published writing and what she’s currently working on
– Meghan’s experience with freelance work
– Meghan’s advice to other writers
– Her writing process
– A bit about Montessori and the role it plays in her life
– All about what we can expect at Cultivate this year
– Our standout Cultivate memories
– Why we initiated Take Back the Night: Port Hope, how the amazing committee came together, and the details of this year’s event!
– Meghan’s favourite bird

Featured Tunes:

I am Aglow by Sarah Harmer
Next Year by Donovan Woods
I See Gold by Good Lovelies
O.O.T.G. by JB the First Lady

**100% CanCon.

Nothing Exists - Episode 21

Listen to my interview with my good friend (and low key mentor) David Sheffield. We are gonna talk about Green Wood Coalition, affordable housing, art, poetry, local events, frontline social work, harm-reduction, building community, and more. 

“I’ve lived in various parts of Ontario, but Northumberland County has been my home since 1986. My wife, Beth, and I settled here at that time, and have always felt that this was a great place to raise our four children. I often note that my children have been my best teachers, and that’s more true today than ever. We have four grandchildren, also living in this area, and we are enjoying the new discoveries they have brought to our lives. 

My work in community outreach started 10 years ago, but I think I was being guided to this place by many years of life experience. This feels more like a vocation than a job. Much of my career was in the painting trade, while spending off hours in community engagement through art projects, meals, church activities, music festivals and campfires. My writing—poetry and non-fiction—has been published in a variety of periodicals and anthologies. Writing is my favourite way to process some of the difficult days that one can encounter in this kind of work. 

These days, I’m the Community Director at Green Wood Coalition, which is a people-level response to the disconnection of poverty and related social struggles. The work is difficult, at times, but also very inspiring because of the resilience of individuals that I encounter, and the encouragement of many people who work alongside me.”

If you wanna read the article Gareth Vieira wrote about poets, including David and I, click here.

Learn more about Overdose Awareness Day Northumberland here. 

Features Tunes:
Roll Away the Stone by Carlos Del Junco and Jimmy Bowskill
I Will by Christa Couture
Shelter Valley Road by David Newland
Barley by Birds of Chicago

Nothing Exists - Episode 20

Check out this special episode where I talk about what Meniere’s Disease is, how I was diagnosed, my experience living with it, and the treatment strategies I use to manage the symptoms. If you’re curious to know more about what it’s like living with a disease that causes vertigo, ear pressure, hearing loss, and tinnitus, this is the episode for you.

If you have other questions about this disease or the other chronic illnesses I live with, please email me at lyss@nothingexistsradio.org or reach out to me on Facebook and I am happy to respond, no matter how personal!

Featured Tunes:

Listening by The Used
Verranzo by The Unlovables
Run in Circles by Face to Face
No Shadow by Ryan Adams

Nothing Exists - Episode 19

Check out my interview with the surreal Jeannette Breward Photography!
We’re gonna talk about:
– incorporating environmentalism and feminism into her work
– Using her body in her work intentionally
– The influence of surrealism on her work
– the inspiration for her surrealist still photographs
– Jeannette’s creative process
– Jeannette’s favourite things about Northumberland County
– All about her film “60 Seasons”
– How creating keeps her well
– What you can expect next from Jeannette- INCLUDING a super cool collaborative film project she and I are working on together! Listen to us brainstorm and discuss what we’ve been thinking about regarding this project. Basically, WITNESS OUR PROCESS!

Featured Music

Suddenly by Sweet Alibi
Into the Dark by Good Lovelies
Mary by Kate Boothman Music
Birthday Cake by My Son The Hurricane

Nothing Exists - Bonus Episode with Leisse Wilcox!

“Leisse Wilcox is a mindset coach and writer from a tiny beachfront town east of Toronto. A mom of three little girls, her passion is working with women to help them dig deep, get clear and confident with who they really are, and help them find, express, and use their voice for good, in a lifestyle-friendly way. Using her uniquely grounded and peacefully honest perspective, she has spoken, been published, and consulted internationally on subjects ranging from self-love, parenting, healing old wounds and creating new behaviour patterns, and social media brand strategy and authenticity.

When not engaged with clients or kids, Leisse can be found stargazing, dreaming about an A-frame cabin in the woods, or anywhere the tacos are.”

We talk all about Leisse’s work. One thing we talk about a lot is, as Leisse puts it, “the paradox of positivity”.

Featuring:

“Positivity Does Not Mean You Get to Tune Out Your Shit” By Leisse Wilcox
“How to Escape and Prevent Toxic Communities” By Lyss England

Featured Tunes:

Lovin’ You Baby by Charles Bradley & The Menahan Street Band
11:11 By Arkells
Good Lover by Donovan Woods
Make It Happen by John Splithoff

Nothing Exists - Episode 18

I’m interviewing my friend Robin Whale of Whale Family Chiropractic!

We’re gonna talk about what it takes to be well and to maintain that wellness naturally. We’re gonna talk supplements, posture, listening to your body, and empowering ourselves to channel the power of our own bodies to heal ourselves.

I am STOKED!!

Nothing Exists - Episode 17

Hear my chat with the incredible Kim Doolittle!!

We chat about writing and performing music, her newest album “Into the Blue”, being a long-term pillar of the music community for 40+ years, being a chick singer, and the housing crisis in Northumberland County.

AND!!!! She’s played a song live on air!!!

Tunes by Jimmy Bowskill and Carlos Del Junco, Abby Zotz, and Al Kirby and Jim Yates.
 

Nothing Exists - Episode 16

The Nothing Exists Radio Hour Ep. #16 THE NOVA SCOTIA SPECIAL

Check out my interview with Amy Anderson-MacArthur (@veganmomofmany) about:

- Her favourite story form her bartending days
- Moderating a Vegan-Keto group, "Vegan-Keto Made Simple", (and why she eats the way she does)
- Managing chronic illness naturally
- Having a stroke during her fifth pregnancy at the age of 30...and life afterwards
- Sobriety
- Using CBD oil and cannabis vs. Wine Mom culture
- Being happy and the attitude it takes to get there
- Parenting a child with Sensory Processing Disorder
- Encouraging autonomy in children

Featuring Fresh Nova Scotia Tunes:

"Frantic" by John Rodgers and Julian Warme (Written in one night!)
"On Crutches" by John and Belinda
"Chips" by HighJinx and J-Hooligan
"Butts" by Brock MacArthur

Nothing Exists - Episode 15

The Nothing Exists Radio Hour Episode #15: Shanna Layton (local food, owning a business in the food industry, and surviving abuse)

My guest, Shanna Layton, and I discuss things like:

• How Shanna found her love of cooking

• Her career in the food industry

• Managing food allergies and food restrictions in the food industry

• Surviving sexual assault and domestic violence

• Setting the rumours straight about Pitcher’s Place

• Shanna’s favourite places to eat in Northumberland County

• Shanna’s upcoming professional projects (meal plans!?)

• If you have been affected by the content in this episode, please reach out to someone you trust.

   

If you would like to speak to a counsellor, I recommend phoning 4 County Crisis. They have counsellors available 24/7 at 1-866-995-9933.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, visit www.cornerstonenorthumberland.ca for resources.

 

• Featured Music

• Black Hole by Charly Bliss

• Young Girls by Kate Boothman

• Wilderness by Cheryl Ireland

• Sing Every Day by Avem

Nothing Exists - Episode 14

Interview tonight with Backyard Riot!

We chat about their new ep, folk punk, all-ages shows, and problematic favs. Don’t miss it!

100% CanCon show tonight featuring Backyard Riot, FEELS FINE, and Jason Nagy!!