Blackout Podcast

Iain MacLeod is a writer, filmmaker and film educator originally from New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. Educated at York University and the Canadian Film Centre, Iain started his career in the Nova Scotia film industry writing and directing short films before transitioning to television where he wrote on CBC’s Street Cents, and for six seasons on the Showcase, cult hit Trailer Park Boys.

Iain has written and directed two feature films, Your Money or Your Wife and You Ruined Our Life, and co-written three others, Beat Down, Relative Happiness and Hopeless Romantic as well as story editing multiple projects. He also recently earned a Master of Education degree from Mount Saint Vincent University in Lifelong Learning and is the programs coordinator at the Atlantic Filmmakers Co-operative (AFCOOP) in Halifax, working on various film education initiatives, including teaching and mentoring emerging screenwriters.

Kat Cochrane is a hairstylist from Halifax, Nova Scotia who recently took over ownership of One Block Barbershop on Gottingen Street.

They have been in the industry for eight years and I still love it. Not to mention the love for guests, the amazing team and the community.

Check out @obb4e

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Brittany Pickrem is the owner of her self-named, boutique brand and design company that is based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Since 2007 Brittany has been providing sophisticated visual brand and graphic design solutions for community leaders, and change-makers across the globe.

In Halifax, she has provided her brand expertise to the Halifax Jazz Festival, as well as the IWK Children’s Hospital and Foundation.

Internationally, she has worked with Lionsgate Entertainment and has helped to build brands for several entrepreneurs.

It’s Brittany’s passion to help her customers create outstanding brand experiences both online and in person.

Check her out @brandingbypickrem

Nicole Johnson is a Canadian Fashion Designer who has been in the fashion industry for over 20 years. Johnson is from the local community of East Preston in Halifax, NS. Johnson has served her community in many facets and seeks to be an agent of change for young people with an entrepreneurial spirit. Johnson uses her skills and talents in her role as Creative Director for the show FORGET CANCER.

Ed Boulter – A Cancer Survivor and a Photographer, Ed has found a way to combine the nasty business that is Cancer and the extraordinary that is art and combine those to worlds into something fun called FORGET CANCER. What started as Ed and one subject on a beach has grown into Ed leading a group of talented, generous and amazing people. Now Ed and the team give people the ROCK STAR treatment on these Photoshoots. They have so much fun sitting through hair, make-up and wardrobe that they literally “FORGET CANCER” for the day!

Check them out @edb_creative

Marc is an independent producer and writer based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He is a producer and co-owner of Shut Up & Colour Pictures Inc with his partner Jason Levangie.

At S&C Marc has produced countless music videos, including the Prism Prize winner “Brian Wilson is A.L.i.V.E.” by Rich Aucoin, a handful of short films including “Benjamin” (TIFF ’16) and “I Am Coming to Paris to Kill You” (CUFF ’16).

In 2013 Marc premiered his Spanish-language feature film “Saudade” which in 2015 sold to Starz in the US. In 2014 Marc was accepted and completed the Canadian Film Centre’s Cineplex Entertainment Film Program Producer’s Lab where he spent six months developing feature and television projects with experienced producer mentors from all over the world.

Out of that program, Marc developed and produced the feature film “Suck It Up” by director Jordan Canning, which premiered at Slamdance 2017. In 2016 Marc was co-Producer of festival darling and multiple Canadian Screen Award winner “Weirdos” directed by Bruce McDonald. “Weirdos” went on to premiere at TIFF ’16 and play Berlin ’17.

Currently, Marc has several feature films and one series in development.

Check him out @marcakamark

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Jandera Simmonds is a local African Nova Scotian Singer-songwriter and Poet as well as an early child educator.

She has been making up songs and writing poetry for as long as she can remember. Earliest songs date back to 4 years old earliest poems date back to around age 7. Started performing different bars an establishment’s about 5 years ago. Started working at different daycares in schools 7 years ago.

Jandera has faced many trials and tribulations along the way including dealing with anxiety, grief, racism and much more. She tries her best to be honest and authentic with her audience as well as write about the things that she knows been through or has experienced.

Check her out @4poeticrhymes

You can always watch this episode on our YouTube channel. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any episode.

Energetic and enthusiastic Learning and Development professional consultant. Gaby has over 15 years of experience in HR and Training & Development. Gaby has shared her enthusiasm, knowledge and experience mainly with manufacturing, non-profit and IT companies. For that reason, she created her training company Connect the Dots Training where she focuses on designing and delivering online and instructor-led training to front line employees, managers and executives. 

As a learner explorer and long-life learner, Gaby believes that the ability to learn is the one skill that every person needs in the digital age. Gaby loves to connect with people and share knowledge with them, for that reason she decided to host a networking event for local entrepreneurs and newcomers, LinkedIn Local in Halifax.

Check her out on LinkedIn

You can always watch this episode on our YouTube channel. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any episode.