Be Inspired Podcast

Francesca Durham | 6/11/2026 BE INSPIRED Podcast Host: Francesca Durham Website: francescadurham.com After a decade of building creative spaces for Black diaspora artists in Halton communities and a season of deep reflection on what we name, what we fund, and who gets to belong, I found myself needing to say something out loud that I had been holding quietly for a long time. In this episode, I tal...

BE INSPIRED Podcast Host: Francesca Durham Website: francescadurham.com After a month of curating three exhibitions and hosting a series of thoughtful artist conversations, I found myself reflecting on a deeper thread connecting it all, courage, vulnerability, and the quiet strength it takes to stay present through life’s uncertain seasons. Keep in mind, 2 AM, wide awake and reflecting on the past...

ST!LL BLOOM!NG: Artist Conversations | Episode #7 -Amanda Tkaczyk In this episode of Artist Conversations, created alongside ST!LL BLOOMING: Emerging in Radiance, Rooted in Resilience, I sit down with poet, educator, and artist Amanda Tkaczyk to explore inherited wisdom, memory, and the layered truths carried within Caribbean sayings. Her artwork True Say II: Speak Up or Sit Down invites viewers i...

ST!LL BLOOM!NG: Artist Conversations | Episode #6 - Kristen Allicock In this episode of Artist Conversations , created alongside ST!LL BLOOMING: Emerging in Radiance, Rooted in Resilience , I sit down with artist Kristen Allicock to explore balance, interdependence, and the sacred tension between complementary forces. Her diptych Yin & Yang: A Love Rooted in Balance visually explores the neces...

ST!LL BLOOM!NG: Artist Conversations | Episode #5 — Kemmy Walker In this episode of Artist Conversations , created alongside ST!LL BLOOMING: Emerging in Radiance, Rooted in Resilience, I sit down with artist Kemmy Walker to explore perception, environment, and the quiet power of rootedness. His work Biota reminds us, " we live within nature, and nature lives within us." KW. A tree rises from the f...

ST!LL BLOOM!NG: Artist Conversations | Episode #4 — Funmilola Adeseun In this episode of Artist Conversations, created alongside ST!LL BLOOMING: Emerging in Radiance, Rooted in Resilience, I sit down with architect and mixed media artist Funmilola Adeseun (@byajike) to explore legacy, colour, and the generational wisdom carried in her work. Her painting Rooted (2025) reminds us that life is one bi...

ST!LL BLOOM!NG: Artist Conversations | Episode #3 — Según Aiyesan What happens to the spirit when the walls close in, and how do we find the light within the gaps? In this third episode of Artist Conversations , curated alongside the exhibition ST!LL BLOOM!NG: Emerging in Radiance, Rooted in Resilience, I am joined by self-taught artist Según Aiyesan . We explore the intersections of surrealism, c...

ST!LL BLOOM!NG: Artist Conversations | Episode #2 — Shery Keen What does it mean to create a safe space while we are still becoming? In this episode of Artist Conversations, created alongside ST!LL BLOOMING: The Art of Survival and Softness, I sit down with multidisciplinary visual artist Sheryl A. Keen to explore refuge, inner dialogue, and the necessity of softness during times of growth. Workin...

ST!LL BLOOM!NG: Artist Conversations | Episode #1 — Komi Olaf In this episode, I sit down with Toronto-based, Nigerian-born visual artist and poet Komi Olafimihan to explore Afrofuturism, ancestral memory, and decolonization through art. Komi's work in ST!LL BLOOM!NG , including Empress Sheba and Wildflower (Mary Ann Shadd Cary) meditates powerfully on belonging, African diasporic history, and cul...

🌸 EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT 🌸 Introducing ST!LL BLOOM!NG: Emerging in Radiance, Rooted in Resilience After 10 years of community-engaged curatorial work, I'm thrilled to share my first group exhibition featuring 9 extraordinary Afro-Caribbean artists. 📍 WHERE : Art Gallery of Burlington 📅 WHEN : February 7 - May 17, 2026 🎉 OPENING : February 7, 2026 COMING SOON : 9 intimate artist conversations e...

🎙️ Be Inspired – The Law of Assumption Welcome to Be Inspired , the podcast that uplifts your spirit, nourishes your mind and empowers you to live intentionally. I’m your host, Francesca—and today’s episode is a powerful one. We’re talking about the Law of Assumption —a simple but life-changing principle that reminds us: what you believe to be true becomes your reality. In this episode, we’re goin...

Welcome to Be Inspired —your ultimate resource for finding inspiration and the podcast where passion meets purpose, and bold dreamers become the artists of their own destiny. I’m your host, Francesca and today’s episode is a masterclass in courage, creativity, and choosing your dream—no matter when, or how, it calls you. I’m so excited to introduce you to Kim Foster Yardley, a phenomenal artist an...

New Episode on Be Inspired - YES You CAN Manifest The Impossible — and here’s how. This week on Be Inspired , I’m diving deep into the truth behind manifesting what others might call “impossible.” Spoiler: It’s not only possible—it’s already yours. This episode is for those who are ready to align with their power, release doubt, and take inspired action toward the life YOU know is waiting. Tune in...

🚨 New Episode Alert!🚨 Get ready for a heartfelt episode of Be Inspired coming next week! I’m sitting down with artist Kim Foster Yardley who is taking a bold step toward her dream. She’s been accepted into a School of Visual Arts to pursue her Master of Fine Arts, and she’s sharing her incredible journey with us and how she plans to make this happen. We’ll talk about what it takes to follow your...

Welcome to Be Inspired , where we dive into the mindset shifts, real-life stories, and transformational tools to help you step fully into who you are. I’m Francesca, and in today’s episode, we’re talking about something that holds so many of us back— The Courage to Be Seen. Have you ever hesitated to share your ideas, step into the spotlight, or fully express yourself because of fear? You’re not a...

🎙️ Be Inspired Podcast – Call to Artists! 🎨✨ Hello, artists and creatives! Welcome back to Be Inspired , the podcast that uplifts, celebrates, and amplifies the voices of artists who dare to tell powerful stories through their work. It's that time of year again—the 8th Annual Emancipation Art Exhibition is coming this summer, and we want YOU to be part of this incredible showcase! Presented by t...

Welcome to Be Inspired , your ultimate resource for finding inspiration and your go-to space for conscious living, creative expression, and authentic transformation. I’m your host, Francesca and today we’re diving into something we often overlook but deeply need—the power of rest. In a world that glorifies busyness, we’re taught that slowing down means falling behind. But what if rest is the key t...

Episode Introduction: Leading with Purpose—How to Align Your Work with Your Values Are you feeling stuck in your career or questioning whether your work truly reflects who you are? In this episode of Be Inspired , we’re diving into what it means to lead with purpose and align your work with your values. Success isn’t just about reaching milestones—it’s about doing work that feels meaningful and fu...

Have you ever experienced a small act of kindness that completely changed your day? In this episode of The Ripple Effect , we explore how simple gestures—like a smile, a kind word, or even a surprise cookie—can create waves of positivity in our lives and the lives of others. Drawing inspiration from The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, we’ll discuss why kindness is more than just a nice thing to do—it’s...

Welcome back to Be Inspired , your go-to space for conscious and creative living. In our latest episode, we dive deep into something so many of us experience—workplace challenges and the toll they take on our confidence. Whether you’ve left a toxic job or are still navigating a difficult environment, rebuilding your sense of self can feel overwhelming. But here’s the good news: creativity is one o...

Join me on the latest episode of Be Inspired as we explore what it truly means to build inclusive and engaged communities. Today I'm announcing workshop training and it's FREE. After curating the CCAH Black History Month art exhibition and gearing up for the HBHAS Emancipation Summer Art Exhibition, I’m turning my focus to another powerful initiative—the CDLT FREE Workshop on “Cultivating Inclusiv...

In this episode of Be Inspired , we explore how creativity can help you embrace your resilience, set boundaries, and shift your mindset from victim to self-leader. Tune in for practical strategies and creative exercises to navigate workplace challenges with confidence! Workplace challenges—whether it’s exclusion, passive-aggressive behaviour, or outright bullying—can be emotionally exhausting. But...

Welcome to Be Inspired, a podcast dedicated to conscious and creative living in a rapidly changing world. I bring you meaningful conversations with artists, visionaries, and changemakers who use their work to inspire and uplift communities. In this episode, I sit down with visual artist Kristen Allicock, whose Ankh series is featured in the 2025 Black History Month Art Exhibition at the Queen Eliz...

Join me for a powerful and inspiring episode as we dive into the CCAH’s Black History Month Art Exhibition at Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre GALLERY Location: 2302 Bridge Rd Oakville Featuring 16 incredible artists. This exhibition is more than just art—it celebrates Black identity, resilience, and legacy through bold colours, thought-provoking symbolism, and stories of migrati...

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