Community Game Plan

Jim and Eric sit down with their newest team member, Ayo Ajayi — and this one's a conversation you don't want to miss. Born and raised in Nigeria with real estate in his blood, Ayo brings a unique perspective to the world of Canadian real estate. Since making the move to Canada and planting roots in the Maritimes, he's been on a mission to help his clients and community navigate the ins and outs o...

Dartmouth pharmacist and Rotarian Jan Rose is changing lives — from Nova Scotia to East Africa. In this episode, she shares her inspiring work with CACHA (Community Aid for Children and Health in Africa), bringing vital healthcare to underserved communities through international medical missions powered by Rotary involvement and grassroots determination. Jan takes us inside the real logistics of o...

Victoria, BC real estate market update: inventory, pricing trends, and expert insights from Lisa Eilers with Eric Holman and Jim Smardon. Learn what buyers and sellers need to know in 2026. What’s really happening in the Victoria, BC real estate market right now? Is it cooling off, balancing out—or just catching its breath? In this episode of The Community Gameplan Podcast, Eric Holman and Jim Sma...

In Episode 16 of the Community Gameplan Podcast, Eric and Jim sit down with Dennis LaBlanc, Atlantic Canada Manager with CannaConnect, to discuss a powerful mission focused on support, healing, and community. Dennis shares his personal journey and the inspiration behind CannaConnect — an organization dedicated to supporting veterans, RCMP, and first responders through education, access, and meanin...

Episode Summary Real estate deals can look clean on paper… until the legal side starts peeling back the layers. In this episode of Community Gameplan, we sit down with real estate lawyer Mark Comeau with Taylor MacLellan Cochrane Law - TMC Law to break down the lawyer review clause process and everything that can quietly make—or break—a transaction. From land title surprises to zoning headaches, e...

Understanding the hidden impacts of gambling and how communities can support awareness, prevention, and recovery. Gambling is often seen as entertainment, but for many individuals and families, it can become something much more serious. In this episode of The Community Game Plan, we sit down with Carey Murphy, Executive Director of the Compulsive and Problem Gamblers Society, to talk about the rea...

In this episode, Jim and Eric sit down in studio with Debbie Vaillancourt Higgins, owner and operator of Opus Café and Catering in Cherry Brook, Dartmouth. What starts as a conversation about coffee and catering quickly becomes something much deeper. Debbie shares the heartfelt story behind Opus — a café born from her mother’s dream and built as a true labour of love. Located inside the historic f...

Welcome to our very first MiniPod— a new feature of the Community Game Plan podcast where we zoom in on the real estate side of our community. In this episode, Eric Holman sits down with mortgage broker Danielle Hardie to break down the Mortgage Plus Improvements program—an option that allows buyers to roll renovation costs directly into their mortgage. Translation? You can buy the right house and...

In this bonus highlight episode, Jim, Eric, and producer Colin throw the rulebook out the window and lean fully into what makes the Community Game Plan… well, the Community Game Plan. This supercut is packed with behind-the-scenes moments, off-the-rails banter, missed cues, sponsor reads gone sideways, and the kind of hot takes that only happen when the mics stay hot a little too long. From debate...

In this episode, Jim and Eric kick off the new year by doing something a little different. Rather than sitting down with a single guest, they look back on the first full year of the Community Game Plan podcast — reflecting on the conversations, community stories, and moments that shaped the show so far. This special supercut episode highlights some of the best clips from the past year, touching on...

In this episode, Eric is joined in studio by producer Colin for a powerful conversation that shines a light on one of Halifax’s most impactful — and often overlooked — community organizations. Together, they sit down with Jamie Matthews, Executive Director of Veith House, along with Jackie Lockie, to explore what it truly means to be a community hub in the heart of the city’s North End. Jamie brea...

In this episode, Jim and Eric kick off an early morning recording (coffee in hand!) with two inspiring guests who are literally driving change across Nova Scotia — Jesse Guarino and Ronnie Murray from MusGo Rider Co-operative Limited. Jesse and Ronnie share how this community-run transportation service is bridging the gap for residents along the Eastern Shore and Musquodoboit Valley — providing sa...

In this episode, Jim and Eric welcome their first in-studio guest — Colin Oldrieve, insurance broker with Cluett Insurance and lifelong community builder. From his early football days at Saint Mary’s University (where he helped win two national championships!) to his years coaching youth teams and volunteering locally, Colin shares how teamwork and mentorship shape not only athletes but entire com...

In this episode, Jim and Eric open up about their own backgrounds as military kids before diving into an important conversation with Jackie Lockie, Branch Manager at CUA’s Lady Hammond Road location. Jackie introduces the Military Family Banking Program, a tailored initiative that recognizes the unique challenges military families face—from frequent relocations to sudden deployments—and offers rea...

In this episode, Jim and Eric dive into the future of sport in Nova Scotia with two inspiring guests. First up, they chat with Marvin Okello from the Canadian Sport Institute Atlantic. Marvin shares his journey and the impact of two groundbreaking programs—the New Canadian Coaching Support Program and the Black and Indigenous Coaching Mentorship Program—both designed to strengthen diversity, inclu...

In this episode, Jim and Eric dive into two local stories that blend community support with business success. First, they sit down with representatives from CUA (Credit Union Atlantic) to talk about how this community-based financial institution is helping Nova Scotians take control of their finances. From approachable banking to personalized service, CUA shares why people are rethinking their rel...

In this episode, Jim and Eric keep the conversation going, joined by two inspiring guests. First up, they chat with Linda, a former mortgage broker, to get her perspective on breaking into the real estate world. From her early experiences to her advice for newcomers, Linda shares practical tips and some real talk about what it takes to succeed. Then, the episode shifts gears to highlight local spo...

One way to really get to know your community is coaching a kids sport in your neighbourhood! Eric and Jim are both coaches in their community. In this episode they chat about the United Dartmouth Football Club (UDFC) which is a thriving soccer organization in Nova Scotia, known for its community-focused initiatives and inclusive programs. The club, formed by merging four smaller clubs in 2018, boa...

Thinking of getting into real estate? This episode your hosts Jim and Eric chat about the challenges and benefits of becoming a real estate agent. They discuss the high costs involved, including the $3,000 NSAR course, $615 licensing fee, and annual expenses like E&O insurance and NSAR membership. They emphasize the importance of interviewing multiple brokerages to find the right fit, as diffe...

Jim and Eric's very first episode of Community Game Plan revolves around the importance of community!  The two discuss how knowing the area and people enhances the home-buying experience. They highlight the impact of community amenities and traffic on property values. The discussion includes personal anecdotes about coaching, volunteering, and business integration.  We are also joined by guests Ja...