Global Bluenosers

In this episode, Sean sits down with Taylor Judson, a Nova Scotia–born communications professional now living in Ontario, to explore what it means to grow up in a small East Coast community and carry that identity with you. From her childhood in Lake Echo to navigating a major move at 15, Taylor reflects on the culture shock of leaving Nova Scotia and the subtle ways its influence has stayed with...

In this episode, Sean is joined by Kyle Crawford, a Nova Scotia–born food media professional, content creator, and storyteller now based in Toronto. Kyle reflects on growing up between Halifax and the South Shore, and how those earlyexperiences continue to shape his identity, creativity, and sense of home. Kyle shares his journey from restaurant work to food media and television, building a career...

In this episode, Sean is joined by Angela de Burger — a Nova Scotia–raised communications leader, creative, and podcaster now living in southern France. Angela reflects on growing up in Dartmouth, shaped by a deeply rooted sense of community, creativity, and openness that continues to influence how she lives and works today. She shares her journey across Canada and into the nonprofit and social im...

This week, Sean sits down with Melissa Nadeau, a proud Cole Harbour product, whose life and career have taken her from Toronto to Calgary and across the country, but whose heart remains firmly rooted in Nova Scotia. Melissa shares her journey: growing up in Cole Harbour’s tight-knit hockey culture, becoming one of the only girls playing boys hockey at the time, adventures through St. FX, travels,...

This week, Sean connects with Candace Curphy, a Nova Scotia native now living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — the adopted home of famous Bluenoser, Sidney Crosby. Born in Queens County and raised between the South Shore and the Valley, Candace shares stories of growing up in a two-room schoolhouse, summer days at Cameron Lake, and how the move to the U.S. reshaped her sense of identity. From volleyb...

"Home" can mean many things. And for Dave McIntyre, Home has always been Cape Breton. Even if he grew up in Ontario! In today's episode, Sean and Dave talk about the impact of family history, family connections, and the ways that impacts our identity. From his family ties in Glace Bay and summers spent on the banks of the Mira River, to the unplanned adventures and the storytelling s...

This week, Sean reconnects with Cassie Naas, who grew up in Head of St. Margarets Bay and now, like so many Nova Scotians, lives in Calgary. From foggy mornings and the smell of seaweed on the shore to the sight of lupins that remind her of home even on the other side of the world, Cassie’s story is steeped in memory and place. She reflects on leaving Halifax to push herself out of her comfort zon...

What makes someone fall in love with Nova Scotia from thousands of miles away? For Indianapolis-based musician and radio host Dave Bagdade, the answer is simple: the ocean, the people, and above all, the music. After more than a dozen visits—and even getting married on Cape Breton Island —Dave has become a Nova Scotian-by-choice, building deep ties to the province through its Celtic culture. In th...

In this episode, Sean catches up with Krista Thurrott, who is originally from Cow Bay, Nova Scotia, but is now a creative strategist with Pinterest in Chicago. From childhood days of bike rides and beach walks to building a career that’s taken her from Toronto to London to the Midwest, Krista’s story is woven with the pull of home. Krista also maps out her perfect 24 hours back home in Nova Scotia...

We're back! After an extended hiatus, Global Bluenosers is back and ready to put the spotlight back onto our community of Nova Scotians by birth or by choice living around the world. In this episode, Sean sits down with Ian Kenny, a cultural strategist now based in the Netherlands, whose journey to Nova Scotia began with a chance encounter at a university fair. What followed was five formative...

What's the easiest way to combat homesickness when starting your journey as a Global Bluenoser? If you ask Baddeck's Elizabeth Italiano, she'll say you should book your first three trips Home before you even leave! It's rarely a straight line for anyone leaving small town Cape Breton for a life in Canada's largest city. It comes with some bumps and lots of positives too. New fr...

How does the love of American football lead to a lifelong connection to Nova Scotia? The answer might not be obvious, but for born and raised Londoner, Al Tepper, one truly did lead to the other. Al is what some would call a Bluenoser-by-choice, but it's more accurate to just call him a Nova Scotian. As you'll hear in our conversation today, he credits Nova Scotia for creating the foundati...

Has your mom frozen a pizza from your favourite Nova Scotian pizza spot and shipped it to you across the country? If so, you’re probably a Bluenoser like Allie Mason! But seriously, for any born-and-raised Bluenoser, today’s chat with Allie is going to leave you smiling, laughing, and feeling pretty darn homesick (in the nostalgic, nice way!) Allie’s journey from New Glasgow to Los Angeles has bee...

You never know where life will take you. That's a common theme for so many Global Bluenosers we speak with. But it's very accurate for Naomi Grega. Growing up in Wellington, Nova Scotia, Naomi could have never imagined the majority of her adult life would be spent living, working and raising a family in Kosice, Slovakia. So how did someone growing up in a small community next to Halifax&#3...

How can 48 hours change your life? For Rachel Sumner, originally from England, it took only 48 hours to convince her family that Nova Scotia was the right next step in their journey. The rest, as they say, is history! Rachel's journey as a Canadian-by-choice all started by becoming a Bluenoser-by-choice! Today, Rachel and I chat about the impact of Nova Scotia on her life and how those fours y...

Can someone from rural Nova Scotia become the CEO of a global company? Silly question. Of course they can! And many have. Today's guest is one of them. Heather Kernahan grew up in Truro and has gone on to become a tech executive, strategic advisor, and investor. She's also been recognized as one of the San Francisco Business Times’ 100 Most Influential Women. She has recently added author...

Growing up in Fairview, Jeff MacCharles wasn't spending much time travelling the globe. But a loss early in life taught him that life is short. He has spend his life since then exploring the world, living in different countries and making the most out of every minute. Today, Jeff joins us from his home in Dallas, Texas to talk about the importance of Nova Scotia in his story (And to also expla...

What comes to mind when I say Bedford, Nova Scotia? A Traditional Stopping Place? The Chicken Burger? Well, after today, you can add proud Bedford native KaraLynn Lewis to the list! KaraLynn joins the show from Amsterdam today to tell us all about her Global Bluenoser journey and what Nova Scotia means to her. ________________________________________________ Global Bluenosers is a Some Good Media...

How does a Halifax kid end up in Nebraska!? Just like every expat journey, it's not a straight line from Home to your second home. And that's no different for Will Wong. Today, Will fills us in on how life has taken him from the family restaurant business in downtown Halifax to a rapidly growing eCommerce accelerator in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nova Scotia is never far from his mind - whether it...

We all know someone who is a Bluenoser-by-choice. And each person has a unique story. What has led them to fall in love with a place that isn't where they grew up - or even went to school? On today's episode, we explore that question with proud Bluenoser-by-choice, Dr. Maria Gallo. As an expert on alumni communities and diaporas, Maria is also the author of The Alumni Way , a book that I a...

Who doesn't love some friendly competition? Season 2 launches with a "who can get more listeners" challenge by guest Stephanie Bateman to her good friend and Season 1 guest, Doug Brenton. Steph grew up in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia and moved to Toronto 10 years ago. In that time, she has benefitted from building a strong network of East Coasters who have become her closest friends. She...

Our Season One finale is just around the corner. And while we wait to record it, Sean takes some time to share reflections and lessons learned from this journey of speaking with Nova Scotians around the world. What is it like to be a rookie podcaster? What did these conversations team him about himself? About Nova Scotia? And about his original assumptions when Global Bluenosers launched in April...

Never has picking the title of an episode been more difficult. "We're just chatty by nature" was a solid option. "The locals call it the old post office" is another great choice. But the story of how locals pronounce Chezzetcook had me laughing for days. It is just too rural Nova Scotia to leave out. For Toby Schwartz of East Chezzetcook, Nova Scotia, home is never far from...

For Cole Harbour native, Mark Star, his ideal day of eating is pretty simple. Lobster Eggs Benedict for Breakfast. Lobster rolls for Lunch. Lobster again at supper. Then top it off with a late night Donair! Life has taken Mark from Cole Harbour to Bermuda and now to Calgary, but one thing never changes. He is 100% proud Nova Scotian in every aspect of life. Mark comes to the rescue this week after...

Do you love the sound of the ocean breeze, seagulls and café background noise? If so, you're in luck! For today's episode, we took on the biggest challenge to-date. Recording an interview with Global Bluenosers, Doug Brenton, while sitting outside on a breezy summer day! Both originally from the South Shore, Doug and Sean talk all things Nova Scotia while getting sunburned in Lunenburg. An...