Global Bluenosers

Very early in life, Kate Bray developed a curiosity for the world and dreamt of exploring beyond Nova Scotia's borders. The twists and turns of life led to Kate spending several years in Halifax after finishing University and a newfound appreciation for her home province took root. But in January 2022, she made that big move, and she now calls London home. But her love for Nova Scotia has only...

I often get asked what it takes to be a "Bluenosers". They'll talk about their connections to Nova Scotia and say they are Honourary Bluenosers. And that's something I talked with today's guest, Natalie Erb, about. My net is cast pretty wide. If you'd relationship to Nova Scotia is tight enough to be "honourary" then you're a full-fledged Bluenoser in my boo...

Can you believe it? N. MacKinnon is joining the show! Neil MacKinnon from Bridgewater, Nova Scotia! Ohhhh, you thought I meant Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon? Whoops. Yes, Neil and Sean broke out the Dad jokes early in this conversation! In a first for Global Bluenosers, this was an on-site interview. Recorded in-person at the amazing LaHave Bakery on Nova Scotia's South Shore, Neil...

What do you do when you absolutely love your Nova Scotian homeland? Obviously, you name your company after it. And that's exactly what Steve Mason, founder and CEO of Nova Blue Technologies did! Steve grew up just outside of Halifax in a Navy family. From neighbourhood kitchen parties to regular trips to Pizza Corner, he lived the Bluenoser life. Then opportunity knocked and kickstarted his 20...

Have you ever seen a decor that's described as "Nova Scotia forward"? That's what you'll find in Kaleigh MacMaster's new flat in London as she surrounds herself with Home while embarking on her latest expat journey. Originally from Dartmouth, Kaleigh first moved to Toronto in 2015 and then made the jump across the pond to London in 2022. As someone who has been heavily in...

Several years ago, Mike Burke set out to give back to a part of Canada that he has never actually lived in. But that didn't make it any less special. Mike's connection to Nova Scotia stretches back multiple generations and a few hundred years. But regular family road trips to Nova Scotia from New Jersey in the 1980s helped cement it as part of his identity. Being a Global Bluenosers has mo...

What's it like to leave your homeland and come to Nova Scotia? It's unique for every person, but just like for Nova Scotians who leave to experience life somewhere else, there are common threads across every story. In today's bonus episode, we explore the experience of making Nova Scotia your second home with three Welshmen who have become a big part of the Nova Scotia community. Will...

Some people just have "Nova Scotia" written all over them. Their personality, their perspectives, and their approach to life. Haligonian Christina Copp falls directly into that category. From a first (and short-lived) attempt at expat life in Toronto to a chance meeting on a Contiki tour that kickstarted an eight-year journey to the UK and now Australia, she has experienced the full rang...

We're taking a break from new episodes this week to make sure you go back and listen to our special episode from a couple days ago about the Nova Scotia wildfires. Sean lets you in a little secret in today's update and also announces our new website - globalbluenosers.ca - so check it out and then go right to our bonus episode to start your day. ____________________________________________...

Homesickness is awful. But when helplessness is combined with homesickness, the feeling is indescribable. The wildfires that have shocked Nova Scotia over the last week are nothing less than record-breaking for the province - in all the worst ways. For the Nova Scotians living elsewhere in the world, this has been a unique experience. Being away means being both deeply connected and disconnected a...

If you're a Nova Scotian with young children, how do you get them to fall asleep? Obviously, you convert the Stan Rogers' classic Barrett's Privateers into a lullaby! At least that's what you do if you're Peter (PJ) Harnish! PJ might be a tech entrepreneur in San Diego now, but his roots as a kid in Mill Cove, Nova Scotia will always be there - just below the surface. PJ joins...

Becoming an expat can be difficult enough, but what if you've had to do it twice? Kwame Watkins knows the feeling of leaving Nova Scotia for new adventures very well, having left the province as a kid, who then returned for university, only to leave again to launch a successful career in the United States. Kwame was the first person to every reach out asking to be on the show and his passion f...

Originally from Quebec, with a Maritimer father, Lynn Calder quickly found a second home in Nova Scotia when she came to Acadia University in 1977. After a career that has taken her around Canada, Lynn now lives in Pincher Creek, Alberta. But a piece of her heart remains here in Nova Scotia. Today, Lynn joins the podcast to tell Sean not just about that connection, but also the things that keep he...

There's something about being from the East Coast that motivates people to a life of service. Mike Kennedy exemplifies this in how he has lived his life both in Nova Scotia and now in his new home of Rossland, British Columbia. Born in Kentville, raised in Porters Lake, with his formative years at Acadia University and now using everything he has learned from those experiences to give back to...

The first time I ever exchanged messages with Olivia McDonald, she asked how she could help promote Nova Scotia and products made here in her new home of London. If you speak with her for any amount of time, you soon realize just how genuine she is in that offer to help. On this week's episode, we learn more about the relationship Olivia has with her home province and why Nova Scotia will alwa...

There was a time in Emma Robertson's life that she dreamed of a life away from Nova Scotia. Oh, how things have changed! Now living in London, Emma could easily compete for the title of unofficial tourism ambassador for Nova Scotia in her new home. Considering she once worked on the campaign to develop the original Halifax Visitor Guide , she's probably closer to being an official ambassad...

Nick Scrymgeour is someone who doesn't easily forget his roots. Originally from Lower Sackville, he drew inspiration from his grandparents' hard work and determination to become a successful entrepreneur in the highly competitive industry of technology recruitment. On today's episode of Global Bluenosers, we get to know more about why Nick continues to give back to his home community in every way...

Born and raised Texan Charles Gillis, is one of the most passionate Nova Scotians a person can find.  That's right, we're starting the Global Bluenosers journey right at what some would consider the outer edge of the Bluenoser definition. The "Friend of Nova Scotia". Charles didn't lay eyes on Nova Scotia until into adulthood, but he quickly made up for lost time. Now a self-...

What is a Global Bluenoser? And why is there a podcast dedicated to them!? Host Sean Meister kicks off this new Nova Scotia-themed podcast with answers to those questions and so many more. Well, a few more. ___________________________________ Promises made, promises kept. Here are links mentioned in today's episode. Join the Global Bluenosers community on LinkedIn for exclusive content. Maria Gall...