Make It with Mike and Kristen

Meet Jen Boyne, the mastermind behind some of the most dazzling hand-sewn Western and stage wear you’ve ever seen. From rhinestone-studded suits to capes adorned with album-inspired overlays, her designs are pure showstoppers. Jen’s creations have dressed stars like The Trailer Park Boys, Elliott Brood, Christina Martin, and, most recently, Morgan Toney—who shone in her suit at the Boston Tree Lig...

Ontario based entertainers Cassie Noble and Warren Frank got to know each other on the road! They became fast friends and now cherish similar qualities like taking time in nature, thoughtful conversation and knowing how their styles complement each other in the house concert environment (that is, Gamekeeper balances out Cassie’s classic sad songs!). We talk about the writing process, Cassie’s infl...

Tenille Goodspeed is just under nine months into her new role as Executive Director of Halifax Jazz Fest, one of Halifax’s most prominent cultural celebrations. With a strong background in marketing, music, and community building, Tenille brings a wealth of expertise to this multi-day festival. In our conversation, she shared her passion for bringing people together, the initial spark that drew he...

We first met Jordan and Joelle at the East Coast Music Awards in Charlottetown, PEI, where a brief live-stage interview left us eager for a longer conversation. Recently, we got that chance during their Nova Scotia stop on the album release tour for their latest project, Red Sky. This talented duo from coastal Newfoundland has hosted countless house concerts and artist residencies, making their ho...

Rachel and Darren are partners in both life and music, a dynamic that began with a fateful meeting in a gritty tour van—an unfiltered start to their journey together. Not long after, they launched their award-winning band, Còig, and have since been sharing their music across the globe. During the pandemic, they felt a calling to focus on what truly mattered: a sense of Home and a deeper connection...

Halifax’s powerhouse pop star, Ria Mae, joins us in the studio just before hitting the road for her Canadian tour with Classified! We dive into the highs and lows of the music industry, discovering how collaboration—sometimes until the early hours of the morning—can open up new perspectives on creating music. Ria shares how one pivotal phone call completely changed the trajectory of her career. On...

Elliott BROOD is a three-piece Canadian alternative country band featuring Mark Sasso (lead vocals, guitar, banjo, ukulele, harmonica), Casey Laforet (guitar, lead vocals, backing vocals, bass pedals, keys, ukulele), and Stephen Pitkin (percussion, sampler, backing vocals). Known for embracing a “van life” tour style, the band thrives on exploring global venues and connecting with diverse audience...

Bethany Fulde’s new album Handwritten Notes is a stunning collection of songs that explore themes of searching, reflection, and questioning, with emotional outcomes that range from fulfilled to unresolved. Each track carries the weight of lived experience, delivered with her powerful vocal range that brings listeners on an intimate journey of the heart. In our conversation, Bethany shares the fun...

Keith and Glen join us for a lively conversation about reconnecting with music—this time through the lens of what some (including us!) might call a supergroup. These talented musicians have found harmony not only in their sound but also by creating space for each other’s creative ideas, families, opinions, and lifestyles. Their band, Newbridge, delivers a powerful blend of Americana, folk, and roo...

Jim Gilbert's acting credits include CBC's Moonshine, The Handmaid's Tale, Suits, The Girlfriend Experience, Salvation, and The Tudors, among others. As a writer, his original work has been optioned and developed by production companies in both the U.S. and Canada. His role in Moonshine is especially personal, as the show's setting and storylines mirror his own experiences growing up on Nova Scoti...

Liam Hennessey, founder of Applehead Studio, is a bold risk-taker who thrives on pushing the boundaries of business, photography, and life. Known for challenging traditional business norms, Liam has a reputation for embracing almost any wild opportunity that comes his way. His career has not only allowed him to travel but also led to meeting his wife, Stephanie, and establishing his highly success...

Joss MacNeil is a versatile artist who sings in the band The Public Service, alongside her brothers in Sunday Open Mac, and explores her unique sound through her solo project, Tall Poppy. A wandering soul, Joss recently embarked on a journey through Europe and Colombia, where she embraced the newness, adventure, and even the stillness that fueled her creative spirit. A true philosopher at heart, s...

Mike and Kristen's first live podcast recording at Alderney Landing Theatre followed a magnificent performance by award-winning musician Christina Martin, who premiered her ECMA-nominated album Storm with a full band and a stunning string quartet. The atmosphere was electric, with roses falling from the ceiling and a breathtaking moment of gang vocals that featured a cast of local characters inclu...

On today's episode, we're thrilled to share the story of Emmy award-winning actor Jennifer Finnigan— known for her roles in CBC's Moonshine,  The Bold and the Beautiful, plus many more— and her husband, the prolific actor Jonathan Silverman, famous for his performance in Weekend at Bernie's, plus countless other iconic films and shows. This dynamic duo splits their time between the glamour of Holl...

Tyler Mullendore, born from the soul of Lake Ainslie Cape Breton (the witness protection capital of the world according to Mike!), masterfully blends rough-and-tumble roots rock with the electrified emotion of southern-fried Americana. His music channels the heart-wrenching wistfulness of Bob Seger and the lyrical introspection of John Prine, all driven by a classic rock pulse made even more compe...

Serena Haines is a Certified Sexologist, Sex and Intimacy Coach, and Somatic Sex Educator with a deep commitment to helping individuals and couples explore and expand their understanding of intimacy and sexual desires. With her extensive training in Clinical Sexology and relationship counseling through The Gottman Institute, Serena guides clients through the complexities of sexual health, from add...

Andrew Shaver is an accomplished actor (anyone else go to French Clown School out there?), radio host at 107 Go Rock & CoveFM, podcaster, director, musician, and best bud to many. His band, Clever Hopes, has two albums out and a global audience to boot! Andrew's talent, charm, and whiskey-smooth vocals truly captivate listeners. Guided by wild experiences and stories, Andrew has found a home (...

Kyle and Aaron, brothers from Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, create instrumental music that's impossible to ignore, blending surf rock influences with a stage presence marked by matching outfits and dance moves that seem impossible for anyone over 19 years old. True creative engineers, they also build and race Soapbox derby cars like the champions they are. In our conversation, we share stories of DIY...

Mallory Gorman is an accomplished recreation therapist, artist, mother, and, to us, a fast friend. In this episode, we delve into the unique and powerful approach of recreation therapy, where Mallory helps individuals identify activities that bring comfort and invigoration, using them as a path toward self-discovery and life purpose. She shares her journey of navigating life with ADHD and finding...

Brynn Knickle has worked on a number of Nova Scotia shot films, and divides her time between Halifax and Los Angeles. With an impressive array of talents, Brynn lives by the philosophy of "throwing spaghetti at the wall" to see what sticks, embracing life's unpredictability and allowing it to guide her journey. After honing her craft in New York City, both on Broadway and in film, she made her way...

Halifax-based power couple Justin Huston and Kristen Morse, both American-born, discovered a common love for Nova Scotia, music, and each other. Justin serves as the Deputy Minister of the Department of the Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage, while Kristen co-owns the iconic, open, and relaxed Nordic spa "Nature Folk." Their relationship blossomed through GarageBand (swear to...

Jack Murtha and Mackenzie Adams play in a band called Postfun, a name inspired by those after-hours moments once all the crazy wildness of a night has concluded. Hailing from Shad Bay, Nova Scotia, Postfun is an indie-rock band that seamlessly blends alt-country, emo, and post-hardcore influences. Their emotional lyricism is occasionally accompanied by traditional instruments such as the bouzouki,...

In this episode, we talk about what's coming up for Mike and Kristen this summer! From releasing the second edition of our book "You and Me," doing a live podcast recording with Christina Martin at her release show this September, planning a podcast workshop (who owns an airplane?!) Mike's festival circuit, to Togetherland events;  We offer an overview of what’s coming up. Throughout the struggles...

Lindsay Kyte, a talented playwright and actress, and Darrel Cameron, a skilled music therapist and producer with Blue Acres, share a profound love for the arts that forms the bedrock of their relationship. Their mutual understanding of the creative lifestyle helps them stay strong and connected as a couple, with late nights at rehearsals or in the studio being a normal part of their day-to-day. Da...

Peter White, an engineer turned stand-up comic, quickly rose to prominence in the comedy scene, being named one of the “Top 5 Up and Coming Comedians in Canada” by CBC Radio’s “So, You Think You’re Funny?” within a year of his career. He has performed at top comedy clubs, corporate events, and theatres across Canada, including prestigious festivals like Just for Laughs, Winnipeg Comedy Festival, M...