The Sanctuary

Mo'Green (Ohis Abdulrahman Yakubu) is a sound engineer/ music producer, singer, and songwriter originally from Nigeria, but based in Cape Town South Africa. Mo'Green who began his music journey over 11 years ago is highly inspired by Afro Beats, Reggae as well as Hip Hop and R&B. After moving to South Africa in 2015, Mo'Green released his first Album titled "Lagos To Mzansi". According to...

General Khan is a local artist, born and raised in Kjipuktuk, Mi'kma'ki (Halifax, Nova Scotia). For General Khan, poetry is an expression that is tied to her cultural practice as a Pashtun. Her first album Wrath of Khan dropped on April 30th, 2021. General Khan recently completed her Center for Arts Tapes CFAT) artist in residence. Her art style is influenced by her lived experiences inc...

Kyla Mackinnon resides on the east coast of Canada in Halifax but fulfills her sense of wanderlust by traveling regularly. Most of her travels involve leading yoga retreats and yoga teacher training as she loves to combine her passions of connecting with people and creating memorable experiences. Kyla teaches yoga as a way to inspire others to live a happy, healthy and authentic life. She&nbs...

Jenn is a nature lover, explorer, SUP guide, and a new Mom. She has a full-time job at Dalhousie University(when she’s not on maternity leave) and when she’s not wearing her professional hat, you can find her; cycling, SUP’ing, camping, hiking, plogging, surfing, skateboarding, snowboarding, birdwatching, volunteering for numerous local events, fundraising, or just out for a breath of fresh air in...

Tara was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, and is of Jamaican/Haitian heritage. She began singing at the age of 3 and has had a passion for it ever since. As a child, Tara was immersed in music through singing and piano lessons and studied dance as well as various sports. With such strong taking to music and after competing in local events and attending and graduating from Berklee College Of Mu...

Melānie Mendez Munden is a multidisciplinary artist. Her background in fashion Design keikaikoa.com has been shown in Atlantic Fashion week since 2016. Their campaign supports an anti-bullying campaign called RESPECT. Her recent studies at the Atlantic Film Co-op have resulted in a funded film1 called MAMA and Film 5 called MAID. interiorsurfaces.ca that she co-owns with her husband is an agency t...

dillion s. phiri is a 32-year-old father of Wandi + Niki, a coffee enthusiast & creative strategist who has made his mark in the African creative industry with more than 10 years of experience working on a variety of projects across the African continent. He is a multifaceted creative strategist & social sculptor who has worked in the world of design, placemaking, photography, web developm...

Joe Hubley is a musician and student currently living in Halifax, Nova Scotia. At 17 years old, Hubley has released 2 singles and is in the process of recording his debut EP. His newest single “California, I’m Comin’”, is scheduled to release in late May/early June on major streaming platforms. An award-winning musician, Joe Hubley has toured around Atlantic Canada playing shows under his solo act...

LXVNDR is a Halifax-based rap artist with a very unique sound and outlook on life. The content of her music usually speaks of unseen forces both dark and light, the paranormal, astrology, philosophy, and the hidden treasures of the human psyche.  Adding a mystical touch to even the sharpest of rhymes she sits down with The Sanctuary's very own Israel Ekanem and covers topics such as her music...

Colleen is a multidisciplinary artist based in Kjipuktuk/Halifax. The Artistic Producer of  The Villains Theatre , they have worked as a performer, producer, and graphic designer with theatre companies such as Onelight, 2b, Matchstick, Lion's Den, Zuppa, Xara, Terra Novella, and Workshirt Opera. A past board chair of the Bus Stop Theatre and the current co-chair of Theatre Nova Scotia, they h...

Ashley is a mom first and a lot of other things second. She's worked in communications for a decade in roles ranging from traditional PR in the non-profit space to global manager for a SaaS company. When she's not working or driving her son to hockey, Ashley is an avid runner, loves to write for her personal blog, overshares on Facebook, and enjoys spending time with her friends and fami...

The two, having met at 16 years old, practically grew up together and decided to pursue their wildest dreams in the middle of the pandemic. Having always worked in retail and fashion, Mackenzie had always felt like the black sheep of the industry, never finding a place where she truly fit in. It was then that she decided to create a store that felt like a safe space for all walks of life. A store...

Chantal Caissie is a musician by day and event & communications specialist also by day. She has worked for non-profit organizations in both the arts and the education sector for the past decade including the East Coast Music Association and Symphony Nova Scotia. Originally from Moncton, NB, she moved to Halifax, NS in 2007 to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in English & French at Saint Mary's Un...

Munyaradzi (Munya) has dedicated his professional life to the business of music and entertainment. He is the founder of Kreeyate Africa and is also currently employed as A&R Manager: Africa for Sony ATV Music Publishing South Africa. With over 10 years experience in the music and entertainment space, he also has vast experience in the sourcing, licensing, curation, creation, monetization, and...

Sharon began reading about the paranormal and cryptozoology during childhood and had a fascination with the strange and unusual for as long as she can remember. Her Bigfoot research began in 2001 when she and her family were camping near Radium Springs, NM and her son and nephew had a Bigfoot encounter. She jumped into research with both feet in 2003 after an article in the El Paso Times mentioned...

Abady is an artist, entrepreneur, and dance educator in Halifax, Nova Scotia, committed to serving underrepresented communities of dancers, dance educators, and creators. He is the owner of House of Eights Dance Studio, a drop-in dance studio in downtown Halifax.  Abady has been a dance instructor for over 7 years...

Infectious melodies, power vocals and confessional songwriting make up the musical stylings of Kjipuktuk-based artist, Jade Bennett. A two-time MNS award nominee, she’s been writing and performing music for over 12 years. In her musings, you’ll find anything from haunting ballads to vengeful pop/R&B. Her new single ‘Damned’ is out now on all streaming platforms. Learn more about Jade @bennettj...

Quentrel Provo is a singer, songwriter and an award-winning anti-violence activist as the Founder/ CEO of Stop the Violence Brand and Movement which he started after the tragic killing death of his close cousin Kaylin Diggs in August 2012. He took his hurt, pain, anger and frustration and turned it into something positive to create change and make a difference. In this episode we talk about ways t...

Eleanor Beaton is the founder of  Safi Media , an education & coaching company for women entrepreneurs. SafiMedia is committed to advancing global gender equity one woman-owned business at a time. Together with her colleagues, Eleanor is on a mission is to double the number of women entrepreneurs who scale past $1M in revenue by 2030. Eleanor hosts the Power + Presence + Position podc...

Beth moved from south of Ottawa to Halifax initially to attend NSCAD but ultimately decided to make it her home after falling in love not only with a man from here, but also with the rugged coastline, lakes, and forests. She started Poison Pear in 2010, creating hand screen printed accessories and clothing that aim to be bold, wild, fun, and sometimes edgy while remaining comfortable and...

Laurie has been a Jersey Girl, a Yukon Sourdough, and now is what some Nova Scotians refer to as a CFA (come-from-away).  She's the owner of Hook, Line & Tinker Embroidery Kits, an ethical business that is a reflection of her values - care for people, respect for the environment, and a deep desire to create something meaningful and real through a shared act of making. Check her out @hooke...

Stefanie has been physically active from a young age, influenced by her parents who were involved in the fitness industry. She became a certified personal trainer in 2008 and has been working one on one with clients ever since. However, it was not until she met Coeli Marsh and was introduced to Baptiste Power Yoga that she found her true passion. After studying with Coeli, she was compelled t...

 Quentrel Provo is a singer, songwriter and an award-winning anti-violence activist as the Founder/ CEO of Stop the Violence Brand and Movement which he started after the tragic killing death of his close cousin Kaylin Diggs in August 2012. He took his hurt, pain, anger and frustration and turned it into something positive to create change and make a difference. In April 2015 he started the S...

The Popeye of Hiphop in Cowboy Boots. Halifax Recording Artist, Hodder is a combination of variables that mesh together better than they should.  A merchant seafarer by profession. Hodder spends about 6 months a year on ships working to fund his music career as an independent artist. His time off the seas and home on solid ground mean countless hours in the studio working on personal projects...

Nicole Marchand, RD, owner of Eat Well Nova Scotia completed her Bachelor of Science in Applied Human Nutrition with Distinction in 2010. Throughout her career as a dietitian, she has had a strong interest in digestive health and the prevention and treatment of chronic illness using nutrition, lifestyle and supplementation. Nicole became a consulting dietitian in order to help others improve diges...