The Joyful Project Podcast: Recent Episodes
The Joyful Project
Being curious about the world through conversation and story telling. We chat with all the new friends we've made over the years here at The Joyful Project and learn how to be curious and inspired to try new things and think in new ways.
The Meraki Project was born out of a refusal to remain silent while other people in our world suffer. The conflict in South Sudan has now been raging for years and as the statistics grew, so did our restlessness. We launched our pilot project on November 5th, 2018, where we took a trip to a Ugandan refugee camp to figure out the best way we could partner with locals to empower children impacted by this war.
Through art classes with some of the students, we saw how a creative outlet was a fun and safe way to explore their many skills. We quickly realized that arts and crafts were something that they loved and were remarkably good at. Locals started to tell us of how art was an integral part of their culture and expressed concerns that their children were losing their artistic abilities through war and displacement. Things like painting, pottery and weaving used to be popular to the South Sudanese, but their nation is slowly losing those who are capable of doing it.
We see hope, here. We see the light that art and education can bring to children who have fled from war. We see love so powerful it outworks itself through the serving of others, compassion so strong it moves people across race and nation. We see the ability to give children a safe and fun space where they can be themselves. Where they can express both their past and the hopes for their future.
We see children who are given a say in where they're going and who they're becoming. We see statistics changed before they ever even have the chance to be written.
Nestled in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, on the East Coast of Canada, you'll find Devoted Barbers & Co., Home to a small team of talented barbers who come together to share their passion for this profession. This is no ordinary barber shop; if you decide to visit, you'll have no everyday experience. In this episode, Andrew chats with Courtney, Robyn, and Madison. The co-founders of this absolute gem of a barber shop. It was a joy to hang out and chat with these incredible entrepreneurs and local business owners, except for some twists and turns on this episode and a few laughs. If you're within driving distance of these barbers, I suggest you book an appointment today.
Ex Ømerta’s music is dirty, energetic and full of attitude. The award-winning alt rock trio wears their influences on their sleeve expertly blending locked-in rock, seductive grooves, and pure punk rock piss and vinegar in a combustible concoction that is familiar yet undeniably their own. Hailing from Winnipeg, Manitoba in the heart of Canada, the trio thrives in a setting of controlled chaos, refusing to adhere to any set of rules imposed on them. Ex Ømerta’s high energy and clever lyrical mastery transcends genre, instilling a primal connection with their audience as if to wake them from a White Stripes/Royal Blood soaked bender just to scream along with their signature anthemic chorus’. Their name alludes to a code of honour that rejects authority and conformity – including that of the mainstream rock world.
Scott Beattie (Drums/Vox), Dale McIntyre (Guitar/Vox) and Spencer Bauer (Bass) have been making noise since their billboard-charting debut record, simply entitled “Ex Ømerta”, catching the attention of rock and punk enthusiasts alike - ultimately netting them a Canadian International Film Festival award for their debut single “Sink In”. Sharing stages across the country with rock heavyweights including The Cult, Badflower, and The Lazys, they are committed to a life of decadence and self-destruction, giving themselves to rock and roll every single set.
Ex Ømerta is heavy, dirty, relentlessly fun rock and roll, and they’re burning the wick to the bottom.
Andrew chats with friends Jemcah and Duane, both of who are a part of MoveIn Global, about what it looks like to live with purpose in your community. MoveIn is about copying Jesus’ example (Phil. 2:5-7) by moving into the neighbourhood. They encourage all Christians to ask themselves to move where they move on purpose and challenge their default motivations. Something amazing happens when a group of Christians intentionally moves into a neighbourhood to pray (Acts 1:14) and be. In doing so, they have chosen to become part of the neighbourhood. While believers are already present and active in the communities where we go, there is a need for more of them. Rather than visiting or serving and then going away, these intentional Christians share in their neighbourhood’s joys and its troubles (Rom. 12:15); they are there as salt and light (Matt 5:13-14), serving (Matt 25:40) and sharing Christ with the community around them (Matt 28:18-20). “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes, he became poor so that you through his poverty might become rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:9
With her soulful voice and lyrics that wash over the minds and hearts of audiences like waves, singer-songwriter Ila Barker is a force to be reckoned with. This folk-soul artist of Anishinaabe and settler heritage, takes listeners on an introspective journey, inviting them to connect deeply with their own emotions. Her upcoming album Fool Under Water (2022) is an honour song to her metamorphosis into the powerhouse she is today and a promise that the tide will turn.
Dr. Robertson is Assistant Professor of Christian History at Tyndale University. He is author of Overlooked: The Forgotten Origin Stories of Canadian Christianity. He works with church planting/missionary groups from around Canada and the United States highlighting the importance of historical awareness. He has published extensively in the areas of Canadian Church history and speaks frequently at popular and academic presentations. In addition to this, Dr. Robertson teaches the development of Christianity around the world, with a focus on the development of the faith during the Reformation and into the Modern Age.
Bre Reed is a worship leader and songwriter based in sunny southern California and part of the Isla Vista Worship crew. Bre has an incredible heart for all things community and is in the process of venturing out into some new musical adventures.
A highly energized and articulate emotional wreck on stage, Mauvey’s goal is to create and generate love, both on and off stage. “My message will always be Love” says Mauvey, who has designed his projects of Love through his creative narratives which use intentional songwriting, intelligent melody, and hypnotic beat. “My mission is to distribute Love, and there’s no better way to do that than through music”.
Born in Ghana, West Africa, Mauvey grew up in the UK and Vancouver, Canada. An artist, performer, and songwriter, Mauvey creates his own unique sound and style of alternative pop music, with reflective influences of Michael Jackson, Kanye West, Oumou Sangaré, Prince, and Labrinth.
In Spring 2021, Mauvey proudly signed with the fiercely independent label, 604 Records. After three double single releases, Mauvey’s Mixtape “The Florist” dropped in December 2021. The tracks have been receiving tremendous praise from worldwide press, radio, music fans and industry alike.
The project has been championed by BBC Introducing and BBC Radio 1, Exclaim!, Complex, Range Magazine, Selector Radio, The Block CBC, and climbing on Earshot, NACC’s Top 200 and Electronic Radio Charts. Mauvey has taken stages with a vengeance including performances at SXSW, The Great Escape, support slots for easy life and Snotty Nose Rez Kids, BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend, Isle of Wight Festival, a 20 date UK headline tour, plus showcase sets at M for Montreal and Focus Wales.
Mauvey’s latest single, THE KING, is an empowering alt-pop anthem that floods listeners with melodic lyricism, razor-sharp production and mesmerizing bass and drums. Mauvey shares, "Throughout history ‘Kings’ (men) have been the most important people, the most protected people and the most respected people. I wanted to write a song tearing that apart. THE KING is a redistribution of power and respect to everyone, especially the immensely powerful women we have in our world."
Tessa Blaikie Whitecloud is the CEO at Siloam Mission in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Before Siloam, Tessa was in leadership at 1JustCity, where she spearheaded the opening of Winnipeg’s first No barrier overnight winter warming space.
Tessa started full-time at 1JustCity in 2015, the same year she married her husband, Hanwakan Blaikie Whitecloud. Together they spent time facilitating workshops on reconciliation and restitution, mentoring youth and volunteering. The couple spends a lot of time cycling, practicing yoga, and evolving through learning.
Working in Winnipeg’s North End for many years as a summer camp leader, Tessa developed her passion for social justice. During her MA in Political Economy, Tessa continued to look at how Canadians must not be allies but owners of the injustices that Indigenous people face due to colonialism.
Author of Queering Wesley, Queering the Church, Keegan Osinski is the librarian for theology and ethics at Vanderbilt University and a member of the Church of the Nazarene. This episode discusses her book, church life, and how we can encourage fully inclusive churches.
Another Lover is the edgy female-fronted alt-pop band creating waves across the scene in Treaty One Territory and beyond. Known-best for fans living their best lives during and post-show, their contagious energy has been coined a transformative experience on the dancefloor. With eyes that pierce the heart and a voice that lifts the soul, Courtney Fox leads the stage with vocals. Her vocal style has been heralded as “a cocktail of bad-bitch rockstar with hints of her operatic vocal history shining through”.
On guitar, Another Lover presents James Roth who you may already know and love as the guitar god from beloved alt-rock outfit, Pushing Daisies. From his riffs to his rhythms, James brings an energy that harmonizes brilliantly with Courtney’s signature vocals. Locking in the sound is rhythmic powerhouse Kyle Fox on the drum kit of our dreams. Together, they create an explosive symphony of pop melodies with an edge that brings you bold basslines and 808-driven synths so catchy that even the person that never dances will be out there living their wildest dreams. Connect with Another Lover @anotherloverband on socials and for your next transformative experience.
With their unique combination of small-town roots and big city sound, Winnipeg alt-rockers Northern Royals have come to conquer your radio, your streaming service, and your local stage.
Drawing from influences that range from modern rock, post-grunge, to classic rock, the band’s in-your-face rock n’ roll assault is as much at home on mainstream rock radio as it is with the more discerning campus/community FM crowd.
After making the rounds of the Manitoba club scene and festival circuit, sharing the stage with the iconic likes of Jet Set Satellite, Palaye Royale, The Lazy's, Royal Tusk and more, Northern Royals are ready to take things to the next level in 2021 and beyond.
With a new crop of hard-hitting, thought-provoking songs and a debut EP produced by an industry legend Gggarth Richardson, the band has its sights set on mainstream success.
Winnipeg has a proud, storied history of genre-defining rock artists, and Northern Royals have their sights firmly set on joining the pantheon.
Shane Claiborne is a prominent speaker, activist, and best-selling
author. Shane worked with Mother Teresa in Calcutta, and founded
The Simple Way in Philadelphia. He heads up Red Letter Christians, a
movement of folks who are committed to living "as if Jesus meant the
things he said." Shane is a champion for grace which has led him to jail
advocating for the homeless, and to places like Iraq and Afghanistan to
stand against war. Now grace fuels his passion to end the death penalty
and help stop gun violence.
Shane’s books include Jesus for President, Red Letter Revolution,
Common Prayer, Follow Me to Freedom, Jesus, Bombs and Ice Cream,
Becoming the Answer to Our Prayers, Executing Grace, his classic The
Irresistible Revolution, and his newest book, Beating Guns. He has
been featured in a number of films including "Another World Is
Possible" and "Ordinary Radicals." His books have been translated into
more than a dozen languages. Shane speaks over one hundred times a
year, nationally and internationally. His work has appeared in Esquire,
SPIN, Christianity Today, TIME, and The Wall Street Journal, and he
has been on everything from Fox News and Al Jazeera to CNN and
NPR. He’s given academic lectures at Harvard, Princeton, Liberty,
Duke, and Notre Dame.
Shane speaks regularly at denominational gatherings, festivals, and
conferences around the globe.
Maribeth Tabanera aka Kilusan (she/they/siya) is a Filipinx Tagalog Visayan queer femme interdisciplinary educator, artist, dancer, choreographer, DJ and community organizer. They are a second-generation settler on Treaty No. 1 Territory. A life-long learner, they have focused their energy on diving deeply into their passions of dance, education, music, social justice and community building. Maribeth is currently the Learning Through Internship Coordinator at the Seven Oaks Met, Maples Met, and Met Center for Arts and Technology Schools. Kilusan’s recent projects include, producing a video from CBC Manitoba's Creators Network "My Happy Place" series, dancing in Adrian Sutherland's, "Respect the Gift" music video, and choreographing for “Intramural.e,” and DJing alongside internationally renowned Skratch Bastid. They are currently serving on the boards of Seven Oaks Filipino Employees Association, Kultivation Festival, and Manitoba Music. For more information visit: www.maribethtabanera.com
Michael Redhead Champagne, born and raised in Winnipeg’s North End, is an award-winning community organizer, public speaker, and a proud member of Shamattawa First Nation. Michael believes we all have a gift and shows youth the path to discover their own. He is solution oriented and passionate about building system literacy, encouraging volunteerism, and engaging communities to be involved in the design, delivery, and evaluation of any initiative that affects them.
Michael believes in mino bimadisiwin, the ininew phrase meaning “the good life” and is ready and willing to work with individuals, groups and entire communities to determine what that means for them.
Michael leads by example and travels across Canada sharing his gift with others. Whether he is speaking to educators, youth, the business community or the not-for-profit sector his goal is the same, to help heal, shape and create a call to action for everyone.
Drew Brown is an award-winning and Juno nominated musician, producer, podcaster, photographer, social justice & anti-racist advocate, craft beer aficionado, bourbon lover, storyteller, and all-around awesome human. His vulnerability and warm heart attract everyone he meets, and his tireless efforts to humanize every person and disarm hate with love are his daily pursuit. He also has a side project under the moniker Hymns For The Architect - in which he creates music for spiritual practices and the seasons of the soul. When he isn’t recording, performing, and producing, you can find him gracing the open mics, walking the protest lines, inspiring neighbourliness, speaking out in interviews + podcasts, and posting awareness, soulfulness, and silliness on Instagram. And thankfully Drew Brown can honestly say that he DID NOT write this bio.
In this episode, Andrew chats with long-time friends Micheal and Whitney about a Christian worship album they collaborated on with Disciple a City in Peterborough, Ontario. We have some laughs, share a few stories, and reflect on what it means to be creative.
Shanley Spence is a prominent well known Indigenous community advocate. With roots of Nihithaw/Cree ancestry from her mother’s community of Pukatawagan and Saulteaux/Anishinaabe from her father’s community of Lake St. Martin First Nation. Shanley helps bring healing, storytelling and reclamation to people from all over the world through her gifts of dance, content creation, writing, powwow fit, hoop dance, sharing her voice and speaking on important subjects and now branching out into a practicing Life and Empowerment Coach. Shanley is a strong advocate for sustainable intentional living, reclamation, spiritual and cultural practice and unconditional love for all beings.
Skye Wallace is a Toronto-based singer-songwriter and guitarist dedicated to writing songs that rip, dealing out strong emotions with her lyrics, and bringing you the live rock show you’ve always wanted. On this episode, Andrew chats with Skye about songwriting, past collaborations, live music, activism, and more. Skye has collaborated with us for Concert for Socks on two separate occasions and we are thrilled to be talking with her on the podcast today.
On this episode we chat with Lisette Xavier about her new found joy in roller skating and how we find the courage as human beings to try new things and explore new worlds.