Chad W Johnson is a Halifax/Dartmouth-based videographer, photographer, filmmaker, mental health advocate, and creative entrepreneur behind ChadJPictures. Through his work, Chad captures authentic stories, artists, events, and meaningful moments while bringing his own approach to visual storytelling.

His passion for filmmaking comes from wanting to create work that connects with people and gives a platform to voices, experiences, and stories that deserve to be heard. Chad is also passionate about mental health awareness and using his platform to encourage people to speak openly about their experiences and remind others that they don’t have to go through difficult moments alone. From music videos and documentaries to interviews, events, and creative projects, Chad continues to build his craft and explore different sides of storytelling.

Check him out @chadjpictures

Tanya Suenfa is the co-founder of MO GATO Mauritian Delicacies, a small Mauritian food business she started with her husband, Hans, in Halifax in 2022.

Tanya grew up in Mauritius surrounded by family cooking and baking, and food has always been a huge part of her life. She created MO GATO to share the flavours, traditions and beautiful multicultural heritage of Mauritius with her community in Canada.

From the Classic Napolitaine shortbread cookies to a variety of the business’s own flavour creations to Mauritian savoury favourites and homemade treats, everything is made with love and a taste of home.

MO GATO can be found at Halifax Brewery Farmers Market (Alexander Keith Brewery building) every Saturday, 8am–1pm, as well as at local markets, festivals and special events throughout the year.

Find out more @mogato.ca

Blackout Podcast Episode 397: Julia Tynes - Singer/Songwriter/CEO

Julia Tynes is a Halifax-area singer-songwriter, entertainer, educator, choreographer, and CEO whose work brings together soulful music, vibrant live performance, and community connection. Inspired by retro pop, soul, Motown, and R&B, Julia is known for her warm, engaging performances and her ability to connect with audiences of all ages.

After spending 13 years building her professional career in Toronto, Julia returned to Nova Scotia, bringing her experience from Canada’s largest music and entertainment market back home. An award-winning and nominated artist, she has been recognised by the African Nova Scotian Music Awards and Music Nova Scotia, and her original music has received national radio play across Canada. She has performed at major events throughout Eastern Canada, shared stages with acclaimed artists, and built a reputation for creating memorable, high-quality live experiences.

As CEO and Artistic Director of Julia Tynes Music Inc., Julia has expanded her work beyond the stage to include music education, school and library programming, workshops, choreography, artist mentorship, and large-scale community events. Through her company, she brings together professional musicians, dancers, educators, and community partners to make exceptional live music accessible to diverse audiences.

Whether she’s writing and performing her own songs, leading her band, inspiring students, or producing a major event, Julia’s work is rooted in creativity, connection, and her belief that music is for everyone.

Check her out @juliatynes

Blackout Podcast Episode 396: Philip Okunaiya - Financial Professional & Community Leader

Philip Okunaiya is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), and MBA graduate, with a career spanning financial services, fraud intelligence, audit, and risk management.

Beyond his professional career, Philip is deeply passionate about community development and creating opportunities for others. He currently serves as President of the Association of Nigerians in Nova Scotia (ANNS), where he is focused on strengthening the Nigerian community, building partnerships, creating opportunities for newcomers, and helping immigrants thrive in their new home. His commitment to service extends beyond Canada; he has also served for many years with Dream Rite, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to education, empowerment, and creating opportunities for young people in Africa.

At the heart of Philip’s story is a belief that success is most meaningful when it creates a positive impact beyond oneself. His journey from Nigeria to Canada, his experiences in professional and community leadership, and his passion for mentorship, service, and empowering others provide a rich perspective on resilience, reinvention, leadership, and building a meaningful life across borders.

@nurturingpotentials

Blackout Podcast Episode 398: Jule Rochelle - Certified Sexologist & Embodiment Coach

Jule Rochelle is an artist of life, embodied intimacy coach, and trauma-informed Sexologist certified in the Somatica® Method. With a background spanning bodywork, somatics, coaching and sacred sexuality, she brings depth, intuition, playfulness and a healthy dose of magic to her work. Jule believes that living a life infused with Eros is a pathway home to ourselves.

Through her work, Jule supports individuals and couples in releasing shame, becoming more deeply connected to their bodies and desires, and creating relationships rooted in authenticity, consent, vulnerability and emotional intelligence. She believes pleasure is our birthright and a worthy pursuit- and that healing doesn’t always have to be so damn serious. Sometimes it happens through laughter, curiosity, touch, play and the courage to be fully seen.

At the heart of Jule’s work is a desire to help people move from living primarily in their heads into a more embodied relationship with their hearts, bodies and desires. She sees herself as a catalyst and creatress: someone who helps people gently unravel old patterns, soften their edges and weave new ways of relating- to themselves, to one another and to life itself.

Learn more @onda_embodied_intimacy

Blackout Podcast Episode 399: Robert Howlett - Founder - Redefine Social Health Association

Robert Howlett (he/him) is an accomplished non-profit leader with experience in strategic planning, program development, and community engagement.

His career includes executive roles where he has been a leader in operational management, volunteer engagement, and community development. His work spans international, national, and regional projects, particularly focused on health, community and volunteer program development.

Outside of work, Robert is actively involved in his community, serving as Vice Chair of the Landrace Community Garden Society, and is the founder of Redefine Social Health Association.

As a creative himself, Robert has a passion for empowering people to find their “why” through community exploration and experience.

Learn more @redefinesh

Nik Davis - Photographer

He grew up watching his dad film the family with old digital cameras, spent his college years designing video games, and now he's one of Halifax's most authentic photographers, but he'll be the first to tell you he doesn't identify 100% as a photographer. Meet Nik Davis, a creative who's all about connection, intuition, and having fun with the craft.

In this episode, Nik takes us behind the lens of his journey: from making anime music videos as a kid, to studying video game design, to picking up a camera and building a business that's all about serving people. He breaks down how he chooses that one perfect shot from hundreds, why he's more about the vibe than the gear, and how he balances serving clients with staying true to his own creative voice.

Nik also opens up about his honest take on AI, the environmental impact, the ethical concerns, and why he believes creatives will always crave the real thing. He shares his thoughts on being "in between" creative spaces, his love for behind-the-scenes content (think Jackie Chan movies), and the high school film teacher who changed the way he watches movies forever.

Whether you're a photographer, a creative, or just someone figuring out their next move, this episode is a reminder that you don't have to have it all figured out; just show up and have fun.

Learn more @nikdavisphotography

She grew up running around a veterinary college, spent three years in med school hating it, ran away to the circus for a bit, and now she's a PhD researcher in adversarial machine learning who doesn't really believe in AI. Meet Patti—a woman who refuses to be put in a box.

In this episode, Patti takes us on a journey through her winding career path: from microbiology and immunology to computer science, from fire-spinning festivals to DJing under the name DJ Patti.K. She breaks down what AI actually is (statistics on steroids), why she thinks the cons of AI outweigh the pros, and how she's using her research to stay sharp while questioning the technology she studies.

Patti also opens up about her passion for lowering the barriers to computer literacy, her work with Tech Girls Canada, and why she's launched a DJ collective called Freak Alantik to create space for racialised queer DJs in Halifax. She shares how she balances being a researcher, a musician, a parent, and a community builder—all by knowing her values and staying true to herself.

Whether you're curious about AI, looking to start a creative project, or just trying to figure out how to be in multiple places at once, this episode is for you.

Patricia (Patti) Kibenge is a 2nd-generation Ugandan-Canadian living and loving in Kjipuktuk, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi'kmaq people. She is a PhD candidate in Computer Science at Dalhousie University in her final year of studies. Her research is in Adversarial Machine Learning (AML), which is an emerging field that combines cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, investigating attacks on machine and deep learning algorithms and defences against such attacks.

In her spare time, she is a DJ, host, promoter and now also a mermaid. She can most likely be found working on her laptop at a café in the North End, supporting her 5-year-old's multiple interests and always surrounded by music.

Find out more @patti.kibenge

@dj.patti.k

@freeqatl

@blk.itnetwork