Blackout Podcast

Sarah Poko is a Nigerian-Canadian playwright, screenwriter, and director who uses horror and folklore to reflect society back unto itself. From a young age, she was captivated by the folktales told by her grandmother and the myths she discovered from her travels around the world.

An avid storyteller, Sarah uses the supernatural to examine power, identity, and moral consequence in everyday life. Her debut stage play, Chalkdust, explored the themes of alienation and powerlessness brought on by the modern-day eldritch horrors that we call the immigration system. Her latest horror screenplay, Chicken Feet, which was recently featured in a WIP reading with Villains Theatre, earned praise for its sharp imagery and cultural fusion.

Sarah is passionate about stories that blur the line between fear, truth, and the seemingly insignificant choices we make in everyday life. She invites audiences to confront their own truths and fears, both within and around them.

Learn more @aesops_daughter

Isi, a content creator, creative director, and the visionary behind Big Sis Club. Isi opens up about her journey from completing an MBA and working in corporate consulting to picking up a camera and finally giving herself permission to create.

She gets real about the internal battles that held her back for years, including being a "recovering people pleaser" and the fear of putting her work out into the world. Isi shares the pivotal mindset shift that changed everything—creating first and foremost for herself—and how that unlocked a new level of authenticity and fulfilment.

Isi Oye is a storyteller at heart, blending photography, creativity, and lived experience to capture the way people move through the world. As the founder of Big Sis Club, she mentors women stepping into their next chapter, helping them trust their voice and own their story.

Her work sits at the intersection of art and connection, whether she’s behind the camera, building community, or shaping narratives that make people feel seen.

Follow Isi's journey: @isiomaoye

Learn more about Big Sis Club: @bigsisclub.ca

Kooms, a producer whose journey from church sound systems to crafting hits for artists is a masterclass in persistence and finding your sound.

Kooms pulls back the curtain on his creative process, revealing why he always starts with the drums, the one plugin he swears by, and how a single week in Montreal yielded five finished tracks.

He opens up about the pivotal moment a top-tier producer validated his work, giving him the confidence to fully pursue his craft, and the importance of patience in a world of instant gratification

This is a must-listen for any aspiring producer or artist. It’s a raw look at the lessons learned behind the boards, emphasising that the right mindset is just as important as the right plug-in.

Kooms is a producer and creative collaborator shaping music across languages, cultures, and styles, all while rooted in Afro-diasporic energy. Born in Ghana and now based in Canada, his multicultural experiences inform a sound that honours heritage while staying firmly planted in modern musical consciousness.

He works with artists to discover their unique voice, often encouraging performances in their native languages to capture their strongest expression. Whether it’s rap, Afro R&B, or cross-diaspora collaborations, his productions spark inspiration and help artists define signature sounds that feel authentic and intentional.

Currently finishing one project and preparing new collaborations, Kooms continues to explore diverse sounds, bridging cultures and building a body of work that reflects both the artist and his own creative vision.

Check him out @kooms___

How does a basketball injury lead to opening for Tech N9ne and D12?

In this high-energy episode, Kid Coffin, a Halifax-based rapper, videographer, real estate agent, and Special Olympics coach, unpacks his incredible journey from a shattered sports dream to sharing stages with hip-hop legends.

Kid Coffin pulls back the curtain on the grind, revealing the 12-hour rehearsals, strategic networking, and intense mental prep that go into his explosive live performances.

Kid Coffin is an artist that you either love or hate.

His music is a reflection of a conflicting world with themes reaching from love, kindness, and empathy to themes of corruption, power, and greed.

Kid Coffin uses hard-hitting lyricism and vivid storytelling to explore the deep and complex world that is the human condition.

Check him out @kidcoffinofficial

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, Chris—a talented blonde specialist and salon owner—takes us on the journey from a kid colouring hair with permanent markers to running a successful, community-focused salon.

Chris opens up about the challenges and rewards of becoming a specialist in a world that told her she couldn't, the intense certification processes that left her shaking, and the crucial business lessons she learned before opening her own doors. But this conversation goes far deeper than the chair. Chris reveals the profound, often overlooked role hairstylists play in their clients' mental health, creating a safe space where clients share their most vulnerable moments.

Chris has been in the Industry for almost 18 years, and has built an entire career specialising in Blonding!  She was told many times throughout the years that she couldn’t be successful just by doing blonding, but she followed her heart and dreams and opened an Official  Blonding Salon.

This is her trademark!

She is a certified colourist in two Colour Lines- Redken & Goldwell.

She was also a former Educator for Goldwell. She has been reaching other goals outside of this, including BTS of runways, for Major Fashion shows/ Designers who attend Paris Fashion Week / NY Fashion Week.  Most importantly, she is a mom of a beautiful 15-year-old daughter who is my best friend and biggest supporter, which is a huge part of who she is today!

Follow Chris's journey @salonicon_hfx

Akira Mayari, a talented drag performer who recently won the Magic Nexus Drag Pageant. Akira opens up about their incredible journey into Halifax's drag scene, starting from a debut performance just months ago to becoming a pageant winner.

We dive deep into Akira's creative process, from hand-beading their first dress (which they're wearing in this episode!) to crafting an elaborate shell back-piece for the pageant. Akira shares the touching story of performing alongside their supportive mother, who appeared in drag for the talent portion, and discusses the challenges of being outed by a teacher while finding acceptance at home.

The conversation explores the technical side of drag - from death drops and cartwheels to the business of getting booked for shows. Akira discusses their Filipino heritage and how they use drag to showcase Philippine culture, the community aspect of Halifax's drag scene, and their dreams of hosting K-pop themed shows.

Check them out @akiramayari

In this episode, we sit down with DJ Suly, a mental health advocate and rising DJ in Halifax's music scene. Suly shares her incredible journey from discovering female DJs on TikTok in 2022 to opening for major acts like Black Bones and DJ Puffy within just one year.

She breaks down her origin story, how a conversation with her best friend led to learning from mentor DJ Henry and throwing a surprise reveal party that shocked everyone. Suly explains the technical side of DJing while diving into her experiences as a young Black woman in Halifax, her passion for psychology, and her plans to become a child psychologist.

Beyond the music, she opens up about using DJing as therapy, breaking barriers in male-dominated spaces, and advocating for mental health in the Black community. From controllers and cue points to poetry and personal growth, Suly's story is about embracing challenges and following your passion.

Find out more @dj.suly_

Meet Sheril, a creative force who went from directing music videos to starring in them, all while crafting songs that stick. In this episode, he pulls back the curtain on his accidental music career, why his videos are intentionally too short ("Leave them wanting more!"), and how a random trip to Toronto gave birth to his viral Twin Flames visual.

Sheril reveals his no-plan creative process: how he shoots entire music videos in hours, turns beach cliffs into cinematic sets, and edits obsessively to make every frame "worth rewatching." He also gets real about the emotional thread tying his music together; from Twin Flames' soulmate angst to Bad Thoughts' raw isolation, and why working as a chef fuels his art.

For anyone stuck in one creative box, Sheril's story is a masterclass in trusting your gut, embracing chaos, and building a community that lifts you up.

Follow Sheril's journey @stories_by_sheril

What happens when a child is handed an instrument they never wanted to play? Cuban violinist Ali Enriquez’s story begins with this exact twist of fate: assigned the violin in Havana’s rigorous music school system based on her small hands, she initially resisted the instrument that would later become her voice. Now a seasoned performer and composer in Canada, Ali reveals how she transformed resentment into artistry and how music became her bridge between cultures.

Ali shares hilarious and heartfelt memories of mandatory piano classes, the shock of adapting to Canada’s fast-paced life, and why her violin has become “a companion that’s seen me cry more than anyone.”

Between unpacking the differences between melodic and harmonic instruments and demonstrating her songwriting process (from “giving birth” to songs to moments of effortless flow), Ali shares how she fell in love with her craft.

Find out more @alien.riquez

In this inspiring episode of The Blackout Podcast, host Israel sits down with the multi-talented Jewelz—a skilled carpenter, passionate DJ, and advocate for mental health and women in trades. Jewelz opens up about her unexpected journey into carpentry, from discovering her love for woodworking through the Women Unlimited program to the realities of working in a male-dominated field (including a nail gun mishap!). She shares how carpentry isn’t just a job but a creative outlet that connects her to her childhood dreams.

But that’s not all—Jewelz also dives into her electrifying side hustle as a DJ, revealing how music became her therapy and a way to build community. From overcoming stage fright to the joy of watching crowds vibe to her mixes, she reflects on the power of trying new things and embracing your "spark." Along the way, she gets real about mental health, the importance of self-chosen therapy, and why balance is a messy but beautiful act.

Whether you’re curious about breaking into trades, chasing creative passions, or just need a reminder to "shut the fuck up" to your inner critic, this conversation is packed with humor, heart, and practical wisdom. Tune in and get ready to feel inspired!

Meet JEWELZ! Born and raised in downtown Dartmouth, she is quickly making a name for herself in the local Halifax Electronic music scene. Her infectious and high-energy sets ensure that you will not want to leave the dance floor. Also, she’s a registered Apprentice Carpenter who recently graduated from NSCC’s Carpentry Diploma program and completed the Women’s Unlimited program.

Jewelz has been a part of the local festival scene for years. Entered the scene as a festival goer in 2017, now she stands proud as a dedicated member of Blackbox Sound Crü & East Coast Emo Night

She’s a huge 140 Dubstep and Drum & Bass fan. She loves to spin tunes and create good vibes for the crowd. She is also very excited to show up and show out for her first festival set at Future Forest Music Festival this August

@jewelz_vibez