Today's love story belongs to Lars Callieou, a Canadian comedian who has given the gift of laughter to audiences all over the world, including six military tours. For Lars, feeling at home on the road was very normal, as his parents were travelling musicians. When following in their footsteps didn't quite pan out, he found solace and purpose in standup comedy.

His love of comedy has taken him across Canada and the US in his beloved 2009 Volkswagen Jetta, which he calls Silver. Lars has travelled so much that he's travelled the exact distance to the moon and back (768,00km)...and then some. Currently, he has logged 818,000km.

Lars has an impressive comedy career that spans 20 years, and he's worked with such luminaries as Joan Rivers, Jeff Foxworthy, and Bob Saget. His fuel is passion, generosity, and the pure love of performance. 

Lars Callieou has appeared at the Just for Laughs Festival in Montréal and has a 1-Hour Comedy Special currently airing on The Comedy Network. He's been overseas to entertain the troops 5 times and is a 2-Time Canadian Comedy Award Nominee. He can be heard on CBC's Laugh Out Loud, CBC's The Debaters and on Sirius/XM. He's performed at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival for the last 8 years and has also appeared at the Bridgetown Comedy Festival in Portland, the Boston Comedy Festival, the World Series of Comedy in Las Vegas and the Halifax Comedy Festival.

For more information: https://extralars.com/

Follow Lars: http://www.instagram.com/ExtraLars

Presented by Charm Diamond Centres

Hosted by Nancy Regan

Produced by Podstarter

Do you have a great love story? You could be the next guest on the Canadian Love Map! Apply here!

Today's love story belongs to Jessie and Kolade. They are friends, colleagues, magic makers, and they are both part of a phenomenal social enterprise in Halifax, Nova Scotia called Hope Blooms.

Hope Blooms engages with inner-city youth to become change agents, positively impacting the community through innovative agricultural and culinary programs. These changemakers made a national impact a decade ago on the show Dragon's Den, where 6 young and enthusiastic youth pitched their salad dressing business and made a deal for $40,000. They even moved one of the dragons to tears.

It was a vision that started with a seed, and has since bloomed into a movement on a mission to create future leaders. It's all about growth. From the garden where the program took root, to salsa, salad dressings and scholarships.

Hope Blooms has become what it is today because of the hard work, commitment and compassion of Executive Director, Jessie Jollymore. The future is bright for this enterprise, and at the helm is Kolade Boboye, who is currently the Manager of Social Business and Innovation.

For more information about Hope Blooms visit https://hopeblooms.ca/

Presented by Charm Diamond Centres

Hosted by Nancy Regan

Produced by Podstarter

Do you have a great love story? You could be the next guest on the Canadian Love Map! Apply here!

Nancy Rose is a former teacher and guidance counsellor whose passion for photography and crafting has transformed into an unusual new career. When Nancy found herself seeking creative inspiration, she found it in her own backyard when she witnessed the entertaining behaviours of her neighbourhood squirrels. 

She started creating miniature squirrel-sized displays and props, using cardboard, clay, and other craft supplies. Motivated by hidden treats, squirrels became the subject of her photographs, as they interacted with her creations. Chasing her creativity even further, Nancy turned these whimsical sights into children's stories. 

Since then, Nancy Rose has published 6 children's books featuring her delightful photos, as well as board books, and a series of calendars by Workman Publishing. Her most recent book is titled Oakley the Squirrel: Camping 1, 2, 3!: A Nutty Numbers Book and can be ordered on Amazon. 

Nancy's innovative creations have not only sparked joy for many but they also spread a powerful message: embrace your creativity, follow your passions, and never be afraid to be different.

Visit https://www.secretlifeofsquirrels.com/ for more information and to order Nancy's books.

Follow Nancy on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/secretlifeofsquirrels

Presented by Charm Diamond Centres

Hosted by Nancy Regan

Produced by Podstarter

Do you have a great love story? You could be the next guest on the Canadian Love Map! Apply here!

Catherine and Craig are two multi-talented theatre performers, whose 25-year friendship has seen its fair share of peaks and valleys. Throughout their journey, this dynamic duo has consistently supported, challenged, and inspired one another to become better.

They faced their greatest obstacle when Catherine was diagnosed with brain cancer. However, the life-threatening crisis didn't stop them from auditioning for Season 8 of The Amazing Race Canada. Proving the old saying what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, they not only competed in this nationally televised reality show...they took home the grand prize.

Follow Craig: https://www.instagram.com/craigramsayfit/

Follow Catherine: https://www.instagram.com/catherinewreford/

Presented by Charm Diamond Centres

Hosted by Nancy Regan

Produced by Podstarter

Do you have a great love story? You could be the next guest on the Canadian Love Map! Apply here!

Sheila and Cody, living in different countries, were complete strangers who became bonded by blood through the gift of life.

Sheila, a veteran from New Brunswick, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and received chemotherapy in 2012. In need of bone marrow, Sheila was alerted of a donor match. Her match wasn't a friend or a close family member; it was someone she didn't even know.

Cody, hailing from Mississippi, signed up for the donor list, believing it was a simple way to help another person in need. He was about to get married when he was alerted of the match and went in for the donation procedure. 

A year after the procedure, Sheila and Cody got in touch and developed a long-distance friendship. A decade later, Cody made the journey to New Brunswick, where they finally met in person. Today, they are close friends who share a unique bond, an experience few can lay claim to.

For more information on blood donation and to register, visit https://www.blood.ca/

Presented by Charm Diamond Centres

Hosted by Nancy Regan

Produced by Podstarter

Do you have a great love story? You could be the next guest on the Canadian Love Map! Apply here!

Undoubtedly, art has the power to lead us out of our darkest moments. This love story belongs to Holly Carr, a Canadian artist who turns silk into stories with her unique style of silk paintings, creating joyful magic with her brushes.

In addition to her other pursuits, she captivates audiences with her mesmerizing live performance art that unfolds on stage to the backdrop of live music. Her artistic journey has taken her across the nation, including her notable 26-date tour alongside the late Stewart Maclean of Vinyl Café fame. One of her early sources of inspiration was the cherished Ernie Coombs, the Canadian entertainer who brought Mr. Dressup to life. His enduring legacy, infused with kindness and character, continues to shape Holly's artistic path.

Recently, Holly has brought to life an extraordinary art installation called Light In The Forest: an intersection of art, music and mental wellness filled with messages of hope and resilience. The installation was inspired by her then young son, who suffered from anxiety. Knowing the purpose of this project had a bigger contribution to make and more people to reach, it's evolved into a multimedia immersive experience, an award-winning children’s book and an app that Holly developed with Acadia University. Light In The Forest has touched the lives of over 3000 youth across Nova Scotia.

For more information:

https://www.hollycarr.com/

https://thereislightintheforest.weebly.com/

Presented by Charm Diamond Centres

Hosted by Nancy Regan

Produced by Podstarter

Do you have a great love story? You could be the next guest on the Canadian Love Map! Apply here!

Across Canada is a special group of women connected by one thing: a fearless curiosity about severe weather, and a passion to diversify the face of weather and science. They are a courageous community called Girls Who Chase. Their goal? To inspire, empower and equip girls and women to pursue storms, the sciences, and their passions.

Jenny Hagan is the Girls Who Chase Canada Chapter Lead and an award-winning photographer. When a plow wind sent her flying in a tent at age 7, Jenny's curiosity for weather and storms was ignited. By age 12 she was determined to become a storm chaser, despite only having fictional characters to look up to. Since then, she has embarked on a journey of self-education, delving deep into the realms of forecasting and meteorology. Today, she passionately pursues storms across North America.

Shannon is a landscape photographer from Manitoba. She became fascinated with storm chasing after having some intense dreams about tornados when she was younger. After seeing her first tornado in real life in 2007, she bought a DSLR and committed to getting the perfect shot of lightning. Now, her photos of lightning strikes and auroras impress anyone who finds them, including Jenny. Shannon and Jenny eventually connected and became friends, mentors, and partners in storm chasing. 

Tune in for an inspiring conversation all about the love behind storm chasing. Jenny and Shannon discuss the human element of storm chasing, the goal of spreading information and awareness to the public, and what motivates them to venture where most people don't: into the storm.

For more information, visit https://www.girlswhochase.com/

Follow Jenny: @lostinsk

Follow Shannon: @shannbil

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Presented by Charm Diamond Centres

Hosted by Nancy Regan

Produced by Podstarter

Do you have a great love story? You could be the next guest on the Canadian Love Map! Apply here!

At the age of 15, Jessica Kruger's life took a profound turn when she became a quadriplegic due to a life-altering workplace injury that resulted in a spinal cord injury. Her injury ignited many changes, including a new passion for baking and cake decorating. However, one aspect of her character remained unaltered: her stubbornness. To Jessica, it's a superpower. Soon enough, her persistence to prove others wrong and defy expectations led to the creation of her thriving business venture, The Stubborn Baker, which specializes in baking and custom cake decorating.

Jessica's newfound confidence led to another life change when she met Juan, a restless and soft-spoken chemical engineer from Columbia. He was looking for someone who shared the same sense of devotion to family and friends as he did. Juan found exactly what he was looking for in Jessica. And the two have been together ever since.

So what are the ingredients for an incredible love story? You'll just have to listen to find out.

Check out Jessica's website:

https://thestubbornbaker.com/

Follow Jessica: @thestubbornbaker

Presented by Charm Diamond Centres

Hosted by Nancy Regan

Produced by Podstarter

Do you have a great love story? You could be the next guest on the Canadian Love Map! Apply here!

This love story belongs to the mother-daughter duo, Jenny Kierstead and Sophia Rae, a remarkable mother-daughter duo who are bridging the intergenerational gap.

They're also co-hosts of a podcast called Spark, A Mother-Daughter Journey, where they have open-hearted conversations and engaging discussions with special guests. Together, they pave the way for healing and understanding, forging connections that transcend age and experience.  Spark was created from a place of profound loss and global isolation. After Jenny's sister Lisa tragically lost her life in the Nova Scotia mass casualty, and as the world grappled with the challenges of the pandemic, this podcast was a light in the darkness.

Jenny Kiersted is the creator of the Girl on Fire movement. She dedicates her life to empowering young women and guiding them in harnessing their inner wisdom and strength through in-person workshops and online programs. Her daughter Sophia Rae, an aspiring singer-songwriter, mental health advocate, and public speaker, joins her mother on this journey, adding her own unique perspective and passion to the mix.

In this heartfelt conversation, Jenny and Sophia delve into their ever-evolving mother-daughter relationship and discuss the power of conversation, the importance of empowering young women and how their relationship has impacted their own personal growth.

For more information, please visit: https://girlonfire.ca/

Follow and subscribe to Spark, A Mother-Daughter Journey on Spotify or on your favourite podcast platform.

Hosted by Nancy Regan

Presented by Charm Diamond Centres

Produced by Podstarter

Do you want to be a guest on the Canadian Love Map? Apply here!

This week's love story belongs to Kim Albright (Director) and Julia Lederer (Writer), the creative duo behind the powerful new film With Love and a Major Organ.  The inspiring film has been touring the festival circuit, captivating and connecting with audiences nationwide.

With Love and a Major Organ is set in an alternate world where hearts are made of objects and suppressing emotions is self-care, a lonely woman rips out her own heart for the man she loves, only to discover that he has run away with it. Whimsical, quirky, and wildly original, With Love and a Major Organ pushes on the ever-stranger phenomenon of physical human interaction in the age of technology. Why is it that we are ever more connected and yet we have never felt more alone?

In this episode, we discuss the heart-centred themes in the show and the journey from screenplay to feature-length film. Kim and Julia share their thoughts on the creative process, challenges, and triumphs that brought this extraordinary film to the big screen.

With Love and a Major Organ will be featured at the Atlantic International Film Festival on September 17th. Purchase tickets to the screening here.

For more information:

https://www.withloveandamajororgan.com/

http://www.instagram.com/withlove.andamajororgan

Follow Julia: http://www.instagram.com/juliaalederer

Follow Kim:  https://www.instagram.com/kimaalbright/

Hosted by Nancy Regan

Presented by Charm Diamond Centres

Produced by Podstarter

Do you want to be a guest on the Canadian Love Map? Apply here!