Vox Talk

In this special episode Stephanie sits down with her long time client and member of the Vox roster, Tareq Hadhad who arrived in Canada in December 2015. Tareq started working with Vox in early 2017 and it’s been a pretty wild ride bringing Tareq to stages all around the world, meeting leaders of countries and thousands of people. In this interview you’ll hear about the importance of getting the message right at his keynotes, the new opportunities you don’t see coming in business and the rollercoaster ride of entrepreneurship. Tareq says “Entrepreneurship is like jumping off a cliff and building a plane on the way down.” Both Stephanie and Tareq run businesses and have grown together over the last eight years as they build his speaking career that has brought him all across Canada and to many countries like Japan, Mexico, the United States and various destinations in Europe. Their life changing partnership has opened doors neither of them ever imagined and are excited for the many new opportunities to come. @peacebychocolate @tareqhadhad #goodpeoplebooked #voxtalk #letstalk

Stephanie sits down to chat with one of her best friends she’s known and worked with for nearly 20 years. They reminisce of their time working with Zac’s band, Caledonia, producing the documentary Paddle to the Ocean, his speaking career as a member of the VOX roster and his newest serious leisure love of stand up comedy. Zac openly talks about living with PTSD and the stigma that still surrounds mental illness. They laugh about days on tour (pre cell phones), his relationship with religion, their early days in the music industry, growing cannabis, the importance of practicing your craft, dark humour and how his new serious leisure activity is helping him and others laugh while healing from grief and trauma. Two friends, two mics, sitting at a kitchen table where they have laughed and hung out at many times. #zaccrouse Intro and Outro Song: “Freetime: by Caledonia Produced by Mike Ryan: @michael_s_ryan #goodpeoplebooked #voxtalk

Steve Murphy is a beloved and respected personality in Atlantic Canada. How fun to share some time with him at the kitchen table and talk to one of our good people. Steve joined many maritimers in their homes at the dinner hour live from the CTV news desk for three decades. He is a firm believer in delivering the news based on facts and not opinions. After a lifetime of reporting news and showcasing the opinions of others, Steve now expresses his own opinions on the things he’s done and the people he’s met along the way. These days you’ll see Steve delivering keynote speeches, hosting events and a special correspondent, commentator and analyst for CTV Atlantic. @stevemurphyspeaks Intro and Outro Song: “Freetime: by Caledonia Produced by Mike Ryan: @michael_s_ryan #goodpeoplebooked #voxtalk

In the season finale episode of VOX Talk we feature my BFF (Best Friends Forever) Christina Bradshaw. We met over 20 years ago because of the events industry and have developed a beautiful and everlasting friendship at play and at work! Join us as we dive into the vibrant world of colour and design with Christina Bradshaw, a seasoned expert with an extensive background in building client brands both on social media and in print. With over 20 years of experience at Revolve (now Believeco), Christina has worn many hats, including account manager, graphic designer, and manager of corporate events and fundraising sponsorships.Christina is a graduate of Toronto's Ryerson University, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in New Media with focused studies in Graphic and Interactive Design. Her background in art and design, combined with her spirited personality, adds a unique flair to every project she undertakes.Throughout her career, Christina has branded several marquee events, such as the Great Big Dig for the IWK, The Mental Health Foundation's Festival of Trees & A Different Stage of Mind, Junior Achievement Nova Scotia's Business Hall of Fame, and Hospice Halifax's Feeling The Love.Currently, Christina freelances as a graphic designer and offers Colour Analysis services through her business, High Chroma. Her passion for design and enthusiasm for colour have led her on an exciting journey into Colour Analysis.Christina empowers others with the knowledge of which colours best highlight their natural beauty. Her in-person sessions offer a personal consultation designed to boost confidence by understanding one’s optimal colour palette. Using principles of colour science and theory, this time-tested process helps individuals discover the colours that bring out their best selves.Tune in to learn more about Christina's journey, her insights into the world of design and colour, and how she can help find the perfect palette for you. Christina, along with my podcast producer Mike Ryan help me wrap up Season 1 of VOX Talk. A big THANK YOU to them for all their support and to YOU the listeners for tuning in. Steph’s Sites:Vox Agency: https://www.voxagency.ca/Vox on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/voxagency/https://www.facebook.com/voxmanagementagency Email Steph: stephanie@voxagency.ca Intro and Outro Song: “Freetime” by CaledoniaChristina’s Sites:@_high_chroma_

In this episode, we explore the intriguing journey of Karen Spaulding, a dynamic business leader with many accomplishments to her name. Karen's story is one of diverse experiences, from the world of corporate finance and tech startups to her passionate stewardship of a beloved music venue — The Carleton. Born and raised in Liverpool, Nova Scotia, Karen embarked on her academic journey by earning a BSc (Hons in Biology) from Queen’s University and an MBA from the University of Western Ontario. Her professional career began in Halifax, working first in Finance and then in IT. Karen's life took a turn when she moved to San Jose, California working as a business manager and later relocating to Burnaby, British Columbia, working in various roles, from insurance brokering to engagements with Orca Entertainment, supporting Vancouver sports teams. Returning to Halifax, Karen continued freelancing, initially within her family business, Mersey Seafoods. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to tech startup Metaworks, where she began as an investor and advisor before eventually becoming the owner and President. A notable chapter in Karen’s journey is her connection with The Carleton, a renowned music venue in Halifax. As a long-time fan and patron, she attended her first major show there in 2009, featuring Ron Sexsmith—a pivotal moment for her. Years later, aware of the venue's struggles during the construction of the nearby convention centre, Karen was disheartened by the prospect of losing this iconic establishment. In January 2017, after reading an article on AllNovaScotia.com about a failed sale attempt, Karen decided to take action. With her responsibilities at Metaworks winding down and having the financial capacity to invest, she met with the venue’s owner, Mike Campbell, and four months later, she officially purchased The Carleton. What began as a hands-off investment evolved into a hands-on role as Karen dedicated herself to restoring the venue to its former glory. Under her leadership, The Carleton has flourished, earning numerous accolades, including two Nova Scotia Music Awards, three East Coast Music Awards, two Canada Live Music Awards, and one Restaurant Association of Nova Scotia Award. Karen Spaulding’s story is a testament to her adaptability, business acumen, and passion for community and the arts. Join us as we delve into her multifaceted career and the inspiring journey that led her to become a pivotal figure in Halifax’s vibrant music scene. Steph’s Sites: Vox Agency: https://www.voxagency.ca/ Vox on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/voxagency/ https://www.facebook.com/voxmanagementagency Email Steph: stephanie@voxagency.ca Intro and Outro Song: “Freetime” by Caledonia Karen’s Sites: https://www.thecarleton.ca/ @carletonhalifax

In this episode, we dive deep into the heart and soul of Cape Breton Island's very own Dave Sampson. Known for his introspective lyrics and soulful melodies, Dave has become a beloved figure in the Canadian music scene. We'll explore his East Coast roots, the inspirations behind his music, and the journey that has led him to critical acclaim and a devoted fanbase. Tune in for an intimate session filled with stories, music, and the essence of what makes Dave Sampson a dynamic and engaging performer. Dave talks about what songwriting means to him and how he developed into a session co-writer in Nashville. He has collaborated with some of Canada’s top exports such as Classified, Alan Doyle, Donovan Woods & Neon Dreams as well as being chosen as one of five in Canada’s Walk of Fame emerging artist program. Dave has been working hard to solidify his position as one of Canada’s top emerging songwriters. In 2016 Dave's song "No Pressure" was sampled by Canadian Hip Hop icon Classified and released as his first single via Atlantic Records with Snoop Dogg. Since the release, the song went certified Gold in Canada. Steph’s Sites: Vox Agency: https://www.voxagency.ca/ Vox on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/voxagency/ https://www.facebook.com/voxmanagementagency Email Steph: stephanie@voxagency.ca Intro and Outro Song: “Freetime” by Caledonia Produced by Mike Ryan: https://www.instagram.com/michael_s_ryan/ Dave’s Sites: https://davesampson.ca/ @dave.sampson

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Jennifer Parkhill, one of Halifax’s premier event planners. With over 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Jennifer specializes in event management, bringing unparalleled excellence to every project. In this episode, Jennifer shares her journey, insights, and the philosophy that drives her success: “work hard, have fun, laugh and be part of something to be proud of.” She shares tips for aspiring event planners, how to balance creativity with practicality, and the importance of attention to detail. Tune in to discover how Jennifer combines innovative concepts with practical solutions to create seamless, memorable events.Steph’s Sites:Vox Agency: https://www.voxagency.ca/Vox on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/voxagency/https://www.facebook.com/voxmanagementagency Email Steph: stephanie@voxagency.ca Intro and Outro Song: “Freetime” by CaledoniaProduced by Mike Ryan: https://www.instagram.com/michael_s_ryan/Jenniferhttps://parkhillevents.com/

The amazing Neville MacKay has owned an operated “My Mother’s Bloomers” in Halifax for over 30 years. He's designed floral arrangements for celebrities and Heads of State, including Rod Stewart, Glen Close, Sirs Elton John and Paul McCartney and members of the British Royal Family. Brimming with humour and charisma, Neville sits down with Steph to tell stories about how flowers came into his life, where they’ve taken him, and shares countless anecdotes from his adventure filled life. This episode is sure to make you smile and appreciate the simple beauty of having flowers in your world. Neville is well known throughout the Floral Industry and beyond for his creative flare, quality workmanship and entertaining personality. He is a successful business person, speaker, host and author. Steph’s Sites: Vox Agency: https://www.voxagency.ca/ Vox on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/voxagency/ https://www.facebook.com/voxmanagementagency Email Steph: stephanie@voxagency.ca Intro and Outro Song: “Freetime” by Caledonia Produced by Mike Ryan: https://www.instagram.com/michael_s_ryan/ Neville's Sites: My Mother’s Bloomers: https://www.facebook.com/mymothersbloomers/ Instagram: @mymothersbloomers www.mymothersbloomers.com

Beginning Wednesday, May 1st, tune into "Vox Talk"— a podcast diving into the behind the scenes view of the live music and events industry. Hosted by Stephanie Purcell, she and her team at Vox have booked talent for corporate and special events for 20 years. They've worked with some of the best of the best in Canadian talent—and they've got stories to share. Tune in to hear how shows and events come to life, and hear from the people who make it happen.