In this 4th episode in the series "Mental Health and the Arts" guest host Kevin power talks with award-winning author David A. Robertson to discuss his 2025 memoir, All the Little Monsters: How I Learned to Live with Anxiety . David opens up about his journey with chronic anxiety and depression. David says: "If someone's going to look at me... they might think that I've got it all together. And I think it's important to hear it sometimes that I don't. The more we share with each other... the mor...
May 19, 2025•45 min
Jay Semko is a founding member and lead singer of the iconic Canadian band The Northern Pikes. Jay joins guest host Kevin Power to share his personal journey through mental health struggles and substance abuse. Jay’s story is one of resilience, vulnerability—ultimately learning how to ride the waves of depression, and learning to be at peace with it all. Jay is now using his experiences to inspire others, particularly school students. This is more than just a musician’s story—it's a powerful rem...
May 12, 2025•1 hr 9 min
Marian Donnelly began her professional path in the arts and non-profit sector when she was in her teens. 50 years (as of 2025) later she is still at it! And there is "not a damn thing" Marian could tell her teen self if she could, because the path is filled with dips and turns and successes, disappointments, frustrating, and joy that no one could prepare for until you are in it. And in it she is! Marian's motto "Live a life of purpose and adventure" is why she does what she does. Somedays it fee...
May 05, 2025•1 hr
Given her massive success as a Canadian photographer it's hard to believe that there was a time, when, not once, but twice Thelma Pepper faced depression head-on. Her belief was that she needed to find something that would make her feel good about herself. Those who know her work can attest to the fact that the power of her photography touched the lives of her subjects and audiences. It is that kind of reaction that was all the confirmation Thelma needed to know that she had found her bliss, and...
Apr 29, 2025•1 hr 7 min
The Caswell Bus Barns project is an ambitious redevelopment initiative in Saskatoon, transforming the historic Saskatoon Transit facility into a vibrant mixed-use hub. Spearheaded by CBB Ltd., a consortium of local investors, developers, and designers, the project aims to preserve the site's heritage while introducing modern spaces. At the heart of this transformation is Crystal Bueckert, a renowned Saskatoon-based designer and co-founder of CBB Ltd. As the owner and senior designer at Bldg Stud...
Mar 28, 2025•37 min
With her ancestral ties to the traditional territory of Carcross/Tagish First Nation, Lyndsay Amato's work is greatly influenced by lived experience, education and blood memory and her extensive experience working in the fields of education and Indigenous media. She is passionate about strengthening the voice and influence of First Nation perspectives within community programs by bringing her unique perspective to the table – diagnosed with ADHD late in life, it is easy to see how Lyndsay has be...
Mar 10, 2025•51 min
The digital media landscape presents several challenges, including the overwhelming amount of information available, making it difficult to discern reliable sources from misinformation. In this episode, journalist John Loeppky offers his thoughts on choosing sources wisely. Together with host Em Ironstar you'll learn how to vary your own media diet and learn about some of the sources they have come to trust. Relevant links: John's website: https://www.jloeppky.com Saskatchewan Centre for Interna...
Feb 14, 2025•48 min
Most artists in this province/country have learned that the key to a thriving career is diversification. Rowan Pantel and Kenn McLeod are two Saskatoon based artists who have perfected the art of juggling a myriad of positions - from performers, to arts administrators, mentors, teachers, community engagers, advocacy and much more. In this episode the are joined by podcast host, Em Ironstar to share just how fulfilling their lives are lately as they thrive in the Saskatchewan arts scene. Related ...
Jan 27, 2025•1 hr 1 min
Call them "New Years Resolutions" or "Life resolutions" Danielle Richardson is poised to meet one of her goals (one we could all take to heart): Schedule "walk-and-think" sessions once a week. Because a life as an artist and arts administrator can be all-consuming if not kept in check. Danielle Richardson is a spoken word poet, Canadian national poetry slam champion, independent theatre creator, community organizer and arts administrator. In this episode, Danielle shares her early artistic inspi...
Jan 17, 2025•1 hr
Trans Futurity is a concept that envisions a future where transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals are fully embraced, empowered, and integrated into all aspects of society, free from discrimination and oppression. Perhaps more challenging than ever in our current political climate. Saskatchewan is not immune. This episode's guests are Jaye Kovach and Cat Haines. Creative, groundbreaking, outspoken advocates, and determined are a few traits that both artists possess. This conversation is...
Nov 19, 2024•58 min
Never make the assumption that an artist is practicing what amounts to be a hobby! That's what this episodes guest Melanie Monique Rose might experience were it not for her wise business choices in which making a fair and equitable, living wage is a non-negotiable, or at the very least, on her terms. Ensuring artists receive a decent wage is crucial for the sustainability of creative industries and the well-being of those who contribute to our cultural landscape. Fair compensation not only recog...
Nov 03, 2024•47 min
Welcome to the THIRD season of the Saskatchewan Arts Alliance's podcast "Arts Everywhere"! And what better way to kick off the season with the greatly anticipated opening of Regina's Globe Theatre. It's been a journey over the past 3 years and the efforts of hundreds of people the finishing touches are just about done so that the Globe is ready to kick off their 2024-25 season! Em Ironstar is joined by the Globe's new artistic director Jennifer Brewen and the director of development and communit...
Oct 09, 2024•1 hr 2 min
Eekwol is a dynamic and influential Indigenous hip hop artist from the Muskoday Lake Cree Nation in Saskatchewan. She is known for her powerful and thought-provoking lyrics. Eekwol blends traditional Indigenous themes with contemporary hip hop sounds to address social issues, cultural identity, and personal empowerment. Eekwol's work not only showcases her unique talent and perspective but also serves as a platform for amplifying Indigenous voices and stories through the universal language of hi...
Aug 05, 2024•50 min
Mackenzie Dawson is the artistic director of Saskatoon's Sum Theatre. Mac had big shoes to fill when he took over from the companies original founder Joel Bernbaum, and fill them he has! As Saskatchewan’s first free professional live Theatre in the Park, Sum theatre boasts an impressive attendance record and plays a key part in community building in the province. We are not for a lack of parks in Saskatchewan and for Sum Theatre "all the parks are a stage" and if you happen to find yourself at o...
Jun 13, 2024•38 min
Welcome back to Balancing Act! This conversation is the continuation of Episode 25 Erin Goodpipe, Amy Matysio, Kris Alvarez, Johanna Bundonan and host Em Ironstar continue an open and honest discussion about finding balance as an artist and how we are, and continue to be, providing a safe and honest environment where we can all have our needs heard, and hopefully fulfilled. Relevant Links: https://balancingactcanada.com/en/programs/level-up/ https://www.curtainrazors.ca/home https://www.facebook...
Jun 06, 2024•46 min
This is Part 1 or a two part episode entitled “Balancing Act”. Part 2 launching soon! Erin Goodpipe, Amy Matysio, Kris Alvarez, and Johanna Bundon join host Em Ironstar for a deep dive into the balancing act that so many artists today find challenging. Important initiatives are addressing this issue and Saskatchewan is no exception . As one of our guests says: “Care is all we have. Who is taking care of the ambassadors of care? Care for the artist? Care for the art?” “There are signals everywher...
May 29, 2024•50 min
When the beat of hip-hop converge with the power of literature, transformation beckons. Khodi Dill, is an educator and author whose narrative speaks volumes about the role of the arts in societal change. For those who find solace in rhythm and rhyme, this conversation about the underestimated value of hip-hop in the classroom is an eye-opener. Khodi Challenges the status quo, advocating for a space where hip-hop is celebrated for its historical roots in activism and its potential to cultivate em...
May 09, 2024•39 min
Have you ever paused to consider the symphony of sounds that paint the canvas of our daily lives? This episode invites sound artist Dominique Ferraton to share her transition from the hustle of Montreal to Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan. Against the backdrop of this tranquil environment, Dominique discusses the intimate process of capturing the auditory essence of her new home and the personal evolution of her multidisciplinary art practice. Her work focuses on community and place, while her insights...
Apr 15, 2024•38 min
Join SAA ED Em Ironstar and Roberta Cross for a lively discussion which dives into how the SAA is "Reimagining Governance" and the process that facilitated change. Em and Roberta talk about implementing honorarium payments for board members and bylaw changes that have critically shifted governance practices at the SAA. Governance and bylaw work might sound boring, but this episode is anything but! Links mentioned in this episode www.growsolutions.ca Thank you to SaskCulture , SKArts , and Sask L...
Mar 27, 2024•58 min
Floyd Favel, is a culture worker from the Poundmaker Cree Nation, whose expertise in the arts is as profound as the heritage he carries. Floyd takes us on a journey from the rich oral traditions of his childhood to his expansive work as an artist, and how these experiences shaped his mission to weave indigenous perspectives into the very fabric of the arts. This episode is a profound exploration of respect, remembrance, and the enduring power of cultural legacies in shaping our world, and the in...
Mar 12, 2024•57 min
When Alejandro Romero left his medical studies for the unpredictable world of art, he set in motion a compelling life story. Our latest podcast episode invites you into an intimate conversation with this two-spirit artist, whose lens captures more than just images—it seizes moments of transformation and truth. Alejandro's journey from the vibrant life of Puerto Rico to the vast prairies of Saskatchewan is a testament to the power of embracing one's identity and weaving it into the fabric of a ne...
Feb 26, 2024•58 min
Nathan Coppens, a remarkable artist living with ADHD. His play "I Have No Idea" is more than just a stage production; it's a window into the nuanced world of neurodiversity, emphasizing the power of empathy and the strength found in non-romantic relationships. The conversation ventures into the realm of music education, where his own experiences underscore the transformative influence of family and public schooling in fostering artistic passions—a rallying cry for the preservation of music progr...
Feb 14, 2024•48 min
Meet Ariana Malthaner, the research lead with the Saskatchewan Arts Alliance. Ariana, unveils how her path led her from the intricacies of Old Irish linguistics to becoming a formidable advocate for the arts in Saskatchewan. Along with Em Ironstar, they uncover the surprising economic prowess of the arts scene in the province, backed by meticulous research confirming a substantial $74 million economic injection in Saskatchewan. The SAA is commitment to crafting engaging reports that tell the sto...
Jan 31, 2024•47 min
Tia Furstenberg is a South African transplant making waves in the Canadian prairies with her art studio and her commitment to nurturing local talent in Prince Albert, Tia shares her initial steps into the world of art to the bold venture of Lemon Yellow Art Studio, navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship without a formal business education. Whether it is a happenstance trip to Greece to assist with an art exhibition, or taking on the multifaceted challenges at the Mann Art Gallery, these...
Jan 17, 2024•50 min
Jordan Baraniecki embarked on a non-linear journey for his Bachelors of Fine Art, attending three different universities across Canada. During this time, he earned scholarships and awards for his drawing skills at the University of Saskatchewan, as well as some of Canada's top art colleges. Jordan obtained his Masters from Emily Carr Throughout his travels, he nurtured a profound appreciation for introspection, philosophy, and psychology, which now serve as undercurrents guiding his artistic pro...
Dec 14, 2023•1 hr 6 min
With a wealth of experience under his belt, this episodes guest, Jeremy Morgan gives us an insider's perspective on the growth and development of major arts and heritage organizations.He shares interesting anecdotes about the struggles and victories of securing funding, and reflects on the transformation he has witnessed in the Saskatchewan arts sector over the years. With host Em Ironstar, the two examine the impact of political shifts in the arts and the pressing need for arts education, shini...
Nov 15, 2023•1 hr
Get ready to be captivated by the intriguing and electrifying journey of Patrick Moonbird, as he takes us on a rollercoaster ride from his early musical beginnings to his current fascinating world of lo-fi bedroom pop. Patrick Moon Bird is an inspiring Indigenous musician, who began playing music at the age of nine, and has evolved into an established Saskatchewan musician, expressing his creativity through a genre called "Lo-Fi Bedroom Pop". Patrick's resilience and passion shine through in his...
Oct 26, 2023•40 min
Breanne Harmon is dedicated to a life in the arts, and her work has been rewarded with the prestigious recognition of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for work in the community. She'll be sharing her inspiring adventure from visual arts to theater, and her transition from Green Thumb Theater to her current role as the Executive Director of Persephone Theatre in Saskatoon. Breanne talks about her mentor, who foresaw her career path. Breanne has led initiatives like the Balancing Act ...
Oct 12, 2023•43 min
Patrick Close is active as a practicing artist, and like many artists, devoted a great deal of his career to arts administration. He has been a key voice within many of Canada's arts organizations and has been a strong advocate for the Status of Artists legislation in our country. His conversation with Em Ironstar offers an in-depth look at where we've come from and where we need to protect the equitable rights that artists of all disciplines so richly deserve. Links referenced in this episode: ...
Sep 25, 2023•48 min
Since 2014 Saskatoon residents and visitors have been “taking it to the street”, in an arts treasure hunt throughout various communities in the city, under the cover of night. Em Ironstar is joined by Jane Reväe McWhirter the curator of Nuit Blanche Saskatoon, which takes place on Treaty 6 Territory. It's the 10th anniversary of the festival and in this episode you'll hear how much it has grown. The Saskatchewan Arts Alliance is thrilled to have Saskatchewan musician Patrick Moon Bird provide th...
Sep 13, 2023•35 min
