Keep Talking
A podcast by the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia
Keep Talking is a podcast from the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia, featuring honest conversations around mental health, lived experience, and hope. Through thoughtful storytelling and meaningful dialogue, Keep Talking invites listeners to reflect, learn, and feel less alone. These conversations aren’t about having all the answers — they’re about connection, compassion, and continuing the dialogue.
Hosted by Sam Madore, each episode brings together voices from across our communities — advocates, leaders, and people with lived experience — to explore what it really means to support mental wellness, navigate addiction and recovery, and create spaces where people feel seen, heard, and supported.
New episodes are released every second Wednesday at 7:00 AM AST on Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts.
Content note: Episodes may include discussions of suicide and other sensitive topics. Listener discretion is advised.
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Episode 10: Mario Rolle — Courage, Community, and Creating Brave Spaces
In this final episode of Season 1 of Keep Talking, host Sam Madore sits down with Mario Rolle, a passionate mental health advocate dedicated to advancing social justice and strengthening the wellbeing of African Nova Scotian and Black communities. Mario shares his journey into advocacy — from his early work with at-risk men to helping…
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Episode 9: Fiona Kirkpatrick Parsons — Purpose, Perspective, and Sharing Your Gifts
In this episode of Keep Talking, host Sam Madore sits down with Fiona Kirkpatrick Parsons, a longtime supporter of the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia and member of the Community Grants Committee, for a thoughtful and inspiring conversation about purpose, giving back, and staying grounded. Fiona shares how her personal experiences, cultural identity, and…
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Episode 8: Seana Jewer — Community, Connection, and Supporting Each Other Through Suicide
In this episode of Keep Talking, host Sam Madore sits down with Seana Jewer, Community Engagement Lead with Roots of Hope at Nova Scotia Health, for a compassionate and insightful conversation about suicide prevention, community care, and connection. Seana shares how Roots of Hope is helping communities across Nova Scotia build the skills and confidence…
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Episode 7: Lorna Griffin-Fillier — Trauma, Boundaries, and Building a Life of Connection
In this episode of Keep Talking, host Sam Madore sits down with Lorna Griffin Fillier, Professional Practice Leader with Nova Scotia Health and Vice Chair of the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia’s Board of Trustees, for a deeply insightful conversation about trauma, connection, and what it really means to care for our mental health.…
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Episode 6: Morgan Manzer — Lived Experience, Leadership, and Showing Up Authentically
In this episode of Keep Talking, host Sam Madore sits down with Morgan Manzer, a Staff Lawyer with Nova Scotia Legal Aid and Chair of the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia’s Board of Trustees, for an honest and insightful conversation about lived experience, advocacy, and leadership. Morgan shares how both his personal experience with…
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Episode 5: Stacy Darku — Trauma, Grief, and Building Spaces for Healing
In this episode of Keep Talking, host Sam Madore sits down with Stacy Darku, a Registered Counselling Therapist with the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists and owner of Esinam Counselling, for a thoughtful and powerful conversation about trauma, grief, and the work of healing. With more than 15 years of experience in the mental…
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Episode 4: Paul Hollingsworth — Grief, Purpose, and Turning Loss Into Action
In this episode of Keep Talking, host Sam Madore sits down with Paul Hollingsworth, Multi-Skilled Journalist with CTV National News, for a deeply personal and meaningful conversation. Paul shares his experience of losing his brother to suicide while he was still a university student, and how that devastating moment reshaped his life and sense of…
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Episode 3: Karen Furneaux — Movement, Mental Illness, and Redefining Strength
In this episode of Keep Talking, host Sam Madore is joined by Karen Furneaux — three-time Olympian, world champion sprint kayaker, author, and mental health advocate — for an honest conversation about strength, vulnerability, and resilience. Karen shares her experience of receiving a late-onset mental illness diagnosis after years of competing at the highest level…
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Episode 2: Mary Deacon — Let’s Talk, Leadership, and Lasting Change
In this episode of Keep Talking, we sit down with Mary Deacon, Chair and Founder of Bell Let’s Talk. This conversation explores Mary’s why — what first inspired her to champion mental health, and what continues to drive her commitment to ensuring these conversations don’t end after a single day. Together, we talk about leadership,…
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Episode 1: Caitlin Morrison — Long-Term Recovery, Legacy, and Hope
Welcome to the very first episode of Keep Talking, a podcast from the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia — featuring honest conversations around mental health, lived experience, and hope. In this episode, host Sam Madore sits down with Caitlin Morrison, who is carrying forward her brother Matthew Perry’s legacy through her advocacy for long-term…