Purpose Builds Confidence | Season 3 Premiere | PART 1
Feature Friday
Season 3 is here! In part 1 of the premiere, Aaliyah and Trev catch up on life updates and reflect on what they've learned from past seasons — then Aaliyah shares what led her to med school, how purpose fuels confidence, and why trying new things can change your whole trajectory. They also talk identity, ambition, community, and pushing past the fear of not “belonging.” We've got a great season of guests this year and can't wait to share with you the amazing episodes coming your way soon!
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S2E12: “Start Where You’re At” with Nevell Provo and Corvell Beals
Feature Friday
On the season finale of season 2, we’re honoured to have brothers and entrepreneurs Nevell Provo and Corvell Beals join the pod! The episode traces their journey growing up in North Preston, where basketball wasn’t just a game — it was a foundation. They break down how elite-level athletics, from Team Canada to NCAA competition, shaped their confidence, discipline, and willingness to take risks long before business ever entered the picture. Nevell and Corvell dive deep into their transition from sports to entrepreneurship, explaining how problem-solving, leadership, and...
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S2E11: "My Music Found My Audience" with Kye Clayton and Jody Upshaw | PART 2
Feature Friday
Our guests for this month’s Feature Friday are Kye Clayton and Jody Upshaw. Kye Clayton is a Halifax-based artist, producer, and certified audio engineer pushing the sound of Nova Scotia forward. As Manager of Youth Power and Innovation at Hope Blooms, he empowers youth through music and mentorship. A two-time ANSMA Award winner — earning the Lieutenant Governor Award and Portia White Youth Award — Kye has performed at the ECMAs, Nova Scotia Music Week, and Magnetic World Festival, and opened for Xzibit. Through his collective LDN and upcoming project Live by Faith, Not by Sight,...
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S2E11: "My Music Found My Audience" with Kye Clayton and Jody Upshaw | PART 1
Feature Friday
Our guests for this month’s Feature Friday are Kye Clayton and Jody Upshaw. Kye Clayton is a Halifax-based artist, producer, and certified audio engineer pushing the sound of Nova Scotia forward. As Manager of Youth Power and Innovation at Hope Blooms, he empowers youth through music and mentorship. A two-time ANSMA Award winner — earning the Lieutenant Governor Award and Portia White Youth Award — Kye has performed at the ECMAs, Nova Scotia Music Week, and Magnetic World Festival, and opened for Xzibit. Through his collective LDN and upcoming project Live by Faith, Not by Sight,...
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S2E10: "A Marble in Honey" with Nathan Simmons | PART 2
Feature Friday
Our guest for this month's Feature Friday is Nathan Simmons. Nathan is an actor of compelling presence and range, best known for his role as Elgin Williams on the supernatural horror-mystery series FROM. Hailing from the historical Black communities of East and North Preston in Nova Scotia, Simmons brings both authenticity and nuance to his craft. He graduated from the acting program at the Fountain School of the Arts in 2017, laying a solid foundation in theatre before making the transition to screen. Early in his career, Simmons distinguished himself in Canadian theatre,...
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S2E10: "A Marble in Honey" with Nathan Simmons | PART 1
Feature Friday
Our guest for this month's Feature Friday is Nathan Simmons. Nathan is an actor of compelling presence and range, best known for his role as Elgin Williams on the supernatural horror-mystery series FROM. Hailing from the historical Black communities of East and North Preston in Nova Scotia, Simmons brings both authenticity and nuance to his craft. He graduated from the acting program at the Fountain School of the Arts in 2017, laying a solid foundation in theatre before making the transition to screen. Early in his career, Simmons distinguished himself in Canadian theatre,...
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S2E9: "Turning Impulsivity into Possibility" with Damini Awoyiga
Feature Friday
Our guest for this month's Feature Friday is Damini Awoyiga. Damini is a student, an activist, a spoken word poet, and the former Halifax’s Youth Poet Laureate (2023-2024). Damini is the founder of Damini Creatives and the Afro-Indigenous Book Club, a book club created to encourage young people to read books written by Black and Indigenous authors and to share the realities and experiences of Black and Indigenous Canadians. Damini was the Junior Artist in Residence for Wellness Within, a community organization working for reproductive justice, prison abolition, and health equity;...
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S2E8: "All Things in Time" with Tyree Haley
Feature Friday
Our guest for this month's Feature Friday is Tyree Haley. Tyree Haley is a model, actor, and fitness coach with a deep passion for helping others unlock their full potential. Now based in Thailand, he runs a wellness retreat on the island of Koh Tao and teaches English part-time, supporting Thai locals in his community. Originally from Halifax, Tyree previously worked as an African Nova Scotian recruiter and served on the board of the Delmore “Buddy” Daye Learning Institute (DBDLI). He has also walked in New York, Paris and most recently Thailand Fashion Week respectively. Ty lives by the...
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S2E7: The Future of Black Land Ownership Starts Here | Shekara Grant & Curtis Whiley
Feature Friday
Our guests for this month’s double feature is Shekara Grant and Curtis Whiley! Shekara Grant has ancestral ties to both Cherry Brook and Weymouth Falls, two of over 50 historic African Nova Scotian communities in this province. She graduated from Dalhousie University with combined honours in Sociology and French and a Certificate in Intercultural Communications in 2019. In 2023, Shekara founded the Weymouth Falls Community Land Trust, a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide a platform for a vibrant community voice that stewards the land of Weymouth Falls by intersecting...
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S2E6: “If You’re Committed to the Legislation, What Are You Doing to Get There?” | A Conversation on Environmental Racism and the Fight for Justice with Vanessa Hartley
Feature Friday
Our guest for this months Feature Friday is Vanessa Hartley! Vanessa Hartley is an 8th-generation Black Loyalist descendant, born and raised in Shelburne, Nova Scotia. Her work and volunteer efforts demonstrate a deep commitment to Black history, Community Engagement, and Environmental Justice within her home province. Hartley began her career at the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre in 2019, serving as Program Coordinator and Visitor Experience Supervisor, where she developed a love for Black history and Community Engagement. After completing her education, she returned to her...
info_outlineOur guest for this month's Feature Friday episode is Daneesha Provo!
Daneesha’s journey has been all about growth, purpose, and impact, and she is excited to see where it takes her next. Right now, Daneesha is taking some time away from basketball to focus on family, enjoy life, and really be present in this chapter.
After years of dedicating herself to the game, playing at the highest levels, traveling the world, and pushing through the ups and downs, she’s embracing a new balance. One of her biggest priorities is building her basketball academy. She’s always believed in using basketball as a tool for education and opportunity, and now she is fully committed to creating a space where young female athletes can grow, learn, and chase their dreams just like she did.
Beyond basketball, she has been tapping into other passions, including writing a children’s book, something she has wanted to do for a long time. Storytelling has always been important to her, and she is excited to bring her experiences and lessons to life in a way that inspires kids from her community and Nova Scotia.
Daneesha is also working with Tribe Network as the Community Engagement Lead, which has been an amazing experience. She gets to collaborate with incredible people, connect with her community in new ways, and help create opportunities for others. It’s been the perfect setup for her, and is loving every moment of it.
Travel is also still a big part of her life. Whether it’s for work or just exploring, she loves being able to see new places, meet new people, and gain fresh perspectives.
It was a pleasure hosting the inspirational Daneesha Provo on our podcast this month!
Show notes:
00:00 - Introduction
1:45 - Daneesha’s backstory
5:10 - Daneesha’s special relationship with her dad
8:50 - Daneesha’s experience in boarding school
16:20 - Daneesha’s advice on the lessons she’s learned on the path to success
20:30 - How do basketball skills translate to real world skills?
28:00 - Daneesha and Aaliyah’s advice for people who want to expand their identity outside basketball
33:45 - Daneesha’s experience in China
40:10 - Daneesha on start her basketball academy
43:55 - Daneesha’s children’s book
47:10 - Daneesha work with Tribe Network
51:00 - Daneesha’s advice for people who want to travel and see the world
57:00 - One word checkout!