Make It with Mike and Kristen
Creative people make things in an effort to “make it”. But what does making it really mean? Is it selling out stadiums, having your painting in the Louvre, making enough money from your art to pay your bills, or simply having the privilege of getting to create in your spare time? Success looks different for everyone, and we’re here to explore those paths and what it takes to make them a reality. Welcome to Make It with Mike and Kristen — where creative people talk about what they make, and what “making it” means to them. Whether you’re a painter, musician, writer, or someone simply looking to infuse more creativity into your daily routine, this show is a gathering space to discuss the struggles, triumphs, ideas, and inspirations that come with pursuing your passion. Hosted by husband-and-wife duo Mike Ryan and Kristen Herrington, Make It explores the beautiful, messy, and often hilarious journey of living a creative life. Mike is a professional musician with nearly two decades of experience on stage and in the studio. Kristen left a six-figure job in politics to become a full-time visual artist. Together, they bring honest conversations, personal stories, and insights from fellow creatives across all disciplines. Recorded in-person at Hot Jupiter Sounds in Nova Scotia, each episode blends real talk, big ideas, and heartwarming moments that’ll leave you feeling inspired—and maybe a little less alone on your own path. No matter where you are in your creative journey, this podcast is your reminder to keep going, keep making, and redefine what it means to make it.
Listen on:
Episodes
Wednesday Aug 17, 2022
Wednesday Aug 17, 2022
With a background in theatre, music and performance, New Brunswick born Vanessa Furlong has had a long creative life. Her former band Three Sheet brought an eclectic sound to the Halifax music scene with a hip-hop vibe and off the cuff performances. She has worked in circus performance for the past five years, notably with her artistic partner Erin Ball who together form “LEGacy Circus”. She also holds the ONLY therapy clown position in the province, and you might be surprised by what this role involves. OH, and she is also a mom, an advocate for the disabled community, does Taekwondo and has taken up running…
Us on the web: www.mikeandkristen.ca
Instagram: www.instagram.com/mike_and_kristen/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mikeandkristencreative
Shoot us a message! Say hello, tell us who you think we should have on the podcast, and your deepest and darkest secrets: mikeandkristencreative@gmail.com
Review our book "You and Me" on Amazon (it helps a lot!!): https://amzn.to/3qqNCMo
Intro song: "The Walk"Outro song: "The Jam" both by Mike’s band The Town Heroes - www.thetownheroes.com
Mike's site: www.michaelsryan.com
Kristen's site: www.kristenherringtonart.com
Vanessa’s social media: @vanessa_bobessa
LEGacy Circus: @legacy_circus
Wednesday Aug 10, 2022
Wednesday Aug 10, 2022
Up and coming singer-songwriter Jackson Weldon talks about going from high school graduation to playing local gigs. This 18-year-old creative shares bits of his writing process, past and present musical influences and the serendipitous nature of meeting Mike at our favourite local restaurant, the Rustic Crust. This episode will make you feel nostalgic, inspired and considerate of your relationship to the arts and their artists!
Us on the web: www.mikeandkristen.ca
Instagram: www.instagram.com/mike_and_kristen/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mikeandkristencreative
Shoot us a message! Say hello, tell us who you think we should have on the podcast, and your deepest and darkest secrets: mikeandkristencreative@gmail.com
Review our book "You and Me" on Amazon (it helps a lot!!): https://amzn.to/3qqNCMo
Intro song: "The Walk"Outro song: "The Jam" both by Mike’s band The Town Heroes - www.thetownheroes.com
Mike's site: www.michaelsryan.com
Kristen's site: www.kristenherringtonart.com
Jackson’s social media: @jacksonweldonn
Episode Sponsored by: Forget Me Not Hair Studio
Instagram: @forgetmenothairstudio
Wednesday Aug 03, 2022
Wednesday Aug 03, 2022
Classically trained musician Blanche Israël has recently birthed the most beautiful baby girl! She talks about parenting and how this new life adventure factors into her creativity. Her days performing with Indigenous frontman Jeremy Dutcher are still fast and furious, always offering something new and unexpected. PLUS, Blanche shares entrepreneurial tips and how the days of working a 9-5 can be replaced by what makes sense for our lifestyles.
Us on the web: www.mikeandkristen.ca
Instagram: www.instagram.com/mike_and_kristen/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mikeandkristencreative
Shoot us a message! Say hello, tell us who you think we should have on the podcast, and your deepest and darkest secrets: mikeandkristencreative@gmail.com
Review our book "You and Me" on Amazon (it helps a lot!!): https://amzn.to/3qqNCMo
Intro song: "The Walk"Outro song: "The Jam" both by Mike’s band The Town Heroes - www.thetownheroes.com
Mike's site: www.michaelsryan.com
Kristen's site: www.kristenherringtonart.com
Blanche’s social media: @blancheis
Episode Sponsored by: Erin Bulger Photography
Instagram: @erinbulger
Wednesday Jul 27, 2022
Wednesday Jul 27, 2022
Accomplished musician Willie Stratton is the East Coast’s Elvis Presley! Influenced by folk, rock, country and more, his versatile style is one of a kind. Willie chats about his new album “Drugstore Dreamin” and how it feels like a brand-new style of production and sound. He shares tips on where to buy great jewelry, music history and how he survived the pandemic as an artist.
Us on the web: www.mikeandkristen.ca
Instagram: www.instagram.com/mike_and_kristen/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mikeandkristencreative
Shoot us a message! Say hello, tell us who you think we should have on the podcast, and your deepest and darkest secrets: mikeandkristencreative@gmail.com
Review our book "You and Me" on Amazon (it helps a lot!!): https://amzn.to/3qqNCMo
Intro song: "The Walk"Outro song: "The Jam" both by Mike’s band The Town Heroes - www.thetownheroes.com
Mike's site: www.michaelsryan.com
Kristen's site: www.kristenherringtonart.com
Willie’s social media: @williestratton
Episode Sponsored by: Steph Mcnamara Photography
Instagram: @stephmcnamaraphotography
Wednesday Jul 20, 2022
Wednesday Jul 20, 2022
Duane Jones is an accomplished painter, lifestyle brand creator and podcaster. We chat about his upcoming shows, how he got into podcasting and his diverse influences. Duane candidly shares the realities of being a professional artist and how life experience - like listening to people he disagrees with - can offer inspiration. He also reflects on what “making it” looks like to him and questions whether or not he has limiting beliefs to this success.
Us on the web: www.mikeandkristen.ca
Instagram: www.instagram.com/mike_and_kristen/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mikeandkristencreative
Shoot us a message! Say hello, tell us who you think we should have on the podcast, and your deepest and darkest secrets: mikeandkristencreative@gmail.com
Review our book "You and Me" on Amazon (it helps a lot!!): https://amzn.to/3qqNCMo
Intro song: "The Walk"Outro song: "The Jam" both by Mike’s band The Town Heroes - www.thetownheroes.com
Mike's site: www.michaelsryan.com
Kristen's site: www.kristenherringtonart.com
Art Pays Me social media: @artpaysme
Duane’s site: www.artpaysme.com
Episode Sponsored by: The Floatation Centre
Instagram: @thefloatcentre
Wednesday Jul 13, 2022
Wednesday Jul 13, 2022
A few weeks ago, Kristen woke up and had gone completely deaf in her left ear. Listen to her 12-year long experience with hearing loss, tinnitus, the medical system and how her disability has impacted her art. You can also guess what ghost is occupying her ear! You’ll see…
Us on the web: www.mikeandkristen.ca
Instagram: www.instagram.com/mike_and_kristen/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mikeandkristencreative
Shoot us a message! Say hello, tell us who you think we should have on the podcast, and your deepest and darkest secrets: mikeandkristencreative@gmail.com
Review our book "You and Me" on Amazon (it helps a lot!!): https://amzn.to/3qqNCMo
Intro song: "The Walk"Outro song: "The Jam" both by Mike’s band The Town Heroes - www.thetownheroes.com
Mike's site: www.michaelsryan.com
Kristen's site: www.kristenherringtonart.com
Wednesday Jul 06, 2022
Wednesday Jul 06, 2022
Steph Joline is an award-winning filmmaker, though would probably never tell you that herself. She prefers to go against the grain and find success and celebration through storytelling and highlighting social issues. Her recent film “Night Blooms” pays tribute to the 90s and what it meant to grow up in a small town, exploring intimate relationships. She talks about how being in control of life can be both a struggle and a blessing. This candid reflection offers relatable insight to what it means to be an artist. Steph shares how she connects with her Indigenous background and the ways imposter’s syndrome can creep in to that identity.
"Night Blooms" AND "Words Matter" now available for streaming in Canada.
Words Matter: Watch Here
Night Blooms: Watch Here (or wherever you stream your flicks!)
Us on the web: www.mikeandkristen.ca
Instagram: www.instagram.com/mike_and_kristen/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mikeandkristencreative
Shoot us a message! Say hello, tell us who you think we should have on the podcast, and your deepest and darkest secrets: mikeandkristencreative@gmail.com
Review our book "You and Me" on Amazon (it helps a lot!!): https://amzn.to/3qqNCMo
Intro song: "The Walk"Outro song: "The Jam" both by Mike’s band The Town Heroes - www.thetownheroes.com
Mike's site: www.michaelsryan.com
Kristen's site: www.kristenherringtonart.com
Steph Joline social media: @Stephjoline
Night Blooms social media: @night_blooms_movie
Episode Sponsored by: Erin Bulger Photography
Instagram: @erinbulger
Wednesday Jun 29, 2022
Wednesday Jun 29, 2022
“Burry” shares their roadmap to becoming a musician in Halifax, how they sent blind emails to established artists and how they seem to only write songs during challenging times. We chat about how Ellis and their partner Sam road-tripped across Canada, discovering new cities and a few homophobic towns along the way. A proud Croc wearer, tattoo collector, arts advocate and talented performer, Ellis offers up their show highlights and what’s on the horizon for their budding music career.
Us on the web: www.mikeandkristen.ca
Instagram: www.instagram.com/mike_and_kristen/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mikeandkristencreative
Shoot us a message! Say hello, tell us who you think we should have on the podcast, and your deepest and darkest secrets: mikeandkristencreative@gmail.com
Review our book "You and Me" on Amazon (it helps a lot!!): https://amzn.to/3qqNCMo
Intro song: "The Walk"Outro song: "The Jam" both by Mike’s band The Town Heroes - www.thetownheroes.com
Mike's site: www.michaelsryan.com
Kristen's site: www.kristenherringtonart.com
Burry social media: @Burryofficial
Episode Sponsored by: Stephanie Warren Hair
Instagram: @stephwarrenhair
Wednesday Jun 22, 2022
Wednesday Jun 22, 2022
We spent a month in the middle of nowhere Colombia at a coffee plantation turned artist residency. Among the company of international creatives, Ric Dragon and the rescue doggos we chat about how sometimes a difficult experience is just what the soul needs. We evaluate whether or not we’re “too Canadian,” tell the story of how Mike’s band helped a 13-year old local boy whose life is in danger and reflect on how sometimes life’s surprises are just what you need. PLUS, Mike gets mega sick on Kristen’s 40th birthday and we go boating in New York City!
Us on the web: www.mikeandkristen.ca
Instagram: www.instagram.com/mike_and_kristen/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mikeandkristencreative
Shoot us a message! Say hello, tell us who you think we should have on the podcast, and your deepest and darkest secrets: mikeandkristencreative@gmail.com
Review our book "You and Me" on Amazon (it helps a lot!!): https://amzn.to/3qqNCMo
Intro song: "The Walk"Outro song: "The Jam" both by Mike’s band The Town Heroes - www.thetownheroes.com
Mike's site: www.michaelsryan.com
Kristen's site: www.kristenherringtonart.com
Episode Sponsored by: Art Pays Me
On the web: www.artpaysme.com
Instagram: @artpaysme
GO FUND ME FOR JOSHUA: https://www.gofundme.com/f/fj6rf7-joshua-needs-help
Wednesday Jun 15, 2022
Wednesday Jun 15, 2022
The most candid interview we’ve ever done! The now sober Tony Ronalds opens up about his drug and alcohol addiction during the rise and fall of his band “Kilt” and how he didn’t recognise his own roommate at a show. Tony reflects on how age and life experience has led to a new appreciation of his musicianship and how being a new father after a reverse vasectomy has brought a new sense of presence. Funny, honest and a voice that you’ll want to bottle!
Us on the web/Buy our Book "You and Me": www.mikeandkristen.ca
Buy our Audiobook: You and Me (Audiobook)
Instagram: www.instagram.com/mike_and_kristen/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mikeandkristencreative
Shoot us a message! Say hello, tell us who you think we should have on the podcast, and your deepest and darkest secrets:mikeandkristencreative@gmail.com
Review our book "You and Me" on Amazon (it helps a lot!!): https://amzn.to/3qqNCMo
Intro song: "The Walk"Outro song: "Queen" both by Mike’s band The Town Heroes - www.thetownheroes.com
Mike's site: www.michaelsryan.com
Kristen's site: www.kristenherringtonart.com
Guest: @tonyronaldsmusic
Episode Sponsored by: Aleyah Solomon Photography
Instagram: @aleyahs @hereandtheremag
Mike and Kristen
Creative people make things in an effort to “make it”. But what does making it really mean? Is it selling out stadiums, having your painting in the Louvre, making enough money from your art to pay your bills, or simply having the privilege of getting to create in your spare time? Success looks different for everyone, and we’re here to explore those paths and what it takes to make them a reality.