Mike and Kristen
Welcome to Mike and Kristen, the podcast where creativity meets community, and soulful conversations pave the path to self-discovery. Hosted by the dynamic husband-and-wife duo, Mike and Kristen, this show dives deep into the lives of artists, community leaders, and risk-takers who inspire us with their unique journeys and insights. Kristen, who left her six-figure job in politics to be a full-time artist, and Mike, who has nearly 20 years experience as a professional musician, each bring a distinctive outlook to the unfolding of living a creative life. Recorded in-person at the cozy and intimate Hot Jupiter Sounds in Nova Scotia, each episode offers long-form conversations that are as philosophical as they are hilarious, and as heart-warming as they are thought-provoking. Join us as we explore the essence of identity, the courage of creativity, and the power of community through the stories of those who dare to live life on their own terms.
Listen on:
Episodes
Wednesday Jul 19, 2023
Wednesday Jul 19, 2023
Originally from Newfoundland, Alicia Simms found her Nova Scotian home in Truro and has been celebrating the small-town vibe ever since! Her tattoo artwork has a recognizable style and she has certainly paid her dues in establishing herself in the industry. She started highlighting small businesses and towns SO WELL, she was offered her own TV show to keep doing more of the same. We love this organic career path! She’s also hosting events, promoting body-positivity and doing it all from an airstream with her hubs. Alicia is diverse, daring and adored!
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
Alicia’s Website: https://www.aliciaetattoo.ca
Alicia’s Instagram: @aliciaetattoo
Wednesday Jul 12, 2023
Wednesday Jul 12, 2023
A lifetime painter, sculpture, writer, gardener and inspiration leader, Sarah Irwin has no shortage of creative projects and stories. Her quirks and humour are reflected in the imaginative paintings she makes, and her sweet advice to other aspiring artists resonates deep. A long-time member of the Peggy’s Cove Area Festival of the Arts (PCAFA), represented artist at 14 Bells Gallery and even a treasure map maker, Sarah has found a way to allow her creative voice to evolve over and over and over again!
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
Sarah’s Website: http://www.sarahirwin.ca/
Sarah’s Instagram: @irwinsarah.artist
Wednesday Jul 05, 2023
Wednesday Jul 05, 2023
We spend an unforgettable day on location of Hope For Wildlife’s animal rehabilitation facility in beautiful Seaforth, Nova Scotia. Hope shares her journey to developing the infrastructure, staff and philosophy that sees over 7000 wild animals a year! Hope talks about everything from funding to food to furry favourites, recorded live from her impressive sanctuary. We’re so grateful for this unique opportunity and know you’ll enjoy learning about Hope’s amazing work.
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
Hope For Wildlife’s Website: https://www.hopeforwildlife.net/
Hope For Wildlife’s Instagram: @hopeforwildlife
Wednesday Jun 28, 2023
Wednesday Jun 28, 2023
A random encounter with Windsor, Ontario musician Brendan Scott Friel at Togetherland Art Gallery leads to us inviting him over for breakfast and a podcast interview! We chat about his experience touring eastern Canada (surprise, he notices how NICE we all are!), how losing his father inspired his latest album and how Stoicism has shaped some of his life outlooks. A new friend, super kind and certainly talented guest this week, pals!
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
Brendan’s Instagram: @brendanscottfriel
Wednesday Jun 21, 2023
Wednesday Jun 21, 2023
BUCKLE UP! This episode is one to get your popcorn out for as M.E. takes us on a wild adventure of storytelling. From being adopted and finding her biological family later in life, celebrity encounters in NYC and finding real-life inspiration for her new book, “Reverse Ripples”. M.E.’s energy is totally infectious and had us enamored within minutes. A great chat for anyone looking for change in their life, permission to start a creative project or who simply wants to be entertained! Did we mention her father-in-law worked for Playboy? Or that she’s one-degree of separation from Kevin Bacon? Her life could be a movie and so could her new book! You’re gonna’ love this one.
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
M.E. Strautmanis Instagram: @sohomama6
Reverse Ripples on Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/Reverse-Ripples-M-Strautmanis/dp/1777821185/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3O877VMXSKGKA&keywords=reverse+ripples+book&qid=1687266233&sprefix=reverse+rippl%2Caps%2C273&sr=8-1
Wednesday Jun 14, 2023
Wednesday Jun 14, 2023
Former podcast guest Steph McNamara and her husband Sean interview us on this week’s episode!! At least for 3 minutes before we kick into host most LOL. Consider it a 4-way chat among friends where we cover everything from business tips to health and wellness. This power-couple is soon opening their first collaborative business called Molly’s Reach in honour of their daughter Molly. This beautiful space in Big Baddeck will host families of neurodivergent children and create a supportive community. We love these pals and were honoured they invited us to sit in the hot seat!
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
Molly’s Reach Instagram: @mollys_reach
Wednesday Jun 07, 2023
Wednesday Jun 07, 2023
Sara Kelly was born with the entrepreneurial spirit! With years of experience under her belt, she now helps guide other women towards defining their best selves in business and in life. Using a heart-led approach, she provides tips on hard skills and takes you back to “the why” you started this journey in the first place! A great episode for artists and entrepreneurs looking to navigate their way through social media, building an audience and how to show up as the real you! PLUS, ice cream, burnout and mustard.
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
Sara’s Instagram: @sarakelly.ca
Sara’s Website: https://www.sarakelly.ca/
Tuesday May 30, 2023
Tuesday May 30, 2023
Wildfires are raging through the Upper Tantallon region of Nova Scotia. We are currently displaced from our home and wanted to share an update of our experience. Recorded from our cell phone inside the echoey Togetherland hall! We chat about what it was like packing up our house in a matter of minutes, being separated from our cat George and special guest appearance from “Donna”. 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 May 24, 2023
Wednesday May 24, 2023
This episode is perfect for anyone searching for their best-suited career path, or businesses looking to recruit the ideal employee! Jen manages her business the same way she approaches her life: off the beaten path. She considers not only your hard career skills but prioritizes what excites you, what you value, what you want your lifestyle to look like. We walk through some sample questions and considerations to ask yourself, plus she offers (free) weekly strategy calls to explore her style and offerings. A valuable chat jam packed with self-reflection. And a little sports talk for fun ☺
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
Jen’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenwarrington/
Jen’s Thursday Strategy calls: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYofuCqpzwsE9LlbwOZNGAatYSzJ8bMhNtd?_x_zm_rtaid=EL8caapURnumFkG27IezVQ.1684865487938.af7cd066d75a5a635b4b4ff8fe07f97c&_x_zm_rhtaid=227#/registration
Wednesday May 17, 2023
Wednesday May 17, 2023
These energetic fellas make up 2/3 of a Halifax band on the rise, Kids Losing Sleep. Having gone through some recent changes in the composition of their band, they feel they’re in a better spot both personally and creatively – “in the flow” as we chat about! We share stories of how life as an artist was impacted by a global lock-down, how finding common values is a priority in the synergy of a group and what the formula was for finding each other. Lots of laughs and insights shared on this episode!
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
Kids Losing Sleep instagram: @kidslosingsleep
Kids Losing Sleep website: https://www.kidslosingsleep.com/
June 9 show tickets: https://www.showpass.com/kids-losing-sleep-ep-release-party-the-seahorse/
Mike and Kristen
Kristen quits her 6-figure government job to become a full time artist, Mike offers her tricks and tips from his 12 year career as a musician. The husband and wife duo discuss following dreams, living the life of a ”creative”, and all the ridiculous stories along the way. They share chapters from their travel/relationship book ”You and Me” and interview guests about their path to following their own dream. Hilarious, philosophical, and heart warming all at the same time. All music is Mike’s original songs.