Finding Your Bliss

This week on Finding Your Bliss, Life Coach and Bliss Expert Judy Librach is joined by former Chatelaine editor and author, Rona Maynard! Rona found happiness at 65—a story she tells in her new memoir "Starter Dog: My Path to Joy, Belonging and Loving This World". She first broke into print at 14 with a short story about bullying and still receives fan mail from teens who are reading it in class. Rona capped a stellar career in magazines with a decade at the helm of Chatelaine, where her column garnered a loyal following. Her disclosure of a struggle with depression helped to kickstart a national conversation about mental health. After Chatelaine, Rona had to learn to unwind — and found that her best teacher was a rescue mutt who had received his basic training in a prison. She has been married for more than 50 years and is a firm believer that road trips go better with a dog in the back seat. Also on the program, we have jazz singer, Whitney Ross-Barris! Part of the Toronto jazz scene since 2008, Prairie-born, Ontario-based jazz singer Whitney Ross-Barris has quickly built a respected name for herself among players and listeners alike. As a solo jazz artist, Whitney has appeared frequently in the TD Toronto Jazz Festival. She has been featured recurrently in JAZZ.FM91’s One Stop Vocal Jazz Safari and performs regularly in clubs, restaurants and concert halls across South Western Ontario. "Respect for a sound, style and the practice of an art. Throw into this mix an influencers' list as rounded and iconic as these names, Chet Baker, Tom Waits, Louis Armstrong, Anita O'Day, Mel Tormé, Marvin Gaye, Oscar Peterson; then further stir up the ante with a background in theatre and you're in for the spirited original artistry of Whitney Ross-Barris." - John Devenish, Jazz.FM91 With her almost 20 years of experience as a professional theatre actor ("Assassins", Birdland Theatre; "Cavan Blazers", 4th Line Theatre; "Gorey Story", The Thistle Project, "Stormen", Follo Folkehøgskole – Vestby Norway) Whitney brings an engaging and fearless approach to solo jazz singing. “Whitney tends to make one roar with laughter and shed a tear in the same set. Always in the moment and hotly swinging, she is one of my very favourite jazz singers in this town!” – Ori Dagan, Wholenote Magazine Since self-admittedly bluffing her way into songwriting, Whitney’s compositions and lyrics have appeared on stage ("Woyzeck", Red Light District), on film ("Prodigals", Sociable Films) and on increasingly more recordings ("Christmas on Seaton Street", Number 9 Audio, "The Art of Breath", Volume One, John MacMurchy, "Everybody’s Here", Whitney Ross-Barris) and now on her own trio album as co-writer with guitarist Nathan Hiltz (Bright Lunch Trio). On the heels of her self-produced debut EP in 2009, Whitney released her full-length jazz album "Everybody's Here", featuring a number of not-so-standard standards, originals and even a few long-lost compositions by her late grandfather, writer-broadcaster, Alex Barris. Her second album - this one self-titled with the Bright Lunch Trio (jazz trio with guitarist Nathan Hiltz and bassist, Ross MacIntyre) was released in late 2017. The album features all original music by Whitney and Nathan and was six years in the making. Whitney calls Uxbridge, Ontario home, where she whiles away the tedious hours chasing her three adorable young hellions and trying to sneak in a moment or two alone at the piano to work out a melody or twelve! Click on this link to listen to Whitney's rendition of "I Want the Waiter (with the Water)" on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvXTJdejtDA For more on Finding Your Bliss, you can follow us @theblissminute on Instagram and Facebook. Or you can visit our online magazine at findingyourbliss.com and take one step closer to finding your bliss. Listen live every Saturday at 1pm on Zoomer Radio

This week on Finding Your Bliss, Life Coach and Bliss Expert Judy Librach is joined by actress and comedian Clare McConnell! Clare is best known for portraying 'Effie Newsome' on the popular CBC series ÂMurdoch Mysteries and Klingon Leader 'Dennas' on the Paramount+ series ÂStar Trek: DiscoveryÂ. Additional television credits include ÂSlasher (AMC), ÂAmerican Gods (Starz), ÂCoroner (The CW), ÂKilljoys (Syfy), ÂNurses (Global/NBC), ÂWynonna Earp (Syfy,) ÂAvocado Toast (Prime/OUTtv,) and ÂHudson & Rex (Citytv). She voices Iana in UbisoftÂs ÂRainbow 6: Siege and Clarice in Supermassive Games ÂHouse of AshesÂ. She is also an alumna of the Second City Mainstage. This Calgary-born performer has taken the Canadian film and television industry by storm, all while holding down a gig as a Canadian Comedy Award® nominated member of the iconic theatre where legends like Bill Murray and Gilda Radner got their start. When Clare McConnell isnÂt gracing our screens, she can be found onstage doing sketch and improv with the Second City Touring Company. Broadway World called her "one of the show's stand-outs with wacky facial expressions that make it impossible to contain your laughter - she's like a red-headed Jim Carrey." Most recently, Clare has been nominated at the Canadian Screen Awards for Best Supporting Performance in a Web Program or Series, for her performance in ÂAvocado ToastÂ! Also on the program, we have uber-talented musician, Steve Koven! Steve Koven is a composer, performer, producer, educator and filmmaker. In 1993, he established the Steve Koven Trio. Touring the world for more than two decades, they have been coined as ÂCanadian Cultural AmbassadorsÂ. Aside from performing worldwide with his trio, Steve also performs solo piano concerts throughout North America, Europe and the Caribbean. Dozens of KovenÂs compositions have been licensed for national and international film and television productions. As an educator, Steve has been teaching in the Faculty of Music at TorontoÂs York University since 2003, teaching Contemporary Improvisation and Jazz Piano Studies. In addition, Steve teaches in the Music Department at Centennial College in Toronto. He holds a Masters in Music Composition and has presented master classes and clinics throughout Canada, China, Japan, Colombia, Barbados, Bahamas, USA and Mexico. Steve is also the Education Coordinator of the Eleuthera International Jazz Festival in Eleuthera, Bahamas, and has presented a TEDx TALK at Queens University, Kingston, Ontario. Koven is also an award-winning filmmaker, receiving first prize for his documentary, "20", in the 2015 Toronto Independent Film Festival and for his documentary, "Improvisation" in the 2018 Toronto Short Film Festival. Click on this link to listen to Steve's song "Purple Inspiration" on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5h5lZQ1lLbo Join us this Saturday at 1 PM on Finding Your Bliss. You can follow us @theblissminute on Instagram and Facebook. Or you can visit our online magazine at findingyourbliss.com and take one step closer to finding your bliss. Listen live every Saturday at 1pm on Zoomer Radio

This week on Finding Your Bliss, Life Coach and Bliss Expert Judy Librach is joined by actress and comedian Clare McConnell! Clare is best known for portraying 'Effie Newsome' on the popular CBC series “Murdoch Mysteries” and Klingon Leader 'Dennas' on the Paramount+ series “Star Trek: Discovery”. Additional television credits include “Slasher” (AMC), “American Gods” (Starz), “Coroner” (The CW), “Killjoys” (Syfy), “Nurses” (Global/NBC), “Wynonna Earp” (Syfy,) “Avocado Toast” (Prime/OUTtv,) and “Hudson & Rex” (Citytv). She voices Iana in Ubisoft’s “Rainbow 6: Siege” and Clarice in Supermassive Games’ “House of Ashes”. She is also an alumna of the Second City Mainstage. This Calgary-born performer has taken the Canadian film and television industry by storm, all while holding down a gig as a Canadian Comedy Award® nominated member of the iconic theatre where legends like Bill Murray and Gilda Radner got their start. When Clare McConnell isn’t gracing our screens, she can be found onstage doing sketch and improv with the Second City Touring Company. Broadway World called her "one of the show's stand-outs with wacky facial expressions that make it impossible to contain your laughter - she's like a red-headed Jim Carrey." Most recently, Clare has been nominated at the Canadian Screen Awards for Best Supporting Performance in a Web Program or Series, for her performance in “Avocado Toast”! Also on the program, we have uber-talented musician, Steve Koven! Steve Koven is a composer, performer, producer, educator and filmmaker. In 1993, he established the Steve Koven Trio. Touring the world for more than two decades, they have been coined as ‘Canadian Cultural Ambassadors’. Aside from performing worldwide with his trio, Steve also performs solo piano concerts throughout North America, Europe and the Caribbean. Dozens of Koven’s compositions have been licensed for national and international film and television productions. As an educator, Steve has been teaching in the Faculty of Music at Toronto’s York University since 2003, teaching Contemporary Improvisation and Jazz Piano Studies. In addition, Steve teaches in the Music Department at Centennial College in Toronto. He holds a Masters in Music Composition and has presented master classes and clinics throughout Canada, China, Japan, Colombia, Barbados, Bahamas, USA and Mexico. Steve is also the Education Coordinator of the Eleuthera International Jazz Festival in Eleuthera, Bahamas, and has presented a TEDx TALK at Queens University, Kingston, Ontario. Koven is also an award-winning filmmaker, receiving first prize for his documentary, "20", in the 2015 Toronto Independent Film Festival and for his documentary, "Improvisation" in the 2018 Toronto Short Film Festival. Click on this link to listen to Steve's song "Purple Inspiration" on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5h5lZQ1lLbo Join us this Saturday at 1 PM on Finding Your Bliss. You can follow us @theblissminute on Instagram and Facebook. Or you can visit our online magazine at findingyourbliss.com and take one step closer to finding your bliss. Listen live every Saturday at 1pm on Zoomer Radio

This week on Finding Your Bliss, Life Coach and Bliss Expert Judy Librach is joined by the author of “Angel Wealth Magic and The Angel Experiment”, Corin Grillo! Corin is also a Chicana and Puerto Rican mother, a licensed psychotherapist, a visionary leader, an inspirational speaker, and the proprietor of the Casa Condor retreat centre in Mount Shasta, California. Corin offers online trainings in authentic spiritual leadership, nature immersions, intuitive healing arts, and in-person trainings. As she has described it, she has dedicated her life to sharing the life-changing gifts she received while learning to work with the angels. Visit her online at http://www.coringrillo.com. Also on the program, we have talented singer, Mark Wexler! Mark has had the fortune of singing professionally on stage since the age of 11 with wedding bands and in numerous talent events. Since those early days, he’s had the privilege of performing with his band “The Garden” for many charitable initiatives, as well as performing with his other band mates in “Porch Jam”. With "Porch Jam", Mark has recently performed at the historic El Mocambo in Toronto. During the day Mark keeps himself busy building & renovating custom homes for clients in the Toronto area. Mark is grateful to his wife and kids for their patience and understanding, and his wonderful friends' continued support! Click on this link to listen to Mark's rendition of "American Woman" on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-201921535-658441499/american-woman-cover-by-mark-wexler?si=b9266dc8990d435287a6c16c143d70fe&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing To connect with Mark on social media, you can follow him on Instagram @wexler.mark and @wexmark, and on Facebook just visit Mark Wexler. For more on Finding Your Bliss, you can follow us @theblissminute on Instagram and Facebook. Or you can visit our online magazine at findingyourbliss.com and take one step closer to finding your bliss. Listen live every Saturday at 1pm on Zoomer Radio

This week on Finding Your Bliss, Life Coach and Bliss Expert Judy Librach is joined by one of Canada’s most recognized and sought-after media personalities, Teri Hart! Teri is a multi-talented host, interviewer, critic, and producer. Since 2015, Teri has been coaching people on presentation and public speaking skills using her B.R.I.E.F. program. Executives, entrepreneurs, business professionals, students, and performers have all benefited from working with Teri and learning her unique approach to preparing for any professional or public-facing speaking event. Teri has been covering entertainment and culture for over 25 years and has conducted thousands of interviews with some of the world’s biggest celebrities and superstars including Oprah Winfrey, Meryl Streep, Robert Redford, Steven Spielberg, Denzel Washington, Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, and Jennifer Lopez and Jennifer Coolidge, to name just a few. Teri is also a sought-after public speaking and presentation skills coach. After working with many business executives and honing their speeches and panel presentations, Teri created the 5-step B.R.I.E.F Program that teaches anyone from any experience level how they can succeed at effective public speaking and build their confidence. For 19 years, Teri was the producer and host of The Movie Network (currently Crave) and has also appeared on The Morning Show (Global), E-Talk (CTV), The Social (CTV) and as a regular contributor on CBC Radio One’s internationally syndicated arts and entertainment show, q. She is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association. Teri was a Senior Entertainment Reporter and Supervising Producer at CITY TV, responsible for producing stories for CITY News and Breakfast Television, in addition to filling in as co-host. She received a Canadian Screen Award nomination in 2018 for Best Local Newscast and her coverage of Canadian icon Gord Downie. Teri is currently the entertainment producer and host for Super Channel. Also on the program, we have talented singer/songwriter Darya Diamond! She’s been compared to Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Eilish, but she’s got a sound that’s all her own, and we predict big things coming up in this young singer’s future! For more on Finding Your Bliss you can follow us @theblissminute on Instagram and Facebook. Or you can visit our online magazine at findingyourbliss.com and take one step closer to finding your bliss. Listen live every Saturday at 1pm on Zoomer Radio

This week on Finding Your Bliss, Life Coach and Bliss Expert Judy Librach is joined by one of CanadaÂs most recognized and sought-after media personalities, Teri Hart! Teri is a multi-talented host, interviewer, critic, and producer. Since 2015, Teri has been coaching people on presentation and public speaking skills using her B.R.I.E.F. program. Executives, entrepreneurs, business professionals, students, and performers have all benefited from working with Teri and learning her unique approach to preparing for any professional or public-facing speaking event. Teri has been covering entertainment and culture for over 25 years and has conducted thousands of interviews with some of the worldÂs biggest celebrities and superstars including Oprah Winfrey, Meryl Streep, Robert Redford, Steven Spielberg, Denzel Washington, Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, and Jennifer Lopez and Jennifer Coolidge, to name just a few. Teri is also a sought-after public speaking and presentation skills coach. After working with many business executives and honing their speeches and panel presentations, Teri created the 5-step B.R.I.E.F Program that teaches anyone from any experience level how they can succeed at effective public speaking and build their confidence. For 19 years, Teri was the producer and host of The Movie Network (currently Crave) and has also appeared on The Morning Show (Global), E-Talk (CTV), The Social (CTV) and as a regular contributor on CBC Radio OneÂs internationally syndicated arts and entertainment show, q. She is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association. Teri was a Senior Entertainment Reporter and Supervising Producer at CITY TV, responsible for producing stories for CITY News and Breakfast Television, in addition to filling in as co-host. She received a Canadian Screen Award nomination in 2018 for Best Local Newscast and her coverage of Canadian icon Gord Downie. Teri is currently the entertainment producer and host for Super Channel. Also on the program, we have talented singer/songwriter Darya Diamond! SheÂs been compared to Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Eilish, but sheÂs got a sound thatÂs all her own, and we predict big things coming up in this young singerÂs future! For more on Finding Your Bliss you can follow us @theblissminute on Instagram and Facebook. Or you can visit our online magazine at findingyourbliss.com and take one step closer to finding your bliss. Listen live every Saturday at 1pm on Zoomer Radio

This week on Finding Your Bliss, Life Coach and Bliss Expert Judy Librach is joined by Chris Thornborrow, an award-winning composer for film, theatre, and the concert stage. His work has been described as Âheightened and brashly percussive (Variety), Âurgent, masterful (NOW Magazine), Âpowerfully virtuosic (Barcza Blog), and Âelegiac music that casts a spell (Hollywood Reporter). Recognition for his work includes the Karen Kieser Prize in Canadian Music, multiple SOCAN Awards for Audio Visual Composers, two DORA Award nominations, and the Louis Applebaum Composers Award Nomination. Chris composed the music for ÂSleeping GiantÂ, which was nominated for the Critics Week Grand Prize and Golden Camera Award at the Cannes Film Festival, won the Best Canadian First Feature Award at the Toronto International Film Festival and has been broadcast internationally in 40 countries. It was also nominated for three Canadian Screen Awards, including Best Motion Picture. He composed a unique noise-inspired electronic-classical fusion score for the film ÂWe Ate the Children LastÂ. Based on a story by Yann Martel (ÂLife of PiÂ), the film premiered at the Claremont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival and was honoured as one of CanadaÂs Top 10 short films at the Toronto International Film Festival. In addition, Chris collaborated with Brandon Cronenberg on The Camera and Christopher Merk, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. His first full-length hybrid-musical ÂHook Up premiered to critical acclaim in 2019 and was nominated for a Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding New Opera. Commissioned and produced by Tapestry Opera, it was lauded as Âbeautiful, gut-wrenching, and absolutely riveting (Mooney Theatre). Firmly established as a leading composer and facilitator in contemporary music theatre for young people, Chris regularly works with school boards and top arts organizations across Ontario. Through his work with the Canadian Opera CompanyÂs After-School Opera Program, and the Canadian ChildrenÂs Opera Company, Chris has collaborated directly with thousands of students and co-written over 60 musical theatre works. He has also written and produced impactful educational videos on topics of performance, choral singing, and the creative process for the Gryphon TrioÂs national school program, ÂListen Up! His instrumental music has been performed, recorded, and commissioned by Array Ensemble, the Bicycle Opera Project, Ensemble Paramirabo, Esprit Orchestra, junctQìn keyboard collective, Tapestry Opera, the Thin Edge New Music Collective, and The Toy Piano Composers, of which he was the Co-Founder and Artistic Director for eight seasons. As an avid fan of tabletop games, Chris composes original orchestral music for Dungeons and Dragons campaigns while serving as a game master. Click on this link to listen to Chris' album "Toy Piano Composers", featuring his song "Walking", on BandCamp: https://redshiftmusicsociety.bandcamp.com/album/toy-piano-composers Also back on the program with lots of exciting news, we have singer/songwriter extraordinaire, Jully Black! Jully Black is a true Canadian Icon. Named as one of ÂThe 25 Greatest Canadian Singers EverÂ, (CBC Music) she has been dubbed ÂCanadaÂs Queen of R&B Soul by fans and industry leaders alike. As a platinum-selling recording artist, her music career has yielded multiple singles reaching the Top 10 pop, R&B and dance music charts. She has taken home Juno and Gemini Awards, earned innumerable industry accolades, was hand selected to sing for the Queen of England and was inducted into CanadaÂs Walk of Fame in 2021 (PILLARS OF EXCELLENCE - Arts & Entertainment). With her powerhouse vocals, hilarious personality and love of people, Jully Black truly is everyone, and unlike anyone. Her passion for philanthropy has taken her from the shantytowns of Bangladesh to the villages of South Africa and all across Canada. As a woman of faith, she champions important causes and uses her career as a platform to celebrate and inspire the greatness that lies within each of us. As a songwriter, Jully has touched the hearts of her fans with her extensive music catalogue, her compositions for industry heavyweights, such as DestinyÂs Child and Nas, and on collaborations with songwriter, musician and performance titans such as Ian Thornley (Big Wreck). She has shared the stage with superstars such as The Black Eyed Peas, Kanye West, Bon Jovi, Celine Dion, Elton John, Alicia Keys, Etta James, Juno Breakthrough Artist, Jessie Reyez, hot emerging Canadian trap artist Paris Richards at Rolling Loud Festival T.O. Jully also co-headlined DrakeÂs ÂRoad to OVO Fest Tour  All Canadian North Stars with Choclair, Kardinal Offishall, Keshia ChanteÂ, K-OS, Maestro Fresh Wes, Saukates, and Shawn Desmond to name a few. Jully is a major presence in the Canadian media and entertainment industry. As former host and correspondent for CTVÂs etalk, Jully was chosen to interview global megastars such as Jay-Z, Oprah Winfrey, and former President Bill Clinton. Her music has been featured in film and television and she has personally appeared on, co-hosted and been featured on numerous national television programs and speaking platforms including the sizzling and immediately viral CBC ÂCanada Reads 2018 appearance, a much-lauded TED Talk, the Global TV feature ÂThe First Time I Was Called AÂÂ, CTVÂs ÂCanadian IdolÂ. In 2022 Jully was a contestant on The Amazing Race Canada and she is the popular segment host of ÂMonday Motivation on Global TVÂs #1 rated, nationwide morning program ÂThe Morning ShowÂ. JullyÂs successful 2018 foray into creating and hosting ÂThe Blackout with Jully Black (the critically acclaimed, provocative, ebullient and empowering weekly radio show on iHeartRadio - Newstalk1010) along with guest starring roles in the Canadian television crime drama series ÂThe Coroner (2019) and 'Diggstown' (2021) and featured segments in the documentary film features with acclaimed directors and producers, serves to firmly establish her as the preeminent personality in the entertainment arena unlike anyone has in Canadian history. Steadfastly maintaining personal fitness and wellness goals remains a priority in JullyÂs life. In 2018, she leveraged social media influence and innate leadHERship skill along with unwavering desire to be the bridge that everyone can cross and launched 100 Strong and Sexy (Â100SASÂ); CanadaÂs largest female-founded, curated and led fitness challenge to date. 100SAS was birthed to honour Jully's late mother; it is the largest Black-founded and led holistic wellness and lifestyle membership-based program with 600+ members of all races who have reclaimed their position of optimal mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health. In 2020, Jully launched The Power Of Step ('TPOS') at the height of the global pandemic and it is now a wildly successful, full-fledged virtual Step Aerobics and Personal Transformation Coaching practice, with worldwide membership. With purpose-driven ideals and boundless spiritual fortitude, she continues to refine and reinvent her artistry. A phenom in Canadian entertainment, lifestyle and public speaking arenas, she is also the co-founder and keynote speaker for the renowned ÂEmpowered In My Skin womenÂs empowerment summits, a vocal advocate for the LGBTQ+ communities, recipient of the prestigious BBPA Harry Jerome [Entertainment] Award (2018) and a powerful Personal Development Coach, Speaker Coach and Spiritual Mentor. With lead roles in theatre such as The Musical Stage CompanyÂs signature concert feature ÂUncovered (with Music director, Reza Jacobs in collaboration with stars of Stratford, Shaw, Broadway and LondonÂs West End, 2018), and a starring role in the critically acclaimed Mirvish Production of ÂDa Kink In My Hair at the renowned Princess of Wales theatre in Toronto, Jully continues to magnify her expansive musical, theatre and television repertoire. Jully took the musical theatre world by storm in February, 2020 in her critically acclaimed, starring role as ÂCaroline in the Obsidian Theatre and The Musical Stage Company co-production of ÂCaroline, Or Change (books and lyrics by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning, Academy Award/Golden Globe/AACTA/ BAFTA Nominated, Tony Kushner). Extolled as Âsmart, dramatic, emotionally stirring (NOW Toronto); a Ârapturous, musical theatre debut (The Star), Âheavenly glorious (OnStage Blog), Âwith the depth as an actor and genius as a singer and with Âapplause that shook the leaves on the ceiling of the theatre (Broadway World); Jully absolutely stunned audiences and critics alike and left her indelible mark on the gorgeous Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre and musical theatre community. In June, 2020 Jully won both the coveted Toronto Theatre Critics Award for Best Lead Performance in a Musical and The Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA) highly esteemed Dora Mavor Moore Award (the 'Dora') - which recognizes excellence in professional theatre, dance and opera in Toronto - in the Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role, Musical Theatre, category for her role in ÂCaroline, Or ChangeÂ. Jully released three new singles throughout 2022 from her long-awaited, critically-acclaimed, autobiographical full album 'Three Rocks and a Slingshot' (released Sept. 2022). Jully entered and dominated the Canadian musical landscape that she has helped define throughout her career. Singles 'No Relation', 'Half Empty', and 'Time for Jesus' playlisted and charted across streaming platforms immediately; with 'Half Empty' charting at #1 on the iTunes R&B chart and the album charting at #1 on iTunes R&B chart and #3 on the iTunes 'All Genre' chart. And of course, Jully Black will share her story about CanadaÂs national anthem and how she changed Canadian history! With lots of news and a few top-secret projects to be announced very soon, Jully, truly, i

This week on Finding Your Bliss, Life Coach and Bliss Expert Judy Librach is joined by Chris Thornborrow, an award-winning composer for film, theatre, and the concert stage. His work has been described as “heightened and brashly percussive” (Variety), “urgent, masterful” (NOW Magazine), “powerfully virtuosic” (Barcza Blog), and “elegiac music that casts a spell” (Hollywood Reporter). Recognition for his work includes the Karen Kieser Prize in Canadian Music, multiple SOCAN Awards for Audio Visual Composers, two DORA Award nominations, and the Louis Applebaum Composers Award Nomination. Chris composed the music for “Sleeping Giant”, which was nominated for the Critics Week Grand Prize and Golden Camera Award at the Cannes Film Festival, won the Best Canadian First Feature Award at the Toronto International Film Festival and has been broadcast internationally in 40 countries. It was also nominated for three Canadian Screen Awards, including Best Motion Picture. He composed a unique noise-inspired electronic-classical fusion score for the film “We Ate the Children Last”. Based on a story by Yann Martel (“Life of Pi”), the film premiered at the Claremont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival and was honoured as one of Canada’s Top 10 short films at the Toronto International Film Festival. In addition, Chris collaborated with Brandon Cronenberg on The Camera and Christopher Merk, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. His first full-length hybrid-musical “Hook Up” premiered to critical acclaim in 2019 and was nominated for a Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding New Opera. Commissioned and produced by Tapestry Opera, it was lauded as “beautiful, gut-wrenching, and absolutely riveting” (Mooney Theatre). Firmly established as a leading composer and facilitator in contemporary music theatre for young people, Chris regularly works with school boards and top arts organizations across Ontario. Through his work with the Canadian Opera Company’s After-School Opera Program, and the Canadian Children’s Opera Company, Chris has collaborated directly with thousands of students and co-written over 60 musical theatre works. He has also written and produced impactful educational videos on topics of performance, choral singing, and the creative process for the Gryphon Trio’s national school program, “Listen Up!” His instrumental music has been performed, recorded, and commissioned by Array Ensemble, the Bicycle Opera Project, Ensemble Paramirabo, Esprit Orchestra, junctQìn keyboard collective, Tapestry Opera, the Thin Edge New Music Collective, and The Toy Piano Composers, of which he was the Co-Founder and Artistic Director for eight seasons. As an avid fan of tabletop games, Chris composes original orchestral music for Dungeons and Dragons campaigns while serving as a game master. Click on this link to listen to Chris' album "Toy Piano Composers", featuring his song "Walking", on BandCamp: https://redshiftmusicsociety.bandcamp.com/album/toy-piano-composers Also back on the program with lots of exciting news, we have singer/songwriter extraordinaire, Jully Black! Jully Black is a true Canadian Icon. Named as one of ‘The 25 Greatest Canadian Singers Ever’, (CBC Music) she has been dubbed ‘Canada’s Queen of R&B Soul’ by fans and industry leaders alike. As a platinum-selling recording artist, her music career has yielded multiple singles reaching the Top 10 pop, R&B and dance music charts. She has taken home Juno and Gemini Awards, earned innumerable industry accolades, was hand selected to sing for the Queen of England and was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2021 (PILLARS OF EXCELLENCE - Arts & Entertainment). With her powerhouse vocals, hilarious personality and love of people, Jully Black truly is everyone, and unlike anyone. Her passion for philanthropy has taken her from the shantytowns of Bangladesh to the villages of South Africa and all across Canada. As a woman of faith, she champions important causes and uses her career as a platform to celebrate and inspire the greatness that lies within each of us. As a songwriter, Jully has touched the hearts of her fans with her extensive music catalogue, her compositions for industry heavyweights, such as Destiny’s Child and Nas, and on collaborations with songwriter, musician and performance titans such as Ian Thornley (Big Wreck). She has shared the stage with superstars such as The Black Eyed Peas, Kanye West, Bon Jovi, Celine Dion, Elton John, Alicia Keys, Etta James, Juno Breakthrough Artist, Jessie Reyez, hot emerging Canadian trap artist Paris Richards at Rolling Loud Festival T.O. Jully also co-headlined Drake’s ‘Road to OVO Fest Tour’ – All Canadian North Stars with Choclair, Kardinal Offishall, Keshia Chante’, K-OS, Maestro Fresh Wes, Saukates, and Shawn Desmond to name a few. Jully is a major presence in the Canadian media and entertainment industry. As former host and correspondent for CTV’s etalk, Jully was chosen to interview global megastars such as Jay-Z, Oprah Winfrey, and former President Bill Clinton. Her music has been featured in film and television and she has personally appeared on, co-hosted and been featured on numerous national television programs and speaking platforms including the sizzling and immediately viral CBC ‘Canada Reads’ 2018 appearance, a much-lauded TED Talk, the Global TV feature ‘The First Time I Was Called A…’, CTV’s ‘Canadian Idol’. In 2022 Jully was a contestant on The Amazing Race Canada and she is the popular segment host of ‘Monday Motivation’ on Global TV’s #1 rated, nationwide morning program ‘The Morning Show’. Jully’s successful 2018 foray into creating and hosting ‘The Blackout with Jully Black’ (the critically acclaimed, provocative, ebullient and empowering weekly radio show on iHeartRadio - Newstalk1010) along with guest starring roles in the Canadian television crime drama series ‘The Coroner’ (2019) and 'Diggstown' (2021) and featured segments in the documentary film features with acclaimed directors and producers, serves to firmly establish her as the preeminent personality in the entertainment arena unlike anyone has in Canadian history. Steadfastly maintaining personal fitness and wellness goals remains a priority in Jully’s life. In 2018, she leveraged social media influence and innate leadHERship skill along with unwavering desire to be the bridge that everyone can cross and launched 100 Strong and Sexy (‘100SAS’); Canada’s largest female-founded, curated and led fitness challenge to date. 100SAS was birthed to honour Jully's late mother; it is the largest Black-founded and led holistic wellness and lifestyle membership-based program with 600+ members of all races who have reclaimed their position of optimal mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health. In 2020, Jully launched The Power Of Step ('TPOS') at the height of the global pandemic and it is now a wildly successful, full-fledged virtual Step Aerobics and Personal Transformation Coaching practice, with worldwide membership. With purpose-driven ideals and boundless spiritual fortitude, she continues to refine and reinvent her artistry. A phenom in Canadian entertainment, lifestyle and public speaking arenas, she is also the co-founder and keynote speaker for the renowned “Empowered In My Skin’ women’s empowerment summits, a vocal advocate for the LGBTQ+ communities, recipient of the prestigious BBPA Harry Jerome [Entertainment] Award (2018) and a powerful Personal Development Coach, Speaker Coach and Spiritual Mentor. With lead roles in theatre such as The Musical Stage Company’s signature concert feature “Uncovered” (with Music director, Reza Jacobs in collaboration with stars of Stratford, Shaw, Broadway and London’s West End, 2018), and a starring role in the critically acclaimed Mirvish Production of “Da Kink In My Hair” at the renowned Princess of Wales theatre in Toronto, Jully continues to magnify her expansive musical, theatre and television repertoire. Jully took the musical theatre world by storm in February, 2020 in her critically acclaimed, starring role as ‘Caroline’ in the Obsidian Theatre and The Musical Stage Company co-production of ‘Caroline, Or Change’ (books and lyrics by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning, Academy Award/Golden Globe/AACTA/ BAFTA Nominated, Tony Kushner). Extolled as “smart, dramatic, emotionally stirring” (NOW Toronto); a “rapturous, musical theatre debut” (The Star), “heavenly glorious” (OnStage Blog), “with the depth as an actor and genius as a singer” and with “applause that shook the leaves on the ceiling of the theatre” (Broadway World); Jully absolutely stunned audiences and critics alike and left her indelible mark on the gorgeous Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre and musical theatre community. In June, 2020 Jully won both the coveted Toronto Theatre Critics Award for Best Lead Performance in a Musical and The Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA) highly esteemed Dora Mavor Moore Award (the 'Dora') - which recognizes excellence in professional theatre, dance and opera in Toronto - in the Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role, Musical Theatre, category for her role in ‘Caroline, Or Change’. Jully released three new singles throughout 2022 from her long-awaited, critically-acclaimed, autobiographical full album 'Three Rocks and a Slingshot' (released Sept. 2022). Jully entered and dominated the Canadian musical landscape that she has helped define throughout her career. Singles 'No Relation', 'Half Empty', and 'Time for Jesus' playlisted and charted across streaming platforms immediately; with 'Half Empty' charting at #1 on the iTunes R&B chart and the album charting at #1 on iTunes R&B chart and #3 on the iTunes 'All Genre' chart. And of course, Jully Black will share her story about Canada’s national anthem and how she changed Canadian history! With lots of news and a f

This week on Finding Your Bliss, Life Coach and Bliss Expert Judy Librach is joined by one of our Âregulars on the program, who typically is here to talk about the best Christmas movies of the season! But this time, film critic and TV host Thom Ernst is here for another reason. The Toronto-based film critic and writer, broadcaster and podcaster is here because he wrote an incredibly inspiring, heartfelt, and compelling memoir. The book is called "The Wild Boy of Waubamik", and to use broadcaster Ian BrownÂs words, the book is Âa harrowing, heartfelt, fascinating, and thoroughly original and readable memoir of adoption and abuse - and the art that can come of them. The sexual abuse that Thom Ernst endured as a child from the ages of 7 to 17 is tragic, shocking and heartbreaking. But what is most incredible, is that his story is ultimately one of hope. In spite of one of the most horrific stories of child abuse, he somehow not only survived it, but soared above it all, carving out a career as a renowned film critic and broadcaster. How did he achieve this? In spite of a system that failed, a community that looked the other way, and a family that kept silent, Thom Ernst triumphed. We will find out how he accomplished that in this fascinating conversation. Thom is best known to audiences as the host, interviewer and producer of televisionÂs longest-running movie program Saturday Night at the Movies and BellMediaÂs Making Movies the Canadian Way. Currently, his film reviews can be read on Original-Cin.ca and NorthernStars.ca. ThomÂs first book "The Wild Boy of Waubamik" has just been released from Dundurn Press. Also on the program, we will be featuring the music of talented singer/songwriter Juliana Eye! Juliana Eye is a dynamic and unapologetic alternative-pop artist & songwriter based out of Toronto, Canada. With pop at its core, her music draws influence from 90Âs & early 2000Âs Alternative Rock, Indie & Dance music and pairs it with a hint of melancholy, nostalgia & introspective lyrics. Born and raised in the Toronto suburb of North York, Juliana took to music obsessively at the early age of thirteen, as an act of teenage rebellion. She spent the majority of her adolescence playing guitar and writing songs in her bedroom, jamming in basements with her friends obscure bands, and venturing to downtown clubs to watch local artists perform. Over the years Juliana has participated in a number of musical projects in the Toronto Music scene, as well as performed across Canada, the US, UK & Europe as a live keyboard player and back-up vocalist for various major label and independent artists. Most recently, Juliana graduated from Metalworks InstituteÂs ÂAudio Production & Engineering program and has since worked as an engineer and assistant engineer on a number of projects, including being our Audio Engineer at ÂFinding Your Bliss on Zoomer Radio. Since her first release in 2021, Juliana has released four original singles, as well as a self-produced cover of the 1979 BLONDIE classic, ÂDreamingÂ, which has been featured on CBCÂs ÂAfterdark and ÂUnder the CoversÂ, as well as Guelph UniversityÂs Campus Radio (CFRU 93.3FM). Juliana will be releasing her debut EP, ÂLATE BLOOMER in 2023. Click on this link to listen to Juliana's song "Late to the Party" on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/2NQGHMCyjY6sJIU7DHPpgC?si=6717d4089aa44dfa For more on Finding Your Bliss, you can follow us @theblissminute on Instagram and Facebook. Or you can visit our online magazine at findingyourbliss.com and take one step closer to finding your bliss. Listen live every Saturday at 1pm on Zoomer Radio

This week on Finding Your Bliss, Life Coach and Bliss Expert Judy Librach is joined by one of our “regulars” on the program, who typically is here to talk about the best Christmas movies of the season! But this time, film critic and TV host Thom Ernst is here for another reason. The Toronto-based film critic and writer, broadcaster and podcaster is here because he wrote an incredibly inspiring, heartfelt, and compelling memoir. The book is called "The Wild Boy of Waubamik", and to use broadcaster Ian Brown’s words, the book is “a harrowing, heartfelt, fascinating, and thoroughly original and readable memoir of adoption and abuse - and the art that can come of them.” The sexual abuse that Thom Ernst endured as a child from the ages of 7 to 17 is tragic, shocking and heartbreaking. But what is most incredible, is that his story is ultimately one of hope. In spite of one of the most horrific stories of child abuse, he somehow not only survived it, but soared above it all, carving out a career as a renowned film critic and broadcaster. How did he achieve this? In spite of a system that failed, a community that looked the other way, and a family that kept silent, Thom Ernst triumphed. We will find out how he accomplished that in this fascinating conversation. Thom is best known to audiences as the host, interviewer and producer of television’s longest-running movie program Saturday Night at the Movies and BellMedia’s Making Movies the Canadian Way. Currently, his film reviews can be read on Original-Cin.ca and NorthernStars.ca. Thom’s first book "The Wild Boy of Waubamik" has just been released from Dundurn Press. Also on the program, we will be featuring the music of talented singer/songwriter Juliana Eye! Juliana Eye is a dynamic and unapologetic alternative-pop artist & songwriter based out of Toronto, Canada. With pop at its core, her music draws influence from 90’s & early 2000’s Alternative Rock, Indie & Dance music and pairs it with a hint of melancholy, nostalgia & introspective lyrics. Born and raised in the Toronto suburb of North York, Juliana took to music obsessively at the early age of thirteen, as an act of teenage rebellion. She spent the majority of her adolescence playing guitar and writing songs in her bedroom, jamming in basements with her friends’ obscure bands, and venturing to downtown clubs to watch local artists perform. Over the years Juliana has participated in a number of musical projects in the Toronto Music scene, as well as performed across Canada, the US, UK & Europe as a live keyboard player and back-up vocalist for various major label and independent artists. Most recently, Juliana graduated from Metalworks Institute’s ‘Audio Production & Engineering’ program and has since worked as an engineer and assistant engineer on a number of projects, including being our Audio Engineer at ‘Finding Your Bliss’ on Zoomer Radio. Since her first release in 2021, Juliana has released four original singles, as well as a self-produced cover of the 1979 BLONDIE classic, “Dreaming”, which has been featured on CBC’s “Afterdark” and “Under the Covers”, as well as Guelph University’s Campus Radio (CFRU 93.3FM). Juliana will be releasing her debut EP, “LATE BLOOMER” in 2023. Click on this link to listen to Juliana's song "Late to the Party" on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/2NQGHMCyjY6sJIU7DHPpgC?si=6717d4089aa44dfa For more on Finding Your Bliss, you can follow us @theblissminute on Instagram and Facebook. Or you can visit our online magazine at findingyourbliss.com and take one step closer to finding your bliss. Listen live every Saturday at 1pm on Zoomer Radio