In this episode of Better, host Mark Brand casts ahead to his interview with Hope Blooms Manager of Social Business and Innovation, Kolade and artist, author, and community leader Keonte Beals for a powerful conversation about self‑love, healing, and the transformative impact of community. This episode explores how safe spaces, mentorship, and representation can turn barriers into bridges and dreams into real careers.

In This Episode, You’ll Hear About:
Hope Blooms & Uniacke Square
Self‑Love as Daily Practice
From Pain to Purpose
Connection, Collaboration & Community Ripples

About Hope Blooms
Hope Blooms is a community‑driven organization in Uniacke Square that nurtures young leaders through gardening, food, entrepreneurship, and mentorship. 

Resources & Links
Learn more about Hope Blooms
Explore the work of Keonte Beals

This podcast is proudly supported by East Coast Credit Union.

At East Coast Credit Union, we’re proud to support community voices and meaningful conversations. The thoughts and opinions shared by guests on this podcast are their own and don’t necessarily reflect those of East Coast Credit Union.

In this episode of&nbsp;Better, host&nbsp;Mark Brand casts ahead to his interview with Hope Blooms Manager of Social Business and Innovation, Kolade&nbsp;and artist, author, and community leader&nbsp;Keonte Beals for a powerful conversation about self‑love, healing, and the transformative impact of community. This episode explores how safe spaces, mentorship, and representation can turn barriers into bridges and dreams into real careers.
In This Episode, You&rsquo;ll Hear About:
<ul>
<li>Hope Blooms &amp; Uniacke Square</li>
<li>Self‑Love as Daily Practice</li>
<li>From Pain to Purpose</li>
<li>Connection, Collaboration &amp; Community Ripples</li>
</ul>
About Hope Blooms Hope Blooms is a community‑driven organization in Uniacke Square that nurtures young leaders through gardening, food, entrepreneurship, and mentorship.&nbsp;
Resources &amp; Links
<ul>
<li>Learn more about&nbsp;<a href="https://hopeblooms.ca/">Hope Blooms</a></li>
<li>Explore the work of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.keontebeals.com/">Keonte Beals</a></li>
</ul>
This podcast is proudly supported by <a href="https://www.eastcoastcu.ca/">East Coast Credit Union.</a>
At East Coast Credit Union, we&rsquo;re proud to support community voices and meaningful conversations. The thoughts and opinions shared by guests on this podcast are their own and don&rsquo;t necessarily reflect those of East Coast Credit Union.

Mark Brand is your host for BETTER; a podcast about hope & resilience and leaving the planet a better place than we found it. It’s a home for conversations with incredible people who are change makers, disrupters, and experts in their fields. Brand is a social-impact entrepreneur, chef, and systems designer who is committed to ending hunger. By sharing tools for hope & resilience, Brand believes we can empower ourselves and each other to be BETTER.

Mark Brand is your host for BETTER; a podcast about hope &amp; resilience and leaving the planet a better place than we found it. It’s a home for conversations with incredible people who are change makers, disrupters, and experts in their fields. Brand is a social-impact entrepreneur, chef, and systems designer who is committed to ending hunger. By sharing tools for hope &amp; resilience, Brand believes we can empower ourselves and each other to be BETTER.

BETTER with Mark Brand

Prequel: Hope Blooms and Keonte Beals

Your host, Mark Brand, sits down with revolutionary journalist and authorMichael Sheik, whose work shines a light on conflict, human rights, and the power of food in preserving culture and building resilience.

From facing life-threatening situations in Afghanistan to uncovering stories of genocide and survival, Michael’s journey is an inspiring testament to the role food plays in connecting us to our roots, telling untold stories, and fostering hope even in the most challenging times. In a world grappling with displacement, injustice, and changing identities, this conversation explores how culinary heritage can be both a form of resistance and a bridge to empathy. We discuss:
How food serves as a lens for understanding conflict and resilience
The impact of family history, migration, and trauma on personal and cultural identity
Why preserving food traditions is vital for refugee and displaced communities
Distinguishing between food security and food sovereignty, and why it matters
The challenges and power of storytelling when holding perpetrators accountable
The healing, hope, and agency that come from sharing meals and recipes across generations

This episode is for anyone who believes that culture endures through the recipes we share, the stories we tell, and the communities we nurture.

This podcast is proudly supported by East Coast Credit Union.

At East Coast Credit Union, we’re proud to support community voices and meaningful conversations. The thoughts and opinions shared by guests on this podcast are their own and don’t necessarily reflect those of East Coast Credit Union.

Your host, Mark Brand, sits down with revolutionary journalist and author Michael Sheik, whose work shines a light on conflict, human rights, and the power of food in preserving culture and building resilience.
From facing life-threatening situations in Afghanistan to uncovering stories of genocide and survival, Michael&rsquo;s journey is an inspiring testament to the role food plays in connecting us to our roots, telling untold stories, and fostering hope even in the most challenging times. In a world grappling with displacement, injustice, and changing identities, this conversation explores how culinary heritage can be both a form of resistance and a bridge to empathy. We discuss:
<ul>
<li>How food serves as a lens for understanding conflict and resilience</li>
<li>The impact of family history, migration, and trauma on personal and cultural identity</li>
<li>Why preserving food traditions is vital for refugee and displaced communities</li>
<li>Distinguishing between food security and food sovereignty, and why it matters</li>
<li>The challenges and power of storytelling when holding perpetrators accountable</li>
<li>The healing, hope, and agency that come from sharing meals and recipes across generations</li>
</ul>
This episode is for anyone who believes that culture endures through the recipes we share, the stories we tell, and the communities we nurture.
This podcast is proudly supported by East Coast Credit Union.
At East Coast Credit Union, we&rsquo;re proud to support community voices and meaningful conversations. The thoughts and opinions shared by guests on this podcast are their own and don&rsquo;t necessarily reflect those of East Coast Credit Union.

Michael Shaikh: Food, Conflict & Culture

In this reflective episode, host Mark Brand and producer Madison dive deep and reflect on their powerful conversation with investigative journalist, writer, and advocateMichael Shaikh.

Together, Mark and Madison discuss the ongoing refugee crisis, exploring how displacement threatens language, customs, and generational identity. Drawing from Michael’s frontline experiences, they highlight stories of preserving cultural heritage amidst adversity, and the courage it takes to hold powerful institutions accountable. The discussion broadens to examine how social media shapes our awareness and behaviours, especially among younger generations, and stresses the importance of kindness, resilience, and finding common ground.

Mark and Madison also share personal insights on community building, food security, and the need for presence and authenticity in real-world connections. Their reflections underscore the value of standing together, mentoring others, and using both technology and storytelling as tools for positive change.

This podcast is proudly supported by East Coast Credit Union.

At East Coast Credit Union, we’re proud to support community voices and meaningful conversations. The thoughts and opinions shared by guests on this podcast are their own and don’t necessarily reflect those of East Coast Credit Union.

In this reflective episode, host Mark Brand and producer Madison dive deep and reflect on their powerful conversation with investigative journalist, writer, and advocate Michael Shaikh.
Together, Mark and Madison discuss the ongoing refugee crisis, exploring how displacement threatens language, customs, and generational identity. Drawing from Michael&rsquo;s frontline experiences, they highlight stories of preserving cultural heritage amidst adversity, and the courage it takes to hold powerful institutions accountable. The discussion broadens to examine how social media shapes our awareness and behaviours, especially among younger generations, and stresses the importance of kindness, resilience, and finding common ground.
Mark and Madison also share personal insights on community building, food security, and the need for presence and authenticity in real-world connections. Their reflections underscore the value of standing together, mentoring others, and using both technology and storytelling as tools for positive change.
This podcast is proudly supported by East Coast Credit Union.
At East Coast Credit Union, we&rsquo;re proud to support community voices and meaningful conversations. The thoughts and opinions shared by guests on this podcast are their own and don&rsquo;t necessarily reflect those of East Coast Credit Union.

Prequal: Michael Shaikh 

Your host, Mark Brand sits down with Benjamin McBride (BJ) and Michelle Monterrosa, advocates behind the 1-800 Happy Birthday project: whose work is transforming how we remember, honour, and heal in the face of tragedy.

From personal heartbreak to sparking national conversations, our guests’ journeys are a testament to the power of community, storytelling, and resilience. In a world that often overlooks the deep human toll of violence, this conversation is a reminder that true change begins with remembering those we’ve lost and lifting each other up. We discuss:
Why honouring victims’ stories, and remembering names can be a way to healing
How art, creative memorials, and public installations create opportunities for collective grief and hope
The importance of grassroots advocacy, community action, and building safe spaces for support and truth-telling
How vulnerability and compassion can help transform trauma into new visions for justice and reform
The role of family, community leaders, and cross-generational mentorship in sustaining movements for change

This episode is for anyone who believes that justice is more than headlines, it’s about memory, love, and rewriting the narrative together.

This podcast is proudly supported by East Coast Credit Union. 

At East Coast Credit Union, we’re proud to support community voices and meaningful conversations. The thoughts and opinions shared by guests on this podcast are their own and don’t necessarily reflect those of East Coast Credit Union.

Your host, Mark Brand sits down with Benjamin McBride (BJ) and Michelle Monterrosa, advocates behind the 1-800 Happy Birthday project: whose work is transforming how we remember, honour, and heal in the face of tragedy.
From personal heartbreak to sparking national conversations, our guests&rsquo; journeys are a testament to the power of community, storytelling, and resilience. In a world that often overlooks the deep human toll of violence, this conversation is a reminder that true change begins with remembering those we&rsquo;ve lost and lifting each other up. We discuss:
<ul>
<li>Why honouring victims&rsquo; stories, and remembering names can be a way to healing</li>
<li>How art, creative memorials, and public installations create opportunities for collective grief and hope</li>
<li>The importance of grassroots advocacy, community action, and building safe spaces for support and truth-telling</li>
<li>How vulnerability and compassion can help transform trauma into new visions for justice and reform</li>
<li>The role of family, community leaders, and cross-generational mentorship in sustaining movements for change</li>
</ul>
This episode is for anyone who believes that justice is more than headlines, it&rsquo;s about memory, love, and rewriting the narrative together.
This podcast is proudly supported by <a href="https://www.eastcoastcu.ca/">East Coast Credit Union.</a>&nbsp;
At East Coast Credit Union, we&rsquo;re proud to support community voices and meaningful conversations. The thoughts and opinions shared by guests on this podcast are their own and don&rsquo;t necessarily reflect those of East Coast Credit Union.

Prequel: Hope Blooms and Keonte Beals

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