Creating North of 55 is a podcast that shares the stories of northern creatives who live or work on the edge of the 55th parallel and north. Hosted by Mariah Braun, an entrepreneur and indie filmmaker based in Grande Prairie, Alberta, each episode shares the stories of photographers, podcasters, musicians, content creators, filmmakers, and entrepreneurs who have carved out unique paths in the creative industry. Through candid conversations, Mariah explores the creativity, passion and experiences that drive these individuals to create meaningful work in regions far from traditional creative centers.
Listeners will hear firsthand how these creatives build careers, find community, and navigate the differences of working in rural areas. With guests from various artistic disciplines—media artists, musicians, visual artists, or writers—Creating North of 55 sheds light on the growing creative industry of northwestern Alberta and beyond.
For anyone inspired by stories of creativity and ambition in unexpected places, this podcast proves there are creative opportunities outside of the large city centers.
To contact Mariah about the podcast, please email hello@m3mstudios.ca.
Mariah Braun sits down with Matthew Dalen, an opera singer and arts advocate, to explore his story of stumbling into being an Opera singer.
From early influences to pivotal career shifts, Matthew shares insights into the evolving music scene in Grande Prairie. He discusses challenges and new opportunities, hinting at exciting events and initiatives to strengthen the local creative community.
Natasha and Demar Anderson, the creators behind DiAndersons Family, share their journey of immigrating from Jamaica to Canada through their lively and authentic content.
In this interview, Mariah sits down with them to discuss their experiences as content creators, how she first discovered their work, and the strategies they use to create and publish content at an impressive pace.
They also dive into the challenges and rewards of balancing family life with YouTube, offering insights for aspiring creators looking to grow their platforms.
Mariah Braun hosts a reflective conversation with videographer and photographer Kelsey from White Lightning Media. They discuss the fast-paced creative grind of 2024 and celebrate milestones with each of their studios. They dive into lessons on sustainability, growth, and the challenges of balancing passion projects with high-demand work.
Kelsey and Mariah share insights on mentorship and collaborating with the next generation of creators. They touch on building teams and embracing evolution as part of creative growth.
Looking to the year ahead, Mariah and Kelsey discuss what lies ahead for each business and themselves as creatives. PLUS, Kelsey drops an announcement about a new creative venture, which he will start in 2025.
Host Mariah Braun interviews Lindsay Janes, creator of Disturbing the Peace, a true crime podcast rooted in the Peace Region.
They delve into the challenges of balancing sensitive topics like true crime with mental health. Lindsay shares how her podcast blends local historical events with authentic crime narratives to highlight regional stories and the evolution of the justice system. Through self-development and support from local networks, Lindsay’s journey reflects the region’s creative spirit, inspiring others to pursue their own creative projects.
Together, Lindsay and Mariah explore Grande Prairie’s growing podcast scene and the value of local resources and share advice for aspiring creators.
Mariah Braun interviews Gabe Moose, a local spoon carver and podcaster behind Hard Hats and Hard Roads.
Gabe's podcast, funded by Telus STORYHIVE, highlights personal stories and mental health challenges in male-dominated industries and is set to be released in Spring 2025. After leaving the oil and gas sector due to a spinal condition, Gabe turned to spoon carving and later storytelling, inspired by his experiences through blue-collar work and a community of men.
He shares the emotional challenges of handling sensitive topics, emphasizing personal growth and therapy as key to his process. Gabe and Mariah discuss the power of storytelling to foster connection and create meaningful impact.
In the second episode of Creating North of 55, host Mariah Braun interviews Kelsey, owner of White Lightning Media, about his journey in the content creation industry. Kelsey, who has been in the creative industry for over 15 years, started by emailing hunting show producers and eventually got his first filming gig in the Yukon. This episode will cover topics including growing as a creative, collaborating with other creatives or businesses, and creating content in northwestern Alberta.
In the debut episode of Creating North of 55, host Mariah Braun, a business owner, filmmaker, and proud resident of Grande Prairie, Alberta, introduces her vision for the podcast: celebrating the often-overlooked creative talent thriving north of the 55th parallel.
Mariah shares her personal journey from a small-town creative kid to a self-made entrepreneur, recounting how an accidental marketing side hustle grew into her own business, M3M Marketing. Her passion for the arts, particularly video production, inspired her to open M3M Studios, a creative studio space that has become a resource for local creatives.
Through this podcast, Mariah hopes to highlight artists and innovators who are crafting meaningful careers far from typical creative centers. She challenges the notion that one must relocate to succeed in creative fields, proving that even in northern Alberta, there’s a rich creative community making an impact.
Tune in as Mariah dives into her own experiences and shares stories of resilience, creativity, and the unexpected journeys of fellow northern creators.
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