- 10
- Episodes
- Weekly
- Cadence
- 2025
- First episode
About Faces of Atlantic
Real leaders. Real stories. Real Atlantic grit. Faces of Atlantic uncovers the human side of leadership across our region; the moments that don’t make headlines but define what true leadership looks like. Hosted by Terri-Ann Richards, The Happiness Architect™, each episode shines a light on the builders, founders, and changemakers who are quietly shaping Atlantic Canada’s future through courage, resilience, and heart. These aren’t corporate soundbites; they’re honest conversations about what it really takes to lead, build, and stay grounded when the pressure hits. Whether you’re a CEO, entrepreneur, or community leader, you’ll walk away inspired, challenged, and reminded why leadership here just hits different.
- Publisher
- Terri-Ann Richards
- Category
- business · education
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 10 Nov 2025
- Latest episode
- 30 Mar 2026
Latest episodes
10 episodes in the feed.
30 Mar 2026
Psychological Safety Is Not Optional | Elizabeth Eldridge, Elizabeth Eldridge Consulting
What happens when workplaces stop treating wellbeing like a checkbox and start treating people like humans? In this Faces of Atlantic conversation, I sat down with Elizabeth Eldridge, psychological health and safety expert, speaker, and founder, to explore what it really takes to build workplaces where people feel safe, seen, and supported. Elizabeth has spent years helping organizations move beyond surface-level wellness initiatives and into meaningful, measurable change. From mental health first aid training to organizational consulting, her work is grounded in one core belief: people perform better when they feel like they belong. We talked about the shift happening across workplaces, why leaders must model vulnerability, and what separates performative efforts from real impact. In this episode: →What psychological safety actually means and why it is directly tied to performance → Why traditional wellness efforts often fall flat and what organizations are getting wrong → The difference between performative initiatives and real, sustainable change → How leaders can build trust by modeling vulnerability and authenticity → Why belonging at work starts with creating space for people to show up as their full selves → The role of transparency and accountability in rebuilding trust within teams → The reality of entrepreneurship and why balance is something you build, not something you find → Simple boundaries and daily practices that help protect energy in a constantly connected world → A powerful reminder that meaningful change happens when organizations and people work together, not in silos Links and Resources: Follow Elizabeth: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabetheldridgeconsulting/ Follow Elizabeth Eldridge Consulting: https://www.elizabetheldridge.com/ Follow Terri-Ann Richards: https://terriannrichards.com/ Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TerriAnnRichards Follow Faces of Atlantic on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/faces-of-atlantic If this episode made you rethink what a healthy workplace should actually feel like, share it with a leader or organization ready to move beyond surface-level change. Subscribe, leave a review, and take a moment today to check in with the people around you. Real leadership starts with creating spaces where people feel safe to be human. Let’s keep showing up with intention, one honest conversation at a time.
23 Mar 2026
You Are Not “Just” Anything | Carla Carvajal, TEDxUNB
What happens when the words we use to describe ourselves start to limit who we believe we can become? In this Faces of Atlantic conversation, I sat down with Carla, TEDxUNB Lead Organizer and advocate for human potential, to explore how the labels we carry and the language we use can quietly shape our identity, our confidence, and the way we show up in the world. We talked about the power of words, the danger of shrinking ourselves with phrases like “just,” and what it really takes to break out of the boxes we have been placed in or have placed ourselves in. This is a conversation about awareness, growth, and reclaiming the fullness of who you are. In this episode: → Why using the word “just” can diminish your identity and flatten your potential → How labels, even well-meaning ones, can quietly shape the way we see ourselves and others → The moment we start to question the boxes we have been placed in and what it takes to step outside of them → Why leadership begins with self-awareness and the language we use internally → How to expand your identity beyond roles, titles, and expectations → The ripple effect of how we describe others and the impact it has on their confidence and growth → What it looks like to show up fully without minimizing who you are → A powerful reminder that you are always more than any single label Links and Resources: Follow Carla: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlaaacarvajal/ Follow TEDxUNB: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tedxunb/ Follow Terri-Ann Richards: https://terriannrichards.com/ Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TerriAnnRichards Follow Faces of Atlantic on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/faces-of-atlantic If this episode made you pause and rethink the way you describe yourself or others, share it with someone who needs the reminder that they are more than the box they have been put in. Subscribe, leave a review, and take a moment today to notice the language you use. The words you choose shape the life you lead. Let’s keep showing up fully, one honest conversation at a time.
2 Feb 2026
Look Around and Be Helpful | James Doucher, James Doucher CFO Consulting, Inc.
What happens when leadership stops being about titles and starts being about how you show up for people? In this Faces of Atlantic episode, I sat down with James Doucher, fractional CFO, community builder, father, and advocate for leading with kindness and authenticity. James shares a deeply human perspective on leadership shaped by family, career pivots, and a commitment to being genuinely helpful in every room he enters. We talked about what it means to lead without ego, why connection matters more than networking tactics, and how empathy and presence can shape stronger teams, communities, and lives. In this episode: → How James transitioned from corporate leadership to fractional CFO work and why flexibility changed everything → Why networking is not about selling yourself but about being genuinely curious and helpful → Lessons learned from moving across borders, rebuilding community, and starting over more than once → What parenting has taught him about empathy, courage, and unconditional support → Why authenticity is the most underrated leadership skill in business today → The importance of creating safe, inclusive environments at home, at work, and in community → How small daily resets like walking, unplugging, and being present protect long-term wellbeing → A guiding principle that shapes how James leads and lives: look back and be grateful, look ahead and be hopeful, look around and be helpful Links and Resources: Follow James Doucher: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdoucher/ Follow James Doucher CFO Consulting, Inc.: https://www.jdoucher.com/ Follow Terri-Ann Richards: https://terriannrichards.com/ Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TerriAnnRichards Follow Faces of Atlantic on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/faces-of-atlantic If this episode reminded you that leadership is less about authority and more about humanity, share it with someone who believes in building community through care and connection. Subscribe, leave a review, and take a moment today to reach out to someone in your circle. Sometimes leadership looks like simply showing up and being helpful. Let’s keep showing up as real humans, one honest conversation at a time.
12 Jan 2026
Surprised by Joy | Teri Kingston, Real Impact Speaking
What happens when grief becomes the teacher and storytelling becomes the way forward? In this Faces of Atlantic conversation, I sat down with Teri Kingston, speaker coach, storyteller, widow, and guide for leaders learning how to show up more fully as human beings. Teri’s journey through anticipatory grief, loss, and rebuilding life after the death of her husband reshaped not only how she lives, but how she helps others find their voice. We talked about why grief belongs in the workplace, how leadership begins with self-awareness, and why authenticity on stage and in life is what truly moves people to action. In this episode: → Teri’s journey through anticipatory grief and what it taught her about presence, leadership, and love → Why grief is not a personal problem but a human reality that belongs in workplace conversations → The cost of ignoring grief at work and how organizations can better support their people → What makes a great speaker and why authenticity always lands more powerfully than performance → How storytelling becomes a tool for healing, influence, and meaningful change → Why not every story belongs on a stage and how to know when one is ready → The importance of serving the audience rather than performing for them → A life mantra that reframes loss and creates space for hope: being surprised by joy Links and Resources: Follow Teri Kingston: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terikingston/ Follow Real Impact Speaking: https://realimpactspeaking.com/ Follow Terri-Ann Richards: https://terriannrichards.com/ Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TerriAnnRichards Follow Faces of Atlantic on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/faces-of-atlantic If this episode encouraged you to embrace more of who you are — at work, at home, or in leadership — share it with someone who needs that same reminder. Subscribe, leave a review, and give yourself a moment today to consider: What part of you have you been leaving at the door — and what would change if you brought it with you? Let’s keep showing up with honesty, courage, and humanity, one conversation at a time.
15 Dec 2025
The Habit We All Forget That Changes Everything | Steve Foran, Gratitude at Work
What happens when a leader decides that gratitude is not a soft skill, but a strategy for changing the world? In this Faces of Atlantic interview, I sat down with Steve Foran, founder of Gratitude at Work, engineer turned global gratitude ambassador, and a leader whose mission is as bold as it is simple: 1 billion happier people. We talked about the power of small daily practices, why gratitude is more than a feeling, and how choosing awareness over autopilot can reshape your life, your leadership, and the people around you. In this episode: → The family roots, grandkids, and community that keep Steve grounded and remind him what really matters → The moment he realized his life was handed to him on a silver platter, and how that flipped his entire worldview → Why gratitude is the number one predictor of flourishing, and the surprising reason most people fail to maintain the practice → How a simple daily trigger can transform well-being, leadership presence, and the culture inside any organization → The unlearning Steve had to do around judgment, self-reliance, and seeing people through a more compassionate lens → The biggest opportunity he sees for Atlantic Canadian leaders today → His one piece of advice for leaders who want to shift their business in the next 12 months Links and Resources: Follow Steve Foran: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steveforangratefulceo/ Follow Gratitude at Work: https://www.gratitudeatwork.ca/ Follow Terri-Ann Richards: https://terriannrichards.com/ Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TerriAnnRichards Follow Faces of Atlantic on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/faces-of-atlantic If this episode encouraged you to embrace more of who you are — at work, at home, or in leadership — share it with someone who needs that same reminder. Subscribe, leave a review, and give yourself a moment today to consider: What part of you have you been leaving at the door — and what would change if you brought it with you? Let’s keep showing up with honesty, courage, and humanity, one conversation at a time.
8 Dec 2025
Bringing My Whole Self to Work Changed Everything | Colum Connolly, Bloom Funding
What happens when a leader finally gives themselves permission to show up as their whole, honest, human self? In this Faces of Atlantic episode, Terri-Ann sits down with Colum Connolly, Founder of Bloom Funding, an organization helping companies access funding, measure what matters, and create meaningful social impact across Atlantic Canada. Together, they unpack identity, leadership, and the emotional weight of building something that truly reflects who you are — not just what you do. In this episode: → How Colum’s path from medical genetics to entrepreneurship reshaped his understanding of leadership, hard work, and purpose → Bloom Funding’s journey to returning $26M to clients — and how their work is strengthening communities through nonprofit fundraising, impact measurement, and initiatives like youth housing and urban heat resilience → The shift that changed everything: embracing authenticity, queerness, and the courage to show up fully in professional spaces → What Colum had to unlearn about leadership — including the instinct to overanalyze and assume negative intent → Why he believes Atlantic Canada is uniquely positioned to lead the world in empathetic AI Links and Resources: Follow Colum Connolly: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colum-connolly-phd-bloom-funding/ Follow Bloom Funding: www.bloomfunding.ca Follow Terri-Ann Richards: https://terriannrichards.com/ Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TerriAnnRichards Follow Faces of Atlantic on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/faces-of-atlantic If this episode encouraged you to embrace more of who you are — at work, at home, or in leadership — share it with someone who needs that same reminder. Subscribe, leave a review, and give yourself a moment today to consider: What part of you have you been leaving at the door — and what would change if you brought it with you? Let’s keep showing up with honesty, courage, and humanity, one conversation at a time.
1 Dec 2025
Servant Leadership in a Time of Crisis | Jennifer Russell, Institute of Population Health, UNB
What happens when a leader chooses to honor humanity, protect their health, and lead through crisis with compassion and clarity? In this Faces of Atlantic interview, I sat down with Jennifer Russell, Executive Director of the Institute of Population Health at the University of New Brunswick, former Chief Medical Officer of Health, and a lifelong learner who blends science, art, service, and community into every chapter of her leadership journey. We talked about holding onto your humanity in the hardest moments, leading under pressure, and why self-care is not selfish, even when the world is watching. In this episode: → The early influences that shaped Jennifer’s leadership, from Northern New Brunswick to medicine to the military → The servant leader who changed everything and showed her what real inclusion and humility look like in practice → What it felt like to stand in front of the province during the height of COVID, when every word was permanent, and the stakes were impossibly high → The toll leadership took on her health, and why she now refuses to lead at the expense of her well-being → A reminder every leader needs: it is never too late to redefine yourself and choose a healthier, more aligned way of showing up Links and Resources: Follow Jennifer Russell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colette-martin-689039207/ Follow University of New Brunswick: http://www.unb.ca/ Follow Terri-Ann Richards: https://terriannrichards.com/ Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TerriAnnRichards Follow Faces of Atlantic on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/faces-of-atlantic Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7JMbDzSUrjMh0wfwXCAR0h If this episode gave you permission to slow down, set a boundary, or rethink how you show up as a leader, share it with someone who needs that same reminder. Subscribe, leave a review, and take a moment today to do one thing that supports your own well-being. Leaders who take care of themselves lead better. Let’s keep building this new season of leadership, one grounded conversation at a time.
24 Nov 2025
Silence Is Not an Option | Colette Martin, Advocate
What happens when a story that was once whispered in secret becomes the voice that saves lives? In this powerful Faces of Atlantic episode, I sat down with Colette Martin, advocate, survivor, mother, and voice for those who have been silenced by domestic violence. Nearly 28 years ago, Colette survived an attempted murder. Today, she stands as a courageous advocate for change, pushing for policy reform, education, and awareness so that others may never walk the path she had to walk alone. We talked about the moment healing turned into advocacy, why silence protects the abuser, and how sharing our stories can protect lives. We talked about faith, courage, purpose, and what happens when one woman decides that enough is enough. In this episode: → The night Colette’s life changed forever, and how she found strength on the other side of survival → Why silence is not an option, and how storytelling becomes a lifeline for those who feel unseen, unheard, and alone → The passing of Bill 17, giving survivors the right to ask about a partner’s history of intimate partner violence, and what it could mean for future prevention → What needs to change in government, policing, education, and community if we truly want to save lives → The emotional cost of advocacy, how she manages naysayers, and the fuel that keeps her pushing forward → Why survivors must have a seat at the table and be recognized as the real experts in shaping policy and support → A beautiful moment with her late mother that became the spark for her mission and purpose → The documentary, her upcoming book, and why this movement is becoming global Links and Resources: Follow Colette Martin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colette-martin-689039207/ Follow Colette Martin Empowerment: https://www.empowermentcolette.com/ Follow Terri-Ann Richards: https://terriannrichards.com/ Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TerriAnnRichards Follow Faces of Atlantic on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/faces-of-atlantic If this conversation moved you, share it with someone who needs to remember that silence does not heal, and hope often begins with one brave voice. Subscribe, leave a review, and take a moment today to check in on someone quietly fighting a battle you cannot see. Stories like Colette’s are not meant to be whispered. They are meant to light the way. Let’s keep showing up with courage, one real conversation at a time.
17 Nov 2025
Purpose Changed Everything | Sheena Russell, Made with Local
What happens when a founder discovers that scaling a business isn’t about growing bigger but growing braver? In this Faces of Atlantic conversation, I sat down with Sheena Russell, Founder and CEO of Made with Local, a purpose-driven food company rooted in Atlantic Canada and built on community, sustainability, and really good snacks. We explored what it looks like to lead with values, navigate self-doubt, take bold leaps, and stay grounded in the mission that started it all. In this episode: → How a sustainability-loving kid from PEI became the unexpected entrepreneur behind one of Canada’s fastest-growing snack brands → The moment Sheena realized the business could be bigger than her own self-doubt and why that changed everything → What it really took to bring manufacturing in-house and why the scariest leaps often lead to the strongest foundations → How Sheena builds a values-driven culture rooted in transparency, trust, and a “no dumb questions” approach to leadership → The power of community from farmers and suppliers to Atlantic Canadian grocery shelves that now champion the brand → Her honest take on stress, partnership, and why having the right people in your corner makes all the difference → The legacy she hopes to leave: generosity, sustainability, and a purposeful path for future founders Links and Resources: Follow Sheena Russell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheena-russell-mwl/ Follow Made with Local: https://www.madewithlocal.com/ Follow Terri-Ann Richards: https://terriannrichards.com/ Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TerriAnnRichards Follow Faces of Atlantic on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/faces-of-atlantic If this episode reminded you that leadership doesn’t require perfection, just purpose, share it with someone carving their own path toward impact. Subscribe, leave a review, and take a moment today to celebrate the people quietly doing the work that lifts our communities up. Leadership is human, and these stories matter. Let’s keep showing up with courage, one real conversation at a time.
10 Nov 2025
Wide Open Hearts Need Big Fences | Matt Thomson, Placemaking 4G
What happens when a leader decides to build a business around love, trust, and boundaries? In this Faces of Atlantic interview, I sat down with Matt Thomson, Co-Founder and CEO of Placemaking 4G, a social enterprise rehumanizing recruitment and helping organizations build cultures where people belong. We talked about redefining leadership through humanity, the lessons that come from failure, and why the best leaders know when to protect their energy. In this episode: → How Matt’s leap from medical sales to social impact reshaped his definition of success → The power of purpose and values work, and why stepping away from “doing” to focus on “being” changed everything → A raw reflection on burnout, recovery, and the wisdom behind his favorite leadership mantra: “Wide open hearts need big f**ing fences.” → A challenge for every leader: Are you leading from fear or from love? Links and Resources: Follow Matt Thomson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattthomson-author-speaker-founder/ Follow Placemaking P4G: www.p4g.ca Follow Terri-Ann Richards: https://terriannrichards.com/ Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TerriAnnRichards Follow Faces of Atlantic on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/faces-of-atlantic If this episode made you rethink what it means to lead with heart, share it with someone who needs a reminder that strength and softness can coexist. Subscribe, leave a review, and take a moment today to check your own fences, because protecting your energy is part of leading well. Let’s keep showing up with courage, one honest conversation at a time.
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