Vox Talk
Vox Talk is a behind the scenes view of the live music and events industry by the people who live and work in it. I’m talking to good people about their experiences in this business. I’m Stephanie Purcell and I’m the Founder of Vox Management Agency. Our team books talent for corporate and special events and we’ve worked with some of the best of the best in Canadian talent. After 20 years in the industry, I’ve met so many good people doing good work and they’ve got stories to share. The folks I work and play with are some of the best at what they do. They really know their stuff. Tune in on Wednesday May 21st to catch the launch of SEASON 2 of VOX talk. Let’s talk.
Episodes

12 hours ago
12 hours ago
In this special episode Stephanie sits down with her long time client and member of the Vox roster, Tareq Hadhad who arrived in Canada in December 2015. Tareq started working with Vox in early 2017 and it’s been a pretty wild ride bringing Tareq to stages all around the world, meeting leaders of countries and thousands of people. In this interview you’ll hear about the importance of getting the message right at his keynotes, the new opportunities you don’t see coming in business and the rollercoaster ride of entrepreneurship. Tareq says “Entrepreneurship is like jumping off a cliff and building a plane on the way down.” Both Stephanie and Tareq run businesses and have grown together over the last eight years as they build his speaking career that has brought him all across Canada and to many countries like Japan, Mexico, the United States and various destinations in Europe. Their life changing partnership has opened doors neither of them ever imagined and are excited for the many new opportunities to come.
@peacebychocolate
@tareqhadhad
#goodpeoplebooked
#voxtalk
#letstalk

Wednesday Jun 11, 2025
SE2: EP 4 — Tia Upshaw: Let's Talk About Your Season!
Wednesday Jun 11, 2025
Wednesday Jun 11, 2025
It’s Tia Upshaw’s season!! Let’s talk about a go get ‘em, no nonsense, women in business champion, community cheerleader who is oozing in her black power. Tia is a force. The newest addition to the VOX roster, Steph and Tia sit down, meeting in real life for the first time. They talk about Tia’s life and career and how she has discovered it’s her season to blossom. You’ll hear about the value of mentors, a love of fashion and design, life goals, the highs and lows of entrepreneurship and the drive that led her to be an award winning success story. Her work has not only driven economic growth in her community but has also set a new standard for inclusive leadership and social impact. As the founder and CEO of Blk Women in Excellence, Tia has built a powerful platform dedicated to uplifting and empowering Black women entrepreneurs.
@itistiaupshaw
@blkwomeninexcellence
Intro and Outro Song: “Freetime: by Caledonia
Produced by Mike Ryan: @michael_s_ryan
#goodpeoplebooked
#voxtalk

Wednesday Jun 04, 2025
SE2: EP 3 — Zac Crouse: Let's Talk About Friendship, Music and Blue Space.
Wednesday Jun 04, 2025
Wednesday Jun 04, 2025
Stephanie sits down to chat with one of her best friends she’s known and worked with for nearly 20 years. They reminisce of their time working with Zac’s band, Caledonia, producing the documentary Paddle to the Ocean, his speaking career as a member of the VOX roster and his newest serious leisure love of stand up comedy. Zac openly talks about living with PTSD and the stigma that still surrounds mental illness. They laugh about days on tour (pre cell phones), his relationship with religion, their early days in the music industry, growing cannabis, the importance of practicing your craft, dark humour and how his new serious leisure activity is helping him and others laugh while healing from grief and trauma. Two friends, two mics, sitting at a kitchen table where they have laughed and hung out at many times.
#zaccrouse
Intro and Outro Song: “Freetime: by Caledonia
Produced by Mike Ryan: @michael_s_ryan
#goodpeoplebooked
#voxtalk

Wednesday May 28, 2025
SE2: EP 2 — Angela Rafuse: Let's Talk About the Cat's Meow
Wednesday May 28, 2025
Wednesday May 28, 2025
Let’s talk about cats!! The Founder of My Grandfather’s Cat, Angela Rafuse is helping animals, seniors and terminally ill people. Through her cat content, she has amassed a record following making her charity the most followed Canadian charity on Instagram. The charity was inspired by her personal experience adopting her grandfather’s 14-year old grumpy cat, Mackenzie, when he passed away. In only a few short years the charity has helped nearly 1000 cats. Her viral content has garnered her over 645,000 followers on TikTok. Angela’s dedication has earned her national and international recognition. Her work has been featured by People Magazine, Good News Network, and countless Canadian news outlets. She has been named one of Atlantic Canada Business Magazine’s Top 30 Under 30 Innovators, received a nomination for Forbes Top 30 Under 30, and the title of Animal Nonprofit CEO of the Year by the Canadian CEO Awards.
@angrafus3
@mygrandfatherscat
Intro and Outro Song: “Freetime: by Caledonia
Produced by Mike Ryan: @michael_s_ryan
#goodpeoplebooked
#voxtalk

Wednesday May 21, 2025
SE2: EP 1 — Steve Murphy: Let's Talk about the Man, the Legend.
Wednesday May 21, 2025
Wednesday May 21, 2025
Steve Murphy is a beloved and respected personality in Atlantic Canada. How fun to share some time with him at the kitchen table and talk to one of our good people. Steve joined many maritimers in their homes at the dinner hour live from the CTV news desk for three decades. He is a firm believer in delivering the news based on facts and not opinions. After a lifetime of reporting news and showcasing the opinions of others, Steve now expresses his own opinions on the things he’s done and the people he’s met along the way. These days you’ll see Steve delivering keynote speeches, hosting events and a special correspondent, commentator and analyst for CTV Atlantic.
@stevemurphyspeaks
Intro and Outro Song: “Freetime: by Caledonia
Produced by Mike Ryan: @michael_s_ryan
#goodpeoplebooked
#voxtalk

Wednesday May 14, 2025
Season 2 TRAILER
Wednesday May 14, 2025
Wednesday May 14, 2025
Season 2 of VOX Talk is coming May 21st! Tune in to for thoughtful conversations with the best of the best in Canadian talent.
Intro and Outro Song: “Freetime: by Caledonia
Produced by Mike Ryan: @michael_s_ryan
#goodpeoplebooked
#voxtalk

Wednesday Jul 03, 2024
Wednesday Jul 03, 2024
In the season finale episode of VOX Talk we feature my BFF (Best Friends Forever) Christina Bradshaw. We met over 20 years ago because of the events industry and have developed a beautiful and everlasting friendship at play and at work! Join us as we dive into the vibrant world of colour and design with Christina Bradshaw, a seasoned expert with an extensive background in building client brands both on social media and in print. With over 20 years of experience at Revolve (now Believeco), Christina has worn many hats, including account manager, graphic designer, and manager of corporate events and fundraising sponsorships.Christina is a graduate of Toronto's Ryerson University, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in New Media with focused studies in Graphic and Interactive Design. Her background in art and design, combined with her spirited personality, adds a unique flair to every project she undertakes.Throughout her career, Christina has branded several marquee events, such as the Great Big Dig for the IWK, The Mental Health Foundation's Festival of Trees & A Different Stage of Mind, Junior Achievement Nova Scotia's Business Hall of Fame, and Hospice Halifax's Feeling The Love.Currently, Christina freelances as a graphic designer and offers Colour Analysis services through her business, High Chroma. Her passion for design and enthusiasm for colour have led her on an exciting journey into Colour Analysis.Christina empowers others with the knowledge of which colours best highlight their natural beauty. Her in-person sessions offer a personal consultation designed to boost confidence by understanding one’s optimal colour palette. Using principles of colour science and theory, this time-tested process helps individuals discover the colours that bring out their best selves.Tune in to learn more about Christina's journey, her insights into the world of design and colour, and how she can help find the perfect palette for you.
Christina, along with my podcast producer Mike Ryan help me wrap up Season 1 of VOX Talk. A big THANK YOU to them for all their support and to YOU the listeners for tuning in.
Steph’s Sites:Vox Agency: https://www.voxagency.ca/Vox on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/voxagency/https://www.facebook.com/voxmanagementagency Email Steph: stephanie@voxagency.ca Intro and Outro Song: “Freetime” by CaledoniaChristina’s Sites:@_high_chroma_

Wednesday Jun 26, 2024
Wednesday Jun 26, 2024
In this episode, we sit down with Danny Thomas, a seasoned professional in multiple areas of the music industry. Danny's impressive skills have seen him traverse Canada and beyond, collaborating with a wide range of performers, venues and festivals. His extensive portfolio includes significant events such as the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, the JUNO Awards, The Grey Cup, East Coast Music Week, The Halifax Pop Explosion, touring with Great Big Sea, and much more. Danny's expertise and passion for his craft also led him to co-own Rockbound Productions with his wife and partner Andrea Thomas, where he continues to leave his mark on the industry.He started playing drums in bands in 1982, and shortly after started “Peace Accord” where he organized festivals that both showcased music and highlighted social issues at the time.Before his illustrious career as a technical director, Danny was part of the Canadian funk rock band Thomas Trio and the Red Albino. Formed in 1988 in St. John's, Newfoundland, the band included Danny and his brothers Louis and David ("Lil") Thomas, with Jody Richardson joining soon after as the vocalist. The band gained recognition with their debut album "Jam It Inya" and hit singles "142 Thru" and "Sun Risin'". They drove 264,000km in 2 years with his band, crossing Canada 14 times in that span. Their dynamic live performances and critical success, including a CASBY Award for Favourite New Eastern Canadian Group, cemented their place in the Canadian music scene. Despite disbanding in 1993, Thomas Trio and the Red Albino left an indelible legacy, with Danny transitioning into a successful technical career supporting other prominent acts.Join us as Danny shares insights from his journey, from the energetic days of touring with his band to his pivotal role in managing large-scale productions and festivals. This episode is a treasure trove of stories and experiences that highlight the evolution of a dedicated professional in the ever-changing world of music and entertainment.Steph’s Sites:Vox Agency: https://www.voxagency.ca/Vox on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/voxagency/https://www.facebook.com/voxmanagementagency Email Steph: stephanie@voxagency.ca Intro and Outro Song: “Freetime” by CaledoniaDanny’s Sites: @dannyt_thomas

Vox Talk
Vox Talk is a behind the scenes view of the live music and events industry by the people who live and work in it. I’m talking to good people about their experiences in this business. I’m Stephanie Purcell and I’m the Founder of Vox Management Agency. Our team books talent for corporate and special events and we’ve worked with some of the best of the best in Canadian talent. After 20 years in the industry, I’ve met so many good people doing good work and they’ve got stories to share. The folks I work and play with are some of the best at what they do. They really know their stuff. Tune in on Wednesday May 1st to catch the launch of weekly episodes to come for this season of VOX talk. Let’s talk.