Vox Management Agency

06/18/2025

Let’s talk about delivering the right message.

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.

https://voxtalk.podbean.com/

06/12/2025

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.

https://voxtalk.podbean.com/

Tia Upshaw
Blk Women in Excellence

Intro and Outro Song: “Freetime: by Caledonia
Produced by Mike Ryan: Michael S. Ryan

06/04/2025

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.

https://voxtalk.podbean.com/



Intro and Outro Song: “Freetime: by Caledonia

Produced by Mike Ryan: Michael S. Ryan

05/28/2025

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.

https://voxtalk.podbean.com/

MMy Grandfather's Cat
Intro and Outro Song: “Freetime: by Caledonia

Produced by Mike Ryan: MMichael S. Ryan

05/27/2025

THANK YOU GOOD PEOPLE for tuning in! New episode drops tomorrow!! https://voxtalk.podbean.com/

05/21/2025

Season Two: Episode 1:

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.

https://voxtalk.podbean.com/

Intro and Outro Song: “Freetime: by Caledonia
Produced by Michael S. Ryan

05/14/2025

We're back!!! Season 2!!!

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. This season we’ll be talking to those who are behind the scenes and in the spotlight. Talented personalities, speakers, artists and experts in their chosen field. Tune in; Wednesday May 21st for our Season Two premiere episode of VOX talk. Let’s talk.

VOX Talk is produced by Michael S. Ryan

04/29/2025

Zac Crouse is featured in a recent article by the Mental Health Commission of Canada. A good reminder as the weather warms to get out near the water.

How spending time in, on, or around water can reduce stress, encourage physical activity, and kindle social engagement.

02/25/2025

Comedy At The Carleton: Steve Patterson Comedian

Steve Patterson is a big fan of the Maritimes and gearing up for his tour through New Brunswick, he couldn’t resist squeezing in a Halifax show at one of his favourite venues, The Carleton. We couldn’t let New Brunswick have all the laughs. Steve will perform on Wednesday, March 12th at 7 PM. Tickets are $30 + HST. Don’t miss this chance to see one of Canada’s funniest comics in our intimate room!

https://www.thecarleton.ca/events/comedy-at-the-carleton-steve-patterson/

02/05/2025

We are so excited to announce more good people on the VOX roster! Please welcome Angela Rafuse who is the founder of My Grandfather's Cat a nonprofit that helps seniors and terminally ill people feed and arrange second forever homes for their pets. Beyond the cat photos, Angela's keynotes talk about the immense power of building a social media community. They have helped hundreds of animals and their families and become one of the highest followed charities in Canada. MGC has nearly a quarter of a million followers across social media platforms and Angela herself has amassed a following of over 640,000 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.

01/29/2025

VOX welcomes new good people to our roster, Tia Upshaw

Tia is not just a speaker—she is a movement. As the founder and CEO of Blk Women in Excellence Tia has built a powerful platform dedicated to uplifting and empowering Black women entrepreneurs.

With a wealth of experience spanning multiple industries, Tia has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including Business Leader of the Year by Halifax Chamber of Commerce

Tia’s ability to connect with diverse audiences and deliver actionable insights has made her a trusted voice on topics such as resilience in entrepreneurship, authentic leadership, and the power of community.

12/10/2024

Congrats to these good people!! We love working with you 🤩🤩🤩

Wow! Huge thanks for all the love and support, everyone 🙌 It means a lot. We’re wrapping up an amazing year and can’t wait to see you all in 2025 for more music, dancing, and good vibes 🎻🥁 Cheers to an even bigger year ahead!

Special thanks to all our friends at the The Halifax Beer Garden , Durty Nelly's , & Vox Management for always looking after us!