Sarah McLachlan & John Nicola on Music, Mentorship, and Miracles

Music has the power to transform lives, and few understand this better than Sarah McLachlan. In this episode, host John Nicola, CEO, CIO and Chairman at Nicola Wealth, sits down with the Grammy-winning artist and philanthropist to explore her remarkable journey from a 19-year-old with a record deal to the founder of a groundbreaking music education program.

Together, they trace McLachlan's path from Halifax to Vancouver, her early experiences with World Vision that sparked a lifelong commitment to giving back, and the creation of Sarah McLachlan School of Music 24 years ago. The conversation dives deep into the school's barrier-free model, serving 1,200 students across Vancouver, New Westminster, and Edmonton with completely free programming, and the extraordinary results - including a 99% high school graduation rate among participants.

McLachlan shares insights from her annual "Barefoot in the Backyard" fundraiser, the challenges of scaling a nonprofit organization, and her vision for sustainable philanthropy. The discussion also explores broader themes around community impact, the infinite game of giving back, and how access to music education can provide vulnerable youth with mentorship, connection, and a safe space to discover their authentic selves.

Learn more about the Sarah McLachlan School of Music