In this episode of the podcast, Courtney gets raw about the loneliness, shame, and societal judgment she’s faced while living a “monogamous-looking life” in a small military town in Germany. She shares the psychedelic trip that made her realise she was polyamorous (after finding poly people “so annoying”), how opening her marriage completely reshaped her relationship with herself and her body, and the misconceptions about capacity and hierarchy that nearly burned her out.

Courtney Boyer, M.Ed., M.S., is a therapist-turned-relationship coach, writer, and speaker whose work centres on love, desire, and authenticity. She has been featured in The New York Post, Cosmopolitan, The Huffington Post, and BBC Radio Live. Drawing on her background in mental health and sex therapy, she brings a unique blend of professional expertise and lived experience to conversations around relationships and identity.

When she isn’t writing or coaching, Courtney can be found chasing joy—travelling, reading, or savouring delicious coffee and deep conversation. She is passionate about helping women break free from shame, reclaim their bodies and voices, and create relationships rooted in honesty and autonomy.

Courtney lives in Germany with her husband and three children, where she is still learning, unlearning, and writing the next chapter of her story.

Learn more @courtneyboyercoaching

Danielle Narveson is a writer, content creator, and the voice behind Openly Committed, where she shares honest stories about marriage, motherhood, and ethical non-monogamy.

With a background in strategy and storytelling, she brings a fresh, deeply personal perspective to topics such as jealousy, boundaries, identity, and long-term partnerships. Her videos and essays reach millions of people looking for a more honest, expansive way to think about relationships.

What does it take to build a thriving open relationship that lasts for over 15 years? In this profoundly honest episode of The Sanctuary, host Israel sits down with Danielle, the creator behind the popular platform Openly Committed. Danielle pulls back the curtain on her long-term polyamorous journey with her husband, from the first two years of trial and error to navigating parenthood, perimenopause, and the emotional challenge of telling her conservative Texan parents.

She gets raw about the realities that often get glossed over, sharing why she rarely feels "compersion," why she and her husband abandoned the "veto" power, and how their communication has had to evolve through every life stage. This is a masterclass in the practicalities and emotions of ethical non-monogamy, filled with hard-won wisdom for anyone curious about relationships of any kind.

You’ll hear about:

• The "Coming Out" Playbook: The six-year journey to telling her parents, including the powerful letter from her religious mother that offers a blueprint for unconditional love.
• Beyond the Hype: Danielle’s candid take on jealousy, the myth of constant "compersion," and why she no longer believes in strict rules like "veto power."
• Logistics of Love: How they manage time, privacy, and introducing partners to their children while running a business and writing a book.
• Advice for the Curious: Her top three pieces of advice for opening a relationship, starting with the most important question: "Why?"
• The Polyamorous Toolbox: What monogamous relationships can learn from polyamory about communication, jealousy, and granting freedom.

Whether you're polyamorous, monogamous, or simply interested in the complexities of human connection, this conversation is a treasure trove of actionable insights about building a relationship on your own terms.

Follow Danielle’s work:

Openly Committed on Substack

@openlycommitted on Instagram

In this captivating episode of The Sanctuary, rising Nigerian artist OG Mage dives deep into his incredible journey from software engineer to full-time musician.

OG Mage opens up about the viral success of his breakout hit "Head of State," revealing how a simple Instagram reel with a flute sample turned into one of the most talked-about drill songs. He shares the wild story of shooting the music video in just two days with help from his Abuja community, proving that grassroots support can create magic.

The conversation explores his creative process, from his university days coordinating a Christian rap group to collaborating with legendary Nigerian rapper Ill Bliss on "Like An OG." OG Mage discusses his unique approach to features, his spiritual connection to music-making, and the stories behind his captivating cover art designs.

Beyond the music, he reveals his multifaceted background as a digital artist and software engineer who taught himself to code by writing out the code on paper before he even had a laptop. From working at MTN to his recent role at D Brand, he explains how he finally leapt to pursue music full-time.

Looking ahead, OG Mage teases his upcoming EP "The Calm" and hints at "The Storm" - a major project featuring collaborations with established artists like Skales. Throughout the conversation, his core message rings clear: consistency is everything.

This episode offers an intimate look at an artist who's building something authentic in the Nigerian music scene, one collaboration and one consistent step at a time.

Check him out @ogmagegram

In this explosive episode of The Sanctuary, host Israel sits down with Dwayne Marcial, former Director of Artists and Industry Development at the East Coast Music Awards (ECMA), for an unfiltered, no-holds-barred account of what really happened behind the scenes of one of Atlantic Canada's most important music organizations.

Dwayne pulls no punches as he reveals the shocking reality of organisational dysfunction, alleged conflicts of interest, and the systematic exclusion that led to the dramatic ousting of Executive Director Blanche Israel and his own resignation. From mysterious 10-year handshake deals with no paperwork to board members vacationing in Mexico during crunch time, this conversation exposes the deep-rooted problems plaguing the institution meant to champion Atlantic Canadian artists.

Dwayne reveals how a petition signed mostly by non-members led to organisational chaos, why six board members resigned in rapid succession, and how the organisation burned through Executive Directors in a single year while haemorrhaging funds that should have supported artists.

But beyond the drama, this conversation is ultimately about the future of Atlantic Canada's music scene. Dwayne shares his vision for reform, explains why he believes artists of all genres—not just Celtic and folk—deserve equal support, and offers hard-won advice for musicians navigating an industry where politics often trumps talent.

Whether you're an artist, industry professional, or simply someone who cares about supporting regional music, this episode will leave you questioning how music organisations operate and what real change looks like. Dwayne's passionate call for transparency, accountability, and genuine inclusivity is about reimagining what music advocacy should be in 2025.

This is the conversation the music industry needs to hear, delivered with the brutal honesty that only comes from someone who witnessed it all from the inside.

@realdjslim

In this candid conversation, Melissa Shadows opens up about her journey from traditional marriage to embracing non-monogamy, polyamory, and BDSM.

She shares how photography and erotic art became both a creative outlet and a form of healing, and how trust, vulnerability, and the right partners shaped her evolution as a submissive.

There is a dive into topics of jealousy, compersion, building meaningful connections, and what it really takes to thrive in alternative lifestyles.

Enjoy this honest, vulnerable, and deeply human story about self-discovery, pleasure, and growth.

Mark Gane, the multi-talented musician, songwriter, visual artist, designer, and gardener best known as a founding member of Martha and the Muffins. Mark opens up about his latest experimental project, "Garden Music" - an ambient album that blends decades of collected sounds with evocative plant names as inspiration.

We explore Mark's creative origins, growing up surrounded by music and art through his family, and how his early days at the Ontario College of Art led to forming Martha and the Muffins in 1977. Mark shares the story behind their unconventional band name and reflects on decades of making music.

The conversation dives deep into his unique songwriting process for Garden Music, where he collected 40+ years of field recordings and musical fragments, then composed around common plant names like "Blue Mist," "Deadly Nightshade," and "Love Lies Bleeding." He discusses the challenge of knowing when a piece is complete, the importance of track sequencing, and how gardening serves as both inspiration and personal therapy.

From experimental music techniques to climate consciousness, from creative confidence to the meditative nature of gardening, this episode offers insight into an artist who seamlessly blends multiple passions into a cohesive creative vision.

Check out the album on Bandcamp

On this episode of The Sanctuary, Pedro, the electrifying lead singer and guitarist of the band Black Budget, opens up about the band’s origins as a lockdown project, their evolution into a powerhouse trio, and the deep camaraderie that fuels their music.

Dive into the desert-punk sound of Black Budget, a thrilling mix of Queens of the Stone Age grit and early Green Day hooks and discover how Pedro crafts melodies that linger in your head for days. He shares the wild story behind their breakout track Whistleblower, inspired by UFO conspiracy theories and government secrecy, and why it’s become a fan favourite live.

From landing a deal with King Pizza Records to their love for Toronto’s NXNE Festival (where they’ve become regulars), Pedro dishes on the band’s DIY ethos, their merch creativity (including drummer-made hot sauce!), and big dreams of touring Europe and pressing vinyl.

For aspiring artists, Pedro drops golden advice on breaking into festivals and staying genuine in the music scene. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or new to Black Budget’s sound, this episode is a backstage pass to their world—raw, melodic, and full of heart.

Pedro Alvarado is the lead vocalist and guitarist of Toronto Desert Punk band Black Budget. The band is known for their raw energy, explosive performances, and haunting guitar riffs.

Pedro and Black Budget are part of Brooklyn based label, King Pizza Records. Pedro is also the co-founder of music media platform Critical Zero, which focuses on spotlighting local and touring artists from all over the world.

Pedro and Black Budget have performed at some of Toronto's most iconic venues like El Mocambo, Horseshoe Tavern, Sneaky Dee's, and they have opened for legendary punk acts, like Teenage Bottlerocket and The Queers.

@blackbudgetlive

In this episode, Jennifer Roe, the executive director of Folk Alliance International, discusses her journey in the folk music industry, the importance of community and networking, and the upcoming Folk Alliance Conference in Montreal.

Jennifer shares insights into the organization's mission, the significance of building relationships within the music community, and tips for artists preparing to showcase their work at the conference.

The conversation highlights the excitement and opportunities that the conference brings to artists and attendees alike.

Jennifer Roe assumed the Executive Director position at Folk Alliance International (FAI) in April 2024 after serving as the Interim Executive Director. She joined the FAI team in 2013 and quickly transitioned into a leadership role managing the staff and contractors and overseeing the day-to-day operations. She worked in partnership with the former Executive Director to help grow the organization, doubling the budget, and stabilizing operations.

Jennifer’s career began in Washington, D.C., where she worked on Capitol Hill for the U.S. Senate Majority Leader before transitioning to serve on his Presidential campaign. She continued in the public sector at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission before managing the office of a small lobbying firm. After returning to her roots in Kansas City, Jennifer shifted gears, working with individuals with disabilities and eventually establishing an administrative services business, where FAI became a valued client.

Her dedication to the organization reflects her commitment to fostering the rich tapestry of folk music and sustaining a vibrant, interconnected community. With a political background prior to FAI, she is a strong advocate for arts and culture at both federal and state levels.

Under Jennifer's guidance, FAI's global network has expanded to include more than 3,000 members—a diverse community of cultural sector entrepreneurs and leaders encompassing artists, record companies, publishers, presenters, agents, managers, arts administrators, diplomats, and more. Under Jennifer’s experienced leadership, the organization will continue to grow in diversity and service of the membership including scholarships, enhancing FAI’s regional chapters, and advocating strongly for the rights and interests of the independent music sector.

Find out more @folk_alliance