A Feast For The Ears: Some Of Our Favourite Atlantic Voice Documentaries This Year

Atlantic Voice is the home of documentary storytelling on Canada’s East Coast.

Each week, producer Caroline Hillier and reporters in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, P.E.I. and Newfoundland and Labrador dig deeper than the headlines to bring poignant, personal stories to your airwaves.

Listen in to some highlights of the show throughout 2024 — and stay tuned for more great podcasts and programs in 2025.

Meet Marie, the N.S. designer changing the fashion world

A young woman with Down syndrome smiles at the camera in front of colourful designs on the rack. — Marie Webb, a Halifax designer who has Down syndrome, describes her work as ‘colourful, joyful, comfortable, soft, practical, [and] creative.’ (Dave Irish/CBC)

Halifax fashion designer Marie Webb and a team from NSCAD University face their biggest challenge yet — getting a collection ready in time for New York Fashion Week.

Webb, who has Down syndrome, is one of the only designers with a disability showing work on the international stage. Hear a documentary by Emma Smith and Dave Irish.

Atlantic Voice26:10Meet Marie, the N.S. designer changing the fashion world

He offered a stranger a ride — then feared he’d helped a missing man disappear

Two smiling men stand next to each other on a pier, water behind them. — Fate brought Jonathan Hannaford and Yassir El-Tahan together on a Saturday morning nearly a decade ago. (Submitted by Yassir El-Tahan)

Not only was Yassir El-Tahan the last person to see a man before he was declared missing, he actually took him deeper into the woods where he disappeared.

The chance encounter El-Tahan had with Jonathan Hannaford has stayed with him for almost a decade.

Atlantic Voice23:47He offered a stranger a ride — then feared he’d helped a missing man disappear

On the doorstep

A man leans on a tree next to a bicycle in Halifax's Grand Parade. Behind him are two tents. — Ric Young is seen at an encampment at downtown Halifax’s Grand Parade on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023. (The Canadian Press)

For months, the CBC’s Taryn Grant visited a tent encampment at Halifax’s Grand Parade, meeting Ric Young and other residents there.

She follows their stories as they are evicted from the encampment and have to find other places to live.

Atlantic Voice26:10On the doorstep

Is Newfoundland and Labrador English dying? No b’y, but it is changing.

Colourful boats reflect off the ocean waters at a dock. — Newfoundland English isn’t dying, just changing, according to a linguist in an Atlantic Voice documentary. Julie Mullowney shared this photograph from Newfoundland’s South Side boat basin. (Submitted by Julie Mullowney)

From dropping an “h” to adding an “s,” Newfoundland and Labrador accents are certainly distinct, and while some features of those accents may be in decline, linguist Paul De Decker says younger generations are finding creative ways to keep them alive.

Atlantic Voice26:12Is Newfoundland and Labrador English dying? No b’y, but it is changing.

Ramadan diaries of a morning show host

People spoon food onto plates from a buffet filled with dishes. — For Rhivu Rashid, a community Eid dinner was less about food and more about being together, creating memories and feeling like they belonged. (Rhivu Rashid/CBC)

Rhivu Rashid, host of CBC Radio’s Labrador Morning, expected a lonely Ramadan — something he was not used to, growing up with 32 family members in the same house.

To keep himself busy, he recorded an audio diary — and by the end of the holy month, he found community in a surprising place.

Atlantic Voice26:10Ramadan diaries of a morning show host

Sacred healing: Sharing sweat ceremonies

A woman in a red shirt and pink pants points toward a circular tent. — Sweat ceremonies are a sacred tradition in many indigenous communities, and two elders on Prince Edward Island are sharing the tradition with others. Margaret Labobe shows the traditional sweat lodge. (Laura Meader/CBC )

Atlantic Voice26:10Sacred healing: Sharing sweat ceremonies

Sweat ceremonies are a sacred tradition in many indigenous communities, and two elders on Prince Edward Island are sharing the tradition with others. A documentary by Laura Meader.

The Bricklin: Coming home

A red car has its doors lifted up, trunk open and hood open. — The Bricklin gull-winged sports car leaves a complex legacy after costing the province of New Brunswick millions of dollars in taxpayer money. (CBC)

Did you know New Brunswick once produced its own sexy sports cars?

Sure, the venture was short lived, expensive, and to some, a failure… but as CBC producer Myfanwy Davies discovers, the story — and the cars — still fascinate today. Proud Bricklin owners from around the world visit New Brunswick to mark 50 years of the Bricklin.

Atlantic Voice26:10The Bricklin: Coming home

About Atlantic Voice

Listen to Atlantic Voice on Sunday mornings on CBC Radio One, 8:30 in the Maritimes and in most of Labrador, 9 a.m. in Newfoundland. Find Atlantic Voice on the CBC Listen App, on Spotify and Apple Podcasts or wherever you find your podcasts.

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