When Jane Purves was asked to run for office she thought it sounded interesting. Before she knew it she rocketed from campaigning on doorsteps to the inner circle of cabinet. That was after writing about politics and everything else in the province. For years she sat in the corner office of Nova Scotia's largest newspaper. As a former Minister of Health she knows the struggles of providing health care. And about personal struggles too - decades earlier she beat drug addiction.
When Don Tremaine was seventeen years old he happened to stop in at the new CBC radio building in Halifax. In minutes he was doing an audition for a radio play! So began a broadcasting career that lasted nearly forty years. Don Connolly speaks with Don Tremaine about his radio days and a lifetime of being a proud Haligonian and community service volunteer.
There are only a handful of people who have sailed around the world alone. Derek Hatfield did it once then tried it a second time. The New Brunswick native and former RCMP officer gave up his career to concentrate on one of the toughest feats in the world. He has entered two solo, around the world sailing races and is about to embark on a third.
Pastor Lennett Anderson has people flocking to his church. In this age of dwindling congregations this man has found a way to bring them back. A descendant of slaves...he railed against racism. He might have had a career in politics but his journey in life brought him home to resurrect one of the regions most historic churches.
Dr. Thomas John 'Jock' Murray is an award-winning author, leading neurologist, and founder of programs that have changed the face of medicine forever in Nova Scotia. He's received many professional offers over the years to leave Halifax, but has turned every one down because, he says, now one can offer what he already has - a job he loves, near the people he loves, in a province where he grew up.
Jamal Badawi is a well-known author, activist, preacher and speaker on Islam and Muslims.
Dr. Anthony Stewart is a black man who is six and a half feet tall. He often hears people say "you must be a basketball player". Actually he is an associate professor of English with a doctorate.
He was shocked to find that minority stereotyping exists in the University system. So he wrote a book called You Must Be A Basketball Player: Rethinking Integration Into University.
He hopes it will inspire people to think about issues regarding white privilege and diversity hiring.
AT THE TABLE is a late-night television series featuring engaging conversations with Maritimers. Journalists Don Connolly, Tom Murphy and Amy Smith from CBC News in Nova Scotia speak with compelling guests from all walks of life. Guests include politicians, journalists, sports figures and the newsmakers behind the issues of the day.