In this powerful episode of The Blackout Podcast, host Israel sits down with Mario Rolle, a dedicated clinical therapist and social worker whose mission is to support the mental, physical, and emotional well-being of Black men through a holistic, community-centred approach.

Mario opens up about his unexpected journey into social work, from his early life in the Bahamas, where rugby and a mentor changed his trajectory, to becoming a guiding force for marginalised men in Nova Scotia.

He shares:

The reasons why he focuses on Black men’s mental health and the systemic barriers they face.

The importance of addressing root causes (like poverty, trauma, and social determinants of health) rather than just symptoms.

How relationship-building is the foundation of effective therapy.

Behind-the-scenes stories of creating the Black Men’s Health Conference and Summit, a transformative safe space where men connect, heal, and advocate for each other.

Mario also gets real about vulnerability, mentorship, and playing it forward, reflecting on how his own struggles shaped his purpose.

Additionally, a fun and mind-blowing moment at the end reveals the magic of connection, both personal and mathematical.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about mental health, community healing, or the power of showing up for one another.

Mario's career has been shaped by his commitment to education and addressing social issues, stemming from his experiences in the inner city of Bain Town in Nassau, Bahamas.

With a double degree in Criminology and Sociology from Saint Mary’s University and further education at Dalhousie School of Social Work, Mario actively engaged with various organisations, volunteering his time and expertise to support marginalised communities.

His leadership at Nova Scotia Health and transition to Correctional Services Canada showcased his dedication to addressing complex social and mental health needs.

Mario currently contributes his wealth of experience and expertise to the Office of Workplace Mental Health, providing essential navigation support for employees and managers within the public service.

His journey reflects unwavering dedication to effecting positive change, rooted in academic rigour and enriched by hands-on experience.

Mario's passion for fostering resilience, empathy, and well-being is poised to make a lasting difference within the public service and beyond.

Check him out on LinkedIn

In this episode of Blackout Podcast, we sit down with Francis Njoku—artist, visionary, and founder of UCamp Studio—as he unravels his extraordinary journey from struggle to self-discovery.

Born into a Nigerian family where art was seen as rebellion, Francis fought societal expectations, parental doubts, and even a devastating fire that wiped out everything he owned—except his art books. That moment became his metanoia—a turning point that birthed UCamp Studio, a universal hub for creativity, and later UCraft Store, a platform uplifting indigenous African artisans in a $752 billion global craft market.

Francis opens up about:

• The pain of pursuing passion in a culture obsessed with "money or nonsense"
• How music, dance, and marijuana shaped his artistic awakening
• Why Black and White Stain Each Other—his defining masterpiece—mirrors life’s duality
• The radical philosophy behind "You don’t need much to live abundantly"
• His 100-day art project celebrating infinity, sustainability, and breaking mental scarcity

Raw, philosophical, and deeply inspiring, this conversation explores how art isn’t just what you create—it’s how you live. From crashing his mom’s car as a reckless teen to skydiving through life’s risks, Francis proves that true rebellion is reinvention.

Francis Njoku is a visionary artist and artepreneur from Eastern Nigeria, passionately redefining the creative landscape. With a mission to elevate visual art as both an admirable profession and a powerful industry for sustainable impact, Francis blends purpose with creativity to inspire a new era of African artistry.

Born into a humble home, Francis has turned life’s challenges into a soulful journey of expression, moving from seeking recognition to makinga lasting impact. His works and projects reflect deep environmental consciousness and a profound engagement with African social psychology, reshaping perceptions and inviting people to see abundance and beauty in everyday life.

He is the founder of UKRAFTstore.com and UKRAFT Limited, a bold e-commerce startup empowering African artisans by connecting their unique crafts to the global market. Rooted in sustainability and cultural heritage, UKRAFT was born in 2023 following five years of groundwork through UKAMP Studio, an art initiative that brought life to the streets of Owerri, Nigeria.

Francis believes that everyone is an artist and that our environment is the greatest canvas. Through his vision, he calls us to co-create communities built on creativity, sustainability, and shared humanity.

In this episode, we sit down with producer, beatmaker, and creative powerhouse Karaaku for an in-depth conversation about his journey in music, versatility across genres, and his upcoming Afro House EP.

Karaaku opens up about his unique creative process, from crafting beats with artists like Youngstak to mastering the art of mixing and vocal production. He also shares insights on transitioning from Logic to Ableton, the importance of collaboration, and how his background in graphic design fuels his all-in-one approach to music and visuals.

Plus, Karaku drops hints about his untitled 8-9 track Afro House project, packed with summer-ready vibes.

Whether you're an aspiring producer or a music lover, this episode is packed with gems on creativity, workflow, and the future of sound.

Born in Barbados, now residing in Halifax, Canada. Pushing sonic boundaries with a blend of Dancehall/Afro Dancehall, Reggae, Hip Hop/Soulful Rap, Melodic-trap, Afro beats, Amapiano, Afro House and more.

Innovating with blending genres together , Kuraaku crafts a modern style of sound while also sampling 70s, 80s 90s frequencies reshaped for the future, shaping modern music in a brand new unique way.

Check him out @kuraakuproductshanz