In this episode of Like a Pearl, Daphne Roubini welcomes Brooklyn-based guitarist, singer and songwriter Jefferson Hamer, whose work draws on the rich traditions of folk music, storytelling and song.

Jefferson is perhaps best known for his award-winning collaboration with Anaïs Mitchell, Child Ballads, a beautiful collection of traditional English and Scottish ballads reimagined for contemporary listeners. He is also one half of the folk duo The Murphy Beds, alongside Eamon O’Leary, and has performed with Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Sarah Jarosz.

Recorded during a time when the world slowed down, this conversation has been quietly waiting in the wings for its moment to be shared. Listening back, Daphne reflects on her own songwriting aspirations at the time, and how she went on to travel to New York, where she co-wrote songs that would become part of Black Gardenia's latest album, Whisky Scented Kisses. It's a lovely reminder of how creative journeys unfold, often in ways we can't yet imagine.

Join Daphne and Jefferson for a conversation about music, creativity and the enduring calling of the song.

Learn more:

Jefferson Hamer: https://www.jeffersonhamer.com

Like a Pearl: https://www.daphneroubini.ca/podcast

Credits

Host & Producer: Daphne Roubini

Original Artwork: Rich Katynski

Sound Engineering & Editing: Sheldon Zaharko

Theme Music: Instrumental version of “There’s Always Tomorrow” by Daphne Roubini & Black Gardenia, from Whisky Scented Kisses on Cellar Live.

Martin Christy is one of the pioneers of the modern fine chocolate movement. He is the founder of Seventy%, and co-founder of both the International Chocolate Awards and the International Institute of Chocolate and Cacao Tasting. For decades, Martin has championed a deeper understanding of fine chocolate — its origins, flavours, craftsmanship, and the cacao and people behind it — and today teaches the art of chocolate tasting through courses around the world.

Martin and I go back many years, and I was fortunate to be one of the original judges for the International Chocolate Awards. In this episode of Like a Pearl, we talk about his journey into the world of fine chocolate, how our understanding of chocolate has evolved, and what it really means to taste rather than simply eat it.

We also explore the extraordinary complexity of cacao, the relationship between origin and flavour, and the knowledge and attention that go into developing a palate. As with so many creative disciplines, learning to taste is partly about learning to slow down, pay attention, and notice what is already there.

This conversation was recorded some time ago and has been waiting in the wings ever since. Listening to it again, I was struck by its evergreen quality, and I’m delighted to finally share it. Martin’s passion, curiosity, and dedication to understanding and communicating the nuances of chocolate make this a conversation as much about taste, craftsmanship and sensory experience as it is about chocolate itself.

Learn more

Martin Christy / Seventy%: https://www.seventypercent.com/

International Chocolate Awards: https://www.internationalchocolateawards.com/

International Institute of Chocolate and Cacao Tasting: https://www.chocolatetastinginstitute.org/

Like a Pearl: https://www.daphneroubini.ca/podcast

About Like a Pearl

Like a Pearl is hosted by Daphne Roubini, a jazz vocalist, songwriter, podcaster, and creative entrepreneur originally from London, England, now living in Vancouver, Canada. Through conversations with artists, musicians, cultural leaders, and other inspiring guests, Like a Pearl explores the experiences, insights, and pearls of wisdom that shape a creative life.

Whether you're an artist, entrepreneur, or creative—or simply someone looking to live your life more creatively—Like a Pearl offers conversations that inspire curiosity, creativity, dedication, and the motivation to follow your own creative path.

I hope you enjoy the conversation and the pearls of wisdom shared along the way, and find inspiration for living your own life more creatively.

Credits

Host & Producer: Daphne Roubini

Original Artwork: Rich Katynski

Sound Engineering & Editing: Sheldon Zaharko

Theme Music: Instrumental version of “There’s Always Tomorrow” by Daphne Roubini & Black Gardenia, from Whisky Scented Kisses on Cellar Live.

If you’d like to hear the album, listen to Whisky Scented Kisses here

Adam Blasberg is an award-winning photographer whose work spans portraiture, advertising, and visual storytelling. A Graphis Gold and Silver Medalist whose photography has also been featured in Applied Arts, Adam has worked on campaigns and creative projects across Canada, the United States, and Europe, helping artists, organizations, and businesses tell compelling stories through images.

In this episode of Like a Pearl, Adam and I talk about the art and craft of photography, what goes into creating an image that truly connects, and the relationship between photographer and subject. We explore his creative process, the importance of curiosity and observation, and how years of experience have shaped the way he approaches his work.

We also talk about fatherhood and the ways it has influenced Adam’s creativity, priorities, and perspective — both in his work and in the life he has built around it. And, on a personal note, we talk about working together: Adam photographed the cover of my album Whisky Scented Kisses, creating an image that became an important part of the album’s visual world.

As with every Like a Pearl conversation, the episode closes with Adam’s own pearls of wisdom for anyone navigating a creative life.

Learn more

Adam Blasberg: https://www.adamblasberg.com/

Like a Pearl: https://www.daphneroubini.ca/podcast

About Like a Pearl

Like a Pearl is hosted by Daphne Roubini, a jazz vocalist, songwriter, podcaster, and creative entrepreneur originally from London, England, now living in Vancouver, Canada. Through conversations with artists, musicians, cultural leaders, and other inspiring guests, Like a Pearl explores the experiences, insights, and pearls of wisdom that shape a creative life.

Whether you're an artist, entrepreneur, or creative—or simply someone looking to live your life more creatively—Like a Pearl offers conversations that inspire curiosity, creativity, dedication, and the motivation to follow your own creative path.

I hope you enjoy the conversation and the pearls of wisdom shared along the way, and find inspiration for living your own life more creatively.

Credits

Host & Producer: Daphne Roubini

Original Artwork: Rich Katynski

Sound Engineering & Editing: Sheldon Zaharko

Theme Music: Instrumental version of “There’s Always Tomorrow” by Daphne Roubini & Black Gardenia, from Whisky Scented Kisses on Cellar Live.

If you’d like to hear the album, listen to Whisky Scented Kisses here

In this episode of Like a Pearl, I’m joined by Grazyna Sommerfeld, a tango dancer and co-founder of Alive Tango Victoria. Originally from Poland and now based in Victoria, British Columbia, Grazyna’s life took an unexpected creative turn when she discovered Argentine tango — a passion that would lead her far beyond learning the steps.

Over the years, Grazyna travelled regularly to Buenos Aires, studied Spanish, immersed herself in the music and culture of tango, and became a familiar face in the milongas she loved. What began with the simple experience of seeing tango danced live grew into a deep and lasting relationship with the dance and the world surrounding it.

Back home in Victoria, Grazyna has helped foster a growing tango community through Alive Tango Victoria and the Victoria Tango Marathon, creating opportunities for others to discover and experience the dance that has brought so much to her own life.

We talk about Buenos Aires, music, dance, curiosity and dedication, and about what can happen when something unexpectedly captures your imagination and you choose to follow it. Grazyna’s story is a wonderful reminder that the creative path doesn’t always announce itself in advance — sometimes it begins simply by paying attention to what calls you.

Learn more:

Alive Tango Victoria

https://alivetangovictoria.ca

Like a Pearl

https://www.daphneroubini.ca/podcast

About Like a Pearl

Like a Pearl is hosted by Daphne Roubini, a jazz vocalist, songwriter, podcaster, and creative entrepreneur originally from London, England, now living in Vancouver, Canada. Through conversations with artists, musicians, cultural leaders, and other inspiring guests, Like a Pearl explores the experiences, insights, and pearls of wisdom that shape a creative life.

Whether you're an artist, entrepreneur, or creative—or simply someone looking to live your life more creatively—Like a Pearl offers conversations that inspire curiosity, creativity, dedication, and the motivation to follow your own creative path.

I hope you enjoy the conversation and the pearls of wisdom shared along the way, and find inspiration for living your own life more creatively.

Credits

Host & Producer: Daphne Roubini

Original Artwork: Rich Katynski

Sound Engineering & Editing: Sheldon Zaharko

Theme Music: Instrumental version of “There’s Always Tomorrow” by Daphne Roubini & Black Gardenia, from Whisky Scented Kisses on Cellar Live.

If you’d like to hear the album, listen to Whisky Scented Kisses here

This week on Like a Pearl, I’m joined by Vancouver singer-songwriter Beau Wheeler for a conversation about songwriting, creativity, and a life spent making music.

A third-generation Vancouverite who comes from a musical family, Beau has long been part of the city’s music scene, with a voice Adrian Mack of the Georgia Straight described as “effortlessly big,” falling somewhere between Chrissie Hynde and Neko Case.

We talk about the words and the music, where songs come from, following your creative instincts, and what keeps us returning to songwriting over and over again.

This conversation was originally recorded during the COVID years, but the project was put on hold after my house fire. Listening back now, it feels as relevant and evergreen as ever, and I’m so delighted to finally share it as part of Like a Pearl.

Along the way, Beau shares some wonderful pearls of wisdom about creativity, making music, and staying connected to the love of what you do.

Learn more: beauwheeler.com

Podcast: daphneroubini.ca/podcast

Credits:

Daphne Roubini | Host & Producer

Sheldon Zaharko | Sound & Editing

Rich Katynski | Original Artwork

ChatGPT | Guest Name Modification

Music

“There’s Always Tomorrow” | Black Gardenia featuring Daphne Roubini from Whisky Scented Kisses | Cellar Live

More music: daphneroubini.ca/music

This episode’s guest is Kathleen Nisbet, a Vancouver-based fiddle player, multi-instrumentalist, singer and composer whose creative life moves between folk and traditional music, theatre and dance. Classically trained early on, Kathleen later returned to her Métis roots and has become a distinctive presence in Vancouver’s bluegrass, old-time and folk music communities.

Alongside performing and touring internationally with Viper Central, and curating and presenting the East Van Opry, Kathleen has developed a rich practice composing and performing music for theatre and dance. Her work has included You Used to Call Me Marie…, Where Have All the Buffalo Gone?, and collaborations with V’ni Dansi Métis traditional dance, as well as work with companies including Pacific Theatre, Mortal Coil, Citadel Theatre and Mascall Dance.

In this episode, Kathleen and I talk about composition and the particular creative process of writing music for theatre and dance — responding to movement, story and other artists, working within the world of a larger piece, and discovering what music can bring to something beyond itself. We also talk about collaboration, instinct, and the different paths a musical life can take.

Kathleen shares some wonderful pearls of wisdom about creativity, collaboration and trusting where the work leads you. I hope you enjoy this conversation with Kathleen Nisbet and find inspiration for your own creativity.

Learn More:

kathleennisbet.com

Like a Pearl:

daphneroubini.ca/podcast

Like a Pearl is hosted by Daphne Roubini, a jazz vocalist, songwriter, podcaster, and creative entrepreneur originally from London, England, now living in Vancouver, Canada.

Through conversations with artists, musicians, cultural leaders, and other inspiring guests, Like a Pearl explores the experiences, insights, and pearls of wisdom that shape a creative life.

Whether you're an artist, entrepreneur, or creative—or simply someone looking to live your life more creatively—Like a Pearl offers conversations that inspire curiosity, creativity, dedication, and the motivation to follow your own creative path.

I hope you enjoy the conversation and the pearls of wisdom shared along the way, and find inspiration for living your own life more creatively.

Host & Producer: Daphne Roubini

Original Artwork: Rich Katynski

Sound Engineering & Editing: Sheldon Zaharko

Theme Music: Instrumental version of There's Always Tomorrow by Daphne Roubini & Black Gardenia, from the album Whisky Scented Kisses (Cellar Live).

More music: https://www.daphneroubini.ca/music

Season 2 of Like a Pearl begins with Mish Aminoff Moon, a photographer and interdisciplinary artist whose work captures the people, character and everyday life of London.

Originally an art historian, Mish went on to study photography at the University of Westminster. She taught interdisciplinary cultural studies at the Open University and later focused on teaching film studies in adult education. She now concentrates on her photography and artwork, with street photography in London her focus.

Mish has exhibited her photography internationally. Her work has appeared at The Unexposed Collective Wall of Women at the Ballarat Biennale, and she was a finalist in the Women Street Photographers exhibition in Paris and Fragmented Identities at The Borders Art Fair in Venice. More recently, her work That’s the Spirit was exhibited at the 2025 Advantages of Age Awards Ceremony at Hoxton Hall in London.

Mish has also had several solo shows in London, including Urban Illusions at Soho’s famed Bar Italia — which, as many jazz lovers will know, sits directly opposite Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club and happens to be one of my favourite London haunts, famed for its lattes and Negronis, people-watching and wonderfully loud Italian bar staff.

And Mish and I are cousins. We share a lifelong connection to London and a love of the arts, so it was a particular pleasure to sit down together and talk about her creative life and work.

In our conversation, we talk about looking closely, noticing what others might pass by, and the relationship between observation, curiosity, connection and creativity.

As always, Mish shares her pearls of wisdom for listeners on their own creative journeys.

I hope you enjoy my conversation with Mish Aminoff Moon and find inspiration for your own creativity.

Mish Aminoff Moon

https://www.mishaminoff.com

Like a Pearl Podcast

https://www.daphneroubini.ca/podcast

Daphne Roubini | Host & Producer

Sheldon Zaharko | Sound & Editing

Rich Katynski | Original Artwork

ChatGPT | Guest Name Modification

Music

“There’s Always Tomorrow” | Black Gardenia featuring Daphne Roubini from Whisky Scented Kisses | Cellar Live

If you’d like to hear the album, listen to Whisky Scented Kisses here

Today's guest is Chris Gestrin, pianist, composer, producer, engineer, and one of Canada's most versatile and respected musicians.

Since graduating from Berklee College of Music, Chris has built an extraordinary career spanning jazz, film, television, pop, rock, and experimental music. As a pianist, composer, producer, and engineer, he has contributed to more than 500 recordings, collaborated with an exceptional range of artists, and established himself as one of Canada's most sought-after creative musicians. Whether performing with his own trio, composing for film, or producing award-winning recordings, Chris brings curiosity, imagination, and musical depth to everything he does.

In this conversation, Chris reflects on creativity, collaboration, improvisation, and the joy of exploring music without boundaries. We discuss composing, producing, performing, and the importance of remaining open to new ideas throughout a lifetime of making music. It is a fascinating conversation about curiosity, artistic evolution, and following where creativity leads.

As always, Daphne asks Chris to share his own pearls of wisdom—insights and reflections to inspire listeners on their own creative journeys.

Chris Gestrin: https://www.chrisgestrin.com/

Like a Pearl Podcast: https://www.daphneroubini.ca/podcast

Like a Pearl is hosted by Daphne Roubini, a jazz vocalist, songwriter, podcaster, and creative entrepreneur originally from London, England, now living in Vancouver, Canada.

Through conversations with artists, musicians, cultural leaders, and other inspiring guests, Like a Pearl explores the experiences, insights, and pearls of wisdom that shape a creative life.

Whether you're an artist, entrepreneur, or creative—or simply someone looking to live your life more creatively—Like a Pearl offers conversations that inspire curiosity, creativity, dedication, and the motivation to follow your own creative path.

I hope you enjoy the conversation and the pearls of wisdom shared along the way, and find inspiration for living your own life more creatively.

Host & Producer: Daphne Roubini

Original Artwork: Rich Katynski

Sound Engineering & Editing: Sheldon Zaharko

Theme Music: Instrumental version of There’s Always Tomorrow by Daphne Roubini & Black Gardenia, from the album Whisky Scented Kisses (Cellar Live).

More music: daphneroubini.ca/music