Pick My Brain
South Shore · Cohort 1

South Shore
Coffee & Conversation

The South Shore is full of incredible people. This is your invitation to get matched with 10 of them for a simple coffee and conversation. ☕

Community Progress
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🌱 Updated in real time🎯 Goal · 1,000 coffees
10 thoughtful introductions · One year · $100

130+ locals; 32 people joined this month

The people you could meet

Who your next conversation could be with…

A fisher? A gardener? A teacher? A boatbuilder? A musician? Someone whose family has been here for generations? Someone who just unpacked?

Tessa
Tessa.BRIDGEWATERNEW TO THE SOUTH SHORE

Registered acupuncturist who'd rather be outside: hiking, paddling or cold-water dipping.

Get her talking about…

the outdoors, wellness, and a really good book.

Ask her

What's your favourite place to cold-water dip so far?

Go a little deeper

What are you figuring out next?

Lori
Lori.OTHERNEW TO THE SOUTH SHORE

Interior decorator who came on her own for life near the water.

Get her talking about…

fun with a side of quiet, good music, and dinner parties.

Ask her

What's the first thing you'd change in any room?

Go a little deeper

What has coming here on your own taught you?

Aaron
Aaron.LIVERPOOL

Chiropractic physician who comes to the South Shore for the surf.

Get him talking about…

surfing, skiing, and a great live show.

Ask him

Where's the best wave near Western Head?

Go a little deeper

What keeps pulling you back to the ocean?

Bryanne
Bryanne.LUNENBURGNEW TO THE SOUTH SHORE

Health data analyst who moved to Lunenburg for a change of scenery.

Get her talking about…

reading, knitting, and paddleboarding on a quiet lake.

Ask her

What's your favourite lake to paddleboard?

Go a little deeper

What does a change of scenery change in you?

Reia Melanie
Reia Melanie.PETITE RIVIÈRENEW TO THE SOUTH SHORE

Retired insurance executive who's lived in eight countries on four continents.

Get her talking about…

the meaning of life rather than yesterday's game.

Ask her

Which of your eight countries changed you most?

Go a little deeper

What does a meaningful life look like to you now?

Sebastian
Sebastian.MAHONE BAY

Runs an internet business from Mahone Bay, far from Leipzig.

Get him talking about…

history, live music, and conversations beyond your usual circle.

Ask him

What's the best travel deal you've ever found?

Go a little deeper

What has living in a new country taught you?

Christie
Christie.MAHONE BAYNEW TO THE SOUTH SHORE

Retired military nursing officer now studying to be a psychologist.

Get her talking about…

the outdoors, learning something new, and a big change of direction.

Ask her

What made you want to study psychology?

Go a little deeper

What has nursing taught you about people?

Andrew
Andrew.BRIDGEWATERNEW TO THE SOUTH SHORE

Software development manager making what he hopes is his final move.

Get him talking about…

the outdoors, building things, and starting fresh.

Ask him

What's the best trail you've found since January?

Go a little deeper

What have you learned about making new friends as an adult?

Leceta
Leceta.MAHONE BAY

Founder of OUR Guatemala, leading women's trips and travel with purpose.

Get her talking about…

travel, community projects, and a big-hearted conversation.

Ask her

What's Pickleball with Purpose?

Go a little deeper

What does travel with purpose change in people?

Michelle
Michelle.CHESTERNEW TO THE SOUTH SHORE

Technical director at Neptune Theatre who loves chatting with everyone.

Get her talking about…

theatre, music, and anything to do with the ocean.

Ask her

What happens backstage that nobody sees?

Go a little deeper

What did you find here that you were looking for?

Janet
Janet.MAHONE BAY

Retired teacher who loves pottery, paddling and a good dinner party.

Get her talking about…

the outdoors, making things, and giving back.

Ask her

What are you making in pottery these days?

Go a little deeper

What did teaching teach you?

Elana
Elana.LUNENBURG

Mum of three small kids who moved here to live more intentionally.

Get her talking about…

deep conversations, podcasts, and living with intention.

Ask her

What does living intentionally look like day to day?

Go a little deeper

What has slowing down taught you?

Mary
Mary.OTHER

Retired teacher who came for beauty, peace and calm.

Get her talking about…

birdwatching, pickleball, and a walk in nature.

Ask her

What's the best bird you've spotted here?

Go a little deeper

What does peace look like for you?

Misty
Misty.BARRINGTONNEW TO THE SOUTH SHORE

Somatic coach who opened a yoga studio and healing collective in Barrington Passage.

Get her talking about…

yoga, the ocean, and building something from a dream.

Ask her

What was the day you decided to live on the ocean like?

Go a little deeper

What dream are you living now?

Andrea
Andrea.CHESTERNEW TO THE SOUTH SHORE

Project manager brought here by adventure and a series of fortunate events.

Get her talking about…

the outdoors, growing food, and making the most of every moment.

Ask her

What fortunate event brought you here?

Go a little deeper

What does making the most of every moment mean to you?

Karen
Karen.CHESTERNEW TO THE SOUTH SHORE

Recently retired from the defence industry, now crafting at Lake Lewis.

Get her talking about…

making things, her grandkids, and a new chapter by the lake.

Ask her

What are you selling at the craft markets?

Go a little deeper

What are you discovering in retirement?

Julia
Julia.BARRINGTONNEW TO THE SOUTH SHORE

Retired from Bell Canada, here for the ocean (and because her husband drove).

Get her talking about…

photography, travel, and a really good laugh.

Ask her

What's your favourite ocean view so far?

Go a little deeper

What surprised you about moving to the ocean?

Suzanne
Suzanne.OTHER

Photographer and tourism marketer with a love for the outdoors.

Get her talking about…

photography, adventure, and making art.

Ask her

What's your favourite shot of the South Shore?

Go a little deeper

What do you see through the lens that others miss?

Jennifer
Jennifer.CHESTERNEW TO THE SOUTH SHORE

Healthcare operations manager, home after 30 years in the States.

Get her talking about…

paddling, birdwatching, and a thoughtful conversation.

Ask her

What's the best thing about being back?

Go a little deeper

What did coming home feel like?

Sally
Sally.LUNENBURGGREW UP HERE

Painter, somatic practitioner, and the creator of the Rumpelstiltskin leather characters.

Get her talking about…

art, laughter, and healing through creativity.

Ask her

How did the Rumpelstiltskin characters come to life?

Go a little deeper

How has art helped you heal?

Shana
Shana.BARRINGTONGREW UP HERE

Teacher and owner of a mobile Paint Your Own Pottery business.

Get her talking about…

local history, pottery, and a warm welcome to the area.

Ask her

What's a local gem only someone from Barrington knows?

Go a little deeper

What do newcomers most need to know about Barrington?

Laura
Laura.BRIDGEWATERNEW TO THE SOUTH SHORE

Elementary music teacher who's sung with Opera Nova Scotia and is building a sauna.

Get her talking about…

authenticity, creativity, and a bold birthday plan.

Ask her

Paragliding in the Alps for your 50th, really?

Go a little deeper

What have you done lately that is creative?

Allison
Allison.BRIDGEWATER

Palliative care social worker who spent two patient years winning over a rescue cat.

Get her talking about…

quiet conversation, making things by hand, and a life lived in many places.

Ask her

How did The MacLucas finally let you in?

Go a little deeper

What has palliative care taught you about living?

Hilary
Hilary.MAHONE BAY

Grief support worker who moved to Lunenburg with two small boys, sight unseen.

Get her talking about…

big questions, gardening, and starting over.

Ask her

What was life like on a small island in the Bahamas?

Go a little deeper

What does grief teach us about love?

Angie
Angie.SHELBURNE

Senior care worker and school bus driver with a love for foraging.

Get her talking about…

family, nature, and birdwatching.

Ask her

What's the best thing you've foraged here?

Go a little deeper

What does family mean to you?

Brandy
Brandy.BRIDGEWATER

Baker and small business owner growing a home-based bakery.

Get her talking about…

baking, making things by hand, and swapping life stories.

Ask her

What's the bake everyone asks you for?

Go a little deeper

Where do you find lifelong inspiration?

Donna
Donna.LUNENBURGNEW TO THE SOUTH SHORE

Sign language interpreter turned bellydance instructor, now running horse carriage tours.

Get her talking about…

a great sense of humour, doing things together, and animals.

Ask her

What's it like running Trot in Time carriage tours?

Go a little deeper

What new adventure surprised you most?

Tracy
Tracy.MAHONE BAY

Civil engineer turned yoga teacher, homesteader and farmer.

Get her talking about…

growing food, music, and a slower rural life.

Ask her

What are you growing this season?

Go a little deeper

What made you trade engineering for the land?

Chris
Chris.OTHERNEW TO THE SOUTH SHORE

Retired HR manager who loves gardening, golf and a good thrift find.

Get her talking about…

making things, gardening, and a new chapter.

Ask her

What are you making right now?

Go a little deeper

What does this new season look like for you?

(*) Everyone you see here said YES to 10 conversations with 10 locals. Say YES, and your next coffee could be with any one of them.

The experience

How does it work?

Simply. Beautifully. Intentionally.

  1. 1

    Tell us about your world.

    What you love, wonder and know firsthand.

  2. 2

    We introduce you to someone else’s.

    Their story. Why you two. A question to start.

  3. 3

    Go for a 1 hour coffee.

    Listen to their life. Let them into yours.

  4. 4

    Reflect

    What stayed with you? Share a little reflection.

  5. 5

    Rinse and repeat 10 times.

    Ten people. Ten conversations. Keep your world open.

9:41●●●
Tell us about you
Q1What do you do, and why do you do it?
Q2What could you talk about for hours?
QUESTION 3 OF 11

What kinds of people would you genuinely love to meet?

Humans are more than a checklist. Pick as many as resonate.

Surprise meBuilder / entrepreneurTradespersonFarmer or food growerCreative / artistTherapist or counsellorTeacherCoachSomeone in healthcareDeep thinkerCurious humanQuiet observerBig dreamerIntrovertExtrovertCommunity builderAdventurerLifelong learnerSomeone new to the Valley
+ 8 more questions
Next question
Your new matchCOFFEE #3
COMPLETE
Reia Melanie, Petite Rivière
Reia Melanie.
PETITE RIVIÈRE
New to the South Shore
ONE-LINE STORY
Retired insurance executive who's lived in eight countries on four continents.
Schedule coffee
The Barn Coffee and Social House
OCT15
Thursday · 10:00–11:00 amYou both said yes.
Add to calendar
☕ SSCOFFEES & CONVERSATIONS2 strangers met.8 more coffees and conversations to go. Tap a face to meet them.
AnnieBryce
2 / 10
My journey to 10 conversationsnovascotiacoffees.world
Your reflectionCOFFEE #3 · REIA M.
1  How was it?
😕😐🙂😊🤩
2  What did you talk about?
Second careersOld thingsCumberlandFamily+ Add
3  What did you learn or notice?Twenty years in emergency rooms, and she still believes the best in strangers.
4  Do you want us to match you again in the future?
Yes, pleaseMaybeNot right now
5  How long into the future?
1 month3 months6 months12 months
Send reflection
In their own words

Why locals are saying YES

Real quotes from locals when we asked them why they joined.

  • “I often sit in coffee shops and stare at strangers, trying to figure their stories out. Now I can just ask them.”
    Kier MKier M
  • “I love discovering the connection points and shared experiences, values, and dreams between people from all different walks of life. There's always something to learn, and there are endless stories that deserve to be heard.”
    Krys A
  • “I've learned that some of the most meaningful moments in life begin with a simple conversation. A chance meeting, an unexpected idea, a story you've never heard before, or a person you never would have met otherwise can sometimes change the direction of your life in ways you couldn't have predicted.”
    Kirby F
  • “I am super passionate about community and love doing random side quests! Meeting new people is the spice of my life!”
    Zoe WZoe W
  • “I like the idea of stepping a little outside my usual circles and having conversations with people I wouldn't normally meet—no expectations, just showing up and seeing what happens.”
    Nancy M
  • “I love one-on-one conversations and getting to know new people, their life stories, and what lights them up.”
    Emily OEmily O

In the wild

What YES looks like.

Stepping outside your usual circles, sitting across from someone new, looking them in the eyes, and spending 30 minutes being genuinely curious about their life, while letting them spend 30 minutes getting curious about yours.

Two members smiling together over coffee at a local cafe
A member and her match laughing in armchairs with coffee mugs
Two members grinning in front of a garden gate
Two members taking a selfie on a sunny street after their coffee
Philippe and Sweta taking a sunny selfie after their coffee

Side effects may include losing track of time and seeing things a little differently. ☕️

From the blog

What YES feels like.

Marie-Clo shared how her first 6 coffees went.

Read Marie-Clo’s story
Questions from the community

Frequently asked questions.

In the wild press & media

As seen & heard locally.

Apparently, word travels fast in a small town.

THE INVITATION, ONE LAST TIME ☕️

10 locals. 10 coffees.
10 conversations.

Discover a side of our community that only the locals can reveal.

Sign Me Up for 10 10 thoughtful introductions · One year · $100