Martin Earley and Calin Peters are The Ballroom Thieves, and this week they travel to eTown to share the bill with Canadian songsmith Ron Sexsmith. Also on the show, Nick discusses sharks and the environmental impact of pollution on our waters with Dr. Mikki McComb-Kobza, Chief Scientist and Executive Director of Ocean First Institute.

This week, we revisit a 2023 broadcast featuring The Ballroom Thieves performing songs from their 2022 album Clouds. The record finds Calin Peters and Martin Earley exploring themes of mental health, compassion and the complexity of growing up, ideas that come into sharp focus on the eTown stage through their intertwined harmonies and dynamic, direct arrangements.

Three-time Juno Award-winning singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith also joins the show. Since releasing his self-titled debut in 1995, Ron has built a steadfast reputation for characteristically honest and sensitive songwriting, earning praise from critics and fellow artists alike while cultivating a devoted international audience.

eTown host Nick Forster also has a conversation with Dr. Mikki McComb-Kobza, biologist, explorer and Executive Director of Boulder-based Ocean First Institute. A specialist in shark biology and applied conservation science, Mikki shares stories from more than two decades of marine research and her ongoing work advancing science-based conservation and education around the world.