Welcome to the hidden island! a podcast dedicated to exploring our past in new and unexpected ways. Discover the hidden history of Prince Edward Island - and find out why that history is still relevant today. Listen in on candid conversations with community members about the parts of our heritage that often go unmentioned in history books.

Season Five - Live now!

A whole new set of Island stories, with all-new hosts and guests!

Generously sponsored by the Architects Association of Prince Edward Island, Confederation Center of the Arts, Provincial Credit Union, and The Grey Group. Thank you!

Meet our Hosts

Matthew McRae is a museum professional with a PhD. in Canadian History. For the last five years, he has been working with the PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation, first as a Curator and then as Executive Director. Prior to that, Matthew worked at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in Curation and Communications roles. As far back as he can remember Matthew has been a heritage nerd, and is thrilled to be able to help share and care for the heritage of his Island home.

Evelyn R. Bradley (she/her) is an educator and diversity, equity, and inclusion consultant in Epekwitk (P.E.I.), where she and her wife moved at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Evelyn is known through her consulting company, Bradley Consulting, where she provides specialized training in judgement-free environments to aid in establishing an inclusive community and promote a sustainable relationship with inclusion and diversity awareness. As an educator, she works with universities, non-profits, and businesses to develop materials centred around culturally competent programming with a focus on fostering inclusive spaces.

In her limited spare time, Evelyn can also be found volunteering as a board member for the PEI Writers’ Guild, working on her poetry collection, and hosting a variety of events and shows.”

Samantha Kelly is the Curator with the PEI Museum & Heritage Foundation. She first joined the organization in 2019 as cover for a maternity leave and then, she wouldn't leave. With more than 15 years of experience working in the heritage sector, Samantha has been lucky enough to share her days with narwhal tusks and polar bear pants, glitter bombs and a lump of buttered aluminum, a basket casket, and most recently, a turkey named Chuck. No one need ever think that history is boring!

Meet our Guests

Featured this season:

Jason Woodside Is A two-time Canadian oyster shucking champion (2004, 2006) with over 26 years of experience as a professional oyster shucker. Infamous for his knowledge and skill, Jason possesses a deep understanding of Canada’s oyster industry, particularly Prince Edward Island’s wild and cultured oyster fisheries.

Passionate about education and advocacy, Jason shares his expertise through private tours, seminars, and appearances at select events, where he elevates public awareness of the joys and complexities of oyster appreciation. Jason is the creator of the Banjo Oyster Knife, which helps make shucking safer and easier for beginners. Additionally, Jason crafts traditional-style oyster knives, from PEI wood, which are tailored to professional shuckers seeking a competitive edge.

Originating from Mill River, Prince Edward Island, Shawn Hogan has produced and starred in hundreds of sold out comedy shows across the country. Over the last 10 years he has performed and lived in Toronto, where he created, produced, and hosted the Hangover Cure Comedy Show, one of Toronto’s most unique and successful independent comedy shows which recently made its debut at the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival.

Shawn has made consecutive national television appearances as part of the Halifax Comedy Festival, has been a featured comedian on CBC Radio's "Laugh Out Loud" and on Sirius XM's "JFL Originals", and most recently was hand picked to open for Gerry Dee in front of a sold out crowd at the Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown, PEI.