Podcasts about Okanagan

Melissa Tesche, executive director of the Okanagan Basin Water Board Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Aug. 7, Todd Shapiro was just finishing dinner in Summerland, B.C., when a wildfire outside the town “exploded” and prompted an immediate provincial emergency evacuation order. The former Montrealer, who had just moved to the Okanagan area last summer, grabbed his passport, a jar of peanut butter and some toilet paper, rounded up his teenage son and family dog, and fled the region. Shapiro is one of 20,000 residents of Summerland ordered to leave their homes as the fire, the size of the city of Burlington, Ont., is still out of control more than a week later. After an anxious journey, he shared, “I was kind of freaking out”, facing closed highways and uncertain of where to go. Shapiro and his family made it to Kelowna, where they were invited to sleep at the home of Jewish community leader Abbey Westbury. She runs a winery, but also is a Jewish Federation of B.C. “community connector”, who also has close ties to the local synagogue and the Okanagan Jewish Community Centre. Westbury has been making food for evacuees and the first responders fighting the wildfire. The smoke and ash from Summerland has been blanketing Kelowna, too, and made it difficult to just be outside. Despite suffering an asthma attack this week, local Chabad Rabbi Shmuly Hecht, with his wife, Fraidy, turned their Chabad of Okanagan centre in Kelowna into a supplies depot for evacuees and hosts. They've kept their summer camp running but switched to indoor activities. In Penticton, just up the road from Summerland, local Jewish resident Tami Bray, who works for an environmental organization, has been running a city-wide relief centre, but feeling frustrated that politicians aren't using the words “climate change” to describe what has caused this summer's devastation. On today's episode of The CJN's North Star podcast, host Ellin Bessner hears from these four Jewish residents on the front lines of the out-of-control Bald Range fire. Related links: Learn more about how to donate to the Jewish Federation of B.C.'s Wildfires relief fund and to the Chabad of Okanagan's Fire relief efforts fund. Watch Rabbi Shmuly Hecht's supplies depot video Read about the August wildfire in 2023 that came within metres of Kelowna's Okanagan Jewish Community Centre, in The CJN . Credits Host and writer: Ellin Bessner ( @ebessner ) Production team: Zachary Kauffman (senior producer), Izizie Helenchilde (produder and video editing), Michael Fraiman (executive producer), Alicia Richler (editorial director) Music: Bret Higgins Support our show Subscribe to The CJN newsletter https://thecjn.ca/north Watch our podcasts on YouTube Donate to The CJN (+ get a charitable tax receipt)

Should the BC government be helping businesses affected by Broadway construction? Damage to Okanagan service industry with wildfires Update on wine industry with fires across the province Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Premier David Eby visits fire zone in Okanagan and promises review of response to wildfire; says speed of wildfire growth could be the “new normal“ Fable Kitchen restaurant at Broadway and Main closes permanently due to Skytrain extension construction delays and loss of business with no compensation from the Province On or off?  US-Canada trade negotiations and alleged offer seems to be off again! And Canada warned the US that trade talks, may be further impeded if the tariffs go ahead Guest: Bill Tielman - Strategy and communications consultant and veteran campaigner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Produce Moms Podcast, host Lori Taylor welcomes Joel Carter, Orchard Operations Manager at Okanagan Specialty Fruits (OSF), to explore how innovation is transforming modern apple production.

Ottawa's Race to Get a Deal in Front of Trump (0:41) Mackenzie Gray, Global News Ottawa Correspondent Still Burning, Still Waiting: Voices From the Okanagan (11:05) Atlyn Becker, Okanagan resident Ford's $5 Billion Bet on a $40,000 Electric Truck (26:11) Jeremy Cato, Automotive Journalist at CatoCarGuy.com Climate vs. Affordability (38:05) Bill Tieleman, director of the B.C Coalition for Affordable Dependable Energy (CADE) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We heard about the impact B.C.'s wildfire seasons are having on businesses in the Okanagan and southern Interior. Young people are growing more interested in learning to sew. We heard what's behind the trend and get some tips for people starting out.

In May, Jewish residents in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island were invited to celebrate the festival of Lag BaOmer around a bonfire. On Aug. 6, a kayak paddling excursion on Burnaby's Deer Lake attracted 30 members of that city's Jewish community. Coming up on Aug. 23, Jewish residents of Squamish and Whistler are planning a boat cruise to spot wildlife, followed by a brunch. These different events around British Columbia have something in common: they're part of a new project underway in the province in response to the measurable shift of Jewish people moving away from Vancouver's traditional Jewish corridor. Whether for affordability reasons or lifestyle choices, the populatin of Jews living outside Vancouver grew by 60 per cent, according to official figures. Jewish communities like Victoria are seeing tremendous population growth, while the Okanagan region is growing, too. That is why Vancouver's Jewish Federation officially changed its name this summer to the Jewish Federation of B.C., to better reflect the territory they intend to represent. As part of an annual budget of $1.2 million, they have hired nearly a dozen local Jewish leaders whose job it is to help boost Jewish life in places without easy access to a synagogue, kosher food and the like. Funding is also available for events and outreach, and plans are underway to hire another “community connector” for Prince George. On today's episode of The CJN's North Star podcast, host Ellin Bessner checks in with two curent community connectors: Jessica Benoualid, a former Montrealer stationed in the Comox Valley, and Jenny Reznik, serving in Burnaby/New Westminster, who's fighting political battles at City Hall; and we speak with Mijal Ben-Dori, who oversees the entire outreach program and says other Jewish federations in Canada are taking notes. Related links Read more about the June 26 gathering in Whistler of B.C.'s small Jewish communities who are participating in the Jewish Federation of B.C.'s new connector program, in The CJN . Hear the Jewish Federation of B.C.'s Okanagan community connector Abbey Westbury, interviewed about Jewish life in Kelowna several years ago, on The CJN's “Yechupetzville” podcast. Learn how to contact Jewish Community Connectors in your part of British Columbia. Credits Host and writer: Ellin Bessner ( @ebessner ) Production team: Zachary Kauffman (senior producer), Izzie Helenchilde (producer and video), Michael Fraiman (executive producer), Alicia Richler (editorial director) Music: Bret Higgins Support our show Subscribe to The CJN newsletter https://thecjn.ca/north Watch our podcasts on YouTube Donate to The CJN (+ get a charitable tax receipt)

Erin Carlson, her family and farm workers escaped the Bald Range fire -- some by helicopter. She says the tightknit Summerland community will band together to rebuild. But she worries that if climate change fuels more intense blazes, there will be more disasters to come. Plus, with clear skies in the weather forecast, wildfire expert Mathieu Bourbonnais says rain is needed to help control the fires.

  Episode: 140 Taking Charge After Stroke: Self-Determination and Recovery with Vivian Fu   In this episode you will discover: ● The Conversation Is the Intervention — A structured, facilitated conversation that centers a person's identity, hopes, and vision for their best day produces measurable improvements in quality of life and independence a year after stroke. Connection isn't soft — it's evidence-based. ● Reframe the Expert in the Room — Take Charge asks clinicians to resist offering advice, validation, or direction — and to trust that the person with stroke already holds the wisdom they need. The hardest part of the facilitator role is staying out of the way. ● Self-Determination Is Not a Luxury — When people with stroke are supported to set their own direction, outcomes improve, costs decrease, and the effects last for years. Building systems that protect that autonomy isn't idealistic — it's what the data demands.   Welcome to the Aphasia Access Aphasia Conversations Podcast. I'm Katie Strong from Central Michigan University and a member of the Aphasia Access Podcast Working Group, a community dedicated to supporting better aphasia care.   Today I'm speaking with Dr. Vivian Fu, a stroke neurologist living and working in Kelowna, British Columbia, the unceded territories of the Syilx / Okanagan people. Vivian trained in Aotearoa New Zealand, where she completed her PhD running the Taking Charge After Stroke trial. Take Charge showed that people with stroke who were supported to follow their own self-determination had much better quality of life and independence a year after their stroke. The second Take Charge RCT showed that two sessions about six weeks apart produce better outcomes than one session. Vivian strives to embed the Take Charge philosophy in her daily practice, and is focused on improving access to high quality stroke care for rural, regional, and underrepresented populations.   I have been looking forward to this conversation. What drew me to Take Charge was how it reframes the question entirely — from what does the clinician do for this person to what does this person want for their own life. That shift is deceptively simple, and as you'll hear, the evidence behind it is anything but.   Let's get into it.   Katie Strong:  Welcome, Vivian. Vivian Fu: Thank you so much for having me, Katie. I'd like to start off with my Pepeha. This is an introduction in Te Reo Māori, which is the indigenous language of the people of Aotearoa New Zealand, and I'll just translate each line. Nō Hong Kong ōku tīpuna. My ancestors come from Hong Kong. I tipu ake au ki Aotearoa. I grew up in Aotearoa, New Zealand. E noho ana au ki Ki-Low-Na. I live in Kelowna, British Columbia. Ko tēnei taku mihi ki ngā tāngata whenua o te rohe nei. I like to pay my deepest respects to the first peoples of this land. I live on the unceded territories of the Syilx and Okanagan peoples. Ko tēnei taku mihi ki ngā maunga, ki ngā awa, ki ngā roto, ki ngā Papatuānuku, o te rohe nei. I'd like to pay my deepest respects to the mountains, rivers, and the lakes, and to Mother Earth. All these important landmarks that have been here for millennia. Nō reira, tēna koutou, tēna koutou, tēna koutou katoa. Therefore, hello, hello, hello, Ko Vivian Fu tōku ingoa. Lovely to be here. Katie Strong:  Well, I'm so glad you're here. And I wanted to start off today asking about the Take Charge program that you've been working with, and talk to me about how that began. What was the origin of that? Vivian Fu:  Sure, so really this work began in probably the late 90s early 2000s when clinicians in Aotearoa New Zealand realized that there were different outcomes for people who were Māori compared with non-Māori, and I guess an important point to illustrate is that in Aotearoa society we view things in a very bicultural lens, and by that I mean Tangata Whenua, who are the people of the land, so indigenous people of the Māori and Tangata Tiriti, so everyone else are people of the treaty. It doesn't really matter where you come from, but you are a person of the treaty if you live in Aotearoa, and so it's a bicultural lens, and so we always look at things in that way, and that's how our kind of entire society is grounded upon that. And so when we look at health outcomes, what we could see back then, and unfortunately what we, in a way, still see now is that Māori were experiencing a stroke at about 20 years younger than non-Māori, and they were more likely to die from their stroke, and also more likely to be severely disabled. And so there was a difference in life expectancy, a difference in overall rehabilitation access, difference in overall outcomes, and so it started off with Professor Matire Harwood's work. She is Tangata Whenua, and in her PhD, she was looking at why there were these differences in outcomes and wanting to address them. And so that started off with the Māori and Pacific Stroke Study, which was essentially conducted in just Māori and Pacific people in Aotearoa, New Zealand, out of many different centers around the country. It was a four arm study.. It was a randomized control trial, and it looked at a conversation, which was labeled as the "Take Charge" session, but it was, it was really a connection and a conversation versus a professionally made DVD from the New Zealand Stroke Foundation about people's experiences and stories after stroke. And then the fourth arm of the trial was getting both of those interventions, and there was a control group. So there were three active groups in one control group. And what the researchers basically found was that anybody who had received this session of discussion and connection did much better a year after stroke in terms of quality of life, independence, and caregiver strain. And so that was the first sort of indication that there was something in that conversation that was really important. Unfortunately, it didn't really take off in terms of being able to be implemented, and so then Dr. Harry McNaughton, who was Dr. Harwood's supervisor wrote multiple grants and tried to get this session into much more of a bigger trial with some some type of implementation, and that's where I came along and we essentially did two things. We operationalized the intervention into something that had a bit of a framework, so with a bit of a booklet and a bit of a structure to follow. Really looking into what was it about that conversation that was so powerful and made such a difference to people, and tried to put those things into practice. Then, secondly, to conduct a second trial in New Zealand out of seven centers for people with stroke who were non-Māori and non-Pacific, because the struggle that we came across was that it was only shown to be effective in a small group of people, but not in everybody, and so we had to do things backwards. And so that was really where it all began, from these principles of self-determination, so Tino Rangatiratanga, which is a really important principle in Te Ao Māori, and in the world of Māori, but also knowing that Māori and a lot of indigenous peoples, we think of health as this concept called Te Whare Tapa Whā, for example, which is the house with four walls. So a person is never just their body and their physical health, there are other walls that keep the house upright. So mental health, spiritual health, and family health, whānau is so important, and feeling as though you have strong foundations in where you belong is also really important. So it's that really holistic look at health of an individual and how we can address all of those things in an intervention is really where it all came from. Katie Strong:  Thank you for sharing. I appreciate the backstory, and also just the idea of what you're thinking about from a holistic health standpoint. I know our listeners are probably curious, some of them might not have heard about Take Charge before, so this is the first time of them hearing about this, and so I was hoping, Vivian, you could give us an overview of what the intervention is, and then maybe walk us through what a session actually looks like in practice. Vivian Fu: Yeah, absolutely. So I'll talk you through the session in the way that it was done in the larger Take Charge trial. So this was done in 400 non-Māori, non-Pacific people with stroke, and our trial there had three arms. So there was a control group, there was a group that received just one session, and then there was a group that received two sessions six weeks apart roughly. The sessions were provided by a trained facilitator, and they were timed roughly somewhere between three to 18 weeks after stroke. So quite a large window, really, depending on when the person with stroke was ready to receive it. So the short version of what it looks like is it's based off the booklet and it's done face to face. It's a conversation and the facilitator is trained at the beginning to really try and establish a relationship…to build a relationship. There's a concept in Te Ao Māori called Whakawhanaungatanga, which is really sort of seeking another person's identity, recognizing who they are as a person, and trying to build connections. And so I guess in English, we think of that as building rapport, building trust. And so it in our trial was done face to face. We have also looked at ways of doing this via telehealth as well, which is, you can imagine, is a little bit different. But that step is really important, and we knew that it was important also in the initial Māori and Pacific trial, because the facilitators who were trained were actually ethnicity matched. So that's something where I think it came quite naturally in that trial, but in the second trial we really wanted to ensure that a relationship was built, and then there are three pages, initial pages in the booklet that look at different things. So the first page is looking at how the person has been affected by the stroke, and then asking them to think about actually who they really are as a person. It's a very simple concept, and a very sort of simple question, but for many people that's the first time they've really been asked that and have had to think about that. So anything that comes to mind that they can relate to, you know, who they are. An individual, and what it is that they love, so for example, for me, I would say, "I'm a mum, and I'm, I'm a stroke neurologist, I am a painter, I'm a poet, I'm someone who loves going for walks in hikes," and, you know, so those kinds of things, and it, and it kind of really builds on on that person's identity and who they are in the world. And so that's that sort of page one. It's really about establishing identity and sense of self. And then the second page is talking then about my hopes and fears. And that might be a tricky one, really, for a lot of people to start talking about and thinking about. They may not want to express that, they may not have been asked that. Sometimes it brings out a lot of emotion, and that's why that initial beginning part of establishing trust and in a kind of a psychological safety space is really important. And then the third page is imagining or envisioning what my best day looks like. And you can be as wild and fantastical about that as you like. When we train our facilitators, we asked them to do these exercises as well themselves, so they can get a really good sense of what that's like, and I had a lovely training session with community health workers from Tanaha First Nation in Cranbrook, BC, and one of one of the attendees in the group said she'd love to have breakfast with a Sasquatch, and so that was absolutely, you know, it was so culturally relevant, so important. Katie Strong:  That makes my Pacific Northwest roots just smile there! Vivian Fu: Exactly! Just so unique to that individual and to where they are in the world. And it's not something you can, you can pluck out of a textbook or pluck out of anything, right. It's where they are. I love that activity. It's quite magical what comes out. And then after those three pages are done, then there are some pages that are specifically related to goal setting, which may or may not be relevant to the person in front of you, things like a physical page, emotional, social, financial, health management type pages. And that really is a way to think about or encourage the person to think about, or we know what are the things that do matter to you, and and what are the things you would like to achieve in the long run, and what are some ways you might be able to break that down into achievable steps that you would personally want to do. But the session in practice can look like anything out of that. It can look from a person at session one being completely clammed up about not wanting to dig deep or not not being ready to engage in that. Or just kind of being, you know, keeping it all to themselves, and thinking about it, and ruminating about it, and then session two, looking very different after they've had that six weeks to think about it themselves. It can look like blank pages, or it could look like a person coming up with all sorts of brilliant ideas. Hopefully, you know, we always encourage if they can write the person with stroke as the one who is writing in the notebook. They keep it. They stick it on their fridge. They do whatever they like with it. They write in it in their own time, but it's completely fine to have blank pages. It's completely fine to have nothing come out of that conversation, nothing verbal, but it's just a space to an invitation to dig deep, and if there's something to say to feel heard. And I guess there was another question. I think that's quite important with regards to what the facilitator is doing, what are they not doing, and the facilitator is trained specifically to listen and ask questions and reflect the ideas that are being expressed by the person with stroke, but what they're not doing is they're not offering any advice or suggestions or pathways forward or how abouts or what abouts. They are not, and this is probably the hardest part. They're not passing any judgment, and that includes good judgment. So, by saying something like, "oh, that sounds like a really good idea", which seems like a really normal response from most people, it kind of implies that there are other ideas that are less good. Or the person with stroke might feel as though they are needing to have that kind of external validation, that external approval, and, and what we don't want is to for them to feel like they're doing this or saying this or thinking these things for the facilitator. We want them to think about it for themselves. And so all we encourage people to respond, is "oh, so you'd like to ride your bike, that's really interesting. How, how do you think you'll, you'll go about doing that?" You know, it's, it's much more neutral, but reflective way of speaking and listening, I guess. Katie Strong:  I am curious, how long is the training, or you know, what kinds of.. what we didn't talk about this, but I know people are going to want to know. So, what does it take to be trained? Vivian Fu: This is quite funny. This is a thing that sort of been on my mind ever since we've started implementation around the world, and I have this ultimate goal of operate like actually making the training have some type of qualification and fidelity, and some structure. There is structure, but it's essentially myself or Harry doing a Zoom with people, and it takes maybe say four hours. But ideally, what we'd love to do is to have sort of recorded videos, and then we'd have live sessions, and then we'd have assessments, and then you get a certificate at the end. I have neither the budget or the… Katie Strong: There's always the next step, for sure. Vivian Fu: I'd love to be for people to be able to say, "Oh, I'm Take Charge trained" and for them to be able to like "Look, I've got this qualification, I'm Take Charge trained, I know how to do this," and especially for if we were thinking about doing it in more clinical trial settings, I think that's really important, but also, you know, for people, you know, to have on their CV, if they're moving between jobs and things, I think it's so useful. But yeah, basically people get in touch with myself or Harry and say, "Hi, we'd like to be trained, can you fit us in?" And we just do it for free. Katie Strong:  Lovely, I love it. And the other question I had as you were talking was how long is a typical session or or is there is there length? Vivian Fu: So in the trial what our facilitators did was they because it was face to face and they had to drive between people's houses, they booked in the session, usually at 10:30 in the morning, and then another session, I think, if I remember correctly, either maybe it was 1:30 in the afternoon. And so you can probably surmise that for people with stroke, usually the 10:30 slot is the most popular. And you know, some people would would prefer to wake up earlier and be ready earlier, so they might ask for something like 9 o'clock and then they might usually go for about an hour and a half to two hours if it's a good going session, and they're really digging deep, and there's a lot to say. And often you know that first half an hour is, "Here's a cup of tea and a biscuit. Let's get to know each other. Tell me all about what happened with your stroke." That kind of stuff, so that listening and connecting stuff actually takes takes a while to establish, and I think people just allowed for that time. Then they'd do a second session in the afternoon again. There are lots of things, you know, cognitive problems, fatigue is a big one. So, if people felt like they couldn't keep going, the facilitator would say , "That's totally fine, we'll book in for, you know, do the rest of this another time, is that okay?" It was fine to really just, you can truncate it and break it up as much as the person really wants. Katie Strong:  Thank you. I appreciate the extra information. You had a recent publication in 2025 with some colleagues that looked at this work from a qualitative lens.  You came up with some themes about doing things my way, coming to my own wisdom, and they're just so deeply related to identity, and what struck me was the contrast participants drew between Take Charge care and standard care, where they described being put in a box receiving scripted advice that had really nothing to do with who they were as a person. And when someone gets to tell the story of who they are to a genuinely good listener, something shifts. I was just curious, if you could think about what you think is happening there, or what you found in your study. Vivian Fu: Well, I think for the most part, as a, you know, as a clinician, if we think about from the moment the person has a stroke, they disempowered from that very moment.  Something happens where they just aren't themselves, and they are brought into a merge. A bunch of things happen to them that they can't really even speak up about. You know, they're popped in a scanner. They might get thrombolised, you know, all these things are happening. And the person doesn't really know what's going on. There are a lot of important qualitative studies that have been done, looking at that element of feeling disempowered, and what somebody in New Zealand study described as feeling gut-wrenchingly emotional. You know, experiences that that aren't heard and aren't ever expressed to to anyone in the healthcare side and aren't dealt with, and so, if you think about that, just that trauma of having a stroke and then going through all of that stuff, and you know, ending up in a bed somewhere on a ward with strangers on the other side of a curtain, and it's really pretty traumatic. And so I think what was powerful with Take Charge was it's an it's an opportunity for someone to finally tell their story and feel heard and for all that stuff to just come out. And a lot of the time you know people might say, "Oh, well, you could talk to your family, you can talk to your kids, or, you know, whatever. Once you get home" but actually, a lot of people don't feel like talking to those who are closest to them about how much it affected them, and there is still an element of stigma. There's still an element of, "Oh, you know, you look great physically, you to someone we know having had a big health scare, and then kind of coming back into that. But there's there's a real dissonance between what is going on inside a person and and how other people are reacting to them coming back into "normal spaces". And so I think the ability to tell your story from the very get go. You know, all of the messiness of it. All the things that went wrong, and then to have somebody listen to that really gives meaning to it and makes it real, but it also helps that person really reestablish their sense of power to regain some power from that that they had lost. And there's a lot of power in story, and I think the kind of, you know, lovely thing about it is that sort of all indigenous cultures sort of be like, you know, First Nations, Māori, Gaelic, a lot of cultures really put a lot of value in the power of storytelling. And that is how historically things were really passed down, and so I think it's through that ability to be able to feel heard and to tell your story that then the person who is speaking can actually hear themselves say things out loud for the first time. And then understand the power and the value and the worth in their words and their experience, and that is that process of coming to my own wisdom, is "Oh, actually, you know, I do know about my body. I am, I am the expert, not these people in their white coats, or you know, with their expertise, I am the expert. I know what I need. I can plan my rehabilitation. I can go back to the things that I want to do, and this is how I'm going to do it." And it's that, that kind of reestablishment of confidence and strength and hope that is so powerful. I think. Katie Strong: I agree. I agree, Vivian. As you know, our listeners are primarily speech language pathologists working with people with aphasia. We also have people with aphasia that are listening, and researchers as well. But you know, the capacity for language being disrupted by aphasia. I was just curious, with Take Charge, as you've studied it, is you know, really a talking therapy with writing, and, and those sorts of things, and so I was just curious, you know, what would it take to extend this kind of intervention to people with aphasia, and what principles would you want to most preserve in the adaptation. Vivian Fu: Yeah, thank you. That's such an important question. We certainly, in the Take Charge trial, included people with aphasia in the trial, and the way that we sort of just included them was if they could understand or the consent form and could mark an "x" on the form, we'd be happy to to have them included, and so we had people with mild to moderate and moderate to severe aphasia in the trial. And we hadn't made any specific changes or tweaks to the intervention, the facilitator just did what they could with what we had. But I think what has come out of reviews of the implementation of Take Charge now in New Zealand is that it is really important for us to look at how we can adapt the intervention for people with aphasia. I think for the facilitators in the trial, what they did was they allowed a lot more time, so the usual two and a half hours became three and a half hours, and that was fine if the person could continue. But also I think from the report we need to look at alternative ways of how we can complete some of these activities, whether it's providing images where people can point, whether it's a lot more inclusion of their family, their whānau important people to them who can help with, you know, subtle guidance, and, and, and having sort of lived with the person now, can read their non-verbal expressions a lot better than a stranger, a facilitator can and can help with the guidance of participating. And really, while Take Charge has been translated, I think, now into seven or eight different languages, we really need to adapt Take Charge to other communication needs and other languages, but what I.. so my role.. sorry, I didn't.. I'd actually say this, but my role in the in the large trial was as the blinded outcomes assessor, so I went around at one year after stroke. I traveled around to the 400 or so different other people, participants' homes around the country, and I sat in their living rooms, and I listened to their stories again. And then I did all of their outcome instruments and got all of their outcomes done, but I did not know which group they were allocated to. And then I locked all the data, and then I'd say, "Hey, so which group did you get Take Charge or not?" And it was really, it was good. I think out of the 400 there were only two people who, when I turned up, actually had the booklet on the table, and so you know, I just ignored it, and then, but yeah, it was, it was really good in terms of sort of blinding and masking, and then sort of having a guess as I was going through and checking where things were at. It was such a privilege for me to, as a stroke doctor, I think you know people don't usually get to do this as a physician, but to, to meet so many different people with so many different stories, and a number of people who still had moderate to severe aphasia, and and were telling me about the impacts of that on their life. But we were still able to communicate a year after stroke, and so I think it is so important that we don't exclude people with cognitive and communication difficulties. We have to adapt the things that we have to make it work for them. What I'd love is to be able to have some kind of focus group with people with aphasia, and, and show them Take Charge, and realize, oh, what can we do? How would this work better for you? Katie Strong:  I love that, and well. Well, and we haven't talked about the materials yet, but I do have to say they're so accessible, or they're very accessible from a visual standpoint as well. Vivian Fu: Thank you. Yes, we are actually modifying them and making the font bigger and having better graphics. We started off with stick figures that Harry drew, and then I think we're actually making them a lot nicer in terms of the graphics, but what we do have at the moment is actually available online for free, and you can just download them as a package. It's if you Google it, it's the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand, or www.mrinz.ac.nz  and then under programs, and we spell that as p r o g r a m m e s, and then under programs slash forward slash stroke, I think is where it lives, and at the bottom of the page you should be able to download, a training package and the booklet itself. Katie Strong: Yes, lovely, and we'll have the links on our show notes as well, so you can check those out, listeners, if you're interested. So, thank you. You have two randomized controlled trials that you've talked a little bit about, and a cost effectiveness analysis and qualitative work, all pointing in the same direction that the cost data suggests that Take Charge actually might save money, and that is remarkable, and lots of evidence showing that, but still, it's a challenge in implementing into standard practice, and I was curious if you could talk with us about what you think stands between what the evidence shows and what actually gets implemented. Vivian Fu: Sure, gosh, I love this question. It's it applies for so many interventions, I think, specifically for Take Charge, it's a number of things. So definitely the stuff that affects other interventions being implemented, but for Take Charge itself, it started off with a huge amount of disbelief bias, so people, you know, even after I presented the main results of the second trial at the European Stroke Conference in gosh, when was that? 2019 pre-COVID in Milan. So this is a huge international stroke conference, and this was a plenary session. People stood up and took photos of the results and went, you know, there was this collective gasp throughout the audience of 6000 odd people, but there's just this disbelief that something as simple as a conversation can make a difference to people's objective quality quantitative outcomes, like the, you know, Bartel or the FIM, what they, you know, what their physical outcomes are like at a year. And what their quality of life is like. I think for people who are stroke researchers, a lot of the focus is on that initial 24 to 48 hours after stroke. And you know, that that's kind of where that's kind of where all the funding goes, isn't it? So it's the pre-hospital stuff, and then the interventional things you can stick catheters into and thrombolysis, and you know that's, and that's all great. You know, I, as a stroke physician, I love that part of stroke as well, but to think that you could possibly do something at three to 18 weeks after stroke that could change a person's outcome by a year, and actually we've got a long-term follow-up study now that says that those those same magnitude of changes are still present at five years between the groups is, you know, kind of gobsmacking. And people just go, surely you've fudged this, or surely this can't be true. And so there's this huge disbelief bias that stopped us from being able to publish initially, and it was only after I presented the results in Milan that that we got accepted into a journal. And we'd been trying for about a year beforehand, and, and so there's, there's that disbelief. But also in the way that it has to be provided, you know, it's probably considered quite labor intensive. You know, one on one home visits, and that's why people of other researchers who do believe in Take Charge are now looking at providing take charge in different ways. Like I did a telehealth trial in Canada, in southern Alberta, when I was there as a fellow in Calgary, and there's potential other work that's being. Done in Australia with Take Charge, looking at providing it by computer avatars, by even maybe even AI, and maybe in a larger sort of telehealth format. And so you know other ways of doing it, but I think ultimately it's kind of cultural inertia, because you know, "We've never done this, this is not part of who we are. Why would we need to start something new?" There's probably kind of an established way of thinking about clinician and, and patient, rather than person with stroke, in still in how we practice, and this idea that the therapist and doctor are experts. And so I think it really challenges that dogma and challenges clinician's role, and therefore there's a resistance to accept that this is something that is useful and helpful, and actually doesn't, you know, you don't need to take it personally. You're still doing great work. Take Charge is just a tool that helps supplement everything else that's going on, and so there's a lack of time, and I think we also get quite, as practicing clinicians, we get quite tunnel visioned into this, you know, hamster wheel of go to work, treat all these people, go home. We just keep doing it. Hoping that things will get better for them, but, you know, we, it's only when we start looking at alternative interventions and alternative things that work and start trialing them and being open to that, that I think things will really start to change. We've certainly had interest from random little parts around the world. I think it's been translated into Latvian. I've got people from Sweden who are interested. A little hospital in Germany, and then parts of it's been trialed in pilot studies in the UK. And Harry and I last year trained a whole bunch of occupational therapists in Hong Kong, so you know it is, it is kind of picking up, slowly but surely. Katie Strong: Well to me, you know, most stroke survivors, or people with stroke, as you're referring to them, have chronic challenges, and so all of the early intervention, while important, doesn't necessarily help somebody navigate that longer term change. And so I love that this is just such an empowering way of putting that power back into the person's life, which it seems like it is showing up n in the results that you're sharing. Vivian Fu: Oh, absolutely. I mean, if we think about it, if we just think about thrombectomy and thrombolysis, somewhere between five to 15% of all people with stroke are eligible, and then receive the treatment. That leaves what?, 85 to 95% of people who don't get to receive that. And even after they receive the treatment, there are consequences of stroke that are beyond the physical that don't you know don't have any other thing to address them apart from our routine care, so I completely agree with you. Katie Strong: Well, thinking about what clinicians might be able to do tomorrow or you know, in the near future, for our speech-language pathologists or other practitioners who are listening today and are feeling the pull of this work, and you know, really encouraged by it, but are you know working in an embedded productivity driven impairment focused system, what's one thing that they could do differently in the very next clinical encounter that they have? Vivian Fu:  We have a paper, I think it's written. Oh gosh, where did it.. where did it get published? I think it was published in Practical Neurology. It's titled something, something intrinsic motivation. I should know better. Katie Strong: I'm going find out, and I don't think I read that one, so I'm gonna find it, and I'll put the link in the show notes for everybody. Vivian Fu: Sorry,Harry about the promo, but yeah, I'll send it to you, but essentially it's written to give some guidance on how you can embed Take Charge into your daily clinical practice. And it's written for neurologists, but honestly it applies to everybody.  One of the key things is when you have that next encounter, obviously you know therapists do this a lot better than doctors do, but they ask a lot about, you know, what's outside of the person's life and what's important to them, but maybe move away just, you know, from the very practical questions like "How many steps do you have going in and out of your house?, and How do you hang up your washing?", or whatever, but it's, you know, really much less functional, but more, "Who are you? Tell me a bit more about yourself. What do you love doing? What gets you out of bed?" You know, if I might, the one that I like to use a lot on my ward rounds is, "If you weren't in this hospital bed right now, where would you rather be? What would you rather be doing?", and I do that on my rounds, and it's incredible, because you know, I'll hear all sorts of things, "I'll, you know, be on my boat fishing out on the lake", or I think this lady was like 84 or something. "I'll be with my girlfriends, we'll be having coffee at Tim Hortons", you know, and it's just, I don't know, it's something so unique to that person that I could never, you know, they're in their hospital pajamas with a whole bunch of stuff stuck to them, and I can't envisage them doing that, and yet I'm like, I want you to imagine yourself there. Where would you rather be? Okay, so everybody, that's our goal. It's not to get her home or to get her walking again. Our goal is to get her back in Tim Hortons with her eight friends, having coffee, like that is what this person loves to do. And I think that you know that inquiry, that it shows you care, it shows you see them as an individual, and I think it completely shifts your rehab focus, and then you can ask more questions about that, and they, you know, then you have this whole conversation about about what their life is like. And I think that part of being seen, even if it's only within 60 seconds, makes such a difference to that person. So that's one thing. The second thing I'd be, you know, doing is I'm trying to involve family as much as possible, as much as the person wants, and basically, just seeing them as an individual makes a huge difference already to the way you practice, that would be what I'd focus on. Katie Strong: Agreed, agreed. Well, Vivian, is there something you wish people asked you about this work that they rarely do, something about Take Charge or stroke recovery more broadly that you think the field hasn't quite caught up to yet. Vivian Fu:  Oh gosh, this is a tricky one. I think one thing we ought to recognize is that everybody is doing the best that they can with what they have. And you know, we're not as clinicians on the ground on the front line, we're not involved with funding decisions, and what projects get funded and which ones don't. And there will be the ambitious amongst your listeners, who I really hope will be like, "Oh my gosh, I can apply for this little grant, and I'm going to pilot this, and I think we should give this a go with our people." and I think that is absolutely a great idea to have. And, and I would, myself and Harry will do everything that we possibly can to help support such projects from where we are. I think the important thing to think about is that every little bit that you do makes a difference, and to not feel as though, because you know your funding runs out, or you don't get it, or the world is such a bleak place that you know it's not worth continuing to try. Because people with stroke who see you do this work, they will be grateful for it. And also the patient partners I've met that I've spoken with, and all of the people whom I've interviewed with the qualitative work, they're also happy to be part of something like this. And so even if it's a pilot project. Even if it's, you know, something that may not last, you'd be so surprised at how much momentum you can build with a movement of people who see the value in this and then take it further and further, And that's what I've been really impressed by, and kind of stunned by in all these different locations around the world who have contacted me. I've just been like, "Wow, can't believe [this]." There's this wonderful group in Hunter Medical Research Institute down in Australia, who basically took Take Charge back to their own unique Aboriginal community, the Gamilaroi peoples of that particular area of Australia. They have, like Canada and like the States, they have 1000s of tribes and lots of different groups that all speak completely different languages, but they took it to their local group, and they broke down, take charge into little bits, and then rebuilt it into an intervention that just works for them, and it's called "Yarning Up after Stroke", because what they do is they have a yarn. They yarn, and that's the way they tell their stories. It's yarning, and so you know, I just think it's incredible. Like, they got funding for it, they did it, and now it's an ongoing project that just keeps on in the community being provided to their people, and it's fantastic. So, I think it'll evolve. I love to see how it evolves, and I certainly don't think of, you know, this isn't the kind of intervention that we go around patenting and making a ton of money out of. It's the kind of intervention that everybody makes their own, and hopefully with a lot of input by people with stroke, Katie Strong: I love it. Thank you. Thank you so much for being our guest today, and sharing about Take Charge, and your generosity in sharing about the intervention, and if people are interested in reaching out to contact you, so thank you so much, Vivian. Vivian Fu:  Thank you so much for having me. I hope I haven't spoken too long. Katie Strong: Oh no, it's perfect. Vivian Fu: I'm always happy to be contacted, and yeah, very happy to support anyone who'd like to explore this further. Katie Strong: Thanks so much. On behalf of Aphasia Access, thank you for listening. For references and resources mentioned in today's show, please see our show notes, available on our website at www.aphasiaaccess.org. There you can also become a member of our organization, browse our growing library of materials, and find out about the Aphasia Access Academy. If you have an idea for a future podcast episode, email us at info@aphasiaaccess.org. For Aphasia Access Conversations, here at Central Michigan University in the Strong Story Lab, I'm Katie Strong. Dr. Fu's Email  dr.vivianfu@gmail.com  Resources and Readings Fu, V. (2019). Taking Charge After Stroke: A novel, community-based intervention to improve the lives of people with stroke. https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Taking-Charge-After-Stroke:-A-novel,-intervention-Fu/3bc1dbb271f425c72e146510088856e3aad8683e  Fu, V., Fernando, K. M., Bright, F., Riley, J., McPherson, K., & McNaughton, H. (2025). Coming to my own wisdom: A qualitative study exploring the role of the Take Charge intervention in stroke recovery. Clinical Rehabilitation, 39(3), 377–387. https://doi.org/10.1177/02692155241310770 Fu, V., Weatherall, M., McPherson, K., Taylor, W., McRae, A., Thomson, T., Gommans, J., Green, G., Harwood, M., Ranta, A., Hanger, C., Riley, J., & McNaughton, H. (2020). Taking Charge after stroke: A randomized controlled trial of a person-centered, self-directed rehabilitation intervention. International Journal of Stroke, 15(9), 954–964. https://doi.org/10.1177/1747493020915144 Fu, V., Thompson, S., Kayes, N., & Bright, F. (2025). Supporting long-term meaningful outcomes in stroke rehabilitation. Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports, 25, 17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-025-01403-z Harwood, M., Weatherall, M., Talemaitoga, A., Barber, P. A., Gommans, J., Taylor, W., McPherson, K., & McNaughton, H. (2011). Taking charge after stroke: Promoting self-directed rehabilitation to improve quality of life - a randomized controlled trial. Clinical Rehabilitation, 26(6), 493-501. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269215511426017  Te Ao, B., Harwood, M., Fu, V., Weatherall, M., McPherson, K., Taylor, W. J., McRae, A., Thomson, T., Gommans, J., Green, G., Ranta, A., Hanger, C., Riley, J., & McNaughton, H. (2022). Economic analysis of the 'Take Charge' intervention for people following stroke: Results from a randomised trial. Clinical Rehabilitation, 36(2), 240–250. https://doi.org/10.1177/02692155211040727 McNaughton, H., & Fu, V. (2023). Intrinsic motivation. Practical Neurology, 23(6), 489-492.  https://pn.bmj.com/content/23/6/489  McNaughton, H., Gommans, J., McPherson, K., Harwood, M., & Fu, V. (2023). A cohesive, person-centric evidence-based model for successful rehabilitation after stroke and other disabling conditions. Clinical Rehabilitation, 37(7), 975-985. https://doi.org/10.1177/02692155221145433   Medical Research Institute of New Zealand. (n.d.). Take Charge rehabilitation resources. https://www.mrinz.ac.nz/take-charge-rehabilitation-resources World Stroke Organization. (n.d.). Taking Charge after stroke: A person-centred approach to life after stroke [Webinar]. https://www.world-stroke.org/what-we-do/education-and-research/education/webinars/taking-charge-after-stroke-a-person-centred-approach-to-life-after-stroke  

Atlyn Becker, Okanagan resident Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More than 20,000 people have been evacuated from the Okanagan in B.C., including the entire town of Summerland. We speak to one man who had to leave behind his animals, along with the mayor of Summerland to see how residents are coping on the ground in neighbouring Penticton.

Tim Powers guest hosts for Vassy Kapelos, as British Columbia remains under a province-wide State of Emergency due to more than 100 out-of-control wildfires. Tim speaks with Summerland Mayor Doug Holmes, where 12,000 residents were forced to evacuate on Friday with little notice. On today's show: CTV National News correspondent Michael Serapio has the latest on the trade talks in Washington. CTV U.S. political analyst Eric Ham joins Tim to break down the odds of a trade breakthrough before August 19th. Tech Check with tech analyst Carmi Levy: The latest on a landmark social media lawsuit settlement in the United States. The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Jordan Paquet, Sabrina Grover, and George Soule. CTV National News correspondent Scott Hurst has more on the wildfire situation in B.C.

The Canadian Armed Forces are on standby to help as wildfires continue to spread in BC's Okanagan region. Imagine you're on vacation with your kids and your mum, and suddenly someone drives past yelling, "Get out! You've got to get out!" That's what happened to journalist Tracy Sherlock when the Bald Range wildfire exploded near Summerland. Ron Kubek, owner of Lightning Rock Winery, shares his experience with the ongoing wildfire situation in Summerland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

B.C. Wildfires: A provincial state of emergency is in effect as the Bald Range fire forces thousands to flee in the Okanagan. Sanctuary Stand: The owner of a Summerland animal sanctuary says her fiancé is staying behind to defend dozens of rescued animals from advancing flames. Pipeline Demand: B.C. First Nations leaders are demanding an immediate halt to the West Coast Oil Pipeline, warning it fuels climate disasters. Gaza Peace Plan: Benjamin Netanyahu rejects U.S. demands to withdraw from Gaza, insisting Hamas must fully disarm first. North Korean Troops: Volodymyr Zelenskyy warns North Korea is gaining modern warfare experience by joining Russia's war against Ukraine. Colten Boushie: Ten years after the death of Colten Boushie, his family is marking the anniversary by reflecting on his life and legacy. West Nile Risk: Health officials warn mosquito bites can carry West Nile virus, as an Ontario survivor shares his long recovery.

More than 20,000 Okanagan residents are under evacuation orders as the fast-moving Bald Range wildfire threatens communities along B.C.'s Okanagan Lake. A Summerland family describes the terror of fleeing a fast-moving wildfire on clogged evacuation routes. An Okanagan woman describes a narrow escape from a fast-moving wildfire that destroyed her family home. Evacuation alerts expand to Peachland as B.C. crews battle dozens of out-of-control wildfires. Scientists warn that invasive plant species are threatening northern ecosystems without proper tracking or oversight. Classic car enthusiasts in the Yukon are keeping the cruise-in tradition alive despite rough roads and high shipping costs.

It's the Graham Richardson Show - where we talk politics and also have a little bit of fun! You can catch Graham every single Friday from Noon until 2PM. On today's show: The Friday Five: Ottawa and Washington may be getting closer to some kind of tariff deal. The Canadian economy added 75,000 jobs in July. Bloomberg's Editor-in-Chief says Canada's economy is outpacing the rest of the G7. Canada's Conservatives lose a seventh MP. Plus, hundreds have evacuated B.C. wildfires in the Okanagan. The Big Conversation: NYC tries to lure back Canadian tourists with the 'Northern Neighbor Deal'. We dig deeper with NYC Tourism President and CEO Julie Corker. Life with Canada's Best: Daniel Cadigan, one of the winners of the 208th Royal St. John's Regatta. What is the 'Super El Nino' and how will it impact Canada's weather this year? Environment Canada climatologist David Phillips fills us in. Graham speaks with Flavio Volpe, the President of the Automotive Parts and Manufacturers Association of Canada, about the developments in Canada-USA trade talks. Vernon (B.C.) Mayor Walter Cummings delivers an update on the ongoing wildfire situation. Nova Scotia is moving forward with a ban on e-scooters for kids under the age of 14. Fred Tilley, the province's Minister of Public Works, explains why. Have Your Say: Canada-USA travel boycotts and regulating e-scooters. What made Graham smile this week: Lloyd Robertson reports on his own car crash in 2018.

The latest on the Bradley Creek wildfire (0:40) Klaudia Van Emmerik, Global Okanagan reporter The latest on the Pear Lake wildfire (8:54) Lorne Doerksen, B.C. Conservative MLA for Cariboo-Chilcotin Canucks eye training facility in Britannia: what could it cost the community? (16:06) Levi Higgs, President of the Vancouver Minor Hockey Association Okanagan wildfires: resident describes the moment she evacuated from her home (27:06) Atlyn Becker, Okanagan resident $300k for arts and culture: Is Metro Vancouver sidestepping basic responsibilities? (42:35) Daniel Fontaine, New Westminster City councillor and Mayoral candidate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Key parts of BILL C-70 come into effect today and will help Ottawa deal with foreign influence. Wildfires have forced thousands of people out of their homes in the Okanagan region. A man has been arrested for arson in connection with one of the wildfires burning in Washington state. Japan's government says it's trying to restore basic utilities to homes damaged in last week's earthquake as the country deals with a heatwave. French officials say more than 150 migrants were rescued trying to cross the English Channel. European Union Ministers say they need to do more to protect their borders from illegal migration. Canada's merchandise trade surplus grew in June. WestJet customers are still in limbo despite strike ending.

Thousands of residents have been evacuated from the Okanagan region after strong winds made a bad situation even worse. We'll find out how their faring and what specialists think needs to happen to be better prepared.

Atlyn Becker, Okanagan resident Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our lead stories: regional wildfire updates from British Columbia's North Okanagan and from northwestern Ontario, areas whose First Nations populations are among those forced to evacuate.

Wildfires have forced more than five thousand British Columbians out of their homes. We hear from an evacuee who fled the flames in the Okanagan region. A former Olympic canoeist was in deep trouble over damage done to the Lincoln Memorial and Reflecting Pool, but now prosecutors say the case against him doesn't hold water. We talk to a surgeon who recently put a fetus's intestines back inside its body while it was still in utero. He tells all about the tiny trial that's making big waves.In a special edition of As It Happened, we'll serve up some of our all-time favourite stories about mayhem, mixups, and mistakes — including the tale of a dog named Mouse who was accidentally identified as a lion thanks to his flashy haircut. Inflation may be a problem at this year's women's Tour de France: some cyclists could be making themselves more aerodynamic by buying oversized bras, and stuffing them. As It Happens, the Monday edition. Radio that gets down to bras tacks.

The rennie podcast is about the real estate market and the people connected by it. Tune in for monthly discussions making sense of the latest market data.EPISODE #90: KELOWNA HOUSING: THE LONG AND THE SHORT-TERM OF IT Join Ryan Berlin (Chief Economist and Vice President of Intelligence) and Ryan Wyse (Market Intelligence Manager and Lead Analyst) as they are joined by rennie Kelowna advisor Rob Breckwoldt to discuss the goings-on in the Okanagan's, and Vancouver's, housing markets. They explore how each market is adjusting to changing conditions, why buyers are becoming more selective, and what record rental supply, evolving investor dynamics, and the short-term rental ban reversal mean for Kelowna. Featured guests:Ryan Berlin, Chief Economist and Vice President of IntelligenceRyan Wyse, Lead Analyst and Market Intelligence ManagerRob Breckwoldt , rennie advisorWe'd love to answer your real estate questions. Email us at intel@rennie.com or leave a voicemail, and we'll try to respond in future episodes. 

Stroke is one of the leading causes of disability in Canada—and for survivors in rural and remote communities, recovery often means navigating a health-care system with far fewer resources than their urban counterparts. In this episode of From Here Forward, hosts Carol Eugene Park and Jeevan Sangha sit down with Dr. Brodie Sakakibara, associate professor in UBC's Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy and director of the Okanagan Stroke Research Lab, to unpack how telehealth and virtual rehabilitation are reshaping recovery across BC's Interior.Dr. Sakakibara breaks down why the current health-care system's acute-care focus leaves many stroke survivors without support once they return home—and how that gap contributes to alarming numbers: 16% of stroke survivors will have a second stroke within a year, and one-third within five years. He shares how his lab is using technology to extend care into rural communities, empower patients to self-manage chronic health, and address barriers like device and internet access.Listeners will also learn how to recognize stroke symptoms, the modifiable risk factors that matter most for prevention, and why sleep, stress management, and physical activity remain foundational to long-term recovery. Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode:Contact CarolContact JeevanFrom Here ForwardPodium Podcast CompanyAbout Brodie SakakibaraLearn more about the StrOKe LabKnow FAST - the signs of stroke (00:00) - Introduction (01:33) - Meet Dr. Brodie Sakakibara (01:58) - Stroke recovery research + long-term health (02:56) - From clinical path to research career (05:02) - The Okanagan Stroke Research Lab (05:42) - Stroke recovery after discharge (07:24) - Telehealth, telerehab + COVID's impact (09:06) - Rural access + health equity (12:36) - Stroke risk factors + secondary prevention (14:10) - Younger strokes + prevention gaps (16:06) - Extending stroke care into the community (16:58) - Stroke stats everyone should know (18:17) - Stroke awareness + FAST signs (19:22) - Daily habits for stroke prevention (20:42) - Conclusion

Kim Lawton is an entrepreneur, marketing strategist, and passionate advocate for craft beer, wine, tourism, and small business. As the owner of DogLeg Marketing & Business Solutions and Marketing Director for both Cannery Brewing and Fort Berens Estate Winery, she has spent nearly three decades helping brands tell their stories, build meaningful relationships, and connect with their communities.Kim began her career with major consumer brands before launching her own marketing consultancy in the Okanagan in 2006. She is widely recognized for her contributions to British Columbia's craft beer industry, including helping create the Penticton Ale Trail and Penticton Beer Blocks.Beyond her professional work, Kim and her husband are the creators of Hidden Gems of BC, a passion project dedicated to discovering and showcasing unique destinations, businesses, and experiences throughout the province.On this episode of CREATE, Kim shares lessons on entrepreneurship, marketing, relationship building, community, and the power of shining a spotlight on others.Guest:Kim Lawton:Cannery Brewing:  Instagram Hidden Gems of BC: InstagramHost:Mark Kondrat: Instagram | LinkedIn CREATE - The Podcast:  Instagram | TikTok | Website

This week's show comes to you from District Wine Village in Oliver, British Columbia, the first wine village of its kind in Canada. It is a vibrant hub that showcases the flavours of the South Okanagan. The village is not just a wine destination but also a cultural and entertainment venue, with regular live music, events, and seasonal festivals. We learn about the Village today, including 8 wineries, a brewery, a French bakery, a bookstore, a restaurant, a roastery & coffee shop, and one distillery. Our guests include Sarah Isaksen, Tasting Room Manager at Canter Cellars, who welcomes us with a taste of their 2023 Chardonnay and updates on upcoming events & concerts, including 54. 54.40 and Blue Rodeo. There are some new faces in the village, including Todd Heintz, Owner and Winemaker at Spacedog Wines, who joins us along with his consulting winemaker, Pascal Madevon. They bring a couple of wines to taste, including the 2025 "Disinherited" 100% barrel- fermented Viognier and the 2025 "Grace Undone" 100% Rosé of Merlot. Spacedog's style is for bigger, bolder, full-bodied wines, and they compare themselves to other Okanagan wines as well as to wines from around the world. Another new face is Kyle Lyons, Winemaker at Apricus Cellars, who brings the 2025 Cabernet Franc Rosé and the 2025 Old Vines Riesling. Apricus Cellars focuses on small-lot, high- quality wines. When the Coghill and Main families moved to the Okanagan to build Neighbourhood Brewing, they fell in love with wine country and had to get involved. With their roots in the brewing industry, they were told by some that getting into wine was a “Foolish” endeavour, so they became Foolish Wines. We welcomed Kyle Stewart, Winemaker for Foolish Wines, who poured two of his wines, including the Spark 2024 Sauvignon Blanc and the Mischief 2022 Tempranillo (BC VQA). Tender Hope is a family-run winery that makes interesting, small-batch wines and has fun doing so, using traditional methods and minimal intervention during winemaking and aging. We were joined by Efi Perel, Owner and Winemaker at Tender Hope Winery, who brought two VQA wines for us to taste: the 2019 Blanc de Blanc Traditional Method Sparkling and a 2022 Pinot Noir.

Have you ever had an unusual encounter with an animal, insect, or creature that seemed to mean something more? Might be a song in there.If you're in the Okanagan region, and would like to attend the Butterfly Effect event on June 20th, visit their website here.Share your thoughts on this episode in the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Write Songs You Love Facebook Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ group.To join the Write Songs You Love Member calls, visit ⁠⁠⁠https://writesongsyoulove.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠ to expand and nurture your creativity!

Pick of the Week: Historoots Cavino Assyrtiko, Greece

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, the Ski Moms welcome Kristin Hurd and Karen Musgrave, Canadian ski instructors and co-creators of the Divine ARCS Affirmation Cards, a 31-card deck designed to help skiers connect with the mental and emotional side of the sport. Based at Silver Star Mountain Resort in Vernon, B.C., Kristin (originally from Australia, CSIA Level 4) and Karen (from Southern California, who became an instructor at 40 and earned her Level 3) met during their certification journey and have been collaborating ever since.The conversation covers their CSIA certification paths, their new "Divine Arc Ski Experience" camps for women, their Kids Mountain Magic book, and practical mindful skiing tips, including Karen's "Superman pose" for overcoming fear. They also share a full destination guide to Silver Star, from travel logistics and lodging to dining, kids' programming, and après ski in the Okanagan Valley.Resources:Divine ARCS Affirmation Cards: https://divinearcs.comSilver Star Mountain Resort: https://www.skisilverstar.comBook Lessons at Silver Star: Visit the Silver Star website lessons page or email the ski school to request Kristin Hurd or Karen Musgrave (specify last name "M" for Karen)Key Quotes:"Breathe in my strength, breathe out the fear. Just coming back into my breath. When I get out of my own way and come into the present moment, my skiing gets way better." — Karen Musgrave"The snow is your canvas — paint your picture." — Karen MusgraveThe Patio Place and Ski Haus helps you make the most of outdoor living. Stop by Salem, Woburn, or Framingham, and head to skihaus.com  Check out the gift guide here Opening June 20, Portillo Chile is one of the most iconic ski destinations in the world—gorgeous, uncrowded, and incredibly easy for families since everything's right on-site.Ski Moms listeners get 10% off stays from June 20 to August 1.Email reservations@skiportillo.com and mention SKIMOMS. Celebrate your love of the laid-back ski life. Shop cozy gear made for the mellow skier: 

This week's show was recorded on the patio at 15 Park Bistro, Watermark Beach Resort, Osoyoos. We chat with General Manager David McBean about the Music Series on the Patio and the newly introduced wine list at 15 Park Bistro. Christa-Lee McWatters, Vice President of Adega on 45th Estate Winery in Osoyoos, joins us to extend a special invitation to experience their Portuguese-inspired hospitality, which blends warmth, a culture of sharing, and food traditions with a modern Okanagan wine experience. We taste a 2025 Riesling and a 2022 Malbec-Merlot. Ryan McKibbon, Head Winemaker at Black Hills Estate Winery, also joins us to share the 2022 Black Hills Per Se and the recently released 2025 Rosé. Ryan invites everyone to visit the estate this summer and enjoy their Vineyard Kitchen. Leandro Nosal, Winemaker at Tinhorn Creek Vineyards on the Golden Mile Bench in Oliver, joins us to taste the 2023 Cabernet Franc and 2023 Reserve Chardonnay. Additionally, Leandro previews the upcoming annual Sunset Concert Series. Michael Kullmann, Estate Director and Winemaker at Osoyoos Larose Estate Winery, also joins us to share exciting news about his new winery, vineyard renovations, and a new wine, while we taste the 2022 Osoyoos Le Grand Vin and Petales 2022.

Text us your wine questions, craziest wine experiences, or if you just have a comment for us. . Two wineries, both alike in dignity,In fair Okanagan, where we lay our scene,From ancient ground break to new maturity,Where civil grapes make civil presses unclean.Where are we going with this Shakespearean dibble dabble? Jesse and Luke are joined by special guest Jennifer Tocher with a very unique blind tasting of two wines made from the same Washington vineyard by two different Okanagan wineries. Will the wine making techniques alter the terroir's tale? Will they make us say, "Oh!" or else it be a tale of woe?Welcome to the Sipsters Podcast! Thank you for listening to the Sipster's Podcast. Find us online at sipsters.ca. Support the showPurchase copies of “The Sipsters Pocket Guides” here!Support Sipsters by subscribing!Contact me at sipsterswinepodcast@gmail.com!Read Sipster's ICONS (Because sometimes more IS more.)Find me online at sipsters.ca or lukewhittall.comThanks again for listening!

It's YOUR time to #EdUpPCO In this episode, YOUR guest is Neil Fassina, President of Okanagan College YOUR host is Amrit Ahluwalia⁠⁠.Some key questions we tackle:·      How are Canadian colleges tackling the labour productivity challenge?·      What are some of the barriers that slow Canadian colleges from achieving their critical missions?·      How do programmatic and fiscal strategies need to evolve to meet today's economic realities?Listen in to #EdUp! Thank YOU so much for tuning in. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to EdUp!Connect with YOUR EdUp Team - ⁠⁠⁠⁠Elvin Freytes⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠Dr. Joe Sallustio⁠⁠⁠⁠Join YOUR EdUp community at ⁠⁠⁠⁠The EdUp Experience⁠⁠⁠⁠!We make education YOUR business!

This month is Orcas Island month, and we are kicking it off with someone who is, safe to say, super stoked on swimrun. Julia Dinesen is a multi-discipline endurance athlete from British Columbia who found the sport via an Ötillö Instagram ad, signed up for the World Series distance at Whistler on her first ever attempt, and has been hooked ever since. Before we get to Julia, we share a few tips for getting the most out of your swimrun practice sessions as we head into race season. Have a plan before you show up. Decide what you are testing. And do transition drills — the Boston Wet Sox, the best US team in history, are still doing them deep into long practice sessions, which tells you everything you need to know. Julia found swimrun the way a lot of people do — an Instagram ad showing someone running off a cliff in their running shoes into the water. She saw it, looked up Ötillö Whistler, realized it was an hour and a half from her house, signed up, and loved it. In this conversation she shares what that first race was like, what she learned from it, how the 859-day running streak actually works, what it is like to be a swimrunner in Western Canada where nobody has heard of the sport, what gear changes she is making for Orcas, and what she would tell anyone who is on the fence about signing up. One moment worth flagging for anyone who has ever talked themselves into finishing something: Julia once rode 25 kilometers on a flat tire at a triathlon in the Okanagan, finished an hour after everyone else, and ended up qualifying for age group world championships in Australia on the roll-down. Her take on getting through hard things — it is more embarrassing to quit than to come last, the training is where you get all the benefit, and crossing the finish line is just the proof that you did the thing. FORM Goggles are sponsoring us all month as we build toward Orcas. The new Smart Swim 2 LT is their entry-level goggle — $149 for the heads-up display and full access to their training platform. Send us a DM if you have questions about it. We will see Julia — and a lot of you — at Orcas Island at the end of the month. Enjoy! That's it for this week's show. If you are enjoying the Löw Tide Böyz, be sure to subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast player and leave us a five-star rating and review since that's the best way for people to discover the show and the sport of Swimrun. You can find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and on YouTube. Check out our website for Swimrun resources including gear guides, tips, how-to videos and so much more. Also make sure to check out our meme page @thelowtideboyz on Instagram. If you have any suggestions for the show or questions for us, send us a dm or an email at lowtideboyz@gmail.com. Finally, you can support our efforts on Patreon...if you feel so inclined. Thanks for listening and see you out there! Chip and Chris

In this meeting of The Late Diagnosis Club, Dr Angela Kingdon welcomes Shyloe Fayad, a late-diagnosed Autistic school counsellor and somatic experiencing practitioner based on the stolen land of the Syilx people of the Okanagan in Canada.Shyloe works both within schools and in private practice, supporting neurodivergent people, mixed race communities, and teens and adults navigating depression and anxiety.Together, Angela and Shyloe explore sensitivity, boundaries, and the quiet but radical act of honouring your own needs in a culture that often teaches you not to.

After 37 years running the same grocery store, Peter Boyd is stepping away from the floor — but he's nowhere near done. In this episode of This Commerce Life, Phil and Kenny sit down with one of the most beloved independent grocery operators in the Okanagan to talk about what it actually takes to build a loyal customer base, why kindness isn't the enemy of profit, and what comes next for Peter as he turns his energy toward food banks, local vendors, and community infrastructure. This one hits different. If you've ever wondered what separates the retailers that champion small brands from the ones that don't — this is the conversation.

Join us for a live conversation with Maddison Violet, co owner of Ve Oh Lay Acres Winery and Farm in Canada's Okanagan region. We will explore her journey from barback to opening a multimillion dollar winery, the tasting room experience her team has built, and how their non alcoholic wine line is driving new growth. Maddison will also share the strategies she uses to grow both personally and professionally. This conversation looks beyond the beer bubble to bring a fresh perspective from a different but closely related corner of the beverage world.Maddison Violet is a winemaker and beverage entrepreneur captivated by the intersection of thoughtful craft, hospitality, and innovation. With experience ranging from harvests in New Zealand and Australia to building Ve Oh Lay Acres Winery and Farm in the Okanagan, she has carved a path that blends unforgettable drinks with building dynamic brands people connect with.She has been recognized as a IWSC WSET Future 50 Under 40, Business Elites Top 40 Under 40, Penticton Top 40 Under 40, and Kelowna Women in Business Woman of the Year finalist. Her journey spans from starting as a barback at 21, to opening a multimillion dollar winery by 29, to now pioneering Muse, Canada's most innovative non alcoholic wine brand with a functional beverage spinoff.Join us in person for CBP Connects ChicagoJune 15-17, 2026Come get inspired, leave with actionable strategies: https://cbpconnects.com/

Come along for a conversation with Jason Goossen. Jason and his family currently operate 3 unique stays on their Okanagan property that will delight you. No sound of traffic, a brook, a farm, an orchard, sage fragranced air, and sweeping views will bring down your tension.It truly is a delight that delivers glamping plus!

Dave Vass is a faith-driven entrepreneur and founder of The Healing Oasis, Canada's pioneering cancer wellness retreat in British Columbia's, Okanagan. Dave spent the first part of his career building successful tech companies but after the loss of his father, Dave, and his wife Jennifer, felt called to transform their 40-acre property into a sanctuary offering rest, healing, and holistic support for those dealing with cancer and their families. Dave and his wife also run the Vass Integrated Wellness Society non-profit to support those in need. He views his journey as God's preparation to serve others through compassion and innovation. Learn more at https://thehealingoasis.ca/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/thehealingoasis_canada/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHealingOasisOkanagan To Donate to the Vass Integrated Wellness Society non-profit in Canada use E-transfer to dave@thehealingoasis.ca Outside Canada - mail to check to: Vass Integrated Wellness Society 1876 Creighton Valley Road Lumby, BC V0E2G1 ___________ To learn more about the 10 Radical Remission Healing Factors, connect with a certified RR coach or join a virtual or in-person workshop visit www.radicalremission.com.   Join our mailing list and you'll receive our free eBook, Kickstart Your Healing: 20 Radical Remission Tips, as a special thank you for joining. Subscribe Here   To watch Episode 1 of the Radical Remission Docuseries for free, visit our YouTube channel here.  To purchase the full 10-episode Radical Remission Docuseries visit Hay House Online Learning. To learn more about Radical Remission health coaching with Liz or Karla, Click Here Follow us on Social Media: Facebook  Instagram YouTube ____ Nestled in the pristine, natural beauty of British Columbia, The Healing Oasis stands as Canada's first-of-its-kind cancer wellness retreat, where hope reignites and the body is empowered to heal. Here, our renowned naturopathic cancer expert, Dr. Sean Ceaser, designs a fully personalized protocol of advanced, non-toxic therapies—including high-dose IVs like mistletoe and vitamin C, cutting-edge hyperthermia, PEMF, oxygen therapy, red light, and more. Savor daily organic, cancer-fighting meals, rest deeply in serene cabins, immerse in restorative activities like forest walks and yoga, drink mineral-rich living water, and receive emotional support in a peaceful sanctuary that combines world-class care with profound nature immersion to reduce side effects, boost vitality, and spark radical healing. Your journey to feeling alive again begins today at thehealingoasis.ca. Learn More about The Healing Oasis: Website   Testimonials Video Overview

This is a rerelease of a program I recorded with Sam Hauck in early 2025. What a great person to talk to about the BC wine world. Sam has been all across this province, and knows the people and the properties in detail. He is a contributor to MyVanCity on bottles and uses social media to share his experiences. From Lillooet to Osoyoos and Cawston to Cowichan Sam has a passion that goes back to the 1980s and even brought about a relocation to the heart of the Okanagan to be closer to the vineyards and folk who bring joy to our tables, enhance our enjoyment of life, and lift our pleasure in sharing food.

Vancouver Island is the home to many vineyards. The climate favours varieties like Pinot Gris but there is much experimentation. Tricia and Steve arrived after detailed investigation of potential in the Okanagan, Italy and their home state of California. They have transformed a lavender farm into what is now Cobble Hill Winery. An east and south facing slope in the front is like a big advertisement with new rows of Chenin Blanc. Not far from Cowichan Bay it is a pretty corner of the world. Come along for the listen and find out how delighted they are to be here, growing grapes, and making wine.

Text us your wine questions, craziest wine experiences, or if you just have a comment for us. . This one is a bit controversial in some ways. One of the criticisms I've heard levelled against the industry in the Okanagan is that a lot of us have 'cellar palate'. In my travels across Canada, I have not noticed this topic in conversation as much in Ontario as I have noticed in British Columbia. Essentially, 'cellar palate' happens when a winery employee 'becomes too acclimatized to their own wines or those of their neighbours'. (See Jancis Robinson's article that I mentioned in the podcast here.) Basically, they start to judge wines from other regions or styles based on their own wines. I've met plenty of people who only like BC wine and won't try anything else. I did a podcast a long time ago where everyone was supposed to bring a bottle of their favourite wines and one person brought a wine from the winery where they worked, which was against my one and only rule that we never pumped our own wineries' brands (the ones where we all worked) on the podcast. I've been susceptible to it as well. I totally recall not liking any white wines that I tasted from Washington State in 2010 when I attended the Wine Blogger's Conference in Walla Walla. They all tasted flabby to me - not enough acidity. Of course, even then after only 3 years living in the Okanagan, I was used to the higher acid wines in BC. It took time to appreciate the lower-acid wines from Washington State. So, enjoy this discussion and tasting that features three wines tasted blind. It's a long episode but worth listening all the way through.  Welcome to the Sipsters Podcast! Thank you for listening to the Sipster's Podcast. Find us online at sipsters.ca. Support the showPurchase copies of “The Sipsters Pocket Guides” here! Support Sipsters by subscribing! Contact me at sipsterswinepodcast@gmail.com!Read Sipster's ICONS (Because sometimes more IS more.)Find me online at sipsters.ca or lukewhittall.comThanks again for listening!

Over 7,000 languages are spoken around the world. Each one reflects a rich ecosystem of ideas - seeds that grow into a multitude of worldviews. Today, many of these immeasurably precious knowledge systems are endangered - often spoken by just a handful of people. We hear from two Indigenous language champions, Jeannette Armstrong and Rowen White. They reflect on the words, stories, songs and ideas that influence our very conception of nature, and our place within it. This is an episode of Nature's Genius, a Bioneers podcast series exploring how the sentient symphony of life holds the solutions we need to balance human civilization with living systems. ⁠Visit the series page to learn more.⁠ Featuring Jeannette Armstrong, Ph.D., (Okanagan) is an Indigenous author, teacher, ecologist, and a culture bearer for her Native language. She is also Co-founder of the ⁠En'owkin Centre⁠. Rowen White (Mohawk) is a seed keeper and farmer, and part of the Indigenous Seed Keepers Network. She operates a living seed bank called ⁠Sierra Seeds⁠. Resources ⁠En'owkin Centre⁠ ⁠Indigenous Seed Keepers Network⁠ ⁠Sierra Seeds⁠ ⁠Language Keepers: The Struggle for Indigenous Language Survival in California⁠ ⁠Hand Talk, Native American Sign Language⁠ ⁠Native Seed Rematriation⁠ Credits Executive Producer: Kenny Ausubel Written by: Cathy Edwards and Kenny Ausubel Produced by: Cathy Edwards Senior Producer and Station Relations: Stephanie Welch Associate Producer: Emily Harris Host and Consulting Producer: Neil Harvey Program Engineers: Kaleb Wentzel Fisher and Emily Harris Producer: Teo Grossman Graphic Designer: Megan Howe

Quality is rising, challenges are mounting, and interest in Canadian wine has never been higher. In this episode, host Billy sits down with Okanagan-based Master of Wine Geoff Moss to explore the regions, grapes, and decisions shaping Canadian wine today.Geoff shares how he moved from political science into winemaking, how production experience informs his work in branding and DTC strategy, and why his négociant label Søren Wines serves as a live test case for the advice he gives wineries. We dig into the styles Canada does best, from Syrah and Cabernet Franc to Chardonnay and Riesling, and how recent extreme winter freezes (including 2024) are reshaping what gets planted in BC.We also look at the realities behind bulk wine logistics, export limitations, and the economic pressures facing premium Canadian producers in a soft global market.In this episode, you'll learnHow Geoff Moss MW built a career across production, branding, and direct-to-consumer work.Why the Okanagan is both diverse and climate-challenged, with styles ranging from cool-climate Pinot to warm-climate Syrah.How recent deep freezes devastated BC's vineyards, particularly Syrah, and what growers are replanting now.Why Niagara shines with cool-climate Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, and Riesling.How Søren Wines sources fruit from BC to Eola–Amity Hills and operates as Geoff's “proof-of-concept” brand.Chapters:00:00 Introduction & Meet Geoffrey Moss, MW01:53 Canada's Wine Landscape: Regions, Climate & Industry Insights04:14 Geoffrey's Path Into Wine & the Origins of Søren Wines13:24 Production Realities: Logistics, Sourcing & Winemaking Challenges16:11 Deep Dive into the Okanagan: Style, Diversity & Key Varieties23:09 Evolution of Okanagan Wines: Merlot, Syrah & Climate Impacts30:32 Market Dynamics: BC Exports, Ontario's Cool-Climate Identity35:18 Niagara's Standout Grapes & Signature Styles41:25 The Future of Canadian Wine46:07 Final ThoughtsThe Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email billy@sommeliermedia.com. Cheers!

In this episode of Five Questions, host Billy Galanko sits down with Geoffrey Moss, MW, marketing strategist, DTC specialist, founder of Lithica Wine Marketing, and the mind behind his own wine label, Søren Wine, to explore the ideas shaping today's wine industry.Geoffrey shares how he helps wineries grow direct-to-consumer channels, the climate challenges facing the Okanagan Valley, the surprising magic of Baja California wines, why “organic but not certified” claims drive him crazy, and a recent vineyard hike in the Douro that reshaped his perspective. As both a Master of Wine and a producer himself through Søren Wine, Geoffrey brings an insider's view from both the business and cellar sides of the industry.What You'll LearnHow Geoffrey Moss approaches DTC sales, digital marketing, and wine club strategyThe two biggest issues threatening the wine industry todayWhy the Okanagan and Baja California deserve more global attentionThe problem with “organic” claims, and what he wishes wineries would do insteadWhat mouse taint is (and why he never wants to taste it again)How a hike through Portugal's Douro Valley vineyards reshaped his understanding of the regionA powerful recent wine experience that renewed his optimismEpisode Chapters00:00 – Introduction to Vent Wine Podcast00:19 – Welcome to Five Questions00:44 – Meet Geoffrey Moss00:53 – Geoffrey's Role in the Wine Industry01:28 – Key Issues in the Wine World03:10 – Underrated Wine Regions05:35 – Wine Trends Geoffrey Dislikes09:02 – Memorable Wine Experiences10:49 – Conclusion and FarewellThe Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email billy@sommeliermedia.com. Cheers!

After three years of adjustment, where does Kelowna real estate stand today? Realtor Colin Krieg and Mission Group President Luke Turri sit down with Adam & Matt to provide an assessment of both the resale and presale markets in a city that's shifted from 98% of listings selling at peak to just 10% today. Colin pulls no punches about a market he's never seen before, while Luke reveals Mission Group's bold upcoming one-day sale offering lakefront homes at a 20% discount across the board. The conversations reveal which price points still generate competition and why developers are pivoting from traditional presale models to completed inventory strategies. What does it mean when 70% of buyers are now local versus outside investors? Is Kelowna evolving beyond its boom-bust reputation into a true urban center? And is now the time to be looking for blue chip property deals in the Okanagan? Don't miss these ground-level insights from two of Kelowna's most plugged-in market participants.

In this episode, I discuss with midwife Meghan Mackenzie and family physician with extra training in low risk obstetrics, Katie Armstrong: The term “natural birth”The difference between the terms “vaginal birth” and “natural birth”The problems with labelling cesarean birth or instrumented birth “unnatural”The influence of social media Ways your perinatal provider may be able to support you during your birthWays your pelvic health physiotherapist may support you as you prepare for birth with your goals in mindValuable messages for listeners Meghan MacKenzie is a Registered Midwife with Maternity Care Westside and has been working with women and families in the Okanagan area for the past 10 years.  She is the head of the department of midwifery at Kelowna General Hospital and is a clinical teacher as well.  She loves supporting women and families through their pregnancy and birth journeys and feels very fortunate to have the opportunity to work alongside some amazing colleagues here in Kelowna.Dr. Katie Armstrong is a family physician with additional training in low risk obstetrics. She is originally from Northern Ontario, and completed medical school at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine followed by residency training at the University of Toronto. She has locumed in various provinces and territories throughout the country, and is currently practicing in Calgary, Alberta. In her spare time she enjoys cross-country skiing, cooking and pottery. THANK YOU TO THE EPISODE SPONSORSRC Health: discount code and website: https://srchealth.com/?ref=Sto_l3PawmnH4. Discount Code: THEPELVICFLOORPROJECTIRIS: discount code and website: https://www.lovemyiris.com/ Discount Code: PELVICFLOORPROJECTThanks for joining me! Here is where you can find out how to work with me:  www.pelvicfloorprojectspace.com/mel@pelvicfloorprojectspace.comSupport the show

In this episode of the Produce Moms Podcast, host Lori Taylor welcomes back Sarah Evanega, VP of Business Development at Okanagan Specialty Fruits, to discuss the Arctic Apple, a revolutionary non-browning apple developed through biotechnology.   The conversation covers the science behind the Arctic Apple, its journey from concept to market, and the regulatory processes involved.

Fresh off an incredible two-day retreat in the beautiful Okanagan, Lisa dives deep into the story that keeps so many driven, ambitious people trapped: "I should know this stuff already."If you've been drowning in personal development for years, reading all the books, taking the courses, working with coaches, and you're still stuck in the same patterns, this episode is for you.What You'll Learn:The Truth About "Should Know Better" Lisa breaks down why believing you should already have it figured out is the exact thing keeping you stuck. She shares how this story kept her trapped for years and why it's actually keeping you from the transformation you're craving.The Bus vs. Plane Analogy We don't need coaches. We're all capable of finding our way. But working with a one-to-one coach is the difference between taking a bus across the country versus hopping on a plane. Same destination, completely different timeline.Lisa's Money Story Transformation For years, Lisa thought she had a money problem. The real problem? She was constantly holding her attention on what she didn't have instead of recognizing the abundance that was already there. She shares the specific questions she asked herself that shifted everything.The Four Phases of TransformationAwareness - Discovering what's really holding you back (spoiler: it's not what you think)Acceptance - That hard pill moment when you realize the problem isn't the problemPractice - The part nobody wants to do but everyone needs to doEmbodiment - Where you become aware of your red flags and know how to bring yourself back to center fasterThe Real Cost of Playing SmallLisa challenges you to ask yourself: What is it costing you to get stuck in your stories? How much longer are you going to use "I should know this" as an excuse to not make the investment in yourself that you need to make?She shares her own journey of learning to stop shrinking, to show up as a leader, and how working with coaches for two decades has allowed her to create the life and business she has today.The Dragon Unicorn MomentLisa shares a powerful story about a friend telling her: "You not standing out is like a dragon unicorn standing in the middle of a field, not standing out." This became a turning point in her journey of accepting that she's here to lead.Bottom LineYou have information, but information is nothing without action. Nothing. The most successful, emotionally well people Lisa knows have worked with coaches, not because there's anything wrong with them, but because they value personal growth and want to show up as more powerful leaders in their lives.Take ActionIf this episode resonates with you:Stop telling yourself you should have it figured out by nowConsider what's really holding you back from taking actionAsk yourself: What would be possible if these stories didn't exist?Fill out Lisa's market research form (link in show notes)Book a conversation with Lisa at lisacarpenter.ca/wwmThis Week's Challenge: Really ask yourself what you want and what you need for your own personal transformation. Give yourself permission to want what you want, need what you need, and get out of the story that you should be doing it all by yourself.You can be driven and ambitious and want more in your life, but you don't have to do it at your own personal sacrifice. Make you a priority this week.Want to work with Lisa? She's looking for driven, ambitious humans who are ready to stop playing small and create their extraordinary lives. Visit lisacarpenter.ca/wwm to learn more.

It's Big Daddy Tazz & Kate Belton! From the Okanagan Comedy Festival, Big Daddy Tazz has compiled a helpful list to tell if you're driving too slowly in your motorhome, and Kate Belton shares her diverse sense of fashion!