Podcasts about Vancouver Island

The Horror Short Film Director Roundtable is one of the most important things that we did at the Portland Horror Film Festival. It provided an elevated platform for horror short filmmakers. Oftentimes, this is ground zero for original horror ideas. Unless you are a Hollywood nepo-director, short film creation is where you learn your chops. I wanted to give these creatives an opportunity to share their experiences in making movies, both good and bad, so that we can all learn a little more about the craft. Life as a short filmmaker can be an experience in the shadows. Your films are rarely seen outside of film festivals, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. This is where most creative minds hone their crafts. Take a simple concept and do it well. Do you have something scary or funny to tell? Is there an idea that has been lurking in the back of your brain that you have to give life to? A short film will give you the opportunity to learn production, editing, budgeting, and team management. It also places you in a community of people who are open to sharing their work with one another. That’s where the round table fits in. After our discussion, I told the group that, even though I wanted this discussion to be a forum for them to share their wins and losses with each other, I selfishly set up this talk so I could learn more about horror moviemaking. Nine years in on being a small horror press journalist, and I still feel like I am only scratching the surface about what a director has to do. Just how do you do it? These discussions give me more talking points and access to better questions to ask. The Portland Horror Film Festival is one of the best curated horror film festivals in the country. Not only do Gwen and Brian Callahan select some of the best horror short films for their festivals, but they also provide opportunities for short film alumni to showcase their feature films. One of the questions I asked in our roundtable discussion was, “How many of you are looking to be feature film directors?” All of them raised their hands (with the exception of Patrick Hogan, who has already directed a feature film). For these directors, here is some encouraging data. This year alone had FIVE directors who previously presented short films at either PHFF or the H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival and later had their feature films shown at these festivals. Here are the PHFF Alumni filmmakers who presented a short film and then a feature: Anthony Cousins: Short Films – “The Bloody Ballad of Squirt Reynolds” and “Every Time We Meet for Ice Cream Your Whole Fucking Face Explodes” to Feature Films – Frogman (2023) and Frogman Returns (2026) Jeff Ferrell: Short Film – “Morella” to Feature Film – The Demonatrix (2026) Levi Buchannan: Short Film – “We Said Forever” to Feature Film Sitra Achra (2026) Krsy Fox: Short Film – “What the Spell” to Feature Film – Big Baby (2026) Masaki Nishiyama: Short Film “Smahorror” to Feature Film “The Invisible Half” (2026) Zack Ogle: Short Film “We Got a Monkey’s Paw” to Feature Film – It Needs Eyes (2025) Craig Ouellette: “Str$p” to Feature Film – Straight on Til Morning (2025) Andrew Bowser: Short Film – “Little Willy” to Feature Film – Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Evil (2022) Izzy Lee: “My Monster”, “Dark Signals”, “Rehomed” to Feature Film – House of Ashes (2024) Kenichi Ugana: Short Film – “Visitors” to Feature Film – Love Will Tear Us Apart (2023) Alice Maio Mackay: Short Film – “The Serpent’s Skin” to Feature Film T-Blockers (2023) Matthew John Lawrence: Short Film “Larry Gone Demon” to Feature Film – Uncle Peckerhead (2020) Justin Harding: Short Film “Kookie” to Feature Film – Making Monsters (2019) The PHFF Horror Short Film Director Roundtable Recording: Here is the roundtable discussion. It’s all about the lessons learned. The good, the bad, and the ridiculous. My past experience doing these round tables sometimes put the filmmakers on the spot, and I didn’t want this to be a “stump the directors” exercise. I prepared them with the following questions: Apart from financing, what was the biggest challenge in making your movie? What was the most interesting thing you learned while making this film? How many of you are filmmakers as a second career? What remains a mystery to you as a filmmaker that you think might be answered by one of your peers in this discussion? What piece of advice do you have for your fellow directors? This group really got into the discussion, and had the festival not started up, we could have gone on for quite a while longer. I had a great time, and I believe they did as well. The Horror Short Film Director Roundtable Films: Blindsided Directed by P. Patrick HoganStarring Crystal LoverroPortland Horror Film Festival: Winner of the Devil’s Discord (Best Sound Design) A blind schoolteacher struggles to survive through a nightmarish night when an alien spaceship crashes and unleashes a monstrous predator. This unique horror short film features an all-low-vision cast and places the audience in the POV of a blind protagonist who is only able to hear what happens around her. Director Statements: “Blindsided is a riveting short horror film that takes a unique narrative approach, providing audiences with an immersive glimpse into the harrowing experience of Maria, a blind woman confronting the most terrifying ordeal of her life. The horror remains unseen, both to her and the audience, heightening the suspense and reminding us that sometimes, the most terrifying things are the ones we don’t see coming… This is an innovative short film that ventures into uncharted territory within the horror genre. The narrative unfolds in a tranquil neighborhood, abruptly disrupted by a crashing alien spacecraft and the horrifying monster it unleashes into the night. However, what sets this film apart is the unique perspective from which the story is told – the POV of Maria, a blind schoolteacher living alone. Maria’s desperate struggle to evade the otherworldly predator, guided solely by what she hears, will provide an experience unlike any other horror short. Additionally, to promote diversity and inclusivity, in conjunction with our Disability Authenticity Consultant Vanni Le and Casting Director Danielle Pretsfelder Demchick, all the characters in the film are played by low-vision actors, placing the spotlight on the often-overlooked talent within the low-vision community. We are very proud of Blindsided and look forward to enjoying it in theaters with an audience who doesn’t know what they are about to experience.” Scullion Written and Directed by Trevor GracianoStarring: Whitney Garner as “Samantha”, Cody Parr as “Greg”, and Jim Close as “The Maid” A playful couple test their household chore habits and unknowingly summon a vengeful presence. Director Statements: “We all carry habits inherited from our parents into adulthood. I grew up in a religious household where some of those habits were helpful, but many were not—and they've lingered in ways I don't welcome. Some habits fade with time, while others remain, quietly shaping us in the background. This film explores the struggle to break free from those ingrained patterns, and the imaginative consequences of what happens when they refuse to let go. *It's really just about how to load the communal dishwasher correctly.” Worst Thing You’ve Ever Done Directed by PJ GermainWritten by Autumn Palen and PJ GermainStarring: Brady Gentry, Benjamin Nowak, Bix Krieger, Charlie N. Townsend, Cailyn Rice, Ethan Ahn, Emma Smith Watts, and Erin Rae Kykendall HIGH SCHOOL REALLY SUCKS… and no one knows that better than best friends Aaron and Keith. So when they set out to crash the last graduation party of the summer, emotions fly high, and the culture clash of teenagers finds them playing a simple game that has dire consequences. Director’s Statement: “Before he passed, screenwriter Gil Dennis told me during my time at AFI, “Write what hurts.” That idea has stayed with me; it's the compass I use when choosing the stories I want to tell. When I first read Autumn Palen's original draft of Worst Thing You've Ever Done, it hurt. It transported me back to moments in my own adolescence; memories filled with shame, ridicule, and isolation. But what floored me was its third-act twist. It was something I'd never felt so viscerally in a short script. I knew I had to direct it. What began as a contained character piece evolved into something more personal. I rewrote the script to reflect my own lived experiences, with every character, every event drawn from real moments that left a mark. I wanted to take a character that I felt so intertwined with, and make him someone that the audience would really relate to before reaching the moment where everything changes; the blood-drenched punchline to the twisted joke these high school kids played on each other. I set it during the 90’s, as it was a period of transition for me as an 80’s kid, being on the cusp of the old and new world. I needed the film to be an exploration of adolescent loneliness which dealt with the complexity of the friendships and social hierarchies that often defined who we were at that fragile age. We weren’t quite kids anymore, but we weren’t adults yet either, so how did we approach the consequences of reckless behavior? My team and I knew that casting would make or break the film. To capture that truth, casting was everything. I reviewed over 6,000 submissions, narrowing it down to a callback of who I thought could embody the characters. I needed authenticity, so at that callback, I ditched the script and asked actors, in character, to describe moments like first dates or getting asked to prom. It revealed who leaped from the page and became real. A week before we were to start shooting, my original cinematographer had to back out due to a conflict with the TV series he was currently shooting, and months of planning began to crumble. In the days leading up to whether or not we were going to cancel the project entirely, my long-time collaborator and cinematographer Jeff Billings took on the task. We shot the film over 3 tireless days, and as any director knows, you plan as much as you can; however, the plan eventually goes out the window. So I played a game of pivoting and being malleable myself in order to get what we needed to tell the story. The film is a testament to all the parts working together for a singular goal, and my hope is that when that first music cue drops, the audience is strapped in and ready to ride the roller coaster to that final frame.” https://vimeo.com/1071562836/377ba7d361?fl=pl&fe=cm Cat and Mouse Written and Directed by Brady CatesStarring: Halima Kamara as “Michelle”, Collan Simmons as “Felix, and Ron LaprechtEdited by Luke Oleen Junk, and Hayley Frederick Michelle is caught in a killer’s sadistic and carefully orchestrated game. With danger closing in at every turn, Michelle must outwit and outlast her relentless pursuer. But as the night goes on, unsettling clues reveal that all may not be what it seems. This time, it's the mouse's turn to catch the cat. My Severed Arm Written and Directed by Casey de FremeryStarring: Olivia Rose Prince as “Sidney”, Ryan Romine as “Mason”, and Julia Linger as “Commercial Model”Portland Horror Film Festival: Funny Bone Award for Exceptional Horror Comedy A woman tries to escape a serial killer using DIY videos, but the internet won't stop trying to sell her things first. Director’s Statement: “My Severed Arm is a horror-comedy about a “final girl” who, after fleeing into a cabin in the woods, discovers that her greatest threat isn't the machete-wielding slasher outside—it's the barrage of unskippable ads and paywalls blocking her access to life-saving information. Trapped, bleeding, and desperate to repair the tools around her, she turns to YouTube—but instead of help, she's ambushed by holographic tutorials and polished commercial spokespeople invading the cabin like digital ghosts. The film began with a thought I couldn't shake: what if you had to listen to ads when calling 911? It was a joke at first, but one that felt eerily plausible five minutes into the future. I've learned so many practical things through platforms like YouTube, but over time, that access has been buried beneath monetization schemes, misinformation, and endless self-promotional detours. This story is my response to that frustration—exaggerated into a literal life-or-death scenario. Stylistically, I wanted to evoke the stark, grim energy of Evil Dead or Cabin in the Woods, but undercut it with the absurdity of consumer culture leaking into every moment. That blend of horror and comedy, physical space and digital intrusion, is what drives the tone. At its core, My Severed Arm is about survival—both in the horror-movie and digital sense. It's about what happens when urgency meets algorithm, when access to knowledge is shaped by incentive structures that don't care if you bleed out. The film asks: what good is information if it's hidden behind paywalls, pop-ups, and promo codes? But more than anything, I want the audience to laugh, cringe, and feel that creeping recognition that this isn't the future – it's the now.” Into The Stand Directed by Mackenzie Hamilton and Taylor FuchsWritten by Mackenzie HamiltonStarring: Sarah Rich as “Quinn”, Ariana Raygoza as “Rosa”, and Nick Dietrich Tree planters Quinn and Rosa return to camp for another summer in the wilderness. Rosa is newly sober, and Quinn is quietly anxious about how she'll handle the camp's hard-partying culture. At the welcome-back party, Rosa is tempted to drink, prompting Quinn to intervene. Shaken, Rosa heads into the forest to clear her head, but doesn't come back. When Quinn goes after her, she's met with eerie signs: strange noises, a mangled deer, and an odd light deep in the woods. As the forest closes in, Quinn questions if there is something else out there. Director’s Statement: The woods have always haunted me. Growing up in rural Vancouver Island, I would often cut through forest trails to reach friends’ houses. When it was night, we would meet in the middle of the trail to keep each other safe. Thankfully, we always found each other, but I frequently wondered what if we didn't? What if something else was out there, waiting in the darkness of the woods? Into the Stand is inspired by the many times I scared myself on those trails, letting my imagination run wild. Now that I'm older, my fears are centered around more tangible things, like navigating how to let go of people you love when you can't control what they're going through. This story is deeply informed by themes of sobriety, codependency, and how the urge to help someone can sometimes lead you somewhere dark. Ultimately, Into the Stand is a fun horror made in the community I grew up in with friends who helped bring it to life. My husband and I co-directed this short film, transforming the woods on my parents' farm into a tree-planting camp, and had a blast turning a familiar place into something eerie and cinematic. It's a scary film that is personal and full of heart, and I'm overjoyed to be telling stories in the places that shaped me. –Mackenzie Hamilton and Taylor Fuchs Nurture Written and Directed by Nick SnyderProduced by Sam SnyderStarring: Travis Bilenski as “Ren, and Kailey Rhodes as “Rose”Portland Horror Film Festival: Winner – Goule D’or Best Short On a remote Oregon farm, a couple grieving from a miscarriage finds hope in a mysterious flower. But as it heals her, the flower takes root in him. Nurture is a dialogue-free folk-horror fable about love, grief, and the consequences of taking too much from nature. Director’s Statement: NURTURE marks my return to narrative filmmaking after years of honing my craft in visual effects, motion design, and commercial work. Inspired by the Pacific Northwest and the quiet mythology of its forests, this dialogue-free folk horror short explores grief through the lens of a nature curse. Where grief deepens love and a curse demands sacrifice, NURTURE examines the dangerous hope that something broken can be restored without cost. Other Notable Horror Shorts from the Festival: There were 48 short films shown at the Festival, selected from over 500 submissions. Here are a few notable and favorite films that were also showing at the festival. Famous Directed by Rosita Lama MuvdiWritten by Jordan MonaghanStarring Jordan Monaghan “A young woman desperate for social media fame exploits her father's death to go viral. But the volatile world of internet stardom pushes her to the edge.” Punchy and poignant. Famous taps into the darkest desires of influencers desperate to get likes. Just how far will you go for a few more “likes and subscribes”? Jordan Monaghan chases likes the wrong way in “Famous” (2026) Favela Amarela (Brazil) Written and Directed by Nicolas Lobato and Tiago TuchuStarring Richard Abelha, Giselle Batista, and Sai “A student from the favelas of Rio de Janeiro joins the local drug militia to pay for college and uncovers an NGO linked to powerful politicians that hides dark rituals devoted to the King in Yellow.” I won’t be surprised if this stunning short film also plays at the H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival. It is saturated in Brazilian culture, mixed with a heavy application of Cosmic Horror. Favela Amarela (2026) Wall Udder Written and Directed by Alexandra HaydenStarring Kevin Grady, Sawyer Fuller, and Bries Vannon “A dissatisfied woman confronts repressed feelings of malaise after her partner comes home smelling like milk.” Hysterically gag-inducingly funny! There is a double-punchline gag that brought the house down. Part of the Shorts Gone Wild block at PHFF, where the festival screens the zaniest submitted shorts. This did not disappoint. Ewwww! Who wants some milk? “Wall Udder” (2026) Tooth-Hurty! Directed by Jude MadonnaWritten by Katie SmallStarring Katie Small, Jude Madonna, Brook Hogan, and Tommy HardenPortland Horror Film Festival Winner: Abby Normal Award: For the exceptionally weird and disturbing “Lucy is a people-pleasing writer-photographer whose dream of being an artist remains just out of reach. A comment from her boyfriend about her teeth triggers Lucy to make an appointment for a dental checkup for the first time in years with the mysterious yet heavily advertised Big Smiles Dentistry.” Super clever! There should be more horror movies about trips to the dentist. This made my toes curl and had me in stitches, as well. Say Ahhh! Katie Small in “Tooth-Hurty!” (2026) CHÄIR Directed by Chris McInroyWritten by Chris McInroy and Carlos La RottaStarring Carlos LaRotta, Kim Lowery, and Chloe McInroy “Carl just wanted to sit down. The chair had other plans.” I am always a fan of Chris McInroy. He and Carlos do a crazy short film every year. I am in awe of how these guys make deadpan, silly, and super-gory original content. It won’t be long before they release a greatest-hits compilation, and I will be in line to buy it. This spoof on Ikea furniture assembly is a tribute to all of us who have struggled to assemble the Scandinavian furniture at home. Carlos LaRotta contemplates his struggles putting a chair together in “CHÄIR” (2026) The Bones Exist Directed by Kelsey Bollig and Matthew DuVallWritten by Matthew DuVallStarring: Alex Pena as “Manny”, Siya Maleki as “Diego”, Jack Campbell as “Don Rob”, Michael Manzako as “The Boy”, and Alex Bankler as the Utah Raptor.Portland Horror Film Festival Winner: Tompe L’oiel Award for Best Special Effects In the unforgiving wilderness of 1850s Alta California, a dwindling group of gold prospectors encounters a feral boy who forces the men to confront the horrors lurking in the woods and the sins of their past. This combines two of my favorite genres: Dinosaurs and Westerns. Perhaps not done since The Valley of Gwanji, The Bones Exists shows plenty of raptors hunting cowboys and does so convincingly. Bonus points for showing the most current understanding of raptors as feathered dinos. Munch Munch! “The Bones Exist” (2026) Flush (France) Written and Directed by Raphaël TreinerStarring Eléonore Gurrey as “Marianne” and Christophe Ntakabenura as “Ben” Abominable plumbing and violent deaths. MARIANNE, extremely pregnant, and BEN, a plumber and one-night stand, team up to survive an epic night and face the monsters of a building beset by an unknown evil. I am a sucker for the Trapped in a Bathroom trope, even going so far as to host a Crypticon horror panel on the topic. This film goes to the top (plumbing) shelf. This is Cosmic horror that brings all the icky, goopy, nasty elements you might expect from this theme is on full display. To think that an effective little romance element managed to sneak into the plot, and you have something unusually effective. I love it when the French go weird. Eléonore Gurrey and Christophe Ntakabenura are unlikely allies in “Flush” (2026)

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - There have been a lot more killer whales and Humpback whales in our waters lately. According to a new study from UBC, the inside waters off Vancouver Island are critical habitat for West Coast Transient, or Bigg's killer whales. The return of Humpback whales has been heralded as a success story, and there are now also reports of gray whale sightings. Last week, Cortes Currents interviewed two of the scientists involved in this research. Emma Shaparski from Straitwatch Emma Shaparski is a Quadra Island resident, coordinator for Straitwatch Quadra, and one of the organization's vessel operators. She holds a B.Sc. in Geography, with honours, from the University of Victoria, where she specialized in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to enhance understanding of cetacean habitat use. She was out on one of the boats when I found her, but agreed to an interview the following evening. “Our study area extends all the way down to Powell River and all the way north to Kelsey Bay. This is my sixth season on the water doing research in this area. We have a field season that runs from early June to the end of September, but I work year-round doing all the data analysis, report writing, and that kind of thing.” Taryn Scarff, Lead Author of the UBC Study Taryn Scarff is the lead author of the UBC study currently making headlines in the news. “As part of my Master's Degree at UBC, I looked at the abundance and distribution of transient killer whales in what I call the inside waters of Vancouver Island.”

In this episode, we are joined by Professor Henry Yu from University of British Columbia. We discuss Vancouver's Chinatown as a living archive of anti-Asian racism, and what it reveals about the persistence of racism after the acute pandemic period. We also use Yu's essay “The white elephant in the room” to reflect on why naming white supremacy matters, and what coalition-building—including national forums on anti-Asian racism—can and cannot accomplish. Resources: Henry Yu: https://acam.arts.ubc.ca/henry-yu/ The white elephant in the room: anti-Asian racism in Canada: https://beyond.ubc.ca/henry-yu-white-elephant/ Thinking Orientals: Migration, Contact, and Exoticism in Modern America: https://academic.oup.com/book/47996 Chinese Canadian Historical Society of British Columbia: http://www.cchsbc.ca/ Chinatown Reimagined: https://www.chinatownreimagined.ca/ Bio: Professor Henry Yu was born in Vancouver, B.C., and grew up in Vancouver and on Vancouver Island. He received his BA in Honours History from UBC and an MA and PhD in History from Princeton University. After teaching at UCLA for a decade, Yu returned to UBC as an Associate Professor of History to help build programs focused on trans-Pacific Canada. Yu himself is both a second and fourth generation Canadian. His parents were first generation immigrants from China, joining a grandfather who had spent almost his entire life in Canada. His great-grandfather was also an early Chinese pioneer in British Columbia, part of a larger networks of migrants who left Zhongshan county in Guangdong province in South China and settled around the Pacific in places such as Australia, New Zealand, Hawai'i, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, the United States, and Canada. Prof. Yu's book, Thinking Orientals: Migration, Contact, and Exoticism in Modern America (Oxford University Press, 2001) won the Norris and Carol Hundley Prize as the Most Distinguished Book of 2001, and he is currently working on a book entitled How Tiger Woods Lost His Stripes: Finding Ourselves in History. Currently, he is the Director of the Initiative for Student Teaching and Research on Chinese Canadians (INSTRCC) and the Principal of St. John's College at UBC, as well as a Board Member of the Chinese Canadian Historical Society of British Columbia (CCHSBC).

Loss of sight (or diminishment) can be terrible; taste and smell can also decline. But the incremental decline in hearing often goes unnoticed, until something triggers action.Join me in conversation with 3 subject matter experts as we discuss how easy it is to improve your quality of life with hearing aids. This program takes place on Vancouver Island, but clinics exist across this country and around the world. The message is very transferable; the call to action is as simple as a phone call to set up an appointment with an audiologist for an assessment.

Sarah Rzemieniak is a Carolyn Costin Institute Certified eating disorder recovery coach. Since 2018, she has provided one-on-one recovery coaching to individuals worldwide, working alongside her small team of other CCI-certified coaches in private practice. Before this, Sarah worked as an eating disorder dietitian until she realized that her true passion was in the coaching and counselling aspect of the work.Sarah has her own lived experience of an eating disorder and considers herself fully recovered from anorexia nervosa. She lives on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada with her husband and their two young sons.My main website: https://sarahrzemieniak.com/My bi-weekly blog: https://sarahrzemieniak.com/blog/My free recovery practices, to help ritualize the recovery journey in an inspiring way:  https://sarahrzemieniak.com/free-eating-disorder-resources/Recorded at ROC Vox Recording & Production Studios, Rochester, NY  rocvox.com

Join Jane and Andrew on today's Greater Victoria Real Estate Show as we talk through the current spring market, buyer and seller psychology, rising inventory, price reductions, and whether this may be a good time to buy.With more listings coming to market and buyers having more choice, the conversation is shifting. Sellers are having to be more strategic with pricing, presentation, and expectations, while buyers are weighing opportunity, affordability, interest rates, and timing.We tried to keep this one short… but as always, there was a lot to unpack.In this episode, we discuss:– What rising inventory means for buyers and sellers– Why we are seeing more price reductions– How seller mindset is changing this spring– Whether buyers should act now or wait– How to make smart decisions in a more balanced market– What we are seeing on the ground in Greater Victoria real estateWhether you are buying, selling, investing, or simply watching the Victoria BC housing market, this episode gives you a clear, practical look at what is happening right now. Greater Victoria real estate market, Victoria BC housing market, spring real estate market, Victoria BC homes for sale, price reductions, real estate inventory, buying a home in Victoria BC, selling a home in Victoria BC, Vancouver Island real estate.

Steve Smith is an award winning recording engineer, scoring engineer and mixer. Today, Steve serves as Creative Director of Creatio, Northwest University's Center for Technology, Media, and Design, where he has spent more than fifteen years preparing the next generation of creators, storytellers, and industry leaders. He also leads the C.A.S.E. (Communications, Arts, Sciences, and Entrepreneurship) program at Shawnigan Lake School on Vancouver Island, helping students develop innovative, interdisciplinary skills for a rapidly changing world.He is talented ,brilliant and funny.He's also my older brother, without whom I would not have had a career. Steve got me started as a studio manager at Take One Recording and has always been there to support me over the years.I hope you enjoy hearing about his incredible career that spans 5 decades.

Yegg are a Nanaimo-based death metal band that has quickly emerged as one of the most vital and aggressive metal acts from the burgeoning Vancouver Island scene, making the finals of the Wacken Metal Battle contest and making their first appearance at the Armstrong Metal Festival in 2025. Listen in as vocalist Kephren Jorgensen and guitarist Kyden McCormick talk frogs, the story of Carl Panzram, and recording their debut LP Rotten with storied Vancouver producer Matt Roach.Once More With Feeling is a new series made by James Olson, producer Felix Fung of Little Red Sounds, and a talented videography team. Available now, only on YouTube with new episodes every other week.Keep up with the show on Facebook and Instagram.Credits: Hosted and produced by James Olson. Edited and mixed by Will Chernoff. Powered by Chernoff Music.

What if the biggest thing holding your business back isn't effort, strategy, or talent, but a lack of clarity?In this energizing episode of the Sacred Changemakers Podcast, I'm joined by Isabelle Mercier-Turcotte and Margarita Romano, Co-CEOs of LeapZone Strategies and founders of Trailblazers Retreat Center. Together, they are no-nonsense business growth catalysts known for helping entrepreneurs, leaders, and teams build brands, businesses, and lives by design, not by default. With more than 25 years of hands-on experience in brand positioning, marketing, leadership, and business growth, Isabelle and Margarita have worked with over 500 companies, including A&W, Robeez Footwear, TEDx, Earls Restaurants, IMAX, TD, and HSBC. Their work helps businesses become The First, The Best, or The Only, so their value becomes unmistakable and they can be chosen with confidence, regardless of price.This conversation brings together two powerful streams of wisdom. Isabelle brings the sharp, strategic lens of brand clarity, positioning, leadership, and business architecture, while Margarita brings a deeply embodied understanding of human behavior, energy, resonance, and the wisdom of horses. At Trailblazers, their retreat center on Vancouver Island, their equine partners help leaders and teams see what's really happening beneath the surface, because horses don't respond to performance, titles, or polished words. They respond to what's real.Together, we explore why so many businesses are missing clarity and how that affects everything from leadership and culture to sales, team alignment, execution, and growth. We talk about the difference between branding, positioning, and marketing, why so many purpose-led people over-function, and how leaders can stop carrying everything themselves and begin building with more courage, structure, and intention. This is a practical, honest, and deeply human conversation for coaches, founders, changemakers, and leaders who want to build meaningful work without losing themselves in hustle, chaos, or performance.Key TakeawaysWhy clarity is one of the greatest competitive advantages in business today.The difference between branding, positioning, and marketing, and why mixing them up creates confusion.How to become The First, The Best, or The Only in a way that feels true rather than forced.How horses reveal incongruence, energy, and leadership patterns that are often hidden in boardrooms.How to build a business and life by design, not by default.Learn More About Today's GuestLeapzone Strategies website ****→ www.leapzonestrategies.comMargarita's bestselling book: How To Love Without Limits →https://leapzone.lpages.co/book/Ebook: The First. Best. Only. Advantage eBook → ****https://leapzone.lpages.co/first-best-only-advantage-optin/Isabelle on LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/leapzoneleader/Margarita on LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/margarita-romano-a40445209/About the HostJayne Warrilow is the founder of Sacred Changemakers, a global community and learning space exploring the intersection of human resonance, regenerative change, and conscious leadership.Learn more at sacredchangemakers.com

Join us for a mesmerizing deep dive into the spiritual realms of the Pacific Northwest in this unforgettable episode! We sit down with Thomas (Tom) Sewid, the renowned Kwakwaka'wakw/Cree knowledge keeper, Native Watchman, Sasquatch investigator, and founder of the popular Sasquatch Island community. From his home on Vancouver Island and the rugged Broughton Archipelago, Tom brings decades of firsthand cultural insight, traditional storytelling, and personal encounters that bridge the seen and unseen worlds.In this powerful conversation, Tom illuminates the profound Native American significance of killer whales (orcas)—known in Kwakwaka'wakw tradition as Max'inux—as more than majestic ocean predators. He reveals how these beings are revered as leaders, guardians, and the transformed spirits of ancestors who have passed on, carrying their wisdom and protective presence into the undersea realm.Listen as Thomas shares his awe-inspiring personal experiences swimming with these incredible creatures, the deep connections he's forged in the wild, and the spiritual bonds that link Native culture to the ocean's most intelligent residents. From ancient legends to living traditions, discover how orcas embody family, harmony, protection, and the eternal cycle of life—watchers and guides who continue to look after their people from beneath the waves.Whether you're drawn to Indigenous knowledge, marine mysteries, or soul-stirring stories of interconnection, this episode will leave you with a renewed sense of wonder and respect for the natural and spiritual worlds we share. Thomas Sewid's storytelling is raw, heartfelt, and transformative—you won't want to miss it!Gear up and get freaky with official Let's Get Freaky merchandise! Our spooky-cool collection features hoodies, t-shirts, mugs, stickers, and more—perfect for showing your love of the paranormal while staying comfy and stylish. Dive into the full range now: https://tee.pub/lic/wX4lEJj3DMIGot a mind-blowing paranormal encounter, cryptid sighting, UFO experience, or any high-strangeness story that still gives you chills? We want to hear it—and we want YOU on the show! Become a guest on Let's Get Freaky and share your true story with our growing freaky community. Drop us a line at: letsgetfreakypodcast@mail.com Or slide into our DMs on socials: Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, or YouTube → @tcletsgetfreakypodcast.

The BC Conservatives finally have their new leader, so our political panel discusses what they expect from Kerry-Lynne Findlay. They also talk about what MLAs will be up to this summer (hint: it likely involves BBQs), and just how much money the World Cup will end up costing the province. Our political panel is former NDP cabinet minister Elizabeth Cull, former Green Party MLA and a member of the Tsartlip Nation Adam Olsen and former BC Liberal Deputy Director of Communications and Senior Consultant at Earnscliffe Andrew Reeve.Note: the political panel will be on hiatus for the summer, but will return in September (or earlier if there are big political stories to discuss). This is Vancouver Island will still be here on Thursdays.

Watch it on YouTube. What do you get when you mix 3,200 Burners, a lush Canadian forest, and a summer fire ban? Oh, and an event theme that is literally just the word... MOIST. Wander through the woods of Otherworld, one of British Columbia's rapidly growing Regional Burns. Coordinators of creative chaos Jax and Zephyr share what it takes to conjure Burning Man culture in the Pacific Northwest How to acculturate festival consumers with sacred and profane initiations How to land an epic effigy show using theatrics when under a summer burn ban How to have Black Rock City closer to home If you're headed to the playa, or wrangling a Regional, or just here for the fuckery of a good inside-joke, this is how to do culture differently, and have fun along the way. Watch it on YouTube. https://otherworld.ca https://burningman.org/global-events-groups https://burningman.org/burning-man-regional-network     LIVE.BURNINGMAN.ORG

Filmmaking is a time machine and we're going back to the late 1990s to quietly observe Sasha's family move into a small Vancouver Island community and try to deal with their son Jeremy's ever increasing social disconnection. The subtle sleight of hand in Sophy Romvari's Blue Heron sneaks up on Matt and Shahir in one of the most praised films of the year. If you're enjoying the show, consider buying us a coffee, sending us an email or hitting us up on Letterboxd, Twitter(X), BlueSky or Instagram!You can catch our episodes early and ad free over on Nebula! Sign up with the link below. It really helps out the pod so we thank you in advance!https://go.nebula.tv/theonlypodcastaboutmoviesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Avants Podcast, Dan and Nick cover everything from road trip chaos to the dismal launch of the Ferrari Leaf, we mean Luce.  Nick shares a quick getaway to Vancouver Island that turns into a four-hour border detention saga (yes, really), while Dan recaps time spent as a temporary food delivery person during a hospital stay and discovering one of the best burgers he's ever had in Seattle. From there, the conversation shifts back to cars. They break down real-world lessons from off-road and motorcycle ownership—including why something as simple as using Loctite can save you from catastrophic failures. Need help deciding on which threadlocker to use? Bookmark this page! https://www.permatex.com/threadlockers/  The episode also dives into the latest automotive news, including new EV trends, upcoming trucks, and a brutally honest reaction to Ferrari's controversial new bomb. Plus, shout-outs to the Avants community, highlights from recent car events, and a discussion around where the industry is headed—both the good and the questionable. The Avants Podcast is brought to you by our friends at STEK USA and Carter Seattle! Not an Avants member? https://www.avants.com/member-plans Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text any time at 425-298-7873! We're doing give aways! Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and we'll pick a random name every 25th review!

Pilot to Pilot Magazine — Volume 002 is out now. Get yours at pilottopilothq.com/magSponsors — please support the people who support the show: • Avemco Insurance — Save 5% as a Pilot to Pilot listener. Call (888) 635-4297 or visit avemco.com/4297-owner (owners) or avemco.com/4297-non-owner (non-owners) • Textron Aviation — Built for lifelong aviators. Plan your next chapter at txtav.com/stepup • Garmin — Plan, file, fly, log with the Garmin Pilot app • Allworth Airline Advisors — Register for their latest webinar at allworthfinancial.com/justin • Learn the Finer Points — Save 10% off your first year at learnthefinerpoints.com/justin. https://allworthfinancial.com/airlines/lp/runway-for-retirement-webinar?utm_campaign=airlines+-+more+runway+for+retirement?lmls=Partner+Channel&lmld=Pilot+to+Pilot&ad_version=SocialCanadian pilot Mike Andrews has never taken the direct route — and that's exactly what makes his story worth hearing. Growing up in Southern Ontario, Mike got his start through Canada's Air Cadet program, earning a glider license at 16 and a private pilot license at 17 before nearly going the Canadian Armed Forces fighter pilot route. A heart murmur medical delay, a backpacking trip to New Zealand, and a hard reset later, he found himself building a flight school from scratch on Vancouver Island with one airplane and a jacket that said "ask me about flying."Now based on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Mike is one of Canada's leading instructors on the Pipistrel Velis Electro — the country's first electric aircraft approved for primary flight training — and he's about to embark on a brand new chapter as a bird dog pilot doing aerial wildfire fighting in BC's rugged mountain terrain.In this episode, Justin and Mike dig into the Canadian pilot training system, what it's actually like to fly and teach in an electric airplane, the unique aviation culture of the Pacific Northwest coast, and what draws a variety-hungry pilot to a career where low-level mountain flying meets public service. Plus — Mike shares what it was like to nearly make it into Canadian fighter pilot selection before a three-day paperwork deadline changed everything.Topics Covered:Canada's Air Cadet program and glider scholarshipsCanadian vs. American pilot training and instructor rating systemsFlying the Pipistrel Velis Electro — Canada's first electric flight trainerElectric aviation: where it works today and where it's headedAerial wildfire fighting and the bird dog roleBuilding a sub-base flight school on Vancouver Island from the ground upThe TBM 960's "Home Safe" emergency automation featuresWhy variety — not the airlines — has driven Mike's entire career

Discover why Canada ranks among the world's best destinations for solo adventurers seeking wilderness experiences. From Banff's iconic Rockies to Vancouver Island's remote beaches, learn how small-group tours transform solo travel into unforgettable connections and outdoor discovery. More info at http://UltimateEpicAdventures.com Fresh Adventures City: Central Kootenay E Address: 4539 Clayton Rd Website: https://freshadventures.com

Gabriola Island Travel Guide: British Columbia's Peaceful Gulf Island Escape + Camping, Cafes & BeachesIn this immersive episode of the Winging It Travel Podcast, I head over to beautiful Gabriola Island in British Columbia for a peaceful weekend of camping, beaches, coffee shops, sunsets, ferries, and slow island living. Located just off the coast of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, Gabriola is one of BC's hidden gems and the perfect nature escape from Vancouver.Gabriola Island is a scenic, tranquil Gulf Island in British Columbia, Canada, located just a 25-minute ferry ride from Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. Known as the "Isle of the Arts," the island is celebrated for its lush forests, rugged coastline, and vibrant community of working artists.This episode is a mix of travel guide, solo storytelling, and immersive soundscape audio as I share exactly how to get to Gabriola Island, ferry costs, campsite information, what to do on the island, where to eat and drink coffee, and why this laid-back Gulf Island completely won me over.From camping at Descanso Bay Regional Park and relaxing at Sandwell Provincial Park to visiting local cafes like Mad Rona's and Ground Up Cafe, this trip was packed with wholesome moments, nature, and plenty of ocean views. I also share practical travel tips, ferry advice from Horseshoe Bay and Nanaimo, and honest thoughts on whether Gabriola Island is worth visiting.If you're planning a weekend getaway in British Columbia, looking for Gulf Islands travel inspiration, or simply want an immersive travel podcast experience, this episode is for you.Support Winging It Travel PodcastIf you enjoyed this episode:⭐ Leave a 5-star rating or review on your podcast app☕ Support the show at buymeacoffee.com/wingingit

In this NBN episode, host Hollay Ghadery speaks with Mischa Oak about his book, Rainbow Wisdom: 18 LGBTQ Life Lessons for Everyone (Page Two Book Inc. 2026) Joyful life lessons from the LGBTQ+ community to help you move through the world with more harmony, authenticity, and possibility. Rainbow Wisdom is a companion for anyone who wants to live more fully. The LGBTQ+ experience can inspire us all. Regardless of sexuality or gender, every person is unique and unusual in some way. Drawing on firsthand research, global thought leaders, and personal reflections, renowned educator Mischa Oak presents 18 uplifting lessons from the LGBTQ+ community that will make anyone feel good. You will learn how to: - Live authentically by asking Why Fit in a Box When You Can Break It Down?- Raise the Bar by leaving behind exhausting debates and embracing conversations rooted in values and hope.- Challenge Queer Fear by confronting misinformation and dismantling “flawgic” (aka flawed logic) with clarity.- Celebrate your own difference with Congratulations! You're You!, a lesson that helps you embrace and affirm your identity—whatever it may be—and walk proudly in your truth. These and other lessons show you how to approach the world with more passion, flair, innovation, and liberty to be yourself, while you shift humanity forward. Whether you're seeking deeper understanding, stronger allyship, or ways to live more freely, Oak invites you into a space of connection, where everyone can draw on LGBTQ+ experiences to live with more joy and make the world a better place. With a rich glossary of LGBTQ+ terms and practical tools for building more welcoming conversations, spaces, and communities, this book will lift you up, push you forward, and remind you that different is powerful. Rainbow Wisdom is also your allyship guide—helping you grow into a more confident and informed ally, and supporting Queer people and their loved ones to feel valued. This is what LGBTQ+ life lessons are all about: seeing yourself and the world in new ways, to be the best version of yourself possible. About the author: Mischa Oak founded LGBTQ Inclusion Training to improve the lives of 2SLGBTQ+ people and support meaningful diversity and inclusion within organizations. With over twenty years of experience as an educator and 2SLGBTQ+ advocate, Oak holds a Master of Education in Social Justice Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning. He gained international recognition as part of the first wave of legal same-sex marriages in the world, featured on the reality TV series My Fabulous Gay Wedding. His involvement in the Queer Liberation movement propelled his lifelong advocacy, including expanding transgender and Queer inclusion in Canadian schools during his seventeen-year teaching career. Today, Oak delivers transformative talks worldwide, guiding teams, communities, educators, care and service providers, and governments toward meaningful 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion. Oak is a Loran Scholar and an alumnus of Queen's University, the University of Toronto, and Memorial University. He lives in Vancouver Island, Canada. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

In this NBN episode, host Hollay Ghadery speaks with Mischa Oak about his book, Rainbow Wisdom: 18 LGBTQ Life Lessons for Everyone (Page Two Book Inc. 2026) Joyful life lessons from the LGBTQ+ community to help you move through the world with more harmony, authenticity, and possibility. Rainbow Wisdom is a companion for anyone who wants to live more fully. The LGBTQ+ experience can inspire us all. Regardless of sexuality or gender, every person is unique and unusual in some way. Drawing on firsthand research, global thought leaders, and personal reflections, renowned educator Mischa Oak presents 18 uplifting lessons from the LGBTQ+ community that will make anyone feel good. You will learn how to: - Live authentically by asking Why Fit in a Box When You Can Break It Down?- Raise the Bar by leaving behind exhausting debates and embracing conversations rooted in values and hope.- Challenge Queer Fear by confronting misinformation and dismantling “flawgic” (aka flawed logic) with clarity.- Celebrate your own difference with Congratulations! You're You!, a lesson that helps you embrace and affirm your identity—whatever it may be—and walk proudly in your truth. These and other lessons show you how to approach the world with more passion, flair, innovation, and liberty to be yourself, while you shift humanity forward. Whether you're seeking deeper understanding, stronger allyship, or ways to live more freely, Oak invites you into a space of connection, where everyone can draw on LGBTQ+ experiences to live with more joy and make the world a better place. With a rich glossary of LGBTQ+ terms and practical tools for building more welcoming conversations, spaces, and communities, this book will lift you up, push you forward, and remind you that different is powerful. Rainbow Wisdom is also your allyship guide—helping you grow into a more confident and informed ally, and supporting Queer people and their loved ones to feel valued. This is what LGBTQ+ life lessons are all about: seeing yourself and the world in new ways, to be the best version of yourself possible. About the author: Mischa Oak founded LGBTQ Inclusion Training to improve the lives of 2SLGBTQ+ people and support meaningful diversity and inclusion within organizations. With over twenty years of experience as an educator and 2SLGBTQ+ advocate, Oak holds a Master of Education in Social Justice Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning. He gained international recognition as part of the first wave of legal same-sex marriages in the world, featured on the reality TV series My Fabulous Gay Wedding. His involvement in the Queer Liberation movement propelled his lifelong advocacy, including expanding transgender and Queer inclusion in Canadian schools during his seventeen-year teaching career. Today, Oak delivers transformative talks worldwide, guiding teams, communities, educators, care and service providers, and governments toward meaningful 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion. Oak is a Loran Scholar and an alumnus of Queen's University, the University of Toronto, and Memorial University. He lives in Vancouver Island, Canada. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/lgbtq-studies

In this NBN episode, host Hollay Ghadery speaks with Mischa Oak about his book, Rainbow Wisdom: 18 LGBTQ Life Lessons for Everyone (Page Two Book Inc. 2026) Joyful life lessons from the LGBTQ+ community to help you move through the world with more harmony, authenticity, and possibility. Rainbow Wisdom is a companion for anyone who wants to live more fully. The LGBTQ+ experience can inspire us all. Regardless of sexuality or gender, every person is unique and unusual in some way. Drawing on firsthand research, global thought leaders, and personal reflections, renowned educator Mischa Oak presents 18 uplifting lessons from the LGBTQ+ community that will make anyone feel good. You will learn how to: - Live authentically by asking Why Fit in a Box When You Can Break It Down?- Raise the Bar by leaving behind exhausting debates and embracing conversations rooted in values and hope.- Challenge Queer Fear by confronting misinformation and dismantling “flawgic” (aka flawed logic) with clarity.- Celebrate your own difference with Congratulations! You're You!, a lesson that helps you embrace and affirm your identity—whatever it may be—and walk proudly in your truth. These and other lessons show you how to approach the world with more passion, flair, innovation, and liberty to be yourself, while you shift humanity forward. Whether you're seeking deeper understanding, stronger allyship, or ways to live more freely, Oak invites you into a space of connection, where everyone can draw on LGBTQ+ experiences to live with more joy and make the world a better place. With a rich glossary of LGBTQ+ terms and practical tools for building more welcoming conversations, spaces, and communities, this book will lift you up, push you forward, and remind you that different is powerful. Rainbow Wisdom is also your allyship guide—helping you grow into a more confident and informed ally, and supporting Queer people and their loved ones to feel valued. This is what LGBTQ+ life lessons are all about: seeing yourself and the world in new ways, to be the best version of yourself possible. About the author: Mischa Oak founded LGBTQ Inclusion Training to improve the lives of 2SLGBTQ+ people and support meaningful diversity and inclusion within organizations. With over twenty years of experience as an educator and 2SLGBTQ+ advocate, Oak holds a Master of Education in Social Justice Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning. He gained international recognition as part of the first wave of legal same-sex marriages in the world, featured on the reality TV series My Fabulous Gay Wedding. His involvement in the Queer Liberation movement propelled his lifelong advocacy, including expanding transgender and Queer inclusion in Canadian schools during his seventeen-year teaching career. Today, Oak delivers transformative talks worldwide, guiding teams, communities, educators, care and service providers, and governments toward meaningful 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion. Oak is a Loran Scholar and an alumnus of Queen's University, the University of Toronto, and Memorial University. He lives in Vancouver Island, Canada. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/communications

In this NBN episode, host Hollay Ghadery speaks with Mischa Oak about his book, Rainbow Wisdom: 18 LGBTQ Life Lessons for Everyone (Page Two Book Inc. 2026) Joyful life lessons from the LGBTQ+ community to help you move through the world with more harmony, authenticity, and possibility. Rainbow Wisdom is a companion for anyone who wants to live more fully. The LGBTQ+ experience can inspire us all. Regardless of sexuality or gender, every person is unique and unusual in some way. Drawing on firsthand research, global thought leaders, and personal reflections, renowned educator Mischa Oak presents 18 uplifting lessons from the LGBTQ+ community that will make anyone feel good. You will learn how to: - Live authentically by asking Why Fit in a Box When You Can Break It Down?- Raise the Bar by leaving behind exhausting debates and embracing conversations rooted in values and hope.- Challenge Queer Fear by confronting misinformation and dismantling “flawgic” (aka flawed logic) with clarity.- Celebrate your own difference with Congratulations! You're You!, a lesson that helps you embrace and affirm your identity—whatever it may be—and walk proudly in your truth. These and other lessons show you how to approach the world with more passion, flair, innovation, and liberty to be yourself, while you shift humanity forward. Whether you're seeking deeper understanding, stronger allyship, or ways to live more freely, Oak invites you into a space of connection, where everyone can draw on LGBTQ+ experiences to live with more joy and make the world a better place. With a rich glossary of LGBTQ+ terms and practical tools for building more welcoming conversations, spaces, and communities, this book will lift you up, push you forward, and remind you that different is powerful. Rainbow Wisdom is also your allyship guide—helping you grow into a more confident and informed ally, and supporting Queer people and their loved ones to feel valued. This is what LGBTQ+ life lessons are all about: seeing yourself and the world in new ways, to be the best version of yourself possible. About the author: Mischa Oak founded LGBTQ Inclusion Training to improve the lives of 2SLGBTQ+ people and support meaningful diversity and inclusion within organizations. With over twenty years of experience as an educator and 2SLGBTQ+ advocate, Oak holds a Master of Education in Social Justice Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning. He gained international recognition as part of the first wave of legal same-sex marriages in the world, featured on the reality TV series My Fabulous Gay Wedding. His involvement in the Queer Liberation movement propelled his lifelong advocacy, including expanding transgender and Queer inclusion in Canadian schools during his seventeen-year teaching career. Today, Oak delivers transformative talks worldwide, guiding teams, communities, educators, care and service providers, and governments toward meaningful 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion. Oak is a Loran Scholar and an alumnus of Queen's University, the University of Toronto, and Memorial University. He lives in Vancouver Island, Canada. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/spiritual-practice-and-mindfulness

In this NBN episode, host Hollay Ghadery speaks with Mischa Oak about his book, Rainbow Wisdom: 18 LGBTQ Life Lessons for Everyone (Page Two Book Inc. 2026) Joyful life lessons from the LGBTQ+ community to help you move through the world with more harmony, authenticity, and possibility. Rainbow Wisdom is a companion for anyone who wants to live more fully. The LGBTQ+ experience can inspire us all. Regardless of sexuality or gender, every person is unique and unusual in some way. Drawing on firsthand research, global thought leaders, and personal reflections, renowned educator Mischa Oak presents 18 uplifting lessons from the LGBTQ+ community that will make anyone feel good. You will learn how to: - Live authentically by asking Why Fit in a Box When You Can Break It Down?- Raise the Bar by leaving behind exhausting debates and embracing conversations rooted in values and hope.- Challenge Queer Fear by confronting misinformation and dismantling “flawgic” (aka flawed logic) with clarity.- Celebrate your own difference with Congratulations! You're You!, a lesson that helps you embrace and affirm your identity—whatever it may be—and walk proudly in your truth. These and other lessons show you how to approach the world with more passion, flair, innovation, and liberty to be yourself, while you shift humanity forward. Whether you're seeking deeper understanding, stronger allyship, or ways to live more freely, Oak invites you into a space of connection, where everyone can draw on LGBTQ+ experiences to live with more joy and make the world a better place. With a rich glossary of LGBTQ+ terms and practical tools for building more welcoming conversations, spaces, and communities, this book will lift you up, push you forward, and remind you that different is powerful. Rainbow Wisdom is also your allyship guide—helping you grow into a more confident and informed ally, and supporting Queer people and their loved ones to feel valued. This is what LGBTQ+ life lessons are all about: seeing yourself and the world in new ways, to be the best version of yourself possible. About the author: Mischa Oak founded LGBTQ Inclusion Training to improve the lives of 2SLGBTQ+ people and support meaningful diversity and inclusion within organizations. With over twenty years of experience as an educator and 2SLGBTQ+ advocate, Oak holds a Master of Education in Social Justice Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning. He gained international recognition as part of the first wave of legal same-sex marriages in the world, featured on the reality TV series My Fabulous Gay Wedding. His involvement in the Queer Liberation movement propelled his lifelong advocacy, including expanding transgender and Queer inclusion in Canadian schools during his seventeen-year teaching career. Today, Oak delivers transformative talks worldwide, guiding teams, communities, educators, care and service providers, and governments toward meaningful 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion. Oak is a Loran Scholar and an alumnus of Queen's University, the University of Toronto, and Memorial University. He lives in Vancouver Island, Canada. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/popular-culture

Episode 270 of The Edible Valley Podcast takes listeners to the Alberni Valley to explore the energy surrounding Roger Street Bistro and the culinary program led by Chef Jonathan Frazier and NIC. This episode highlights how students are gaining valuable hands-on experience by preparing and serving meals to the public while learning the pace and expectations of a working restaurant. From kitchen preparation to customer service, the conversation focuses on student growth, teamwork, and the opportunities being created for future chefs in Port Alberni. The episode also catches up with co-host William Stringer, who shares exciting personal and real estate news while reflecting on the growth and lifestyle found across Vancouver Island communities. Whether discussing the Alberni Valley, Comox Valley, Cowichan Valley, or beyond, William shares what continues to draw people to these regions and why so many are choosing to live, work, and build a future on the Island. Episode 270 brings together food, education, community, and opportunity while highlighting the people and stories helping shape Vancouver Island one meal and one conversation at a time.   Vancouver Island Culinary Education Vancouver Island offers a variety of culinary education opportunities for students interested in skilled trades and hospitality careers. From high school culinary programs and Dual Credit opportunities to apprenticeship training and post-secondary education, students can gain hands-on experience while working toward Professional Cook certification and Red Seal designation. Other Culinary Programs on Vancouver Island North Island College — Campbell River and Port Alberni Phone: 250-334-5000 Website: North Island College Culinary Programs Dual Credit Information: NIC Dual Credit Programs Vancouver Island University — Nanaimo and Cowichan Valley Main Phone: 250-753-3245 Culinary Program Information: 250-740-6227 Website: VIU Culinary Arts Programs Dual Credit Information: VIU Dual Credit Programs Camosun College — Victoria, including the E-pprentice Cook Program Phone: 250-370-3000 Website: Camosun Culinary Arts Foundation Dual Credit partnerships are available through participating Vancouver Island school districts. High School & Dual Credit Opportunities Many Vancouver Island school districts partner with colleges and universities to offer Dual Credit culinary and trades programs. These programs allow high school students to earn both high school graduation credits and post-secondary credits at the same time, often with tuition support from the school district. Opportunities may include culinary arts, Professional Cook training, baking, and other skilled trades pathways. Students interested in culinary careers are encouraged to speak with their high school Career Centre, careers teacher, or counsellor to explore apprenticeship pathways, ACE IT / Dual Credit opportunities, and community-based culinary education programs available in their region.

Adam and Josh review Sophy Romvari’s debut feature Blue Heron, a semi-autobiographical "memory piece" that follows a Hungarian immigrant family on Vancouver Island in the late 1990s. They discuss Romvari’s distinct "observational elegance," the film’s striking meta-elements, and how it stacks up against other recent memory-focused masterworks like Aftersun. Plus, a look at why this is already a frontrunner for the 2026 Golden Brick.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kris Sims is a Canadian journalist, commentator, and prominent taxpayer advocate who currently serves as the Alberta Director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF). Her career spans radio hosting and producing on Vancouver Island, legislative work on Parliament Hill, reporting and anchoring at News Talk Radio 580 CFRA, parliamentary journalism for CTV, and as a founding reporter for Sun News Network, where she focused on fiscal issues, personal liberty, and rural Canada. Watch the Cornerstone Forum 26'https://shaunnewmanpodcast.substack.com/Silver Gold Bull Links:Website: https://silvergoldbull.ca/Email: SNP@silvergoldbull.comText Grahame: (587) 441-9100Bow Valley Credit UnionBitcoin: www.bowvalleycu.com/en/personal/investing-wealth/bitcoin-gatewayEmail: welcome@BowValleycu.com Expat MoneyExpatmoney.com/SNPGet your voice heard: Text Shaun 587-217-8500

Please join us for “Applied Self-Reg for Education Assistants: A New Book by Susan Hopkins and Kristin Wiens.”Susan Hopkins is Executive Director of The MEHRIT Centre, Dr. Stuart Shanker's organization and the home of the Self-Reg framework. An international leader in Self-Reg, she co-creates online courses with Dr. Shanker that have reached thousands of educators worldwide. With more than 25 years of experience across Canada and internationally, Susan works across early childhood, K–12, and the systems that support children and youth. She has led in school administration, inclusion, and the early years, and has delivered hundreds of presentations to educators, leaders, and communities. Her work brings brain-body science and co-regulation to life in real-world contexts. Susan is co-author of Restoring Resilience (2025), Self-Reg Schools (2019), and Applied Self-Reg for Educational Assistants (2026). Known for her engaging storytelling and practical insight, she helps educators and leaders reframe behaviour and create the conditions for well-being, connection, and learning.Kristin Wiens is an educator and illustrator whose work focuses on Self-Reg and relational approaches to supporting all students. With a background as an Education Assistant, she developed an EA training program that she has taught for over a decade. She also co-created the Mehrit Centre online course Self-Reg for EAs with Susan Hopkins, based on the book they co-authored. Her writing and illustrations support educators in shifting from compliance-based approaches toward a regulation-focused lens grounded in stress awareness, connection, and compassion. She lives on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.Support the show

Many thanks to Stacy Hornemann for the conversation and opportunity to taste current offerings at Blue Grouse Winery. The views from their reception centre are stunningly perfect. You could spend the day just looking out over the vines to the mountains beyond. But - of course - you are here to sample Ortega, Bacchus, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and other varieties that have been captured and bottles for today's and future enjoyment. This is a destination to put on your agenda when visiting Vancouver Island.

Episode Summary When was the last time you did something that truly pushed you outside your comfort zone? In this episode of The Art of Living Well Podcast®, we share our experience attending a hiking and endurance retreat on Vancouver Island and the powerful lessons we brought home from it. This was not your typical retreat. It was not about relaxation or escape. It was about challenge, growth, community, and reconnecting with yourself in a deeper way. We open up about the fears, self-doubt, and mindset shifts that showed up, along with the unexpected moments of joy, connection, and clarity that came from being fully present in nature. This conversation is about more than one experience. It is about why stepping outside your routine, disconnecting from distractions, and surrounding yourself with new people can be transformative, especially for women in midlife. If you have been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or craving something different, this episode will inspire you to take that next step. Key Takeaways Why getting outside your comfort zone leads to growth The mental and emotional benefits of being in nature How disconnecting from your phone improves connection and presence The power of community and meaningful conversations Why midlife is the perfect time to try something new How self-doubt shows up and how to move through it The impact of challenging your body in new ways Why you do not need a full retreat to create transformation Episode Breakdown with Timestamps 00:00 A question that sparks growth 02:30 What this retreat was really about 06:00 The power of nature and disconnecting 10:00 Letting go of distractions and being present 13:30 Facing self-doubt and physical challenge 18:00 Pushing past comfort zones and mindset shifts 22:00 The importance of community and connection 26:00 Why meaningful conversations matter 30:00 Lessons from being around different ages and backgrounds 34:00 Why you deserve experiences like this 38:00 How to bring these lessons into your everyday life Resources and Links Join our hiking community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1368978181038556  Website: https://www.theartoflivingwell.us/ Email: theartoflivingwellpodcast@gmail.com Sponsor This episode is brought to you by Good Health Saunas, offering commercial grade infrared saunas designed to support detoxification, muscle recovery, relaxation, and better sleep. Visit https://goodhealthsaunas.com or stop by their Mall of America, Appleton, or Waukesha locations. Be sure to mention The Art of Living Well Podcast® for exclusive pricing. Follow and Connect Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theartofliving_well Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theartoflivingwellpodcast/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-art-of-living-well-podcast/?viewAsMember=true  Connect with Your Hosts Marnie Dachis Marmet: https://www.instagram.com/zenfullifecoaching Stephanie May Potter: https://www.instagram.com/stephaniemaypotter/ 

In this NBN episode, host Hollay Ghadery speaks with JoAnn McCaig about her new novel, Beneficiary (U Calgary Press, 2026).  A novel about what it means to face the world as a woman on her own terms from the award-winning author of The Textbook of the Rose and An Honest Woman. Seren was doomed to a country club cage and a leash of pearls until out of the blue on a Tuesday night in 1969, she found herself suddenly saying “no.” More than fifty years later, she looks back on her life and each choice that followed, beautiful, tragic and completely her own. Leaving her family for the freedom of the 1970s, Seren began a quest to discover how to live in this world as her true self—a quest that would take her from the heady countercultural milieu of communal houses on Vancouver Island through marriage and motherhood, divorce, and an unexpected inheritance that changed everything. Suddenly wealthy, Seren must wrestle with money, with class, and what it means to have more than most. What does it mean to live truly, through tragedy and heartbreak? How do we create ourselves in a world that keeps changing? What does it mean to have money when so many people don't? A richly written, fiercely feminist novel imbued with real bravery, Beneficiary weaves the past and the present in a rich tapestry of life. JoAnn McCaig is the author of The Textbook of The Rose and An Honest Woman. She is the proud owner of Shelf Life Books, an independent bookstore in her hometown of Calgary, AB. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Balkan-Roadtrip, West-Kanada durchqueren, die peruanischen Anden überstehen und ein Hausboot mit den besten Freunden teilen. Wir feiern die kommenden Reisemonate mit Tipps und Inspiration. Außerdem verneigen wir uns vor dem Konzert und der Serie des Jahres und sprechen darüber, wie dumm es ist, auf über 2000 Meter zu rauchen (Stichwort: Höhenkrankheit). Wir reisen nach Sarajevo, Montenegro, Belgrad, Vancouver Island und auf einsame Nordsee-Inseln - in die Nationalparks Banff und Jasper, fränkische Baumhäuser, bewohnbare Kirchen und bis nach Thessaloniki. Ein wilder Ritt, der auch ein bisschen Spaß macht. :)PS: Für alle, die uns geschrieben haben zwecks Tipps und Inspiration für den Reise-Sommer 2026: Es waren soooo viele, tolle Nachrichten, dass wir einige erst in den nächsten Weekender-Folgen beantworten werden. Wir haben euch nicht vergessen. DANKE!—

In this NBN episode, host Hollay Ghadery speaks with JoAnn McCaig about her new novel, Beneficiary (U Calgary Press, 2026).  A novel about what it means to face the world as a woman on her own terms from the award-winning author of The Textbook of the Rose and An Honest Woman. Seren was doomed to a country club cage and a leash of pearls until out of the blue on a Tuesday night in 1969, she found herself suddenly saying “no.” More than fifty years later, she looks back on her life and each choice that followed, beautiful, tragic and completely her own. Leaving her family for the freedom of the 1970s, Seren began a quest to discover how to live in this world as her true self—a quest that would take her from the heady countercultural milieu of communal houses on Vancouver Island through marriage and motherhood, divorce, and an unexpected inheritance that changed everything. Suddenly wealthy, Seren must wrestle with money, with class, and what it means to have more than most. What does it mean to live truly, through tragedy and heartbreak? How do we create ourselves in a world that keeps changing? What does it mean to have money when so many people don't? A richly written, fiercely feminist novel imbued with real bravery, Beneficiary weaves the past and the present in a rich tapestry of life. JoAnn McCaig is the author of The Textbook of The Rose and An Honest Woman. She is the proud owner of Shelf Life Books, an independent bookstore in her hometown of Calgary, AB. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/literature

The new film 'Blue Heron' tells the story of Sasha, a young daughter of Hungarian immigrants who move to Vancouver Island, and the story of Sasha's older brother, who begins displaying increasingly unstable behavior. Writer and director Sophy Romvari discusses the film, her feature debut, which is based in part on her own life. 'Blue Heron' is in theaters now. Image courtesy of Janus Films

I had a fabulous time in Victoria, at a writer's retreat with Alison Wearing. I talk about that a bit and compare this retreat to the other one I shared with Alison in Tuscany in 2024. The comparison could not be more profound! I also spent a week on the west coast of Vancouver Island, visiting with the Pacific Ocean.  There's a wee treat in here for you too… Thank you again to all my golden lights... new and old. I so appreciate your company on this journey. Please drop me a line if anything piqued your interest at meanderingswithtrudy@gmail.com. And share this episode around, and if you're of a mind, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Episode links: Alison Wearing is a wonderful Canadian memoirist. You too can study with her, just visit her website to learn how! Angie's company is Big Stone House And if you are interested in any of my podcasts, both soundscapes, that I did from Tuscany, you can listen here, and here. As always, this podcast is sponsored by the guests who give of their time, and by my company, Chapman Coaching Inc.Royalty free music is gratefully received and is called Sunday Stroll – by Huma-HumaLive life joyfully, and always let kindness guide you.

In dieser besonderen Folge von Biertalk spricht Markus mit Alanna „Al“ Grimminger, die bei der Wahl zur Bayerischen Bierkönigin antritt. Passend zum aktuellen Online-Voting geht es diesmal nicht nur um Bier, sondern auch um die Frage, wie man Bierkultur jung, offen und zeitgemäß vermitteln kann. Al bringt dafür eine ganz eigene Perspektive mit: Sie kommt aus Schwaben, arbeitet mit jungen Menschen, interessiert sich leidenschaftlich für Geschichte und studiert Japanologie. Genau diese Mischung macht das Gespräch so spannend. Gemeinsam sprechen die beiden darüber, wie Al überhaupt auf die Idee kam, sich für das Amt zu bewerben, was Bier für sie mit Kultur, Heimat und Geschichte zu tun hat und warum sie gerade auch junge und internationale Menschen für bayerisches Bier begeistern möchte. Dabei geht es um Bierkrawalle im 19. Jahrhundert genauso wie um japanische Manga, ausländische Studierende bei Stadtführungen, Rauchbierliebe, alkoholfreie Biere und die Frage, warum Bier nicht in eine politische Ecke gehört, sondern als Kulturgut für alle da ist. Eine frische, kluge und sehr persönliche Folge über Bier, Geschichte, Offenheit und darüber, wie vielseitig Bierkultur heute gedacht werden kann.

On this weeks podcast I have a 5th generation Shellfish Farmer, Malindi Taylor. The Taylor name is synonymous with some of the best oysters in the Pacific Northwest and they also own and run Fanny Bay Oysters, their shellfish farm north of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. They also own and operate many restaurants in Washington and in Vancouver. The one here is Fanny Bay Oyster Bar & Shellfish Market. The best place for fresh oysters and a bottle of wine in town. I hope you enjoy my chat with Malindi and get a glimpse of her unbridled passion for the business and all things shellfish. Send us your feedback

In this episode, I'm sitting down with Kyla Dufresne, founder of Foxy Box, a waxing franchise with 24 locations across Canada and a 25th on the way. Kyla shares her journey from starting Foxy Box in the dining room of her home to building a national beauty brand rooted in confidence, community, and customer experience.Kyla also opens up about her teenage years, moving to Vancouver Island for a fresh start, learning through failure, and why mindset has played such a huge role in her success. We also talk about franchising, leadership, choosing the right business partners, and what it really takes to scale a brand without losing the heart behind it.What you'll take away from this episode:How Kyla started Foxy Box from her dining room and turned it into a growing franchise brand across Canada.Why your environment matters so much when it comes to your mindset, confidence, and ability to expand.The importance of getting out into your community and becoming the face of your business.Why not every paying client or franchise partner is the right fit, and how protecting your culture protects your brand.How failure became one of Kyla's greatest teachers in business.Why progress over perfection matters when you're building, scaling, or stepping into something new.The difference between opening more corporate locations and turning your business into a franchise.Kyla's story is such a powerful reminder that you don't need to have it all figured out before you start. You get to learn, pivot, ask for support, and build something incredible along the way. Tune in for an honest, inspiring conversation about resilience, leadership, franchising, and what it really takes to build a business that changes lives.Take our FREE quiz: https://www.myalignedpurpose.com/quiz

This interview is disseminated on behalf of Questcorp Mining. Last month, Questcorp Mining (CSE: QQQ | OTCQB: QQCMF | FSE: D910) announced the commencement of its 2026 induced polarization (IP) survey at its 1,168-hectare North Island Copper Project on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.Founding Director, President, and CEO Saf Dhillon discusses the 2026 IP survey, the importance of geophysical surveys and 3D modeling in mineral exploration, a private placement update, and drilling plans at the La Union Project in Sonora, Mexico.Learn more about Questcorp Mining: https://questcorpmining.ca/Watch the full YouTube interview here: https://youtu.be/pPFwhh3hzzoAnd follow us to stay updated: https://www.youtube.com/GlobalOneMedia 

Photographer David duChemin: Thinking Inside the Box for Transformative Creative Breakthroughs, the Virtue of Imperfection, and Finding Your Magic.David duChemin is a Vancouver Island-based photographer, author, educator, and avid traveler who has published eight books and spent much of his three-decade career teaching others to make creative photographs all across the world.Richard asks David about the content in his newest book, Light, Space & Time: Essays on Camera Craft and Creativity. Some of the topics discussed include self-knowledge, vision, intention, purpose, expression, and the virtue of imperfection. David explains how he made the transition to photographing wildlife and why he doesn't chase likes on social media.Notable Links:David duChemin websiteDavid duChemin Instagram Light, Space & Time: Essays on Camera Craft and Creativity on AmazonThis episode is brought to you by:Muench Workshops - Photography workshops and expeditions to the coolest places on the planet.Luminar Neo - Try Luminar Neo today at skylum.com, and use promo code "RICHARD" for a 15% discount, just for my listeners.Kase Filters - My listeners can get 10% off the Kase Filters Amazon page when they visit. beyondthelens.fm/kase and use coupon code BERNABE10 Follow Richard Bernabe:Substack: https://richardbernabe.substack.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bernabephoto/Twitter/X: https://x.com/bernabephotoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/bernabephoto

Shannon Beahen specializes in teaching her own consent-based approach to natural dressage and liberty, equine care and co-living, as well as the creation of species-appropriate habitats that promote dynamic movement and autonomous equine lifestyles. She is passionate about exploring and articulating the ethics of embodied horse-human relationships. And her hope is that, through teaching a deeper awareness of human-animal and human-environment relations, equestrian education ceases to be a privileged pastime that replicates outdated domination logics; and instead may just provide some of the seeds to birth a new earth. Shannon has been an Equestrian Canada certified Competition Coach since the late 90s, studying topics related to human-animal ethics, language and philosophy since 2008 (BA, MA, PhD Candidate). She holds certifications in horse-human trauma-recovery and lives on Vancouver Island where she tends acreage with her multi-species family. Connect with Shannon: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humminghorse_sb/ Website: https://www.humminghorse.com/

In 1927, a group called The Aquarian Foundation opened a private compound on Vancouver Island designed to study the occult. It was led by Edward Arthur Wilson, who claimed he'd received a message about the end of the world–and he, and his followers, were destined to save mankind with their spiritual wisdom. For a full list of sources, please visit: https://sosupernaturalpodcast.com/mystical-the-aquarian-foundation   Did you know you can listen to So Supernatural ad-free? Join the Crime Junkie Fan Club! Visit https://crimejunkiepodcast.com/fanclub/ to view the current membership options and policies. So Supernatural is an Audiochuck and Crime House production. Find us on social! Instagram: @sosupernaturalpod Twitter: @_sosupernatural Facebook: /sosupernaturalpod Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hunting Matthew Nichols is an indie horror film that's shot as a mockumentary/found-footage movie about a documentary filmmaker investigating her brother's disappearance 20 years earlier on Vancouver Island. Writer/producer Sean Harris Oliver and DP Justin Sebastian shot the horror film in 12 days, then independently released it into theaters. Key Podcast Highlights: -How cinematographer Justin Sebastian used Sony FX9 cameras on autofocus, shot archival footage scenes on period-correct cameras, and then physically digitized the tapes for documentary authenticity. -Keeping the camera crew small and the lighting natural, so that the film's characters could realistically pull off the documentary. -Detailed scriptwriting by Sean Harris Oliver, such as specifying who holds the camera in each scene. Sean scripted the film with cleaner, more deliberate camerawork that degrades into chaotic, survival-mode footage as events progress. -How the team pushed hard for theatrical release against distributor pressure to go straight to streaming. They self-funded distribution and budgeted for marketing from the very beginning. Find where to watch Hunting Matthew Nichols in theaters and play the interactive game on the website: https://www.huntingmatthewnichols.com/ Find Sean Harris-Oliver: https://www.seanharrisoliver.com/ Instagram: @SeanHarrisOliver Find Justin Sebastian: https://www.justinsimonsebastian.com/ Instagram: @JustinSebastianDP Listen to our episode with producer Ted Hope, who discusses similar approaches indie filmmakers can take to understand and control the entire filmmaking process from budget to shoot to distribution: https://www.camnoir.com/ep352/ Show Rundown: 02:45 Close Focus 13:04-01:02:59 Sean Harris Oliver and Justin Sebastian interview 01:03:19 Short ends 01:12:42 Wrap up/Credits The Cinematography Podcast website: www.camnoir.com YouTube: @TheCinematographyPodcast Facebook: @cinepod Instagram: @thecinepod Blue Sky: @thecinepod.bsky.social

Canadian writer-director Sophy Romvari's debut feature film, Blue Heron, follows a Hungarian-Canadian family as they relocate to Vancouver Island in the '90s, and struggle to deal with the eldest son's increasingly dangerous behavioural issues. She joins Q host Tom Power to talk about the success of her semi-autobiographical feature, the current state of the Canadian independent film industry, and why she finds making personal work so fulfilling.

Pinned against Arctic cliffs with no way out, Jim Baird realized the truth too late. One bad decision had put him and his brother in a position where no one was coming to help.   In this episode of The Hard Way, Joe De Sena sits down with Alone season 4 winner and extreme explorer Jim Baird to break down remote survival, mental strain, and the consequences of poor judgment in unforgiving environments.   Jim explains why Alone was mentally harder than his most dangerous expeditions, how hardship builds real resilience, and why ownership matters when things go wrong. This episode gives you practical lessons on discipline, endurance, and making better decisions under pressure, grounded in real stakes.   Things You Will Learn: How to recognize when a bad decision becomes a survival problem and what to do next. Why mental endurance breaks faster than physical strength in isolation. How small, daily discomfort builds real resilience and consistency.   Tools & Frameworks Covered: Consequence Ownership: Accept and solve the problem once the decision is made. Controlled Discomfort Training: Use small challenges to build endurance and discipline. Mental Endurance Under Isolation: Manage uncertainty, fatigue, and slow decline.   If this episode moved you, don't just listen. Do something about it. Sign up. Show up. Do the work. Spartan.com. No more excuses.   Jim Baird is a Canadian adventurer and wilderness survival expert best known for winning Alone Season 4, where he and his brother endured 70 brutal days in the remote wilds of Vancouver Island. A filmmaker, ultrarunner, and passionate outdoorsman, Jim has built a life around testing the limits of human endurance and extracting hard-won lessons from nature. His journey embodies resilience, adaptability, and the deep mindset transformation that comes from facing the wild head-on.   Connect to Jim: Website: https://www.theadventurer.com/ Baird Country Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@BairdCountryPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jbadventurer/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jbadventurer/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/jim-baird-the-adventurer TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jbadventurer?lang=en   We gave you the tools, now use them during your next SPARTAN RACE! Use codeword PODCAST on checkout for 10% your next race.  

In 1993, plans to log one of Canada's ancient rainforests sparked the country's largest act of civil disobedience. It was known as the war in the woods. For months, protesters blocked a remote logging road on Vancouver Island, leading to more than a thousand arrests. Megan Lawton speaks to protest organiser Tzeporah Berman who, aged 23, was arrested and charged with 857 criminal counts. Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive. Witness History is for those fascinated by and curious about the past. We take you to the events that have shaped our world through the eyes of the people who were there. For nine minutes every day, we take you back in time and all over the world, to examine wars, coups, scientific discoveries, cultural moments and much more. Recent episodes explore everything from how the Excel spreadsheet was developed, the creation of cartoon rabbit Miffy and how the sound barrier was broken.We look at the lives of some of the most famous leaders, artists, scientists and personalities in history, including: the moment Reagan and Gorbachev met in Geneva, Haitian singer Emerante de Pradines' life and Omar Sharif's legendary movie entrance in Lawrence of Arabia.You can learn all about fascinating and surprising stories, like the invention of a stent which has saved lives around the world; the birth of the G7; and the meeting of Maldives' ministers underwater. We cover everything from World War Two and Cold War stories to Black History Month and our journeys into space.(Photo: Protesters sat disrupting the loggers. Credit: Jacob Sutton/Getty Images)

George Cecil David's journey from Neah Bay to Port Angeles along Washington's rugged coastline should have ended in a somber gathering just days later—family and friends coming together in remembrance. Instead, it became the beginning of a mystery that would remain unsolved for years.In March of 2016, renowned Indigenous artist and master carver George Cecil David was on his way to Vancouver Island to attend a funeral, stopping in Port Angeles along the way—but he never made it to his final destination.What followed was a complex investigation involving surveillance footage, missing evidence, and a timeline that raised more questions than answers.For years, his case remained unsolved.In this episode, we examine the life of a respected artist, the circumstances surrounding his death, and a case that would become a landmark moment for Washington's Missing & Murdered Indigenous People (MMIWP) Cold Case Unit.Visit our website! Find us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Patreon, & more! There are so many ways that you can support the show: BuyMeACoffee, Spreaker, or by leaving a rating & review on Apple Podcasts. Sources

"Blue Heron" is a 2025 drama film written and directed by Sophy Romvari in her directorial debut. Described as "semi-autobiographical," the film is based in part on Romvari's own childhood and her previous short film "Still Processing." The film stars Eylul Guven as Sasha, the eight-year-old daughter of a Hungarian immigrant family who relocate to Vancouver Island in the late 1990s, while their oldest son, Jeremy (Edik Beddoes), displays increasingly dangerous behavioral issues in their new environment. The cast also includes Ádám Tompa and Iringó Réti as Sasha's parents, Liam Serg and Preston Drabble as Sasha's brothers, and Amy Zimmer as Adult Sasha. The film had its world premiere at the 78th Locarno Film Festival, receiving universal acclaim, winning the Swatch First Feature Award, and later the Best Canadian Discovery award at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival. Romvari was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about her work and experience making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which will be released in theaters on April 17th by Janus Films. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back ragers to the best movie review podcast on the planet. The rage rolls on from the Film Rage Studio. This week the Film Rage Crew have five new releases to tell you about. First up we go to Tuscany for some paint by numbers rom-com delight. Then we take a trip to a Japanese subway and get off at Exit 8 or at least we will try. Then we face death head on. After that Shakespeare gets a facelift in a modern retelling of Hamlet. And then we go to beautiful Vancouver Island as we try to find out what happened to Matthew Nichols? Then finally on that Retro Nostalgia..... whatever it's called segment we review Jim's choice to revisit. This time around it is Phantasm II and it's glorious silver balls. Introduction-0:00 Murman Predicts-3:05 In Cinema You, Me and Tuscany (2026)-8:03 Exit 8 (2026)-17:05 Faces of Death (2026)-25:13 Hamlet (2026)-41:40 Hunting for Matthew Nichols (2026)-54:39 Murman Minute-1:01:31 Open Rage Jim's Open Rage- Movie time shuffle-1:04:59 Bryce's Open Rage- Not enough tiny car-1:07:21 Totally Retro Nostalgia Recall Flashback! Phantasm II (1988)-1:10:53 Outro-1:24:26 Thanks Ragers for listening to our film review podcast. Rage On! https://www.filmrageyyc.com/ https://filmrage.podbean.com/ https://www.facebook.com/filmrageyyc https://nerdyphotographer.com/social/ https://www.leonardconlinphotos.com/

Join us for a captivating journey into the heart of Indigenous Pacific Northwest lore with Thomas Sewid (Tom Sewid), a renowned Kwakwaka'wakw/Cree First Nations artist, investigator, and cultural educator from Vancouver Island, British Columbia.As the founder of Sasquatch Island—a vibrant community uniting Facebook groups, a popular YouTube channel, and sasquatchisland.com —Thomas has become a leading voice in sharing authentic Indigenous perspectives on Sasquatch (known as Dzoonakwa in his traditions). Drawing from his deep bush-living experiences, ancestral family stories, conversations with elders, and extensive fieldwork, he offers respectful, culturally grounded insights into these enigmatic beings through encounters, expeditions, traditional knowledge, and his own powerful artwork.In this episode, the focus turns to the fascinating world of the "Little People"—small, hairy, bipedal spirit beings woven throughout Indigenous North American traditions. For the Kwakwaka'wakw, these are the Bokwus (also known as Bukwas or Boqs), elusive forest spirits often described as child-sized or smaller, masters of the ghost world, and distinctly separate from the larger Dzoonakwa/Sasquatch. Known across tribes as Little People, Stick People, and other names, they are portrayed as swift, shy, mischievous tricksters—sometimes playful or benevolent, sometimes issuing warnings—who move between the physical and spiritual realms.Thomas shares compelling personal encounters, collected stories from elders and fellow First Nations people, and rich cultural context that brings these beings vividly to life. Blending these accounts with broader Sasquatch discussions, this episode delivers a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the unseen world that has captivated Indigenous knowledge keepers for generations.Got a mind-blowing paranormal encounter, cryptid sighting, UFO experience, or any high-strangeness story that still gives you chills? We want to hear it—and we want YOU on the show! Become a guest on Let's Get Freaky and share your true story with our growing freaky community. Drop us a line at: letsgetfreakypodcast@mail.com Or slide into our DMs on socials: Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, or YouTube → @tcletsgetfreakypodcastEverything you need in one place: https://linktr.ee/letsgetfreaky

Robert Maxwell is a Canadian photographer, videographer, and homesteader based on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, whose life took a dramatic turn after a chilling encounter deep in the wilderness. Through his YouTube channel, Cabin in the Woods, Maxwell shares firsthand experiences and evidence that he believes point to the existence of Sasquatch. His story includes witnessing a massive, shadowy figure in the forest and discovering unusual signs that suggest something unknown is living just beyond the tree line.Maxwell's experiences don't stop at a single sighting. In a 2025 podcast appearance, he recounted a terrifying incident during a family retreat where he believes a creature threw rocks at his daughter—an encounter that reinforced his belief that these beings are intelligent, aware, and possibly coexisting with humans in remote regions. Through his photography, videography, and storytelling, Robert Maxwell explores the idea that Bigfoot is not just legend, but a real presence in the wild. His work continues to captivate audiences worldwide, offering a raw and personal look into the mysteries hidden within the forests of the Pacific Northwest.Spaced Out Radio is your nightly source for alternative information, starting at 9pm Pacific, 12am Eastern.  We broadcast LIVE every night. #RobertMaxwell #CabinInTheWoods #Bigfoot #Sasquatch #Cryptids #Paranormal #HighStrangeness #VancouverIsland #UFO #SpacedOutRadio #WeOwnTheNight-------------------------------------------------------You can now join the Space Traveler's Club;Join us at  https://www.patreon.com/sor_space_travelers_club  --------------------------------------------------------Grab Our Latest Spaced Out Radio Gear At:http://spacedoutradio.com/shop  It's a great way to support our show!--------------------------------------------------------OUR LINKS:TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/spacedoutradio   FACEBOOK:https://www.facebook.com/spacedoutradioshow  SPACED OUT RADIO - INSTAGRAM:https://www.instagram.com/spacedoutradioshow  DAVE SCOTT - INSTAGRAM:https://www.instagram.com/davescottsor   TWITCH: https://www.twitch.com/spacedoutradioshow  WEBSITE: http://www.spacedoutradio.comGUEST IDEAS OR QUESTIONS FOR SOR?Contact Klaus at bookings@spacedoutradio.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spaced-out-radio--1657874/support.

To brood is to wander through a grovewhere one sheep straysand a hundred wolves follow.Why did I make brooding my vocationwhen AWE was an option?Thought spinner, mull the wine of wonder.- RUMIThree years ago, my colleague Deus and I joined forces to craft an experiment. We invited 12 men out to the forest. He brought his years of training in breathwork, transformational art, and psychedelic facilitation. I wove my love of archetypes, fairy tales, and the lineage of mythopoetics.The result: a cauldron of mystery that we named AWE - Awakening the Wild Erotic. Since that time, we've ran the 3 day weekend over 7 times, supporting over 90 men through the journey. Deus and I still have a difficult time describing what happens during these ritual gatherings. What feels most true: it is the rite of passage that most men never received as we entered into our erotic birthright. It is the beginning of coming into right relationship with sexual energy, responsibility, and self leadership. Plus, it's a lot of fun. Here's what some of the men have said: "I really got to know men in this time—more so in three days than in the 49 years I've been alive. And through that, I got to know so much more of me. I feel more open to vitality, to passion, to pleasure and joy... to the juice of life... the nectar of the Gods.""I arrived at the retreat seeking to heal shame carried in my body... What I discovered was an inner fire. Beyond healing, I left the weekend ablaze with energy and purpose, ready to fully embody my life as a father, a son, a husband, a brother, and a friend.""Upon returning home from AWE, my wife said to me: ‘The pilot light of our love was going out. You came back with the flame to relight us.' If feeling what it means to be alive, to love and be loved, to breathe in the air of erotic life-force resonates within, you owe it to yourself to work with these men."The terrain of sex, eros, and intimacy is edgy territory.Especially these days, when the shadow of men is running rampant, as we're confronted with the Epstein files, endless wars and abuses of power. On the personal front, there's the continual seduction of numbing out with substances, pornography and now AI “girlfriends” that promise pseudo intimacy without any real-world risk or rejection, or reward of being truly seen.In the face of all that, over and over, I'm astounded by the men who choose to attend AWE. These are men who want to access a deeper vitality in their being, who wish to connect with the current of life, and show up as more grounded, integrated and passionate lovers.UPCOMING WEEKEND - APRIL 24-26Once again, we return to Black Creek on Vancouver Island. This is likely to be the only AWE we are offering in the region this year.If you feel the pull - or if you know a man who needs this kind of medicine - you can find the application and full details below.We have 4 spots left. Begin the Descent - Apply for the April 24-26 AWE ImmersionP.S. For those of you who can't make it to the island, the next cohort of our 12-week online journey, The Deep Masculine, begins in mid-May. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe