"Send us a text about this episode!"

This Episode Features:

(24:44) Derek Edwards, one of Canada's most beloved stand-up comedians, brings his brand-new Oxymoron Tour to Vancouver Island this March with four stops across the Island. Derek talks about more than three decades on the road — from his first open mic night at a smoke-filled Yuk Yuk's in Yorkville, to navigating blizzards on Ontario backroads, to the baby who genuinely upstaged him mid-show. https://derekedwards.ca/tour-dates/

(07:14) Susanne Cunningham, Chair of the Mid Island Health Alliance, shares the exciting news that the Primrose Medical Centre is set to open in Qualicum Beach this September. Housed in the former Bank of Montreal building in the heart of town, the facility will serve up to 10,000 patients when fully operational. With approximately 9,000 residents in the Parksville-Qualicum Beach Oceanside region currently without a family physician, and private donations already exceeding $700,000, the Primrose Medical Centre is a powerful model of community-powered philanthropy on Vancouver Island. https://www.midislandhealthalliance.ca

Episode Quotes:

"You stand there making a group of strangers laugh. It's marvellous. That satisfaction doesn't diminish. It's absolutely as cool as when I started." --- Derek Edwards

"There are approximately 9,000 residents who do not have a physician in this region... The Primrose Centre itself has 3,300 square feet of repurposed clinical space, and it will have the capacity to serve up to 10,000 patients when fully operational." --- Susanne Cunningham

Voice message: Voice message The PULSE and be part of the podcast!

You'll find all episodes of The PULSE Podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, TikTok, YouTube, and ThePulseCommunity.ca

Episode Sponsors: Ian Lindsay & Associates, Thrifty Foods Parksville, & Fireside Books

Check out Skookum Kid's Stories with downloadable colouring pages, on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, and YouTube.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter of new podcast releases and contests!

"Like, Share & Listen!"

#VancouverIsland #DerekEdwards #OxymoronTour #PrimroseMedicalCentre #MidIslandHealthAlliance #QualicumBeach #ParksvilleQualicumBeach #ThePulseCommunityPodcast

Support the show

"Send us a text about this episode!"

In this episode of Nonpartisan Hacks, Joel Grenz and Sean Wood sit down with Peter Milobar, MLA for Kamloops Centre and BC Conservative leadership candidate. Milobar’s political résumé spans city councillor, three-term mayor, regional district chair, and provincial legislator — what Sean calls “a full political bingo card.” The conversation covers what he learned managing a city through the 2008 financial crisis, why infrastructure funding has dried up, and how he got all 10 regional district projects funded when no one else could get one.

Milobar also shares candid advice for anyone thinking of running for local office, explains why councillors shouldn’t try to make it a full-time job, and makes the case that fixing a road has nothing to do with how you vote federally.

Episode Highlights:

How Milobar delivered infrastructure under the rate of inflation during the 2008 economic crisis

The story of getting all 10 regional district projects funded by refusing to re-prioritize the list

Why BC’s $13.5 billion deficit concerns him as the province’s finance critic

His advice on what voters actually look for — and why single-issue candidates should reconsider

Why councillors showing up with hedge trimmers creates more problems than it solves

The case for staying in your lane at every level of government

Voice message: Voice message The PULSE and be part of the podcast!

You'll find all episodes of The PULSE Podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, TikTok and YouTube podcasts, as well as PULSECommunity.ca

Special Thanks to Our Sponsor - Ian Lindsay & Associates.

Check out Skookum Kid's Stories on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, and YouTube Podcasts, as well at SkookumKids.com.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter of new podcast releases and contests!

Click here to learn how to Support the show

"Like, Share & Listen!"

#PulseCommunityPodcast #publicengagement #ThePulseCommunity #SeanWood, #JoelGrenz #ParksvilleQualicumBeach #NonPartisanHacks #PeterMilobar

Support the show

"Send us a text about this episode!"

This Episode Features:

Dr. Rob Lees, Registered Psychologist, joins A Resilience Project to shed light on the unique challenges many veterans face both during military service and after returning home from their tour of duty. Drawing on his clinical expertise, Dr. Lees explores what it means to find genuine meaning and purpose in life — and why doing so is central to our wellbeing and happiness.

Dr. Lees also offers an inspiring look at the creative programs he has helped develop through a partnership between the school district and Child & Youth Mental Health in Chilliwack, B.C. These initiatives are designed to foster mentorship and leadership among young people, recognizing that when we help others, the psychological benefits — including positive changes in brain chemistry — become powerful protective factors in building resilience.

Covering a lot of ground, Dr. Lees sheds light on the many opportunities we all have for cultivating connection — within our communities, our relationships, and ourselves.

You'll find The PULSE Community Podcasts at: https://thepulsecommunity.ca

Cindy Thompson's website: https://cindythompsoncounselling.ca

Episode Sponsor: Tablet Pharmacy — https://tabletpharmacy.ca/

Check out the PULSE Podcasts on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, TikTok and YouTube Podcasts.

Skookum Kid's Stories are available at Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, and YouTube Podcasts.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter of new podcast releases and contests: https://bit.ly/PulseNewsletterSignup

"Like, Share & Listen!"

#DrRobLees #ResilienceProject #VancouverIsland #Veterans #MentalHealth #ParksvilleQualicum #ThePulseCommunityPodcast #CindyThompson

Support the show

"Send us a text about this episode!"

This Episode Features:

(16:45) Crystal Shawanda, Juno-nominated blues artist shares her powerful journey from gold-selling country music star to acclaimed blues performer. Growing up in a First Nations community, Crystal faced bullying and industry rejection before finding her authentic voice in blues music. Crystal discusses her recent Juno nomination for "Sing Pretty Blues" and her ongoing mission to represent Indigenous artists in mainstream music.

(05:14) Susan Schaefer, Curator of Art at the Bayside discusses the innovative gallery space created at the Bayside Oceanfront Resort in Parksville. Over a hundred pieces from 25 Vancouver Island artists are displayed throughout the resort's public spaces, featuring an interactive kiosk and website that allows visitors to take self-guided tours. The gallery represents a revolutionary approach to making art accessible while giving local artists a stunning platform to reach tourists and community members alike.

Episode Quotes:

"It felt like letting a bird out of a cage. It felt like all of a sudden I didn't have to hold back anymore. I didn't have to restrain myself... on that first blues record, The Whole Horse Got the Blues, it felt like I was finally free and I could just be myself." --- Crystal Shawanda

"People can come in and search through the kiosk, find all the artists, read up about them, and every art piece has a location so they can go check it out on the third floor or the second floor hallway or whatever, and they can actually have a self-guided tour." --- Susan Schaefer

Voice message: Voice message The PULSE and be part of the podcast!

You'll find all episodes of The PULSE Podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, TikTok, YouTube, and ThePulseCommunity.ca

Click here to learn how to Support the show

Episode Sponsors: Tablet Pharmacy, Ian Lindsay & Associates, & Thrifty Foods Parksville

Check out Skookum Kid's Stories on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, and YouTube.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter of new podcast releases and contests!

"Like, Share & Listen!"

#VancouverIsland #CrystalShawanda #ArtAtTheBayside #ParksvilleQualicumBeach #VancouverIslandArt #McMillanArtCentre #BaysideOceanfrontResort #ThePulseCommunityPodcast

Support the show

"Send us a text about this episode!"

This Episode Features:

Bob Goff, NY Times bestselling author and self-described "recovering lawyer," joins The Resilience Project to share his transformative approach to life's challenges. After 25 years practicing law and serving as Honorary Consul to Uganda, Goff gave up his law firm to pursue writing and speaking full time. As the author of beloved books "Love Does" and "Everybody Always," Goff brings his signature whimsy and playfulness to help listeners shift from "why me" to "what can I do."

In this conversation, he reminds us that resilience isn't built through grand gestures—it's cultivated through small, creative acts of kindness that ripple outward to make a difference in others' lives.

Goff's dynamic, approach to life challenges us to consider: What creative act of kindness could you do for someone today?

You’ll find the following podcasts at: https://thepulsecommunity.ca

The PULSE Community Podcast hosted by Peter McCully & Dave Graham

Skookum Kid’s Stories: The Mellow Submarine and Peter & Gracie

NonPartisan Hacks hosted by Parksville Councillors - Joel Grenz & Sean Wood

A Resilience Project hosted by Cindy Thompson

F3: Football, Food & Fantasy Football hosted by Erin Haluschak Frazier & Chef Jonathan Frazier

Radio Archaeology: Gunsmoke & Dragnet

Bob Goff website: https://www.bobgoff.com

Cindy Thompson’s website: https://cindythompsoncounselling.ca

Episode Sponsor: Tablet Pharmacy

Voice message: Voice message The PULSE and be part of the podcast!

Check out the PULSE Podcasts on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, TikTok and YouTube podcasts

Skookum Kid's Stories are available at Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, and YouTube Podcasts.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter of new podcast releases and contests!

"Like, Share & Listen!"

#BobGoff #ResilienceProject #VancouverIsland, #NYTimesBestseller #ParksvilleQualicum #ThePulseCommunityPodcast #CindyThompson

Support the show

"Send us a text about this episode!"

This Episode Features:

(20:35) Adrian Raeside, renowned Vancouver Island cartoonist with over 40 years creating editorial cartoons for the Victoria Times Colonist, discusses his bestselling book "The Canada Handbook." Despite being expelled from his only art class at age 15, Raeside has built a celebrated career including the internationally syndicated comic strip "The Other Coast". His latest work responds to political tensions with humorous illustrations celebrating Canadian identity, tolerance, and culture.

(06:36) Sophia Conway, an Irish-born photographer who made Parksville-Qualicum Beach her home six years ago, shares her unique exhibition "Shelf Memories: The Invitation" at McMillan Art Centre. Conway documents handwritten inscriptions found in used books from Vancouver Island thrift stores and free libraries, preserving personal messages spanning over a century. The interactive exhibition invites the Oceanside community to create their own inscriptions that will circulate through the McMillan Art Centre Community Gardens' free library.

Episode Quotes:

"I think it's just that insight into another person's life... it's something very intimate when it's a little note that you weren't really meant to see. It was between two other people... It's a little time capsule and I love it, and I want to honour that person's memory in a way." --- Sophia Conway, on discovering book inscriptions

"If you're not First Nations, we came from somewhere else. We're a very young country, so I think that's why we're so tolerant. We don't mind what religion you are, what language you speak, what your gender is. We are cool. They accepted me 50-some-odd years ago, so they'll take anyone." --- Adrian Raeside, on Canadian identity

Voice message: Voice message The PULSE and be part of the podcast!

You'll find all episodes of The PULSE Podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, TikTok, YouTube, and ThePulseCommunity.ca

Click here to learn how to Support the show

Episode Sponsors: Ian Lindsay & Associates, Thrifty Foods Parksville & Fireside Books

Check out Skookum Kid's Stories on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, and YouTube.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter of new podcast releases and contests!

"Like, Share & Listen!"

#VancouverIsland #SophiaConway #AdrianRaeside #ParksvilleQualicumBeach #Book

Support the show

"Send us a text about this episode!"

Erin Haluschak Frazier and Chef Jonathan Frazier’s wrap-up podcast of SuperBowl 60 and the 2025-2026 NFL Season.

Special Thanks to Our Sponsor: Thrifty Foods Parksville for supporting ThePulseCommunity.ca.

Looking for more Vancouver Island Podcasts?

You'll find all episodes of The PULSE Community Podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, TikTok and YouTube podcasts, as well as ThePULSECommunity.ca.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter of new podcast releases and contests!

"Like, Share & Listen!"

#F3Podcast, #PulseCommunity, #VancouverIsland, #FootballAndFood, #ErinHaluschak

Support the show

"Send us a text about this episode!"

The F3 podcast is live from Super Bowl 60 in San Francisco. Join chef Jonathan Frazier and Erin Haluschak as they connect with Wallace "Wally" Watts known as “Captain SeaHawk”. Originally from Port Alberni, he spent one year at residential school there, learned to fly Cessnas at the Alberni airport and eventually became the first Indigenous pilot hired by United Airlines.

The podcast also features a chat with Bob “The MOJ” Marjanovich, the voice of the BC Lions, who has reported from 24 SuperBowls. He talks guest highlights, CFL, his go-to game day food as well as his Super Bowl 60 prediction.

Special Thanks to Our Sponsor: Thrifty Foods Parksville for supporting ThePulseCommunity.ca.

Looking for more Vancouver Island Podcasts?

You'll find all episodes of The PULSE Community Podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, TikTok and YouTube podcasts, as well as ThePULSECommunity.ca.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter of new podcast releases and contests!

"Like, Share & Listen!"

#F3Podcast #PulseCommunity #VancouverIsland #FootballAndFood #SuperBowl60 #CaptainSeahawk #TheMOJ

Support the show