The Stories That Brought You Here - Pender Island

24/06/2025

Throwback Tuesday episode with the delightful Paul Widdershoven!

Do you know Paul? I do. And I must say, he is one of the most inspiring and interesting people in my life right now. In this episode from back in October 2019, he opens up in such a phenomenal way, speaking about many personal subjects, including the recent death of his father.

If you have not heard this one yet, it's well worth it. If you vaguely remember hearing this before, I promise you, it's well worth a second listen.

Thank you to the fun and amazing guy with the yellow glasses, Paul Widdershoven!!

In this episode, Paul will describe the events of a medical emergency he had shortly after moving to the island. Through that experience, he came to new realizations about himself and soon changed how he was participating in life. He will talk about living with his wife, Charlene on their boat in Br...

15/06/2025

Throwback Sunday episode with Amanda Landa! This interview is from June 2019...if you missed this one the first time, it is well worth listening to now.

In it, Amanda will detail her experiences as the former chef and co-owner of the beloved but now closed, Hope Bay Cafe. She will describe how she developed a passion for cooking, sailing and riding motorcycles. Amanda will also discuss being the proud new co-owner of Southridge Country Store, along with her husband, Rob. She will also let us know the story of how they first met.

A great slice of recent Pender history mixed with some incredible insights about living a good life.

Enjoy!

In this episode, Amanda will detail her experiences as the former chef and co-owner of the beloved but now closed, Hope Bay Cafe. She will describe how she developed a passion for cooking, sailing and riding motorcycles. Amanda will also discuss being the proud new co-owner of Southridge Country Sto...

26/05/2025

Here is the newest episode of - The Stories That Brought You Here...with Bruce Alexander.

Bruce Alexander is a psychologist and professor emeritus at Simon Fraser University. He actively taught at SFU from 1970 to 2005. In this interview, he will speak about many of the pivotal experiences he had during that time. One of which, occurred during the 70s, while he was volunteering at a methadone clinic in Vancouver's downtown eastside. There, he would engage in conversations with he**in users, and learn more about why they chose to use the drug. These talks would help set him on a path to conducting an experiment that questioned the standard beliefs of the day about drug addiction - The Rat Park Experiment.

Bruce will share many interesting stories from his life, and give some fascinating insights about his lifetime search for the truth about addiction.

All that, and much more.

Bruce Alexander is a clinical phycologist, who taught at Simon Fraser University from 1970 to 2005. In this interview, he will speak about many of the pivotal experiences he had during that time. One of which, occurred during the 70s, while he was volunteering at a methadone clinic in Vancouver's do...

22/05/2025

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20/04/2025

The best podcast episode you haven't heard.

Gregory has travelled the world photographing bears up-close in the wild. From pandas to grizzlies to polar bears, he has had some incredible experiences while taking photographs of these amazing animals. He'll explain his process and philosophy that allows him to be in close proximity with not only bears, but also mountain gorillas in East Africa.

He will also speak about how after a tragic circumstance occurred in his life, he felt moved to do something he had never done before. That was to carve a 26-foot tall healing pole on his property. This act of personal healing, had a profound impact on him, but more so, in the lives of many others who have since visited the site it stands on.

What would follow, was an epic ten-year project–the building of his home, Franklin Castle. Based on 15th and 16th century architecture, and made of limestone, he built this house, brick by brick, almost purely on his own. It is now not just a place for him to enjoy, but also for the community of Pender Island.

Gregory will go into great detail explaining how the building of this amazing structure unfolded over the years, his work with sculpture, and share something special he enjoys doing for others during the Christmas holidays.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/62Yvwn7sxYtosAzuCFvzof?si=a7f031d24cac48b7

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-71-gregory-franklin-photographing-bears-up/id1451689023?i=1000704209349

Gregory Franklin has travelled the world photographing bears up-close in the wild. From pandas to grizzlies to polar bears, he has had many unique experiences while taking photographs of these amazing animals. He will explain his process and philosophy that allows him to be in incredibly close proxi...

23/03/2025

New episode!

Marc grew up on a dairy farm in South Central Ontario. After finishing high school, he decided to join the Canadian military. For nine years, he had a variety of unique experiences while in the army. This included a transfer from Ontario to British Columbia. It was while living in Comox, he felt a shift within himself and that a change was needed. He decided to leave the military and return to school. In the years that followed, he would earn a degree in psychology. To support himself while in university, he worked as a radio DJ, as well, as a crisis counsellor.

He will share some behind the scenes details about working at a small town radio station. Speak about his recent trip to Europe while on tour with Sarah Smith, and describe some of the important creative pursuits in his life.

All that and much more.

Marc grew up on a dairy farm in South Central Ontario. After finishing high school, he decided to join the Canadian military. For nine years, he had a variety of unique experiences while in the army. This included a transfer from Ontario to British Columbia. It was while living in Comox, he felt a s...

23/02/2025

It has been a while since the last podcast episode. Here's a fresh, though...a pretty great little interview here with Paul Williamson. I really learned a lot from him in this one...check it out if the spirit moves you.

I hope you all are doing well!

All the best to you,

Chris
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In this episode, Paul Williamson will reflect on the many careers he has had in his life. From a logger, newspaper reporter, teacher, lawyer and ultimately a Supreme Court Judge of British Columbia. He will discuss the reasons, and actions he took at various stages in his life, that made him choose between certain paths. Chronicling some of the diverse experiences he had along the way.

We also go in depth into learning about his journey to becoming a lawyer. He will explain some key elements of how the legal system works, and describe some of the meaningful cases in which he was a part of, including, The Nisga'a Treaty.

In this episode, Paul Williamson will reflect on the many careers he has had in his life. From a logger, newspaper reporter, teacher, lawyer and ultimately a Supreme Court Judge of British Columbia. He will discuss the reasons, and actions he took at various stages in his life, that made him choose....

20/12/2024

Here is the newest episode with local Pender roots/rocker, Sarah Smith!

What a pleasure it was to do this with her. I really enjoyed this interview with Sarah, and I hope you will as well.

Happy holidays!

Chris

Sarah Smith is a singer/songwriter, who has been performing almost all of her life. She will describe how she first got inspired to sing as a child in church. The musical journey she embarked on eventually led to a decade of playing with the proto-Punk band, The Joys. A busy and creative solo career...

14/11/2024

Here is the newest interview for the podcast with, Misha Kleider!

Misha will share stories about his time working, and living, in various parts of Africa while in his twenties. From there, we enter into a dynamic conversation on the subjects of beauty, art, depression, Hawaii, romantic love...and so much more.

Please enjoy this wide-ranging, and surprising interview, with a very thoughtful and amazing person.

Misha will share stories about his time working, and living, in various parts of Africa while in his twenties. From there, we enter into a dynamic conversation on the subjects of beauty, art, depression, Hawaii, romantic love...and so much more. Please enjoy this wide-ranging, and surprising intervi...

30/10/2024

On the August long weekend, the 2024 Mosaic Festival took place in the pine forest behind the Community Hall. An annual community arts and culture festival produced by Ptarmigan Arts, Mosaic Fest celebrates the diversity of the land we live on and the beings who inhabit it. It features music, workshops, and nature-based programming. The festival had a big upgrade this year with the change of venues, to a beautiful property, which was generously offered by Karl Hamson.

It was three amazing days of music and art. On the last night, I decided to take my handheld audio recorder and have some fun. I selected random people from the audience, and asked them to pick a number between 1 and 5. Based on what number they chose, they got a pre-written list of three questions to answer- a silly one, a surface one, and a deep one.

The results were fascinating and delightful. Thank you to all the lovely people who agreed to participate...I hope you enjoyed playing along with me, as much as I enjoyed recording it with you.

This past August long weekend, the 2024 Mosaic Festival took place in the pine forest behind the Community Hall. An annual community arts and culture festival produced by Ptarmigan Arts, Mosaic Fest celebrates the diversity of the land we live on and the beings who inhabit it. It features music, wor...

13/10/2024

Throwback Sunday episode...I really enjoyed doing this interview with Adam Olsen in 2022. I found him to be an incredibly sincere individual. During our time together, he was very personable, and surprisingly open about his life. It was illuminating for me to get to sit down with a local politician, for the length of time we did, and have such an authentic encounter. If you did not get a chance to hear this the first time around...you can now.

This time around, I speak with the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Saanich North and the Gulf Islands, Adam Olsen. Having grown up on the Saanich Peninsula as a member of Tsartlip First Nation (W̱JOȽEȽP), Adam will speak at length about many of the unique experiences he and his family had during those early years. This will include the story of how his parents developed a business involving Cowichan sweaters.

Adam will also describe the lessons he learned from a previous job as a server at Butchart Gardens and his pursuit of becoming a hockey play-by-play announcer. He will give thanks to the person who first encouraged him to become involved in local politics. He will also speak about the commonality of substance abuse in our society and how important it is to acknowledge the damaging effects of stigmatization.

This time around, I speak with the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Saanich North and the Gulf Islands, Adam Olsen. Having grown up on the Saanich Peninsula as a member of Tsartlip First Nation (W̱JOȽEȽP), Adam will speak at length about many of the unique experiences he and his family had ...

07/10/2024

What a lovely person to do an interview with! Many of you might know Carolyn, (who is actually better known as 'Cee') through her role as a community nurse on our island, until her retirement in 2022. We had a very interesting conversation about her life, nursing and spent a significant amount of time discussing palliative care and dying. Please enjoy the latest episode of the podcast with this extraordinary lady.

Cee made her way to the West Coast, from England, in the mid-eighties. At that time, she was beginning what would turn out to be a 35-year career in nursing. The journey would lead her to become the first community nurse on Mayne Island, and then, after moving to Pender Island, continuing that role here. She will speak about her experiences during that time, as well, discuss her many years working in palliative care, a portion of her work, that was deeply important to her.

Cee will also speak about growing up in England, learning to sail with her father there, and all the many things she is up to, in retirement.

Carolyn made her way to the West Coast, from England, in the mid-eighties. At that time, she was beginning what would turn out to be a 35-year career in nursing. The journey would lead her to become the first community nurse on Mayne Island, and then, after moving to Pender Island, continuing that r...