QOL

Founders Jamie Gerus and Jeff Wright are the team that makes FIZZ non-alc Bottle Shop a touchstone for product and knowledge. In a time where more consumers are looking for beverage alternatives this store on Lower Johnson fits so well into the vibe that is LoJo. Independent boutiques, cafes, and unique stores sit adjacent to this bijoux. Come along for a conversation about their philosophy, their...

John Gunn recalls how Jane Goodall would sign her messages to him with "Love" for as the UN Messenger of Peace she clearly was also loved in return. Gunn and his colleagues are aiming for the installation of four sculptures across Sudbury celebrating the concrete interest Jane showed in what some call "the Regreening City of Hope". Come along and learn what they are exploring i...

Come along to Cyprus and meet Mustafa Afsaroglu. He and his team are using waste olive pits (plus a bio-based adhesive) to create Pit-Board. Their sustainable composite panel material has so many applications as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional surfaces. This greener option can be used homes in cabinetry and countertops, modular furniture in office settings, and has no VOCs nor formaldeh...

What do we really know about policing? The movies are so sensational and many of the multitude of book covers are bold, and brassy. If you want an authentic insiders' view try "Tightrope" by Jenn Hyland. Jennifer originally served with a west coast municipal police service, went on to the RCMP, and ultimately was Deputy Chief Constable in Surrey, BC. A very personal story, there is t...

Recorded in December - the season where we consume too much of everything - this episode is about addictions. Michael Leahey, founder and CEO of Better Now, speaks about his own journey with alcohol and how that ultimately resulted in his collaboration in forming an organization that helps others regain their health, their relationships, and even keep their job. Breaking the conveyor belt of depen...

I am re-releasing this episode in 2026 as it fits with a theme I have been exploring. Enjoy! The holidays are upon us. Soon after comes the cusp of dry-February so what do you serve? Low-alc, non-alc, alc alternatives... this category is surging. Inclusive hospitality now demands you as a host, and certainly restaurants and events, must have an array of what we once called "near-beer" an...

I started reading posts by Debbie Rosaline on LinkedIn. Was it pre-COVID? She definitely had insights and aligned with thoughts I too had about the wine and hospitality industry. She also wrote about luxury brands and high-touch service, so I thought she would be an ideal guest here on QOL. We set a date to talk. I think we will have more conversations. Join us here on this episode and follow her...

Maybe you have seen a documentary on  freediving ? You may have marveled at the seeming effortlessness and tranquility of just entering the water and going down, perhaps to depths where it almost seems unbelievable. Chris Hanhimaki  insists, however, that “freediving is the purest way that a human can interact with the underwater world.“There’s no reliance on tanks or anything external,” Hanhimaki...

As we start a new year join a conversation on what Monika Ghent and her colleagues offer at the Living Earth School of Herbalism. Their online courses are a great place to start your journey. You may want to improve your health in 2026 by seeing what can be stand alone or as complimentary to traditional Western medicine. In addition the school has field studies, workshops and more through its loca...

I think Rainbow Kitchen does so much more than "Feed the Belly and Feed the Soul" for their Monday to Friday breakfast and lunch is vital to so many. Their school programs and varied menu allows people of all ages in Esquimalt - and beyond - to continue and to thrive. No questions asked, you can come for something nutritious, warm, and flavourful and if you wish you can bring some home f...

Come along to 760 Broughton Street in Victoria and meet Jonathan Morissette. He and his wife have recently opened a shop offering a broad selection of non-alcohol beverages. Softer Drink has spirit-free bottles from across the globe, non-alcohol wines, and cocktails, as well as unique teas. Jonathan shares their entrepreneurial journey, an overview of their inventory, and an invitation to visit th...

Come along for a half hour conversation about diabetes. Glenn Thibault not only is a key figure at Diabetes Canada - he will share his exact title - but also lives with the disease. We talk about how people dealt with the challenges in the past and how technology is improving quality of life for all today. What will tomorrow bring in management and control?

I met Bree Sharratt at the Thursday Esquimalt Market. It was Halloween and she was dressed as a giraffe. Now that's a conversation opener. It was her teas that prompted a visit to Langford and a tour of her shop. In this episode you will hear her passion for teas and infusions. Check out what she offers by googling Island Elixirs and of course listen along. I apologize for the slight backgroun...

In this episode of QOL I share the delight in finding this bijoux space. Aerth saunas is a very special third place. Sitting by the fire pit Viki tells us of her journey imagining this, designing it, constructing it, and what it means to those who come to experience it.

Expert hospitality consultant Daniel Cronin has decades of experience assembling the perfect beverage... for you! We talk about ingredients, history (pouring the classics), and the growing segment of the "spirit-free" drinks world.

Another one of the interviews I've been wanting to do for some years. I had to ask myself what the delay and hesitation was; and so I said "go for it" and requested an opportunity. Julian Daly was kind enough to say yes. Julian is the CEO of Our Place Society. Victoria is not immune to the challenges of addictions, homelessness, and the weight of mental health issues. They are challe...

Murals! Yes, the Sherlock Holmes Walk - adjacent to the Toronto Reference Library - features interesting interpretations of the contents and time of author Conan Doyle. Apologies for the sound quality, but this was recorded outdoors on a breezy day between buildings with ventilation. Kindly accompanied by Cliff Goldfarb we learn about the panels of inspired images. In the last portion we go up to...

Dr. Gifford-Jones (Dr. Ken Walker) passed away on Canada Day 2025. He had long crossed the century mark and continued writing through his following time. His last book was on retirement living, but readers likely recall his 5 decade contribution to explanations on health and wellness. How wonderful to have the chance to visit with his daughter Diana, and learn more about this amazing man and his w...

We've been wanting to sit down and talk for years. Finally, we did it. Welcome Bryan Cooper to the podcast! Here is our discussion on men's mental health, and specifically his journey.

Well, we visited Simply The Best in Victoria for all things men's wear, so this time we are off to celebrate the 50 years of Fashion Fair. While so many specialty women's stores have disappeared, Sheila Bracken has survived. What is the key to her success? It is commitment combined with her personality. It comes down to being Sheila. Joined by her business partner Jocelyn Tait they togethe...

All my guests share one or more attributes; they are fascinating! Eric Boutilier is a subject matter expert on transportation (specifically rail service in Northern Ontario), and with that skill (and frustration) he has once again produced a game. "Tripped" takes you on a journey across North America, and just like the famous "Trouble" there are roadblocks and setbacks that imp...

This is a short selection from an article I wrote in early summer 2025.Alex Tétreault started putting down written words for as long as he can remember. “It was a bit of an escape for me, and I just found it really fun.” He is Greater Sudbury's 8th Poet Laureate. Writing can be a liberating, but also sequestering process. For Tétreault this tension is very important. “It allows me to be as spe...

Broadcaster, and wearer of many hats, John Lindsay has been part of Sudbury since the sixties. He has been a school board trustee, served on many committees, and has been an activist on many fronts... including bike infrastructure. He is fun to talk to and engaging as a conversationalist. I recall John's late night radio program as well as TV interviews with artists and musicians. Come along f...

Visiting Taylor Bell at Wildness Ranch Glamping Retreat in Chelmsford, Ontario you begin to realize the alure of being in a tent under a forest canopy. The big open marshland to the south would be a birdwatcher's paradise. Perhaps watch meteor showers or the Northern Lights while sitting by your campfire. Off-grid this is not just a place to unwind and unplug, but to regain some peace.

On the hottest days of the year Lecoupe Ice is busy ensuring you and your beverages keep cool. I spoke with Daniel Mensour about this second and third generation Sudbury family business at their manufacturing centre in Val Caron. Block ice and cube ice for your cooler, Luxury Ice Balls and prisms for specialty drinks, what you find are consumables that improve your quality of life. Come along and...