The Modern Rustic

This week we sit down with Aaron Dawson, the founder of the Abbotsford Film Society and movie savant. We discuss what's happening with the Society, as well as the current state of the industry and some of our favorites. Find out more on Instagram @abbotsfordfilmsociety This episode was recorded on May 12 2025

This week we are joined by Miranda, a local book enthusiast and avid reader. We discuss her life journey and how she got to now, then we dive into our favorite books and our mutual love of reading. You can follow her on Instagram @miranda.the.book.lady This episode was recorded on March 11th 2025

This week we sit down with Claire, a local art enthusiast, t-shirt maker, model, and so much more. You can find her on instagram @clairerozek This episode was recorded on February 20th 2025

This week we sit down with Ania Bula, a researcher at UFV on fish DNA and culturing. We discuss her research as well as other topics like autism, activism, and Neo-Nicotinoids in our waterways. Her book "Young, Sick, and Invisible: A Skeptic's Journey with Chronic Illness" is available on Amazon. This episode was recorded on February 17th 2025

This week we are joined by Shivalika, a poet, writer and mental health advocate. We discuss her life story navigating physical and mental health challenges as well as the medical system and her writing journey in hopes that these lived experiences can help others. You can find out more on Instagram @byshivalika This episode was recorded on November 14th 2024

This week we sit down with Taylor Hinton from @hintonation_coaching where he helps millennials create a systematic approach to weight loss while eating dessert every night. This episode was recorded on October 30th 2024

This week we sit down with local coach and technical director of Tzeachten FC, Ryan Critchley. We briefly discuss his work with weeds then segue to soccer. He explains the club, its origins and ideals, as well as the coaching models and techniques that works for the club. He then discusses his personal coaching philosophy and what's next for Tzeachten FC. This episode was recorded on October 1st 2...

This week we sit down with local stylist and artist Jillian to discuss her life and share some wild stories. We dive into her life moving across western Canada, her trusty machete, her worst hair horror stories, and what drives her to passion everyday. This episode was recorded on September 25th 2024

We start off season 3 with an appropriately scary episode to coincide with the Halloween season! In this episode we welcome back one of our favorite horror writers and local creative Kellyn to discuss issue 2 of "The Local Crypt" an online horror zine he edits alongside co-founder, creative director, and graphic designer Skylar Frances. We also touch on horror in media before we dive into his writ...

This week we sit down with Onella Schubert, an agriculture advocate and health and wellness enthusiast. While enjoying some craft beer, we dived into a discussion on honeybees, heritage farming, and becoming a nutritionist in BC. We also talk about the loss of local farmland and the future of food. If you have any questions or comments you can email us at themodernrusticpodcast@gmail.com or DM us...

This week we sit down with Dan Verbeek to discuss a wide range of topics. We touch on AI and the fears surrounding instant gratification as well as community and skill loss. We then discuss media, social experiments and tech. We end the conversation with Dan's experience as a teacher and what he has tried to instill in others to leave his version of a legacy. If you have any questions or comme...

This week we sit down with Harlan Havig, a community minded individual who works with the Mission Farmers Market as well as operates the Mission Makers Group. We dive into Harlan's life experience after a stroke, as well as his faith journey as a Jehovah's Witness. We discuss community development, local issues around plants and trees, AI tools, audiobooks, neuroscience, and the passion be...

This week we sit down with Connie Hackett, an advocate for local tourism and a social media influencer. We have an incredible conversation regarding Abbotsford and its history, arts, culture, and tourism. Connie shares her passion for local community as well as some wild experiences spanning from Janes Walks to Disneyland. We wrap up with some insight into her journey with social media and how Con...

This week we sit down with Hala and Kayla, two friends with some very interesting stories. We dive into Hala's origins in Dubai and how she plans to make a name for herself, as well as Kayla's greatest achievements and some snacky anecdotes. We focus on social media, behavioral sciences, and the meaning of friendship. Feel free to also listen in to episode #57 with Kayla Brouwer. If you have any q...

This week we sit down with Jerome Carretas, a personal trainer at OPEX Fitness and Wellness in Abbotsford. We discuss fitness, training, and what healthy really means. We chat about jiujitsu, determination, discipline and professional Kizomba dancing. If you have any questions or comments you can email us at themodernrusticpodcast@gmail.com or DM us on Instagram. We are available on Spotify, Ancho...

This week we sit down with Daryl Rolleman, a regular on the show and someone with unique perspectives on life. We dive into a lengthy discussion on dentistry, parenting and babies, and then Daryl opens up about his past and how it changed him for the better. We touch on the evolution of AI and media, our love of audiobooks, and finish up with a conversation about pushing ourselves to be more disci...

This week we sit down with Tiani Foster, a local actor and community enthusiast. We discuss her love of theatre and past experiences on stage, growing up with a huge family, recreational therapy, poetry, her work with Jesters Theatre, and Tiani's experience with Diabetes. For more information on Jesters Theatre visit Jesters.ca November is Diabetes awareness month, please take this opportunity to...

This week we sit down with popular local author and writer Rylo Kinn, famous for his dark fantasy novel "Drakonia: The Dragon's Flute" which is the first in an ongoing saga. We discuss his experiences and the impact writing has had on his life. We also dive into imposter syndrome, navigating social media, and how the book came to be. Drakonia: The Dragon's Flute is available at Chapters, Coles, an...

This week we sit down with Maja Hampson, a conservation biologist and local author, to discuss her journey as a biologist working to protect our endangered BC species as well as her experience as a writer, her process, and what drives her to create. If you have any questions or comments you can email us at themodernrusticpodcast@gmail.com or DM us on Instagram. We are available on Spotify, Anchor,...

This week we sit down with teacher and entrepreneur Dereck Dirom, the creator of Makerspace and Gearbots in the Fraser Valley. Gearbots is a program designed for kids to embrace their inner innovator and promote applied and hands-on learning. You can find out more at gearbots.org or @gearbots on Instagram If you have any questions or comments you can email us at themodernrusticpodcast@gmail.com or...

this week we sit down with Jade Lehti, a local entrepreneur and professional event coordinator who owns and operates Solar Plexed Productions and the Grand Hall in Chilliwack, a new community event space. We discuss her history in event coordinating, her journey getting the Grand Hall set up, and her next steps. If you have any questions or comments you can email us at themodernrusticpodcast@gmail...

This week we sit down with local author L.T. James to discuss writing, her process, how she wrote and published her own book of short stories, and what comes next. We also dive into a discussion on her various supernatural experiences and how they played a role in her writing. Twisted Tales from the Dark Side: The Devil's Playground is currently available on Amazon and Kindle. If you have any...

This week we sit down with Darien Johnsen, the creator of the popular local Zapta zine. We begin with a discussion on media, TV, and jumping the shark which slowly shifts into her podcast experience with "Stories of Resiliency" on CIVL Radio. We then dive into a discussion on Darien's work counteracting racism in the Fraser Valley through many avenues. We dive into how Zapta magazine was created a...

This week we sit down with entrepreneur, Marketing expert, and founder of Elementa Apparel, Erick Rodriguez. We discuss how the company took shape, the revolutionary use of Bamboo Silk in the product, and the manufacturing process. We also delve into Erick's appearance on Shark Tank Mexico and the preparation and challenges this experience brought. We also touch on advertising, marketing, and the...

This week we sit down with Ryan McClary, the genius behind McClary's Rock 'N' Roll Apparel. We dive into how music brings us together, Ryan's background growing up in the Valley, and a few of our favorite conspiracies. We touch on the education system then delve into Ryan's background as a farm kid and how success and failure has framed his life and where he is now. We touch on human morality and...