The Pulse

"Send us a text about this episode!" Season 2 Premiere of The PULSE Community Podcast features: (21:26) Neil Osborne , lead singer and co-founder of iconic BC band 54-40 from Gabriola Island, shares tracks from their 15th studio album “Porto”. The Canadian Music Hall of Fame member discusses their old-school approach of testing songs with live audiences before recording, their upcoming t...

"Send us a text about this episode!" This Episode Features: (08:44) Dan Larocque shares the inspiring story behind the Parksville community garden, from its 2022 Agriculture Canada grant origins to becoming a vital social hub. Learn how this barrier-free space produces fresh food for anyone who needs it while teaching gardening skills, building community connections, and bringing neighbo...

"Send us a text about this episode!" This Episode Features: (10:34) Deb Grey, Canada's first female leader of official opposition , shares her incredible motorcycling journey spanning 58 years. From political campaigns on two wheels to cross-country adventures with husband Lewis, Grey offers tips for Vancouver Island riding routes. She discusses their matching Honda Valkyries, memor...

"Send us a text about this episode!" This Episode Features: (09:11) James Vickers, 15 year old Vancouver Island blues musician shares his journey from a dusty Toys"R"Us guitar to headlining to the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, hosting the legendary Queen's Sunday Blues Jam in Nanaimo, and his vision to revolutionize blues music by blending grunge, rap, and R&am...

"Send us a text about this episode!" This Episode Features: (08:55) Dashwood Fire Chief Nick Acciavatti provides a look at managing Vancouver Island's largest interface fire in history. From coordinating 300 firefighters across multiple agencies to implementing life-saving FireSmart principles, Chief Acciavatti shares how proper preparation and community support created a successful...

"Send us a text about this episode!" This Episode Features: (07:20) Oceanside Classical Concerts Community Outreach: Joe Straka details their transformative Vancouver Island music programs including the instrument lending initiative providing free instruments to students whose schools can't afford adequate supplies. The organization has created scholarship programs supporting divers...

"Send us a text about this episode!" This PULSE podcast episode showcases the Ballenas Whalers fundraiser and 25th Anniversary homecoming celebration. Featuring Oceanside Football Association President Michael Pedersen discussing the September 6th fundraising dance, plus author Brian Wilford's climate change novel and seismologist Taimi Mulder's tsunami wave analysis for mid-Va...

"Send us a text about this episode!" This PULSE podcast episode celebrates Vancouver Island community arts through two inspiring local stories. Featuring Sylvia Humble of Humble Harmony community singing groups and photographer duo Dave and Kelly Hutchinson discussing their bestselling book "Vancouver Island: The Art of the Landscape." This Episode Features: (10:08) Sylvia Humb...

"Send us a text about this episode!" This Episode Features: (08:32) Gordon Maurits and Jaclyn Tereszko from Oceanside Community Safety Volunteers reveal recent losses of over $100,000 to fraudsters targeting Vancouver Island seniors. They detail upcoming safety seminars covering home security, internet fraud, and emergency preparedness for Parksville and Qualicum Beach residents. Seminar...

"Send us a text about this episode!" This Episode Features: (28:42) Sylvia Campbell, co-founder of North Island Wildlife Recovery Center in Errington, shares the incredible 40-year journey that began on Christmas Day 1983 with rescuing a great horned owl. The Vancouver Island Wildlife Rehabilitation Center now helps 700 animals annually with 100 volunteers, addressing the reality that 90...

"Send us a text about this episode!" This PULSE podcast episode celebrates Vancouver Island's incredible artistic talent. Featuring blues musician Brandon Isaac ("Yukon Slim") discussing his latest album "Walking with the Blues" after 37 years of touring, plus Qualicum First Nation artist Jesse Recalma sharing insights into traditional Coast Salish art and his st...

"Send us a text about this episode!" (10:39) Clinton Nellist, local podcaster and graduate of Qualicum Secondary School, discusses his TELUS StoryHive-funded project "Branches Between Generations." This innovative Vancouver Island podcasting initiative pairs students with seniors at Berwick Parksville to create intergenerational dialogue content, addressing the gap in family-fr...

"Send us a text about this episode!" This PULSE podcast episode explores Vancouver Island private healthcare innovation and supernatural folklore. Jordan Schley of Care2Talk discusses expanding private medical clinics across Vancouver Island, including ambitious MRI machine plans for Central Island. Plus, author Shanon Sinn shares eyewitness accounts from the island's most haunted l...

"Send us a text about this episode!" This special summer solstice PULSE podcast episode captures the essence of Parksville summer activities through authentic community voices. Recorded live at the Parksville Food Truck Festival, hosts Dave Graham and Peter McCully gather local insights on the best Vancouver Island summer experiences, from Rathtrevor Beach camping to Sooke Potholes swimm...

"Send us a text about this episode!" This PULSE podcast episode features remarkable teen democracy advocate Janelle van Dongen and Parksville City Councillor Sean Wood discussing critical healthcare infrastructure needs at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. This Episode Features: (15:42) Teen Democracy Champion Janelle van Dongen shares her extraordinary journey from interviewing MPs in...

"Send us a text about this episode!" This PULSE Community Podcast episode celebrates two remarkable Vancouver Island stories. Featuring renowned 95-year-old artist and naturalist Robert Bateman discussing his current exhibition "Mid-Century Bateman" at the Cowichan Valley Museum. Plus, Ken Schley of Qualicum Beach shares the incredible story of owning the authentic SS Minnow fr...

"Send us a text about this episode!" This PULSE podcast episode celebrates Vancouver Island community spirit through the legendary Father's Day Car Show Qualicum Beach. Featuring Jim Moroz of Seaside Cruisers discussing the 32nd annual charity event, plus Great Big Sea co-founder Sean McCann sharing his inspiring 10,000-kilometer Canadian unity tour across the nation. This Episode F...

"Send us a text about this episode!" (24:50) Broadcaster, author, and musician Grant Lawrence discusses his unique touring show combining storytelling and music. Lawrence brings listeners into his world of West Coast adventures, from hilarious tales of “Purple Speedos and Ticks” to his current CBC Radio series about escaped Orcas. His spring tour with Joel Plaskett, Lindi Ortega, and Ash...

"Send us a text about this episode!" (23:33) Recently re-elected MP Gord Johns of Courtenay-Alberni, discusses his election victory despite nationwide NDP losses. He outlines his priorities including affordable housing, infrastructure, and addressing the toxic drug crisis, while emphasizing his commitment to representing all constituents. (14:25) Teresa Cooper, Executive Director of the...

"Send us a text about this episode!" "You're not there to pass time. You're there to remain connected and engaged, and our residents do that. They are still passionate about politics, about still learning, and we give them every opportunity to do that." - Chris Denford, president of Berwick Retirement Communities, discussing Berwick Qualicum Beach's recognition a...

"Send us a text about this episode!" (22:58) Pharmacist Aki Shaw breaks down exactly how semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy) work in your body, what side effects to expect, and the crucial lifestyle changes needed for weight loss success - essential information if you're considering this treatment option.  (08:41) Illana Hester, Executive Director of TOSH (The Old Schoolhouse Art Cente...

"Send us a text about this episode!" (20:23) "I never say never, I had once had a fellow stop by and he asked me if I'd paint his jet. So I always say, the answer is never, no. It is just the logistics of how do we get this done?" says Jeremy Humpherville, artist and owner of Coastal Carvings Fine Art Gallery in Coombs, who shares insights about a docuseries being filmed a...

"Send us a text about this episode!" (09:45) This episode features "You Said It," a segment where Peter McCully & Dave Graham collect public opinions on their most important federal election issues, revealing diverse concerns about healthcare, housing affordability, the economy, and Canada-US relations. Many participants expressed frustration with current political options...

"Send us a text about this episode!" Six of seven federal candidates in the Courtenay-Alberni riding took turns answering audience questions during an all candidates meeting Tuesday, April 15 in Port Alberni.  In attendance were: Chris Markevich of the Green Party, Brian Cameron of the Liberal Party, Gord Johns of the NDP, Thomas Gamble of the Peoples Party of Canada, Teresa Knight of th...

"Send us a text about this episode!" (13:38) Singer Songwriter Amarii of Qualicum Beach tells the story of turning Foster Care struggles into musical success. Listen to Martin Rupprecht's inspiring journey from making music in his basement to signing with a record label. His authentic advice for small-town artists will motivate anyone with big dreams.  (31:18) Mike Hann takes you be...