Behind The Village Podcast

In this episode, join Mikaila Bolzonello as she sits down with Peter Schembri, the driving force behind Bedrock Cafe, a beloved family-run pizza restaurant celebrating 35 years in business. Tapping into their shared Italian heritage and personal stories, Mikaila and Peter explore the rich history of Bedrock Cafe, from its humble beginnings as a donut shop to its evolution into a local pizza favour...

In this insightful episode, hosts Jiun and Mikaila dive deep into the essence of marketing and its transformative power for small businesses. With the backdrop of Canadian Small Business Week, they explore vital questions that every entrepreneur asks themselves before launching their marketing strategies. Jiun, a seasoned marketing strategist with nearly a decade of experience, emphasizes the impo...

In this episode of the podcast, we dive deep into the inspiring journey of Chef Melanie Robinson, the owner of Eclectic Café, a beloved culinary gem in Orillia. Join us as we explore Melanie's evolution from her early aspirations in policing and emergency services to embracing her true passion for cooking at the age of 30. Melanie shares her heartfelt story of loss and resilience, illustrating how...

In this episode, I had a moving conversation with Lynn Thomas, a dedicated professional fundraiser and development director at North Simcoe Victim Services (NSVS). Join us as we explore the vital role NSVS plays in the community, providing critical support for individuals in crisis. Lynn shares her journey from her early days in fundraising to her passionate involvement in social services, highlig...

In this episode, join Jiun Liao as he welcomes Ninette Gyorody, the Executive Director of the Orillia Museum of Art and History (OMAH), to discuss the museum's vibrant history and its exciting future. With a focus on community engagement, Ninette shares how OMAH has evolved over its 25 years, transitioning from a traditional museum space to a dynamic hub for art and history. Listeners will learn a...

In this episode, I sit down with Valerie Powell, an advocate for age-friendly communities and co-chair of Age Friendly Orillia. We dive into the formation of this organization, a grassroots initiative aimed at addressing the needs of older adults in Orillia and area. Valerie discusses the eight domains of age-friendliness as defined by the World Health Organization and highlights the importance of...

In this episode, I sit down with Courtney Baker, the Office and Acquisition Coordinator at the Couchiching Conservancy. Courtney shares her inspiring journey from studying archaeology and anthropology to becoming a key player in local conservation efforts. Discover the vital work being done to protect nearly 15,000 acres of natural land and how the conservancy creates wildlife corridors that are e...

In this episode, I sit down with Vicki and Rob Leppard Conant, a dynamic couple who made the leap from urban life in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) to the serene countryside of Waubaushene, Ontario. Together, they have transformed their passion for animals into a thriving farm and rescue operation. Join us as Vicki shares her journey into animal rescue with “Chasing Butterflies Equine Rescue,” whe...

In this episode of our podcast, I sit down with Marlene Limpright, the president of the Coldwater and District Agricultural Society, to explore the vibrant world of the Coldwater Fall Fair. Marlene shares her journey from growing up on a farm to leading one of our community's most cherished agricultural events. We delve into the fair's focus on preserving agricultural heritage, featuring tradition...

In this episode, I sit down with Deborah Joslin and David Ardito from Next Gen Hub (NGH) and Safety Training Consulting (STC) to explore the importance of safety training in the workplace. Deborah shares her entrepreneurial journey, rooted in a family background of business and farming, while David discusses his transition into health and safety after a life-changing accident. Listeners will gain...

In this episode, Mikaila Bolzonello joins me as the co-host to discuss our unexpected involvement in The Villager magazine, the challenges we faced, and our approach to the business. We also talk about our work outside of the magazine, including my marketing company ( Lobo Media Marketing ), Mikaila's real estate career, and theatre. We open up about our passion for community and the desire to cre...

In this quick episode we introduce the concept of our new podcast and what you can expect. We'll be showcasing members of our community of Severn, Oro-Medonte, Orillia, and Ramara and all the work they do behind the scenes for the community. Be sure to check out our website and follow us on Youtube .