City of Nanaimo Presents: The Sweet Layered Podcast

In this episode of The Sweet Layered Podcast, we explore how the City of Nanaimo’s culture grants support local organizations, events and creative projects that enrich community life. We welcome the City’s Culture Coordinator and three grant recipients to talk about how funding helps turn ideas into meaningful experiences. From festivals and heritage initiatives to arts programming, the episode hi...

In this episode we explore how the City of Nanaimo is addressing and improving accessibility across its recreation facilities. From physical upgrades and barrier-free design to staff training and service delivery, the conversation highlights the steps being taken to ensure residents of all abilities can access programs, spaces and services with confidence. Our guests are Mike Bryson, Deputy Direct...

Tourism touches nearly every part of Nanaimo’s community, from jobs and small business to arts, culture and events. In this episode, we sit down with Carly Pereboom, CEO of Tourism Nanaimo, to talk about what’s coming up this year. The conversation explores new initiatives, seasonal highlights and evolving travel trends, as well as how Tourism Nanaimo balances visitor growth with sustainability an...

Municipal elections shape the decisions that affect our everyday lives — from roads, parks and public safety to housing and community services. British Columbia’s next general local election takes place on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, and in this episode, we break down what voters and potential candidates need to know. Joining us is Sheila Gurrie, Director of Legislative Services and Communications, w...

In this episode of The Sweet Layered Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Derek Poteryko, a family physician, author and well-known wellness advocate in Nanaimo. We talk about his community-based approach to health, including Walk With a Doc and the Orange Bench initiative, and explore what wellness really means, why simple habits matter and how social connections support physical and mental health. Dr....

Original airdate: 11/19/2024 *edited to remove out of date information. Adverse weather can be challenging, but with the right services and clear communication it makes all the difference. Clear roads, sidewalks and areas around facilities to safety alerts and critical updates, timely info keeps our community safe, informed and prepared. We chat with Charlotte Davis, Deputy Director of Parks and N...

On this episode of the Sweet Layered Podcast, we’re joined by Carina Nilsson, General Manager and Brian McFadden, President of the Vancouver Island Military Museum. Located near Nanaimo’s harbour front, the museum features exhibits tracing Canada’s military history from the War of 1812 to present-day missions. We explore how the museum came to be, how stories and artifacts are selected and the imp...

On this episode we welcome Jaime-Brett Sine, the City’s Culture Coordinator, to talk about Luminous Paths: Nanaimo’s 150 and Beyond event held in early 2025 – which recently took home a Creative City Network of Canada Impact Award. Luminous Paths was a month-long winter art festival commemorating the City’s 150th anniversary of Nanaimo City Council’s first meeting. The event, a first of its kind f...

We thought we'd give it a few months before we have Nanaimo's latest Officer in Charge of the RCMP,  Superintendent Eric Rochette, to the podcast! We talk upbringing in eastern Canada, leadership practice, vision for the detachment and public safety.

Today we’re joined by two of Nanaimo’s dedicated Bylaw Officers, Wally Taylor and Mike Buckler. We’ll be diving into what it’s like to work in bylaw enforcement, bylaws the community may not know about, the challenges, misconceptions and celebrations they experience and how they help keep our community safe and respectful. Thanks for joining us!

Nanaimo is getting ready to welcome 2,700 athletes for the 2025 55+ BC Games, a province-wide celebration of active living and community spirit. In this episode we chat with Games President Diana Johnstone and Vice President Mary Smith about what it takes to organize an event of this size and scale. They talk about the 21 sports being featured, the call for volunteers and how local residents and b...

Aquatics is one of the most popular programs offered by the City. On this episode we dive into a topic that makes a big splash in our community. Recreation Coordinators Ashley Rowe and Amanda Watkins share information on the many programs offered from swim lessons, Aquafit, water safety and so much more. How many people use the facility each day and how many litres of water is needed to fill a poo...

Public works, the essential service that keeps our community running smoothly. On this episode we're exploring why public works matter, how they affect our daily lives and what residents might not realize about the planning and people behind the scenes. Most importantly, we discuss Public Works Day! What is it? Listen to find out. Joining us are Sweet Layered Podcast alum Bill Sims, General Manage...

April is Water to Earth Month and today we discuss and celebrate the critical connections between our environment and everyday lives. In honour of Earth Day, we’re spotlighting a unique partnership that brings together multiple levels of government and private industry to care for something we all rely on, our watershed. From the forests that filter our water, to the rivers that carry salmon home,...

Ever wonder how the city keeps everything running smoothly? Some of it comes down to data—over 400 layers of it. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) support everything from managing water and wastewater to dispatching emergency services and tracking city assets. GIS helps City staff make informed decisions, improve public safety and even meet legislative requirements. On this episode, we’re joine...

Ever wonder how buildings in Nanaimo stay safe and up to code? Today, we're taking a look at the Building Inspections and Permits process with Darcy Fox the Manager of Building Inspections. We chat about the folks who review permits, enforce regulations and help turn ideas into reality. Stick around as we break down how their work keeps our community growing strong!

On this episode of The Sweet Layered Podcast, we’re talking trash—literally! In the booth we welcome City Councillor and Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) Director Ben Geselbracht and City Zero Waste Coordinator Travis Barrington. As one of four municipalities in the RDN, the City of Nanaimo plays an important role in supporting the RDN’s Solid Waste Management Plan. While the RDN sets the big-pi...

This special year-in-review episode of The Sweet Layered Podcast peeled back the many layers of what makes Nanaimo such a vibrant community. This year, we released 15 episodes, exploring everything from property taxes and water conservation to cultural celebrations and major city projects. With an average of over 100 downloads per episode, we’re proud to be in the top 25th percentile of podcasts w...

In this episode, we’re diving into Nanaimo’s 2025-2029 Draft Financial Plan—a blueprint for managing $4.8 billion in City assets and supporting a growing population of over 100,000. With investments in public safety, housing and infrastructure, the plan reflects the City’s commitment to sustainability, livability and long-term resilience. We chat with Chief Administrative Officer Dale Lindsay and...

Adverse weather can be challenging, but with the right services and clear communication it makes all the difference. Clear roads, sidewalks and areas around facilities to safety alerts and critical updates, timely info keeps our community safe, informed and prepared. Up next we chat with Charlotte Davis, Deputy Director of Parks and Natural Areas and David Thompson, Manager of Roads and Traffic Se...

Arenas are more than buildings; they're vibrant hubs that bring people together, hosting everything from hockey games to weekend skating sessions all while creating lasting memories. In this episode of The Sweet Layered Podcast, we chat with arenas staff Grace Bell (Arenas Manager), Allison Schneider (Recreation Coordinator) and Aaron Denninger (Arena Maintenance Worker) to explore how sheets of i...

In this episode, we sit down with Superintendent Andrew Burton, Nanaimo’s new top cop and officer in charge of the RCMP detachment. Andrew shares his vision for the future, reflections on his roots in Port Alberni and stories from his career across Canada. Tune in as we discuss recruitment, employee wellness and much more!

It’s Mayor time! On this episode of The Sweet Layered Podcast we welcome City of Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog. We dig into the Mayor’s youth, influences growing up and his time as a BC Member of Legislative Assembly and Mayor of one of Canada’s fastest growing cities. His fun fact was a good one! 

Next up on The Sweet Layered Podcast is Sadie Robinson, the City’s Transportation Planning Specialist to give us the low-down on Active Transportation. We chat about sustainability plans to encourage walking, rolling, cycling and transit goals. How do we get to be a multi-modal city? What is micro-mobility? What are rules of the road for cyclists and other one or two-wheeled devices? Why are bike...