On The Brink Podcast

Ties Brink is a very curious 20-year old student from TU Delft in The Netherlands. He is the former mayor of 'Madurodam' and is now on their board. In the course of a year, Ties visited over 130 companies to find out what he wanted to study under the name: #baggageinternship.  This highly driven and intellectual young man has a very promising future, as he continues to devote his time, passio...

In 2019, Alex Mackenzie quit his six-figure pulp mill job in Prince George to chase his dream of becoming a fulltime stand-up comedian. Alex sold his house and bought an RV to travel to gigs across the country with his dog Finley. He is now is now an internationally recognized touring comedian with over 40 million views on his online videos.  Mackenzie tours around the world performing in sol...

Bruce Johnston, P.Eng, has a portfolio and reputation that speak for themselves. He holds designations as a Professional Engineer, Certified Professional, and Red Seal carpenter.    As the Principal and managing partner at Access Engineering in Prince George, BC, he leads multi-discipline design teams, often as the structural lead and coordinating registered professional. He understands...

Tracy Calogheros was born in Toronto and has been in Prince George since 1992. As CEO of The Exploration Place, which has been closed since March 2020, Tracy and her team have been busy coordinating world-class renovations at the museum, preparing for its grand re-opening in autumn 2022.   Tracy has shown she cares about her community by volunteering on various boards and for community o...

Meryeta is an Olympic champion from Prince George, British Columbia, Canada.   Four years after missing her first chance to compete at the Olympic Games due to injury, in 2018 (South Korea Winter Olympics), Meryeta O’Dine was a double medallist at the Beijing 2022 Olympics. She won bronze in the women’s snowboard cross event and then teamed with Eliot Grondin to win bronze in the first O...

Joel McKay is the CEO of Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT), a regional development corporation focused on stimulating economic growth in Northern British Columbia.  Joel joined NDIT in June 2012, where he handled NDIT's communications, marketing and research.   Prior to NDIT, Joel was an assignment editor at Business in Vancouver Newspaper and a journalist specializing in...

Brooklyn Derksen is a local certified Yoga teacher and Level 1 iRest (Integrative Restoration) Meditation teacher. She has a passion to advocate for Mental Health and Complex Chronic Disease Awareness and to share tools for stress management, mental health support, healing and all around wellbeing.  She was born and raised in Prince George BC, where she currently teaches yoga classes and work...

Rob Schuetz is the President of Industrial Forestry Service (IFS), which is one of the largest natural resource consulting firms operating in British Columbia for the forestry, bioenergy, oil & gas, and mining sectors.. Rob is past-president of the Society of Consulting Foresters of British Columbia. He specializes in the analysis of fibre supplies throughout BC and Alberta and has spent over...

Donna Flood is the Executive Director of the Prince George Hospice Palliative Care Society. She has been a nurse for 36 years and had an opportunity to nurse in various countries around the world.    Donna's most memorable and life-changing experience was her work in Calcutta, where she worked in Mother Teresa’s Hospice and instructed her nuns on nursing practice. This developed her pass...

Rob van Adrichem is the Director of External Relations at Community Energy Association (CEA).  With more than 25 years of experience in higher education and local government, Rob is an experienced executive team member with skills in “advancement” – a way of mobilizing messages and stories, visual identity, and relationships to advance the organization. As a born-and-raised citizen of Prince...

Dr. Geoff Payne is the President and Interim Chancellor of the University of Northern British Columbia. A founding faculty member at the Northern Medical Program, Dr. Payne came to UNBC in June 2004 to teach physiology following a post-doctoral fellowship at Yale University in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology and John B. Pierce Laboratory.  Dr. Payne is also currently a Pro...

Jamie Rivard is a commercial banker with TD Canada Trust and a strong advocate for people with disabilities  Jamie  moved to Prince George in 2012 to pursue her bachelor's degree at the University of Northern British Columbia, completing her 4-year degree in 2 years and 8 months.   Jamie is a mother with two children who have Autism Spectrum Disorder. She has a life goal is to...

Craig Briere is an entrepreneur, philanthropist and community-builder who is the CEO of West Coast Hospitality and The Prestige Treasure Cove Resort in Prince George, British Columbia. Craig is also the President of the PG Kodiaks Junior Boys Football Club, which begins its inaugural season in August 2022 at Masich Place Stadium.

Matija Tiani is a local Prince George athlete who has completed over 10 full marathon runs (42.2km), including the Boston Marathon in 2019 (physically) and 2020 (virtually).    Matija is a huge advocate for autism awareness and advocacy. She is an Education Assistance with School District 57, where she provides support primarily for students with autism spectrum disorder. Matija has...

Paul and Sandra Clermont are the founders and owners of Northern Spirit Transportation (NST). Based in Prince George, the company hit the pavement in the fall of 2005, with a 2 bus fleet and Paul Clermont behind the wheel. Over the past decade, NST has grown from humble beginnings to a thriving and highly successful business.   The company has over 30 employees and operates a variety of vehic...

Nikki Smyth and Renee Eliason are the founders of NorthSoulFit, based in Prince George, BC. These two Canadian moms specialize in online health, fitness, wellness and nutrition training and coaching.     You can find Nikki and Renee talking about all things they love from fitness and healthy living to body image, fashion, reviews, try-on hauls and so much more on their social media...

This is a very special podcast with two incredible difference makers in Prince George, British Columbia. Katie Marren is the District Vice Principal of Indigenous Education in School District 57. Harsh Dhaliwal is a grade 12 high school student at Prince George Secondary School.  Together, along with the District’s Student Advisory Council (DSAC), they took on a major leadership project, deno...

Dana Meise is an amazing Prince George resident who holds the world record for enduring the longest hike in history (over 21,000km) that took him 10 years to accomplish. When his father lost the ability to walk, Dana was inspired to hike the entirety of the Trans Canada Trail and began his journey in 2008. Dana travelled throughout all three Canadian territories and 10 provinces in one of the most...

A Certified Professional Coach and Registered Professional Counsellor, Catherine Pennington operates Momentum Counselling and Coaching Services, her practice in which she specializes in narrative therapy and solution focused coaching. A Metis woman from northern Saskatchewan, Catherine is passionate about improving employment, health and education outcomes for Indigenous and northern residents, pa...

Dr. Kathy Lewis is currently Acting Vice President of Research, a Professor and former Chair of the Ecosystem Science and Management Program at UNBC. She teaches courses in forest health and researches the ecological roles of biotic disturbance agents in forests and the influence of management practices and climate change on forest health. Her services to UNBC include membership on the Board of Go...

Born and raised in Glasgow, Scotland, Joe Elliott is a local veteran who spent 22 years serving his country in the navy, before moving to Prince George, British Columbia. In addition to a full time career as a medic, Joe spends a significant amount of time finding resources and directly helping other veterans. Joe is also a loving father, partner and difference maker in the community through persi...

Angela Lefebvre is the owner of Chinook Yoga in Prince George and a proud advocate of Northern British Columbia. Before becoming the owner of Chinook Yoga in December 2021, Angela explored rewarding careers as a Community Coroner, Business Development Officer, Mountain Bike Instructor, Nurse, CRA Agent, Education Program Coordinator and the General Manager of Caledonia Nordic. In her career with C...

Ron Gallo is a community difference-maker in Prince George who has helped the Wheelin' Warriors of the North raise over $1 million for the BC Cancer Foundation.  As a fierce advocate for Northern British Columbia and life-time resident of PG, Ron can be found volunteering for many local charities, fundraising events and non-profit organizations.  Ron has also volunteered for over a quart...

Dani VonShweetz is the Founder of North Soul Studios in Prince George, British Columbia. As a creative visionary, Dani established a Backyard Studio where she builds beautiful wooden wall art. Dani uses many inspirations in her artwork, whether it's the beauty of mountains, nature, conversations and/or love.   People can check out some of Dani's epic mountainscape and geometric works of art o...

Tim Bennett, a major leader in the community of Prince George and Northern British Columbia, has worked with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern BC since 2006, and as Executive Director since 2013.   Tim serves as a Trustee on the Board of Education for School District 57 (Prince George) and was named Board Chair in 2016, which he served for nearly five years.   In addition to...