The Kingstonian Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Join us for a discussion about the vital role of public foundations in supporting communities, as we sit down with Stacy Kelly , the newly appointed Executive Director for the Community Foundation for Kingston & Area. With over 25 years of experience in fundraising, development, and non-profit management, Stacy shares his journey to this position and his deep passion for conne...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, my guest is Ryan Lemmon , otherwise known as SIDESHOW , a local radio broadcaster who hosts the morning show at CFMK-FM in Kingston, Ontario.  With over 15 years of experience in the industry and a passion for connecting with his listeners, SIDESHOW has made a name for himself in local radio circles. In addition to his work on the airwaves, he also hosts a podcast...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, my guest is Julie Tompkins , a seasoned professional whose career has been focused on the art of ‘communication’. From writing commercial copy at a radio station to her current role as Vice President, Corporate Services & Chief Communications Officer for Empire Life, Julie has honed her skills in getting the message out effectively. Join us as we discuss the i...

Send us Fan Mail Sean Maloney is my guest in this episode.  Sean is a Professor in the History Department of the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario. One of his primary areas of interest is the Cold War; he also has a focus on the use of nuclear weapons.   Sean joins me to discuss Vladimir Putin, his control over Russia, and the motivation behind his ruthless invasion of Ukraine.  Sean she...

Send us Fan Mail My guest in this episode is BRUCE KAUFFMAN , a local poet who has made significant contributions to our literary community. Bruce has published several collections of his own work and is a tireless advocate for poetry and the arts. He has also organized numerous "open mic" sessions, providing a platform for other local poets to share their work and gain exposure. Moreove...

Send us Fan Mail How many times have you thought about taking something you love doing, and converting it into a business?  So, what about eating chocolate?  This episode tells the story of one person’s passion for finding a way to take ethically sourced beans and converting them into tasty chocolate bars.  Dr. Anne Godlewska spent many years as a Professor in the Geography Department at Queen’s U...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to "The Kingstonian Podcast"!  Join Dave Cunningham for a conversation with special guest, Doug van der Horden .   Doug is not only a student counselor but also a passionate advocate for increasing awareness about human trafficking.  In his free time, Doug is a talented local musician who regularly performs at local clubs and has recently released a six-song EP o...

Send us Fan Mail We are talking about retirement in this episode.  Baby Boomers have been wrapping up their working-lives for several years now. Some have favoured the more traditional approach to retirement – making time for travel; focusing on activities they didn’t have as much time for while employed.  Others have chosen to continue with their life’s work or moved to another passion.   In this...

Send us Fan Mail Working at something you love is something my guest takes seriously!                          RON FITZPATRICK started his radio broadcast career in 1966; retired in 2016; then started volunteering at a community station right after.  If you are a fan of radio, you’ll enjoy this episode.  Ron spoke with me from his home in Waterloo, Ontario, in early February 2023. Our theme music...

Send us Fan Mail In Kingston, Ontario, not too many individuals get the chance to wear the “Chain of Office” for three terms.  Last November, Bryan Paterson was re-elected as Mayor.  As with many other municipal leaders, he and his Council will need to continue to focus on some of the same major issues – housing, homelessness and climate change – to name just a few.  I sat down with Bryan four yea...

Send us Fan Mail In many cities, film buffs catch their favourite movies at a multiplex theatre, usually located on the outskirts of town.  However, there is still an appetite for that ‘evening out’ at a downtown outlet.  Hundreds of independents have accepted the challenge and ‘set up shop’ downtown offering a wide selection of movies.  But being an ‘independent’ is no easy task.  You need to be...

Send us Fan Mail Jamal Saeed is an author who lives in Kingston, Ontario.  He first arrived as a refugee from the Middle East back in 2016.  Jamal grew up in Syria; as a young man, he spent 30 months on the run avoiding the secret police for expressing his views on the need for basic human rights in his country.  Eventually, he was forced to spend a total of 12 years in prison – never charged.  Up...

Send us Fan Mail This episode of the Podcast profiles a musician, who leads a group of dedicated players – all playing hand bells.   Janet McDonald is the director of the “Limestone Ringers”, a hand bell choir based at Edith Rankin Memorial United Church, located at the west-end of Kingston.  Hand bells trace their evolution back to the big bells in the spires, pulled by long ropes, back in the la...

Send us Fan Mail One can make a film; or watch a film.  One can also debate the meaning of film with friends.  But there are a precious few who have a certain passion for films and how they relate to politics and pop culture – a passion that involves putting those thoughts to paper.  Our guest is one such individual; his name is Stephen Lee Naish.  Stephen’s latest book is “Screen Captures’ – a co...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we speak with a politician, who, like most others, wasn’t always a politician.  He was/is a scientist – an individual passionate about integrating the theoretical with the practical.    Ted Hsu served a term as the Member of Parliament in Ottawa representing the constituency of Kingston & the Islands (Ontario).  After a break, he now represents the same citizen...

Send us Fan Mail After a 31-year career as a policeman in Scotland, and 7 years in the corporate security industry before being made redundant, Willie Nicol wasn’t quite ready to retire.  His wife had an idea.  Realizing that he had spent much of his life helping people, she suggested he take a more direct approach.  He then retrained and started his own business as a Personal Development Coach. ...

Send us Fan Mail Before he became the most produced playwright in the history of the country; before he was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Canada for his body of work; and before he moved to Fredericton, Norm Foster lived and worked as a radio broadcaster for CKWS in Kingston, Ontario.  That was back in the mid-seventies.  It was in New Brunswick that he developed his passion for writing...

Send us Fan Mail I don’t think it matters where you live.  You’ll be out at some music venue and a singer comes out on stage, a local performer, moves up to the mic, and wow! “Why haven’t I heard that voice before?”   My guest in this episode has had music as part of her DNA since she was a child.  She began by participating in a well-known local choir; took advantage of any ‘open-mic’ session she...

Send us Fan Mail You may have heard that a radio station in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, celebrated its 100th Anniversary in early October 2022.  CFRC is a campus/community station, located on the campus of Queen’s University.  Over the years, some of the volunteer staff have chosen to use their time at CFRC as a learning opportunity; a chance to hone their skills and pursue a career in professional...

Send us Fan Mail This episode is a little different.  The Podcast does not normally profile an organization or an institution but when a radio station reaches its Centennial, you need to acknowledge it.  And when it’s a campus/community station, you need to spend some time talking about it!      STEVE CUTWAY is the longest-serving station manager at CFRC, having spent some time before that volunte...

Send us Fan Mail Years ago, Vicki Keith woke up in the middle of the night and decided that marathon swimming was going to be her sport; she pulled down her copy of the Guinness Book of World Records and focused on some milestones she felt she could achieve.  In 1988, she became the first person to swim across all five of Canada’s Great Lakes in the space of 61 days.  She has 16 world records to h...

Send us Fan Mail Gord Hunter has been passionate about animals since he found that wounded garter snake as a kid.  He's always had pets and now he helps look after many, many more everyday as the Executive Director of the Kingston Humane Society.  He joins host,  Dave Cunningham , to talk about that passion, and how the Humane Society is rebuilding after COVID.   He is also passionate about w...

Send us Fan Mail Her Dad loved museums and her Mom was a teacher.  So it seemed only natural that Jamie McKenzie-Naish would someday combine that ‘heritage’ as a museum guide, curator and now facilitator working with the Kingston & Area Association of Museums, Art Galleries and Historic Sites.  As Managing Director of the organization, she works to support those sites, so they continue to grow...

Send us Fan Mail Helen Cooper was first elected to municipal council in Kingston back in 1980.  Eight years later, she became the first woman to take on the job of Mayor.  This episode profiles life before politics, during her time around the municipal ‘horseshoe’, and positions she occupied post elected office.  Local government is obviously a very important part of community service, but volunte...

Send us Fan Mail Podcasts featuring local history have been very popular with listeners.  Bill Stevenson was my guest for a show focused on the Facebook Page he set up – “Vintage Kingston”.  Chris West shared plans for the revitalization of the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes.  Brian Johnson told us stories of his 30+ years as captain of the Wolfe Island Ferry – stories about the Island and the w...