The Okotoks Podcast

Send us Fan Mail He moved to Canada at 12 — now he’s moving at 140 km/h toward Olympic glory. Carlin Lutzer chats with skeleton athlete Josip Brusic, whose path to the Olympics is anything but ordinary.  Born in Croatia and raised in Canada, Josip shares how a high school weightlifting club, RBC Training Ground, and a fateful skeleton scouting camp in Edmonton led him to become one of Canada’s Oly...

Send us Fan Mail Big dreams don’t need big cities, just early mornings, strong coaches, and belief.  In this Okotoks Shorts episode of the Okotoks Podcast, Carlin spotlights three standout young athletes from the Big Rock Figure Skating Club, Londyn, Vlad, and Presley, as they prepare for the Alberta Winter Games and national competition in Halifax.  The skaters share what it takes to train before...

Send us Fan Mail What does it take to win gold—and still be grounded?  Carlin Lutzer sits down with legendary Canadian speed skater and two-time Olympic gold medalist, Catriona Le May Doan.  From growing up in Saskatoon to lighting the Olympic cauldron in Vancouver, Catriona shares her journey through elite sport, her struggles with perfectionism, and how she’s using her voice today to empower oth...

Send us Fan Mail Motivation isn’t the problem. If you’ve ever started a “fresh” health kick only to hit a wall, feel guilty over one meal, and wonder why progress never lasts, this episode is for you. Carlin sits down with  fitness and nutrition coach Vanessa Hernandez-Munoz , a homegrown expert with big-stage experience, to talk about what actually works when real life gets in the way. No influen...

Send us Fan Mail Strong homes start with hard conversations. In this Okotoks Shorts episode, Carlin Lutzer sits down with renowned speaker and family expert Dr. Dave Currie, who’s coming to town for a powerful weekend of events at the Okotoks Evangelical Free Church.  From helping parents navigate the digital chaos affecting Gen Alpha, to practical tips on having the sex talk, and offering lifelin...

Send us Fan Mail What if Alberta really did separate from Canada—then what?  Carlin Lutzer welcomes back former Alberta cabinet minister Thomas Lukaszuk to unpack the heated and highly personal debate around Alberta’s political future.  With over 456,000 signatures recently submitted to oppose a sovereignty referendum, Lukaszuk reflects on the state of civil discourse, the real risks of separatism...

Send us Fan Mail What does it take to make it to the NHL…and what comes after?  Carlin Lutzer sits down with former NHLer Mason Raymond for a wide-ranging conversation about hockey, hard work, and life after the pros.  From growing up on a farm outside Calgary to scoring in the NHL and representing Canada at the Olympics, Mason shares the highs, lows, and lessons from a decade-long career in profe...

Send us Fan Mail What do homemade wine, small town Alberta, and serial killers have in common?  Carlin Lutzer sits down with Meaghan and Kristy of the Homebrew Murder Crew for a witty, unsettling, and surprisingly thoughtful conversation about true crime.  From their origins in a Facebook group and a shared Blockbuster past to covering local murders that hit close to home, the trio explores why wo...

Send us Fan Mail What if the real weight you need to lose is misinformation? Carlin Lutzer sits down with one of Canada’s top personal trainers, Julie Hodge, to tackle one of the most frustrating cycles of all: yo-yo dieting.  As January rolls in with resolutions and renewed motivation, this honest and hopeful conversation dives deep into what it actually takes to lose fat and keep it off…for good...

Send us Fan Mail When the world feels louder, angrier, and more divided than ever, where does real hope come from? Carlin Lutzer sits down with longtime friend Bill McAlpine to explore why so many people are feeling overwhelmed, fearful, and disconnected, and how hope can still be found even in dark seasons.  From lighthearted moments about lifelong sports loyalties to deep reflections on social d...

Send us Fan Mail Is Freddy’s Just Another Burger Joint? Not Even Close. Carlin Lutzer sits down with Ted Tomanik, the man behind bringing Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers to Southern Alberta.  Ted shares the surprising backstory of how a casual visit to a Phoenix restaurant turned into a bold business venture that’s now changing the fast-food landscape in Okotoks.  From skepticism to ful...

Send us Fan Mail Why is gas in Okotoks more expensive than Calgary? It’s not what you think. Carlin Lutzer digs into a question that’s been frustrating locals for years: why are gas prices in Okotoks consistently higher than in neighboring Calgary?  With the help of Dan McTeague, a former MP and president of Canadians for Affordable Energy, listeners get a rare insider's breakdown of what act...

Send us Fan Mail What if a toy could do more than just bring joy? What if it could change a life?  Carlin Lutzer sits down with Trevor Yeaman, Director of MyCityCare Foothills and campus pastor with Parallel Church.  Trevor shares how this local nonprofit is spreading love and impact across the region, especially through their toy outreach programs that serve families facing financial hardship.  L...

Send us Fan Mail Is Alberta’s housing market finally cooling — or just catching its breath? Carlin Lutzer sits down with Ann-Marie Lurie, Chief Economist at the Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB), for a deep dive into the shifting real estate landscape across Okotoks, Calgary, and surrounding communities.  From international migration dips and rising housing starts to the balancing act between resal...

Send us Fan Mail 🎅 Surprise! Santa Claus drops into the podcast for the most magical and unexpected episode yet.  Carlin Lutzer sits down with the jolly man himself to talk about all things Christmas—from North Pole operations and naughty lists to Santa’s secret identity and off-season vacations in Okotoks.  Santa (or should we say Darrell Clement?) reveals heartwarming stories, behind-the-scenes...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a government that calls itself the champion of freedom uses its strongest legal tool against its own teachers?  Carlin Lutzer reconnects with Alberta Teachers Association representative David Tait to unpack life after Bill 2 and the forced end to the province wide teacher strike.  David explains how the government used the notwithstanding clause to impose a media...

Send us Fan Mail What if Remembrance Day wasn’t just a date on the calendar, but a call to action?  Carlin Lutzer speaks with Canadian Forces veteran and trauma recovery advocate Mark Meincke.  Mark shares raw, eye-opening truths from his service in the Balkans, his struggle with PTSD, and the deep failures of the systems meant to support veterans and first responders.  He also reflects on the sta...

Send us Fan Mail What does it take to build a thriving music scene in a growing town? For Tim Korthuis, it starts with passion, community, and a whole lot of harmony.  Carlin Lutzer sits down with Tim Korthuis — a lifelong Okotokian, musician, and co-founder of the Foothills Philharmonic Society — to explore how a simple love for choral music turned into a powerhouse cultural organization.  Tim sh...

Send us Fan Mail What’s the secret to a warm, worry-free Alberta winter? It starts in your basement.   Carlin Lutzer sits down with Noah Stumpe , owner of Right On! Plumbing and Heating , to uncover the real-world tips every homeowner need before the temperature drops.  From the truth about furnace maintenance and hot-water-tank lifespan to whether heat pumps actually make sense in Alberta, Noah b...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a rec league team becomes the soul of a small town?  Carlin Lutzer and longtime Spoiler Ron Gilmore trace the 45-year legend of the Okotoks Spoilers from midnight ice times in 1979 with borrowed too-small jerseys to three decked-out team buses, prank-filled tournaments, and a brotherhood defined by service.  Ron relives the rickety old rink by the Sheep River, th...

Send us Fan Mail Is Alberta better off leaving Canada or are we stronger together? Carlin Lutzer sits down with Thomas Lukaszuk, former Alberta Deputy Premier, and Serena Mah, communications lead for the Forever Canadian movement.  They tackle the hot-button issue of Alberta separatism from the other side of the debate, exploring what separation would really mean for the economy, national unity, a...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when junior hockey becomes more than just a game?   Carlin sits down with Brady Pupp, the energetic Business Manager behind the Okotoks Oilers, for a behind-the-scenes look at how the team fuels community spirit, local business, and lifelong memories.  From Brady’s own journey as a player to the strategic partnership wins off the ice, this episode delivers heart, hust...

Send us Fan Mail What if healing started with nothing more than opening your garage door? Carlin Lutzer sits down with Richard Cowper-Smith, a man who turned his garage into a safe haven for men battling isolation, mental health struggles, and the weight of life’s pressures.  Richard shares his deeply personal journey of confronting addiction, PTSD, and an autism diagnosis, revealing how faith, co...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a grandfather, a programmer, and a longtime Okotoks resident all run for mayor? Turns out, they’re the same person — and he’s got something to say. Carlin Lutzer sits down with mayoral candidate Dwight Koenning, who shares a vision shaped by deep roots in the community, a background in business and programming, and a strong desire for more transparent communicati...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when 100 women walk into a room with $100 and a mission? A ripple effect of kindness that raises hundreds of thousands for local charities. Lutzer sits down with Terri Perrin and Samantha Lethbridge to spotlight 100 Women Who Care Foothills, a local giving circle that has donated nearly $300,000 to grassroots causes over the past decade.  Terri unpacks the origins of...