The Spotlight Hour with Linda Olsen

This week on The Spotlight Hour, I'm looking at how Calgary is rethinking waste, from rescued food to reused clothing and household items. My guests are Colin King from Leftovers Foundation and Karen Ramchuk from WINS (Women in Need Society) talking about sustainability and the economic and social impact of taking a second look at what is worth saving.

On this episode of The Spotlight Hour Podcast, join me for a conversation about what happens when opportunity becomes intentional. My guests, Therese 'Tag' Goulet and Dr. Laura 'Lolly' de Jonge are two Calgarians behind a new Canadian TV series called The Gift, It is a conversation about mentorship, creativity, human potential, and the power of believing in others.

On this episode of The Spotlight Hour, a powerful conversation with Calgary Wild FC's Deanna Zumwalt, who opens up about watching Haiti compete in the World Cup, alongside her children who were adopted from Haiti. Also, Wild FC forward, Serita Thurton, part of Canada's next wave of talent, shares her path to professional soccer. It's a conversation about the World Cup, identity, and the future of...

This episode of The Spotlight Hour explores what life looks like after the uniform, through the work of the Canadian Legacy Project's Veterans' Business Bootcamp and the lived experience of a Calgary veteran starting a new chapter after a diagnosis of PTSD. Judy McMillan-Evans shares her work as the Program Coordinator and Evan Wile talks about transitioning out of the military and starting again...

On this episode of The Spotlight Hour Podcast: Strength Beyond Sport, legendary fight-world cutman, Jacob “Stitch” Duran, brings the kind of stories only he can tell, from working with Sylvester Stallone, Michael B. Jordan, Wladimir Klitschko, and Mike Tyson, to the real moments in his own life that shaped the man fighters trust most. Stitch opens up in a way fight fans rarely hear, mixing grit, h...

On this episode of The Spotlight Hour, Building Futures, together. For 30 years, a Calgary for‑profit and a local non‑profit have worked side by side to build futures for girls and young women at risk of homelessness. I speak with Sharlene Massie of About Staffing and Krystyna Lloyd of Safe Haven Foundation of Canada about their rare long‑term partnership, the evolving needs of young women, and wh...

On this episode of The Spotlight Hour Podcast, I'm looking at The Frontline of Leadership. Calgary Police Chief Katie McLellan and retired Lieutenant-Colonel Deanna Manson join me to talk about what leadership has looked like in their lives, from the early days of their careers to the work they're doing now. We get into the moments that shaped them, what kept them steady, and what they hope the ne...

This week on The Spotlight Hour, I'm exploring youth athlete development and accessibility with two Calgarians working at the heart of it. Kerry MacDonald shares insight from more than 20 years in volleyball and his research on how young athletes grow physically and emotionally. Then, John Clubb joins the conversation to talk about Calgary's Soccability program, where he has been a driving force i...

In this episode of The Spotlight Hour, I am taking a closer look at headaches, pain, and the paths to finding some relief. Calgary neurologist Dr. Werner Becker breaks down some of the understanding of what really drives headache disorders and what helps people find relief. Registered psychologist Dr. Sharon Pham widens the lens, exploring how chronic pain shapes daily life, and some of the strate...

In this episode of The Spotlight Hour, called Beyond the Fear, I explore fear as a constant companion in our lives. I am joined by entrepreneur and author Cory Davison, and endurance athlete and mountaineer Jill Wheatley, who each bring their own lived experience with fear and resilience. This conversation offers a deeper look at how we can move beyond fear, not by eliminating it, but being curiou...

This week on The Spotlight Hour - Game on Calgary - I'm taking you inside the world of esports and how Calgary is stepping into it in a big way. I'm joined by Eddie Sargent, Associate Dean of the Chiu School of Business, who shares why the college invested in a state-of-the-art arena and new digital-career pathways. Then varsity Valorant players Dennis Asham and Chris Rosquillo bring the competiti...

How can we get the next-gen workforce ready? It starts with that very first job. And this generation of young people is entering the workforce at a challenging time, with youth unemployment at around 15 percent in Calgary. Still, there are opportunities and practical ways to help youth take those first steps with confidence. My guests are Sam Wright with the City of Calgary's Youth Employment Cent...

Longevity is more than a trend. It is a movement reshaping how we think about health, aging, and the choices we make today that shape our tomorrow. In this episode of The Spotlight Hour, I am exploring what it truly means to live longer and live well. I'm sitting down with Raman Kapoor of the DIL Walk Foundation and Dr. Zahra Goodarzi, a leading geriatrician, about longevity, super agers and addin...

In this episode of The Spotlight Hour, I am reconnecting with two past recipients of Global Calgary's long-running Woman of Vision program, featuring women whose influence continues to shape Calgary and beyond. I am sitting down with Chef Judy Wood, who we featured in 1999, and Manjit Minhas, was was honoured in 2011. Together, they reflect on defining moments, hard-won lessons, and the ways they...

In this episode of The Spotlight Hour, I am celebrating International Women's Day by reconnecting with two inspiring and visionary women. In my role, as a news anchor and reporter at Global Calgary, I also had the privilege of interviewing over 170 women as part of the Woman of Vision program. In a monthly news segment and column in the Calgary Herald we featured their inspiring journeys and highl...

In this episode of The Spotlight Hour with Linda Olsen, I'm exploring two conversations that look at the heart of Indigenous storytelling and humour. Comedian and Sixties Scoop survivor, Paul Kuster, shares how he's woven his lived experience into his stand-up performances and why comedy is a way of sparking change. And Indigenous educator Crystal Many Fingers brings insight into how storytelling...

In this episode of The Spotlight Hour, I sit down with two of Alberta's behind-the-scenes creators; stunt coordinator Sally Bishop and costume designer Jennifer Haffenden. From action sequences to character-defining wardrobe, they share how movie magic is made long before the cameras roll. A fun look at the artistry, collaboration, and craftsmanship powering our local film and television industry.

A Valentine's love letter to Calgary. Tourism Calgary President and CEO Alisha Reynolds shares how the city is being showcased on the world stage, while historian and author Shaun Hunter uncovers the stories and letters that shaped Calgary's identity, Plus some notable Calgarians share what they love most about our city. A warm heartfelt celebration of Calgary's past, present, and future.

This episode of The Spotlight Hour explores how mentorship shapes Calgary's future, from supporting young people through Big Brothers, Big Sisters to helping newcomers build confidence and careers through TIES, The Immigrant Education Society. Guests Ken Lima-Coelho and Mayssoun Hniedi share how one supportive relationship can change a life and strengthen an entire community.

On this episode of The Spotlight Hour with Linda Olsen: Olympic Dreams, Calgary Roots, I'm taking you inside Canada's road to the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games with two people who know the world of sports very well. You'll hear from Sunshine Village's Kendra Scurfield, and longtime sport leader and Paralympian Patrick Jarvis, as we talk about Calgary's winter-sport identity, some of the...

This episode of The Spotlight Hour: Never Give Up-A Story of Cancer Research and Resilience, brings together two remarkable Calgarians who are working towards a future without cancer. You'll hear from 90-year old Tom Shindruk, a four-time cancer survivor, businessman and author, and Dr. Doug Mahoney, a leading immunotherapy researcher doing work that is putting Calgary in the spotlight when it com...

This episode is going to tug at your heart, especially if you're an animal lover like me. I am highlighting the tireless work of animal support and rescue groups in Calgary and Alberta. My guests are Leanne Niblock, from the Alberta SPCA and Deanna Thompson of AARCS. They will tell you we are in a crisis situation when it comes to animal welfare in our province. You'll hear more about the importan...

This episode of The Spotlight Hour with Linda Olsen takes us right out of this world and into space! Settle in for a fascinating conversation with two Calgary scientists as we learn about the exciting research being done right in our own backyard. Joining me are Dr. Johnathan Burchill and Dr. David Knudsen, both from the University of Calgary's Department of Physics and Astronomy. We'll explore Ca...

This week on The Spotlight Hour, I am exploring the local magazine industry, led by two remarkable women who have helped shape conversations in our community about health and fitness and parenting. My guests are Ellen Percival of Calgary's Child Magazine and Elaine Kupser of Impact Magazine. They share their experiences running two local publications for over 30 years and how magazines are seeing...

What do you do if you've had a big shift in your life? Whether it is in your job or your personal life, how do you take the next steps to reclaim your identity. Joining me on this episode of The Spotlight Hour with Linda Olsen are author Trish Exton-Parder and CFL Hall of Famer and former Calgary Stampeders star running back, Jon Cornish. I've talked about reinvention, or starting the next chapter...