To North Bay With Love

In this episode of To North Bay With Love, Kate sits down with North Bay musician Paul Pruneau for a conversation about a lifetime of music, community, and following your passion. Paul reflects on his journey from winning music competitions as a young performer to recording at Montreal's iconic RCA Studios, while balancing a successful career as an electrician and business owner. He shares stories...

In this episode of To North Bay With Love, Kate sits down with Darren Patey from Northeastern Ontario Tourism to explore some of North Bay's best kept secrets. From the historic La Vase Portages canoe route and hidden hiking trails to local experiences, outdoor adventures, and family-friendly activities, Darren shares the stories that make North Bay and the surrounding region so special. They also...

In this episode of To North Bay With Love, Amanda Cooley shares the story behind the Northern Skies Wellness Festival and how a simple idea grew into a community celebration of wellness, connection, and self-care. We talk about what to expect at the festival, Amanda's journey through yoga and travel, and what brought her back home to North Bay after living and studying around the world. Along the...

In this episode of To North Bay With Love, we sit down with Katina Connolly and Dan Misturada from the Capitol Centre to talk about the launch of the highly anticipated 2026–27 season.  From major touring acts and sold-out performances to community theatre, visual arts, and the return of Bay Block Party, this conversation highlights just how important the Capitol Centre is to Northern Ontario’s ar...

In this episode of To North Bay With Love, we celebrate new beginnings, old friendships, and the stories that connect this community together. Lisa takes a look back at the journey of the podcast over the past three years, reflecting on the conversations, memorable guests, and the incredible people who make North Bay such a unique place to call home. From stories about the Capitol Centre and local...

In this episode of To North Bay With Love, we step into a wedding like no other. We’re joined by Kayla Valender of the Gateway Theatre Guild and the mother of the bride Josephine to talk about their upcoming production of Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding, an immersive, interactive experience where the audience is not just watching the show, they are part of it. Set in the 1980s, this lively performance invi...

In this episode of To North Bay With Love, we sit down with Brigitte Lebel for a thoughtful conversation about grief, care, and the importance of community. Brigitte’s work focuses on supporting people through some of the most difficult moments in their lives. Whether someone is navigating loss, emotional hardship, or major life transitions, her approach is rooted in compassion, listening, and mee...

In this episode, we sit down with Kathryn Wood and Amanda Horn from the North Bay Choral Society to talk about music, community, and the power of singing together. The choir has grown from 25 members to nearly 75 voices strong since covid, and their upcoming spring concert is an all-Canadian celebration featuring beloved classics, Indigenous pieces, local talent, and a few surprises along the way....

At just 22 years old, Destiny Martin is learning what it really means to build a life on her own terms. In this episode, she talks about how her future in social work and why it's important for her, how she started her own business on the side and her love of horses. We chat about what it’s like to start a business from scratch, the challenges of being young and ambitious, and how growing up aroun...

Building a business from the ground up takes passion, long hours, and a deep connection to the people it serves. Knowing when it’s time to step away can be just as challenging. In this episode we sit down with Dale Luckey the founder of Blendz. She reflects on how the store came to life, what it meant to her and the community, and how she reached the decision to let go. She also shares the next ch...

It all started with a few students talking about musicals in their dorm rooms. Now, they’re writing, directing, and performing full productions on campus. In this episode, we chat with Danielle Denault, Megan Covell and Quinn Staines who are members of the Nipissing University Theatre Guild. They share what it took to start the club, how they pulled off their first shows, and what it's like to bui...

In this episode, we chat with Danielle, the artist behind Monarch Body Art by Danielle, a business that’s been bringing colour, creativity, and joy to events all around North Bay. Danielle talks about how her love for art and working with people led her to start painting faces at parties and community events. What started as a fun side gig has grown into something much more. Something that spreads...

As the year wraps up, we’re taking a moment to look back at everything that made 2025 such a memorable one for the Echo Podcast Network. In this episode the Echo team gets together to reflect on the year that was, the guests and topics we want to tackle in 2026 and when is it too late to do your Christmas shopping?

Good Atlas is a creative space, a supply shop, a gallery and a place built on intention, emotion, and community.  In this episode, we sit down with Colin Davis, the artist and entrepreneur behind it all alongside his partner. He shares how Good Atlas came to life, what drives his work, and why creating a space that welcomes curiosity and conversation matters so much to him. We talk about the feeli...

In this episode, we sit down with Haley, the founder of Oak & Willow, to talk about how a simple idea for toilet pods turned into a business that's changing the way people think about everyday products. Haley shares how she created and grew a brand that puts people and the planet first. We talk about the moment her products went viral, the chaos that followed, and how she kept her values front...

Talbots Throwbacks is one of those places that makes you stop and look around. Vintage clothing, classic records and one-of-a-kind finds everywhere you turn. At the heart of it all is Ben Talbot, a young vintage curator who turned his love for design and nostalgia into a full-on storefront in downtown North Bay. In this episode, Ben shares how Talbots Throwbacks began in his basement, what keeps h...

What happens when you give people the tools, space, and support to build whatever they imagine? In this episode, we visit the Near North Makerspace, a community-powered hub in downtown North Bay where people of all ages come together to learn, create, and collaborate. From 3D printing and laser cutting to sewing machines and soldering irons, this space is all about turning ideas into reality. Yaa...

What does a hundred years of history look like on one sheet of paper? In this episode, we sit down with Kevin Hoffman, the artist behind the poster that captures 100 years of North Bay. He shares how the project came to life, the meaning behind the illustrations, and the hidden nods to people and places that have shaped the city.  We’re also joined by Katie Bevan from The FARM, who is selling the...

In this episode, we sit down with Nadiia, a teacher, mother, and North Bay community member who recently earned the title of Mrs. Universe TCP 2026. But her story is about much more than a crown. Originally from Ukraine, Nadiia shares her journey of immigrating to Canada, adapting to a new culture, and building a life rooted in service, strength, and self-discovery. We talk about her career in edu...

For many years, Peetr Nickle has been the steady hand behind the soundboard at the Capitol Centre. If you've been to a concert, a play, or a community event in North Bay, chances are Peetr was making sure it all sounded just right. In this episode, we sit down with Peetr to hear how he got started in live sound, what it's really like to run tech for everything from rock shows to kids' theatre, and...

Ohana Wellness is more than a yoga studio. It’s a place where people come to breathe, move, and feel like they belong. In this episode, we sit down with founder Nicky Poulin, who shares how her own journey through burnout and personal growth led to the creation of Ohana. Nicky is joined by co-owner Dr. Aaron Rothstein who talked about his journey from being and ER doctor to finding a new path in l...

Leisure Farms has become a fall tradition for families across Northern Ontario, but behind the wagon rides and pumpkin cannons is a story of deep community roots, family legacy, and the hard work that makes it all happen. In this episode, we visit Leisure Farms to chat with Mitch who is at the heart of the farming operations. From the early days of strawberry picking to building a year-round agri-...

In a world that constantly pushes for perfection and productivity, what does it mean to just be human? In this episode, we sit down with Brooke Bertrand, a psychotherapist and the founder of Bright Raven Psychotherapy and Consulting, to talk about real mental health, messy emotions, and how therapy can be more than just a weekly appointment. Brooke opens up about burnout, boundaries, and why we ne...

In this episode, we sit down with Coral Bissett, Programs and Administration Manager at the Canadian Ecology Centre and certified teacher & forest school practitioner, to explore the OWLS program. Designed for students, OWLS blends science, leadership, and outdoor experiences to create life-changing learning far beyond the walls of a school. Coral shares how the program works, what students wa...

Ever wonder what it's like to turn your hometown into a movie set? In this episode, Kelly from Hideaway Pictures shares what really goes on behind the scenes of those cozy, small-town movies you see on TV. We talk about filming Christmas scenes in the middle of summer, working with fake snow, and what it's like managing a movie set in North Bay. She also opens up about switching careers, building...