To North Bay With Love

In this episode, we sat down with Jay and Yeshi from The Dipped Moose, the newest store in North Bay that is mixing chocolate with art. Yeshi and Jay share the story behind The Dipped Moose, where the name came from, and how they found each other half way across the world! Check out their instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/thedippedmoose/  05:30 Yeshi and Jay's story 11:30 Turning creativit...

What do a missed voyage on the Titanic and a single curly horse have to do with one of Northern Ontario’s most beloved ranches? In this episode, Elana von Doeler shares the story behind her family’s ranch. A place built by hand, powered by horses, and shaped by generations of hard work and heart. The Von Doeler Ranch is more than just land and animals. It’s a legacy built on resilience, family, an...

Joe Clément is a travel filmmaker, content creator, and storyteller who helps people experience the world through honest and emotional video. His work focuses on real people, real places, and capturing the feeling of being there. In this episode, Joe shares how he built a career with a camera, what makes a travel video truly meaningful, and the lessons he has learned from working all over the wor...

What do you get when you mix fantasy novels, a love of odd things, and the courage to start fresh? You get The Wizard's Nook & Oddities, one of the most unique little shops to hit downtown North Bay. In this episode, we chat with owner Paul Mathon, who took the leap of faith into entrepreneurship to open something completely his own. We talk about what inspired him to take the leap, how he bui...

What do local musicians go through when the lights go down and the crowd goes home? In this episode, Samanta Izquierdo shares the story behind Sound Trippers, her brand-new Bell Fibe TV1 series that follows musicians from Northern Ontario as they share their lives, struggles, and passion for music. We talk about the importance of showing real stories and why the behind-the-scenes moments matter ju...

When you drop off a bag of clothes at a donation bin, you probably don’t think much about where it ends up. But at Rebuilt Resources, every sweater, sock, and pair of jeans is part of something much bigger. In this episode, we meet Maureen Brazeau, the incredible woman behind this North Bay non-profit that’s been helping people find employment, build confidence, and keep thousands of pounds of clo...

In this episode, Alisha Audrey shares her journey from working in healthcare to becoming a full-time content creator. We talk about burnout, identity, and the moment she knew it was time for something new. Alisha opens up about building a platform based on real connection, how she stays grounded in an online world, and why trusting her instincts led to her most fulfilling work yet. This episode wa...

Lynn Johnston didn’t just draw comics: she drew real life. As the creator of For Better or For Worse, one of the most beloved syndicated comic strips in the world, Lynn reached over 220 million readers by turning ordinary family moments into something unforgettable. In this episode, Lynn shares the story behind creating For Better or For Worse, how she navigated certain situations with character a...

He’s the author behind Forty Words for Sorrow and the hit CTV series Cardinal. But Giles Blunt’s latest book, Bad Juliet, is something completely different. In this episode, Giles talks about making the leap from murder mystery to literary fiction, the surprising inspiration behind his newest novel, and what it’s really like having your work turned into a TV series. 03:20 Who is Giles Blunt? 07:10...

Summer is here — and so is the Pop-Up Picnic campaign! In this food-filled episode, Lisa sits down with Tanya Bedard from Tourism North Bay to chat all things picnicking: from grab-and-go gourmet meals to the best hidden spots in the city to throw down a blanket. 03:00 – What is the Pop-Up Picnic campaign? 06:00 – Best spots to picnic in and around North Bay 10:00 – Food options for every appetite...

In this episode, we dive into the Homecoming Festival with a couple of people from the team behind it: Shawn Devine and Cathy Seguin. Fire Chief Jason Whiteley also joins to talk about his department's involvement in the festival. From hotdog picnics and heritage tours to live music, waterfront celebrations, and a drone show you won’t forget, this weekend is more than a birthday — it’s a homecomin...

He’s got a cape, a secret lair (in a steeple), a mission for justice—and the super powers only a shad fly could have. This week, we sit down with Shad Man, the mysterious masked hero who’s been patrolling the streets, sidewalks, and shoreline with a mix of heart, humor, and high-concept civic duty. Is he serious? Yes. Is he strange? Also yes. Is this the superhero origin story you didn’t know you...

For over 50 years, the Chief Commanda II has cruised Lake Nipissing — carrying locals, tourists, wedding parties, and blues bands across the waves. But what’s it like to actually run this iconic North Bay ship? In this episode, we hop aboard with Captain Rich Stivrins to talk about the history, sailor superstitions (yes, bananas are bad luck), and the unforgettable experiences people have on board...

Marianne Vander Dussen is a painter, teacher, and creative entrepreneur who turned trial and error into a thriving international art business. In this episode, she opens up about her start in drama and real estate, the magic moment she picked up a paintbrush, and why failing on purpose can be the best thing for your art. Check out Marianne’s courses and work: https://www.mariannevanderdussen.com 4...

What happens when you hand high school students the mic? You get the Bears Den Pawcast — a bold, creative, and completely student-driven show from St. Joseph-Scollard Hall in North Bay. In this episode, we sit down with teacher/producer Nicole Dopko and seasoned host Annie Martel to talk about how the show began, how it’s grown, and how it can change the way students can elevate in school spirit....

What started as a single student’s idea over 30 years ago has become one of North Bay’s most powerful grassroots traditions. Every year, students at West Ferris Secondary School put on their running shoes and take to the streets for the Trojan Parade for Cancer — a 7-kilometre walk through the city that has raised over $600,000 for cancer research and care locally. In this episode, Lisa sits down...

Graham Shaver may only be 10 years old, but he’s already mastered something many adults still struggle with: kindness. As North Bay’s Kindness Ambassador, Graham has made it his mission to turn Kindness Week into Kindness Infinity. In this joyful, hilarious, and surprisingly wise episode, he shares what it really means to be a good person — from giving compliments to strangers, to the power of pos...

It’s one of North Bay’s biggest landmarks and a place most people pass by everyday on their way to work or school. To Father Larry Rymes and many others, the Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption is more than just bricks and stained glass — it’s a living piece of North Bay’s soul. In this episode Father Larry sits down with Lisa to share stories from inside the church — from its 120+ year history and co...

What makes a hospital feel like a community? People like Anne and Rona — two incredible women who volunteer their time, energy, and kindness at the North Bay Regional Health Centre. On this episode we dive into what it really means to volunteer. Anne and Rona share stories from their 20+ years of service, reflect on how volunteering has changed, and explain why showing up still matters — maybe now...

For over 75 years, Laporte’s Nursery & Greenhouses has helped North Bay grow — quite literally. In this episode, we sit down with Lori Laporte, third-generation owner, to talk about how her grandmother’s backyard garden turned into a local institution. Lori shares the joys and challenges of running a seasonal business, why Ontario-grown plants matter, the truth about "low-maintenance gardening...

What do you get when a guy from Guelph with a dream moves to North Bay and refuses to let wrestling die? You get the revitilization of Northland Wrestling — and the relentless passion of Dann Pigozzo. In this episode, Dann shares the wild history of pro wrestling in Northern Ontario (including a performance from a young Andre the Giant), how he brought it back from the brink, and why hundreds of f...

Meet Fatema Dhoondia — a four-time world amateur powerlifting champion, single mom, and absolute force of nature. Originally from Mumbai, Fatema moved to North Bay in 2022 and brought with her something fierce: unmatched resilience. In this episode, we talk about how she went from 77lbs and struggling to find herself, to squatting over 313 lbs, coaching clients around the world, and raising a son...

Author, editor, gardener, and all-around creative force — Erin Alladin joins us to talk about her newest book "Wait Like a Seed", the beauty of permaculture, how children's literature can shape a better future, and why giving kids a connection to nature is more important than ever. From food forests and butterflies to book publishing and the magic of slowing down, Erin shares how she plants seeds...

They build robots, win competitions, and sing karaoke on the bus home. Meet 1305, North Bay’s FIRST Robotics Team — a community-based powerhouse that's teaching students way more than how to wire a circuit board. In this episode, we chat with Matthew, Kyla, and James about engineering, leadership, teamwork, and what it's like to compete (and win!) at the provincial level. From building "Monsoon" t...

Jamie Carruthers is the kind of teacher every student remembers. But outside the classroom at Chippewa Secondary School, he’s quietly built a second life as a potter, painter, concert promoter, and all-around community champion. From watercolor greeting cards to East Coast fiddlers, from charcuterie boards to charity fundraisers — Jamie’s creative spirit knows no bounds. In this heartwarming and i...