Send a text

Carlin Lutzer sits down with Brent Robinson — Former Town of Okotoks Councillor and now Executive Director of the Alberta Lacrosse Association — for a powerful conversation about leadership, community building, and the future of sport in Alberta.

Brent shares how his passion for lacrosse evolved into provincial leadership, what it really takes to grow amateur sport, and how municipal governance and community athletics are more connected than most people realize.

From youth development and volunteer culture to policy decisions that impact families directly, this episode pulls back the curtain on how strong communities are built both in council chambers and on the lacrosse floor.

Whether you're a sports parent, a local business owner, or someone who cares about the future of Okotoks, this conversation highlights the responsibility…and opportunity we all share in shaping the next generation.

Listen For:

3:25 How did Brent land the Executive Director role with the Alberta Lacrosse Association?

5:12 Who’s tougher—hockey players or lacrosse players?

9:03 How did lacrosse first get started in Okotoks?

12:30 Why is lacrosse coming back to the Olympics in 2028 as “sixes”?

18:07 When is lacrosse season—and how do families register in Okotoks?

Guest: Brent Robinson, Executive Director, Alberta Lacrosse Association |

Alberta Lacrosse Association | Instagram | LinkedIn

Connect with Carlin

Email | Website | LinkedIn | Facebook

Send a text

What happens when a town’s biggest hearts meet its biggest talents?

In this Okotoks ‘Shorts’ episode, host Carlin Lutzer sits down with Meg Meints from the Okotoks United Way Partnership Committee to spotlight the return of Okotoks Got Talent…a high-energy, community-powered fundraiser making a real impact.

Since 2002, the committee has donated an incredible $1.7 million to local nonprofits, and last year alone raised nearly $15,000 through the inaugural talent show.

Now back for its second year, the event is growing in popularity with 30 submissions, ranging from singers and comedians to bands, dancers, and even a geography whiz who named over 100 world flags from memory.

The March 6th event at the Viking Rental Centre will feature 12 finalists, a live audience, a returning champion turned judge, and a new live auction of local experiences.

More than just a show, Okotoks Got Talent is proof that when a community comes together, the impact stays local and the difference is life-changing.

Listen For

2:09 Why Was Okotoks Got Talent Created as a Major New Fundraiser?

3:47 What Types of Unique Acts Auditioned This Year?

6:26 How Will the Event Raise $20,000 This Year?

7:05 Why Is This Talent Show So Important to the Mission of the United Way?

Guests: Meg Meints, Okotoks United Way Partnership Committee

Website | Buy Tickets | LinkedIn

Connect with Carlin

Email | Website | LinkedIn | Facebook

Send a text

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 Olympic hopefuls.

From the mental and physical grit required to master skeleton, to the sacrifices athletes make behind the scenes…including self-funding much of their journey, Josip’s story is a powerful reminder of resilience, determination, and saying “yes” when the rest of the world would say “no.”

Listen For:

4:42 What is the RBC Training Ground and how does it help find future Olympians?

6:24 Why is luge considered more dangerous than skeleton?

13:17 What was the moment Josip found out he made the Olympic team like?

19:04 How did Josip recover after a terrifying skeleton crash in Whistler?

Guest: Josip Brusic

Website | Instagram | Email| Facebook | LinkedIn

Connect with Carlin

Email | Website | LinkedIn | Facebook

Send us a text

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 sunrise, travel long distances for ice time, and stay motivated through nerves, pressure, and hard work. In the second half, head coach Barb Westhaver explains how commitment, discipline, and joy are intentionally built into the club’s culture, and why a small, community-driven skating club in Okotoks is producing confident athletes and remarkable results.

Listen For

2:46 What does a real training week look like for competitive figure skaters?

4:25 Why do these athletes love figure skating despite the sacrifices?

7:14 What is the hardest part of learning elite-level figure skating skills?

17:11 How is a small skating club in Okotoks making a big impact?

Guests: Barb Westhaver | Head Figure Skating Coach & Club Director, Big Rock Figure Skating Club

Londyn, Presley, and Vlad | Competitive Figure Skater, Big Rock Skating Club

Website | Instagram | Facebook

Connect with Carlin

Email | Website | LinkedIn | Facebook

Send us a text

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 others—especially women—through leadership and confidence-building workshops.

They talk about what really happens behind the scenes at the Olympics, how to build mental resilience, and why it’s okay to not be okay, this conversation delivers gold—on and off the ice.

Listen For:

:22 Who is Catriona Le May Doan and what makes her journey unique?

7:12 What does perfection in sport really mean—and is it even possible?

15:16 What makes the Olympic Games so beautiful beyond the medals?

22:37 What advice does Catriona have for young girls struggling in sport?

31:19 How can you work with Catriona and what is "Pursuit of Victory"?

Guest Catriona Le May Doan

Website | Instagram | Olympics’ Website

Connect with Carlin

Email | Website | LinkedIn | Facebook

Send us a text

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 influencer hype, no extreme rules, just the honest stuff people don’t say out loud: why deprivation backfires, how “cheat days” can help instead of hurt, and the simple shifts that make weight management sustainable.

But this conversation goes deeper than food and workouts. Vanessa opens up about perimenopause, mental health, and the scary, confusing symptoms that can leave women feeling exhausted and alone, sometimes even convinced something is seriously wrong. It’s raw, practical, and surprisingly hopeful, the kind of episode that makes you feel seen and gives you a clearer path forward. If you’re ready for real answers from someone right here in our community, press play.

Listen For:

2:48 What’s the biggest mistake people make when trying to lose weight?

5:38 Should you be having cheat days—or avoiding them?

9:47 How extreme is a bodybuilder’s diet before competition?

15:55 What can women expect during perimenopause—and how should they prepare?

25:41 Is low testosterone sabotaging men’s fitness and energy levels?

Guest Vanessa Hernandez-Munoz

Website | Instagram | WarBaby Cosmetics

Connect with Carlin

Email | Website | LinkedIn | Facebook

Send us a text

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 lifelines to marriages that feel like they’re barely hanging on…this conversation is full of hope, wisdom, and real tools for real families.

With 50 years of experience in marriage and family counseling, Dr. Dave brings authenticity, humor, and encouragement to parents and couples who are looking for guidance in raising kids and deepening their relationships in a tech-dominated, fast-changing world.

Listen For

:20 What parenting challenges will Dr. Dave Currie tackle during his Okotoks visit?

2:11 How do you talk to your kids about sex in today’s world?

3:42 What digital battles are kids facing—and how can parents fight back?

4:11 What does a one-day marriage tune-up actually look like?

8:36 Can hopeless marriages really turn around after just one day?

Connect with guest: Dr. Dave Currie

Evangelical Free Church | Website | Facebook | Instagram| YouTube

Connect with Carlin

Email | Website | LinkedIn | Facebook |

Send us a text

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, and why he believes independence is a dangerous illusion.

From rural voter disenfranchisement to the haunting lessons of Quebec and Brexit, this conversation dives deep into the emotional and economic realities of separation…and urges Albertans to think critically before they vote.

Listen for:

8:10 Could Alberta separatism spiral out of control like Quebec?

14:12 What is Thomas Lukaszuk’s vision for fixing Canada without separation?

37:04 Could the U.S. take advantage of an independent Alberta?

52:52 When will the Alberta referendum actually happen?

54:56 Are frustrated voters unknowingly risking Alberta’s future?

Connect with Guest:

Thomas A. Lukaszuk

LinkedIn | Email | X |

Connect with Carlin

Email | Website | LinkedIn | Facebook