"Send us a text about this episode!"

This Episode Features:

(28:48) Ryan McMahon, Ladysmith singer-songwriter, takes listeners through his nearly two-decade music career spanning seven solo albums and tours with Burton Cummings and Tom Cochrane. The Vancouver Island musician discusses his powerful new single “There She Is”, produced at Bryan Adams' Warehouse Studio in Vancouver. From his early days playing the Queens Hotel in Nanaimo to sharing stages with Canadian rock legends, McMahon reflects on learning the craft from influences like Warren Zevon, Elvis Costello, and Vancouver's Odds.

(06:12) Kristen Nickells, Distinguished Toastmaster and past president of Arbutus Toastmasters in Parksville, reveals how the club transforms lives by helping members overcome public speaking fear. Kristen shares the inspiring story of member Molly Hamilton who competed against 33,000 participants placing in the top eight at the 2022 World Championship of Public Speaking in Nashville.

Episode Quotes:

"Toastmasters has a slogan that says Where Leaders Are Made. If you can articulate your thoughts in a speech, if you can craft a speech and deliver it in a way that your audience receives your message and that you're clear and confident, that's a skill that you see in leaders." - Kristen Nickells

"For me, the song is a happy, peaceful exhale. The tune itself is really not just about newfound love with a new person, but it's also about recognizing beauty where maybe I hadn't before—the sunrise over my hometown and the feeling when you first dip your toes into the ocean." - Ryan McMahon

Voice message: Voice message The PULSE and be part of the podcast!

You'll find all episodes of The PULSE Podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, TikTok, YouTube, and ThePulseCommunity.ca

Click here to learn how to Support the show

Episode Sponsors: Tablet Pharmacy, Ian Lindsay & Associates, Windsor Plywood French Creek, Thrifty Foods Parksville

Check out Skookum Kid's Stories on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, and YouTube.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter of new podcast releases and contests!

"Like, Share & Listen!"

#RyanMcMahon #VancouverIsland #LadysmithBC #Toastmasters #ParksvilleQualicum #ThePulseCommunityPodcast #CanadianMusic #KristenNickells

Support the show

"Send us a text about this episode!"

In this episode of Non-Partisan Hacks: Pulse Edition, hosts Sean Wood and Joel Grenz sit down with former Conservative Party of BC leader and longtime MLA John Rustad for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, governance, and the forces reshaping provincial politics. Rustad reflects on serving under multiple leaders, the rise and collapse of centre-right coalitions, and why he believes conviction matters more than triangulation in today’s polarized political landscape.

From cabinet decision-making and the growing power of the premier’s office, to affordability, productivity, reconciliation, and the hollowing out of the middle class, Rustad offers his unfiltered reflections and thoughts on where he believes British Columbia has gone off track.

Episode Highlights:

Rustad’s leadership takeaways from Campbell to Eby

The fall of the BC Liberals and the rise of the BC Conservatives

Why affordability can’t be fixed without productivity and wage growth

Rustad’s case for “economic reconciliation” and why the current approach is failing

Voice message: Voice message The PULSE and be part of the podcast!

You'll find all episodes of The PULSE Podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, TikTok and YouTube podcasts, as well as PULSECommunity.ca.

Special Thanks to Our Sponsor - Ian Lindsay & Associates.

Check out Skookum Kid's Stories on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, and YouTube Podcasts, as well at SkookumKids.com.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter of new podcast releases and contests!

Click here to learn how to Support the show

"Like, Share & Listen!"

#PulseCommunityPodcast #BCConservatives #JohnRustad #ThePulseCommunity #SeanWood #JoelGrenz #ParksvilleQualicumBeach #NonPartisanHacks

Support the show

"Send us a text about this episode!"

BONUS RECIPE: Download Chef Jonathan Frazier's Recipe for Eastern North Carolina vinegar-style pulled pork: https://bit.ly/S1EP12FootballRecipe

This week on the F3 Podcast, hosts Erin Frazier and Chef Jonathan Frazier of the Comox Valley break down the final week of the NFL regular season, as fantasy football wraps up and playoff scenarios come down to the wire.

Erin reflects on another hard-fought fantasy season that ends in a second-place finish for the second year in a row, after a brutal championship week where everything that could go wrong, did. The duo digs into lessons learned, standout performers like Matthew Stafford and Christian McCaffrey, and what strategy Erin is sticking with heading into next year — including early quarterback picks and the possibility of launching an F3 fantasy league.

With playoff spots still undecided, Jonathan and Erin dive into the most compelling Week 18 matchups, from Seattle’s underrated dominance to fresh Super Bowl contenders emerging as Kansas City and Philadelphia fall out of the picture. Defence takes centre stage as the NFL heads toward a wide-open postseason.

Team of the Week is the Carolina Panthers, as Jonathan breaks down the franchise’s history, key players, and where Panthers fans can find optimism moving forward — minus one very controversial former quarterback.

And of course, it’s time to eat. Jonathan heads south for classic Carolina game-day comfort food, from vinegar-forward barbecue and Carolina-style hot dogs to pimento cheese and fried chicken. The Pick of the Week is Eastern North Carolina vinegar-style pulled pork — slow-cooked, tangy, and built for long Sundays and playoff football.

This Episode Features:
• Fantasy football season recap and second-place heartbreak
• Week 18 NFL chaos and wide-open playoff races
• Team of the Week: Carolina Panthers
• Southern game-day staples and Carolina barbecue traditions

“Second place twice in a row still hurts — especially when it ends with your worst fantasy week of the season.” – Erin Frazier

“Great barbecue isn’t about the sauce — it’s about letting the meat do the talking.” – Chef Jonathan Frazier

Special Thanks to Our Sponsor: Thrifty Foods Parksville for supporting ThePulseCommunity.ca.

Looking for more Vancouver Island Podcasts?

You'll find all episodes of The PULSE Community Podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, TikTok and YouTube podcasts, as well as ThePULSECommunity.ca.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter of new podcast releases and contests!

"Like, Share & Listen!"

#F3Podcast #PulseCommunity #VancouverIsland #FantasyFootball #NFLWeek18 #CarolinaPanthers #GameDayEats #SouthernFood

Support the show

"Send us a text about this episode!"

This Episode Features:

(05:01) Debbe Patterson, co-founder of 100 Women Who Care Oceanside, reveals how 380 women are transforming Vancouver Island charities through collective giving. In 2026, this Parksville-Qualicum Beach group will surpass$1 million raised for local organizations including MANNA Homeless Society, Arrowsmith Search and Rescue, Echo Players, and District 69 Backpack Program. Debbe explains the unique voting process where members donate $100 quarterly,.

(19:23) Shirley McQueen takes listeners through her remarkable broadcasting career from Regina's CJME to Q107 Toronto, Rock 101 Vancouver, and now Icon Radio on Vancouver Island. The veteran broadcaster has interviewed countless Canadian music legends. Shirley discusses her television work hosting CBC's Living Saskatchewan, her appearances on Corner Gas, and her philosophy on authentic storytelling. Now calling Vancouver Island home, she works with Icon Radio Nanaimo and Coast FM Powell River.

(02:50) Kristy Pinchak of Royston wins the latest Pulse Contest—a Tigh-na-Mara Spa visit for two.

Episode Quotes:

"We'll have a million dollars we anticipate by April, and it's due to the fact that we have an amazing group of women in Oceanside. Our membership is now at 380, which is incredible, and that's because members bring friends and family to the meetings." - Debbe Patterson

"I consider it a privilege to be doing what I'm doing, to have people listening to me, my voice telling my stories, giving my perspective on things. I've learned that Canadians are really kind, really smart, supportive people. They embrace community, and I will do it as long as they'll have me." - Shirley McQueen

Text us about this episode: Send us a text

Voice message: Voice message The PULSE and be part of the podcast!

You'll find all episodes of The PULSE Podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, TikTok, YouTube, and ThePulseCommunity.ca

Click here to learn how to Support the show

Episode Sponsors: Tablet Pharmacy, Ian Lindsay & Associates, Windsor Plywood French Creek, Thrifty Foods Parksville

Check out Skookum Kid's Stories on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, and YouTube.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter of new podcast releases and contests!

"Like, Share & Listen!"

#VancouverIsland #100WomenWhoCare #ShirleyMcQueen #ParksvilleQualicum #IconRadio #ThePulseCommunityPodcast

Support the show

"Send us a text about this episode!"

BONUS RECIPE: Download Chef Jonathan Frazier's Recipe for the iconic Italian Beef Sandwich: https://bit.ly/S1EP11FootballRecipe

This week on the F3 Podcast, hosts Erin Frazier and Chef Jonathan Frazier of the Comox Valley go long-distance once again — with Erin checking in from the frozen tundra of Winnipeg while the NFL playoff picture tightens.

Erin breaks down the brutal end to her fantasy football season, with a championship loss sealed by a disastrous Thursday night performance and a second-place finish that still stings. The duo recaps key Week 17 storylines, from Seattle’s playoff push to injury concerns that could reshape the postseason.

Team of the Week is the Chicago Bears, as Jonathan and Erin dig into the franchise’s historic legacy, the rise of rookie QB Caleb Williams, and why Chicago may be a team to watch next season.

And of course, it’s time to eat. Chef Jonathan serves up classic Chicago game-day food, from deep-dish pizza and Chicago dogs to his pick of the week — the iconic Italian beef sandwich, built for cold weather and playoff vibes.

This Episode Features:

• Fantasy football finals heartbreak and lessons learned
• Week 17 NFL storylines and playoff implications
• Team of the Week: Chicago Bears & Caleb Williams
• Chicago-style comfort food and tailgate classics

“Second place hurts — especially when it ends on a minus-nine-point quarterback.” – Erin Frazier

“It doesn’t get more Chicago than Italian beef: big flavour, no shortcuts.” – Jonathan Frazier

Special Thanks to Our Sponsor: Thrifty Foods Parksville for supporting ThePulseCommunity.ca.

Looking for more Vancouver Island Podcasts?

You'll find all episodes of The PULSE Community Podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, TikTok and YouTube podcasts, as well as ThePULSECommunity.ca.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter of new podcast releases and contests!

"Like, Share & Listen!"

#F3Podcast #PulseCommunity #VancouverIsland #FantasyFootball #ChicagoBears #NFLWeek17 #CalebWilliams #FoodAndFootball

Support the show

"Send us a text about this episode!"

(07:22) Lance LaPointe, Port Alberni singer-songwriter and touring bassist/vocalist for legendary Canadian rockers Bachman-Turner Overdrive, shares his remarkable journey from playing campfires on Tofino beaches to performing "Takin' Care of Business" in arenas across North America. LaPointe reveals keeping his late father's ashes in his guitar while living the dream they talked about together, and how Randy Bachman has become a surrogate father figure. Check out Lance’s upcoming event at Char’s Landing in Port Alberni.

(34:34) Kirk Krack of Campbell River is a world-renowned free-diving coach and takes us behind the scenes of James Cameron's Avatar films, where he spent nearly five years training Hollywood stars including Kate Winslet and Zoe Saldana to perform authentic underwater sequences. Krack discusses his work with DEEP, developing underwater habitats for ocean exploration, and his career path from training Tiger Woods and Tom Cruise to doubling as Batman in Suicide Squad.

(04:56) Kristy Pinchak of Royston wins the latest Pulse Contest, a Tigh Na Mara Spa visit for two.

Episode Quotes:

"This isn't the Marvel universe. This isn't where people fly and lasers come out of people's eyes, right? It's not fantasy. It's our reality. So the real physics of the world needed to translate, and that was an important thing." - Kirk Krack on Avatar's underwater performance capture

"Randy Bachman stood in the doorway and he said, 'I bet you your mom and dad are proud right now.' And he gave me a big hug and I think I cried for 30 milliseconds, sucked it up real quick." - Lance LaPointe on his first night with BTO

Text us about this episode: Send us a text

Voice message: Voice message The PULSE and be part of the podcast!

You'll find all episodes of The PULSE Podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, TikTok, YouTube, and ThePulseCommunity.ca

Click here to learn how to Support the show

Episode Sponsors: Tablet Pharmacy, Ian Lindsay & Associates, Windsor Plywood French Creek, Thrifty Foods Parksville

Check out Skookum Kid's Stories on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, and YouTube.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter of new podcast releases and contests!

"Like, Share & Listen!"

#VancouverIsland #BachmanTurnerOverdrive #AvatarFireAndAsh #ParksvilleQualicum #ThePulseCommunityPodcast #RandyBachman #VancouverIslandMusic

Support the show

"Send us a text about this episode!"

In this episode of Non-Partisan Hacks: Pulse Edition, hosts Sean Wood and Joel Grenz sit down with Donna Hais, Chair of the Fair Care Alliance, to discuss the critical healthcare crisis facing Central Vancouver Island. Recording from across the street from Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, Donna reveals 430,000 people south of the Malahat have access to over 800 tertiary care beds across two hospitals, while nearly 500,000 residents north of the Malahat share just 354 tertiary beds at NRGH.

In a groundbreaking move, the Regional District of Nanaimo recently passed a motion to allocate $50 million in community funds toward building this critical infrastructure, demonstrating unprecedented local leadership in addressing the Nanaimo hospital healthcare gap.

Fair Care Alliance is taking the fight beyond provincial borders, having hired federal lobbyists to secure funding from Ottawa. This episode is a rallying cry for equitable healthcare access and community-driven solutions that affect Vancouver Island residents from Parksville to Campbell River and beyond.

Episode Highlights:

· The stark healthcare inequity facing Central Vancouver Island residents and why it matters

· Why 500,000 islanders lack fair access to tertiary care services

· How the Regional District of Nanaimo's $50 million commitment changes everything

· Fair Care Alliance's federal lobbying strategy and the historic opportunity with Ottawa

· The meaningful reconciliation conversation around former Indian Hospital lands

· Why local government is leading where provincial government has stalled

· What residents can do right now to support healthcare advocacy efforts

Text us about this episode: Send us a text

Voice message: Voice message The PULSE and be part of the podcast!

You'll find all episodes of The PULSE Podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, TikTok and YouTube podcasts, as well as PULSECommunity.ca.

Special Thanks to Our Sponsor - Windsor Plywood French Creek Visit them online or call 752-3122.

Check out Skookum Kid's Stories on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, and YouTube Podcasts.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter of new podcast releases and contests!

Click here to learn how to Support the show

"Like, Share & Listen!"

#PulseCommunityPodcast #VancouverIslandHealthcare #FairCareAlliance #NanaimoHospital #ThePulseCommunity #SeanWood #JoelGrenz #ParksvilleQualicumBeach #NonPartisanHacks

Support the show

"Send us a text about this episode!"

BONUS RECIPE: Download Chef Jonathan Frazier's Recipe for New England Steak Tips: https://bit.ly/S1EP10FootballRecipe

This week on the F3 Podcast, hosts Erin Frazier and Chef Jonathan Frazier of the Comox Valley dive into Week 16 as fantasy football semifinals collide with the final stretch of the NFL season. Erin breaks down a tense matchup still undecided heading into Monday Night Football, the thin line between championship hopes and elimination, and the growing impact of late-season injuries — especially at quarterback.

The conversation expands to a chaotic week around the league, highlighted by a Seahawks–Rams overtime thriller, controversial finishes, and shifting playoff expectations. With contenders stumbling and unpredictability ruling December football, Erin and Jonathan share cautious thoughts on who may still be built for a deep postseason run.

Team of the week: the New England Patriots. Erin reflects on the franchise’s polarizing dynasty under Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, before turning to New England’s post-Brady resurgence behind rookie quarterback Drake May and a strong supporting cast.

The episode wraps with food — New England style. Jonathan highlights cold-weather game-day staples like clam chowder, lobster rolls, fried clams, and Fenway Franks, with the featured favourite being classic New England steak tips— marinated, grilled, and perfect for winter tailgating.

This Episode Features:

(03:10) Fantasy Semifinals: Tight matchups, limited options, and Monday Night Football anxiety

(09:00) Week 16 Recap: Seahawks–Rams overtime drama, officiating chaos, and late-game heartbreak

(16:45) Injury Watch: Quarterbacks going down and playoff hopes hanging in the balance

(23:30) Super Bowl Outlook: Why predictions are harder than ever this season

(28:10) Team of the Week: New England Patriots — dynasty, decline, and post-Brady resurgence

(36:20) Taste of New England: Clam chowder, lobster rolls, fried clams, and Fenway Franks

(42:10) Signature Bite: New England steak tips — the ultimate cold-weather tailgate food

“New England steak tips are winter football food done right — hearty, simple, and built for the cold.” – Chef Jonathan Frazier

Special Thanks to Our Sponsor: Thrifty Foods Parksville for supporting ThePulseCommunity.ca.

You'll find all episodes of The PULSE Community Podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, TikTok and YouTube podcasts, as well as ThePULSECommunity.ca.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter of new podcast releases and contests!

"Like, Share & Listen!"

#F3Podcast #PulseCommunity #VancouverIsland #NFLFootballPodcastVancouverIsland #FantasyFootball #NewEnglandPatriots

Support the show