The Stories That Brought You Here

Episode 21 - Theresa Carle-Sanders

In this episode, Theresa discusses how she came upon the idea to create recipes based on the book series, Outlander. This led her to first creating a blog, then eventually developing that into a popular cookbook. She also discusses her time growing up in Vancouver, playing field hockey in those days, the experiences she has had at silent retreats and how she met her husband, Howard.

Episode 20 - Jo Down

In this episode, Jo talks about his family immigrating from England when he was very young. He speaks about growing-up in Sidney, his love of playing basketball and recounts the details of one of his first jobs, a bingo caller. As well, Jo speaks at length about the outpouring of community support his family received in 2011 when his son was diagnosed with a serious illness.

Episode 19 - Shelley Sarakannas

In this episode, Shelley shares very personal stories about the profound impact the death of her brother had on her life and how it helped her on the path towards a career as a massage therapist. She speaks about her first job on the island, as an end of life care worker She discusses the amazing synchronicity involved with the two different houses she and her husband, Pete have purchased since coming to the island, as well, she tells how she came to meet that great guy over forty years ago.

Episode 18 - Ben McConchie

In this interview, Ben talks about his passion for music and some of the ways he has helped to foster the music scene on Pender Island. Ben also talks politics and describes his recent involvement with the First Nations community and how it has impacted his life.

Episode 17 - Ethan Smith

In this episode, Ethan talks about his time working at The Empress Hotel in Victoria and his early career as a radio personality. He also discusses trying to make it as an actor in Calgary and speaks about his lifelong passion for competitive endurance sports. All this and so much more in a really jam-packed episode.

Episode 16 - Josephine Spaxman

In this episode, Josephine talks about her three amazing siblings, Finnish saunas, her new job as a medical transcriptionist and she describes growing up in Vancouver and being into punk rock! That's right, punk rock with an explanation mark! Fun chat we had in this one...enjoy.

Episode 15 - Davy Rippner

In this interview, Davy talks about living in San Francisco during the mid-sixties and how it was there, he began working with leather. As well, Davy discusses his over twenty-five year career working with solar technology and also tells his amazing story of dodging the Vietnam War draft in the sixties and how it eventually lead him to flee to Canada.

Episode 14 - Brent Marsden

In this interview, Brent describes flying to Pender Island in a float plane during the late-sixties to purchase a lot in Magic Lake Estate, he discusses his background building boats, as well, Brent talks about his involvement, with a group of twenty-six other parties, in bringing the commercial space at Hope Bay back to life after it had burnt down.  Plus, I ask Brent where his very fitting nickname originated from.

Episode 13 - Helen Mason

Two days before she was set to retire from her forty-one year teaching career, Helen talks about her experiences as the kindergarten teacher at Pender Islands Elementary School for the past nineteen years. She also discusses her family's lengthy history with Pender Island, her Scottish heritage, as well, she describes her connection with aboriginal communities she was lead to through her work and the profound impact it had on her life.

The First Dozen Interviews Compilation Episode

In this episode, I have arranged a compilation of excerpts from the first twelve interviews to give a opportunity for people to hear the sound of each person's voice while listening to a clip from their interview. Listed below are the names and start times of each person's segment with a direct link to make it easier to go to that person's interview page. I hope this makes it easier to choose which interviews to listen to and encourages people to listen to interviews they may not have otherwise. Thanks and enjoy!

• 2:45 Sandy Ollsin
• 5:20 Julia Nicholls
• 8:08 Jon Martin
• 12:32 Shelley Easthope
• 17:22 Jule Roper
• 21:55 Sarah Conley
• 25:00 Kelly Irving
• 27:25 Todd Bulled
• 32:00 Bruce Butcher
• 35:19 Nia Williams
• 40:48 Gary Goodman
• 44:38 Victor Zorman