The Okotoks Podcast

Stories and Strategies
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The Okotoks Podcast is your ultimate guide to life in Okotoks! Hosted by Carlin Lutzer, a professional realtor and proud Okotokian, this podcast brings you stories, insights, and conversations about what makes this town just south of Calgary such a special place to live. Whether you’ve called Okotoks home for years or you’re just getting to know the community, this podcast is your connection to everything happening in town. From local businesses and real estate trends to community events and hidden gems, The Okotoks Podcast celebrates the people, places, and experiences that define life here. We talk about what it truly means to be an Okotokian, cheering for the Dawgs and Okotoks Oilers, sharing firsthand perspectives from those who shape the town’s unique identity.  And, of course, we can’t talk about Okotoks without mentioning the legendary Big Rock, an iconic landmark that serves as a symbol of our strong, growing community. Join Carlin Lutzer as he explores the heart and soul of Okotoks, bringing you engaging interviews, local insights, and everything you need to stay connected to the place we proudly call home. Whether you’re looking for the latest news, local recommendations, or just a reason to love Okotoks even more, this podcast has something for you!

  1. Growing Pains or Growing Smart? What Okotoks' Future Really Looks Like

    21H AGO

    Growing Pains or Growing Smart? What Okotoks' Future Really Looks Like

    Send us Fan Mail What does it actually take to grow a town without losing its soul?  That question sits at the heart of this episode, one of the timeliest and revealing conversations Carlin Lutzer has brought to the community.  In this episode, Carlin sits down with Jeff Greene, Director of Community Growth and Identity for the Town of Okotoks, the man overseeing planning, engineering, economic development, heritage, and more.  Jeff has called Okotoks home for over six years, arriving from Lethbridge with nearly a decade of municipal leadership experience.  Together, Carlin and Jeff walk through the entire development process, from land annexation to keys in the door, while tackling the real questions Okotokians are asking about density, traffic, infrastructure, and whether life in Okotoks can stay distinctly Okotoks as the town grows.  If you care about the future of this community, this is the episode to listen to.   Listen for: 4:02 How does the development process actually work in Okotoks from annexation to completion? 11:45 Are contracts locking Okotoks into developments residents may not want? 20:02 How is the Town of Okotoks protecting community identity in newer neighborhoods? 29:29 What is the identity-driven growth strategy and what does it mean for Okotoks? 40:52 Who actually pays for the roads, bridges, and infrastructure that growth demands?   Connect with Guest: Jeff Greene, Director of Community Growth and Identity in Okotoks  LinkedIn| Website Connect with Carlin Email | Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram Sheep River Dog Rescue formally know as Moe Dog Rescue.  Passionate about giving Dogs another chance. Special thanks to Okotoks Nissan for arranging this podcast with Kelly Hrudey.

    55 min
  2. Dog Park Etiquette

    APR 28

    Dog Park Etiquette

    Send us Fan Mail The dog park should be fun, not a free for all.  Carlin Lutzer welcomes Sam Burnett from Sheep River Dog Rescue for a practical and honest conversation about dog park etiquette, dog behaviour, and responsible ownership.  Sam explains why recall is nonnegotiable, how to spot fear based reactivity, why not every growl means aggression, and how owners often create or escalate the problems they blame on dogs.  From leash habits and gate etiquette to muzzles, e-collars, socialization, and even bald eagles near small dogs, this episode is a must listen for anyone who visits the Okotoks dog park and wants to keep it safer, calmer, and more enjoyable for everyone.   Listen for: 2:20 How Do You Know If Your Dog Is Not Ready For The Dog Park? 4:08 Why Is Recall So Important Before Going Off Leash? 9:43 How Can You Tell If A Growl Is Playful Or A Warning? 15:16 When Is A Dog Correction Not The Same As Aggression? 24:02 What Is The Best Way To Enter And Leave The Dog Park?   Connect with Guest: Sam Burnett, Co-Founder and Training Coordinator, Sheep River Rescue Dog  Website | Sheep River Dog Rescue Facebook Page Connect with Carlin Email | Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram Sheep River Dog Rescue formally know as Moe Dog Rescue.  Passionate about giving Dogs another chance. Special thanks to Okotoks Nissan for arranging this podcast with Kelly Hrudey.

    32 min
  3. Kelly Hrudey

    APR 21

    Kelly Hrudey

    Send us Fan Mail What does it take to face the world's brightest spotlight while quietly fighting battles no one can see?  Carlin Lutzer sits down with Canadian hockey icon Kelly Hrudey, former NHL goaltender for the New York Islanders, Los Angeles Kings, and San Jose Sharks, and one of the most beloved analysts on Hockey Night in Canada…. for a conversation that goes far deeper than the game.  Kelly's connection to Okotoks runs through the community-building street hockey tournament hosted by Okotoks Nissan, where he's shown up year after year to give local kids an unforgettable experience.  Carlin and Kelly explore Kelly's unlikely path to the NHL, the legendary Easter Epic of 1987, life alongside Wayne Gretzky in Los Angeles, and …most powerfully …Kelly's open, honest journey through mental health struggles.  Listeners will discover that behind the confidence on their Saturday night screens is a man who fights for his good days, one at a time.   Listen for: 5:06 How did Kelly Hrudey's Edmonton upbringing shape his love for Alberta's Rocky Mountains? 14:06 What made the Easter Epic of 1987 the game that changed Kelly Hrudey's career forever? 30:10 How has Kelly Hrudey's openness about mental health made a difference beyond hockey? 32:14 What is the story behind daughter Caitlin's More Good Days clothing company? 38:46 What tools from Tony Robbins still help Kelly Hrudey manage anxiety before going on air?   Connect with Guest: Kelly Hrudey | Former NHL Goaltender (New York Islanders, Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks) | Hockey Night in Canada | Sportsnet Analyst More Good Days Clothing | Speakers Spotlight | Instagram Connect with Carlin Email | Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram Sheep River Dog Rescue formally know as Moe Dog Rescue.  Passionate about giving Dogs another chance. Special thanks to Okotoks Nissan for arranging this podcast with Kelly Hrudey.

    49 min
  4. Okotoks Shorts: Adanac Liquidation: Okotoks' Best-Kept Furniture Secret

    APR 17

    Okotoks Shorts: Adanac Liquidation: Okotoks' Best-Kept Furniture Secret

    Send us Fan Mail What does it really mean to support local… and what happens when a business puts community savings above corporate margins?  Carlin Lutzer is joined by Ian McAteer, co-owner of Adanac Liquidation, for a conversation that will completely change how you think about furniture shopping in Okotoks.  Ian and his business partner Brian built something rare: a store tucked behind Home Hardware on Fisher Crescent that flips the traditional retail model on its head sourcing movie sets, Canadian-made furniture, and incredible mattress deals at prices that leave the big-box stores in the dust.  From buying Amazon returns to acquiring western film props, Adanac's journey is a story of smart hustle, community roots, and genuine local pride.  If you live in Okotoks and haven't discovered this hidden gem yet, this episode is your sign to go hunting.   Listen for: 1:16 What inspired Ian McAteer to build Adanac Liquidation right here in Okotoks? 3:03 How does buying movie sets and TV props shape the Adanac shopping experience? 4:00 Why should Okotoks residents never pay full retail price for furniture again? 6:25 How does Adanac Liquidation give back to the Okotoks community it calls home? 10:53 Where exactly can Okotoks shoppers find Adanac Liquidation and what can they get? Connect with Guest: Ian McAteer | Co-Owner, Adanac Liquidation Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram  Connect with Carlin Email | Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram Sheep River Dog Rescue formally know as Moe Dog Rescue.  Passionate about giving Dogs another chance. Special thanks to Okotoks Nissan for arranging this podcast with Kelly Hrudey.

    15 min
  5. Oko-Talks | 5 Questions, 5 Minutes

    APR 14

    Oko-Talks | 5 Questions, 5 Minutes

    Send us Fan Mail What does healthy community conversation actually look like  and why has Okotoks been missing it?  This episode of the Okotoks Podcast marks both a milestone and a new beginning: the podcast's one-year anniversary and the debut of "Oko-Talks," a brand new panel segment that Carlin Lutzer has been wanting to create for a long time.  Joining Carlin are two familiar voices in the Okotoks community: Joelle Reimer, dedicated Okotokian, billet mom for the Okotoks Oilers, and former voice on The Eagle, and Curtis Armstrong, publisher of the Western Wheel.  Together, the three tackle five hot-button local topics in five-minute rounds: deer in town, rapid infrastructure growth, vehicle noise, public spaces for civic petitions, and what makes summer life in Okotoks so worth celebrating.  This is community conversation at its most authentic — real, warm, and proudly local.   Listen for: 07:38 What should Okotoks actually do about the deer living in our community? 13:00 Is Okotoks keeping up with infrastructure as the town grows so rapidly? 18:28 How is vehicle noise affecting quality of life in Okotoks neighbourhoods? 24:34 Should public spaces in Okotoks be used for recall votes and separation petitions? 32:47 What are Joelle and Curtis most excited about for summer in Okotoks? Connect with Guests:  Joelle Reimer | Okotoks Community Member | Billet for the Okotoks Oilers | Former On-Air Personality at The Eagle Email | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok  Curtis Armstrong | Publisher | Western Wheel Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Email Connect with Carlin Email | Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram Sheep River Dog Rescue formally know as Moe Dog Rescue.  Passionate about giving Dogs another chance. Special thanks to Okotoks Nissan for arranging this podcast with Kelly Hrudey.

    44 min
  6. Plan Your Dig and Dig Your Plan: Click Before You Dig

    APR 7

    Plan Your Dig and Dig Your Plan: Click Before You Dig

    Send us Fan Mail Every spring, shovels go into the ground across Okotoks for fences, decks, trees, gardens, you name it. But how many homeowners know what's buried beneath their feet?  Carlin Lutzer sits down with Mike Sullivan, President of Utility Safety Partners and the driving force behind Alberta's Click Before You Dig campaign, to talk about one of the most overlooked safety habits in community life.  Mike breaks down why April is Safe Digging Month, what happens when a locate request is submitted (and what happens when it isn't), and how one free five-minute click can protect your family, your finances, and your neighbours.  As Okotoks continues to grow, this conversation is one every homeowner and contractor in the community needs to hear.   Listen for: 1:19 What makes Mike Sullivan the right person to champion safe digging in Alberta? 6:02 Why should every Okotoks homeowner click before they dig no matter the project size? 10:57 What are the real financial and legal consequences of digging without a locate request? 15:24 How is Utility Safety Partners reaching new Canadians and newcomers across Alberta? 26:46 What did an $85 million digging incident in Dallas reveal about the true cost of one wrong dig?   Connect with Guest: Mike Sullivan, President | Utility Safety Partners Mike's LinkedIn | X | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook Connect with Carlin Email | Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram Sheep River Dog Rescue formally know as Moe Dog Rescue.  Passionate about giving Dogs another chance. Special thanks to Okotoks Nissan for arranging this podcast with Kelly Hrudey.

    35 min
  7. D'Arcy Ranch Golf Club

    APR 2

    D'Arcy Ranch Golf Club

    Send us Fan Mail Some places in a community carry more than just a purpose…they carry a story.  This episode pulls back the curtain on one of those places: D'Arcy Ranch Golf Club, a 35-year Okotoks landmark that was built, by design, to belong to everyone.  Carlin Lutzer sits down with Mattie D'Arcy, VP of Marketing and a member of the ownership family, to explore the legacy behind the course, the founding decision that ensured it would never go private, and the exciting new additions on the horizon.  From a high-tech facility called The Stables to a charity event focused on men's mental health, this is a conversation about golf, family, and what it really means to be rooted in the Okotoks community.    Listen for:  4:49 Why is the new Stables facility at D'Arcy Ranch named after Mattie's grandfather's legacy?  11:28 How is D'Arcy Ranch Golf Club deepening its community roots in Okotoks?  13:35 What is the Make Your Best Invitational and why does it matter to Okotoks?  17:27 What is the story behind D'Arcy Ranch's decision to always remain a public golf course?  23:19 What will The Stables offer Okotoks residents when it opens in 2027?    Connect with Guest: Mattie D’Arcy, VP of Marketing | D’Arcy Ranch Golf Club D'Arcy Ranch Golf Club | Instagram | LinkedIn |  Connect with Carlin  Email | Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram  Sheep River Dog Rescue formally know as Moe Dog Rescue.  Passionate about giving Dogs another chance. Special thanks to Okotoks Nissan for arranging this podcast with Kelly Hrudey.

    30 min
  8. Your Home. Your Rights. Alberta's Castle Law Debate

    MAR 24

    Your Home. Your Rights. Alberta's Castle Law Debate

    Send us Fan Mail What does it really mean to own the land beneath your feet?  Carlin Lutzer sits down with Cory Morgan, a Western Standard columnist and passionate Alberta advocate, for a wide-ranging conversation that hits close to home for anyone who cares about life in Okotoks and the surrounding Foothills County.  From the landmark Eddie Maurice case right here in our backyard, to Premier Danielle Smith's proposed castle law changes, to the growing uncertainty around Indigenous land claims in BC, Cory offers sharp, opinionated context on some of today's most debated property rights issues.  Whether you're a long-time Okotoks resident or a newcomer discovering what Alberta values look like in practice, this episode delivers the kind of honest, thought-provoking conversation that defines the Okotoks Podcast.   Listen for: 1:18 What drives Cory Morgan to write opinion columns and challenge political norms in Alberta? 5:07 What really happened with the Eddie Maurice case in Foothills County, and why did it outrage Okotoks-area residents? 14:34 How might Premier Danielle Smith's proposed castle law changes affect property owners in Okotoks and rural Alberta? 18:54 What are Indigenous land claim rulings doing to property rights and mortgage financing in BC? 26:20 Why is Alberta more legally stable than BC when it comes to treaty land and property ownership?    Connect with Guest: Cory Morgan, Columnist, Western Standard Western Standard | X | Facebook | Amazon - The Sovereigntist's Handbook  Connect with Carlin Email | Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram Sheep River Dog Rescue formally know as Moe Dog Rescue.  Passionate about giving Dogs another chance. Special thanks to Okotoks Nissan for arranging this podcast with Kelly Hrudey.

    39 min
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About

The Okotoks Podcast is your ultimate guide to life in Okotoks! Hosted by Carlin Lutzer, a professional realtor and proud Okotokian, this podcast brings you stories, insights, and conversations about what makes this town just south of Calgary such a special place to live. Whether you’ve called Okotoks home for years or you’re just getting to know the community, this podcast is your connection to everything happening in town. From local businesses and real estate trends to community events and hidden gems, The Okotoks Podcast celebrates the people, places, and experiences that define life here. We talk about what it truly means to be an Okotokian, cheering for the Dawgs and Okotoks Oilers, sharing firsthand perspectives from those who shape the town’s unique identity.  And, of course, we can’t talk about Okotoks without mentioning the legendary Big Rock, an iconic landmark that serves as a symbol of our strong, growing community. Join Carlin Lutzer as he explores the heart and soul of Okotoks, bringing you engaging interviews, local insights, and everything you need to stay connected to the place we proudly call home. Whether you’re looking for the latest news, local recommendations, or just a reason to love Okotoks even more, this podcast has something for you!

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