The Pulse

Dave Graham & Peter McCully

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LISTEN UP! Whether you're a longtime local or just discovering our corner of paradise On Vancouver Island in Parksville Qualicum Beach, Nanoose, Arrowsmith Coombs or Lighthouse Country - tune in to the Pulse. The Pulse Community Podcast tells the stories of the people and places that make our coastal communities unique. SIGN UP! Subscribe now to catch every episode!

1D AGO

Kyle McKearney's To The River Tour & 99-year-old Eva Hilborn's Wonderful World of Books

"Send us a text about this episode!" Why You Should Listen to This Episode: Kyle McKearney stopped chasing what the industry told him to be, went home, made the record he wanted to make, and had it mixed by the same engineer behind Chris Stapleton and Beyonce. Eva Hilborn decided at 95 that she wasn't done yet - and built a literacy charity from scratch that now puts free books in the hands of 500 children every month. Two guests who took their own road, and made something remarkable. This Episode Features: (25:23) Kyle McKearney, Metis singer-songwriter and frontman of The Outliers, is bringing his To The River Tour to Vancouver Island this summer - including Sunfest at Laketown Ranch, Rock the Range in Qualicum Beach, and the Parksville Museum Concert Series. Raised in Fort St. John and now based in Alberta, Kyle grew up in a musical family - his dad spent eight years chasing Nashville with the East Coast Riders, and his grandparents played dances and weddings across western Canada. Kyle co-produced his most recent album with Russell Broom, had it mixed by Vance Powell (Chris Stapleton, Willie Nelson, Beyonce) and had five songs featured in the season 18 finale of Heartland. His band, The Outliers - which includes his wife Sarah on vocals and guitar - plays country, Americana, and bluegrass with a soul and swagger all their own. Contains the song “Wedding Day”. https://www.imkylemckearney.com/ (06:16) Eva Hilborn, retired early childhood educator and founder of the Wonderful World of Books, started her charity at age 95, inspired by Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. Now 99, Eva is still involved in the program that delivers free, personalized books to 500 children across School District 69 every month - from birth to age four. What began with 25 books delivered by neighbours in Bowser has grown into a volunteer-powered organization with 50 to 70 dedicated volunteers, multiple grants and sponsors, and a partnership with the Qualicum Beach library. Kathy Van Herwaarden serves as vice president. Eva's secret to a long and active life? Keep busy. Keep a job. Do something positive. https://thewonderfulworldofbooks.com/ Episode Quotes: “It just has its own thing - it's a group of highly skilled, highly talented musicians who have a lot of swagger and soul and could essentially play any genre of music.” - Kyle McKearney “Children who have 80 or more books in their home progress greater. The children, they're happy to get a book each month.” - Eva Hilborn 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, Society of Organized Services (SOSD69) & Ian Lindsay & Associates Check out Skookum Kid's Stories on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, and YouTube, as well as SkookumKids.com Sign up for our weekly newsletter of new podcast releases and contests! “Like, Share & Listen!” (Wedding Day - McKearney) #KyleMcKearney #ToTheRiverTour #VancouverIsland #VancouverIslandMusic #WonderfulWorldOfBooks #EvaHilborn #Literacy #SunFest #ThePULSEPodcast #VancouverIslandPodcast #ParksvilleNews #VancouverIslandNews Support the show

47 min
1D AGO

Carys Cragg - How I Came to Meet the Man Who Murdered My Father

"Send us a text about this episode!" Why You Should Listen to This Episode What does it take to face the person who shattered your world? Carys Cragg was 11 years old when her father was murdered. Decades later, she chose to correspond with - and ultimately meet - the man responsible. Her story is not about forgiveness on demand. It is about what happens when you decide to walk toward your greatest fear, and what you find on the other side. In this episode: Carys Cragg joins Cindy Thompson on A Resilience Project to share the extraordinary journey behind her book Dead Reckoning: How I Came to Meet the Man Who Murdered My Father - a Globe & Mail Best 100 Book of 2017, finalist for the Hubert Evans BC Book Prize, and finalist for the Governor General's Literary Award. Carys opens up about complex trauma, grief, and the unexpected gifts that can emerge when we are willing to confront what we fear most. Beyond her personal story, Carys brings a professional lens to healing: she is faculty and coordinator in the Child & Youth Care degree program at Douglas College and is completing her Doctor of Education in educational leadership. This episode is dedicated to her father. The PULSE Community Podcasts can be found at: https://thepulsecommunity.ca/ Cindy Thompson's website: https://cindythompsoncounselling.ca Learn more about Carys Cragg: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/caryscragg You'll find all episodes of the PULSE Community Podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, TIK TOK and YouTube. Episode Sponsor: Tablet Pharmacy Check out Skookum Kid's Stories with downloadbale colouring pages on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, and YouTube. Sign up for our weekly newsletter of new podcast releases and contests! "Like, Share & Listen!" #CarysCragg #ResilienceProject #VancouverIsland #ParksvilleQualicum #ThePulseCommunityPodcast #CindyThompson #DeadReckoning #parksvillenews #vancouverislandnews Support the show

40 min
MAY 19

Singer-Songwriter Sean Thomas & Parksville Museum Curator Sarah Ronald

"Send us a text about this episode!" Why You Should Listen to This Episode: Sean Thomas was 17 years old when he began producing Debbie Gibson's comeback album - the same year he was learning to drive a car. He then took his talents to Las Vegas as her music director, toured with New Kids on the Block and New Edition, and is now releasing his own music entirely on his own terms. Sarah Ronald turned a heritage village courtyard into a concert venue, dreamed up Parksville's longest hopscotch course, and is building a storytelling festival from scratch - because she believes a museum, like a library, has to keep evolving to stay alive. This Episode Features: (28:06) Sean Thomas is a 24-year-old Vancouver-born singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, and voice actor who started playing piano at five, founded a charity that raised over $100,000 for BC Children's Hospital at age 11, and co-produced Debbie Gibson's first album in two decades while finishing his Berklee College of Music degree. He has since worked as a music director, writer, mixer, and producer for Joey McIntyre, New Kids on the Block, and New Edition. His debut single "Better" - written, recorded, produced, and mixed entirely himself - features over 100 stacked vocal layers built in his home studio. Sean is now preparing an independent EP and exploring live performance opportunities later this year. https://www.seanthomas.ca/ (06:08) Sarah Ronald is the manager and curator of the Parksville Museum at Craig Heritage Park, overseeing eight heritage buildings, a rich regional archive, and a rapidly expanding calendar of community events. After 18 years as a theatre coordinator for the City of Port Moody, Sarah arrived in Parksville in spring 2024 and has since launched an artisan market, a concert series every Thursday in July, a juried art exhibit exploring repetition, and a multi-week storytelling festival for June featuring theatre, literary artists, spoken word, and workshops. She also drew Parksville's longest hopscotch course - all 300-plus hops of it. https://www.parksvillemuseum.com/ Episode Quotes: "When I'm in a writing session or doing a production for something, I'll often just take a backseat or keep asking questions until they bring it out themselves - because when it comes from them and it's an idea they thought of, it's more inspired." - Sean Thomas "A lot of the items in here in some regard were precious to somebody, and you can tell. You can see these stories." - Sarah Ronald LISTEN: We've had the pleasure of sitting down with musicians from across Vancouver Island and beyond - explore more stories and interviews on our Vancouver Island Musicians page. 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: Ian Lindsay & Associates, Thrifty Foods Parksville & Fireside Books 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! https://bit.ly/PulseNewsletterSignup "Like, Share & Listen!" #SeanThomas #VancouverIslandMusic #DebbieGibson #ParksvilleMuseum #CraigHeritagePark #VancouverIsland #PULSECommunityPodcast #VancouverIslandPodcast #ParksvilleNews #VancouverIslandNews Support the show

55 min
MAY 19

From the Ground Up: Amit Gaur on Three Years at the Council Table

"Send us a text about this episode!" Recorded on location at the AVICC (Association of Vancouver Island Coastal Communities) Conference, this episode of Non-Partisan Hacks brings a familiar face to the mic. Joel Grenz and Sean Wood welcome Parksville City Councillor Amit Gaur — their colleague at the council table since the 2022 election — for a candid conversation about what local government actually looks like from the inside. Amit came to politics without a political background, nudged into running by fellow Councillor Adam Frass after years of attending meetings and raising community concerns that were largely met with silence. Three and a half years later, he reflects on the learning curve, the limits of local authority, and what it means to serve a community of 15,000 people with delegated powers and a tight budget. The trio cover the gap between public perception and council reality — the misinformation that fills the space when communication falls short, the power of advocacy as a primary tool of local government, and why being nonpartisan is a genuine strategic advantage. They also highlight wins from the term: the short-term rental exemption for Parksville’s Resort Row, the Volunteer First Responder Tax Credit, Amit’s environmental advocacy at AVICC and UBCM, and the Mobi mat beach accessibility project. Listen for: Why Amit decided to run — and the one councillor who encouraged him What local government can and can’t do, and why advocacy is the most powerful tool on the table How miscommunication breeds misinformation — and what councillors can do about it The short-term rental exemption win and why staying nonpartisan made the difference What to look for in a candidate when no one knows what the next term will bring Two priorities still in motion: the OCP revision and the drinking water sustainability study Text us about this episode: Send us a text Visit the NonPartisan Hacks website: https://nonpartisanhacks.com/ 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 for supporting ThePulseCommunity.ca. 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! https://bit.ly/PulseNewsletterSignup Click here to learn how to Support the show “Like, Share & Listen!” #PulseCommunityPodcast #publicengagement #ThePulseCommunity #SeanWood #JoelGrenz #ParksvilleQualicumBeach #NonPartisanHacks #ParksvilleNews #VancouverIslandNews #LocalGovernment #AmitGaur Support the show

36 min
MAY 19

Lynnsay Scollon - Finding Beauty in Vulnerability

"Send us a text about this episode!" Why You Should Listen to This Episode If you've ever felt undone by circumstances that seemed, on the surface, ordinary - this episode is for you. Lynnsay Scollon speaks with remarkable honesty about how a series of seemingly small events converged into a perfect storm during her first year at the University of Victoria. Her willingness to name what many students quietly endure makes this episode both necessary and deeply human. In this episode: Lynnsay Scollon joins Cindy Thompson on A Resilience Project for a vulnerable and authentic conversation about her experience as a first-year university student - and what she discovered about herself when the weight of it all became too much to carry. Navigating the pressures of a new environment, Lynnsay found herself facing the quiet, insidious nature of mental illness - and the way it can erode confidence from the inside out. She speaks candidly about how those experiences, though painful, became the very ground from which her resilience grew. Her story is a reminder that the hardest moments are often where we learn the most about who we are. Lynnsay brings a perspective shaped by lived experience and a genuine desire to reach others who may be facing similar walls. She reminds us that we are not alone on this journey - and that there is beauty, even in vulnerability. The PULSE Community Podcasts can be found at: ThePulseCommunity.ca Cindy Thompson's website: cindythompsoncounselling.ca You'll find all episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, and YouTube, as well as ThePulseCommunity.ca Episode Sponsor: Tablet Pharmacy 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! https://bit.ly/PulseNewsletterSignup "Like, Share & Listen!" #LynnsayScollon #ResilienceProject #VancouverIsland #ParksvilleQualicum #ThePulseCommunityPodcast #CindyThompson #mentalhealth #studentlife #vancouverislandnews Support the show

48 min
MAY 12

Forward House: Recovery, Community, Hope & Tom Sewid: Sasquatch Investigator Returns to Vancouver Island

"Send us a text about this episode!" Why You Should Listen to This Episode: Jeff Vircoe walked into a meeting on February 22nd, 1986, and hasn’t had a drink since. Today he’s president of Forward House - the Parksville-based nonprofit marking 25 years of steady, quiet service to people navigating mental health and addiction recovery. Bonnie Bartlett, Forward House’s public relations director, brings her own lived story to the work. And then there’s Tom Sewid: who identifies the Sayward region, the west coast near Nitinat Lake, and the Tofino area as the most active Sasquatch zones on Vancouver Island, and notes a pattern of increasing activity at the urban edge - including along the Englishman River corridor near Parksville. This Episode Features: (07:48) Jeff Vircoe and Bonnie Bartlett join the podcast from Forward House, the Parksville-based nonprofit celebrating 25 years of service to adults living with mental health and addiction recovery challenges. Jeff - a Canadian Forces veteran, former journalist, and man in long-term recovery since 1988. He now serves as president of Forward House while working as a counsellor at Edgewood Treatment Centre. Bonnie brings her own family story to her role as marketing and public relations director, speaking candidly about what it means to grow up in a home shaped by alcoholism, and why reducing stigma starts with talking about it openly. They preview the May 23rd Public Education Forum at Knox United Church, featuring Dr. Ian King, one of BC’s top addiction medicine psychiatrists, alongside a panel of local health and community voices. forwardhouse.ca (31:11) Tom Sewid grew up in Alert Bay and attended high school in Qualicum Beach. Decades as a hunting guide and commercial fisherman along the BC coast gave him something few Sasquatch investigators can claim - a lifetime of direct, close-range encounters. Now based in Washington State, Tom leads guided expeditions is among the most sought-after speakers on the Sasquatch conference circuit. He traces his encounters from a childhood sighting near Campbell River with his father, to a night on Village Island aboard his commercial seine boat when two Sasquatches spent more than an hour visible by spotlight, to a 16-minute, 40-second FLIR video captured on Quadra Island in February - footage that remains among the most compelling thermal recordings on record. Tom studied alongside the late Dr. John Bindernagel for more than 25 years. He notes a pattern of increasing activity including along the Englishman River corridor near Parksville. Tom will be speaking at Squatch Watch Vancouver Island. Episode Quotes: “I’ve been within five, six feet of a Sasquatch twice. I’ve had them around me well over 30 times through my life, living and working out in the coastal bush of British Columbia.” - Tom Sewid “If you’re feeling isolated, if you’re feeling scared, pick up the phone and give us a call or pop by our house. We’ve got a wonderful team here that are willing to talk with you. We just want you to know that you’re not alone, and there is hope.” - Bonnie Bartlett 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 Support the show

57 min
MAY 12

Rick & Karen Sanchez - When a Spark Becomes a Beacon for Helping Others

"Send us a text about this episode!" Why You Should Listen to This Episode: If you've ever wondered what it looks like to say yes to a calling — even when it means leaving everything familiar behind - this episode is for you. Karen Huebert-Sanchez and Ricky Sanchez bring an energy and warmth to this conversation that is utterly contagious. Their story is one of extraordinary commitment, hard-won resilience, and the kind of purpose that doesn't waver even in the face of significant adversity. In this episode: Karen Huebert-Sanchez and Ricky Sanchez join Cindy Thompson on A Resilience Project to talk about finding meaning and purpose while serving the community of Thailand - and the valuable lessons about resilience they have learned while creating loving homes for children living with HIV/AIDS. Karen knew from the time she was eight years old that she would one day start an orphanage. Over the past 20 years, she and Ricky have been on a mission to build safe, loving homes for children in Thailand who are orphaned at a young age and living with HIV/AIDS. Their work has expanded to include long-term partnerships with college athletes who play sports and teach clinics in impoverished communities across Thailand and Southeast Asia - a programme that is changing lives on both sides. In this conversation, Karen and Ricky open up about what they have learned about themselves while leaning into a deeply meaningful mission, how they celebrate the wins and navigate the inevitable adversities of doing their life's work far from home, and why the resilience they witness in the children they serve continues to inspire them every single day. This is a conversation about courage, compassion, and what happens when a spark — lit in childhood - becomes a beacon for an entire community. The PULSE Community Podcasts can be found at: ThePulseCommunity.ca Cindy Thompson's website: cindythompsoncounselling.ca You'll find all episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, TikTok, and YouTube, as well as ThePulseCommunity.ca. Episode Sponsor: Tablet Pharmacy Check out Skookum Kid's Stories on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, and YouTube Podcasts. Sign up for our weekly newsletter of new podcast releases and contests! https://bit.ly/PulseNewsletterSignup "Like, Share & Listen!" #RickSanchez #KarenSanchez #ResilienceProject #VancouverIsland #ParksvilleQualicum #ThePulseCommunityPodcast #CindyThompson #Thailand #orphanage #HIV #Aids #sportsmissions Support the show

49 min
MAY 5

Vancouver Island Actor-Musician Ajay “Blue Jay” Friese & Master Gardener Debora Gurrad

"Send us a text about this episode!" Why You Should Listen to This Episode: Ajay Friese grew up on Vancouver Island, spent five years auditioning before landing Lost in Space, sang Bob Marley on screen, moved Laura Linney to tears with his debut single, and just released his first album - all before turning 30. Debora Gurrad gave up the classroom but never stopped teaching: as a certified Master Gardener she travels Campbell River to Nanaimo helping people understand what their soil is actually trying to tell them. Two guests, two origin stories rooted in Vancouver Island. This Episode Features: (33:39) Ajay Friese, actor and singer-songwriter, grew up on Vancouver Island and is best known as a series regular across all three seasons of the Netflix reboot Lost in Space. He has recently joined Kevin Kline and Laura Linney in the MGM+ family comedy American Classic. He has released his debut album Postcards - recorded under the name Blue Jay Friese - a deeply personal collection influenced by John Denver, four of whose songs were captured as live one-takes in studio. Ajay talks about the five years of ferry rides and Vancouver auditions before his career broke open, playing comedy opposite Kevin Kline, and what Laura Linney said when she heard his first single in the green room. He also walks through his multicultural upbringing and how that global perspective finds its way into his writing. Contains the song “The Road”. https://www.instagram.com/bluejay_friese/ (08:22) Debora Gurrad is a certified Master Gardener with the Vancouver Island Master Gardeners Association, a retired teacher who has been passionate about growing things since a university botany class lit the spark. She presents workshops on soil preparation, pruning, and food gardening from Campbell River to Nanaimo. Debora explains what the Master Gardener movement actually is, why soil preparation is always step one regardless of what you are planting, and which cool-weather crops you can put in the ground right now. She also offers a practical guide to managing the overwhelm of May - the busiest month in any garden. https://www.vimga.org/ Episode Quotes: "It took me completely by surprise, and it was like the most exciting thing I could possibly hear and the biggest compliment." — Ajay Friese (on being asked to sing on Lost in Space) "Everything, no matter what kind of garden you have — do your soil prep first." — Debora Gurrad We've had the pleasure of sitting down with musicians from across Vancouver Island and beyond — explore more stories and interviews on our Vancouver Island Musicians page. 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: Support the show

58 min

LISTEN UP! Whether you're a longtime local or just discovering our corner of paradise On Vancouver Island in Parksville Qualicum Beach, Nanoose, Arrowsmith Coombs or Lighthouse Country - tune in to the Pulse. The Pulse Community Podcast tells the stories of the people and places that make our coastal communities unique. SIGN UP! Subscribe now to catch every episode!

Creator

Dave Graham & Peter McCully
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

127
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2026 The Pulse
Show Website

The Pulse