The Pulse

Dave Graham & Peter McCully

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!

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

    1D AGO

    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
  2. Bring the Bill: Rob Shaw on First Reading, DRIPA, and the Erosion of Debate

    1D AGO

    Bring the Bill: Rob Shaw on First Reading, DRIPA, and the Erosion of Debate

    "Send us a text about this episode!" In this episode of Nonpartisan Hacks, Joel Grenz and Sean Wood welcome back BC political reporter Rob Shaw - host of Political Capital and co-author of the bestselling A Matter of Confidence - for the “Criterion Edition” of his rant on first reading at the BC Legislature. They unpack what first reading actually does, why the NDP government’s growing habit of blocking opposition bills chips away at the institution, and how the same procedural dynamics show up around the municipal council table. From DRIPA to slates to the quiet collapse of caucus power, the conversation is part civics lesson, part warning shot, and very much in the Nonpartisan Hacks spirit of “the process matters as much as the outcome.” Listen for:  What first reading actually is — and why blocking it is more serious than it sounds Why the precedents this government sets will eventually be used against them The municipal parallel: why “second for discussion” is a small but vital democratic norm How outrage clips and Facebook groups are turning every procedural vote into a wedge Why slates are the corrosive factor creeping into otherwise healthy local democracies Rob’s reliable forecast: every premier eventually falls — usually to someone you’ve never heard of 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. 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 #publicengagement #ThePulseCommunity #SeanWood #JoelGrenz #ParksvilleQualicumBeach #NonPartisanHacks #ParksvilleNews #VancouverIslandNews Support the show

    31 min
  3. Rob de Toni & Heather Emmerzael - Preventing Burnout Through Resilience Practice

    1D AGO

    Rob de Toni & Heather Emmerzael - Preventing Burnout Through Resilience Practice

    "Send us a text about this episode!" Why You Should Listen to This Episode What happens when you’ve achieved everything you set out to do - and it still isn’t enough? Rob de Toni, a litigation lawyer, and Heather Emmerzael, a Registered Nurse, both built successful careers and found themselves in full burnout. Their story is a powerful reminder that resilience isn’t about pushing through - sometimes it’s about having the courage to start over.  In this episode: Rob de Toni and Heather Emmerzael join Cindy Thompson on A Resilience Project to talk about what it truly means to reinvent yourself at any stage of life. As friends and colleagues who both navigated careers that left them depleted, Rob and Heather unpack what was missing, what they discovered about themselves, and what finally motivated them to make a radical shift toward who they were really meant to be. Their conversation is honest, grounded, and deeply relatable. Whether you’re questioning your own path or supporting someone who is, this episode is a reminder that recognizing burnout is not failure - it’s the beginning of something truer.  The PULSE Community Podcasts can be found at: ThePulseCommunity.ca  Cindy Thompson’s website: cindythompsoncounselling.ca  Learn more about Rob de Toni & Heather Emmerzael: cynosurecoaching.com  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, 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!”  #RobdeToni #HeatherEmmerzael #ResilienceProject #VancouverIsland #ParksvilleQualicum #ThePulseCommunityPodcast #CindyThompson  Support the show

    46 min

  4. APR 29

    Chris Buck - Boots & Boats Festival & the Seaside Cruizers Show and Shine

    "Send us a text about this episode!" Why You Should Listen to This Episode: Chris Buck has written 500+ songs in Nashville, earned a gold record, and just cracked the top 40 as an independent artist - all while staying unmistakably Canadian. Jim Moroz and the Seaside Cruisers have built a Father's Day tradition that draws 20,000 visitors, 500 classic cars, and gives back to local charities every year.  This Episode Features: (19:31) Chris Buck, BC-CCMA Award-winning country artist, spent seven years writing in Nashville - two songs a day, five days a week - and came back to Canada as an independent artist with a nineties-inspired album. He talks about his sobriety journey, collaborating with Gord Bamford and bringing Boots and Boats - a waterfront Singer-Songwriter Festival with 21 artists over three days - to Nanoose Bay for the very first time. This interview contains the song: One Step, Two Step. www.chrisbuckband.com (06:29) Jim Moroz, President of the Seaside Cruisers Car Club, the volunteer force behind one of Vancouver Island's most beloved annual traditions. The 33rd Father's Day Show and Shine rolls into downtown Qualicum Beach with up to 500 classic vehicles, a poker run, a Saturday night street dance, and a three-day weekend that draws between 15,000 and 20,000 visitors. Last year the club donated $30,900 to local charities. www.seasidecruizers.com  Episode Quotes:  "At the end of the day, if you can pay your bills and do what you love, you've won." — Chris Buck  "For me, it's just seeing the joy in people's faces when they look at these cars. That makes you feel good." — Jim Moroz  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 Episode Sponsors: Tablet Pharmacy, Fireside Books, Ian Lindsay & Associates & SOSD69 — Fore Our Families 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!" One, Two Step — Chris Buck SOCAN 5068600 Support the show

    41 min
  5. Dr. Kirk Austin - Buoyancy: Building Resilient Kids

    APR 28

    Dr. Kirk Austin - Buoyancy: Building Resilient Kids

    "Send us a text about this episode!" Why You Should Listen to This Episode If you are a parent, grandparent, caregiver, or teacher — or anyone who cares about the emotional wellbeing of a child — this episode is essential listening. Dr. Kirk Austin brings years of experience working with complex trauma in children and youth to a conversation that is as practical as it is profound. His framework for resilience isn't abstract theory; it's a set of real, learnable skills that help children understand what's happening inside them when life gets hard. In this episode: Dr. Kirk Austin joins Cindy Thompson on A Resilience Project to share the ideas at the heart of his book, Buoyancy: Building Resilient Kids. With deep experience in complex trauma, Dr. Austin explains why emotional literacy — the ability to understand and name what we're feeling — is one of the most powerful tools we can give young people. At the centre of the conversation is the BREATHE acronym: seven key elements that Dr. Austin calls the building blocks of human buoyancy. Far from a simple checklist, these elements form a framework for helping children navigate stress, build coping strategies, and develop the kind of inner resilience that serves them for life. Dr. Austin also speaks to the role adults play in that process — how parents and caregivers model resilience in their own lives, and why the connection between a child and a trusted adult is itself one of the most powerful protective factors available to any young person. The PULSE Community Podcasts can be found at: ThePulseCommunity.ca Cindy Thompson's website: cindythompsoncounselling.ca Learn more about Dr. Kirk Austin: amazon.ca — Buoyancy: Building Resilient Kids 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, 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!" #DrKirkAustin #ResilienceProject #VancouverIsland #ParksvilleQualicum #ThePulseCommunityPodcast #CindyThompson #buoyancy #resilientkids #parksvillenews #vancouverislandnews Support the show

    48 min
  6. Aaron Cully Drake On Writing Your Book Using AI & Singer Songwriter Roy Forbes

    APR 21

    Aaron Cully Drake On Writing Your Book Using AI & Singer Songwriter Roy Forbes

    "Send us a text about this episode!" Why You Should Listen to This Episode: Author Aaron Cully Drake has a provocative and practical take on AI in the writing process — not as a ghostwriter, but as a structural editor that never lets a contradiction slide. And Roy Forbes, Member of the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame  and CKUA Radio host, has been writing songs since Grade school and performing across Canada for more than five decades.  This Episode Features:  (07:23) Aaron Cully Drake is a BB-based author, former newspaper reporter and editor whose debut novel was longlisted for the Leacock Medal for Humour Writing. His new novel, When the World Was Twice as Big, is now available. Aaron joins the podcast to talk about using AI as a writing partner - not to write the story, but to critique structure, catch contradictions, and push you past the blocks that keep you stuck. "AI is not going to replace writers," he says. "But I think eventually AI will replace writers who don't use AI."  (30:30) Roy Forbes picked up a guitar at 14, and never looked back. Known in his early years as Bim, he spent more than five decades writing, recording, and performing across Canada, earning a place in the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame and a UBC honorary doctorate. He has been the host of Roy's Record Room on CKUA Radio for more than 20 years. Roy talks about opening for Santana as a young artist, writing songs after losing his sight, and the old $7 Stella guitar he used to make his album Edge of Blue — an album he describes as feeling like his first, even though it was his 14th. He'll be at Char's Landing in Port Alberni in May. This interview contains the song: More Than a Little Bit Blue. Episode Quotes:  "AI is not going to replace writers. But I think eventually AI will replace writers who don't use AI." - Aaron Cully Drake  "I hope people can come in, maybe laugh and cry, laugh some more, maybe cry a little — forget their lives for a couple of hours, and become part of what's happening." - Roy Forbes 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.  Text us about this episode  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 & SOS for Our Families (SOSD69) Check out Skookum Kid's Stories on Support the show

    59 min
  7. Alicia Nicholsen - The Resilient Mommy: Writing Through Grief and Into Healing

    APR 21

    Alicia Nicholsen - The Resilient Mommy: Writing Through Grief and Into Healing

    "Send us a text about this episode!" Why You Should Listen to This Episode  If you’ve experienced loss in motherhood — or love someone who has — this episode is for you. Alicia Nicholsen speaks with the kind of honesty that only comes from having lived through the unimaginable. Her story of losing a child to miscarriage and a second child at 23 weeks is one of profound grief. But it’s also one of extraordinary purpose — and the quiet, determined resilience that grows when you decide to turn your pain into something that helps others.  In this episode:  Alicia Nicholsen joins Cindy Thompson on A Resilience Project to share the deeply personal story behind The Resilient Mommy Blog — and how writing became a conduit for healing and a bridge for resilience as a mother.  Having experienced the loss of a child to miscarriage and a second child at 23 weeks, Alicia knows grief in a way few can fully understand. In this conversation, she opens up about how those losses shaped her, and how the act of writing — of putting words to experiences that often go unspoken — helped her begin to heal. What started as a personal space became something far larger: a community and a resource for women navigating some of motherhood’s most devastating moments.  Alicia is the author of The Resilient Mommy Blog, a space dedicated to the resilience of being a mommy. Since welcoming her daughter in 2020, she describes herself as being on an entirely new journey — one where grief and joy exist side by side, and where she continues to invite other mothers along the way. The PULSE Community Podcasts can be found at: ThePulseCommunity.ca  Cindy Thompson’s website: cindythompsoncounselling.ca  Learn more about Alicia Nicholsen: theresilientmommy.com 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, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, and YouTube. Sign up for our weekly newsletter of new podcast releases and contests! https://bit.ly/PulseNewsletterSignup “Like, Share & Listen!” #AliciaNicholsen #ResilienceProject #VancouverIsland #ParksvilleQualicum #ThePulseCommunityPodcast #CindyThompson #miscarriage #mommylife #writing #healingjourney #mommyblogger #theresilientlife #grief #motherhoodloss #resilientmommy #parksvillenews #vancouverislandnews Support the show

    44 min
  8. Richard Brodeur Opening NEW Gallery in Parksville & 54–40’s Brad Merritt on Porto & Rock The Range

    APR 14

    Richard Brodeur Opening NEW Gallery in Parksville & 54–40’s Brad Merritt on Porto & Rock The Range

    "Send us a text about this episode!" Why You Should Listen to This Episode: Richard Brodeur backstopped the Vancouver Canucks to their first Stanley Cup final in 1982 — and spent the next four decades quietly building a second remarkable career as a painter. Now he’s soon opening Gallery 35 in Parksville, bringing eight professional artists with him. Brad Merritt, co-founder and bassist of 54–40, joins us ahead of the band’s only Vancouver Island date this summer — the inaugural Rock the Range festival in Qualicum Beach. Two stories about longevity, passion, and what happens when you refuse to stop. This Episode Features: (06:35) Richard Brodeur spent 17 years between the pipes in the WHA and NHL, backstopping the Vancouver Canucks to their very first Stanley Cup final in the spring of 1982. What most people didn’t know was that he’d been painting the whole time — sketchpad on road trips, canvases set up at home until three or four in the morning after games, all of it kept secret from teammates in what he describes as a very macho era. The connection between goaltending and painting, he explains, is the same: preparation. Knowing where you’re going before the puck drops, or before the brush touches canvas. He speaks candidly about sustaining 13 concussions during his playing career, the depression that followed for 30 years, and how art — quite literally — saved his life. He’s also opening Gallery 35 in Parksville in partnership with his son, featuring eight professional artists and art classes. https://brodeurartist.com/ (25:16) Brad Merritt is the co-founder and bassist of 54–40, one of Canada’s most enduring rock bands. Their new album Porto, was recorded live off the floor at an all-analog studio in Portugal. Brad recalls the story of how Hootie & the Blowfish discovered “I Go Blind” at a Washington DC club in 1989 and eventually it became the third most-played song in the US that year. He confirms he’ll be bringing his golf clubs to Rock the Range, the inaugural festival at Qualicum Beach Memorial Golf Course, September 12th. Contains the tune "Running for the Fence". https://www.rocktherangeqb.com  Episode Quotes:  “If it wasn’t for my art, I wouldn’t be here today. That was my refuge — my place where I was happy, where I could find myself again.” - Richard Brodeur “When the Rolling Stones quit, that’s our 20-year warning. We are still doing it. We still like it. We do it as well or better than we ever have.” - Brad Merritt 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, Thrifty Foods Parksville & SOSD69  Check out Sk Support the show

    51 min
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About

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!

Information

  • Creator
    Dave Graham & Peter McCully
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    120
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Pulse
  • Show Website
    The Pulse