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. Laura Kelsey's Debut Album "Hidden Mountains" & QB Chamber CAO Daniella Novak

    1D AGO

    Laura Kelsey's Debut Album "Hidden Mountains" & QB Chamber CAO Daniella Novak

    "Send us a text about this episode!" Why You Should Listen to This Episode: If you’ve ever wondered what it actually takes to make a small town’s business community thrive — not just survive — Daniella Novak has the answer, and she delivers it with the conviction of someone who grew up here, built a career here, and isn’t done yet. Then Laura Kelsey walks in and reminds you that creativity has no ceiling — a singer, songwriter, filmmaker, and poet who can tell you why fish sing and why a train crossing Canada might be the best writing retreat she’ll ever take. Two guests, two very different stories, that cover what makes mid-Vancouver Island worth talking about. This Episode Features: (23:11) Laura Kelsey is a Nanaimo-based vocalist, songwriter, filmmaker, and poet with a powerhouse voice shaped by years of performing across genres — from symphonic metal to folk, blues, and death metal that left her with vocal nodules she healed through exercise rather than surgery. Her debut full-length album Hidden Mountains, recorded at Canary Sound in Lantzville, is a journey into modern mythology. The album release event is April 18th at the Globe in Nanaimo. This interview contains the song: Crescent. (07:04) Daniella Novak is the CAO of the Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce, a Qualicum Beach native who spent nearly 30 years in financial services before bringing that leadership experience home. She joins The PULSE to talk about what it means to be the voice of business in Qualicum Beach, why the benefit plan alone is worth the membership. Episode Quotes:  “We want you to be successful doing business here. Whatever we can do to alleviate hurdles, perceived or otherwise — that’s the future of the Chamber of Commerce.” — Daniella Novak   “Each experience can be a setback, but at the same time it leads to better things.” — Laura Kelsey  Voice message: Voice message The PULSE and be part of the podcast! You'll find all episodes of the The PULSE Podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart and YouTube podcasts, as well as PULSECommunity.ca. Episode Sponsors: SOSD69, Tablet Pharmacy, Ian Lindsay & Associates & Thrifty Foods Parksville. 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! “Like, Share & Listen!” (Crescents - Laura Kelsey) SOCAN 5068600  #PulseCommunityPodcast #QualicumBeachChamber #DaniellaNovak #LauraKelsey #VancouverIslandMusic #QualicumBeach #Vanco Support the show

    43 min
  2. Marj Busse — "What We Focus On Increases"

    1D AGO

    Marj Busse — "What We Focus On Increases"

    "Send us a text about this episode!" Why You Should Listen to This Episode If you've ever wondered how the lessons passed down in childhood can shape an entire career — and a life of purpose — this episode is for you. Marj Busse grew up in a military family and carries a simple yet powerful piece of wisdom from her father that has stayed with her to this day. Her journey into leadership coaching is as much about self-discovery as it is about helping others grow. Whatever you put your attention on, it expands — and this conversation is a reminder of exactly that. In this episode: Growing up in a military family gave Marj Busse something most people search a lifetime for — a foundational piece of wisdom from her father that she has carried with her ever since. In this conversation, Marj shares what inspired her to pursue leadership coaching, the surprising insights she discovered about herself along the way, and how working with a coach can meaningfully grow your resilience. Marj Busse is a Master Certified Coach whose work through Essential Impact helps leaders unlock deeper self-awareness and create lasting change — in themselves and in the people around them. You'll find The PULSE Community Podcasts at https://thepulsecommunity.ca Cindy Thompson's website: https://cindythompsoncounselling.ca Learn more about Marj Busse: https://www.essentialimpact.com Episode Sponsor: Tablet Pharmacy — https://tabletpharmacy.ca/ You'll find all episodes of the The PULSE Podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart and YouTube podcasts, as well as PULSECommunity.ca. 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: https://bit.ly/PulseNewsletterSignup "Like, Share & Listen!" #MarjBusse #ResilienceProject #VancouverIsland #ParksvilleQualicum #ThePulseCommunityPodcast #CindyThompson Support the show

    40 min
  3. Breaking Barriers in Parksville & “Cheapskate in LotusLand” - Living Well on Less

    MAR 24

    Breaking Barriers in Parksville & “Cheapskate in LotusLand” - Living Well on Less

    "Send us a text about this episode!" Why You Should Listen to This Episode: If you've ever watched someone struggle to reach the beach, navigate a cracked sidewalk, or find a parking spot that simply doesn't exist — this episode will change how you see your own community. Ralph and Maggie Tietjen of Access Oceanside Association bring hard numbers, personal heartbreak, and genuine hope to the conversation about what it would take to make Parksville the most accessible community in Canada. And when Vancouver journalist and author Steve Burgess explains why reusing dental floss is a philosophical statement — not just a habit — you'll find yourself rethinking what you actually need to live a life you love.  This Episode Features: (27:30) Steve Burgess is a Vancouver writer, broadcaster, former CBC host, contributing editor of The Tyee, and two-time Canadian National Magazine Award winner. After more than three decades of living well in one of Canada's most expensive cities — not by earning more, but by thinking differently — Steve has channelled that philosophy into his new book, Cheapskate in LotusLand: a personal guide to the philosophy and practice of living well on less. From Freeganism to frugality as freedom, Steve challenges readers to rethink their priorities and design the life they actually want — no budget required. (06:45) Ralph and Maggie Tietjen are with Access Oceanside Association, a nonprofit working to raise awareness and break down barriers for residents and visitors in the Parksville Qualicum Beach region. After losing her leg, Maggie found herself excluded from the very beach she loved. Together, she and Ralph have been surveying local businesses, hotels, and public spaces, advocating for accessible parking, sidewalk improvements, beach access, and more. Their goal: to make Parksville a national model for inclusion. Episode Quotes: "One in five households have an accessible parking tag. It's like a badge of honour in this area. So if you look at any parking lot and you think of one in five — persons with disabilities in some shape or form — the amount of parking spaces around, it's tough to get a spot." — Ralph Tietjen, Access Oceanside Association "Frugality is a necessary skill of creative people. My life is not going to be about increasing my income. It's going to be about how can I get by doing what it is that I want to do." — Steve Burgess, Author, Cheapskate in LotusLand 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: Ian Lindsay & Associates, Thrifty Foods Parksville & Fireside Books Check Support the show

    50 min
  4. What happens when a 20-year-old city councillor grows up to become the MLA, and is still trying to get things built faster?

    MAR 24

    What happens when a 20-year-old city councillor grows up to become the MLA, and is still trying to get things built faster?

    "Send us a text about this episode!" In this episode of Nonpartisan Hacks, Joel Grenz and Sean Wood sit down with George Anderson, MLA for Nanaimo-Lantzville, former Nanaimo city councillor, commercial lawyer, and Parliamentary Secretary for Transit. Anderson shares what it was like being the youngest person at the council table by four decades, how he went from door-knocking to Treasury Board, and what he believes is the most expensive material in home construction today. The conversation spans Anderson’s private member’s bill on building approvals, the mechanics of how private members’ bills actually work, the future of Vancouver Island rail, and why government is like a supertanker — it takes time and patience to change direction.  Episode Highlights: What it’s like being a 20-year-old councillor when the next youngest colleague is 60 How a transportation master plan built over a decade ago still guides Nanaimo today The step-by-step process of how a private member’s bill becomes law in BC Why professional reliance in building approvals could speed up housing construction What the Parliamentary Secretary for Transit actually does How BC’s ports connect Saskatchewan grain to Sapporo beer 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, 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 #publicengagement #ThePulseCommunity #SeanWood, #JoelGrenz #ParksvilleQualicumBeach #NonPartisanHacks #GeorgeAnderson   Support the show

    50 min
  5. Dr. Erica Harris - How Cancer Became the Road She Was Supposed to Travel

    MAR 24

    Dr. Erica Harris - How Cancer Became the Road She Was Supposed to Travel

    "Send us a text about this episode!" Why You Should Listen to This Episode If you've ever had life take a turn you didn't choose, this episode is for you. Dr. Erica Harris received a two-month terminal diagnosis in 2012 and somehow turned that devastating detour into the most purposeful chapter of her life. Her story isn't about toxic positivity — it's about the raw, honest work of surviving, finding meaning, and ultimately thriving. The message from her son that kept her going during her darkest moments alone is worth the listen. In this episode: Faced with a two-month terminal diagnosis in 2012, Dr. Erica Harris didn't simply survive — she emerged transformed. In this conversation, she opens up about how her life changed in the years that followed, and the inspirational message from her son that kept her going during the darkest of moments. Today, Dr. Harris is the Founder of RiseToday.com where she serves as a TedX International Speaker, a Motivational Life Coach, a #1 Best Selling Author, and the Host of the Rise Today Inspirational Podcast. Her mission is to open up the conversation about hardship, equip others with the tools to stay the course, and help people thrive like never before. You'll find The PULSE Community Podcasts at: https://thepulsecommunity.ca Cindy Thompson's website: https://cindythompsoncounselling.ca Learn more about Dr. Erica Harris: https://www.risetoday.com Episode Sponsor: Tablet Pharmacy — https://tabletpharmacy.ca/ You'll find all episodes of The PULSE Podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, TikTok, YouTube, and ThePulseCommunity.ca 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!" #DrEricaHarris #ResilienceProject #VancouverIsland #ParksvilleQualicum #ThePulseCommunityPodcast #CindyThompson Support the show

    43 min
  6. April Wine Headlines Parksville’s BeachFest & Skull Skates Moves Its International Headquarters to Qualicum

    MAR 17

    April Wine Headlines Parksville’s BeachFest & Skull Skates Moves Its International Headquarters to Qualicum

    "Send us a text about this episode!" Why You Should Listen to This Episode: If you've ever air-guitared to "I Like to Rock," wondered what it takes to build a brand over five decades, or just love hearing stories that remind you why mid-Island life is something special, this episode delivers. Lloyd Derry pulls back the curtain on the most exciting Beach Fest summer concert series in Parksville's history — including a mystery concert that will be the biggest show the area has ever seen. And “PD” Ducommon's story of building Canada's oldest skateboard brand from a Nanaimo bedroom to Qualicum Beach’s international headquarters is the kind of origin story you don't forget.  This Episode Features: (23:35) Peter "PD" Ducommon has been shaping skateboard culture since first stepping on a board in Nanaimo in 1974. As founder of Skull Skates — Canada's oldest skateboard brand — and PD's Hot Shop, he has spent over five decades bridging skateboarding, snowboarding, art, and music. With locations that have spanned Hollywood's Melrose Avenue, North Vancouver, downtown Vancouver, and a partner shop in Gifu, Japan, PD has recently moved Skull Skates' international headquarters to Qualicum Beach, just up the road from where it all began. The Qualicum Beach shop is home to a Pop Culture Museum showcasing five decades of skateboarding history. skullskates.com (08:00) Lloyd Derry is the Entertainment Director of the Parksville Beach Festival Society and the creative force behind one of mid-Vancouver Island's most beloved summer traditions. This year, the BeachFest opener features April Wine — the legendary Canadian rock band with over 20 albums. The Tim Hortons Free Summer Concert Series returns with eight free outdoor concerts across July and August. Mid-Island Co-op BeachFest Rocks begins August 7th, with an incredible roster of world-class tribute acts. And Lloyd teases one more major announcement: a mystery concert on August 21st that he calls "the single biggest concert in Parksville's history" — to be revealed April 7th. Get tickets and full lineup details at parksvillebeachfest.ca and the McMillan Art Centre Box Office. Episode Quotes: "We've never had a business plan — other than to get up every day and make cool things happen. Dedication is our gimmick." — Peter "PD" Ducommon, Skull Skates founder "Where else, for that kind of money, do you sit in an idyllic setting such as our beautiful Community Park, with a world-class facility, listening to world-class entertainment?" — Lloyd Derry, BeachFest Society 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: Support the show

    40 min
  7. Serena Klaver — Building Your Toolkit: The My True Resiliency Workshop

    MAR 17

    Serena Klaver — Building Your Toolkit: The My True Resiliency Workshop

    "Send us a text about this episode!" Why You Should Listen to This Episode If you've ever felt like stress was getting the better of you, or wondered whether resilience is something you can actually learn, this conversation is for you. Serena brings both professional expertise and genuine personal vulnerability — a rare combination. Whether you're a student navigating an overwhelming season, a parent watching your kids struggle, or simply someone looking for a more grounded way to move through difficulty, this episode is a reminder that resilience isn't about toughening up — it's about understanding yourself more deeply. In this episode: Serena Klaver joins A Resilience Project to share the inspiring work she and her co-facilitator have been doing on Vancouver Island — bringing the My True Resiliency workshop to university students across the region. As a professional planning consultant, Serena has developed a program that gives students a practical toolkit for building resilience. The workshop helps participants tap into habits and skills for understanding their emotional needs, while developing healthy responses to stress. She and her co-facilitator have been delivering this program to universities across Vancouver Island, meeting students where they are and giving them meaningful tools to carry forward. Beyond the workshop, Serena speaks with the kind of hard-won wisdom that only comes from lived experience. In this episode, she opens up about her own journey through loss — and what she has learned about herself along the way. You'll find The PULSE Community Podcasts at https://thepulsecommunity.ca Cindy Thompson's website: https://cindythompsoncounselling.ca Learn more about Serena Klaver: https://www.serenaklaver.com Episode Sponsor: Tablet Pharmacy — https://tabletpharmacy.ca/ You'll find all episodes of The PULSE Podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, TikTok, YouTube, and ThePulseCommunity.ca 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!" #SerenaKlaver #ResilienceProject #VancouverIsland #ParksvilleQualicum  #ThePulseCommunityPodcast #CindyThompson Support the show

    41 min
  8. Colin James Brings His “Chasing the Sun” Tour to Vancouver Island & Dr. Omar Karim Reimagines the Parksville Chamber

    MAR 10

    Colin James Brings His “Chasing the Sun” Tour to Vancouver Island & Dr. Omar Karim Reimagines the Parksville Chamber

    "Send us a text about this episode!" Why You Should Listen to This Episode: This one has real range — and real heart. If you've ever loved a blues-rock record, been curious about what drives a local business community, or just wanted to hear two genuinely fascinating people share their stories, this episode is for you. Colin James opens up in a way you rarely hear from a musician of his stature — honest, funny, and reflective. And Dr. Omar Karim brings an energy and global perspective to local business that will leave Parksville listeners genuinely excited about what's coming.  This Episode Features: (30:42) Colin James is one of Canada's most celebrated blues-rock guitarists — an eight-time Juno Award winner with 21 records and a career spanning more than four decades. His Chasing the Sun Tour brings him to Vancouver Island this spring, with shows in Sidney, Qualicum Beach, Port Alberni, and Campbell River. Colin sits down with The PULSE to talk about recovering from a serious car accident, writing his upcoming memoir, touring with Terra Lightfoot, a riverboat concert on the Douro River in Portugal and what it means to return to Vancouver Island — a place he calls close to home. https://colinjames.com/events/ (07:45) Dr. Omar Karim is a professor, global leadership architect and the new interim executive director of the Parksville and District Chamber of Commerce. With an MBA, a Master's in international business, and a doctorate in higher education, Dr. Karim brings a fresh and ambitious vision to one of Parksville Quaicum’s most vital business organizations. He joins The PULSE to talk about the Chamber's newly launched youth membership pass for ages 13–30, a revamped digital membership website, the return of the Business Excellence Awards on April 9th, a new Entrepreneur Hub offering shared services for small businesses on Vancouver Island, and an emerging international partnership that could put Parksville on the global stage. https://www.parksvillechamber.com/ Episode Quotes: "Just remaining grateful for being able to do what I love for a living — after 21 records. Stevie got cut short and didn't have that opportunity." — Colin James on Stevie Ray Vaughan "What we're trying to do is create a platform that is welcoming, inclusive, and provides accessibility and opportunities for learning and professional development for our membership." — Dr. Omar Karim Voice message: Voice message The PULSE and be part of the podcast! Episode Sponsors: Ian Lindsay & Associates, Thrifty Foods Parksville, & Fireside Books You'll find all episodes of The PULSE Podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, TikTok, YouTube, and ThePulseCommunity.ca Check out Skookum Kid's Stories on Support the show

    53 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
    108
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Pulse
  • Show Website
    The Pulse