VIBE Okanagan

VIBE Okanagan
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The VIBE Okanagan Podcast brings you the people, stories, ideas and experiences that make the Okanagan one of the most incredible places to live, work, visit and explore. From local entrepreneurs, artists, chefs, winemakers and creators to community leaders, candidates and the characters who shape life in the Valley, each episode goes beyond the usual tourism story. Hosted by Ray Brown, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of VIBE Okanagan, the podcast explores the people behind the places, the stories behind the businesses, the conversations shaping our communities, and the VIBE behind the Okanagan. Whether you live here, are planning your next visit, or simply love discovering great people and great stories, this is the Okanagan, through a different lens. When you set up the show, Apple and Spotify will also ask for a category. Society & Culture fits best, with Places & Travel as the second.

  1. 11h ago

    Friends First: How Rhona and Shannan Are Rethinking Tutoring in the Okanagan

    Ray Brown speaks with Rhona Stanislaus and Shannan Roberts, co-owners of Prep Academy Tutors of Interior BC, about how a friendship of more than 25 years became a business partnership. They share why they chose a franchise model and how they match students with the right tutor. They also explain why tutoring is a tool for confidence, not just catching up. They also discuss entrepreneurship, giving back through volunteering and board service, and how screen time, anxiety, AI and post-pandemic learning gaps are changing education for families across Kelowna, West Kelowna and the Interior. Prep Academy Tutors is hiring teachers, soon-to-be teachers and retired teachers. Find them by entering your postal code on their website. Sign up for our newsletter at vibeokgn.com for more Okanagan stories. Timestamps: (00:00) Introductions and how the partnership began (01:05) Friendship, trust and shared values in business (03:14) Correcting the record on where Prep Academy Tutors launched in BC (04:31) Why a franchise instead of starting from scratch (06:52) Serving the Okanagan first, then the wider Interior (08:38) Certified teachers, specialized support and test prep (09:43) Tutoring isn’t just for students who are behind (12:26) One-on-one, small group, in-home and online options (14:00) The 7 a.m. tutoring story (15:34) Different backgrounds and dividing responsibilities (17:07) Can entrepreneurship be taught? (19:07) How a finance background shapes the business (20:51) Learning gaps, classrooms, screens and AI (24:33) Why human connection still matters (25:52) Kindergarten through university and adult learners (27:16) Community involvement and volunteering (31:26) What parents say they need most (33:30) Tutoring as a proactive tool (35:44) The 3-to-5-year vision (38:22) Growth, diverse learners and Interior expansion (40:36) Small-group tutoring for athletes (42:31) Now hiring teachers (43:08) How to connect by postal code (44:12) Closing thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Friends First: How Rhona and Shannan Are Rethinking Tutoring in the Okanagan

  2. 2d ago

    BC Votes 2026: Bill Desrosiers, OneBC Candidate, Kelowna Centre

    Bill Desrosiers is the [Party] candidate in [Riding] in the 2026 BC provincial election. In this VIBE Okanagan conversation, Ray Brown asks Bill about the biggest issues facing the riding. They cover health care and doctor shortages, housing affordability, addiction and involuntary care, and wildfire and water security. They also discuss Highway 97 congestion, the snap election, and how he’d deliver for the Okanagan in Victoria. Election day is Saturday, October 24. Polls are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For candidate information and where-to-vote details, visit vibeokgn.com Sign up for our newsletter: vibeokgn.com/newsletter VIBE Okanagan is independent and does not endorse any candidate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    BC Votes 2026: Bill Desrosiers, OneBC Candidate, Kelowna Centre

  3. 2d ago

    BC Votes 2026: Saoirse MacKinnon, BC Green Party Candidate, Kelowna-Mission

    Saoirse MacKinnon is the BC Green Party candidate in Kelowna Mission in the 2026 BC provincial election. In this VIBE Okanagan conversation, Ray Brown asks Saoirse about the biggest issues facing the riding. They cover health care and doctor shortages, housing affordability, addiction and involuntary care, and wildfire and water security. They also discuss Highway 97 congestion, the snap election, and how she’d deliver for the Okanagan in Victoria. Election day is Saturday, October 24. Polls are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For candidate information and where-to-vote details, visit vibeokgn.com Sign up for our newsletter: vibeokgn.com/newsletter VIBE Okanagan is independent and does not endorse any candidate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    BC Votes 2026: Saoirse MacKinnon, BC Green Party Candidate, Kelowna-Mission

  4. 2d ago

    Okanagan Votes 2026: Tricia Brett, Lake Country Council

    Tricia Brett has been re-elected to Lake Country Council, representing Okanagan Centre for a second term. In this VIBE Okanagan post-election conversation, Ray Brown talks with Tricia about how it feels to win and who she thanked first. They also discuss what she’ll focus on in her first 100 days, what her first term taught her, and how Lake Country residents can reach her and get involved over the next four years. The BC provincial election is Saturday, October 24. Polls are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For full election results and more conversations with newly elected officials, visit vibeokgn.com Sign up for our newsletter: vibeokgn.com/newsletter VIBE Okanagan is independent and does not endorse any candidate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Okanagan Votes 2026: Tricia Brett, Lake Country Council

  5. 2d ago

    Who’s Fit for the Job? Anthony Russo on the Okanagan’s MLA Candidates

    With the BC provincial election on October 24, Kelowna entrepreneur Anthony Russo goes through the Okanagan’s MLA candidates one by one, and he doesn’t hold back. Russo owns several automotive companies and co-founded Western Charter House, a policy think tank that began by pushing back on BC’s autism funding restrictions. He shares his frank view of who he thinks is ready to represent the valley in Victoria, who he thinks isn’t, and why, drawing on candidates’ records and public statements. Full disclosure: Anthony is OneBC’s Regional Director for the Central Okanagan and campaign manager for Alexandra Wright, OneBC’s candidate in Kelowna–Lake Country–Coldstream. The opinions in this episode are his own. Host Ray Brown stays neutral throughout, and VIBE Okanagan does not endorse any candidate or party. Every Okanagan MLA candidate is welcome to tell their own story on the VIBE Okanagan Podcast. Book your interview at vibeokgn.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Who’s Fit for the Job? Anthony Russo on the Okanagan’s MLA Candidates

  6. 3d ago

    Okanagan Votes 2026: Laura Thurnheer, Kelowna City Council

    Kelowna-born business leader and former Okanagan College associate dean Laura Thurnheer has been elected to Kelowna City Council. In this VIBE Okanagan post-election conversation, Ray Brown talks with Laura about how it feels to win and who she thanked first. They also discuss what she’ll focus on in her first 100 days, and how Kelowna residents can reach her and get involved over the next four years. The BC provincial election is Saturday, October 24. Polls are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For full election results and more conversations with newly elected officials, visit vibeokgn.com Sign up for our newsletter: https://vibeokgn.com/newsletter VIBE Okanagan is independent and does not endorse any candidate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Okanagan Votes 2026: Laura Thurnheer, Kelowna City Council

  7. 4d ago

    Okanagan Votes 2026: Warren Brown, Oliver Town Council

    Born and raised in Oliver, Warren Brown is a local business owner and tradesperson who has served with Oliver Fire, BC Ambulance and Search and Rescue. Now he’s been elected to Oliver Town Council. In this VIBE Okanagan post-election conversation, Ray Brown talks with Warren about how it feels to win and who he thanked first. They also discuss what he’ll focus on in his first 100 days, and how Oliver residents can reach him and get involved over the next four years. The BC provincial election is Saturday, October 24. Polls are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For full election results and more conversations with newly elected officials, visit vibeokgn.com Sign up for our newsletter: https://vibeokgn.com/newsletter VIBE Okanagan is independent and does not endorse any candidate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Okanagan Votes 2026: Warren Brown, Oliver Town Council

  8. 4d ago

    Okanagan Votes 2026: Ray Baylis, Armstrong City Council

    Ray Baylis has been elected to Armstrong City Council. In this VIBE Okanagan post-election conversation, Ray Brown talks with Ray about how it feels to win and who he thanked first. They also discuss what he’ll focus on in his first 100 days, and how Armstrong residents can reach him and get involved over the next four years. The BC provincial election is Saturday, October 24. Polls are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For full election results and more conversations with newly elected officials, visit vibeokgn.com Sign up for our newsletter: vibeokgn.com/newsletter VIBE Okanagan is independent and does not endorse any candidate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Okanagan Votes 2026: Ray Baylis, Armstrong City Council
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About

The VIBE Okanagan Podcast brings you the people, stories, ideas and experiences that make the Okanagan one of the most incredible places to live, work, visit and explore. From local entrepreneurs, artists, chefs, winemakers and creators to community leaders, candidates and the characters who shape life in the Valley, each episode goes beyond the usual tourism story. Hosted by Ray Brown, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of VIBE Okanagan, the podcast explores the people behind the places, the stories behind the businesses, the conversations shaping our communities, and the VIBE behind the Okanagan. Whether you live here, are planning your next visit, or simply love discovering great people and great stories, this is the Okanagan, through a different lens. When you set up the show, Apple and Spotify will also ask for a category. Society & Culture fits best, with Places & Travel as the second.

Information

  • Creator
    VIBE Okanagan
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Copyright
    © VIBE Okanagan
  • Show Website
    VIBE Okanagan