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  • From Trails to YouTube: Curtis Lafleche’s Outdoor Journey

    From Trails to YouTube: Curtis Lafleche’s Outdoor Journey
    2026/04/22
    On this episode of Backroads Bill, we sit down with Curtis Lafleche, a Northern Ontario outdoorsman who has turned his passion for the backcountry into a growing presence on YouTube.

    What started as simple walks quickly turned into a deep curiosity about the land, eventually leading to backcountry trips, canoe expeditions, and a love for exploring the wild spaces of Northern Ontario . We also dive into how Curtis made the leap from private adventures to sharing his experiences online.

    From filming solo trips and learning the ins and outs of content creation, to finding his own voice without trying to copy others, he talks about what it really takes to build something authentic in the outdoor space.

    Check out Curtis' Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/@NotSoEpicAdventurer

    0:00 – Intro
    3:06 – Finding the Outdoors
    8:28 – Why He Started YouTube
    13:22 – Backcountry Trips & Florence Lake Story
    20:41 – Entering the Quiet & Winter Camping
    34:33 – Gear, Filming & Outdoor Lessons
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    44 分
  • A Lifetime of Weather: David Phillips Reflects on Over 50 Years of Predicting Canadian Climate

    A Lifetime of Weather: David Phillips Reflects on Over 50 Years of Predicting Canadian Climate
    2026/04/15
    In this episode of Backroads Bill, we sit down with one of Canada’s most recognizable voices in weather, climatologist David Phillips, for a conversation that spans more than five decades of forecasting, storytelling, and scientific change.

    From his early days with Environment Canada to becoming a familiar presence on The Weather Network, David reflects on how both the science and the public’s relationship with weather have evolved. We talk about how forecasting has changed, from simple observations to advanced technology powered by satellites and supercomputers, and why predicting the weather is still as challenging as ever .

    The conversation also dives into the bigger picture. David shares how climate change has reshaped not just long-term trends but the day-to-day weather Canadians experience, with storms becoming more intense and patterns less predictable. Along the way, he offers stories from across the country, highlighting the moments where weather has left a lasting impact on people and communities.

    0:00 – Intro
    3:18 – Why Canadians Love the Weather
    6:16 – How His Career in Climate Began
    12:04 – Climate Change & Human Impact
    22:20 – How We Consume Weather Today
    46:20 – Memorable Weather Stories
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    56 分
  • Blending Tradition and Sound: Adrian Sutherland’s Unique Voice

    Blending Tradition and Sound: Adrian Sutherland’s Unique Voice
    2026/04/08
    In this episode of Backroads Bill, we sit down with Juno-nominated artist Adrian Sutherland to explore how his music is deeply rooted in his life in Attawapiskat and his culture.

    From early influences at home to performing on national stages, Adrian shares how his sound has evolved while staying true to where he comes from.

    We also dive into his new book The Work of Our Hands, and how storytelling, music, and culture all connect.

    Adrian opens up about life in the North, the realities of remote communities, and why he continues to create from a place that means so much to him.

    Learn more about Adrian here: https://adriansutherlandmusic.com/home

    0:00 – Intro
    03:06 – Life in Attawapiskat
    05:23 – Early Music & Influences
    08:54 – The Story Behind the Book
    15:04 – Music, Culture & Community
    21:10 – Life on the Land & What’s Next
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    28 分
  • Gogama: Small Town, Big Heart in Northern Ontario

    Gogama: Small Town, Big Heart in Northern Ontario
    2026/04/01
    On this episode of Backroads Bill, we head off the highway and into the small Northern Ontario community of Gogama, a place with a population of just a few hundred but a story that runs deep.

    We’re joined by longtime resident Gerry Talbot, who has spent his entire life in Gogama and has been involved in nearly every aspect of the community. From local services and volunteer boards to preserving the town’s history, Gerry shares what it takes to keep a small town going and why people continue to call it home .

    We talk about Gogama’s past, from its days as a much larger mill town to the challenges that came with population decline. We also explore how the community has adapted over time, from improving internet access and infrastructure to maintaining essential services through volunteer efforts.

    0:00 Intro
    3:29 Where Gogama Is & Who Lives There
    10:18 From Boom Town to Decline
    17:05 Housing, Growth & Challenges
    28:03 The Legend of the Wolf Man
    39:59 Derailment, Recovery & Moving Forward
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    45 分
  • Ignace: From Fading Town to Future Hub

    Ignace: From Fading Town to Future Hub
    2026/03/27
    On this episode of Backroads Bill, we head to Northwestern Ontario to take a closer look at the township of Ignace, a small community facing a big decision about its future.

    Once supported by forestry, mining, and tourism, Ignace has seen its population decline and its economy slow in recent years. With mills closing and opportunities becoming harder to find, the town found itself at a crossroads. That changed when Ignace was selected as the host community for Canada’s proposed deep geological repository for used nuclear fuel, a project that could bring billions in investment, new jobs, and long-term stability.

    We’re joined by Jake Pastore to talk about how the community approached the decision, the years of education and public consultation involved, and what it took to earn support from residents and local First Nations partners.

    We also explore what comes next, from new housing and infrastructure to the construction of a major research and operations facility that could reshape Ignace for generations.
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    49 分
  • The Wawa Runestone: Northern Ontario’s Newest Archaeological Mystery

    The Wawa Runestone: Northern Ontario’s Newest Archaeological Mystery
    2026/03/18
    On this episode of Backroads Bill, we head to Northwestern Ontario to explore one of the most intriguing archaeological discoveries in the region in recent years.

    Local historian Johanna Rowe joins the show to talk about the discovery of the Wawa Runestone, a rock carving hidden in the bush that contains more than 250 characters written in runic script.

    Johanna walks us through how the discovery first came to light, the process of bringing archaeologists and language experts into the investigation, and the years of careful research that followed.

    Find out more here: https://www.ocare.ca/

    0:00 – The Wawa Runestone Discovery
    4:37 – First Seeing the Carvings
    9:51 – Translating the Runic Message
    17:02 – Who Might Have Carved It?
    31:36 – Why the Discovery Matters
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    39 分
  • From the Australian Outback to Ontario’s Ice Roads

    From the Australian Outback to Ontario’s Ice Roads
    2026/03/11
    On this episode of Backroads Bill, we connect with a trucker whose journey spans continents. Sludge one of the stars of the Netflix series Outback Truckers, joins the show while passing through Northern Ontario after filming on the winter roads along the James Bay coast.

    Known for hauling freight across the harsh landscapes of Australia, Sludge found himself facing a completely different challenge: driving heavy trucks through deep cold, snow, and ice in the far north.

    In this conversation, Sludge shares how he first became part of the long-running television series, what it was like trading Australia’s heat for temperatures below –30°C, and how the winter road system compares to the remote dirt roads he knows so well from the Outback.

    We also hear about the people he met along the way, the culture of trucking across different parts of the world, and why Northern Ontario left such a strong impression on him.

    0:00 – Introducing Sludge from Outback Truckers
    3:21 – How Sludge Got Started on the TV Series
    9:58 – Experiencing Northern Ontario’s Extreme Cold
    14:43 – Ice Roads vs Australian Outback Driving
    20:21 – Northern Lights & Final Reflections from the North
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    24 分
  • Creating Snowshoe Art on the Back Roads with Kim Asmussen

    Creating Snowshoe Art on the Back Roads with Kim Asmussen
    2026/03/04
    On this episode of Backroads Bill, we head north to the shores of Lake Superior to meet Kim Asmussen, known to many as the “Snowshoe Art Guy.”

    Instead of a paintbrush and canvas, Kim uses snowshoes and wide open winter landscapes to create massive geometric designs and images in the snow that can only truly be appreciated from above Kim shares how a simple idea turned into a unique form of outdoor art.

    What started with one triangle in a schoolyard has grown into intricate patterns across frozen lakes and fields. Using tape measures, compasses, and careful planning, he walks out designs step by step in deep snow before capturing the final work with drone photography.

    Find out more about Kim on socials:

    https://www.facebook.com/kim.asmussen.779
    https://www.instagram.com/snowshoeartguy/


    0:00 – Introducing the Snowshoe Art Guy
    3:58 – How Snowshoe Art Began
    11:07 – The Perfect Conditions for Snow Art
    18:07 – Creating Art in Grass for the PGA
    21:32 – From Forestry to Snowshoe Artist
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    32 分