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Ricky Sanchez came to Okotoks from Mexico City at just 15 years old with very little English, a love for baseball and a dream he was determined to pursue.

In this episode of The Okotoks Podcast, Ricky shares the story of leaving his family in Mexico to join the Dawgs Academy, attending Holy Trinity Academy and continuing his baseball career through several American colleges, including Gonzaga University.

We talk about the challenges he faced along the way, the lessons he learned and the people who supported him. Ricky also looks back on winning three championships with the Okotoks Dawgs, the friendships he formed and the special connection he developed with the fans.

Ricky has certainly made a lasting impact on the Dawgs organization and the Okotoks community—but Okotoks has made just as great an impact on him. What began as a place to pursue baseball has become home. As his playing career comes to an end, Ricky plans to remain in Canada, put down roots in Okotoks and hopefully help develop the next generation of players through coaching.

This is a heartfelt conversation about baseball, sacrifice, family, community and finding a home far away from where your journey began.

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In this episode of The Okotoks Podcast, Carlin sits down with Amedeo, the owner and executive chef behind Amedeo’s Italian Restaurant.

Born in Calabria, Italy, Amedeo shares his journey from culinary school in Italy to working as an executive chef across Canada—and eventually building a family-run restaurant right here in Okotoks.

We talk about the importance of family, the Italian tradition of gathering around the table, and how Amedeo’s has created a dining experience where every guest is treated like part of the family. Amedeo also shares how his children, Valentina and Corrado, have become equal partners in the business and why their passion and sense of ownership make the restaurant so special.

Plus, we hear about their unique mobile wood-fired pizza oven, panini truck, catering services, and Amedeo’s desire to leave a lasting family legacy in the community.

It’s a wonderful conversation about food, family, tradition and bringing an authentic taste of Italy to Okotoks.

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Are data centres a major economic opportunity for Alberta—or do the demands on electricity, water and local infrastructure outweigh the benefits?

In this episode of The Okotoks Podcast, Carlin sits down with Jasona Rondeau to explore Alberta’s growing interest in attracting large-scale data centres. They discuss the potential for investment, jobs and economic diversification, while also examining concerns surrounding energy consumption, water use, noise, environmental impact and the pressure these developments could place on nearby communities.

Jasona also helps explain how modern data centres operate, including closed-loop cooling systems, evolving technology and the trade-offs communities should consider before welcoming these projects.

This is a balanced conversation about growth, responsibility and whether data centres truly make sense for Alberta.

Episode title:
Data Centres in Alberta: Are the Benefits Worth the Cost? with Jasona Rondeau

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What happens when you sit down with a mayor who doesn't speak in political talking points?

In this episode of The Okotoks Podcast, I sit down with Mayor Craig Snodgrass for one of the most open and candid municipal conversations I've had. Craig has earned a reputation for saying exactly what he believes, and whether you agree with him or not, you always know where he stands.

We dive into some of the biggest topics shaping High River today, including:

• The new aquatic centre and how the town made the project a reality.
• Why High River continues to attract new residents and businesses.
• The lessons learned from the devastating 2013 flood and how flood mitigation has transformed the community.
• High River's growing film industry and the economic opportunities it creates.
• The "Water Not Coal" movement and why protecting Alberta's Eastern Slopes has become such a passionate issue for Craig and many southern Albertans.
• What it takes to lead a community through both opportunity and controversy.

Throughout the conversation, Craig answers every question directly, without dancing around the issues. It's a refreshing discussion about leadership, community building, transparency, and making decisions that will shape High River for decades to come.

Whether you live in High River, Okotoks, or anywhere in Alberta, this episode offers valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities facing municipalities today.

🎙️ The Okotoks Podcast is available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms.

If you enjoy these long-form community conversations, please subscribe, leave a review, and share the episode with someone who cares about the future of our towns.

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In this episode of the Okotoks Podcast, Carlin Lutzer is joined once again by Brent Robinson, Executive Director of Lacrosse Alberta, and Curtis Armstrong, Publisher of The Western Wheel, for another round of fast-paced conversation on topics that are making people think in Okotoks and across Canada.

With just five minutes allocated to each question, the conversation moves quickly, giving three different perspectives without scripts or rehearsed answers.

This episode covers:

• Where can you find the best burger, coffee, and dining experience in Okotoks?
• Should social media be banned for children under 16?
• Is Canada's justice system doing enough to protect the public from serious repeat offenders?
• Are e-bikes becoming a growing safety concern in our community?
• Fascinating and little-known facts from Okotoks' history.

Not every opinion will be the same, and that's exactly the point. The goal isn't to convince you who's right, but to encourage respectful conversation and critical thinking about the issues affecting our community.

We'd love to hear what you think. Which answers did you agree with? Which topics should we tackle next? Leave a comment on YouTube or reach out through social media.

Thank you for listening and for supporting the Okotoks Podcast. If you enjoy these conversations, please subscribe, leave a review, and share the episode with a friend. Every share helps us continue bringing local conversations to the community.

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Since our first conversation on growth in Okotoks, a lot has happened.

If you'd like to share your thoughts with Town Council, please take a few minutes to reach out. Visit the link below and select "Mayor & Council" from the drop-down menu to send your comments or questions:

https://www.okotoks.ca/form/contact-us-mayor-and-council

Town Council has approved higher-density developments, residents have organized community meetings, hundreds of people have participated in a citizen-led survey, and new questions continue to emerge about the future direction of our community.

In this episode, I welcome Paul Howarth back to the podcast to unpack the events of the past several weeks and discuss some of the biggest issues facing Okotoks today.

We discuss:

* What has happened since our first episode
* Recent Town Council decisions
* Higher-density development and what it could mean for future neighbourhoods
* The Town's projected population growth to nearly 96,000 residents by 2049
* Infrastructure, traffic, schools, recreation, and community planning
* The Town's reported debt and the role growth plays in future finances
* Why citizen engagement matters, regardless of where you stand

This conversation explores questions and perspectives that many residents have raised. The goal isn't to tell listeners what to think, but to encourage informed, respectful dialogue about the future of Okotoks.

Whether you support the current growth strategy, have concerns about its pace, or simply want to better understand the issues, this episode aims to add context to an important community conversation.

As always, I welcome respectful discussion and would be happy to host Town Council members, Administration, developers, or other community voices who would like to share their perspectives.

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🎙️ New episodes every week featuring local news, community leaders, business owners, and conversations that matter in Okotoks and the Foothills.

If you enjoy the show, please follow, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who cares about the future of our community.

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What happens to a community when a beloved local landmark is given a second life?

For years, many Okotokians worried that the Okotoks Air Ranch Airport (CFX2) might disappear into yet another housing development.

Carlin Lutzer sits down with airport manager Rob Grover, a lifelong aviator who soloed on this very field back in 2003, to explore the new ownership group's exciting vision for the airport's future.

From terminal renovations and a future restaurant to charter flights, hangars, and community fly-in events, this conversation celebrates a piece of Okotoks that residents see every day but know very little about.

It's a warm, insightful look at how one local asset connects our community to the wider world and why its revival matters to everyone who loves life in Okotoks.

Listen For:

2:54 How did Rob Grover's aviation journey lead him to Okotoks?

4:08 What is the new vision for the Okotoks Air Ranch Airport?

5:34 Which aircraft and charter flights already land in Okotoks?

7:19 Could a restaurant be coming to the Okotoks air ranch?

11:17 How can the airport connect pilots with local Okotoks businesses?

Guest: Rob Grover, Airport Manager, Okotoks Air Ranch Airport (CFX2)

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What does it really take for a man to admit he's not okay…and what can a community like Okotoks do to make that conversation easier?

Carlin Lutzer sits down with Melanie Taylor, therapist and owner of Connected Therapy Services in Okotoks, Alberta, for an honest conversation about men's mental health.

Recorded for Men's Mental Health Awareness Month, this episode digs into why men account for roughly 75% of suicide deaths in Canada, the cultural pressure to "tough it out," the warning signs loved ones should watch for, and the practical first steps toward support.

With warmth, candor, and real local heart, Carlin and Melanie explore how stronger connections and simple check-ins can change lives.

It's an inspiring, deeply human discussion that reminds our community that reaching out is a sign of strength and that no one has to carry the weight alone.

Listen For:

2:30 Why do men account for 75% of suicide deaths in Canada?

6:01 How is society reshaping what it means to be a man today?

18:16 What warning signs should Okotoks families watch for in the men they love?

20:00 How do you actually check in on a friend who's struggling?

23:02 What first steps can someone in Okotoks take to find mental health support?

Guest: Melanie Taylor | Therapist and Owner, Connected Therapy Services

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