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What does it really take for a province to break up with a country?

Carlin Lutzer sits down with longtime Okotoks resident and Western Wheel columnist Dick Nichols to unpack the hot-button issue of Alberta separation.

What starts as a nostalgic chat about community life quickly dives into the tangled web of constitutional law, Indigenous treaties, federal relations, economic risks, and political posturing around sovereignty and separation.

With clarity and historical depth, Dick offers a non-partisan exploration of the real implications behind Alberta’s rising separatist sentiment, drawing comparisons to Quebec, challenging simplistic solutions, and advocating for creative thinking and respectful dialogue.

Is Alberta destined to go it alone? Or are we just blowing off steam?

Listen For

6:50 Alberta Separation: Not So Simple
8:19 Treaties, Land, and Legal Complexity
11:20 What If Alberta Just Walked Away?
22:48 Why Separation Sentiment Is Growing
32:11 The Power of Civil Disagreement

Connect with guest: Dick Nichols

Western Wheel | Alberta Separation Would be Complex and Risky Article

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What do you get when you mix ten siblings, a Juno-nominated pop star, and a passion for musical theatre? Pure magic.

Carlin Lutzer sits down with singer-songwriter and theater creator Maren Ord to unpack her remarkable journey — from busking at malls with her family to signing record deals, touring internationally, and eventually reinventing herself as a playwright and composer.

Maren shares the joys and struggles of balancing art and motherhood, the heartbreak of local arts funding setbacks, and the enduring power of creative community.

Listen For

14:51 Big Break: From Radio Contest to Record Deal

18:05 Touring Tales: The Reality Behind the Rockstar Life

29:17 Reinventing as a Playwright: The Leap into Musical Theatre

38:12 Juggling Five Kids, Two Dogs, and Five Musicals

44:18 Okotoks’ Lost Theater: A Community Setback

55:57 Advice to a Hypothetical 15-Year-Old Star

Connect with guest: Maren Ord

Instagram | Website | Feather Pen Theatre

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What makes a town feel like home?

Carlin Lutzer chats with longtime resident and community builder Sharon Doran, the passionate event director behind the Sheep River Park Run.

Together, they explore how a simple, free weekly 5K run has become a heartbeat of local connection—bringing together runners, walkers, kids, and even dogs every Saturday morning, rain or shine.

Sharon shares how Park Run’s global mission found roots in Okotoks, the magic of volunteering, and tips for family-friendly hiking in the area. It’s an inspiring celebration of movement, community spirit, and what 30 years in Okotoks has taught Sharon about belonging.

Listen For

3:32 The Sheep River Park Run: rain, snow, or shine

5:10 How Park Run grew from England to Okotoks

7:39 Bring your dog! The family and pet-friendly vibe

11:27 Park Run tourists from around the world

12:41 Why walkers are welcome: no last place at Park Run

14:56 Sharon’s favorite family-friendly hiking spots

Connect with guest: Sharon Doran

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What really happens when you call bylaw?

Carlin Lutzer sits down with Vikram Kulkarni, the Municipal Enforcement Manager for the Town of Okotoks, to unpack what municipal enforcement really is—and what it isn’t.

Together they demystify the roles of peace officers vs. bylaw officers, explain how a complaint-based system works, and delve into the delicate balance between community safety and personal freedom.

From poop scofflaws to e-scooter etiquette, rain emergencies to parade patrols, this conversation is full of insights for anyone curious about how Okotoks keeps its friendly, charming identity while growing into a modern town.

Listen For

3:55 Who’s Who in Enforcement: Peace Officers vs. Bylaw Officers

10:35 The Tiered Response: Managing Massive Community Events

13:23 Complaint-Based System: How it Works and Why It Exists

20:10 Privacy Myths Busted: What Happens When You Call Bylaw

38:06 Positive Ticketing: Catching Good Behavior in the Act

44:29 Small Acts, Big Impact: Everyday Heroes in the Community

Connect with guest: Vikram Kulkarni

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What if your child could be targeted online without you knowing?

Carlin Lutzer sits down with Corporal Heather Bengle from Alberta’s ALERT ICE Unit to tackle the dark realities of online child exploitation.

From sextortion scams to AI-generated deepfakes, the conversation unveils how predators are evolving faster than ever, and what parents must know to keep their kids safe.

With real-life cases, disturbing trends, and essential safety advice, this episode isn’t just an interview—it’s a wake-up call every parent needs to hear.

Listen For

00:42 Introducing a Tough but Crucial Conversation

03:49 AI-Generated Deepfakes Targeting Kids

07:29 How Sextortion Really Works

10:53 The Devastating Consequences: From Bank Accounts to Suicides

19:30 The Danger of Online Child Luring

25:11 What Can Parents Do Today?

Connect with guest: Constable Heather Bangle

Alert Alberta / ICE Unit | Canadian Centre for Child Protection

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Looking for help but don’t know where to start?

Carlin sits down with Sherri Mullen of the Okotoks Family Resource Centre, a powerhouse that's been supporting the community for over two decades.

Sherri shares the ins and outs of how her team answers hundreds of calls, coordinates essential services, and keeps residents connected—from volunteer rides to medical appointments to free tax filing for low-income families.

This conversation reveals the invisible backbone of Okotoks' social support system and reminds us all that asking for help is a sign of strength—not weakness.

Listen For

0:20 Meet Sherri: 22 Years of Community Support
3:56 Why People Come: Confusion, Not Just Crisis
6:31 Hidden Gem: The Volunteer Driver Program
8:16 Snow Heroes: More Than Just a Sign
14:27 The Rising Tide of Housing Struggles
15:20 Behind the Scenes: Free Tax Filing with Heart

Connect with guest: Sherri Mullen

LinkedIn | Website

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What would make someone take in 25 dogs, work for free, and keep going after being bitten 58 times?

Carlin Lutzer sits down with Sam Burnett, co-owner of Moe Dog Rescue Mission, to explore the gritty realities behind dog rescuing.

From its origins in Cuba to tackling Alberta’s shady breeding practices, Sam shares raw stories, hard-earned wisdom, and a deep belief that there's no such thing as a bad dog — just bad circumstances.

Whether you're a dog owner, animal advocate, or someone curious about what really goes into saving a life, this episode is equal parts eye-opening and inspiring.

Listen For:

1:46 From Cuba to Canada How Moe Dog Rescue Began

5:04 The Chaos of Fostering 25 Dogs at Once

7:56 When Rescues Go Wrong Not All Are Created Equal

13:54 The Transformation of a Semi-Feral Dog

20:04 Are You Accidentally Training Your Dog to Be Reactive

28:40 Inside Alberta’s Shocking Dog Auction Scene

44:34 Lifetime Training Support for Every Adopted Dog

Connect with guest: Sam Burnett

Website | Moe Dog Instagram | How YOU Can Help

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What happens when long-time landowners become the face of change in a tight-knit rural community?

In this follow-up episode of the Okotoks Podcast, Carlin sits down with Adrian Munro, president of Highfield Investment Group, and Dennis Inglis, his consultant and longtime friend, to hear the developer's perspective on the proposed Highfield and Rowland Acres developments.

They unpack the history of the land, their motivations, the misunderstood density numbers, and their ongoing efforts to engage with neighbors in Raven Crest and Silver Tip.

With emotions running high and misinformation spreading, the conversation is a revealing glimpse into the balancing act between progress and preservation in Foothills County.

Listen For

1:59 The History of Highfield: From Exotic Cattle to Development Plans

4:29 Did the County Invite Development?

5:19 What Happens to the Equestrian Centre?

11:25 Community Pushback: Real Concerns or Vocal Minority?

13:27 Comparing Densities: Highfield vs. Other Foothills Developments

17:01Best Use of the Land: Is This Smart Growth?

20:31 Water Usage Myth-Busting: Homes vs. Industrial

Guests

Adrian Munro, President Highfield Investment Group

Web site | LinkedIn | Email | 403-723-2106

Dennis Inglis

LinkedIn

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