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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

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Episode Sponsors: Ian Lindsay & Associates, Thrifty Foods Parksville, & Fireside Books

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What does it actually take to get something into a government budget?

In this episode of Nonpartisan Hacks, Joel Grenz and Sean Wood go behind the scenes on Sean’s multi-year advocacy journey to increase the Volunteer First Responder Tax Credit — first at the federal level, then provincially in British Columbia. From jogging past the fire hall in Parksville to sitting in the legislature on budget day, it’s a story about persistence, relationships, and pulling every lever you can find.

Plus: it’s the show’s first-ever video episode and there’s a new way to pitch in. Joel’s agency built GiverLever, a WordPress donation plugin for nonprofits, campaigns, and creators, and you can take it for a spin by supporting the podcast, or back a specific episode you think deserves more listeners by contributing directly on that episodes page on the website.

Episode Highlights:

How Sean took an idea from a failed federal campaign to two government budgets

What budget day actually looks like inside the BC legislature, including the media “lockup”

Why advocating from multiple channels at once is the key to getting things done

The real cost difference between volunteer and paid fire departments — and why it matters for your property taxes

How a casual conversation with the Minister of Finance at a UBCM reception fits into the bigger advocacy picture

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Visit the NonPartisan Hacks website: https://nonpartisanhacks.com/

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Cyprine Omollo joins A Resilience Project to share a remarkable and deeply moving story of personal transformation and community impact. As Program Manager of Clean Start Kenya, Cyprine leads an organization dedicated to helping women and girls successfully transition back into society after serving time in prison or juvenile detention.

Cyprine's journey begins from a place of profound vulnerability. Having been imprisoned herself after falling into debt and being unable to repay it, she witnessed firsthand the desperate plight of women, girls, and children behind bars. After spending six months in Langata Women's Maximum Security Prison, Cyprine became one of the first recipients of the newly founded Clean Start program

Her story is one of turning hardship into purpose, and of refusing to let the circumstances of the past define the possibilities of the future.

You'll find The PULSE Community Podcasts at: https://thepulsecommunity.ca

Cindy Thompson's website: https://cindythompsoncounselling.ca

Learn more about Clean Start Kenya: https://cleanstartkenya.com

Episode Sponsor: Tablet Pharmacy — https://tabletpharmacy.ca/

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This Episode Features:

(23:51) Jeff Shields of Parksville has been working in web development for over 30 years and now speaks to groups across British Columbia about artificial intelligence. In a conversation that is equal parts practical and eye-opening, Jeff shows how AI can plan your weekly meals from a photo of your fridge, review your investment portfolio, teach you Italian pronunciation, and turn a two-month coding project into two days of work. He also addresses the pitfalls, the guardrails, and the bigger questions AI raises for Vancouver Island communities and beyond. https://jeffshieldstalks.ca/

(08:21) Monique Gray Smith, award-winning author of Cree and Scottish descent, joins The PULSE to discuss her latest book, Sharing the Light: Stories and Reflections. A psychiatric nurse for over 25 years, an international speaker, and a proud Vancouver Island resident, Monique explores the neuroscience behind gratitude, love, joy, happiness, and hope — five ways of being that can literally change your brain chemistry and your destiny. She'll be at Fireside Books in Parksville on Saturday, March 7th, from 1–3 PM. https://www.firesidebooks.ca/

Episode Quotes:

"Even in our darkest moments, even when hope is in like the cuticle of my pinky toe, we have to have hope… when we change our emotions, we change our destiny." — Monique Gray Smith

"I just finished a coding project that took me two months that would have taken me seven years." — Jeff Shields on AI

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Alvin Law joins A Resilience Project to share a most remarkable stories of human resilience. Born without arms as a direct result of the Thalidomide drug scandal of the early 1960s — Alvin was placed in foster care at just five days old.

Through the unwavering dedication of his adoptive parents, Alvin learned to use his feet as hands — a testament to what becomes possible when we refuse to be defined by our limitations. During his teen years, Alvin discovered a passion for music, joining the school band and mastering the trombone, drums, and piano. He became an award-winning musician and graduated from high school with honours.

Alvin's message is one his adoptive parents instilled in him from the very beginning: don't just survive — exceed expectations. In this powerful conversation, Alvin invites us to look beyond what we think is possible and to challenge the boundaries we place on ourselves and others.

You'll find The PULSE Community Podcasts at: https://thepulsecommunity.ca

Cindy Thompson's website: https://cindythompsoncounselling.ca

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

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This Episode Features:

(24:44) Derek Edwards, one of Canada's most beloved stand-up comedians, brings his brand-new Oxymoron Tour to Vancouver Island this March with four stops across the Island. Derek talks about more than three decades on the road — from his first open mic night at a smoke-filled Yuk Yuk's in Yorkville, to navigating blizzards on Ontario backroads, to the baby who genuinely upstaged him mid-show. https://derekedwards.ca/tour-dates/

(07:14) Susanne Cunningham, Chair of the Mid Island Health Alliance, shares the exciting news that the Primrose Medical Centre is set to open in Qualicum Beach this September. Housed in the former Bank of Montreal building in the heart of town, the facility will serve up to 10,000 patients when fully operational. With approximately 9,000 residents in the Parksville-Qualicum Beach Oceanside region currently without a family physician, and private donations already exceeding $700,000, the Primrose Medical Centre is a powerful model of community-powered philanthropy on Vancouver Island. https://www.midislandhealthalliance.ca

Episode Quotes:

"You stand there making a group of strangers laugh. It's marvellous. That satisfaction doesn't diminish. It's absolutely as cool as when I started." --- Derek Edwards

"There are approximately 9,000 residents who do not have a physician in this region... The Primrose Centre itself has 3,300 square feet of repurposed clinical space, and it will have the capacity to serve up to 10,000 patients when fully operational." --- Susanne Cunningham

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In this episode of Nonpartisan Hacks, Joel Grenz and Sean Wood sit down with Peter Milobar, MLA for Kamloops Centre and BC Conservative leadership candidate. Milobar’s political résumé spans city councillor, three-term mayor, regional district chair, and provincial legislator — what Sean calls “a full political bingo card.” The conversation covers what he learned managing a city through the 2008 financial crisis, why infrastructure funding has dried up, and how he got all 10 regional district projects funded when no one else could get one.

Milobar also shares candid advice for anyone thinking of running for local office, explains why councillors shouldn’t try to make it a full-time job, and makes the case that fixing a road has nothing to do with how you vote federally.

Episode Highlights:

How Milobar delivered infrastructure under the rate of inflation during the 2008 economic crisis

The story of getting all 10 regional district projects funded by refusing to re-prioritize the list

Why BC’s $13.5 billion deficit concerns him as the province’s finance critic

His advice on what voters actually look for — and why single-issue candidates should reconsider

Why councillors showing up with hedge trimmers creates more problems than it solves

The case for staying in your lane at every level of government

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You'll find all episodes of The PULSE Podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart, TikTok and YouTube podcasts, as well as PULSECommunity.ca

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This Episode Features:

Dr. Rob Lees, Registered Psychologist, joins A Resilience Project to shed light on the unique challenges many veterans face both during military service and after returning home from their tour of duty. Drawing on his clinical expertise, Dr. Lees explores what it means to find genuine meaning and purpose in life — and why doing so is central to our wellbeing and happiness.

Dr. Lees also offers an inspiring look at the creative programs he has helped develop through a partnership between the school district and Child & Youth Mental Health in Chilliwack, B.C. These initiatives are designed to foster mentorship and leadership among young people, recognizing that when we help others, the psychological benefits — including positive changes in brain chemistry — become powerful protective factors in building resilience.

Covering a lot of ground, Dr. Lees sheds light on the many opportunities we all have for cultivating connection — within our communities, our relationships, and ourselves.

You'll find The PULSE Community Podcasts at: https://thepulsecommunity.ca

Cindy Thompson's website: https://cindythompsoncounselling.ca

Episode Sponsor: Tablet Pharmacy — https://tabletpharmacy.ca/

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