A twisted fairytale and a radio legend remind us why storytelling is the truest spirit of Conovision.

What makes a story come alive? In this episode, we wander through the soul of storytelling itself — how tales give shape to the invisible, clothe metaphors in color, and connect us in ways nothing else can.
First, a fractured fairytale: Hansel and Grendel (yes, with a d), where roast pigs, candy zoning laws, and Beowulf lawsuits collide in a twisted Grimm-meets-satire tale.
Then, the mic opens to a master of story and sound: actor, writer, and radio legend Bill Reiter. From East Van record shops and black music pilgrimages to Seattle, to the rise of Groovin’ Blue — Canada’s first Black music radio show — Bill shares his path through radio drama, commercials, comedy, and stage. Along the way, there are lessons in improv, luck, and the kind of love only a life in sound can hold.
By the end, you’ll see why Conovision insists: we are all stories waiting to be told.

Episode References:

• Hansel and Grendel | Francis Heaney
• Bill Reiter: IMDB / BC Entertainment Hall of Fame

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (02:36) - A Fractured Fairytale: Hansel and Grendel
• (08:14) - Enter Bill Reiter
• (09:36) - Radio Roots and Comedy Commercials
• (12:58) - First Encounters with Black Music
• (15:26) - Trips to Seattle and Musical Awakening
• (18:30) - East Van Stories and Collecting Records
• (23:53) - Owning Bill and Bob’s Record Store
• (26:07) - From Record Shop to Radio Host
• (28:01) - Groovin’ Blue: Canada’s First Black Music Show
• (30:19) - Acting, Commercials, and Improv on the Fly
• (34:18) - Television, Stage, and Radio Plays
• (35:53) - Dr. Bundolo and the Spark of Chance
• (38:07) - Luck, Calendars, and Serendipity in Showbiz
• (42:46) - Remembering Miles Ramsay and Brian Griffiths
• (46:56) - Conclusion